Fitment and pouch for connection to a probe and pump-out metering system

Abstract

A package for enabling the dispensing (metering of) a flowable material by use of dispensing apparatus is disclosed. The package is a flexible bag or pouch having an internal cavity in which the flowable material is disposed and a fitment through which the flowable material is metered. The fitment is arranged to receive a probe of the dispensing apparatus and includes a first valve to prevent the flowable material from exiting through the fitment until the fitment is connected to the probe. The probe includes a second valve which opens when the probe is connected to the fitment and which closes when the probe is disconnected from the fitment. The disconnection of the probe from the fitment causes the first valve to close. The fitment also includes an anti-blocking member which prevents the walls of the package from collapsing to block the fitment when the flowable material is metered out.

1 . A package for use with a probe and associated dispensing conduit arranged for connection to a dispensing apparatus to dispense a flowable material from said package, said package comprising a flexible bag or pouch having plural wall portions defining an internal cavity in which the flowable material is located and a fitment secured to at least one of said wall portions, said fitment being arranged to receive the probe, said fitment comprising a valve which is arranged to preclude the flowable material in the bag or pouch from flowing into said fitment until the probe is operatively coupled to said fitment, the probe being arranged for connection to said fitment in an operative position, whereupon a portion of the probe cooperates with said valve of said fitment to open said valve and enable the flowable material in said bag or pouch to be metered out through said fitment, the probe including a portion arranged to be coupled to said valve to close said valve when the probe is disconnected from said fitment, whereupon any flowable material within said bag or pouch is precluded from gaining egress through said fitment. 
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1  wherein said valve of said fitment comprises a movable member and wherein said fitment includes at least one aperture in communication with said internal cavity, said movable member comprising a portion blocking said at least one aperture when said valve is in the closed position and unblocking said at least one aperture when said valve is in said open position. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 2  wherein said movable valve member is slidable between said open and closed positions and vice versa. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 3  wherein said movable valve member includes a first surface arranged to be engaged by a cooperating surface of said probe to form a detent. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 3  wherein said slidable valve member is a generally cup-shaped member having a sidewall including at least one window therein, and wherein said fitment includes a body having a passageway including a longitudinal axis, said at least one aperture of said fitment being in communication with said passageway, said cup-shaped member being disposed within said passageway and being reciprocably slidable along said longitudinal axis from a closed position to an open position and vice versa, said sidewall of said slidable valve member blocking said at least one aperture when said slidable valve member is in said closed position, said at least one window of said slidable valve member unblocking said at least one aperture when said slidable valve member is in said open position. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1  wherein said fitment comprises at least one anti-blocking member preventing wall portions of said package from collapsing to block said fitment when the flowable material in said bag or pouch is metered out. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 6  wherein said at least one anti-blocking member comprises an elongated finger. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 5  wherein said fitment comprises at least one anti-blocking member preventing wall portions of said package from collapsing to block said fitment when the flowable material in said bag or pouch is metered out. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 8  wherein said at least one anti-blocking member comprises an elongated finger. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 6  wherein said at least one anti-blocking member comprises a ridge. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 8  wherein said at least one anti-blocking member comprises a ridge. 
     
     
         12 . In combination a package for holding a flowable material and a probe for use a dispensing conduit arranged for connection to a dispensing apparatus to dispense a flowable material from said package, said package comprising a flexible bag or pouch having plural wall portions defining an internal cavity in which the flowable material is located and a fitment secured to at least one of said wall portions, said fitment being arranged to receive said probe, said fitment comprising a first valve which is arranged to preclude the flowable material in the bag or pouch from flowing into said fitment, said first valve being arranged to be opened when said probe is connected to said fitment in said operative position, whereupon a portion of said probe cooperates with said first valve to open said first valve and enable the flowable material in said bag or pouch to be metered out through said opened first valve, said probe also comprising a portion arranged to be coupled to said first valve to close said first valve when the probe is disconnected from said fitment, whereupon any flowable material within said bag or pouch is precluded from gaining egress through said fitment. 
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 12  wherein said probe comprises a second valve arranged to be opened when said probe is connected to said fitment in said operative position, whereupon the flowable material can be metered out of said bag or pouch through said open first and second valves. 
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 13  wherein said second valve is arranged to automatically close to prevent any flowable material in said probe or its associated dispensing conduit from egress through said probe when said probe is disconnected from said fitment. 
     
     
         15 . The combination of  claim 12  wherein said first valve comprises a movable member and wherein said fitment includes at least one aperture in communication with said internal cavity, said movable member comprising a portion blocking said at least one aperture when said first valve is in the closed position and unblocking said at least one aperture when said first valve is in said open position. 
     
     
         16 . The combination of  claim 15  wherein first valve is slidable between an open and closed position. 
     
     
         17 . The combination of  claim 16  wherein said first valve includes a first surface arranged to be engaged by a cooperating surface of said probe to form a detent. 
     
     
         18 . The combination of  claim 16  wherein said first valve comprises a projection, and wherein said second valve comprises a spring-biased member and a valve seat and wherein said spring-biased member is normally biased into engagement with said valve seat to normally close said second valve, said spring-biased member being arranged to be engaged by said projection of said first valve when said probe is operatively connected to said fitment, whereupon said spring-biased member is moved off of said valve seat to open said second valve. 
     
     
         19 . The combination of  claim 18  wherein said spring-biased member comprises a ball, and wherein said second valve comprises a spring normally biasing said ball into engagement with said valve seat. 
     
     
         20 . The combination of  claim 18  wherein said first valve includes a first surface arranged to be engaged by a cooperating surface of said probe to form a detent. 
     
     
         21 . The combination of  claim 12  wherein said fitment comprises an anti-blocking member preventing wall portions of said package from collapsing to block said fitment when the flowable material in said bag or pouch is metered out. 
     
     
         22 . The combination of  claim 21  wherein said anti-blocking member comprises an elongated finger. 
     
     
         23 . The combination of  claim 21  wherein said anti-blocking member comprises a ridge. 
     
     
         24 . The combination of  claim 16  wherein said slidable valve member is a generally cup-shaped member having a sidewall including at least one window therein, and wherein said fitment includes a body having a passageway including a longitudinal axis, said at least one aperture of said fitment being in communication with said passageway, said cup-shaped member being disposed within said passageway and being reciprocably slidable along said longitudinal axis from a closed position to an open position and vice versa, said sidewall of said slidable valve member blocking said at least one aperture when said slidable valve member is in said closed position, said at least one window of said slidable valve member unblocking said at least one aperture when said slidable valve member is in said open position. 
     
     
         25 . The combination of  claim 24  wherein said spring-biased member comprises a ball, and wherein said second valve comprises a spring normally biasing said ball into engagement with said valve seat.