VENTED FLEXIBLE FITMENT
A fitment is provided that includes a body, a cap and a membrane. The body has a first end and a second end. The body further has a body passage that extends between the first end and the second end. The cap has a first end and a second end. The cap has a cap bore that extends in the first end of the cap. The cap is configured to selectively plug the body passage proximate the second end of the body. The membrane is in the second end of the cap. The membrane is configured to allow two-way venting through the body passage of the body when the cap is plugging the body passage.
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One type of container commonly used for storing products is a flexible pouch. A flexible pouch however has its limitations. For example, some stored products require ventilation. For example, a product such as a peroxide acid cleaner requires a ventilation system in the container it is stored with. Hence, flexible pouches may be limited in use.
For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for an effective and efficient ventilation system for a flexible pouch.
SUMMARY OF INVENTIONThe above-mentioned problems of current systems are addressed by embodiments of the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. The following summary is made by way of example and not by way of limitation. It is merely provided to aid the reader in understanding some of the aspects of the invention.
In one embodiment, a fitment is provided. The fitment includes a body, a cap and a membrane. The body has a first end and a second end. The body further has a body passage that extends between the first end and the second end. The cap has a first end and a second end. The cap has a cap bore that extends into the first end of the cap. The cap is configured to selectively plug the body passage proximate the second end of the body. The membrane is in the second end of the cap. The membrane is configured to allow two-way venting through the body passage of the body when the cap is plugging the body passage.
The present invention can be more easily understood and further advantages and uses thereof more readily apparent, when considered in view of the detailed description and the following figures in which:
In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to the present invention. Reference characters denote like elements throughout Figures and text.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONIn the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims and equivalents thereof.
Embodiments of the present invention provide two-way venting for a container. In particular, embodiments provide two-way venting for a flexible pouch container. Referring to
Referring to
Once the product has been removed or put into the pouch 114, the connector 120 is removed from the fitment 100, as illustrated in
Referring to
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
Claims
1. A fitment comprising:
- a body having a first end and second end, the body having a body passage extending between the first end and the second end of the body;
- a cap having a first end and second end, the cap having a cap bore extending into the first end of the cap, the cap configured to selectively plug the body passage proximate the second end of the body; and
- a membrane in the second end of the cap, the membrane configured to allow two-way venting into the body passage of the body when the cap is plugging the body passage.
2. The fitment of claim 1, wherein the body passage is configured to receive a connector passing through the first end of the body and out of the second end of the body.
3. The fitment of claim 1, wherein the cap is further configured to selectively engage an end of the connector when the connector is passed out of the second end of the body.
4. The fitment of claim 3, the cap further comprising:
- an inner cap ridge in the cap bore configured to engage a connector recess proximate the end of the connector to selectively engage the end of the connector.
5. The fitment of claim 1, wherein the cap is coupled to the body.
6. The fitment of claim 7, further comprising:
- a first retaining member coupled between the cap and the body; and
- a second retaining member coupled between the cap and the body, the second retaining member and the first retaining member opposably positioned.
7. The fitment of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the body is configured to be received within a flexible pouch proximate the second end of the base.
8. The fitment of claim 1, wherein the cap is slidably coupled to the body.
9. The fitment of claim 1, further comprising:
- the cap including an outer ridge, and
- the body passage having an internal lip, the internal lip configured to engage the outer ridge of the cap when the cap is plugging the body passage.
10. A fitment comprising:
- a body having a first end and a second end, the body further having a body passage extending between the first end and the second end of the body, the second end configured to be received in a flexible pouch;
- a cap configured to selectively plug the body passage proximate the second end of the body; and
- a membrane in the cap that allows two-way venting when the cap is selectively plugging the body passage.
11. The fitment of claim 10, further comprising;
- the body further having a mid-portion extending between the first end and the second end, the mid-portion configured to be coupled in a seal of the flexible pouch.
12. The fitment of claim 10, further comprising:
- the body passage configured and arranged to receive a connector, the connector configured to pass product into and out of the flexible pouch.
13. The fitment of claim 12, further comprising:
- the cap configured to be manipulated by the connector to selectively plug the body passage.
14. The fitment of claim 10, wherein the cap is retainably attached to the body.
15. A product containment system comprising:
- a container configured to hold a product;
- a fitment coupled to the container, the fitment including, a body having a body passage providing a product path to the container, a cap configured to selectively plug the body passage, and a membrane in the cap to allow two-way venting through the body passage when the cap selectively plugs the body passage; and
- a connector having a connector portion configured to be received in the body passage of the fitment to provide a path for delivery and dispensing of the product to and from the container, the connector further configured to manipulate the cap to plug and unplug the body passage.
16. The product containment system of claim 15, wherein the container is a flexible pouch.
17. The product containment system of claim 16, wherein the fitment is positioned in a seal in the flexible pouch.
18. The product containment system of claim 15, wherein the cap of the fitment is coupled to the body of the fitment.
19. The product containment system of claim 15, wherein the cap of the fitment has a first end configured and arranged to be selectively received in the body passage of the body, the cap having a second end, the membrane positioned in the second end of the cap.
20. The product containment system of claim 15, further comprising:
- a first retaining member coupled between the cap of the fitment and the body of the fitment; and
- a second retaining member coupled between the cap of the fitment and the body of the fitment, the second retaining member and the first retaining member opposably positioned.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 29, 2010
Publication Date: Feb 2, 2012
Applicant:
Inventors: Brian L. Sholes (Minneapolis, MN), Katherine O. Vetter (West St. Paul, MN), Mark D. Levitt (Lake Elmo, MN)
Application Number: 12/846,005
International Classification: B65D 51/16 (20060101);