Fitment and fitment adapter for dispensing systems and methods for manufacturing same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016288149-A1
Application number	US-201415038715-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 24, 2014
Priority date	Nov 26, 2013
Publication date	Oct 6, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Improved fitment assemblies for headspace gas removal. In one configuration, a fitment assembly includes a fitment defining a fluid pathway between an interior and an exterior of a container, the fitment including a tubular body having an upper neck portion and a lower neck portion, the lower neck portion depending from the upper neck, the upper neck portion including a proximal end defining a proximal opening. The lower neck portion including a distal end defining a distal opening, the tubular body defining a central bore that passes therethrough, the central bore being concentric about a central axis and passing through the proximal opening and the distal opening a flange for coupling with a container, the flange extending radially outward at a junction with the upper neck portion and the lower neck portion, wherein the lower neck portion is configured to extend into the interior of the container.

First claim

1 . A fitment assembly, comprising:
a fitment for defining a rigid fluid pathway between an interior and an exterior of a container, the fitment including: a tubular body having an upper neck portion and a lower neck portion, said lower neck portion depending from said upper neck, said upper neck portion including a proximal end defining a proximal opening, said lower neck portion including a distal end defining a distal opening, said tubular body defining a central bore that passes therethrough, said central bore being concentric about a central axis and passing through said proximal opening and said distal opening; and a flange for coupling with a container, said flange extending radially outward at a junction with said upper neck portion and said lower neck portion, wherein the lower neck portion is configured to extend into the interior of the container.

2 . The fitment assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a circumferential rib that protrudes radially outward from said upper neck portion.

3 . The fitment assembly of claim 2 , wherein said circumferential rib is disposed at said proximal end of said upper neck portion.

4 . The fitment assembly of claim 1 , wherein said lower neck portion is configured for coupling with a dip tube.

5 . The fitment assembly of claim 1 , wherein said lower neck portion includes an interior surface configured for coupling with a dip tube.

6 . The fitment assembly of claim 1 , wherein said lower neck portion includes structure defining a vent opening that passes radially through said lower neck portion for permitting fluid flow therethrough.

7 . The fitment assembly of claim 6 , wherein said vent opening is proximate said flange.

8 . The fitment assembly of claim 6 , comprising:
a dip tube operatively coupled to said lower neck portion of said fitment, wherein said vent opening is located between said dip tube and said flange.

9 . The fitment assembly of claim 8 , wherein said dip tube is operatively coupled to an inside surface of said lower neck portion.

10 - 11 . (canceled)

12 . A method for removing head space gas from a liner-based dispenser, comprising:
providing a liner having a fitment coupled thereto, said liner containing a liquid and a headspace gas, said headspace gas being in contact with said fitment, said fitment including a tubular body portion and a flange extending radially outward from said tubular body portion, said tubular body portion defining a central passageway and including a lower neck portion that extends below said flange portion into said headspace gas contained in said liner, said lower neck portion including structure defining a vent opening that is in fluid communication with said central passageway; and providing instructions on a tangible medium, said instructions comprising: drawing said headspace gas through said vent opening and into said central passageway.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein said instructions further comprise coupling a headspace gas removal connector to said fitment, wherein the step of drawing said headspace gas through said vent opening and into said central passageway is performed with said headspace gas removal connector.

14 . The fitment assembly of claim 1 , wherein said flange is coupled to a container.

15 . The fitment assembly of claim 14 , wherein said container is a collapsible, three-dimensional liner.

16 . A method for removing head space gas from a liner-based dispenser having fitment including a tubular body portion and a flange extending radially outward from said tubular body portion, said flange being mounted to said liner, said fitment including a lower neck portion that extends below said flange portion, said lower neck portion defining a vent opening that is in fluid communication with a central passageway of said tubular body portion, the method comprising:
depositing a liquid in a liner so that said liner contains said liquid and a headspace gas, the headspace gas being in contact with said vent opening of said lower neck portion of said fitment.

17 . The method of claim 16 , comprising drawing said headspace gas through said vent opening and into said central passageway.

18 . The method of claim 17 , comprising coupling a headspace gas removal connector to said fitment, wherein the step of drawing said headspace gas through said vent opening and into said central passageway is performed with said headspace gas removal connector.

Assignees

• Entegris Inc

Inventors

• Koland Amy
• Chism Richard
• Musolf Bruce

Classifications

• B05B11/026

  Membranes separating the content remaining in the container from the atmospheric air to compensate underpressure inside the container · CPC title

• B67D7/0288 Primary

  Container connection means (for dispensing beverages on draught B67D1/0829) · CPC title

• B05B9/04

  with pressurised or compressible container (aerosol containers B65D83/14); with pump · CPC title

• B05B15/30 Primary

  Dip tubes · CPC title

• B05B11/0089

  Dispensing tubes · CPC title