Bag with spout and closure assembly

Abstract

A bag with a spout (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 of one piece of plastic. The ring member is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt of the cap body and includes an annular base portion (51) connected to the skirt via a frangible bridge (53). 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 when the cap body is removed. The bag also includes a flow control device (80) that is made separately from the spout and the cap unit. The flow control device is mounted to the neck (14) and has an outer part (82) located outside the outer surface of the neck. The cap body is arranged above the neck and the flow control device. The ring member and the outer part of the flow control device have cooperating retaining portions (55, 83).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a spouted bag, a closure assembly for a spouted bag, and a method for making a spouted bag that is filled with a product to be dispensed from the bag. Background Art

[0002] In WO2017 / 135824 and WO2020 / 050712, bags with spouts are disclosed. When filled and ready to be distributed to a user, these known bags have a flexible material bag body that is filled with the product to be distributed. The bag is provided with a closure assembly that is generally composed of two parts, namely a spout and a cap unit. The spout has a plastic spout body having an attachment portion attached to the bag body at its lower end. At its upper end, the spout body has a tubular neck having an inner surface that defines a section of a product channel extending through the spout body and having an outer surface. The cap unit is made (e.g., molded) of a piece of plastic material different from the spout. The cap unit comprises a cap body and an integrated ring member. In this article, the cap body comprises a top wall structure and a downwardly depending skirt having an inner side, an outer side, and a lower edge away from the top wall structure. The ring member is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt of the cap body. The ring member comprises an annular base portion which is connected to the skirt of the cap body at least via one or more breakable bridges. When the cap body is removed for the first time by a user to dispense the product from the bag, these breakable bridges break.

[0003] In WO 2017 / 135824 and WO 2020 / 050712, various structural designs of cooperating permanent snap-fit joint portions on the annular base portion and on the nozzle body are disclosed, which allow the cap unit to be snap-fitted onto the nozzle and then keep the ring member fixed to the nozzle when the cap is removed by the user.

[0004] In these prior art documents, it is disclosed that a bag provided with a nozzle can be filled via a product passage, and then the cap unit is snap-fitted onto the nozzle in an axial securing movement relative to the neck of the nozzle. In this context, the cap body is configured to seal or close the product passage in its closed position, which position is obtained by snap-fitting the cap unit onto the nozzle. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect thereof, the present invention is directed to providing a spouted pouch having enhanced dispensing functionality.

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention provides a pouch with a spout. Instead of the two-component closure assembly discussed with reference to WO2017 / 135824 and WO2020 / 050712, a third component implemented as a flow control device is provided. This third component is constructed to be distinct from the spout and cap unit. The flow control device is mounted to the neck and has an outer component located external to the outer surface of the neck. Generally speaking, the flow control device is configured to provide a form of control over the flow of product from the bag body through the product passage. Examples of flow control are discussed in more detail below. The cap body is disposed over the neck and the flow control device.

[0007] In a first aspect of the invention, the ring member and the outer part of the flow control device have cooperating retaining portions which retain the flow control device relative to the nozzle. Thus, in addition to its role in snap-fitting the cap unit onto the nozzle and its role in the tamper-evident function of the bag with nozzle, the ring member also provides retention of the flow control device. Preferably, this approach avoids the presence of any retaining portion between the neck and the flow control device in order to hold the flow control device relative to the nozzle. This facilitates the production of the nozzle and allows the nozzle to be easily combined with a variety of different flow control devices, for example reducing investment in moulds, reducing logistics costs and workload in the production of closure components, etc. In an embodiment, the exterior of the nozzle is smooth and therefore does not have any ribs, grooves, threads, etc.

[0008] The flow control device may have various embodiments, eg, depending on the desired functionality.

[0009] For example, the flow control device can be implemented as a valve. For example, the valve is a self-closing valve that opens when the user squeezes the bag, such as a slit valve or a duckbill valve. In another embodiment, the valve is a push-pull valve with a slidable valve member that is opened and closed by the user, such as for drinking from the bag.

[0010] The provision of a valve (e.g., a push-pull valve or a self-closing valve (e.g., a slit valve)) allows, for example, packaging of readily flowing products, such as water-containing products, in the bag without undue risk of accidental spillage. For example, a low-viscosity beverage such as water can be filled in the bag.

[0011] For example, the slit valve member is made of silicone material or thermoplastic elastomer material.

[0012] For example, the flow control device may be implemented as a non-operable flow restrictor that restricts the flow of product, for example, by defining one or more outflow openings that are smaller than the product passage through the neck. In one embodiment, the non-operable flow restrictor has a single opening whose shape differs from the cross-sectional shape of the product passage through the neck. This is, for example, used to control the flow of decorative products in food production. In one embodiment, the cap body is configured to seal the one or more outflow openings of the flow restrictor when the cap body is in the closed position on the mouthpiece.

[0013] In one embodiment, the ring member and the cooperating retaining portion of the outer part of the flow control device retain the flow control device in a fixed position relative to the mouthpiece, and thus immobile relative to the mouthpiece. This is contemplated, for example, in conjunction with a flow control device implemented as a valve that does not require movement relative to the neck (e.g., as a self-closing valve implemented as a slit valve). Fixed position retention is also contemplated for embodiments of the flow control device that function as a flow restrictor.

[0014] In one embodiment, the ring member and the cooperating retaining portion of the outer part of the flow control device allow movement of the flow control device relative to the mouthpiece at least or only in the direction of the neck, and thus upward and downward along the neck, without the flow control device becoming detached from the neck. For example, the flow control device may be movable upward and downward relative to the neck between a closed position and an open position.

[0015] In one embodiment, the ring member and the cooperating retaining portion of the outer part of the flow control device allow rotational movement of the flow control device relative to the mouthpiece, and thus around the neck of the mouthpiece, without the flow control device becoming detached from the neck. For example, the flow control device is movable only in rotation around the neck between a closed position and an open position.

[0016] In one embodiment, the flow control device is implemented as a push-pull valve with a slidable valve member, which is mounted on the neck so that it can slide upward from a closed position to an open position relative to the neck to open the product channel, and slide downward to a closed position to close the product channel. In this article, the slidable valve member has one or more sealing surfaces that cooperate with one or more sealing surfaces of the neck of the suction nozzle in the closed position. The retaining portion of the cooperation of the ring member and the slidable valve member preferably limits the upward movement of the slidable valve member relative to the neck, for example, defining the open position of the slidable valve member. In one embodiment, the ring member and the slidable valve member have a cooperating snap-fit portion that produces a releasable snap-fit in at least one of the open position and the closed position of the slidable valve member (for example, in both the open position and the closed position).

[0017] In a practical embodiment, the outer portion of the slidable valve member is implemented as a collar extending around the outside of the neck and having one or more outward protrusions forming one or more retaining portions, such as a flange at the lowermost edge of the collar. The ring member is configured to allow the upward and downward sliding of the slidable valve member, and the ring member includes a retaining portion forming an abutment that defines the open position of the slidable valve member. Therefore, in practice, the ring member limits the upward movement of the slidable valve member by the user. The ring member herein absorbs the pulling force applied by the user when reaching the open position, and the pulling force is distributed to the nozzle body via a permanent snap-fit joint.

