LOOSE MATERIAL DISPENSING SYSTEM

Abstract

An assembly and method of dispensing loose fill material from the interior of a container in which the loose fill material is originally packaged and/or transported. A spout body at least partially defining a material flow path is connected to an access opening formed in the container. An inlet on the body communicates with the flow path and is disposed through the access opening in receiving relation to the loose fill material. A flow regulating structure is movable from a closed position to an open position, thereby facilitating dispensing of the loose fill material through the spout. A suspension device may be attached to an exterior of the container to mount it on a support structure, thereby facilitating gravity flow of the loose fill material from the container interior, through and out of the outlet, to any of a plurality of intended locations.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is directed to a system, including an assembly and method of dispensing loose fill material from the interior of a flexible or other type material container of the type in which the loose fill material may be originally packaged and transported. A spout is connected to the container in an operative position, at least partially on the interior thereof, and includes a hollow interior body structured to define a flow path through which the loose material passes by the gravity flow.

2. Description of the Related Art

As is generally recognized in the packaging industry, the packaging of different types of articles or objects frequently involves the use of packing materials, also known as “dunnage”, and generally categorized as “loose fill material.” In more common terms, such loose fill material may be referred to as “peanuts” typically comprising pieces or particles of different cushioning material such as, but not limited to, foam, plastic, paper, cardboard or other materials having cushioning characteristics.

While the shape and size of such cushioning pieces may vary significantly, a common feature thereof is the ability to protect the item or articles being packaged, within the interior of a packaging and/or shipping container, against exterior forces. In typical fashion, a plurality of such particles are emptied or otherwise dispensed into the interior of the packaging or shipping container in surrounding, protective relation to the one or more items being packaged. Sufficient distribution of the particles is substantially assured due to the fact that they are collectively “flowable” thereby allowing them to adequately surround and/or pass into open spaces or voids surrounding the packaged articles.

However, the packaging industry well recognizes that there are certain disadvantages with the dispensing of such loose fill material from a supply or storage container into the individual, shipping, or packaging containers holding the object or devices being shipped. In certain applications the loose fill material is delivered to the containers “onsite.” Such onsite delivery or dispensing frequently requires at least one individual to operate relatively large and bulky delivery equipment in order to appropriately discharge the loose fill material into the packaging or shipping containers. Many applications comprise the use of a discharge conduit connected to a large, high volume hopper for controlling the flow of relatively large quantities of the loose fill material as it exits the storage hopper. In addition, maintaining adequate control also may involve the use of various types of flow control valve structures. Such valves may be expensive, require training to properly operate, and are primarily intended for use in facilities dealing with the dispensing of a high volume of the loose filled material.

However, it generally acknowledged that such high quantity delivery of loose fill material is frequently not practical for smaller operations, wherein loose fill packing material is only dispensed infrequently or on a periodic basis.

Accordingly, there is a need in the packaging industry for a dispensing system including a dispensing assembly and method which facilitates the dispensing of loose fill material directly from a container, wherein the container may be the packaging or shipping container in which the loose fill material was originally contained, shipped and/or stored. Such a proposed dispensing system will thereby overcome the space requirements, labor and equipment costs and other disadvantages commonly associated with large scale dispensing of loose fill material. Further, such a proposed dispensing system, specifically including a preferred dispensing assembly, should include structural and operative features which facilitate its secure and reliable connection or attachment to flexible material container in which conventional loose fill material is frequently packaged, shipped and stored.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a dispensing system, including an assembly and method for dispensing loose fill material from a container. In more specific terms, the loose fill material (LFM) is of the type which is “flowable” and is used to providing adequate cushioning or like protection of a variety of different types of packaged articles disposed within an exterior shipping container. Such loose fill material is commonly referred to as “peanuts” in describing a plurality of particles, which may be formed of a force absorbing material, wherein such particles come in a variety of shapes, sizes, etc.

