Patent Application
20240239566
The present invention relates to an assembly of a spout and a plug element, as well as a plug element for connection to a spout and a pouch comprising a plug element.
Dutch patent publication NL1042538 discloses a device for opening and closing a liquid pouch made of a flexible material. The device is connected to or can be connected to the liquid pouch through a spout. The spout comprises a spout body and a flow channel. The flow channel comprises a valve seat that cooperates with a valve. The valve can be actuated by means of a valve displacement mechanism, the valve displacement mechanism comprising spring elements. The spring elements are connected to the valve on the one end and are connected with the spout body on the other end. The spring elements are shaped in such a way that when a transverse force is applied on the spring elements, the valve moves away from the valve seat. When the transverse force is absent, the valve is pressed against the valve seat by the spring elements, closing the flow channel in a liquid tight manner. To open the valve, a transverse force can be applied from the exterior of the pouch by a user of the pouch. According to NL1042538, the spout and the spring elements form a single part.
After elaborate testing, the present inventors have found that it is not possible to close the flow channel of the spout reliably and consistently with the device disclosed in NL1042538. This is a first disadvantage of said device. A second disadvantage of the device disclosed in NL1042538 is that the mould required to produce the device via injection moulding is relatively complicated, making the device relatively expensive.
Accordingly, an object of the present inventive concept provides a more reliable closing solution for opening and closing an outlet of a liquid pouch. Preferably, such a solution on top of that is less expensive than the known device.
Therefore, according to the present inventive concept an assembly of a spout and a plug element is presented.
The spout of the assembly comprises: 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 are integral with each other, so that the outlet tube extends through the sealboat and the inlet of the outlet tube is arranged at the sealboat.
The plug element of the assembly comprises: 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.
The resilient arms of the plug element are formed to be unreleasably coupled to the sealboat of the spout.
In a neutral coupled position the plug element extends in a direction away from the outlet tube. In the neutral coupled position the resilient arms are pre-tensioned, to exert a force on the valve and close the inlet of the outlet tube with said valve.
The resilient arms are formed to move the valve away from the inlet upon compression of the resilient arms, to release the inlet.
Advantageously, by providing the spout and the plug element initially as two separate parts and connecting them later to form an assembly, the plug element can be pre-tensioned with a sufficiently high force to reliably close the inlet of the spout. Providing the spout and the plug element initially as two separate parts also allows the spout and plug element to be made of the same material, e.g., PP or PE, while still allowing a reliable and sufficient closing action in the neutral condition. The spout and the plug element might also be made of two different materials. It is found by the present inventors that, in the contrary scenario, wherein the two parts are manufactured as an integral part, a sufficient amount of pre-tensioning cannot be achieved.
Further advantageously, both the spout and the plug element can be injection moulded with a relatively simple mould and in a quick and reliable manner. This reduces the cost price of the assembly compared to when the device would be made as a single part.
As a further advantage, in various embodiments the exterior of the spout does not differ from currently known spouts. Therefore, nothing or very little has to be changed to the production process of such spouts to allow the market introduction of the present inventive concept.
As a further advantage, especially when the pouch sealed to the assembly is filled with a non-food product, a cap to close the spout may be omitted when a plug element is arranged inside the pouch. As a cap is typically removable from the spout and ends up as litter, the present inventive concept provides a plug element inside the pouch, unreleasable from the spout, that is more environmentally friendly.
The present inventive concept provides an assembly of a spout and a plug element. That is, the spout and the plug element are manufactured as two separate components, which are coupled to each other in a later step, to form an assembly.
Spouts are typically used in combination with pouches, the pouches being sealed to a sealboat of the spout and defining an inner volume in which e.g., a food or a non-food product can be stored. The product in the pouch will typically be a liquid, having a higher or lower viscosity. One example of a non-food that may be stored in such a pouch is windshield washer fluid. Examples of foods that may be stored in such a pouch are apple sauce, a fruit drink, a yoghurt-based food, or any other easily digestible liquid.
