Abstract
An assembly of a spout and a plug element is provided. The spout includes a sealboat for closing a pouch thereto, and an outlet tube extending with respect to the sealboat, the sealboat and the outlet tube are integral with each other. The plug element includes a valve for closing the inlet of the outlet tube in a neutral coupled position, resilient arms and a plunger rod for connecting the resilient arms to the valve. The resilient arms are unreleasably coupled to the spout. In a neutral coupled position, the plug element extends away from the outlet tube and the resilient arms are pre-tensioned to exert a force on the valve, to close the inlet of the outlet tube with the valve. The resilient arms move the valve away from the inlet upon compression of the resilient arms to release the inlet.
Claims
1. An assembly of a spout and a plug element, the spout comprising: a sealboat for sealing a pouch thereto, and an outlet tube extending with respect to the sealboat, the outlet tube having an outlet end through which in use a liquid or other substance exits the outlet tube as well as an inlet end opposite the outlet end; the sealboat and the outlet tube integral with each other, so that the outlet tube extends through the sealboat, the plug element comprising: a valve for closing the inlet of the outlet tube in a neutral coupled position of the plug element; a pair of resilient arms; and a plunger rod for connecting the resilient arms to the valve, wherein the resilient arms of the plug element are formed to be unreleasably coupled to the sealboat of the spout, wherein in the neutral coupled position the plug element extends in a direction away from the outlet tube and the resilient arms are pre-tensioned to exert a force on the valve, to close the inlet of the outlet tube with said valve; and wherein the resilient arms are formed to move the valve away from the inlet upon compression of the resilient arms, to release the inlet.
2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sealboat comprises a pair of recesses adapted to receive the resilient arms of the plug element, and wherein the resilient arms of the plug element each comprise a clickfinger configured to unreleasably fit into the recesses of the sealboat.
3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein in the neutral coupled position the clickfingers of the resilient arms extend radially outwards with respect to an outer surface of the sealboat.
4. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein in an axial direction of the outlet tube, the recesses in the sealboat are bordered by a transverse rib at the outer surface thereof.
5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the resilient arms are adapted to be welded to the sealboat by an ultrasonic welding method.
6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the valve, at the side that in the neutral coupled position closes the tube inlet, has a slanted end face, a slanting angle of the slanted end face being in between ?30? and ?60? with respect to the axial direction of the outlet tube.
7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein, when projected on a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the outlet tube, the widest point of the resilient arms extends with respect to the sealboat in the neutral coupled position, wherein an extension is at most 25% compared to a width of the sealboat in the same direction.
8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the force exerted on the inlet of the outlet tube by the valve is in between 6 and 14 N in the neutral coupled position.
9. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein a total stroke of the plunger rod, in between a non-assembled position and a maximally extended position, is in between 4.5 and 12.5% of the total plunger rod length.
10. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein a stroke of the plunger rod, in the neutral coupled position with respect to a non-assembled position, is in between 1.5 and 6.0% of a total plunger rod length.
11. The assembly according claim 1, wherein the plunger rod has a non-uniform diameter, and wherein a thickest part of the plunger rod acts as a stop to limit compression of the resilient arms.
12. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sealboat, at the side comprising the inlet of the outlet tube, has a substantially flat and substantially solid end face.
13. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein a flow channel of the outlet tube has a substantially constant diameter over an entire length from the inlet to outlet.
14. A pouch comprising a flexible sheet defining an inner volume, the flexible sheet sealed to the sealboat of an assembly according to claim 1, the plug element extending in the inner volume defined by the flexible sheet.
15. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein the extension is in between 5% and 25% compared to the width of the sealboat in the same direction.
16. The assembly according to claim 15, wherein the extension in between 12% and 18% compared to the width of the sealboat in the same direction.
17. The assembly according claim 8, wherein the force exerted on the inlet of the outlet tube by the valve is in between 7 and 12 N in the neutral coupled position.
18. The assembly according claim 17, wherein the force exerted on the inlet of the outlet tube by the valve is in between 8 and 10 N in the neutral coupled position.
19. The assembly according claim 9, wherein the total stroke of the plunger rod, in between the non-assembled position and the maximally extended position, is in between 6.0 and 10.0% of the total plunger rod length.