[0018] In an embodiment of the slidable valve member, one or more sealing surfaces are located near the upper end of the neck. In a preferred embodiment, an internal seal is formed between a sealing surface on the inner surface of the neck located near the upper end of the neck and an inner annular portion of the slidable valve member extending into the neck. In a preferred embodiment, in addition to the internal seal, an external seal exists between a sealing surface on the outer surface of the neck and a collar of the slidable valve member.

[0019] In one embodiment, the slidable valve member has a transverse central wall portion and an upwardly extending inner annular wall portion adjoining along its periphery, the inner annular wall portion forming a sealing surface for an internal seal that cooperates with a sealing surface on an inner surface of the neck, wherein the inner annular wall portion is connected to a collar extending coaxially around the inner annular portion via a bridge wall portion, and wherein a bottomed groove exists between the collar and the inner annular wall portion, the upper end of the neck being received in the bottomed groove. Preferably, in the closed position of the valve member, an external seal is formed between the collar and the exterior of the neck (e.g., near the upper end of the neck).

[0020] In one embodiment, the top cap body is a snap-on top cap body that provides a snap-on function during use of the closure assembly, such that the top cap body can be replaced after a first removal of the top cap body, wherein the mouthpiece and / or the flow control device on the one hand and the top cap on the other hand are provided with cooperating snap-on connector formations to provide the snap-on function. For example, a light snap is provided between the top cap body and the flow control device, which is combined with a stronger snap between the flow control device and the mouthpiece, such that the stronger snap holds the slidable valve member in its closed position when the user removes the top cap body by releasing the light snap.

[0021] The skirt may be ribbed or similar to enhance the user's grip on the top cap, for example, being provided with axial ribs. In another embodiment, the top cap body includes one or more gripping portions that are integral with the outer side of the skirt to facilitate the user opening the closure assembly for the first time, for example, by manually rotating and / or lifting the top cap body. Advantageously, manual rotation of the cap when opening the closure assembly for the first time facilitates effective destruction of the one or more bridges between the base portion and the skirt of the top cap body, while the snap-on top cap body subsequently allows for convenient replacement of the cap body.

[0022] In one embodiment, the cap body is provided with an outer annular gripping portion surrounding and spaced apart from the skirt, for example as disclosed in WO 2014 / 007612.

[0023] In one embodiment, the top cap body includes one or more wing handles, such as a pair of wing handles, such as only one pair of wing handles, such as in WO2015 / 115891, wherein the pair of wing handles extend outwardly from the skirt of the top cap body in opposite directions and are configured to be engaged by a user to remove the top cap body, wherein, when viewed in a side view thereof, the wing handle bodies each have an outer periphery comprising a bottom side, a top side and a top end away from the skirt, wherein the bottom side and the top side are adjacent at the top end.

[0024] In one embodiment, the cap unit includes a permanent strap that is integral with the ring member at its first end and integral with the cap body at its second end. The strap, which may also be referred to as a drawstring, allows the cap body to be removed to provide access to the neck and flow control device, such as to allow the user to drink from a bag. In another embodiment, for example, the top cap body is hinged to the ring member, such as by a living hinge.

[0025] In one embodiment, the top cap has one or more wing handles, and the permanent strap of the cap unit is integral with the base portion of the ring member at a first end thereof and with one of the one or more wing handles at a second end thereof, wherein the strap is adapted to remain connected to both the base portion of the ring member and the corresponding wing handle when the top cap body is removed by the user.

[0026] In one embodiment, prior to first removal of the overcap by a user, the straps lie in a common plane, such as a vertical plane, with the panel portions of the corresponding wing handles.

[0027] In one embodiment, prior to first removal of the overcap by a user, the strap extends outwardly from the base portion of the ring member toward the top end of the corresponding wing handle, eg, the second end of the strap is inboard of the top end of the wing handle.

[0028] In one embodiment, the strap extends outward from the base portion of the ring member along the bottom side of the wing handle toward the top end of the corresponding wing handle, further around the top end of the wing handle and along a portion of the top side of the wing handle to a second end of the strap, such as a second end located a certain distance outside the skirt.

[0029] In one embodiment, the integrated strap of the overcap includes an inner strap contoured side that faces toward the corresponding wing handle prior to first removal of the overcap and an outer strap contoured side that faces away from the corresponding wing handle.

[0030] In one embodiment, the snap fit between the ring member and the mouthpiece is configured as disclosed in WO2020 / 050712. In one embodiment, the annular base portion includes one or more integrally formed hook members, and the mouthpiece (e.g., a flange of a lower section thereof around the neck) includes one or more hook member channels, each of which is adapted to receive a hook member when the top cap unit is secured to the mouthpiece and fitted over the neck and flow control device. For example, the mouthpiece is provided with an annular flange portion on the neck, and the hook portion of each hook member engages (e.g., snaps) below the bottom surface of the annular flange portion on the neck of the mouthpiece.

[0031] In one embodiment, the overhat unit includes one or more frangible tamper-evident bridges between the strap and the corresponding wing handle, the one or more frangible tamper-evident bridges breaking upon first removal of the overhat by the user.

[0032] In one embodiment, the top hat is a quarter-turn lift top hat.

[0033] In one embodiment, the closure assembly comprises:

[0034] - at least one first cam portion defining a cam surface that is angled relative to the main axis, the first cam portion being integrally formed on one of a lower edge of the skirt and a portion of the ring member, and

[0035] at least one second cam portion defining a cam follower surface adapted to interact with the cam surface of the first cam portion and integrally formed on the other of the lower edge of the skirt and said portion of the ring member,

[0036] Therein, upon first opening of the closure assembly by relative rotation of the overcap about the neck, the first and second cam portions interact to cause axial lifting of the overcap, for example to disengage cooperating snap connector formations.

[0037] In one embodiment, a pair of first cam portions are integrally formed at the top surface of the ring member at diametrically opposite positions, and a pair of second cam portions are integrally formed at the lower end portion of the skirt at diametrically opposite positions.

[0038] In one embodiment, the first cam portion has an upwardly arched first cam surface having a center that protrudes above the flange-like base portion and having first and second ends, wherein the arched first cam surface abuts a top surface of the flange-like base portion. For example, a frangible bridge is present at each end of the upwardly arched first cam surface.

[0039] In one embodiment, the second cam portion comprises a protrusion integrally formed at the lower edge of the skirt and adapted to cooperate with the first cam surface, preferably the top cap has, for example, two diametrically opposed protrusions protruding downwardly.

[0040] In one embodiment, the pair of wing handles extend in an imaginary vertical plane passing through the main axis of the neck, and wherein the cam portions of the pair of first cam portions are located at diametrically opposed positions relative to said imaginary vertical plane.

[0041] A first aspect of the present invention also relates to a method for producing a filled spout bag, wherein the method comprises:

[0042] - providing an empty bag with a spout attached to the bag body,

[0043] - filling the bag with product via the product channel,

[0044] - providing a subassembly of a cap unit and a flow control member (e.g., a slidable valve member), wherein the flow control member is initially retained within the cap body,

[0045] - mounting the subassembly on the mouthpiece after filling of the bag, said mounting involving pressing the subassembly onto the mouthpiece so that the flow control device becomes mounted to the neck and so that the cooperating permanent snap-fit joint portions of the annular base portion and the mouthpiece body engage and hold the ring member fixed to the mouthpiece.

