Pressure operated dispensing device

Abstract

A device ( 100 ) for dispensing a substance comprising a chamber ( 400 ) with walls having a combination of at least a strong seal ( 102 ) and at least a weak seal ( 101 a, 101, 103, 103 a ) wherein the weak seal ( 101 a, 101, 103, 103 a ) bridges the walls ( 105 ) of a spout ( 200 ). The spout ( 200 ) guides the substance to the at least a weak seal ( 101 a, 101, 103, 103 a ). The spout ( 200 ) is defined by having at least a wall ( 105 ) formed by the at least a strong seal ( 102 ) extending inwardly from the at least a weak seal ( 101 a, 101, 103, 103 a ). When the spout ( 200 ) has a plurality of weak seals ( 101 a, 101, 103, 103 a ), at least a buffer chamber ( 300 ) is formed between the weak seals ( 101 a, 101, 103, 103 a ). The discharging end of the spout ( 2 01) has an outermost weak seal ( 101 a ). The device ( 100 ) dispenses the substance when an external pressure is applied to the chamber ( 400 ).

1 . A device for dispensing a substance comprising a chamber with walls having a combination of a strong seal and a weak seal wherein the weak seal bridges the walls of a spout;
 the spout guides the substance to the weak seal;   the spout defined by at least a wall formed by the strong seal extending inwardly from the weak seal;   having an outermost weak seal at the discharging end of the spout; and   the device dispenses the substance when an external pressure is applied to the chamber.   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the outermost weak seal provides a sealed spout to prevent external contamination of the spout. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the spout has a plurality of weak seals forming at least a buffer chamber. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein the buffer chamber provides a controlled flow of the substance when the substance discharges from the device upon breaking through the outer most weak seal. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the strength of the inner weak seal is greater than the strength of the outer weak seal. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the weak seal has a sealing force range of 0.6 to 3.0 Newtons. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the strength of the weak seal can be varied by varying the width of the weak seals. 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the weak seal prevents the substance from discharging from the chamber. 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the spout has a plurality of in a tapered configuration. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the tapered configuration of the spout allows thrust forces of the substance to be channeled progressively towards the weak seals. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the spout has a discharge aperture width of 4 mm to 13 mm. 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the spout has either a conical profile, a cylindrical profile, or a combination. 
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the spout has an aperture angle of 30° to 105°. 
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the outermost weak seal is shorter than an adjacent inner weak seal. 
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the outermost weak seal is longer than an adjacent inner weak seal. 
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the outermost weak seal and an adjacent inner weak seal have substantially equal length. 
     
     
         17 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the spout having at least a weak seal can be adapted for use with a product selected from the group consisting of a pillow bag packaging, stick pack, three-sided seal pouch, four-sided seal pouch, side gusseted pouch, center seal pouch, stand up pouch, and resealable stand up pouch. 
     
     
         18 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein the spout having a plurality of weak seals forming at least a buffer chamber can be adapted for use with a product selected from the group consisting of a pillow bag packaging, stick pack, three-sided seal pouch, four-sided seal pouch, side gusseted pouch, center seal pouch, stand up pouch, and resealable stand up pouch. 
     
     
         19 . A device for dispensing a substance comprising a chamber with walls having a combination of a strong seal and a weak seal wherein the weak seal bridges the walls of a spout;
 the spout guides the substance to the weak seal;   the spout defined by a wall formed by the strong seal extending inwardly from the weak seal; and   having an outermost weak seal at the discharging end of the spout.   
     
     
         20 . A device according to  claim 19 , wherein the outermost weak seal provides a sealed spout to prevent external contamination of the spout. 
     
     
         21 . A device according to  claim 19 , wherein the spout having a plurality of weak seals forming at least a buffer chamber. 
     
     
         22 . A device according to  claim 21 , wherein the buffer chamber provides a controlled flow of the substance when the substance discharges from the device upon breaking through the outer most weak seal.