EP4596449A1

EP4596449A1 - Spout and pouch with spout

Info

Publication number: EP4596449A1
Application number: EP24154906.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sebastian Kraus; Frank Zeiter
Original assignee: Kao Germany GmbH
Current assignee: Kao Germany GmbH
Priority date: 2024-01-31
Filing date: 2024-01-31
Publication date: 2025-08-06

Abstract

The spout for a bag container includes a tubular structure having a first portion adapted to be arranged inside the bag container and defining a first port at a first axial end of the tubular structure, and a second portion adapted to be arranged outside the bag container and defining a second port at a second axial end of the tubular structure. The spout includes a plug coupled to the first portion and adapted to be displaced by an adapter of a dispensing machine between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the plug is arranged abutting the first axial end and covering the first port and in the second position, the plug is arranged away from the first axial end. The second portion includes at least one opening extending in a radial direction through a wall of the tubular structure.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates, generally, to a pouch, and more particularly to a spout for a pouch adapted to be arranged in an inverted position inside a dispensing machine to dispense the fluid from the pouch.

BACKGROUND

Pouches that contain fluids are arranged in inverted positions inside a dispensing machine to enable the dispensing of the fluids from the pouches. Generally, an adapter is inserted inside a spout of such a pouch to allow the fluid to exit to a nozzle of the dispensing machine via the adapter. However, the adapter may get disengaged from the spout due to gravitational force and pressure of the fluid acting on the adapter, which is undesirable.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure is to provide a spout for a pouch to facilitate an easy and efficient dispensing of a fluid stored inside the pouch when the pouch is arranged in an inverted position inside a dispensing machine.
One aspect of the disclosure is to provide a spout that enables securing of an adapter inside the spout and prevents a disengagement of the adapter from the spout during a dispensing of a fluid from the pouch arranged inside the dispensing machine.
The above and other aspects of the disclosure are provided by a spout for a collapsible bag container of claim 1. The spout includes a tubular structure having a first portion adapted to be arranged inside the bag container and defining a first port at a first axial end of the tubular structure, and a second portion adapted to be arranged outside the bag container and defining a second port at a second axial end of the tubular structure. The spout further includes a plug adapted to be arranged inside the bag container and coupled to the first portion. The plug is adapted to be displaced by an adapter of a dispensing machine between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the plug is arranged abutting the first axial end and covering the first port. In the second position, the plug is arranged away from the first axial end to enable an opening of the first port. Moreover, the second portion includes at least one opening extending in a radial direction through a wall of the tubular structure. The at least one opening facilitates the coupling and retention of the adapter with the spout.
In some embodiments, the spout further includes a pair of arms extending from the tubular structure to the plug, movably connecting the plug with the tubular structure. The pair of arms are configured to extend and retract to enable movement of the plug between the first position and the second position, while keeping the plug engaged with the tubular structure.
One aspect of the disclosure is to provide a pouch that facilitates an easy and efficient dispensing of a fluid stored inside the pouch when the pouch is arranged in an inverted position inside a dispensing machine.
One aspect of the disclosure is to provide a pouch having a spout that facilitates a securing of an adapter of a dispensing machine inside the spout and prevents a disengagement of the adapter from the spout during a dispensing of a fluid from the pouch arranged inside the dispensing machine.
The above and other aspects of the disclosure are provided by a pouch having a collapsible bag container for storing a fluid and a spout connected to the collapsible bag container. The spout includes a tubular structure having a first portion arranged inside bag container and defining a first port at a first axial end of the tubular structure. The spout also includes a second portion arranged outside the bag container and defining a second port at a second axial end of the tubular structure. The spout further includes a plug arranged inside the bag container and coupled to the first portion. The plug is adapted to be displaced, by an adapter of a dispensing machine, between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the plug is arranged abutting the first axial end and covering the first port. In the second position, the plug is arranged away from the first axial end to enable an opening of the first port. Moreover, the second portion includes at least one opening extending in a radial direction through a wall of the tubular structure. The at least one opening facilitates the coupling and retention of the adapter of a dispensing machine with the spout as at least one pin of the adapter extends through the at least one opening.
In some embodiments, the bag container includes a front wall, a rear wall, and pair of side walls arranged opposite to each other and connecting the front wall and the rear wall.
In some embodiments, the bag container includes a top edge and a bottom edge. The front wall and the rear wall are connected to each other at the top edge and the bottom edge.
In some embodiments, the spout is arranged at the top edge and the second portion of the tubular structure extends outwardly of the top edge.
In some embodiments, the spout further includes a pair of arms extending from the tubular structure to the plug, movably connecting the plug with the tubular structure. The pair of arms are configured to extend and retract to enable movement of the plug between the first position and the second position, while keeping the plug engaged with the tubular structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