[0046] A first aspect of the present invention also relates to a method for producing a filled spout bag, wherein the method comprises:

[0047] - providing an empty bag having a spout attachment location, such as an opening, such as an opening in the top edge or seam of the bag, the opening being suitable for mounting the fully assembled closure assembly discussed herein on the bag,

[0048] - filling the container, for example via an opening,

[0049] - The fully assembled closure assembly discussed herein is mounted as a unit on the bag by attaching the bag body to the attachment portion of the spout (eg by heat sealing).

[0050] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a spout bag with a closure assembly and a closure assembly for a spout bag, wherein the closure assembly comprises a spout, a flow control device and a cap unit with a protective top cap body, wherein:

[0051] the nozzle comprises a nozzle body with an attachment portion attached or attachable to a body of the bag of flexible material, wherein the nozzle body comprises a tubular neck extending upwardly from the attachment portion, the neck defining a section of a product passage extending through the nozzle body, the neck having an outer surface,

[0052] a cap unit comprising a protective top cap body, an integrated ring member and an integral strap permanently securing the cap body to the ring member, the cap unit being made (e.g. moulded) as one piece of plastic material different from the mouthpiece,

[0053] The top cap body comprises a top wall structure and a downwardly hanging skirt, wherein the skirt has an inner side, an outer side and a lower edge away from the top wall structure.

[0054] wherein a ring member is integrally formed to a lower edge of the skirt of the overcap body, the ring member comprising an annular base portion connected to the skirt of the overcap body at least via one or more frangible bridges, the one or more frangible bridges being broken when the overcap body is first removed by a user to dispense product from the bag via the product passage,

[0055] a flow control device mounted to the neck and configured to provide control of the flow of product from the bag body through the product passageway, wherein the flow control device is configured to maintain the product passageway closed during first removal of the protective overcap body by a user,

[0056] wherein the top cap body is arranged on the neck and the flow control device, and

[0057] wherein the top cap body is preferably a snap-on top cap body, which provides a snap-on function during use of the closure assembly, such that the top cap body can be replaced after a first removal of the top cap body, wherein the nozzle and the top cap are provided with cooperating snap-on connector formations to provide the snap-on function,

[0058] wherein the top cap body includes a pair of wing handles, such as only a pair of wing handles, extending outwardly from a skirt of the top cap body in mutually opposite directions and configured to be engaged by a user to remove the top cap body,

[0059] wherein, seen in side view thereof, the wing-shaped handles each have an outer periphery comprising a bottom side, a top side, and a top end remote from the skirt, wherein the bottom side and the top side adjoin at the top end,

[0060] wherein the strap is integral with the base portion of the ring member at a first end thereof and with one of the wing handles at a second end thereof, wherein the strap is adapted to remain connected to both the base portion of the ring member and the corresponding wing handle when the top hat body is removed by a user.

[0061] As explained herein, due to the sealing function of, for example, a flow control device that provides a push-pull valve function or some other valve for the closure assembly, the overcap body does not need to have a sealing function that provides a product passage, and may only have a protective function that hinders or prevents access to the neck and closure. The presence of the wing-shaped handle enables the user of the overcap to easily manipulate it. The presence of the strap prevents the overcap from becoming loose.

[0062] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a spout bag with a closure assembly and a closure assembly for the spout bag, wherein the closure assembly includes a spout, a flow control device and a cap unit with a protective top cap body, wherein:

[0063] the nozzle comprises a nozzle body with an attachment portion attached or attachable to a body of the bag of flexible material, wherein the nozzle body comprises a tubular neck extending upwardly from the attachment portion, the neck defining a section of a product passage extending through the nozzle body, the neck having an outer surface,

[0064] a cap unit comprising a protective top cap body, an integrated ring member and an integral strap permanently securing the cap body to the ring member, the cap unit being made (e.g. moulded) as one piece of plastic material different from the mouthpiece,

[0065] The top cap body comprises a top wall structure and a downwardly hanging skirt, wherein the skirt has an inner side, an outer side and a lower edge away from the top wall structure.

[0066] wherein a ring member is integrally formed to a lower edge of the skirt of the overcap body, the ring member comprising an annular base portion connected to the skirt of the overcap body at least via one or more frangible bridges, the one or more frangible bridges being broken when the overcap body is first removed by a user to dispense product from the bag via the product passage,

[0067] a flow control device mounted to the neck and configured to provide control of the flow of product from the bag body through the product passageway, wherein the flow control device is configured to maintain the product passageway closed during first removal of the protective overcap body by a user,

[0068] wherein the top cap body is arranged on the neck and the flow control device, and

[0069] wherein the top cap body is preferably a snap-on top cap body which provides a snap-on function during use of the closure assembly so that the top cap can be replaced on the nozzle after the first opening, wherein the nozzle and the top cap body are provided with cooperating snap-on connector formations to provide the snap-on function,

[0070] Among them, the closed components include:

[0071] - at least one upwardly directed first cam portion defining a cam surface, the first cam portion being integrally formed on the base portion of the ring member, and

[0072] at least one downwardly directed second cam portion defining a cam follower surface adapted to interact with the cam surface of the first cam portion, the second cam portion being integrally formed on the lower edge of the skirt,

[0073] wherein, upon first removal by rotation of the top cap body relative to the neck, the first and second cam portions interact to cause axial lifting of the top cap body, e.g. to disengage cooperating snap connector formations,

[0074] wherein the strap is integral at a first end thereof with the upwardly pointing first cam portion of the ring member and at a second end thereof with another portion of the top cap body, wherein the strap is adapted to remain connected to both the upwardly pointing first cam portion of the tamper-evident ring member and said another portion of the top cap body when the top cap is removed by a user.

[0075] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a spout bag having a closure assembly and a closure assembly for the spout bag, wherein the closure assembly includes a spout, a flow control device and a cap unit with a cap body (e.g., a top cap body), wherein:

[0076] the nozzle comprises a nozzle body with an attachment portion attached or attachable to a body of the bag of flexible material, wherein the nozzle body comprises a tubular neck extending upwardly from the attachment portion, the neck defining a section of a product passage extending through the nozzle body, the neck having an outer surface,

[0077] a cap unit comprising a quarter-turn lifting cap body, an integrated ring member and an integral strap permanently securing the cap body to the ring member, the cap unit being made (e.g., molded) as a single piece of plastic material different from the nozzle,

[0078] The cap body comprises a top wall structure and a downwardly hanging skirt, wherein the skirt has an inner side, an outer side and a lower edge away from the top wall structure.

[0079] wherein a ring member is integrally formed to a lower edge of the skirt of the overcap body, the ring member comprising an annular base portion connected to the skirt of the overcap body at least via one or more frangible bridges, the one or more frangible bridges being broken when the overcap body is first removed by a user to dispense product from the bag via the product passage,

[0080] a flow control device mounted to the neck and configured to provide control of the flow of product from the bag body through the product passage, wherein the flow control device is optionally configured to keep the product passage closed during first removal of the cap body by a user,

[0081] wherein the cap body is arranged on the neck and the flow control device, and

[0082] wherein the cap body is preferably a snap-on cap body that provides a snap-on function in use of the closure assembly, wherein the mouthpiece and / or the flow control device on the one hand and the cap body on the other hand are provided with cooperating snap-on connector formations to provide the snap-on function,

[0083] Among them, the closed components include:

[0084] at least one first cam portion, for example an upwardly directed first cam portion, defining a cam surface that is angled relative to the main axis, the first cam portion being integrally formed on the ring member, and

[0085] at least one second cam portion, for example a downwardly directed second cam portion, which defines a cam follower surface adapted to interact with the cam surface of the first cam portion and which is integrally formed on the lower edge of the skirt,

[0086] wherein, upon first removal by a quarter turn rotation of the cap, the first and second cam portions interact to cause axial lifting of the top cap body, e.g. to disengage cooperating snap connector formations,

[0087] wherein the strap is integral with the tamper-evident ring member at a first end thereof and integral with another portion of the cap body at a second end thereof, wherein the strap is adapted to remain connected to both the ring member and said another portion of the cap body when the cap body is removed for said first time by a user.

