Abstract: A spouted pouch (1) has a spout (10) with a neck (14) extending upward from an attachment portion (12). A cap unit (30) has a cap body (35) and an integrated ring member (50), made as one piece of plastic. A ring member is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt of the cap body and comprises an annular base portion (51) connected via breakable bridges (53) to the skirt. The base portion and the spout body (11) have cooperating permanent snap-fit joint portions (56, 21, 23) that keep the ring member fixed to the spout upon removal of the cap body. The pouch further comprises a flow control device (80) made distinct from the spout and from the cap unit. The flow control device is mounted to the neck (14) and has an external part (82) located outside of the exterior surface of the neck. The cap body is arranged over the neck and the flow control device. The ring member and the external part of the flow control device have cooperating retention portions (55, 83).

Abstract: A closure assembly comprises an article (10, 10?, 10?, 10) and a cap (40, 40?, 40?, 40??, 440) provided with an integrated tamper-evident ring member (50, 50?, 50?, 450). The article further comprises a circumferential flange structure (20) with an annular flange portion and a peripheral protective rim portion (25) so that the top face (21a) of the flange portion and the protective rim define an annular recess (30) around the neck (14). The tamper-evident ring member is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt (42) of the cap via one or more breakable bridges (70). The ring member comprises an annular ring member flange portion (51) that has a top face (51a) and a bottom face (51b). Multiple hook members (53) are integrally formed to the bottom of the ring member flange portion, and the annular flange portion on the neck is provided with multiple hook member passages (1S).

Abstract: A spouted pouch has a spout (10) having an exterior surface provided with a first screw thread (21). The spout body is provided with a rotation preventing boss (25, 26). A closure device (40) secured on the neck and comprises: —a socket (50; 150) configured to the screwed onto the neck (12) of the spout (10), —a user openable or user removable cap (70; 170) supported on the socket in a manner so as to be openable or removable relative to the socket (50; 150). The socket has a bore (52) with a second screw thread (56) that cooperates with the first screw thread upon screwing the socket onto the neck. An upper section of the exterior surface of the socket body defines a discharge portion (53). At a lower end the socket body is provided with a permanent snap lock anti-back off structure (60) comprising a portion (61, 63; 161, 162) that is configured to flex over the rotation preventing boss (25, 26) upon screwing of the socket onto the neck and then snap behind said boss.

Abstract: A spouted pouch (1) has a spout (10) with a neck (14) extending upward from an attachment portion (12). A cap unit (30) has a cap body (35) and an integrated ring member (50), made as one piece of plastic. A ring member is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt of the cap body and comprises an annular base portion (51) connected via breakable bridges (53) to the skirt. The base portion and the spout body (11) have cooperating permanent snap-fit joint portions (56, 21, 23) that keep the ring member fixed to the spout upon removal of the cap body. The pouch further comprises a flow control device (80) made distinct from the spout and from the cap unit. The flow control device is mounted to the neck (14) and has an external part (82) located outside of the exterior surface of the neck. The cap body is arranged over the neck and the flow control device. The ring member and the external part of the flow control device have cooperating retention portions (55, 83).

Abstract: A spout (1, 401, 601) having a plastic spout body which comprises an attachment portion (10, 410, 610) having a vertical first plane of symmetry (M1) with a vertical first sealing wall (11, 411, 611) and an opposed vertical second sealing wall (12, 412, 612), and with a transverse wall (20), which is integrally connected to an upper edge of the first sealing wall and to an upper edge of the second sealing wall, wherein the first sealing wall and the second sealing wall each depend from said transverse wall and each have a bottom edge (114, 115, 541, 515, 714, 715) remote from the upper edge. Each sealing wall is, seen in a bottom view of the attachment portion, composed of a first rectilinear portion (111, 121, 511, 521, 711, 721), a central curved portion (113, 123, 513, 523, 713, 723), and a second rectilinear portion (112, 122, 512, 522, 712, 722). The spout body has a tubular neck (30) having a bore (31) that adjoins an opening (21) in the transverse wall.

Abstract: A closure assembly (1) comprising an article (10) with a tubular neck (11) and a cap (30) including an integrated tamper-evident ring member (50) and an integrated strap (70). The tamper-evident ring member is integrally formed to the lower edge (32c) of the skirt (32) of the cap and comprises an annular base portion (51) which is connected via one or more breakable bridges (53) to the skirt. The cap is a snap-on type cap and comprises a pair of wing-shaped handles (33) that each have, seen in side view thereon, an outer periphery (34) with a bottom side (34a), a top side (34b), and a tip (34c) remote from the skirt. The strap is integral at a first end (71) thereof to the annular base portion and at a second end (72) thereof to one of the wing-shaped handles and is adapted to remain connected to both the annular portion of the tamper-evident ring member and the respective wing-shaped handle upon removal of the cap from the neck of the article by the user.

