REMOVABLE SPOUT ASSEMBLY AND PLUG THEREFOR

Abstract

A spout assembly to be installed on a coffee bag, the spout assembly including an inner portion to be at least partially disposed within the coffee bag, the inner portion including a gripping portion, and an insertion body to extend laterally from the gripping portion, and an outer portion to be at least partially disposed outside the coffee bag, the outer portion including another gripping portion, a receiving body including an aperture to receive at least a portion of the insertion body therein, and a spout protrusion to extend from a front surface of the receiving body.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present general inventive concept relates generally to a spout, and particularly, to a removable spout assembly to be attached to a coffee bag, and a plug therefor.

2. Description of the Related Art

The KEURIG coffee maker can presently be found in millions of kitchens, but many KEURIG owners have turned against the use of the pre-filled, disposable KEURIG K-CUPS for environmental reasons, as landfills are now overflowing with K-CUPS. The only alternative these people have is to use a refillable K-CUP and fill it themselves with coffee from coffee bags purchased from grocery stores or specialty coffee shops, such as STARBUCKS. However, pouring coffee grounds accurately from a 1-pound coffee bag into a tiny K-CUP, without spillage, is almost impossible to do.

Therefore, there is a need for device that facilitates pouring of coffee grounds from a coffee bag into a refillable K-CUP, or any other container desired by a user.

There is also a need for a plug that simultaneously cuts a hold in a coffee bag while sealing the device that facilitates pouring of coffee grounds from the coffee bag into a refillable K-CUP, or any other container desired by a user.

SUMMARY

The present general inventive concept provides a removable spout assembly to be attached to a coffee bag, and a plug therefor.

Additional features and utilities of the present general inventive concept will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the general inventive concept.

The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing a spout assembly to be installed on a coffee bag, the spout assembly including an inner portion to be at least partially disposed within the coffee bag, the inner portion including a gripping portion, and an insertion body to extend laterally from the gripping portion, and an outer portion to be at least partially disposed outside the coffee bag, the outer portion including another gripping portion, a receiving body including an aperture to receive at least a portion of the insertion body therein, and a spout protrusion to extend from a front surface of the receiving body.

The insertion body may further include an outer threaded portion disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the insertion body.

The receiving body may further include an inner threaded portion disposed within an inner surface of the receiving body to correspond to the outer threaded portion.

A portion of the coffee bag may be caught between the outer threaded portion and the inner threaded portion in response to the inner threaded portion being screwed onto the outer threaded portion.

The spout assembly may further include a plug to be at least partially inserted into the aperture of the receiving body to puncture a hole in the coffee bag and to plug the aperture of the receiving body.

A portion of the coffee bag may be caught between the insertion body and the receiving body when the aperture of the receiving body receives the at least the portion of the insertion body therein.

The spout assembly may further include a plug to be at least partially inserted into the aperture of the receiving body to puncture a hole in the coffee bag and to plug the aperture of the receiving body.

The spout assembly may further include a plug to be at least partially inserted into the aperture of the receiving body to plug the aperture of the receiving body.

A portion of the coffee bag may be caught between the insertion body and the receiving body when the spout assembly is installed on the coffee bag.

The spout assembly may further include a plug to be at least partially inserted into the aperture of the receiving body to puncture a hole in the portion of the coffee bag caught between the insertion body and the receiving body and to plug the aperture of the receiving body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other features and utilities of the present generally inventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top angled perspective exploded view of a spout assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side exploded view of the spout assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the spout assembly attached to a coffee bag, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 4A illustrates a top isometric front perspective view of an inner portion, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 4B illustrates a top isometric rear perspective view of the inner portion, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 4C illustrates a side view of the inner portion, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 5A illustrates a top isometric front perspective view of an outer portion, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 5B illustrates a top isometric rear perspective view of the outer portion, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 5C illustrates a side view of the outer portion, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 6A illustrates a top isometric front perspective view of a plug, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 6B illustrates a top isometric rear perspective view of the plug, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 6C illustrates a side view of the outer portion, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 7A illustrates an exploded side view of a spout assembly, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 7B illustrates a side view of the spout assembly, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 7C illustrates a side view of the spout assembly attached to the coffee bag, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 8 illustrates a rear perspective view of an inner portion, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 9A illustrates a side view of a plug, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 9B illustrates a top isometric rear perspective view of the plug, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 10A illustrates a top isometric front perspective view of a plug, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept; and

FIG. 10B illustrates a top isometric rear perspective view of the plug, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various example embodiments (a.k.a., exemplary embodiments) will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some example embodiments are illustrated. In the figures, the thicknesses of lines, layers and/or regions may be exaggerated for clarity.

Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the figures and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure. Like numbers refer to like/similar elements throughout the detailed description.

It is understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art. However, should the present disclosure give a specific meaning to a term deviating from a meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill, this meaning is to be taken into account in the specific context this definition is given herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top angled perspective exploded view of a spout assembly 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side exploded view of the spout assembly 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

The spout assembly 100, and components thereof, may be constructed from plastic, metal, rubber, and any other material known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the spout assembly 100 may include an inner portion 110 and an outer portion 120.

The inner portion 110 may include an insertion body 111, an aperture 112, an outer threaded portion 113, a gripping portion 114, and a backing 115.

The insertion body 111 may have a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

The aperture 112 may be disposed within the insertion body 111, such that the aperture 112 extends through an entirety of the inner portion 110.

The outer threaded portion 113 may be disposed between the insertion body 111 and the gripping portion 114, such that the outer threaded portion 113 is disposed around an outer circumference of the inner portion 110.

The gripping portion 114 may have a square shape, a hexagonal shape, an octagonal shape, a circular shape, etc., but is not limited thereto. The gripping portion 114 may have a rough or bumpy surface to facilitate gripping thereof.

The backing 115 may be a surface disposed transversely with respect to the gripping portion 114.

The outer portion 120 may include a receiving body 121, an aperture 122, an inner threaded portion 123, a gripping portion 124, a rear surface 125, a front surface 126, and a spout protrusion 127.

The receiving body 121 may have a cylindrical shape to correspond to the insertion body 111, but is not limited thereto.

The aperture 122 may be disposed within the receiving body 121, such that the aperture 122 extends through an entirety of the outer portion 110.

The inner threaded portion 123 may be disposed within the receiving body 121, specifically around an inner circumference of the receiving body 121.

The gripping portion 124 may have a square shape, a hexagonal shape, an octagonal shape, a circular shape, etc., but is not limited thereto. The gripping portion 124 may have a rough or bumpy surface to facilitate gripping thereof.

The spout protrusion 127 may extend from a bottom portion of the front surface 126, and may have a curved shape in order to facilitate coffee pouring from the spout protrusion 127.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the spout assembly 100 attached to a coffee bag 10, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a user may utilize the gripping portion 114 and the gripping portion 124 to more easily hold the inner portion 110 and the outer portion 120, when the user desires to install the spout assembly 100 onto the coffee bag 10.

In order to install the spout assembly 100 onto the coffee bag 10, the user must first open the coffee bag 10. The user may then hold the inner portion 110 inside the coffee bag 10 near a top center portion thereof with one hand, and may hold the outer portion 120 outside the coffee bag 10 with another hand, such that the insertion body 111 is aligned with the receiving body 121.

The user may then push the insertion body 111 into the receiving body 121, such that a portion of the coffee bag 10 is pinched and caught between the insertion body 111 and the receiving body 121. When the outer threaded portion 113 reaches the inner threaded portion 123, the user may then twist the inner portion 110 (or outer portion 120, or both) in a clockwise direction, such that the coffee bag 10 is sealedly pinched between the insertion body 111 and the receiving body 121 within the aperture 122. When the rear surface 125 reaches the backing 115, such that the inner portion 110 can no longer be twisted, the portion of the coffee bag 10 is thoroughly caught between the insertion body 111 and the receiving body 121 within the aperture 122.

Subsequently, the user may use a knife to poke a hole in the portion of the coffee bag 10 disposed within the aperture 122, or may cut away and remove the portion of the coffee bag 10 disposed within the aperture 122. Accordingly, coffee within the coffee bag 10 may be poured through the aperture 112, through the aperture 122, and then out from the spout protrusion 127.