20. The assembly according claim 19, wherein the total stroke of the plunger rod, in between the non-assembled position and the maximally extended position, is in between 8.0 and 9.0% of the total plunger rod length.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0054] These and other embodiments of the present inventive concept will now be elucidated further, with reference to the attached figures. In these figures:
[0055] FIG. 1 schematically shows, in an isometric view, a spout of an assembly according to the present invention;
[0056] FIG. 2 schematically shows, in an isometric view, a plug element of an assembly according to the present invention;
[0057] FIG. 3 schematically shows, in an isometric view, the spout of FIG. 1 and the plug element of FIG. 2, coupled together to form the assembly;
[0058] FIGS. 4A and 4B schematically show the valve of the plug element and the inlet of the spout, in an opened position with respect to each other respectively a closed position with respect to each other;
[0059] FIGS. 5A to 5C schematically show the plug element in different positions: respectively a position nearing the maximally extended position of the resilient arms; a rest position with no force applied to the resilient arms and a neutral coupled position, wherein the plug element is coupled to a spout;
[0060] FIG. 6 schematically shows, in a view from below, the spout of FIG. 1;
[0061] FIG. 7 schematically shows, in a cross-sectional view, the assembly of FIG. 3 sealed to a pouch; and
[0062] FIG. 8 schematically shows an alternative embodiment of the plug element.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0063] With reference to FIG. 1 initially, a spout 11 is shown. The spout 11 is relatively standard in that the spout comprises a sealboat 111 and an outlet tube 112. The sealboat 111 acts as a sealing surface 116 against which a pouch (FIG. 7) can be sealed in a later stage. The outlet tube 112 protrudes upwards with respect to the sealboat 111. The outlet tube 112 defines a flow channel through which in use a liquid or other substance flows, e.g., from the pouch into a mouth of a user. The flow channel has an outlet end 113 and an inlet end indicated at 114, opposite the outlet end 113. The spout 11 is formed as a single injection moulded part, such that the outlet tube 112 and the spout 11 are integral with each other. The flow channel extends through both the outlet tube 112 and the spout 11.
[0064] Indicated at 115 is a recess in the spout 11. The recess 115 defines an opening in the outer sealing surface 117 of the spout 11. As will be more clear from FIG. 3, this recess is for receiving clickfingers of the plug element and coupling the spout 11 and the plug element to each other to form an assembly. When seen in an axial direction of the outlet tube 112, the recess is bordered by transverse ribs 118, 119. Also when seen in the direction parallel to the axial direction the recess 115 is bordered by transverse ribs.
[0065] Turning now to FIG. 2, a plug element 21 is shown. The plug element 21 comprises a valve 211 which, when the plug element 21 is coupled with the spout, closes the inlet of the flow channel of the spout. This will be discussed in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.
[0066] The plug element 21 also comprises a pair of resilient arms 212, 213. The arms 212, 213 are curved and bulge outwards; the arms 212, 213 being wider near the center thereof than near the ends thereof. As will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5C this makes that the arms 212, 213 can be lengthened and shortened, to move the valve 211 with respect to the flow channel of the spout. At one end, the resilient arms 212, 213 comprise clickfingers 215, 216 that can be inserted in the recesses of the spout to unreleasably couple and fix the plug element 21 to the spout and form the assembly. At the other end of the resilient arms 212, 213 the arms 212, 213 join each other and are connected to a plunger rod 214. The plunger rod 214 extends centrally with respect to the arms 212, 213 and is connected to the valve 211 in a rigid manner such that when the arms 212, 213 are stretched, the plunger rod 214 moves and also the valve 211 moves. As will be discussed in more detail with reference to FIG. 5C, the plunger rod 214 has a non-uniform cross section and defines a stop member 218. As will be discussed in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the end face of the valve 211 is slanted, defining a slanted end face 217.
[0067] Turning to FIG. 3 now, the plug element 21 and the spout 11 are coupled together to form assembly 1. The clickfingers 215, 216 of the plug element 21 are for that purpose inserted in recesses 115, 116 of the spout 11. As can be seen, protruding sections of clickfingers 215, 216 radially extend with respect to the outer surface of the spout 11. With respect to the sealboat 111 of the spout 11, the plug element 21 extends in the opposite direction compared to the outlet tube 112.
[0068] The position as shown in FIG. 3 is referred to as the neutral coupled position, i.e., the position in which the spout 11 and the plug element 21 are coupled to form the assembly 1, but in which no external force is applied to the resilient arms 212, 213 of the plug element 21. In this neutral coupled position the plunger rod 214 presses the valve against the inlet of the flow channel of the spout 11 as there is some pre-tension in the resilient arms. In this way, in the neutral coupled position the flow channel through the spout 11 is closed. For example, the pre-tensioning force in the resilient arms, and the force with which the valve is pressed on the flow channel inlet, may be between 6 and 14 N, e.g., in between 7 and 12 N, such as, for example, between 8 and 10 N in the neutral coupled position as shown in FIG. 3. However, these forces may be dependent on the total volume of substance in the pouch, the viscosity thereof, and other factors.