As indicated above one or more disadvantages associated with the use of such loose fill material is the delivery of the particles to the packaged articles being protected in an effective and efficient manner and preferably absent the requirement of using expensive, commercial type dispensing equipment. Accordingly, the assembly of the dispensing system of the present invention is structured, in its various preferred embodiments, to be connected directly to a flexible material container of the type in which the loose fill material is originally packaged and/or transported for delivery to a point of use. As indicated in greater detail hereinafter, structural and operative features of the dispensing assembly facilitates its connection directly to the flexible material container, wherein the loose fill material may be emptied from the interior of the container by gravity flow, to any of a plurality of dispensing locations associated with the shipping container and/or article being protected by the dispensed loose fill material.

In more specific terms, at least one preferred embodiment of the dispensing assembly of the present invention comprises a spout having a body, formed of a rigid or at least partially flexible plastic or other light weight material and having an at least partially hollow interior. The dimension and configuration of the body interior is such as to at least partially define a flow path of the loose fill material therethrough as it is being dispensed from the interior of the container. The dispensing spout assembly of the present invention includes a connecting structure, connected to the body, and being structured to facilitate the attachment of the body directly to a flexible sidewall or other flexible portions of the loose fill material container by the formation of an access opening therein. However, it is emphasized that the versatility of the connecting structure is such as to facilitate the attachment of the body of the spout to containers which are not formed of a flexible material.

Accordingly, regardless of the material of the container in which the loose fill material is originally packaged, an access opening can be easily formed therein by a cutting, ripping, tearing etc. a sidewall, end wall or other appropriate portion of the container. The access opening should be cooperatively dimensioned with an inlet opening or portion of the body of the spout. As such, the inlet is disposed in direct, receiving relation with the interior of the container and in receiving relation to the loose fill material or “peanuts” contained therein. Moreover, the connecting structure preferably comprises a connecting flange secured to an exterior of the body, generally adjacent the outlet thereof and extending transversely outward therefrom. The body of the spout may thereby be attached in an operative position, which facilitates dispensing of the loose fill material from the container by gravity flow. Further, the operative position of the body comprises the connecting flange being disposed through the access opening on the interior of the container; the inlet opening of the body is disposed in receiving relation to the loose fill material.

The body also includes an outlet opening or portion disposed in communicating relation with the flow path on the interior of the body. The outlet opening is disposed exteriorly of the container, in spaced relation to the inlet opening when the body is mounted on the container in the operative position. Further, the outlet may be operatively associated with a flow regulating structure. More specifically, the flow regulating structure may include a closure member movably connected to the body and disposable between an open position and a closed position relative to the outlet opening. As such, when the closure is in a closed position the loose fill material may be collected along the flow path, within the interior of the body, but will not be able to be dispensed therefrom through the outlet due to the closed orientation of the closure or flow regulating structure. In use, the flow regulating structure may be selectively opened thereby allowing the flow of the loose fill material, under gravity flow, from the container into any of a plurality of shipping or packaging containers and in protective relation to the article or device being packaged.

The assembly of the present invention may also include a retaining structure which may be in the form of a collar or like member. The retaining structure or collar is connected to the exterior surface of the loose fill material container in a preferred position which a t least partially defines the aforementioned operative position of the spout body on the container. Such a preferred position of the retaining collar is in at least partially surrounding relation to the spout body and in aligned, overlying, at least partially covering relation to at least a peripheral portion of the access opening, as well as an overlying, substantially aligned relation to the connecting flange which is disposed adjacent the access opening on the interior of the container. The retaining structure or collar may be adhesively attached to the exterior surface in order to facilitate the retention of the connecting structure within the interior of the container as well as prevent inadvertent leaks of the loose fill material through the peripheral portions of the access opening, outside of the body of the spout when it is disposed in an operative position.