[0088] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a spout bag with a closure assembly and a closure assembly for the spout bag, wherein the closure assembly includes a spout, a flow control device and a cap unit having a protective top cap body, wherein:

[0089] the nozzle comprises a nozzle body with an attachment portion attached or attachable to a body of the bag of flexible material, wherein the nozzle body comprises a tubular neck extending upwardly from the attachment portion, the neck defining a section of a product passage extending through the nozzle body, the neck having an outer surface,

[0090] a cap unit comprising a protective top cap body, an integrated ring member and an integrated strap optionally permanently securing the cap body to the ring member, the cap unit being made (e.g. moulded) as one piece of plastic material different from the mouthpiece,

[0091] The top cap body comprises a top wall structure and a downwardly hanging skirt, wherein the skirt has an inner side, an outer side and a lower edge away from the top wall structure.

[0092] wherein a ring member is integrally formed to a lower edge of the skirt of the overcap body, the ring member comprising an annular base portion connected to the skirt of the overcap body at least via one or more frangible bridges, the one or more frangible bridges being broken when the overcap body is first removed by a user to dispense product from the bag via the product passage,

[0093] a flow control device mounted to the neck and configured to provide control of the flow of product from the bag body through the product passageway, wherein the flow control device is configured to maintain the product passageway closed during first removal of the protective overcap body by a user,

[0094] wherein the top cap body is arranged on the neck and the flow control device, and

[0095] The top cap body is preferably a snap-on top cap body that provides a snap-on function during use of the closure assembly.

[0096] The top cap body is provided with two latching portions, such as two latching protrusions, at diametrically opposite positions, and the latching portions are configured to provide a releasable snap connection between the top cap body and the suction nozzle, wherein the latching protrusions on the top cap body are each configured to receive or be received in a corresponding recess or window in a wall portion of the suction nozzle, thereby allowing the top cap to be snapped onto the suction nozzle, for example, during an axial securing movement of the top cap body.

[0097] wherein, preferably, the strap is integral with the base portion of the ring member at a first end thereof and is integral with another portion of the top cap body at a second end thereof, for example, with a wing-shaped handle of the top cap body, wherein the strap is adapted to remain connected to both the base portion of the ring member and the corresponding other portion of the top cap body when the top cap is removed by the user.

[0098] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a spout bag with a closure assembly and a closure assembly for the spout bag, wherein the closure assembly includes a spout, a flow control device and a cap unit having a protective top cap body, wherein:

[0099] the nozzle comprises a nozzle body with an attachment portion attached or attachable to a body of the bag of flexible material, wherein the nozzle body comprises a tubular neck extending upwardly from the attachment portion, the neck defining a section of a product passage extending through the nozzle body, the neck having an outer surface,

[0100] a cap unit comprising a protective top cap body, an integrated ring member and an integral strap permanently securing the cap body to the ring member, the cap unit being made (e.g. moulded) as one piece of plastic material different from the mouthpiece,

[0101] The top cap body comprises a top wall structure and a downwardly hanging skirt, wherein the skirt has an inner side, an outer side and a lower edge away from the top wall structure.

[0102] wherein a ring member is integrally formed to a lower edge of the skirt of the overcap body, the ring member comprising an annular base portion connected to the skirt of the overcap body at least via one or more frangible bridges, the one or more frangible bridges being broken when the overcap body is first removed by a user to dispense product from the bag via the product passage,

[0103] a flow control device mounted to the neck and configured to provide control of the flow of product from the bag body through the product passageway, wherein the flow control device is configured to maintain the product passageway closed during first removal of the protective overcap body by a user,

[0104] Among them, the top cap body is arranged on the neck and the flow control device,

[0105] wherein the overcap includes at least one handle having a panel portion, for example, a pair of handles, the handles extending outwardly from a skirt of the overcap and configured to be engaged by a user to remove the overcap,

[0106] wherein each handle, viewed in side elevation thereof, has an outer periphery comprising a bottom side, a top side, and a top end remote from the skirt, wherein the bottom side and the top side adjoin at the top end,

[0107] wherein the strap is integral with the base portion of the ring member at a first end thereof and integral with the handle at a second end thereof, wherein the strap is adapted to remain connected to both the base portion of the ring member and the respective handle when the overcap is removed by a user,

[0108] And wherein, prior to first removal of the overcap by a user, the strap lies in a common plane, such as a vertical plane, with a panel portion of a corresponding handle.

[0109] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a spout bag with a closure assembly and a closure assembly for the spout bag, wherein the closure assembly includes a spout, a flow control device and a cap unit having a protective top cap body, wherein:

[0110] the nozzle comprises a nozzle body with an attachment portion attached or attachable to a body of the bag of flexible material, wherein the nozzle body comprises a tubular neck extending upwardly from the attachment portion, the neck defining a section of a product passage extending through the nozzle body, the neck having an outer surface,

[0111] a cap unit comprising a protective top cap body, an integrated ring member and an integral strap permanently securing the cap body to the ring member, the cap unit being made (e.g. moulded) as one piece of plastic material different from the mouthpiece,

[0112] The top cap body comprises a top wall structure and a downwardly hanging skirt, wherein the skirt has an inner side, an outer side and a lower edge away from the top wall structure.

[0113] wherein a ring member is integrally formed to a lower edge of the skirt of the overcap body, the ring member comprising an annular base portion connected to the skirt of the overcap body at least via one or more frangible bridges, the one or more frangible bridges being broken when the overcap body is first removed by a user to dispense product from the bag via the product passage,

[0114] a flow control device mounted to the neck and configured to provide control of the flow of product from the bag body through the product passageway, wherein the flow control device is configured to maintain the product passageway closed during first removal of the protective overcap body by a user,

[0115] Among them, the top cap body is arranged on the neck and the flow control device,

[0116] wherein the nozzle has a circumferential wall positioned around a bottom region of the neck and spaced apart from the neck so as to form an interior space open from above and adapted to receive therein an annular base portion of a ring member of the top cap, wherein, for example, the circumferential wall stands on a circumferential flange of the nozzle extending around the neck,

[0117] wherein the annular base portion is provided with at least one snap-on portion, and wherein the circumferential wall is provided with a complementary snap-on formation (e.g. provided with a window passing through the circumferential wall from the outside of the wall to the inside of the wall), so that when the cap unit is placed on the suction nozzle and the annular base portion is at least partially inserted into the interior space, the snap-on portion snaps onto or into the complementary snap-on formation, e.g. into the window, the snap connection being such that the base portion remains fixed to the suction nozzle when the top cap body is removed by the user,

[0118] wherein the top region of the annular base portion protrudes upwardly above the circumferential wall,

[0119] And wherein the strap abuts the upwardly protruding top region at a first end thereof, and wherein the strap abuts another portion of the overcap at a second end thereof, wherein the strap is adapted to remain connected when the overcap is removed by a user.