As such, the inner portion 110 may at least partially disposed within the coffee bag 10, while the outer portion 120 may be at least partially disposed outside the coffee bag 10. As such, an outer portion of the insertion body 111 may contact an inner surface of the coffee bag 10, while an inner portion of the receiving body 121 may contact an outer surface of the coffee bag 10.

A sealing gasket and/or washer (not illustrated) may be provided on or about the backing 115, or alternatively, on the rear surface 125, in order to provide a better seal when the inner portion 110 is combined with the outer portion 120. The sealing gasket may be constructed from rubber or any other material that provides a sealing effect.

A sealing cap (not illustrated) may be provided to seal the aperture 122, such that coffee inside the coffee bag 10 remains fresh. The sealing cap may include a rubber seal on an outer circumference thereof, in order to provide a better seal. Alternatively, the sealing cap may be screwed into a front portion of the outer portion 120.

The spout assembly 100 may be constructed as a pre-manufactured portion of the coffee bag 10, such that the spout assembly 100 is not removable. As such, the spout assembly 100 may already be provided on the coffee bag 10 when the coffee bag 10 is purchased.

The spout assembly 100 is not limited to being placed on a front of the coffee bag 10, and may alternatively be placed anywhere on the coffee bag 10.

Moreover, the spout assembly 100 may be placed on any type of bag desired by the user.

FIG. 4A illustrates a top isometric front perspective view of an inner portion 210, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 4B illustrates a top isometric rear perspective view of the inner portion 210, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 4C illustrates a side view of the inner portion 210, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 5A illustrates a top isometric front perspective view of an outer portion 220, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 5B illustrates a top isometric rear perspective view of the outer portion 220, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 5C illustrates a side view of the outer portion 220, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 6A illustrates a top isometric front perspective view of a plug 230, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 6B illustrates a top isometric rear perspective view of the plug 230, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 6C illustrates a side view of the outer portion 230, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 7A illustrates an exploded side view of a spout assembly 200, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 7B illustrates a side view of the spout assembly 200, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 7C illustrates a side view of the spout 200 assembly attached to the coffee bag 10, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

The spout assembly 200, and components thereof, may be constructed from plastic, metal, rubber, and any other material known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 4A through 7C, the spout assembly 200 may include an inner portion 210, an outer portion 220, and a plug 230, but is not limited thereto.

The inner portion 210 may include an insertion body 211, an aperture 212, an outer threaded portion 213, a gripping portion 214, and a backing 215, but is not limited thereto.

The insertion body 211 may have a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

The aperture 212 may be disposed within the insertion body 211, such that the aperture 212 extends through an entirety of the inner portion 210.

The outer threaded portion 213 may be disposed between the insertion body 211 and the gripping portion 214, such that the outer threaded portion 213 is disposed around an outer circumference of the inner portion 210.

The gripping portion 214 may have a square shape, a hexagonal shape, an octagonal shape, a circular shape, etc., but is not limited thereto. The gripping portion 214 may have a rough and/or bumpy surface to facilitate gripping thereof.

The backing 215 may be a surface disposed transversely with respect to the gripping portion 214.

The outer portion 220 may include a receiving body 221, an aperture 222, an inner threaded portion 223, a gripping portion 224, a rear surface 225, a front surface 226, and a spout protrusion 227.

The receiving body 221 may have a cylindrical shape to correspond to the insertion body 211, but is not limited thereto.

The aperture 222 may be disposed within the receiving body 221, such that the aperture 222 extends through an entirety of the outer portion 210.

The inner threaded portion 223 may be disposed within the receiving body 221, specifically around an inner circumference of the receiving body 221.

The gripping portion 224 may have a square shape, a hexagonal shape, an octagonal shape, a circular shape, etc., but is not limited thereto. The gripping portion 224 may have a rough or bumpy surface to facilitate gripping thereof.

The spout protrusion 227 may extend from a bottom portion of the front surface 226, and may have a curved shape in order to facilitate coffee pouring from the spout protrusion 227. Alternatively, the spout protrusion 227 may have a cylindrical shape, a flat shape, a rounded shape, a rectangular prism shape, or any other shape known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 6A through 6C, the plug 230 may include a conical section 231, a tapering section 232, a gripping section 233, and a rear surface 234, but is not limited thereto.