[0069] As an alternative to coupling the spout 11 and the plug element 21 in a pre-tensioned way via clickfingers 215, 215 and recesses 115, 116, in principle any other coupling method may be used. For example, the spout 11 and the plug element 21 may be coupled by ultrasonic welding.
[0070] Turning now to FIG. 4A, the valve 211 is shown in more detail, in a cross-sectional view compared to FIGS. 2 and 3. The valve 211, as shown, is connected to plunger rod 214 and moves along with plunger rod 214 away from flow channel inlet 214 and to flow channel inlet 214. Also indicated in FIG. 4A is axial direction A of the flow channel 121 (which corresponds with the axial direction of the outlet tube). As can be readily seen in FIG. 4A, the end face 217 of valve 211 is arranged at an angle, i.e., inclined, i.e., slanted, with respect to the axial direction A. In advantageous embodiments, the slanting angle ? is between 30 and 60 degrees, e.g., about 45 degrees. As can be seen, also the very top portion of the flow channel inlet 114 is inclined here, at an angle matching the slanting angle of the valve end face 217.
[0071] Besides the inclination of the very top end of the flow channel 121, for the rest of its length the flow channel 121 may have the same constant diameter, such that the inner walls of the outlet tube are smooth and uninterrupted.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 4B, this ensures a good fit of the valve 211 in the flow channel 121, to close said flow channel 121 in the neutral coupled position of the assembly. As will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art, in the position indicated in FIG. 4A the valve 211 is positioned away from the flow channel 121 inlet 114, so that the valve 211 is in the open position and fluid can flow out of the pouch through the flow channel 121. In the position indicated in FIG. 4B the valve 214 physically blocks the inlet 114 of the flow channel 121 and no liquid can flow out of the poucheven when a cap would be absent from the spout.
[0073] Now turning to FIGS. 5A to 5C, the resilience of the arms 212, 213 is schematically illustrated. On the left, in FIG. 5A, the arms 212, 213 are straightened compared to the neutral coupled position as e.g., shown in FIG. 3 and as shown in FIG. 5C as well. This straightening makes the arms 212, 213 longer and, when clickfingers 215, 216 are fixated in recesses of a spout, will move plunger rod 214 and valve 211 away from the flow channel inlet (upwards in the figure). This also follows from a comparison of FIGS. 5A and 5B, as the valve 211 is retracted with respect to the click fingers 215, 216 in FIG. 5A compared to FIG. 5B. The resilient arms 212, 213 do not touch the stop member 218 yet and may be extended a bit more, but in the position as illustrated in FIG. 5A it is nearing the maximally extended position M. In the present example, the total length of the plunger rod 214 is about 32 mm. The total stroke of the plunger rod 214 and the valve 211 in between the maximum extended position M of FIG. 5A and the rest position R where no force at all is applied on the plug element 21 is in the present example e.g., in between 1.5 mm and 4.0 mm, e.g., in between 2.0 mm and 3.5 mm, such as, for example, in between 2.5 mm and 3.0 mm. It is expected that this optimal stroke length will scale up and down when the plunger rod 214 is made longer and respectively shorter. Therefore, expressed as a percentage of plunger rod length, the total stroke may be between 4.5 and 12.5% of the total plunger rod length, e.g., in between 6.0 and 10%, such as, for example, in between 8.0 and 9.0%
[0074] FIG. 5C shows a position intermediate in between the rest position R and the maximally extended position M: the neutral coupled position N. In this position the resilient arms 212, 213 are somewhat compressed and tensioned to allow them to be fitted in the recesses 115, 116 of the spout 11, but further compression of the arms 212, 213 is possible. Expressed in absolute numbers, in the present example the total length of the plunger rod 214 is about 32 mm. For example, a stroke of the valve 211 and 214 in between the rest position R of FIG. 5B and the neutral coupled position N of FIG. 5C is in between 0.5 mm and 1.9 mm, e.g., in between 0.7 mm and 1.5 mm. It is expected that this optimal stroke length will scale up and down when the plunger rod 214 is made longer and respectively shorter. Therefore, expressed as a percentage of plunger rod length, the stroke between the rest position and the neutral coupled position may be between 1.5 and 6.0%, such as, for example, in between 2.0 and 3.5%.
[0075] Further visible in FIG. 5C is how the click fingers 215, 216 protrude with respect to the outer surface of the spout 111.
