Attachable spout for affixation to pouch-like container of liquid

Abstract

An attachable spout for a pouch-like container of liquid. A spout assembly includes a substantially-planar base having a spout and a backing plate fixed to a surface of the base. A transverse crease defines a fold line for folding the base to capture an edge of the container between opposed surfaces of the folded base. The spout and the backing plate are located equidistant from the transverse crease to align in when the assembly is in a folded attitude.

1 . An attachable spout assembly for a pouch-like container of liquid comprising, in combination:
 a) a substantially-planar base having a pair of opposed surfaces defining a thickness therebetween;   b) a spout fixed to a surface of said base;   c) a backing plate fixed to said surface of said base;   d) said base including a transverse crease of reduced thickness defining a line for folding said base; and   e) said spout and said backing plate being arranged so that said spout is aligned with said backing plate when said base is in a folded attitude.   
   
   
       2 . An attachable spout assembly as defined in  claim 1  further including:
 a) said spout being of open cylindrical shape aligned perpendicular to said base;   b) a cap for engaging said spout, said cap being symmetrical about an axis of rotation whereby said axis of rotation is coincident with the axis of rotation of said cylindrical spout when said cap is engaged to said spout;   c) said cap including an elongated penetrator, said penetrator being symmetrical with respect to the axis of rotation of said cap; and   d) said penetrator being arranged to extend through the plane of said base when said cap is closed on said spout.   
   
   
       3 . An attachable spout as defined in  claim 2  further including
 a) said elongated penetrator having opposed upper and lower ends;   b) said upper end being fixed to said cap and said lower end terminating in a sharpened tip for extending through the plane of said base when said cap is closed on said spout.   
   
   
       4 . An attachable spout as defined in  claim 2  further including:
 a) a tamper-evident ring;   b) said tamper-evident ring surrounding said spout; and   c) said tamper-evident ring being located beneath said cap.   
   
   
       5 . An attachable spout as defined in  claim 4  wherein said tamper-evident ring is joined to said cap by a plurality of vertical ribs. 
   
   
       6 . An attachable spout as defined in  claim 1  further including:
 a) a first aperture in the portion of said base on one side of said transverse crease;   b) a second aperture in the portion of said base the other side of said transverse crease; and   c) said first and second apertures being aligned and located equal distances from said transverse crease whereby said apertures form a through-hole when said assembly is in said folded attitude.   
   
   
       7 . A package comprising, in combination:
 a) pouch-like container comprising opposed flexible surfaces joined at a common seam;   b) said container enclosing a volume of liquid;   c) a spout assembly being fixed to said container adjacent said common seam, said assembly including (i) a substantially-planar base having a pair of opposed surfaces defining a thickness therebetween, (ii) a spout fixed to a surface of said base, (iii) a backing plate fixed to said surface of said base, (iv) said base including a transverse crease of reduced thickness defining a line for folding said base (v) said spout and said backing plate being arranged so that said spout is aligned with said backing plate when said base is in a folded attitude; and   d) said base being folded to capture said container therebetween.   
   
   
       8 . A package as defined in  claim 7  further including;
 a) adhesive material for fixing said assembly to said container; and   b) said adhesive material being located on facing surfaces of said folded base adjacent said surfaces of said container.   
   
   
       9 . A package as defined in  claim 8  wherein said adhesive material is fixed to facing surfaces of said folded base in regions surrounding said spout and said backing plate. 
   
   
       10 . A package as defined in  claim 9  further including:
 a) said spout being of open cylindrical shape aligned perpendicular to said base;   b) a cap for engaging said spout, said cap being symmetrical about an axis of rotation whereby said axis of rotation is coincident with the axis of rotation of said cylindrical spout when said cap is engaged to said spout;   c) said cap including an elongated penetrator, said penetrator being symmetrical with respect to the axis of rotation of said cap; and   d) said penetrator being arranged to extend through the plane of said base when said cap is closed on said spout.   
   
   
       11 . A package as defined in  claim 10  further including:
 a) said elongated penetrator having opposed upper and lower ends;   b) said upper end being fixed to said cap and said lower end terminating in a sharpened tip for extending through the plane of said base when said cap is closed on said spout.   
   
   
       12 . A package as defined in  claim 10  further including:
 a) a tamper-evident ring;   b) said tamper-evident ring surrounding said spout; and   c) said tamper-evident ring being located beneath said cap.   
   
   
       13 . A package as defined in  claim 12  wherein said tamper-evident ring is joined to said cap by a plurality of vertical ribs. 
   
   
       14 . A package as defined in  claim 7  further including:
 a) a first aperture in the portion of said base on one side of said transverse crease;   b) a second aperture in the portion of said base the other side of said transverse crease; and   c) said first and second apertures being aligned and located equal distances from said transverse crease whereby said apertures form a through-hole when said assembly is in said folded attitude.