The conical section 231 may include a pointed tip 231a, but is not limited thereto.

The conical section 231 may be substantially conical in shape, but is not limited thereto. The conical section 231 may be tapered beginning at the tapering section 232 and terminating at the pointed tip 231a. Specifically, a circumference of the conical section 231 beginning at the tapering section 232 may be larger than the circumference of the conical section 231 connected to the tapering section 232.

The tapering section 232 may be substantially cylindrical in shape, but is not limited thereto. The tapering section 232 may be tapered beginning at the gripping section 233 and terminating at the conical section 231. Specifically, a circumference of the tapering section 232 beginning at the gripping section 233 may be larger than the circumference of the tapering section 232 connected to the conical section 231.

The gripping section 233 may have a cylindrical shape, a square shape, a hexagonal shape, an octagonal shape, a circular shape, etc., but is not limited thereto. The gripping section 233 may have a rubber surface to facilitate gripping thereof using at least one appendage.

The rear surface 234 may be disposed transversely with respect to the gripping section 233. The rear surface 234 may facilitate pulling and/or pushing of the plug 230 due to having a substantially flat surface upon which force may be applied.

Referring to FIGS. 7A through 7C, a user may utilize the gripping portion 214 and the gripping portion 224 to more easily hold the inner portion 210 and the outer portion 220, when the user desires to install the spout assembly 200 onto the coffee bag 10.

In order to install the spout assembly 200 onto the coffee bag 10, the user must first open the coffee bag 10. The user may then hold the inner portion 210 inside the coffee bag 10 near a top center portion thereof with one hand, and may hold the outer portion 220 outside the coffee bag 10 with another hand, such that the insertion body 211 is aligned with the receiving body 221.

The user may then push the insertion body 211 into the receiving body 221, such that a portion of the coffee bag 10 is pinched and caught between the insertion body 211 and the receiving body 221. When the outer threaded portion 213 reaches the inner threaded portion 223, the user may then twist the inner portion 210 (or outer portion 220, or both) in a first direction (i.e. clockwise) or a second direction (i.e. counterclockwise), such that the coffee bag 10 is sealedly pinched between the insertion body 211 and the receiving body 221 within the aperture 222. When the rear surface 225 reaches the backing 215, such that the inner portion 210 can no longer be twisted, the portion of the coffee bag 10 may be thoroughly caught between the insertion body 211 and the receiving body 221 within the aperture 222.

As such, the inner portion 210 may at least partially disposed within the coffee bag 10, while the outer portion 220 may be at least partially disposed outside the coffee bag 10. As such, an outer portion of the insertion body 211 may contact an inner surface of the coffee bag 10, while an inner portion of the receiving body 221 may contact an outer surface of the coffee bag 10.

Referring to FIG. 7C, subsequently, the user may use the plug 230 to poke a hole in at least a portion of the coffee bag 10 disposed within the aperture 222. Specifically, the user may direct the pointed tip 231a toward the portion of the coffee bag 10 disposed within the aperture 222 and push and/or pull the rear surface 234 of the plug 230 to be at least partially inserted into the receiving body 221, such that the plug 230 punctures the coffee bag 10. A diameter of at least a portion of the tapering section 232 of the plug 230 may be substantially similar to a diameter of the aperture 222, such that insertion of the plug 230 into the aperture 222 is snugly fit. The user may leave the plug 230 within the aperture 222 to seal the aperture 222, such that any coffee within the coffee bag 10 remains fresh and the coffee may not be extracted nor may the scents be inhaled. Specifically, the rubber surface of the gripping portion 233 may enhance the sealing characteristics of the plug 230. Alternatively, the user may grip the gripping portion 233 of the plug 230 and push and/or pull the plug 230 away from the coffee bag 10. Accordingly, the coffee within the coffee bag 10 may be poured through the aperture 212, through the aperture 222, and then out from the spout protrusion 227.