As indicated, the emptying or dispensing of the loose fill material from within the container is preferably, but not exclusively, accomplished by gravity flow when the body of the spout is in the operative position. Accordingly, the assembly of the present invention may also include a suspension structure which may be secured to the container, such as on the exterior thereof. As a result, the suspension structure is preferably disposed and configured to mount the container in a depending relation on any of a plurality of different support structures, typically disposed above a dispensing area. Additional preferred embodiments may comprise the suspension structure being in the form of an elongated strap having opposite ends secured to the exterior surface of the container wherein the intermediate portion of the strap may be attached to a supporting hook or other support member, as indicated above. Alternatively, the suspension structure may be in the form of a harness or like device which is connected to and at least partially surrounds exterior portions of the container. Any of the noted embodiments of the suspension structure facilitate the support of the container on different type support structures, in any of a variety of different orientations, in a manner which provides adequate gravity flow of the loose fill material from within the container through the flow path of the body of the spout.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view in partial cutaway of an assembly portion of the dispensing system of the present invention, wherein a method of dispensing loose fill material from an interior of a flexible container is at least partially represented.

FIG. 2 is a collective figure of a plurality of operative components of the assembly of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view representing details of a portion of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of yet another preferred embodiment of the dispensing assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the dispensing assembly of the embodiment of FIG. 1 connected to a container of the loose fill material and the depending support thereof facilitating gravity flow.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view similar to the embodiment of FIG. 5A wherein the container of the loose fill material is disposed in a different depending orientation.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a suspension structure associate with the dispensing assembly of the present invention in the form of a harness.

FIG. 7 is yet another preferred embodiment similar to the embodiment of FIG. 6 and including different structural and operative features of the suspension structure of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views in partial cutaway of another preferred embodiment of a flow regulating structure useable with any of the embodiments of the dispensing system of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is yet another embodiment of the present invention relating to a suspension structure of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As represented in the accompanying Figures, the present invention is directed to a material dispensing system generally indicated as 10 including a dispensing assembly generally indicated as 12 and a dispensing method as described in greater detail hereinafter. With primary reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3, the dispensing assembly 12 includes a dispensing spout generally indicated as 14 including a body 16. The body 16 includes hollow interior portion, at least partially represented as 18 and an inlet opening 20 and an outlet opening 22 each disposed in communicating relation with the hollow interior 18 of the body 16. As such, the hollow interior 18 is dimensioned and configured to at least partially define a flow path of the loose fill material 25 as the material is dispensed from a container 27 as clearly represented in FIG. 1. The aforementioned flow path can also be at least partially defined by the aforementioned inlet opening 20 and outlet opening 22 which are disposed in communicating relation with the remainder of the flow path within the body 16.

The body 16 may assume a variety of different dimensions, configurations, and overall structures. By way of example, one preferred embodiment of the body 16, as represented in more detail in FIG. 3, includes an upper “bowl-like” portion 23 integrally or otherwise fixedly connected to a substantially cylindrical portion 23′. In contrast, in the embodiment of FIG. 4 the body 16 includes a substantially elongated cylindrical configuration surrounding the flow path within the hollow interior of the body 16. Further with regard to FIG. 4, the body 16 includes an inlet opening 20 and an outlet opening 22 disposed in spaced relation to one another, substantially at opposite ends of the body 16. Also, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the material from which the elongated cylindrical side wall is formed may be at least partially flexible such that the outlet opening 22 may be at least partially movable relative to the container 27, to which it is attached as well as the inlet opening 20. This facilitates the selective positioning of the outlet opening 22 in any of a plurality of different dispensing positions, such that packaging containers, which may be disposed in different locations can be efficiently filled with the loose fill material 25 as it exits the flow path defined on the interior of the body 16.

Each of the embodiments of the spout 14, as represented in FIGS. 1 through 4 includes a connecting structure generally indicated as 30. The connecting structure 30 extends transversely outward from the exterior of the body 16 and is preferably structured in the form of a flange. As represented, the connecting flange 32 may comprise a plurality of flange segments 32′ disposed in spaced relation to one another about the exterior of the body 16 and preferably adjacent to and or contiguous with the periphery of the inlet opening 20. Alternatively, the connecting flange 32 may comprise a single, integrally formed flange extending partially or completely about the exterior of the body 16 in adjacent or contiguous relation to the outlet opening 20.