Having thus described example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a pouch having bag container and a spout coupled to the bag container, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;
FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional perspective view of the pouch of FIG. 1 depicting an interior of the pouch, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective of the spout of the pouch of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;
FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view perspective view of the spout of FIG. 3 depicting engagement structures of the spout, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;
FIG. 5 illustrates a section perspective of the pouch with an adapter of a dispensing machine extending inside a tubular structure of the spout with a plug of the spout arranged separated and away from a port of the spout, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; and
FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional perspective view of the spout and the adapter extending inside the tubular structure with pins of the adapter extending through holes of the spout, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DISCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, apparatus and methods are shown in block diagram form only in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure.
Reference in this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Further, the terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not for other embodiments.
Some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The use of any term should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present disclosure.
The embodiments are described herein for illustrative purposes and are subject to many variations. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient but are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present disclosure. Further, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. Any heading utilized within this description is for convenience only and has no legal or limiting effect.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a perspective view of a pouch 100 is shown. The pouch 100 includes a bag container 102 defining a chamber 104 (shown in FIG. 2) to store a fluid and a spout 106 connected to the bag container 102 and extending partially inside the bag container 102 to facilitate a filling and/or dispensing of the fluid from the bag container 102. The bag container 102 is a collapsible/flexible bag container and is adapted to be squeezed to a collapsible configuration. The bag container 102 includes a front wall 108 and a rear wall 110 arranged spaced apart and opposite to the front wall 108, and a pair of sidewalls 112 arranged opposite to each other and extending between the front wall 108 and the rear wall 110. Bottom edges and top edges of the front wall 108 and the rear wall 110 are fused/sealed together and define a bottom edge 114 and a top edge 116 of the bag container 102. Although, the bottom edges of the front wall 108 and rear wall 110 are shown to be fused to each other, it may be appreciated the bag container 102 may include a base to which the front wall 108, rear wall 110, and the sidewalls 112 are connected and extend in a vertical direction and/or a roof arranged between the sidewalls 112, the front wall 108, and the rear wall 110 and connected to the sidewalls 112, the front wall 108, and the rear wall 110.
Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the bag container 102 is a gusset type container 120. Accordingly, each of the sidewalls 112 includes a side gusset that is adapted to fold along its central line. The front wall 108 and the rear wall 110 move towards each other, and each of the sidewalls 112 collapses on itself in response to exit of the fluid from the bag container 102, and may be arranged in the collapsed configuration when the bag container 102 becomes empty. In the collapsed configuration, some portions of the front wall 108 and the rear wall 110 may be arranged abutting each other, and the sidewalls 112 are folded along respective center line such that the sidewalls 112 are arranged between inner surfaces of the front wall 108 and the rear wall 110. Although the sidewalls 112 are shown and contemplated as the side gussets, it may be envisioned that the gussets may be omitted from the sidewalls 112.
Further, referring to FIGS. 2 to 6, the spout 106 includes a tubular structure 122 coupled to the top edge 116 of the bag container 102 and having a first axial end 124 arranged inside the bag container 102 and a second axial end 126 arranged outside of the bag container 102. The tubular structure 122 includes a first portion 130 arranged inside the chamber 104 and extending from the first axial end 124 towards the second axial end 126, and a second portion 132 arranged outwardly of the chamber 104 and extending from the first portion 130 to the second axial end 126. As shown in FIG. 4, the tubular structure 122 is a substantially cylindrical tube defining an elongated channel 134 extending from the first axial end 124 to the second axial end 126. Further, a first port 136 of the elongated channel 134 is defined at the first axial end 124, while a second port 138 of the channel 134 is defined at the second axial end 126 of the tubular structure 122. The first port 136 allows entry of the fluid inside the channel 134 from the chamber 104, while the second port 138 facilitates an exit of the entered fluid from the elongated channel 134.