A sealing gasket and/or washer (not illustrated) may be provided on or about the backing 215, or alternatively, on the rear surface 225, in order to provide a better seal when the inner portion 210 is combined with the outer portion 220. The sealing gasket may be constructed from rubber or any other material that provides a sealing effect.

The spout assembly 200 may be constructed as a pre-manufactured portion of the coffee bag 10, such that the spout assembly 200 is not removable. As such, the spout assembly 200 may already be provided on the coffee bag 10 when the coffee bag 10 is purchased.

The spout assembly 200 is not limited to being placed on a front of the coffee bag 10, and may alternatively be placed anywhere on the coffee bag 10.

Moreover, the spout assembly 200 may be placed on any type of bag desired by the user.

As such, the spout assembly 200 may be installed on the coffee bag 10, such that the spout assembly 200 includes the inner portion 210 to be at least partially disposed within the coffee bag 10, and such that the inner portion 210 includes a gripping portion 214 and an insertion body 211 to extend laterally from the gripping portion 214. The spout assembly 200 may also include an outer portion 220 to be at least partially disposed outside the coffee bag 10, such that the outer portion 220 may include another gripping portion 224, and such that the receiving body 221 may include the aperture 222 to receive at least a portion of the insertion body 211 therein. The outer portion 220 may also include a spout protrusion 227 to extend from a front surface of the receiving body 221. The insertion body 211 may further include an outer threaded portion 213 disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the insertion body 211. The receiving body 221 may further include the inner threaded portion 223 disposed within an inner surface of the receiving body 221 to correspond to the outer threaded portion 213. A portion of the coffee bag 10 may be caught between the outer threaded portion 213 and the inner threaded portion 223 in response to the inner threaded portion 223 being screwed onto the outer threaded portion 213. The spout assembly 200 may further include the plug 230 to be at least partially inserted into the aperture 222 of the receiving body 221 to puncture a hole in the coffee bag 10 and to plug the aperture 222 of the receiving body 221. A portion of the coffee bag 10 may be caught between the insertion body 211 and the receiving body 221 when the aperture 222 of the receiving body 221 receives the at least the portion of the insertion body therein 211. The spout assembly 200 may further include the plug 230 to be at least partially inserted into the aperture 222 of the receiving body 221 to puncture a hole in the coffee bag 10 and to plug the aperture 222 of the receiving body 221. The spout assembly 200 may further include the plug 230 to be at least partially inserted into the aperture 222 of the receiving body 221 to plug the aperture 222 of the receiving body 221. A portion of the coffee bag 10 may be caught between the insertion body 211 and the receiving body 221 when the spout assembly 200 is installed on the coffee bag 10. The spout assembly 200 may further include the plug 230 to be at least partially inserted into the aperture 222 of the receiving body 221 to puncture a hole in the portion of the coffee bag 10 caught between the insertion body 211 and the receiving body 221 and to plug the aperture of the receiving body 221.

FIG. 8 illustrates a rear perspective view of an inner portion 310, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

Referring to FIGS. 4A through 4C and FIG. 8, although, only the rear perspective view of the inner portion 310 is illustrated in FIG. 8, the construction of the inner portion 310 is substantially similar to the inner portion 210.

As such, the inner portion 310 may include an insertion body 311, an aperture 312, an outer threaded portion 313, a gripping portion 314, and a backing 315, but is not limited thereto.

The gripping portion 314 may include a plurality of protrusions 314a and a protrusion 314b, but is not limited thereto.

The insertion body 311 may have a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

The aperture 312 may be disposed within the insertion body 311, such that the aperture 312 extends through an entirety of the inner portion 310.

The outer threaded portion 313 may be disposed between the insertion body 311 and the gripping portion 314, such that the outer threaded portion 313 is disposed around an outer circumference of the inner portion 310.

The gripping portion 314 may have a square shape, a hexagonal shape, an octagonal shape, a circular shape, etc., but is not limited thereto. The gripping portion 314 may have a rough and/or bumpy surface to facilitate gripping thereof.

The backing 315 may be a surface disposed transversely with respect to the gripping portion 314.