Yet additional structural features of the dispensing assembly 12 include the provision of a flow regulating structure generally indicated as 34, represented in at least the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5. More specifically, the flow regulating structure 34 is preferably, but not necessarily, in the form of a closure 36 movably connected to the body 16. More specifically, the closure 36 is positionable into and out of a flow regulating orientation relative to the flow path on the interior 18 of the body 16 and also relative to the outlet opening 22. In more specific terms, when the flow regulating structure 34 and/or closure 36 is in the open orientation, as represented in FIGS. 1 and 2, the loose fill material 25 will flow, under the influence of gravity, from the interior of the container 27 into and through the inlet opening 20, along the flow path defined by the interior 18 of the body 16 and out of the outlet opening 22. However, when the flow regulating structure 34 and/or closure 36 is in a closed position or orientation, as represented in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5A, the flow of the loose fill material will be prevented from exiting the flow path on the interior 18 of the body 16 and will not be dispensed from the spout 14 through the outlet opening 22.

In contrast, when the closure 36 is in an open position relative to the outlet opening 22, the force of gravity will facilitate the loose fill material 25 passing into and through the flow path within the body 16 and out from the outlet 22. Further with regard to the flow regulating structure 34, when defined by the closure 36, a spring bias connection 38 may serve to at least partially interconnect the closure 36 to the body 16 adjacent to the outlet opening 22. The biasing structure or connection 38 may take the form of a coil spring other similarly operable structure and be disposed and configured to normally bias the closure 36 in the closed position or orientation, as represented in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5A. The biasing connection or biasing member 38 may be structured to exert a sufficient biasing force on the closure 36 to normally maintain it in a closed orientation. However, when intended to dispense the loose fill material 25 from the spout 14, the closure 36 can be easily disposed in the open position as represented in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5B.

Yet another embodiment of the flow regulating structure is represented in FIGS. 8A and 8B and generally represented as 34′. More specifically, the flow regulating structure 34′ comprises a closure 36′, including a plurality of preferably two closure segments 37 movably connected to one another and to the body 16 by a connecting structure 39. Moreover, the closure segments 37 are movably connected to the body so as to regulate flow of the loose material through the opening 22, when in a closed position (not shown). The connecting structure may include a biasing member(s) which is disposed and structured to normally bias the closure segments 37 in a closed position, wherein the segments 37 are disposed in covering relation to the opening 22. Further structural features of the connecting structure 39 include an opening assembly which may include gripping tabs 41. The gripping tabs 41 are cooperatively structured with the aforementioned biasing member(s) to dispose the closure segments in the open position, represented in the FIGS. 8A and 8B, by appropriate manipulation thereof, such as by pushing or “squeezing” the tabs 41 together or toward one another, against the biasing force exerted thereon and/or the closure segments 37. As with the flow regulating structure 34, As with the closure structure 34, when the flow regulating structure 34′ and/or closure segments 37 are in the open orientation, as represented in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the loose fill material 25 will flow, under the influence of gravity, from the interior of the container 27 into and through the inlet opening 20, along the flow path defined by the interior 18 of the body 16 and out of the outlet opening 22. However, when the flow regulating structure 34′ and closure segments 37 are in a closed position or orientation, the flow of the loose fill material will be prevented from exiting the flow path on the interior 18 of the body 16 and will not be dispensed from the spout 14 through the outlet opening 22.

As indicated herein, the loose fill material 25 may be in the form of a variety of differently dimensioned or shaped particles commonly referred to as “peanuts”. Such loose fill material may be formed from a variety of different types of material having sufficient “cushioning” capability so as to protect various types of articles, devices, objects, etc. disposed within a shipping or packing container as is commonly practiced. Moreover, such loose fill material of the type described is commonly packaged and transported in flexible material bags or like containers 27. Therefore, the dispensing assembly 12 is specifically intended to demonstrate structural and operative features which facilitate its being connected to an at least partially flexible bag 27 in an operative position, such as that demonstrated in FIGS. 1 and 5 through 7.