[0120] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a spout bag having a closure assembly and a closure assembly for the spout bag, wherein the closure assembly includes a spout, a flow control device and a cap unit having a protective top cap body, wherein:

[0121] the nozzle comprises a nozzle body with an attachment portion attached or attachable to a body of the bag of flexible material, wherein the nozzle body comprises a tubular neck extending upwardly from the attachment portion, the neck defining a section of a product passage extending through the nozzle body, the neck having an outer surface,

[0122] a cap unit comprising a protective top cap body, an integrated ring member and an integral strap permanently securing the top cap body to the ring member, the cap unit being made (e.g. moulded) as one piece of plastic material different from the nozzle,

[0123] The top cap body comprises a top wall structure and a downwardly hanging skirt, wherein the skirt has an inner side, an outer side and a lower edge away from the top wall structure.

[0124] wherein a ring member is integrally formed to a lower edge of the skirt of the overcap body, the ring member comprising an annular base portion connected to the skirt of the overcap body at least via one or more frangible bridges, the one or more frangible bridges being broken when the overcap body is first removed by a user to dispense product from the bag via the product passage,

[0125] a flow control device mounted to the neck and configured to provide control of the flow of product from the bag body through the product passageway, wherein the flow control device is configured to maintain the product passageway closed during first removal of the protective overcap body by a user,

[0126] Among them, the top cap body is arranged on the neck and the flow control device,

[0127] wherein the nozzle has a circumferential wall positioned around a bottom region of the neck and spaced apart from the neck so as to form an interior space open from above and adapted to receive therein an annular base portion of a ring member of the top cap, wherein, for example, the circumferential wall stands on a circumferential flange extending around the neck,

[0128] wherein the annular base portion is provided with at least one snap-on portion, and wherein the circumferential wall is provided with a complementary snap-on formation (e.g. provided with a window passing through the circumferential wall from the outside of the wall to the inside of the wall), so that when the cap unit is placed on the suction nozzle and the annular base portion is at least partially inserted into the interior space, the snap-on portion snaps onto or into the complementary snap-on formation, e.g. into the window, the snap connection being such that the base portion remains connected to the suction nozzle when the top cap body is removed by the user,

[0129] Therein, the circumferential wall and the top cap body are provided with cooperating latch formations which are configured to form a snap connection when the top cap body is placed on the nozzle and to become unsnapped when the top cap body is removed.

[0130] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a spout bag having a closure assembly and a closure assembly for the spout bag, wherein the closure assembly includes a spout, a flow control device, and a cap unit having a protective top cap body, wherein:

[0131] the nozzle comprises a nozzle body with an attachment portion attached or attachable to a body of the bag of flexible material, wherein the nozzle body comprises a tubular neck extending upwardly from the attachment portion, the neck defining a section of a product passage extending through the nozzle body, the neck having an outer surface,

[0132] a cap unit comprising a quarter-turn lift-off protective top cap body, an integrated ring member and an integral strap permanently securing the top cap body to the ring member, the cap unit being made (e.g., molded) as a single piece of plastic material different from the nozzle,

[0133] The top cap body comprises a top wall structure and a downwardly hanging skirt, wherein the skirt has an inner side, an outer side and a lower edge away from the top wall structure.

[0134] wherein a ring member is integrally formed to a lower edge of the skirt of the overcap body, the ring member comprising an annular base portion connected to the skirt of the overcap body at least via one or more frangible bridges, the one or more frangible bridges being broken when the overcap body is first removed by a user to dispense product from the bag via the product passage,

[0135] a flow control device mounted to the neck and configured to provide control of the flow of product from the bag body through the product passageway, wherein the flow control device is configured to maintain the product passageway closed during first removal of the protective overcap body by a user,

[0136] wherein the top cap body is arranged on the neck and the flow control device, and

[0137] The top cap body is preferably a snap-on top cap body that provides a snap-on function during use of the closure assembly.

[0138] wherein the top cap body includes at least one handle, such as a pair of diametrically opposed handles, such as wing-shaped handles, configured to be engaged by a user to remove the top cap body, wherein the handle has a panel portion extending outwardly from a skirt portion of the top cap body, the panel portion having opposing major panel faces, each of the major faces being defined by a bottom side, a top side, and a top end of the panel portion when viewed in side view of the cap,

[0139] wherein the handle further has at least one reinforcing top protrusion integral with at least a portion of the top side of the panel portion and projecting away from a major face of the panel portion to reinforce the panel,

[0140] wherein the strap is integral with the base portion of the ring member at a first end thereof and extends from the first end along the bottom side of the panel portion around the top end of the panel portion to a second end of the strap,

[0141] The second end of the strap is adjacent to the outer end of the reinforcing top protrusion.

[0142] It will be appreciated that any of the second to ninth aspects of the invention may be supplemented by one or more of the technical features discussed herein with reference to the first aspect of the invention or any other aspect of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0143] The present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0144] Figure 1 An example of a spouted bag according to the present invention is shown.

[0145] Figure 2 Shown Figure 1 The top part of the bag,

[0146] Figure 3 Shown in closed state Figure 1 、 Figure 2 The closure assembly of the bag,

[0147] Figure 4 Shown Figure 3An exploded view of the three components of the closure assembly,

[0148] Figure 5 The three components are shown from different angles,

[0149] Figure 6 The suction nozzle of the closure assembly is shown,

[0150] Figure 7 Shown Figure 3 a slidable valve member of a closure assembly mounted to the neck of the mouthpiece in a closed position,

[0151] Figure 8 Shown Figure 7 The vertical cross section,

[0152] Figure 9 Shown Figure 3 A vertical cross-section of the slidable valve member of the closure assembly,

[0153] Figure 10 Shown Figure 3 The cap unit of the closure assembly,

[0154] Figure 11 Shown Figure 3 A vertical cross-section of the cap unit of the closure assembly,

[0155] Figure 12 Shown Figure 3 The vertical cross-section of the closed component,

[0156] Figure 13 Shown Figure 3 Another vertical section of the closed component,

[0157] Figure 14 Shown Figure 3 a closure assembly wherein the cap body is removed and wherein the slidable valve member is in its open position,

[0158] Figure 15 Shown before the cap unit is snap-fitted onto the nozzle Figure 3 a subassembly of a cap unit and a slidable valve member of a closure assembly,

[0159] Figure 16 A variation of the subassembly is shown in which the flow control device is implemented as a slit valve,

[0160] Figure 17 Another variation of the subassembly is shown, in which the flow control device is implemented as a flow restrictor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0161] In the attached Figures 1 to 15, a first exemplary embodiment of a spout bag with a closure assembly according to the present invention is illustrated.

[0162] The spout bag 1 has a bag body 2 of flexible material, which is filled with a product to be dispensed, such as a liquid, such as a liquid food product (e.g., a beverage) or some other liquid product (e.g., soap, cream, detergent, non-edible oil, etc.). Preferably, the bag body is made of a heat-sealable film material (e.g., a film material having one or more layers of plastic).

[0163] The spout bag is provided with a three-part closure assembly 5, which consists of the following parts:

[0164] - Suction nozzle 10,

[0165] - a cap unit 30, and

[0166] - Flow control device 80.

[0167] As is common in the art, the nozzle has a nozzle body 11 which is injection moulded, for example, from a plastic material.

[0168] For example, the nozzle 10 is molded from plastic, preferably as a unitary nozzle body, for example made of polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP).