The plurality of protrusions 314a may be disposed on an outer surface of the gripping portion 314. The protrusion 314b may be disposed on the outer surface of the gripping portion 314 at an opposing end with respect to the plurality of protrusions 314a. The user may utilize the gripping portion 314 and the gripping portion 224 to more easily hold the inner portion 310 and the outer portion 220. The user may use the plurality of protrusions 314a and the protrusion 314b to orient the inner portion 310, such that the plurality of protrusions 314a and the protrusion 314b may be parallel to a ground surface. Referring to FIG. 8, in other words, the plurality of protrusions 314a and the protrusion 314b may be rotated 90 degrees with respect to the orientation of the inner portion 310 in FIG. 8. The user may then hold the inner portion 310 and may hold the outer portion 320, such that the insertion body 311 is aligned with the receiving body 221.

Referring to FIGS. 7A through 8, substituting the inner portion 310 for the inner portion 210, in order to install the spout assembly 200 onto the coffee bag 10, the user must first open the coffee bag 10. The user may then hold the inner portion 310 inside the coffee bag 10 near a top center portion thereof with one hand, and may hold the outer portion 220 outside the coffee bag 10 with another hand, such that the insertion body 311 is aligned with the receiving body 221.

Referring to FIGS. 7A through 8, substituting the inner portion 310 for the inner portion 210, the user may then push the insertion body 311 into the receiving body 221, such that a portion of the coffee bag 10 is pinched and caught between the insertion body 311 and the receiving body 221. When the outer threaded portion 313 reaches the inner threaded portion 223, the user may then twist the inner portion 310 (or outer portion 220, or both) in the first direction or the second direction, such that the insertion body 311 is connected within the aperture 222. When the rear surface 225 reaches the backing 315, such that the inner portion 310 can no longer be twisted, the insertion body 211 may be completely within the aperture 222 of the receiving body 221. The spout protrusion 227 of the outer portion 220 may be oriented in a position with an arcuate portion of the spout protrusion 227 always facing upward (i.e. an upright position) on the coffee bag 10 in response to an alignment of the outer threaded portion 313 and the orientation of the inner portion 310 based on the plurality of protrusions 314a and the protrusion 314b described above.

Also, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the plurality of protrusions 314a may correspond to and/or be close to an “R” engraved (or stamped) onto a back surface of the gripping portion 314, and the protrusion 314b may correspond to and/or be close to an “L” engraved (or stamped) onto the back surface of the gripping portion 314. As such, in order to ensure proper screwing of the outer portion 220 onto the inner portion 310, the user may place the plurality of protrusions 314a to face a right side within the coffee bag 10 (i.e., the “R” direction), and the protrusion 314b to face a left side within the coffee bag 10 (i.e., the “ “L” direction). As a result, the orientation of the plurality of protrusions 314a and the protrusion 314b as described above may force the outer portion 220 to always be interconnected to the inner portion without the user having to readjust the inner portion 310 and the outer portion 220 during installation of the outer portion 220 on the inner portion 310, such that the spout protrusion 227 always ends up at a lower portion of the spout assembly 200 (as illustrated in FIG. 7C). Thus, any contents within the coffee bag 10 may be poured easily out therefrom via the spout protrusion 227.

FIG. 9A illustrates a side view of a plug 330, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 9B illustrates a top isometric rear perspective view of the plug 330, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the plug 330 may include a conical section 331, a tapering section 332, a gripping section 333, and a rear surface 334, but is not limited thereto.

The conical section 331 may include a pointed tip 331a, but is not limited thereto.

The conical section 331 may be substantially conical in shape, but is not limited thereto. The conical section 331 may be tapered beginning at the tapering section 332 and terminating at the pointed tip 331a. Specifically, a circumference of the conical section 331 beginning at the tapering section 332 may be larger than the circumference of the conical section 331 connected to the tapering section 332.

The tapering section 332 may be substantially cylindrical in shape, but is not limited thereto. The tapering section 332 may be tapered beginning at the gripping section 333 and terminating at the conical section 331. Specifically, a circumference of the tapering section 332 beginning at the gripping section 333 may be larger than the circumference of the tapering section 332 connected to the conical section 331.

The gripping section 333 may include a concave portion 333a, but is not limited thereto.