In more specific terms, the connecting structure including the connecting flange or flange segments 32, 32′ extend laterally from the exterior of the body preferably, but not necessarily, adjacent or contiguous the periphery of the inlet opening 20. When in this demonstrated operative position, at least the connecting structure 30 and flange 32, 32′ of the spout 14 are at least partially disposed on the interior of the container 27. In so positioning the spout 14, an access opening 100 is formed, such as by cutting, slitting, ripping, etc., in any appropriate side wall or end wall portion of the container 27. The access opening 100 should be sufficient in size and/or configuration to allow passage of the connecting flange or flange segments 32, 32′ into the interior of the container 27. As such, the connecting flange or flange segments 32, 32′ may confront the interior surface portions of the container 27 surrounding the formed access opening 100.

Due to the fact that the connecting flange or flange segments 32, 32′ are disposed on the interior of the container 27 the inlet opening 20 may also be at least partially disposed within the interior of container 27 and/or in direct access therewith. Such communicating relation between the inlet 20 and the interior of the container 27 further disposes the inlet opening 20 in direct receiving relation to the loose fill material 25. Under the influence of gravity flow, and when the container 27 is disposed in a suspended or depending orientation to any of a variety of support structures 49 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) the loose fill material 25 will pass into the interior 18 of the body 16 along the aforementioned flow path. When the flow regulating structure 34 and/or closure 36 is in the closed orientation, dispensing of the particles 25 from the spout 14 will not occur. However, when it is intended to dispense or loose fill material 25 the flow regulating structure 34 and/or closure 36 is opened, as represented in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5B, thereby serving to effectively deliver loose fill material 25 to its intended location.

Due to the fact that at least a portion of the container 27 is commonly formed from a flexible material, one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention further includes a retaining structure generally indicated as 40. The retaining structure 40 may be in the form of an annular or semi-annular “collar” formed of a flexible or rigid material and connected to the exterior surface 27′ of the container 27 in overlying and/or aligned relation to the connecting flange or flange segments 32, 32′ disposed within the interior of the container 27 as clearly represented in FIG. 1. Further, the dimension and configuration of the retaining structure or collar 40 is such as to at least partially surround the body 16 substantially adjacent to the inlet opening 20 as it is secured to the outer surface 27′ of the container 27. Moreover in this at least partially surrounding position, the retaining structure or column 40 will also, at least partially, surround and overly or cover at least some of the peripheral portions of the aforementioned access opening 100. As a result, inadvertent leakage or passage of the loose fill material 25 from the interior of the container 27 past the spout 14 and on the exterior of the body 16 will be prevented or restricted.

The disposition and structuring of the retaining structure collar 40, while being disposed on the exterior of the container 27, will still be preferably disposed in aligned, overlying and/or covering relation to the connecting flange and/or flange segments 32, 32′ located on the interior of the container 27. As a result, the cooperative positioning and structuring of the retaining structure or collar 40 and the connecting flange or flange segments 32, 32′ will result in at least a portion of the sidewall, adjacent or contiguous to the aforementioned access opening 100 being effectively “sandwiched” between the interior connecting flange or flange segment 32, 32′ and the exterior of retaining structure or collar 40.

Yet additional structural and operative features associated with the dispensing system 10, and in particular, the dispensing assembly 12, include the provision of a suspension structure generally indicated as 42 in the embodiments of FIGS. 2, 5A, and 5B. More specifically, the suspension structure 42 may be in the form of a generally elongated cord, strap, etc. 44 having opposite ends 46 structured for attachment to the exterior 27″ of the container 27. Securement of the ends 46 as well as the retaining structure of collar 40 may be by means of adhesive or any other effective securement or attachment facility which serves to maintain ends 46, as well as the retaining structure 40 in their intended position, as described. In addition, the length of the elongated strap, cord, etc. 44 is sufficient to be connected to any of a variety of support structures 49 such as a hook, nail, etc.

