One-piece fitment with retained, tamper-evident feature for filing and dispensing flexible pouch or bag containers

Abstract

A unitary plastic closure system, including tamper evident and sealing features in the form of a flip-top cap with a tamper evident strip that remains connected to the closure, is described. This closure is particularly amenable for use with heat-sealed bags and pouches, insofar as it includes a a fitment with a base member and a conduit sealed by a pivoting cap.

1 . A dispensing system comprising:
 a flexible pouch having at least two sheets adhered or heat sealed together; and   a unitary fitment interposed along a periphery where and while the two sheets are adhered or heat sealed, the fitment including:
 a transverse base member, 
 a hollow, tubular conduit section extending longitudinally away from the base member and defining a flow passage, 
 a cap attached to the conduit section by a living hinge that pivots the cap between a closed position and an open position, 
 a release tab formed on the cap or the conduit section, 
 an integral tamper evident strip positioned along an opposing edge in comparison to the living hinge, with frangible connections holding the tamper evident strip: (i) to the cap when the release tab is formed on the conduit section or (ii) to the conduit section when the release tab is formed on the cap, and 
 a pivotal, retaining hinge maintaining connection between the tamper evident strip and the cap or the conduit even after the frangible connections have been broken. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the transverse base member includes at least one of attachment ribs and fins. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the base member has an elongated, diamond-like shape with a transverse axis and wherein the living hinge opens at an orthogonal angle in comparison to the transverse axis. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the living hinge comprises a plurality of attachment members that are configured to hold the cap in an open position. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the tamper evident strip includes a detent that receives and abuts the release tab. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the conduit section includes a ledge section where the tamper evident strip is received. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the pivotal, retaining hinge positions the tamper evident strip in a position away from a pour spout formed when: (i) the cap is pivoted to an open position, and (ii) the frangible connections are broken. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the unitary fitment is made from a recyclable polymer. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the unitary fitment is made from a similar or compatible material in comparison to the flexible pouch. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the tamper evident strip includes a pull tab. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the frangible connections are broken by the release tab as the cap is pivoted to an open position.