[0169] The nozzle body has an attachment portion 12 at its lower end or region, which is attached to the flexible material bag body. The depicted nozzle 10 is suitable for being secured with its attachment portion 12 between opposing film walls of a collapsible bag 1. The attachment portion 12 here is substantially boat-shaped or canoe-shaped in horizontal cross-section, but other shapes (e.g., oval, elliptical, circular, diamond-shaped, etc.) are also possible.

[0170] As is common in the art, the attachment may involve heat sealing, wherein the material of the bag is heat sealed to the attachment portion 12. The nozzle body 11 also has a tubular neck 14 extending upwardly from the attachment portion 12. The neck 14 defines a section of a product passage 15 extending through the nozzle body 11.

[0171] The neck 14 has a lower end integral with the attachment portion 12, an upper end having an upper rim 16 surrounding an upper opening 17 of the passage 15. The neck 14 has an inner surface 18 and an outer surface 19.

[0172] The cap unit 30 includes a cap body 35 , an integrated ring member 50 , and preferably an integrated strap 65 that permanently secures the cap body 35 to the ring member 50 .

[0173] The cap unit 30 is made (eg moulded) as one piece of plastic material different from the nozzle 10 .

[0174] The cap body 35 includes a top wall structure 36 and a downwardly depending skirt 37 having an inner side 37 a , an outer side 37 b and a lower edge 37 c distal from the top wall structure 36 .

[0175] The ring member 50 is integrally formed to the lower edge 37c of the skirt 37 of the cap body. The ring member comprises an annular base portion 51 which is connected to the skirt 37 of the cap body 35 via frangible bridges 53. These frangible bridges 53 break when the cap body is first removed by the user to dispense the product from the bag 1.

[0176] The annular base portion 51 and the nozzle body 11 have cooperating permanent snap fit joint portions which keep the ring member 50 fixed to the nozzle 10 when the cap body 35 is removed by a user.

[0177] In this example, generally as described in WO2017 / 135824, the nozzle body is an integrally formed circumferential wall portion 20 that extends coaxially around a section of the neck to form an interior space 22 open from above for receiving the annular base portion 51 of the ring member therein. The wall portion 20 has at least one snap-fit feature for cooperating with a snap-fit feature of the base portion to form a permanent snap-fit.

[0178] As shown, the circumferential wall 20 stands on a circumferential flange 11a of the nozzle body extending around the neck 14. In this example, the nozzle body preferably has an upper flange 11a and a lower flange 11b, for example to allow manipulation of the nozzle as known in the art.

[0179] As shown, the wall portion 21 has a plurality of windows 21 therein distributed around the circumference of the wall portion. The base portion has outwardly projecting snap portions 56 that each snap into a corresponding window 21.

[0180] As an example, it is shown that the wall portion has two sets of windows 21 aligned, for example in the plane of the top edge of the bag, for two sets of snap portions 56 at opposite sides of the neck.

[0181] Preferably, in addition to the window 21, the wall portion 20 has one or more further windows 23, here two windows arranged diametrically opposite relative to the neck 14. These further windows 23 each cooperate with a further snap-fit portion 56.

[0182] In another embodiment not shown, the further windows 23 each cooperate with a latching protrusion of the top cap 35 to provide a releasable snap connection between the top cap 35 and the nozzle.

[0183] When the cap unit 30 is placed on the mouthpiece, for example, preferably the flow control device 80 is preassembled with the cap unit as a subassembly, the ring member 50 enters the interior space 21 and snaps into place.

[0184] Advantageously, the presence of the circumferential wall portion 20 provides a shield that protects the ring member 50 that has been introduced into the interior space 21. The ring member 50 is protected by the wall 20, which reduces the risk of undesired release of the ring member 50 once the cap body 35 has been removed. The wall 20 can make it more difficult to release the ring member 50 by an action from the outside, such as, for example, by biting the neck of the opened closure assembly to release the ring member 50.

[0185] The flow control device 80 is implemented here as a push-pull valve forming the spout bag 1. The flow control device 80 is mounted to the neck 14 and has an outer part located outside the outer surface of the neck 14, which is implemented here as a collar 81. The flow control device 80 is configured to provide control of the flow of product from the bag body through the product channel 15.

[0186] In the closed state of the spout bag, the cap body 35 is arranged on the neck 14 and the flow control device 80 .

[0187] As will be explained in more detail below, and as can be seen in the drawings, the ring member 50 and the outer part 82 of the flow control device have cooperating retaining portions 55 that retain the flow control device 80 relative to the mouthpiece 10 .

[0188] In more detail, the flow control device 80 depicted is a slidable valve member mounted on the neck 14 so as to be able to slide upwardly relative to the neck 14 from a closed position to an open position (see Figure 15 ) to open the product channel 15, and slide downward to the closed position to close the product channel.

[0189] The flow control device 80 is implemented to provide a closed position, thereby providing the function of keeping the product passage closed. The cap body 35 is implemented as a protective cap, thereby lacking the function of closing the product passage 15. As is known in the art, the protective cap 35 is mainly used to protect the neck 14 and the flow control device 80 from being accessed before the cap body 35 is removed.

[0190] The flow control device 80 is molded from a plastic material, for example from PE or PP, in one piece.

[0191] As shown, with the bridge 53 still intact, the cap body 35 prevents the slidable valve member 80 from moving into the open position, such as by internal pressure and / or by external tampering.

[0192] The slidable valve member 80 has one or more sealing surfaces that, in the closed position, cooperate with one or more sealing surfaces of the neck of the mouthpiece.

[0193] As illustrated, the retaining portion defines the open position of the slidable valve member and prevents further upward movement of the valve member 80 .

[0194] As illustrated, the outer part 82 of the slidable valve member is embodied as a collar extending around the exterior of the neck and having one or more outward protrusions forming one or more retaining portions, here a flange 83 at the lowermost edge of the collar.

[0195] The ring member 50 is configured to allow upward and downward sliding of the slidable valve member 80. The ring member 50 includes a retaining portion 55 that forms an abutment for an outwardly protruding portion, here a flange 83, which limits the upward movement of the slidable valve member relative to the neck and defines the open position of the slidable valve member 80.

[0196] As shown, the ring member and the slidable valve member have cooperating snap-fit portions that produce a releasable snap-fit in at least one of the open and closed positions of the slidable valve member (here, in both the open and closed positions). Here, the annular base portion 51 of the ring member defines two snap-fit recesses 57, 58 at different heights of a portion of the outer periphery of the outward protrusion (here, the flange 83) of the slidable valve member 80. When the valve member 82 is in the closed position, the lower recess 57 receives the flange 83 therein in a releasable snap-fit manner, and the upper recess 58 similarly receives the flange 83 therein in a releasable snap-fit manner in the open position of the valve member.

[0197] As shown, a light snap fit is provided between the top cap body 35 and the flow control device 80, which is combined with a stronger snap fit between the flow control device 80 and the mouthpiece 10. Here, when the user removes the top cap body 35 from the nozzle 10 by means of a lighter snap fit (e.g., as provided by one or more snap fit formations 39 on the inside of the cap body 35 (see FIG. Figure 11 ) engages or otherwise interacts with a portion of the underlying collar 82 to remove the top cap body 35, the stronger snap provided by the recess 58 cooperating with the flange 83 holds the slidable valve member 80 in its closed position.

[0198] As illustrated, one or more sealing surfaces are located near the open upper end of the neck 14 .