Abstract: A spouted pouch has a spout (10) having an exterior surface provided with a first screw thread (21). The spout body is provided with a rotation preventing boss (25, 26). A closure device (40) secured on the neck and comprises: —a socket (50; 150) configured to the screwed onto the neck (12) of the spout (10), —a user openable or user removable cap (70; 170) supported on the socket in a manner so as to be openable or removable relative to the socket (50; 150). The socket has a bore (52) with a second screw thread (56) that cooperates with the first screw thread upon screwing the socket onto the neck. An upper section of the exterior surface of the socket body defines a discharge portion (53). At a lower end the socket body is provided with a permanent snap lock anti-back off structure (60) comprising a portion (61, 63; 161, 162) that is configured to flex over the rotation preventing boss (25, 26) upon screwing of the socket onto the neck and then snap behind said boss.

Abstract: A closure assembly comprises an article (10, 10?, 10?, 10) and a cap (40, 40?, 40?, 40??, 440) provided with an integrated tamper-evident ring member (50, 50?, 50?, 450). The article further comprises a circumferential flange structure (20) with an annular flange portion and a peripheral protective rim portion (25) so that the top face (21a) of the flange portion and the protective rim define an annular recess (30) around the neck (14). The tamper-evident ring member is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt (42) of the cap via one or more breakable bridges (70). The ring member comprises an annular ring member flange portion (51) that has a top face (51a) and a bottom face (51b). Multiple hook members (53) are integrally formed to the bottom of the ring member flange portion, and the annular flange portion on the neck is provided with multiple hook member passages(1S).

Abstract: In combination a spouted pouch to be filled with a flowable product by a filling machine, a plug, and a cap. The interference fit plug is releasably mounted over the top end of the neck of the spout body and hermetically seals the product passage of the spout body. The plug is adapted to be removed by the filling machine and to be replaced by pressing the plug onto the neck after filling of the pouch. The plug removal, filling, and replacing of the plug are preferably performed in an aseptic environment. The cap is after the filling of the pouch and the replacing of the plug onto the neck. The capping is preferably performed by a capping machine in a non-aseptic environment.

Abstract: In combination a spouted pouch to be filled with a flowable product by a filling machine, a plug, and a cap. The interference fit plug is releasably mounted over the top end of the neck of the spout body and hermetically seals the product passage of the spout body. The plug is adapted to be removed by the filling machine and to be replaced by pressing the plug onto the neck after filling of the pouch. The plug removal, filling, and replacing of the plug are preferably performed in an aseptic environment. The cap is after the filling of the pouch and the replacing of the plug onto the neck. The capping is preferably performed by a capping machine in a non-aseptic environment.

Abstract: A needleless syringe connector cap to be provided to a container having an aperture at its top, said cap comprising an elastically deformable plastic valve body. Said valve body comprises a first and second passage, each passage extending through the valve body. Both passages comprise a cross-slit valve in the extreme lower end of said passage, embodied as an aeration valve. The first passage is adapted to receive a first tapered syringe tip and the second passage is adapted to receive a second tapered syringe tip, wherein when fluid is withdrawn from a container to which the cap is provided through the first (second) passage using a first (second) tapered syringe tip to which said first (second) passage is adapted, the second (first) cross-slit valve opens in response to an under pressure in said container resulting from said withdrawal, so as to aerate said container.

Abstract: In combination a spouted pouch (1) to be filled with a flowable product by a filling machine, a plug (50), and a cap (70). The interference fit plug is releasably mounted over the top end of the neck of the spout body and hermetically seals the product passage of the spout body. The plug is adapted to be removed by the filling machine and to be replaced by pressing the plug onto the neck after filling of the pouch. The plug removal, filling, and replacing of the plug are preferably performed in an aseptic environment. The cap is after the filling of the pouch and the replacing of the plug onto the neck. The capping is preferably performed by a capping machine in a non-aseptic environment.

Abstract: A plug for a pouch assembly, wherein the plug includes a top wall, an inner axial skirt and an outer axial skirt. The inner axial skirt depends from the top wall in a direction opposite the top wall. The inner axial skirt includes an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper end and a lower end. The outer axial skirt includes an inner surface and an outer surface, an upper end proximate the top wall and a lower end spaced apart therefrom. A seal bead is positioned on the inner surface of the outer axial skirt spaced apart from the upper end. The seal bead extends inwardly toward the inner axial skirt. The plug is attachable to the spout of the pouch. The seal bead is structurally configured to hermetically seal against the spout, while precluding sealed engagement between the inner axial skirt and the spout.

