Process for Producing a Flexible Container

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a process. In an embodiment, the process includes (A) providing a flexible container having (i) a body, and (ii) a neck. The process includes (B) positioning a fitment into the neck. The fitment is composed of a polymeric material and includes a top portion and a tapered base. The tapered base extends from the top portion to a base end. The top portion has a top inner diameter (TiD) and the base end has a base end inner diameter (BEiD). The BEiD is less than the top inner diameter, (TiD). The process includes (C) heating the tapered base to a malleable state and (D) inserting a mandrel into the fitment. The mandrel includes an expandable collar. The process includes (E) expanding the expandable collar radially outward to contact an inner surface of the tapered base. The process includes (F) increasing, with the expanding, the inner diameter of the base end to a stretched base end inner diameter (sBEiD). The sBEiD is greater than the BEiD. The process includes (G) sealing, with a pair of opposing seal bars, the tapered base to the neck.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A process comprising:
 (A) providing a flexible container having
 (i) a body, and 
 (ii) a neck; 
   (B) positioning a fitment into the neck, the fitment composed of a polymeric material, the fitment comprising a top portion and a tapered base, the tapered base extending from the top portion to a base end, the top portion having a top inner diameter (TiD) and the base end having an base end inner diameter (BEiD) that is less than the top inner diameter (TiD),   (C) heating the tapered base to a malleable state;   (D) inserting a mandrel into the fitment, the mandrel comprising an expandable collar;   (E) expanding the expandable collar radially outward to contact an inner surface of the tapered base;   (F) increasing, with the expanding, the inner diameter of the base end to a stretched base end inner diameter (sBEiD), the sBEiD greater than the BEiD; and   (G) sealing, with a pair of opposing seal bars, the tapered base to the neck.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  comprising performing the sealing while the tapered base has the sBEiD. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  comprising expanding the base end so the sBEiD has the same length as the TiD. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1  comprising heating the tapered base to a malleable state before the inserting. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the expandable collar is heated, the process comprising heating the tapered base to a malleable state with the heated expandable collar, the heating comprises heating the tapered base with the expandable collar. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1  comprising providing a tapered base composed of an ethylene-based polymer and having a wall thickness from 0.50 mm to 1.25 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 6  comprising providing a tapered base having a taper angle from 10° to 30°. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 2  comprising maintaining the sBEiD after the sealing.