[0076] Further visible in FIG. 5C is how the widest point of the resilient arms 212, 213 extend outside of the spout with a dimension d1. In various embodiments, expressed in absolute numbers, where the width of the sealboat in the direction d1 is about 16 mm, preferably, this dimension is less than 3.5 mm, e.g., in between 1 mm and 3.5 mm, such as, for example, about 2.0-2.5 mm. It is expected that this optimal extension scales up and down when the sealboat is made wider and respectively smaller. Therefore, expressed in percentages, the extension may be at most 25% compared to the width of the sealboat in the same direction, e.g., in between 5% and 25%, such as, for example, about 12-18%.
[0077] FIG. 6 then shows a bottom view of the spout 11 of FIG. 1. Visible is the side 120 of the sealboat 111 that in an assembled condition faced the contents of a pouch. This side 120 comprises the inlet 114 towards the flow channel 121 of the outlet tube. This side 120 is substantially flat and is substantially solidapart from the inlet 114. Also shown in this FIG. 6 are the recesses 115, 116 configured to receive the clickfingers of the plug element.
[0078] Turning to FIG. 7, the assembly 1 of pouch 11 and plug element 21 is shown in a state where a pouch 31 is sealed to the sealboat of the spout 11. As shown, the plug element 21 extends inside the interior of the pouch 31, which interior is defined by a flexible sheet 311. A user can compress the resilient arms of the plug element 21 from the outside of the pouch 31, and in that way move the valve away from the inlet of the outlet tube and allow the contents of the pouch 31 to leave the pouch 31. Once a sufficient amount of the contents is let out of the pouch 31, the compression of the resilient arms can be stopped, the valve moves back to the inlet and closes said inlet again. Hence, it is not required to empty the whole pouch 31 at once. Also when emptying the pouch in several portions, a reliable closing of the inlet is ensured at all times with the assembly as presented herein.
[0079] FIG. 8, finally, shows an alternative plug element 12. Like the previously shown plug elements, also the plug element 12 as shown in FIG. 8 can be coupled in an unreleasable manner to a sealboat of a spout. The plug element 12 of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 8 differs from the plug elements discussed above as the plunger rod stop is absent and spring elements 219 are present. The spring elements 219, shown, for example, in the form of leaf springs, bias the valve 211 against the inlet of the outlet tube of a spout when the plug element 12 is coupled with a spout. The leaf springs extend radially outwards with respect to the plunger rod 214 and in the present embodiment contact the material of the resilient arms 212, 213 while being separate elements. In possible alternative embodiments the spring element 219 may be integral with the resilient arms. As shown, the contact area between the leaf springs 219 and the resilient arms 212, 213 may be around the widest point of the resilient arms 212, 213. In the embodiment with spring elements 219, when the plug 12 is mounted on a spout, a consumer will have to push the resilient arms 212, 213 of the plug element 12 harder to allow the valve 211 to be removed from the outlet tube of the spout. However, advantageously when the pushing force is no longer applied, the spring elements 219 ensure that the valve 211 returns to the position where it seals said outlet tube faster, so that spillage and leakage of contents of a pouch sealed to the spout-plug assembly is minimized further. Preferably the material of the spring elements 219 is the same as the material of the other components of the plug 12, so that the plug 12 can easily be made using an injection moulding technique.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0080] 1 assembly [0081] 11 spout [0082] 111 sealboat [0083] 112 outlet tube [0084] 113 outlet tube outlet [0085] 114 outlet tube inlet [0086] 115 recess in sealboat [0087] 116 recess in sealboat [0088] 117 outer surface sealboat [0089] 118 transverse rib [0090] 119 transverse rib [0091] 120 lower side sealboat [0092] 121 flow channel outlet tube [0093] 21 plug element [0094] 211 valve [0095] 212 resilient arm [0096] 213 resilient arm [0097] 214 plunger rod [0098] 215 clickfinger [0099] 216 clickfinger [0100] 217 slanted end face valve [0101] 218 stop plunger rod [0102] 219 spring element [0103] 31 pouch [0104] 311 flexible sheet [0105] A axial direction outlet tube [0106] d1 distance between widest point resilient arm and outer surface sealboat [0107] DF diameter flow channel [0108] DP diameter plunger rod [0109] I inner volume pouch [0110] M maximum extended position plug element [0111] N neutral coupled position plug element [0112] R non-assembled position plug element [0113] S1 stroke plunger rod between R and N [0114] S2 stroke plunger rod between N and M [0115] ST stroke plunger rod between R and M [0116] ? angle between slanted end face valve and axial direction outlet tube