Abstract: A pouch cleaning assembly that includes a treatment chamber and a guide assembly. The treatment chamber includes an elongated central channel extending therethrough. The guide assembly having a first side guide bar and a second side guide bar. The guide bars defining a channel therebetween that is structurally configured to facilitate the retention of spouts of a plurality of pouches in slidable engagement along the first and second guide bar. Any abutment of adjacent portions of the plurality of pouches within the treatment chamber define relative points of contact. The channel is positioned within the elongated central channel, wherein the channel is undulating in at least one of a vertical and a horizontal direction along the length thereof sufficient so as to substantially expose the relative points of contact between adjacent ones of the plurality of spouts so as to expose the same to the cleaning preparation.

Abstract: A needleless syringe connector cap to be provided to a container having an aperture at its top, said cap comprising an elastically deformable plastic valve body. Said valve body comprises a first and second passage, each passage extending through the valve body. Both passages comprise a cross-slit valve in the extreme lower end of said passage, embodied as an aeration valve. The first passage is adapted to receive a first tapered syringe tip and the second passage is adapted to receive a second tapered syringe tip, wherein when fluid is withdrawn from a container to which the cap is provided through the first (second) passage using a first (second) tapered syringe tip to which said first (second) passage is adapted, the second (first) cross-slit valve opens in response to an under pressure in said container resulting from said withdrawal, so as to aerate said container.

Abstract: In combination a spouted pouch (1) to be filled with a flowable product by a filling machine, a plug (50), and a cap (70). The interference fit plug is releasably mounted over the top end of the neck of the spout body and hermetically seals the product passage of the spout body. The plug is adapted to be removed by the filling machine and to be replaced by pressing the plug onto the neck after filling of the pouch. The plug removal, filling, and replacing of the plug are preferably performed in an aseptic environment. The cap is after the filling of the pouch and the replacing of the plug onto the neck. The capping is preferably performed by a capping machine in a non-aseptic environment.

Abstract: A method for filling an aseptic pouch having the steps of: (a) providing a pouch, the pouch including a body having a plurality of panels coupled together to define a cavity, and, a spout providing ingress into the cavity, the spout having a plug sealingly engaged to the spout; (b) cleaning the external surfaces of the pouch with a cleaning preparation; (c) directing the spout and the plug into an aseptic zone, the aseptic zone having a supply of sterilized gas having a positive flow within the aseptic zone; (d) removing the plug; (e) filling the pouch with a flowable material; (f) replacing the plug on the spout to seal the cavity; (g) removing the spout and the plug from the aseptic zone; and (h) coupling the plug to a cap, and the cap to the spout, whereupon removal of the cap removes the plug, providing cavity access.

Abstract: A plug for a pouch assembly, wherein the plug includes a top wall, an inner axial skirt and an outer axial skirt. The inner axial skirt depends from the top wall in a direction opposite the top wall. The inner axial skirt includes an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper end and a lower end. The outer axial skirt includes an inner surface and an outer surface, an upper end proximate the top wall and a lower end spaced apart therefrom. A seal bead is positioned on the inner surface of the outer axial skirt spaced apart from the upper end. The seal bead extends inwardly toward the inner axial skirt. The plug is attachable to the spout of the pouch. The seal bead is structurally configured to hermetically seal against the spout, while precluding sealed engagement between the inner axial skirt and the spout.

Abstract: A pouch cleaning assembly that includes a treatment chamber and a guide assembly. The treatment chamber includes an elongated central channel extending therethrough. The guide assembly having a first side guide bar and a second side guide bar. The guide bars defining a channel therebetween that is structurally configured to facilitate the retention of spouts of a plurality of pouches in slidable engagement along the first and second guide bar. Any abutment of adjacent portions of the plurality of pouches within the treatment chamber define relative points of contact. The channel is positioned within the elongated central channel, wherein the channel is undulating in at least one of a vertical and a horizontal direction along the length thereof sufficient so as to substantially expose the relative points of contact between adjacent ones of the plurality of spouts so as to expose the same to the cleaning preparation.

Abstract: A plug for a pouch assembly, where the plug includes a top wall, an inner axial skirt and an outer axial skirt. The inner axial skirt depends from the top wall in a direction opposite the top wall. The inner axial skirt includes an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper end and a lower end. The outer axial skirt includes an inner surface and an outer surface, an upper end proximate the top wall and a lower end spaced apart therefrom. A seal bead is positioned on the inner surface of the outer axial skirt spaced apart from the upper end. The seal bead extends inwardly toward the inner axial skirt. The plug is attachable to the spout of the pouch. The seal bead is structurally configured to hermetically seal against the spout, while precluding sealed engagement between the inner axial skirt and the spout.