Whereas various spouts presently exist, closing devices extending inside the pouch, are on hardly available on the market. It is expected that this results from the fact that they do not work optimally, as the tests of the inventors have confirmed. Preferably and advantageously, the plug element of the present inventive concept can be coupled with any presently known spout to close the inlet of the outlet tube in a neutral coupled position. When the plug element can be coupled to known spouts, the production method does not need to be changed significantly, making the market adaption of the present inventive concept easy and convenient for manufacturers of pouches and spouts. Depending on the precise embodiment of the plug element, some changes might need to be made to the face of the spout that in an assembled state—wherein the spout is assembled to a (filled) pouch—faces the contents of the pouch. This will be a relatively minor adjustment to the spout that can easily be carried out by e.g., adapting presently used moulds.
As stated in the above, different types of spouts exist on the market today. Some have an outlet tube with a constant inner diameter over the entire length of the outlet tube; others have a varying diameter. Such a varying diameter, when a step decrease is used at some point, may act as a valve seat when the valve of the plug element would extend inside the outlet tube. However, to allow the plug element to be used in combination with as many spouts as possible, preferably the valve closes off the inlet of the tube. All outlet tubes of all spouts by definition have an inlet. When the inlet is closed off reliably, no liquid can flow through the outlet tube.
The spout and the sealboat are integral with each other, i.e., the spout and sealboat are made from a single part. Although in theory they could also be made as two different parts, it is quite standard in the industry to make the spout as a single part, with one injection mould. The flow channel extends all the way from the top of the spout, where the outlet end is defined, to the bottom of the sealboat, where the inlet is defined.
The plug element of the present inventive concept comprises a valve, a pair of resilient arms and a plunger rod. When the plug element is coupled to the spout, in what is referred to as the neutral coupled position, the state wherein the plug element and the spout are coupled but wherein no external forces are applied on the plug element, some pre-tension is applied on the valve. This can e.g., be achieved by making the plunger rod somewhat longer than the resilient arms (when measured from the inlet that the valve needs to close to the opposite end of the plunger rod), e.g., by 1.5 to 6.0%. This longer length ensures that pre-tension must be applied on the plug element to connect it to the spout. As a result of this pre-tension the valve reliably closes the inlet of the outlet tube.
The plug element and the spout, although manufactured as two separate parts, form an assembly that, once connected, is connected in an unreleasable manner. This ensures that the plug element cannot be removed on purpose or accidentally, e.g., during transport of filling of the pouch. Thus, this ensures that the valve remains in place and always close the inlet of the outlet tube.
The pair of resilient arms is resilient in the sense that when an external force is applied on them, the valve moves away a sufficient amount to open the inlet. They need not be made of an inherently resilient or flexible material. Although any material is resilient to a certain degree, an additional resilience may e.g., be achieved when the arm is curved; being wider in the middle than near ends thereof. When pushing the middle portion inside, the arm tends to elongate and thus, by its design, is resilient. For example the plug element, including the arms, may be made of PP or PE, plastic materials often used to make spouts from. Alternatively, any other material, e.g., any other material used to make spouts from, may be used. Preferably, the material of the plug element is the same as the material of the spout.
The resilient arms, as stated in the above, e.g., have a curved shape. Centrally thereof, a plunger rod may be arranged. The plunger rod is connected to the resilient arms, such that when the arms are compressed and lengthened, also the plunger rod moves along with the resilient arms. As the valve is connected to the plunger rod as well, when the plunger rod moves also the valve moves. As the plug element is connected to the sealboat, the plunger rod can only move away from the inlet, releasing the inlet.
It should be acknowledged that this basic working principle of a valve closing the outlet tube of a spout and the valve releasing said outlet tube when resilient arms are compressed is described already in some detail in NL1042538. For as far as that working principle is concerned, reference is made to NL1042538, which for that purpose is hereby incorporated by reference here. It should be stated again however, that a device made from one part does not provide a way to obtain a reliable and consistent closing mainly because the amount of pre-tensioning that could be introduced in an injection moulded piece made from one part was too small for the purpose of reliably closing the outlet tube.
By now making the assembly from two separate parts and coupling these two pieces, the pre-tensioning problem is overcome. However, when making the device from two parts, one should additionally ensure that the two different parts are connected to each other in a reliable and leak-proof way as otherwise the one problem is solved while simultaneously introducing another problem. Several ways to ensure this are explained in the below.
It should be noted that the assembly as presented herein is defined in the claims in the state wherein it is typically sold in a store, to an end user. In that state, the assembly is sealed to a pouch, the pouch being filled with a substance. The end user can consume that substance by letting out the substance through the outlet tube. In that state, the outlet tube has in an inlet end facing the interior of the pouch and an outlet end through which the substance leaves the spout.