To cover and close the first port 136, the spout 106 includes a plug assembly 140 (best shown in FIG. 3) having a plug 142 adapted to be removably engaged with the tubular structure 122 to selectively open and close the first port 136. The plug 142 is configured to stop the flow of the fluid from the chamber 104 to the channel 134 when the pouch 100 is arranged in an inverted position, for example, in a dispensing machine, to dispense the fluid. Accordingly, to allow the dispensing of the fluid from the pouch 100, the plug 142 is displaced/separated/moved away from the tubular structure 122 such that plug 142 is arranged away from the first port 136. Therefore, the plug 142 is movably coupled to the tubular structure 122 and is configured to move between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the plug 142 is arranged abutting the first axial end 124, covering the first port 136, while the plug 142 is located away from the first axial end 124, hence the first port 136, allowing the exit of the fluid from the chamber 104, in the second position.
To movably couple the plug 142 with the tubular structure 122, the plug assembly 140 includes a pair of arms 144, 146 having first ends attached to the first portion 130 of the tubular structure 122 and second ends connected to the plug 142. Each of the arms 144, 146 include flexible portion to enable the displacement of the plug 142 between the first position and the second position, while still maintaining the engagement of the plug 142 with the tubular structure 122. It may be appreciated that the plug 142 is moved between the first position and the second position by an adapter 200 (shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6) of the dispensing machine (not shown) when the pouch 100 is arranged in the inverted position.
Initially, the plug 142 is arranged in the first position, closing the first port 136, and hence prevents flow of the fluid from the bag container 102 to the tubular structure 122 i.e., the channel 134. To move the plug 142 to the second position (shown in FIGS. 2 to 6) and hence open the first port 136, the adapter 200 is inserted inside the tubular structure 122 through the second port 138. As the adapter 200 is inserted inside the tubular structure 122, a top portion 202 of the adapter 200 engages with the plug 142 and disengages the plug 142 from the tubular structure 122 upon further extension of the adapter 200 inside the tubular structure 122 such that the top portion 202 of the adapter 200 extends outwardly of the first port 136 and is arranged in engagement with the plug 142. In some embodiments, the plug 142 and the top portion 202 of the adapter 200 may include suitable engagement structures to removably secure the top portion 202 of the adapter 200 with the plug 142. Accordingly, the plug 142 is moved back to the first position, covering the first port 136 when the adapter is pulled out of the spout 106. Further, the adapter 200 includes a hollow tube 204 and suitable inlet openings 206 at the top portion to allow the exit of the fluid stored inside the bag container 102 through the hollow tube 204.
Further, referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, to secure the adapter 200 with the spout 106 and to prevent any undesired disengagement/removal of the adapter 200 from the spout 106, the second portion 132 includes at least one engagement structure 150 (best shown in FIG. 4) adapted to engage with at least one securing structure 210 (best shown in FIG. 6) of the adapter 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one engagement structure 150 includes at least one opening 152 (shown in FIG. 4) and the at least one securing structure 210 includes at least one pin 212 (shown in FIG. 6) adapted to extend inside the at least one opening 152 of the tubular structure 122 to secure the adapter 200 with the spout 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one opening, for example, two openings 152, extends in a radial direction from an inner surface of the tubular structure 122 to an outer surface of the tubular structure 122 and is arranged proximate to the second axial end 126 of the tubular structure 122. It may be appreciated that the openings 152 may be disposed diametrically opposite to each other. Also, the pins 212 may be spring loaded pins that are pressed inwardly as the pins 212 enter the channel 134 of the spout 106 and extend outwardly through the openings 152 as the pins 212 align with the openings 152, as shown in FIG. 6.
In some embodiments, the second portion 132 may define at least one cut-out, for example, two cut-outs associated with the two openings 152 and extending in a longitudinal direction from the second axial end 126 of the tubular structure 122 to the associated opening 152. Accordingly, each cutout and opening together define an inverted L shape. In such a case, the pins 212 may simply be protrusions extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of a wall of the hollow tube 204, and enter the openings 152 through the cut-outs. Also, upon inserting the pins 212 inside the openings 152 through the cut-outs, and secure the pins 212 inside the openings 152, the adapter is rotated to position the pins 212 out of alignment of the cut-outs.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosures set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these disclosures pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosures are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