In doing so, the container 27 will be disposed in a suspended or depending relation to the support structure 49 thereby facilitating the aforementioned gravity flow of the loose fill material 25 into and through the spout 14 and body 16, as indicated. As is commonly recognized and indicated above, at least some or in many cases most of the material from which the container 27 is formed is a flexible, plastic or other sufficiently strong material capable of retaining the loose fill material 25 on the interior of the container 27 during original packaging, transport, storing, etc. Accordingly, the aforementioned access opening 100 can be formed substantially at any point along the sidewall portion, as represented in FIG. 5A and/or end wall portion as represented in FIG. 5B. As such, the suspension structure 42 can also be disposed at various locations substantially in opposing relation to the operatively positioned spout 14 so as to facilitate the aforementioned gravity flow of loose fill material 25 from the interior of the container 27 out through the spout 14.

Yet another embodiment of the suspension structure is generally indicated as 42′ in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the suspension structure 42′ is in the form of a harness like configuration disposed in surrounding, connected relation to exterior surface portions of the container 27. Such harness like structure 44′ may include a plurality of enlarged harness pads 44′ affixed to the exterior surface 27′ of the container 27 by adhesive or other respective securement facilities.

FIG. 7 represents yet another embodiment of the connecting structure generally indicated as 42″. The connecting structure 42″ may also be in the form of a harness which is more specifically defined by a plurality of elongated straps disposed in surrounding relation to the exterior 27′ of the container 27 in a manner which serves to maintain the container 27 in supported, depending or suspended relation to an appropriately located instruction support structure. As such, the dispensing spout 14 will be located at a low point on the container 27′ in the preferred operative position so as to further facilitate gravity flow of the loose fill material 25 from the interior of the container 27 through and from the spout 14.

Yet another embodiment of the suspension structure is represented as 50 in FIG. 9. More specifically, the suspension structure 50 may comprise an opening or hole 52 formed in an appropriate portion of the container 27. As set forth above, the flexible or other type material container may be of the type in which the loose fill material 25 may be originally packaged and transported. The hole 52 may be pre-formed in a portion such as at, but not limited to, end wall or a side wall portion 54 of the container 27. In the alternative, the hole 52 may be manually formed by personnel, after delivery of the container 27, at the dispensing or storage site or at the location where the loose fill material 25 is or will be used. Therefore, when manually or pre-forming the hole 52, the excess portion 54 may be collected or gathered by placing a tie member or other appropriate structure 55 where indicated and subsequently and or substantially concurrently forming the hole 52 in the excess portion 54, as represented. Moreover, whether or not the hole 52 is pre-formed, it can be further structured to include a reinforcing ring or grommet connected to the inner periphery thereof. In addition, the hole and any reinforcing structure associated therewith should be dimensioned to facilitate the suspension and/or depending mounting and support on a support structure 49, such as that represented and described in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Now that the invention has been described,

Claims

1. An assembly for dispensing loose fill material from a container, said assembly comprising:

a spout including a body having a hollow interior structured to at least partially define a flow path of the loose fill material through said body,

said body comprising an inlet and an outlet both disposed in communicating relation to said flow path,

said flow path, said inlet and said outlet relatively disposed and cooperatively dimensioned to facilitate passage of the loose fill material along said flow path from an interior of the container,

a connecting structure disposed on said body and structured to attached said body in an operative position on the container,

said operative position comprising said inlet disposed in communicating relation with an interior of said container and in receiving relation to the loose fill material therein, and

a flow regulating structure movably connected to said body and disposable into and out of a flow restricting orientation relative to said flow path.

2. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said flow regulating structure comprises a structure movably connected to said body and positionable in either an open position or a closed position relative to said outlet.

3. An assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said outlet comprises an opening formed in said body and disposed exteriorly of the container when said body is in said operative position.

4. An assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said inlet comprises an opening formed in said body in spaced relation to said outlet, said opening disposed at least partially on the interior of the container when said body is in said operative position.

5. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said connecting structure is dimensioned and cooperatively disposed relative to said inlet for concurrent placement of said connecting structure and said inlet within the interior of the container when said body is in said operative position.

6. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said connecting structure is disposed adjacent said inlet and structured to attach said body in said operative position to the container through an access opening in the container; said operative position comprising said inlet disposed in communicating relation with the loose fill material through the access opening.