It should be noted that to fill the pouch, the outlet tube can be used as an inlet. As will be known to one skilled in the art, there are principally two ways to fill pouches. According to a first method, the pouch is filled with a substance before the spout (including valve element) is sealed to the filled pouch. According to a second method, the spout (including valve element) is first sealed to the pouch, and only then the pouch is filled. The filling then takes place though the outlet tube, which becomes an inlet tube for the purpose of filling the pouch. When use is made of the assembly of spout and plug element as described herein, the pre-tensioning of the valve should be (partially) removed in order to allow the pouch to be filled.
For example, this can be achieved by applying a pressure on the substance to be inserted in the pouch, the pressure being higher than the pre-tensioning force on the valve. For example, this can be achieved by compressing the resilient arms to release the inlet while filling the pouch. For example, a lance can be inserted in the inlet/outlet tube to push the valve away from the sealboat and allow filling of the pouch.
Three different examples are here given to fill a pouch when the assembly as described herein is sealed to an empty pouch and when filling takes places though the outlet tube. Of course, other ways to fill the pouch may also be thought of, and a combination of two or three of the examples given above may also be applied.
In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the sealboat comprises a pair of recesses adapted to receive the resilient arms of the plug element, and the resilient arms of the plug element each comprise a clickfinger configured to unreleasably fit into the recesses of the sealboat. In this embodiment, the sealboat is adapted to receive the plug element compared to known spouts which do not comprise such recesses. However, such a recess for receiving clickfingers of the plug element can be implemented on a spout quite easily after it is made or, alternatively, by adapting the mould with which the spout is presently made. Clickfingers on the plug element are just one of many options that may be used to connect the plug element to the spout; in other embodiments other connection methods may be used, some of them described in the present disclosure, others not explicitly mentioned. Such a coupling between spout and plug element is reliable and leak-proof, especially when the recesses are spaced apart from the inlet of the outlet tube.
For example, the clickfingers can be inserted in the recesses by shaping the recess in such a way that the clickfingers can be forced inside them, but they cannot be compressed radially inwards far enough to allow them to get loose again.
In an embodiment of the present inventive concept a portion of the clickfingers of the resilient arms extends radially outwards with respect to an outer surface of the sealboat in the coupled position. To couple the spout to the plug element and form the assembly the plug element is clicked into the recesses of the spout. Subsequently, the assembly may be connected to a pouch. Typically, the pouch is sealed to the sealboat of the spout to connect the pouch and the assembly; the plug element then being arranged inside the pouch and being operable from the outside of the pouch by compressing the resilient arms. Upon sealing the relatively flexible pouch to the relatively rigid sealboat, the material of the pouch at the sealboat, and/or the outer surface material of the sealboat itself is molten; the two parts being connected with each other once the heat is removed and the material solidifies again. When applying this method, the part of the clickfingers protruding with respect to the sealboat will also melt and upon solidifying be unitary with the sealboat and/or the pouch. Thus, advantageously the plug element and the spout are secured to each other even more firmly than just by means of the clickfingers, without any additional method steps as the pouch needs to be sealed to the sealboat anyways.
In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the recesses in the sealboat are bordered by a transverse rib at the outer edge thereof, when seen in an axial direction of the outlet tube. Such a transverse rib prevents the melting material of the clickfingers from freely flowing anywhere without control, and ensures that the melting material remains within the recess in which the click fingers are clicked. This will, e.g., prevent the melting material from flowing inside the pouch. Additionally, this will prevent the melting material of the pouch to freely flow anywhere without control, ensuring a reliable sealing of the pouch and the sealboat.
In an alternative embodiment of the present inventive concept the arms are adapted to be welded to the sealboat by an ultrasonic welding method. Ultrasonic welding is another method of connecting the plug element and the spout. Preferably, when the welding action is performed the plug element is pushed against the spout, with the valve covering the inlet, to obtain the pre-tensioning required for an effective closing of the inlet and to have the valve at the desired position. As already mentioned, besides the use of clickfingers and ultrasonic welding there are many other connection methods that can be used to unreleasably couple the spout and the plug element.