A spout (106) for a collapsible bag container (102), the spout (106) comprising:
a tubular structure (122) having
a first portion (130) adapted to be arranged inside the bag container (102) and defining a first port (136) at a first axial end (124) of the tubular structure (122), and

a second portion (132) adapted to be arranged outside the bag container (102) and defining a second port (138) at a second axial end (126) of the tubular structure (122); and

a plug (142) adapted to be arranged inside the bag container (102) and coupled to the first portion (130) and adapted to be displaced, by an adapter (200) of a dispensing machine, between a first position and a second position, wherein
in the first position, the plug (142) is arranged abutting the first axial end (124) and covering the first port (136), and

in the second position, the plug (142) is arranged away from the first axial end (124) to enable an opening of the first port (136),
characterized in that

the second portion (132) includes at least one opening (152) extending in a radial direction through a wall of the tubular structure (122).
The spout (106) of claim 1 further including a pair of arms (144, 146) extending from the tubular structure (122) to the plug (142), movably connecting the plug (142) with the tubular structure (122), wherein the pair of arms (144, 146) are configured to extend and retract to enable movement of the plug (142) between the first position and the second position.
A pouch (100), comprising:
a collapsible bag container (102) for storing a fluid; and

a spout (106) connected to the collapsible bag container (102) and including
a tubular structure (122) having
a first portion (130) arranged inside the bag container (102) and defining a first port (136) at a first axial end (124) of the tubular structure (122), and

a second portion (132) arranged outside the bag container (102) and defining a second port (138) at a second axial end (126) of the tubular structure (122); and

a plug (142) arranged inside the bag container (102) and coupled to the first portion (130) and adapted to be displaced, by an adapter (200) of a dispensing machine, between a first position and a second position, wherein
in the first position, the plug (142) is arranged abutting the first axial end (124) and covering the first port (136), and

in the second position, the plug (142) is arranged away from the first axial end (124) to enable an opening of the first port (136),
characterized in that

the second portion (132) includes at least one opening (152) extending in a radial direction through a wall of the tubular structure (122).
The pouch (100) of claim 3, wherein the bag container (102) comprises a front wall (108), a rear wall (110), and pair of side walls (112) arranged opposite to each other and connecting the front wall (108) and the rear wall (110).
The pouch (100) of claim 4, wherein the bag container (102) includes a top edge (116) and a bottom edge (114), wherein the front wall (108) and the rear wall (110) are connected to each other at the top edge (116) and the bottom edge (114).
The pouch (100) of claim 5, wherein the spout (106) is arranged at the top edge (116) and the second portion (132) of the tubular structure (122) extends outwardly of the top edge (116).
The pouch (100) of any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the spout (106) includes a pair of arms (144, 146) extending from the tubular structure (122) to the plug (142), movably connecting the plug (142) with the tubular structure (122), wherein the pair of arms (144, 146) are configured to extend and retract to enable movement of the plug (142) between the first position and the second position.