The gripping section 333 may have a cylindrical shape, a square shape, a hexagonal shape, an octagonal shape, a circular shape, etc., but is not limited thereto. The concave portion 333a may be circumferentially disposed around a portion of the gripping section 333. The concave portion 333a of the gripping section 333 may facilitate gripping thereof, such that the at least one appendage of the user may be inserted therein.

The rear surface 334 may be disposed transversely with respect to the gripping section 333. The rear surface 334 may facilitate pulling and/or pushing of the plug 330 due to having a substantially flat surface upon which force may be applied.

FIG. 10A illustrates a top isometric front perspective view of a plug 430, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 10B illustrates a top isometric rear perspective view of the plug 430, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the plug 430 may include a conical section 431, a tapering section 432, a gripping section 433, and a rear surface 434, but is not limited thereto.

The conical section 431 may include a pointed tip 431a, but is not limited thereto.

The conical section 431 may be substantially conical in shape, but is not limited thereto. The conical section 431 may be tapered beginning at the tapering section 432 and terminating at the pointed tip 431a. Specifically, a circumference of the conical section 431 beginning at the tapering section 432 may be larger than the circumference of the conical section 431 connected to the tapering section 432.

The tapering section 432 may be substantially cylindrical in shape, but is not limited thereto. The tapering section 432 may be tapered beginning at the gripping section 433 and terminating at the conical section 431. Specifically, a circumference of the tapering section 432 beginning at the gripping section 433 may be larger than the circumference of the tapering section 432 connected to the conical section 431.

The gripping section 433 may include at least indentation 433a, but is not limited thereto.

The gripping section 433 may have a cylindrical shape, a square shape, a hexagonal shape, an octagonal shape, a circular shape, etc., but is not limited thereto. The at least one indentation 433a may be disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the gripping section 433. The at least one indentation 433a of the gripping section 433 may facilitate gripping thereof, such that the at least one appendage of the user may be inserted therein.

The rear surface 434 may be disposed transversely with respect to the gripping section 433. The rear surface 434 may facilitate pulling and/or pushing of the plug 430 due to having a substantially flat surface upon which force may be applied.

Although a few embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A spout assembly to be installed on a coffee bag, the spout assembly comprising: an inner portion to be at least partially disposed within the coffee bag, the inner portion comprising: a gripping portion, andan insertion body to extend laterally from the gripping portion; andan outer portion to be at least partially disposed outside the coffee bag, the outer portion comprising: another gripping portion,a receiving body including an aperture to receive at least a portion of the insertion body therein, anda spout protrusion to extend from a front surface of the receiving body.

2. The spout assembly of claim 1, wherein the insertion body further comprises: an outer threaded portion disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the insertion body.

3. The spout assembly of claim 2, wherein the receiving body further comprises: an inner threaded portion disposed within an inner surface of the receiving body to correspond to the outer threaded portion.

4. The spout assembly of claim 3, wherein a portion of the coffee bag is caught between the outer threaded portion and the inner threaded portion in response to the inner threaded portion being screwed onto the outer threaded portion.

5. The spout assembly of claim 4, further comprising: a plug to be at least partially inserted into the aperture of the receiving body to puncture a hole in the coffee bag and to plug the aperture of the receiving body.

6. The spout assembly of claim 1, wherein a portion of the coffee bag is caught between the insertion body and the receiving body when the aperture of the receiving body receives the at least the portion of the insertion body therein.

7. The spout assembly of claim 6, further comprising: a plug to be at least partially inserted into the aperture of the receiving body to puncture a hole in the coffee bag and to plug the aperture of the receiving body.

8. The spout assembly of claim 1, further comprises: a plug to be at least partially inserted into the aperture of the receiving body to plug the aperture of the receiving body.

9. The spout assembly of claim 1, wherein a portion of the coffee bag is caught between the insertion body and the receiving body when the spout assembly is installed on the coffee bag.

10. The spout assembly of claim 9, further comprising: a plug to be at least partially inserted into the aperture of the receiving body to puncture a hole in the portion of the coffee bag caught between the insertion body and the receiving body and to plug the aperture of the receiving body.