[0199] An inner or first seal is formed between a sealing surface 18 a on the inner surface 18 of the neck 14 and a sealing surface 86 of an inner annular wall portion 85 of the slidable valve member extending into the neck 14 .

[0200] An external or secondary seal is formed between a sealing surface 19 a on the outer surface of the neck and a sealing surface 82 a of the collar 82 of the slidable valve member 80 .

[0201] As shown, the slidable valve member 80 has a transverse central wall portion 84 and an upwardly extending inner annular wall portion 85 adjoining along its periphery, the inner annular wall portion 85 forming an internally sealed sealing surface 86 that cooperates with a sealing surface on the inner surface of the neck. The inner annular wall portion 85 is connected to the top end of a collar 82 extending coaxially around the inner annular wall portion 85 via a bridge wall portion 87. A bottom-opening groove 88 is present between the collar 82 and the coaxial inner annular wall portion 85. At least in the closed position, the upper end of the neck 14 is received in the groove 88.

[0202] The valve member 80 is provided with an outflow opening 89 which communicates with the interior of the neck when the valve member is moved into the open position so as to disengage the internal seal.

[0203] To discharge the product from the bag 1, the user first removes the cap body 35, breaking the bridge 53 in the process, demonstrating the first opening of the closure assembly. The user then has access to the slidable valve member 80, which the user then slides upward from the initial closed position to the open position. This open state of the closure assembly is Figure 15 Depicted in.

[0204] In the open position of the slidable valve member 80, the internal seal is disengaged, allowing product to flow out of the bag through the outflow opening 89 in the valve member 80. The external seal between the neck 14 and the collar 82 remains in the open position so that no product will be discharged through that path and only through the outflow opening 89.

[0205] Figure 15 The cap unit 35 and the flow control device 80 subassembly are shown before being installed on the mouthpiece 10. For example, as depicted, the flow control device 80 is snap-fitted to a releasable (e.g., light) snap-fit connector in the cap unit. For example, this releasable snap-fit is provided by a recess 57 that receives a flange 83 therein.

[0206] This subassembly enables an efficient method for producing a filled spouted bag 1. The method comprises:

[0207] - providing an empty bag with a nozzle 10 attached to the bag body 2,

[0208] - filling the bag with product via the product channel 15,

[0209] - providing a subassembly of the cap unit 30 and the flow control device 80, wherein the flow control device is initially retained within the cap body,

[0210] - mounting the subassembly on the mouthpiece 10 after filling of the bag, said mounting involving pressing the subassembly onto the mouthpiece 10 so that the flow control device becomes mounted to the neck 14 and so that the cooperating permanent snap-fit joint portions 56, 21, 23 of the annular base portion and the mouthpiece body engage and hold the ring member fixed to the mouthpiece.

[0211] Figure 16 A variation of the subassembly is shown in which the flow control device 80' is implemented as a slit valve 90. In this embodiment, the ring member 50' and the cooperating retaining portion 55' of the flow control device retain the flow control device in a fixed position relative to the mouthpiece, and thus does not move relative to the mouthpiece. This is contemplated as the slit valve 90 does not require movement relative to the neck.

[0212] Figure 17 Another variant of the subassembly is shown, in which the flow control device 80 ″ is implemented as a flow restrictor 95 having one or more outflow openings 95 (here one) having a smaller cross-section than the product channel defined by the mouthpiece 10. For this flow control function, the device 80 ″ does not need to move relative to the neck, at least not upwards and downwards. Therefore, as shown, the ring member 50 ′ holds the device 80 ″ in a fixed position.

[0213] exist Figure 17 , the cap body 35 now has a closing function, as its closing portion 96 sealingly cooperates with the flow control device 80 to sealingly close the bag in the closed position of the cap body 35. Many designs for such a function are known in the art and can be implemented in the context of the present invention. Figure 17 Used as a simple example.

[0214] As illustrated, the cap unit 30 includes a cap body 35 implemented as a protective top cap, an integrated ring member 50 , and an integrated strap 65 that preferably permanently secures the cap body 35 to the ring member 50 ′.

[0215] The cap body includes one or more wing handles 40, here a pair of wing handles 40, here only a pair of wing handles, which extend outwardly from the skirt 37, here in opposite directions. These handles are configured to be engaged by a user to remove the cap body.

[0216] As shown, strap 65 is preferably integral with base portion 51 of member 50 at a first end 71 thereof and integral with one of wing handles 40 at a second end 72 thereof. Strap 65 is adapted to remain connected to both the base portion of the ring member and the corresponding wing handle when the overcap is removed by the user.

[0217] As shown, preferably, strap 65 lies in a common plane, such as a vertical plane, with the corresponding faceplate portion of wing handle 40 prior to first removal of the overcap by a user.

[0218] As shown, the strap 65 extends outward from the base portion 51 along the bottom side of the wing handle toward the top end of the corresponding wing handle, further around the top end of the wing handle, and then along a portion of the top side of the wing handle to the second end 72 of the strap. Preferably, the second end is located inboard of the top end of the handle 40, but at a distance outside of the skirt 37.

[0219] As shown, the handles 40 each have at least one reinforcing top protrusion 76 that is integral with at least a portion of the top side of the panel portion of the corresponding handle 40 and that protrudes away from the main surface of the panel portion so as to strengthen the panel (e.g., to account for the force applied by the user when rotating the cap body to remove the cap body).

[0220] As shown, the strap 65 is integral with the base portion of the ring member at its first end and extends from the first end 71 along the bottom side of the panel portion around the top end of the panel portion to the second end 72 of the strap, wherein the second end of the strap is adjacent to the outer end of the reinforcing top protrusion 76.

[0221] As shown, the cap unit preferably includes one or more frangible tamper-evident bridges 74 between the strap 65 and the corresponding wing-shaped handle 40, which are broken when the overcap is first removed by the user. In the depicted example, an integrally molded frangible film portion 74 extends over most of the length of the strap 65 between the handle 40 and the strap 40. This film portion 74 is torn when the overcap 35 is removed.

[0222] As shown, the cap unit is preferably implemented with a quarter-turn lift-off cap 35. Thus, generally speaking, the user will turn the cap about a quarter turn during removal of the cap.

[0223] For example, Figure 10As illustrated in FIG, the ring member 50 is provided with at least one, here two, diametrically opposed first cam portions 61 defining cam surfaces 62 that are angled relative to the main axis of the neck 14. The first cam portions 61 are integrally formed on the annular base portion 51 of the ring member 50.

[0224] As shown, the skirt of the top cap 35 is provided at its lower edge with at least one, here two, diametrically opposed second cam portions 63 defining a cam follower surface 64 adapted to interact with the cam surface 62 of the first cam portion 61 .

[0225] As shown, the second cam portions 63 are each part of a downwardly extending projection 38 integrally formed at the lower end of the skirt and adapted to cooperate with the first cam surface 62. As shown, the cap body has two downwardly extending projections 38 at diametrically opposed positions.

[0226] During the first opening by rotation of the top cap 35 relative to the neck about the main axis of the neck, the first cam portion 61 and the second cam portion 63 interact to cause axial lifting of the top cap relative to the neck 14, for example, to facilitate breaking of the bridge 53 and disengagement of any cooperating snap connector formation between the top cap 35 and the suction nozzle.