7. An assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein said connecting structure comprising a connecting flange disposed on said body and extending transversely outward from an exterior thereof.

8. An assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said retaining flange comprises a plurality of flange segments mounted on and extending transversely outward from an exterior surface of said body in spaced relation to one another.

9. An assembly as recited in claim 7 further comprising a retaining structure secured to an exterior of the container in substantially aligned, overlying relation to said connecting flange; said retaining structure and said connecting flange collectively disposed in substantially sandwiching relation to correspondingly disposed portions of the container.

10. An assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said retaining structure is secured to an exterior of the container in substantially overlying relation to at least a portion the access opening.

11. An assembly as recited in claim 1 further comprising a suspension device secured to an exterior of the container and disposed and structured to mount the container in a depending relation from a support structure.

12. An assembly as recited in claim 11 wherein said suspension device comprises a harness connected to and at least partially surrounding an exterior of the container.

13. An assembly for dispensing loose fill material from a flexible material container, said assembly comprising:

a spout including a body having an inlet opening and an outlet opening disposed in spaced relation to one another,

a flow path disposed within said body between and in communication with said inlet and outlet openings,

said flow path, said inlet opening and said outlet opening relatively disposed and cooperatively dimensioned to facilitate passage of the loose flow material through said body from the container,

a connecting structure disposed on said body and structured to attach said body in an operative position through an access opening in the container,

said operative position comprising said inlet opening disposed in communicating, receiving relation to the loose fill material within the container through the access opening, and

a flow regulating structure connected to said body and disposable into and out of a flow restricting orientation relative to said flow path.

14. An assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said flow regulating structure comprises a closure movably connected to said body and disposable into and out of closing relation to said outlet opening.

15. An assembly as recited in claim 14 further comprising a biasing structure connected to said closure and disposed and structured to normally bias said closure into said closing relation to said outlet opening.

16. An assembly as recited in claim 13 further comprising a retaining structure secured to an exterior of the container in aligned relation to the connecting structure and in at least in partially surrounding relation to the access opening when said body is in said operative position.

17. An assembly as recited in claim 16 wherein said connecting structure comprises a flange structure extending transversely outward from an exterior of said body; said flange structure disposed within the container through the access opening when said body is in said operative position.

18. An assembly as recited in claim 17 wherein said retaining structure comprises a collar connected to an exterior of the container in substantially overlying relation to the flange structure and in at least partially surrounding relation to the access opening when said body is in said operative position.

19. An assembly as recited in claim 18 wherein said collar is further disposed in at least partially surrounding relation to said body adjacent said inlet opening, said collar at least partially formed from a flexible material and connected to an exterior surface of the container.

20. An assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said body is at least partially formed of a material of sufficient flexibility to facilitate selective positioning of said outlet, relative to the container, into a plurality of different dispensing orientations.

21. An assembly as recited in claim 13 further comprising a suspension device secured to an exterior of the container and disposed and structured to mount the container in a depending relation from a support structure.

22. An assembly as recited in claim 21 wherein said suspension device comprises a hole formed in a portion of the container which is disposed to facilitate a depending suspension of the container from a support structure.

23. A method of dispensing loose fill material from a container using a spout, said method comprising:

forming an access opening in the container,

inserting an inlet portion of a body of the spout through the access opening in receiving relation to the loose fill material,

securing the body in an operative position on the container by applying a retaining structure to the exterior of the container in at least partially surrounding relation to the body adjacent to the access opening,

disposing a flow regulating structure associated with an outlet of the body in an open position, and

dispensing the loose fill material from within the container through the inlet, along a flow path within the body and out of the outlet to a predetermined location.

24. An assembly as recited in claim 23 further comprising forming the access opening and inserting the inlet in a flexible material portion of the container.

25. An assembly as recited in claim 24 further comprising attaching a suspension device to an exterior of the container in supporting relation to the container and securing the container, by the suspension device, in depending relation from a support structure to facilitate gravity flow of the loose fill material into the inlet, through the flow path and out of the outlet of the body, when the body is in the operative position.