Spout for flexible pouch with obturator device

Abstract

A spout ( 1 ) for a flexible pouch ( 100 ) for liquid or semi-dense substances, generally for food use, such as fruit juices, yogurt, fruit or vegetable puree and the like. The spout has an obturator device ( 40 ) having a translatable obturator ( 44 ) and elastic device for keeping the obturator closed.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A spout for a flexible pouch for liquid or semi-dense substances, having an opening for exit of contents and an inlet for inlet of the contents from the pouch, the spout comprising:
 a tube extending along a longitudinal axis and provided with the opening;   a valve housed in the tube and suitable to prevent exit of the contents when an action acting on the valve is lower than a predetermined resisting action and to allow the exit of the contents when the action acting on the valve is greater than a predetermined resisting action, wherein the valve comprises:
 i) a through obturator housing which identifies in the tube an upward line accessible through the inlet and a downward line provided with the opening; and 
 ii) an obturator device comprising a translatable obturator, engageable with the obturator housing, and an elastic member suitable to operate permanently on the obturator to keep the obturator in a closing position of the obturator housing by a closing action. 
   
     
     
         22 . A spout according to  claim 21 , wherein the obturator device is suitable to disengage from the obturator housing under influence of an opening action carried out by a depression acting in the downward line that is greater than a predetermined resisting action. 
     
     
         23 . A spout according to  claim 21 , wherein the obturator device is suitable to disengage from the obturator housing under influence of an opening action carried out by an overpressure acting in the upward line that is greater than a predetermined resisting action. 
     
     
         24 . A spout according to  claim 21 , wherein the elastic member comprises at least one compressible elongated member which extends axially. 
     
     
         25 . A spout according to  claim 24 , wherein the elastic member consists of two elongated members symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         26 . A spout according to  claim 24 , wherein the elongated member is twisted along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         27 . A spout according to  claim 25 , wherein the elongated member is twisted along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         28 . A spout according to  claim 27 , wherein the elongated member is twisted along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         29 . A spout according to  claim 28 , wherein a longitudinal section of the elongated member has a trapezoidal shape, wherein an outer edge is rectilinear, an inner edge is rectilinear and parallel to the outer edge, and lower and upper edges are rectilinear. 
     
     
         30 . A spout according to  claim 24 , wherein each elongated member has an outer surface and an inner surface and the outer surfaces lie on a single imaginary outer conical surface and the inner surfaces lie on a single imaginary inner conical surface. 
     
     
         31 . A spout according to  claim 21 , wherein the obturator device comprises a ledge suitable to define the closing position of the obturator with respect to the obturator housing. 
     
     
         32 . A spout according to  claim 21 , wherein the obturator device comprises a guide body suitable to guide translation of the obturator with respect to the obturator housing. 
     
     
         33 . A spout according to  claim 32 , wherein the guide body comprises a plurality of tabs extending radially, ending externally in a guide limit surface radially internal with respect to the outer surface of the obturator in engagement with the obturator housing. 
     
     
         34 . A spout according to  claim 33 , wherein the guide body comprises three tabs angularly equally spaced. 
     
     
         35 . A spout according to  claim 21 , wherein the obturator device comprises an abutment member which provides abutment for the elastic member. 
     
     
         36 . A spout according to  claim 35 , wherein the abutment member comprises a plurality of safety projections, radially protruding outwards, suitable to lock the abutment member inside the tube. 
     
     
         37 . A spout according to  claim 21 , wherein the valve comprises a retainer for retaining the obturator device inside the tube. 
     
     
         38 . A spout according to  claim 21 , wherein the obturator device comprises an abutment member which provides an abutment for the elastic member,
 wherein the abutment member comprises a plurality of safety projections, radially protruding outwards, suitable to lock the abutment member inside the tube,   wherein the retainer comprises an annular projection suitable to generate an undercut for the abutment member for the snap-wise engagement of the obturator device in the tube.   
     
     
         39 . A spout according to  claim 21 , wherein the obturator device is made in a single piece by molding in a plastic material. 
     
     
         40 . A pouch-spout assembly comprising:
 a flexible pouch consisting of two films of a multi-layer material, bonded along the edges, and   a spout joined to the pouch by bonding, wherein the spout has an opening for the exit of contents and an inlet for the inlet of the contents from the pouch, the spout comprising:   A) a tube extending along a longitudinal axis and provided with the opening;   B) a valve housed in the tube and suitable to prevent exit of the contents when an action acting on the valve is lower than a predetermined resisting action and to allow the exit of the contents when the action acting on the valve is greater than a predetermined resisting action, wherein the valve comprises:
 i) a through obturator housing which forms in the tube an upward line accessible through the inlet and a downward line provided with the opening, and 
 ii) an obturator device comprising a translatable obturator, engageable with the obturator housing, and an elastic member suitable to operate permanently on the obturator to keep the obturator in a closing position of the obturator housing by a closing action. 
   
     
     
         41 . A method for preparation to sell of a pouch-spout assembly, comprising the steps of:
 providing an assembly comprising a flexible pouch and a spout joined to the pouch and free of a valve;   filling the assembly with a food liquid through the spout;   snap-wise applying an obturator device to the spout, inside a tube of the spout;   applying a cap to the spout.