[0227] As shown, each first cam portion 61 has an upwardly arched first cam surface 62 having a center and having first and second ends, wherein the arched first cam surface abuts the top surface 54a of the flange-like portion 51. At each end of the upwardly arched first cam surface 62, there is a frangible bridge 53.

[0228] As shown, the top region of the annular base portion 51 projects upwardly above the peripheral wall 20, and the strap 65 abuts the upwardly projecting top region at its first end 71. Preferably, the top region is part of the cam portion 61 on the ring member 50.

[0229] In another embodiment, the protrusion 38 may have the dual function of providing the second cam portion 63 and being implemented as a latching protrusion to provide a releasable snap connection between the top cap 35 and the mouthpiece, which snap connection is also available after the first opening to allow the user to close the bag again.

[0230] When placing the overcap 35 back onto the mouthpiece (eg, latching the overcap 35 as described herein), the user automatically pushes the slidable valve member 80 downward into its closed position, which is preferred.

Claims

1. A bag with a nozzle, comprising: - a bag body of flexible material filled with the product to be dispensed, a nozzle having a nozzle body with an attachment portion attached to a body of the bag of flexible material, wherein the nozzle body has a tubular neck extending upwardly from the attachment portion, the neck defining a section of a product passage extending through the nozzle body, the neck having an outer surface, a cap unit comprising a cap body and an integrated ring member, said cap unit being made in one piece of plastic material different from said nozzle, The cap body comprises a top wall structure and a downwardly hanging skirt, wherein the skirt has an inner side, an outer side and a lower edge away from the top wall structure. wherein the ring member is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt of the cap body, the ring member comprising an annular base portion connected to the skirt of the cap body at least via one or more frangible bridges, the one or more frangible bridges breaking when the cap body is removed by a user for the first time to dispense product from the spouted pouch via the product passage, wherein the annular base portion and the nozzle body have cooperating permanent snap-fit joint portions that keep the ring member fixed to the nozzle when the cap body is removed by a user, Characterized in that, the bag with a nozzle also includes: a flow control device, which is made distinct from the mouthpiece and the cap unit, the flow control device being mounted to the neck and having an outer part located outside the outer surface of the neck, the flow control device being configured to provide control of the flow of product from the bag body through the product passage, wherein the cap body is arranged on the neck and the flow control device, and Wherein the ring member and the outer part of the flow control device have cooperating retaining portions for retaining the flow control device relative to the nozzle.

2. The bag with a nozzle according to claim 1, wherein: The flow control device is a slidable valve member, which is mounted on the neck to form a push-pull valve and can slide upward from a closed position to an open position relative to the neck to open the product passage and slide downward to the closed position to close the product passage, wherein the slidable valve member has one or more sealing surfaces, which cooperate with one or more sealing surfaces of the neck of the suction nozzle in the closed position, and wherein the retaining portion limits the upward movement of the slidable valve member.

3. The bag with a nozzle according to claim 2, wherein: The outer part of the slidable valve member is implemented as a collar extending around the exterior of the neck and having one or more outward protrusions forming one or more retaining portions, and wherein the ring member is configured to allow upward and downward sliding of the slidable valve member, the ring member including a retaining portion forming an abutment that limits the upward movement of the slidable valve member.

4. The bag with a spout according to claim 2, wherein: The one or more sealing surfaces are located near an upper end of the neck and include an internal seal formed between a sealing surface on an inner surface of the neck and a sealing surface of an inner annular wall portion of the slidable valve member extending into the neck.

5. The bag with a spout according to claim 3, wherein: The slidable valve member has a transverse central wall portion and an upwardly extending inner annular wall portion adjoining along its periphery, the inner annular wall portion forming a sealing surface for an internal seal cooperating with a sealing surface on an inner surface of the neck, wherein the inner annular wall portion is connected via a bridge wall portion to a top portion of the collar extending coaxially around the inner annular wall portion, wherein a bottomed groove exists between the collar and the inner annular wall portion, the upper end portion of the neck being received in the bottomed groove.

6. The bag with a spout according to claim 1, wherein: The flow control device is implemented as a valve to keep the product passage closed when the cap body is removed by a user, and wherein the cap body is implemented as a protective overcap.

7. The spout bag according to claim 1, wherein: The cap body is a snap-on cap body providing a snap-on function, such that the cap body can be replaced after a first removal, wherein on the one hand the suction nozzle and / or the flow control device and on the other hand the cap body are provided with cooperating snap-on connector formations to provide the snap-on function.

8. The bag with a spout according to claim 1, wherein: The cap body includes a pair of wing handles extending outwardly from the skirt in mutually opposite directions and configured to be engaged by a user to remove the cap body.

9. The spout bag according to claim 8, wherein: The cap unit further includes an integrated strap that permanently secures the cap body to the ring member.

10. The bag with a spout according to claim 1, wherein: The cap unit implements a rotary lifting function and includes: - at least one first cam portion defining a cam surface, said cam surface being angled relative to the main axis of the neck, said first cam portion being integrally formed on one of the lower edge of the skirt and the ring member, and at least one second cam portion defining a cam follower surface adapted to interact with said cam surface of said first cam portion, and said second cam portion being integrally formed on the other of said lower edge of said skirt and said ring member, wherein, upon first opening by rotation of the cap body relative to the neck about the main axis, the first cam portion and the second cam portion interact to cause axial lifting of the cap body relative to the neck.

11. The bag with a spout according to claim 9, wherein: The integrated strap is connected to the wing handle.

12. A closure assembly for a bag with a spout, the closure assembly comprising: a nozzle having a nozzle body having, at its lower end, an attachment portion configured to be attached to a flexible material bag body, wherein the nozzle body has, at its upper end, a tubular neck defining a section of a product passage extending through the nozzle body, the neck having an outer surface, a cap unit comprising a cap body, an integrated ring member, said cap unit being made in one piece of plastic material different from said nozzle, The cap body comprises a top wall structure and a downwardly hanging skirt, wherein the skirt has an inner side, an outer side and a lower edge away from the top wall structure. wherein the ring member is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt of the cap body, the ring member comprising an annular base portion connected to the skirt of the cap body at least via one or more frangible bridges, the one or more frangible bridges breaking when the cap body is removed for the first time by a user to dispense product from the spouted pouch, wherein the annular base portion and the nozzle body have cooperating permanent snap-fit joint portions configured to keep the ring member secured to the nozzle when the cap body is removed by a user, Characterized in that the closure assembly further comprises: a flow control device, which is made different from the suction nozzle and the cap unit, the flow control device is configured to be mounted on the neck and has an outer part, when the flow control device has been mounted on the neck, the outer part is located outside the outer surface of the neck, the flow control device is configured to provide control of the flow of product from the bag body through the product channel, wherein the cap body is configured to be arranged on the neck and the flow control device when mounted on the neck, and Wherein the ring member and the outer part of the flow control device have cooperating retaining portions configured to retain the flow control device relative to the nozzle.

13. A method for producing a filled spout bag according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The method comprises: - providing an empty bag with a nozzle attached to the bag body, - filling the spouted bag with product via the product channel, - providing a subassembly of the cap unit and the flow control device, wherein the flow control device is initially retained within the cap body, - installing the subassembly on the nozzle after filling of the spouted bag, the installation involving pressing the subassembly onto the nozzle so that the flow control device becomes mounted to the neck and so that the cooperating permanent snap-fit joint portions of the annular base portion and the nozzle body engage and hold the ring member fixed to the nozzle.

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