Spout With Self Sealing Fitment Assembly Mountable Thereto

Abstract

A spout and self sealing fitment assembly including a spout and a self sealing fitment. The spout and the fitment are configured to allow for the fitment to be pressed onto the spout whereupon corresponding threads on each matingly engage, thereby allowing for removal of the spout and fitment by way of unscrewing. The fitment may also be pried off the spout.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A spout and self sealing fitment assembly comprising:
 a spout having a base flange, a cylindrical upstand extending from the base flange and terminating at a distal end, an upper flange disposed on the cylindrical upstand spaced apart from the base flange and the distal end, and a spout thread helically disposed on the cylindrical upstand between the upper flange and the distal end;   a self sealing fitment assembly having a body defining an opening, and a sealing membrane extending over the opening, the sealing membrane having a valve positionable between a closed position and an open position, the body further comprising:
 an upper annular portion defining the opening; 
 an inner depending annular member extending from the upper annular portion, the inner depending annular member having an outer surface; and 
 an outer depending annular member extending from the upper annular portion spaced apart from the inner depending annular member, the outer depending annular member having an inner surface, the inner surface and outer surface cooperatively forming a passageway configured to receive the cylindrical upstand of the spout, the inner surface of the outer depending annular member having a lower portion of a first thickness, and an upper portion of a second thickness which is greater than the first thickness, with an inwardly directed stopper flange defined therebetween, and a fitment thread helically disposed on the lower portion of the inner surface, 
   wherein the cylindrical upstand is extended into the passageway and pressed therein, the outer depending annular member is configured to outwardly flex so as to allow the spout thread to be directed over the fitment thread until the distal end of the base flange reaches the stopper flange, whereupon, the spout thread and the fitment thread are in a mating engagement which allows for removal of the self sealing fitment from the spout through twisting of the spout relative to the self sealing fitment, guided by the mating engagement of the fitment thread and the spout thread.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the spout has an upper annular rim flange disposed at the distal end, and wherein the upper annular rim flange extends outwardly from the cylindrical upstand, and, wherein in operable engagement, the upper annular rim flange engages the stopper flange, precluding further insertive movement of the spout within the passageway. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2  wherein the stopper flange is spaced apart from the upper annular portion such that a portion of the passage way remains unobstructed between the upper annular rim flange and the upper annular portion. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3  wherein the upper annular portion further includes a grasping flange extending outwardly therefrom, the grasping flange facilitating the prying off of the fitment from the spout. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the lower portion of the inner surface has a height, the height of the lower portion of the inner surface is less than a distance between the distal end of the cylindrical upstand and the upper flange, such that the outer depending annular member is spaced apart from the upper flange. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the inner depending annular member extends beyond the outer depending annular member. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the spout thread has an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface of the spout thread has a slope that is greater than that of the lower surface, such that the force required to pass the fitment thread over the spout thread is greater in one direction than in an opposite direction. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fitment thread is positioned entirely on the lower portion of the inner surface, and is spaced apart from the stopper flange. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein the spout thread is positioned entirely between the distal end of the cylindrical upstand and the upper flange, and spaced apart from each one. 
     
     
         10 . A self sealing fitment assembly having a body defining an opening, and a sealing membrane extending over the opening, the sealing membrane having a valve positionable between a closed position and an open position, the body further comprising:
 an upper annular portion defining the opening;   an inner depending annular member extending from the upper annular portion, the inner depending annular member having an outer surface;   an outer depending annular member extending from the upper annular portion spaced apart from the inner depending annular member, the outer depending annular member having an inner surface, the inner surface and outer surface cooperatively forming a passageway configured to receive the cylindrical upstand of the spout, the inner surface of the outer depending annular member having a lower portion of a first thickness, and an upper portion of a second thickness which is greater than the first thickness, resulting in a narrowing of the passageway, with an inwardly directed stopper flange defined therebetween, and a fitment thread helically disposed on the lower portion of the inner surface.   
     
     
         11 . The fitment assembly of  claim 10  wherein the fitment thread is spaced apart from the stopper flange. 
     
     
         12 . The fitment assembly of  claim 10  wherein the upper annular portion further includes a grasping flange extending outwardly from the outer depending annular member, the grasping flange being spaced apart from the stopper flange.