Flexible pouch fitment structure

Abstract

A flexible plastic fitment for providing spouts for pouches formed of sheet material. The fitment includes a pair of opposed side walls each having a center portion formed from diametrically opposed segments of a common cylinder and straight segments that blend respectively into the cylindrical segments on opposite sides of the common cylinder. The side walls are joined together at both ends thereof to form a canoe shape. A cover, which provides the only support for the side walls joins the top edges of the canoe shape and extends at both ends of the canoe shape between the cylindrical segments and the joined ends. A thin fin extends from each end of the joined side walls. A method of and apparatus for attaching the fitment by distending the side walls outwardly while urging the sheet material toward the side walls is also disclosed.

1 - 7 . (canceled)  
     
     
         8 . The method of securing a fitment to a package including the steps of: 
 providing two facing sheets of packaging material;    inserting a mandrel into a fitment so as to distend said fitment cylindrical segments and    inserting a fitment between said facing sheets substantially aligned with edges of said facing sheets, said fitment having side walls formed of diametrically opposed segments of a common cylinder and straight segments blended respectively into said common cylinder segments, said side walls being joined together at both ends thereof thereby forming a canoe shape;    sealing said facing sheet edges to said side walls while said fitment cylindrical segments are outwardly distended by said mandrel.    
     
     
         9 . The method in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said facing sheet edges are sealed to said fitment cylindrical segments by opposed sealing jaws closing toward each other from opposite sides of said mandrel.  
     
     
         10 . The method in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said sealing jaws each include a section generally contoured to include convex portions which are designed to engage and seal the resilient portions of the canoe walls outside of the cylindrical area.  
     
     
         11 . The method in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said mandrel is heated.  
     
     
         12 . In combination for the sealing of a fitment between facing packaging sheets, said fitment having side walls formed of diametrically opposed segments of a common cylinder and straight segments blended respectively into said common cylinder segments, said side walls being joined together at both ends thereof thereby forming a canoe shape: 
 a mandrel for insertion between said side walls, said mandrel being dimensioned to distend said fitment side walls outwardly; and    opposed sealing jaws adapted to close toward each other from opposite sides of said mandrel, said sealing jaws having contoured sections to urge said facing sheets toward said fitment when said sealing jaws are closed.    
     
     
         13 . The combination in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said sealing jaws' contoured sections each include convex sections out-of-line with said mandrel when said jaws are closed, said sealing jaws' convex sections urging said facing sheets toward said fitment as said sealing jaws close.  
     
     
         14 . The combination in accordance with  claim 13  further comprising flat sections of said sealing jaws on opposite sides of said contoured sections.