In an embodiment of the present inventive concept 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 with respect to the axial direction of the outlet tube is preferably in between ±30° and ±60°. When the spout and the plug element are made as two parts, with two different moulds that each have some degree of inaccuracy, the connection between the valve and the outlet tube inlet is critical to obtain a sufficient closing in the neutral coupled state. By slanting the end face of the valve, i.e., the face that in use contacts the area of the spout surrounding the inlet thereof, and preferably the inlet of the outlet tube, this degree of inaccuracy can be compensated for. Even though a larger angle may close the inlet better, after elaborate testing by the inventors, the range of in between ±30° and ±60° is found to give the best results when also the flow volume through the flow channel of the outlet tube in the open position is considered.
In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the widest point of the resilient arms in the neutral coupled position extends with respect to the sealboat when projected on a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the outlet tube, wherein the extension is 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 to 18%. In principle, when the arms extend further outside of the sealboat, a larger stroke of the plunger rod can be obtained and a better closing and/or a higher outflow rate can be obtained. However, the assembly of spout and plug element must also be connected to a pouch, preferably with known machines. It is found by the present inventors that if the resilient arms are too wide compared to the sealboat, a reliable sealing of the pouch to the assembly cannot be guaranteed.
In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the force exerted on the inlet of the outlet tube by the valve is in 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. It is found by the present inventors that such a force one the one is hand sufficient to reliably close the inlet, while on the other hand can be obtained with conventional materials, in particular PP and PE.
In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the total stroke of the plunger rod, in between the non-assembled position and the maximally extended position, is in 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%. The total stroke length is defined as the stroke length needed for the purpose of pre-tensioning and coupling plus the maximum stroke length obtainable when moving the valve away from the inlet. Each of these two individual stroke lengths should be sufficiently long. The stroke length for the purpose of pre-tensioning should be sufficiently long to achieve a sufficient amount of closing. The stroke length to move the valve away from the inlet should be sufficiently long to ensure that the valve does not hinder the flow of the content of the pouch into the outlet tube too much and ensure a sufficient trough-flow volume.
In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the stroke of the plunger rod for the purpose of closing the inlet, so in the neutral coupled position with respect to the non-assembled position, is in between 1.5 and 6.0% of the total plunger rod length, e.g., in between 2.0 and 3.5%.
In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the plunger rod has a non-uniform diameter, the thickest part of the plunger rod acting as a stop to limit compression of the resilient arms. This e.g., prevents that a user pushes the resilient arms too far radially inwards and breaks them. This is advantageous when multiple usage of the pouch is desired, e.g., when the pouch is filled with a volume of more than 250 ml.
In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the sealboat has a substantially flat and substantially solid end face at the side comprising the inlet of the outlet tube. This ensures a controlled inflow in the flow channel, as well as a controlled closing with the valve.
In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the flow channel of the outlet tube has a substantially constant diameter over its entire length from inlet to outlet.
A second aspect of the present inventive concept relates to a plug element configured to be connected to a spout for closing an inlet of said spout, the plug element comprising:
In other words, the second aspect of the present inventive concept relates to the plug element of the assembly. Advantages of this plug element, especially when used in combination with a spout to form an assembly, are the same as the advantages according to the first aspect of the present invention. Embodiments and advantages described in relation to the first aspect of the present invention, may also be advantageous for the plug element according to the second aspect of the present.
A third aspect of the present inventive concept relates to a pouch comprising a flexible sheet defining an inner volume, the flexible sheet sealed to the sealboat of an assembly as described in the above, the plug element extending in the inner volume defined by the flexible sheet.
Advantages of this pouch are the same as the advantages described in relation to the first aspect of the present inventive concept. Embodiments and advantages described in relation to the first aspect of the present inventive concept, may also be advantageous for the pouch according to the third aspect of the present inventive concept.
These and other embodiments of the present inventive concept will now be elucidated further, with reference to the attached figures. In these figures:
With reference to
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
Turning now to
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
Turning to
The position as shown in
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.
Turning now to
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.
As shown in
Now turning to
Further visible in
Further visible in
Turning to
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028243 | May 2021 | NL | national |
Priority is claimed to International Application No. PCT/NL2022/050272 filed on May 19, 2022, which claims priority to Netherlands Application No. 2028243 filed on May 19, 2021, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/NL2022/050272 | 5/19/2022 | WO |
