Spout for flexible container, and flexible container

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a spout and to flexible and refillable containers comprising such spouts, designed to improve the functionalities of known spouts. The spout according to the present invention has a design that allows a tight fit between the spout and an additional container to which the flowable product is transferred from the refillable container comprising the spout.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A spout for flexible containers comprising a flowable product, wherein the spout comprises:
 an integral body formed by an upper portion and a lower portion,   the upper portion is designed for dispensing the flowable product by an outside end, and the lower portion designed to adhere to the flexible container by an inside end having at least two lateral and opposite welding tracks;   the integral body comprises a channel extending longitudinally along the integral body, from the inside end of the lower portion to the outside end of the upper portion, the channel is in fluid communication with an interior of the flexible container and an exterior of the flexible container, and the flowable product flows throughout such channel;   the integral body has a flange dividing the upper and the lower portions, wherein the flange comprises at least one orifice through which air flows; and   the upper portion has at least one snap-fit element in its external side wall to engage the spout of the flexible container to additional containers.   
     
     
         2 . The spout according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion has a sealing element adhesively attached over the outside end. 
     
     
         3 . The spout according to  claim 1 , wherein the outside end of the upper portion has a twisted area in its external lateral walls. 
     
     
         4 . The spout according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion has at least two snap-fit elements diametrically opposite to each other. 
     
     
         5 . The spout according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion is connected to the flexible container by hot sealing an external perimeter of the lower portion up to the welding tracks. 
     
     
         6 . The spout according to  claim 1 , wherein the channel is cylindrical shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The spout according to  claim 1 , wherein it further comprises a twistable cap to be connected to the twisted area of the outside end of the upper portion. 
     
     
         8 . The spout according to  claim 1 , wherein it is made of plastic material. 
     
     
         9 . A flexible container for conditioning a flowable product, the flexible container comprising:
 (i) a flexible body having an opening disposed in a side of the flexible body, which conditions the flowable product; and   (ii) a spout adhered to opening disposed in the side of the flexible body, the spout comprising:   an integral body formed by an upper portion and a lower portion,   the upper portion is designed for dispensing the flowable product by an outside end, and the lower portion is designed to adhere to the flexible container by an inside end having at least two lateral and opposite welding tracks;   the integral body comprises a channel extending longitudinally along the integral body, from the inside end of the lower portion to the outside end of the upper portion, the channel is in fluid communication with an interior of the flexible container and an exterior of the flexible container, and the flowable product flows throughout such channel;   the integral body has a flange dividing the upper and the lower portions, wherein the flange comprises at least one orifice through which air flows; and   the upper portion has at least one snap-fit element in its external side wall to engage the spout of the flexible container to additional containers.   
     
     
         10 . The flexible container according to  claim 9 , wherein the spout is adhered to the opening of the side of the flexible body, such side being inclined and forming an angle α between 55° and 65° in relation to a lateral side of the flexible container. 
     
     
         11 . The flexible container according to  claim 9 , wherein the upper portion has a sealing element adhesively attached over the outside end. 
     
     
         12 . The flexible container according to  claim 9 , wherein the outside end of the upper portion has a twisted area in its external lateral walls. 
     
     
         13 . The flexible container according to  claim 9 , wherein the upper portion has at least two snap-fit elements diametrically opposite to each other. 
     
     
         14 . The flexible container according to  claim 9 , wherein the spout is adhered to the opening of the inclined side of the flexible body by hot sealing an external perimeter of the lower portion up to the welding tracks. 
     
     
         15 . The flexible container according to  claim 14 , wherein the whole perimeter of the lower portion is hot sealed to the opening of the inclined side of the flexible body. 
     
     
         16 . The flexible container according to  claim 9 , wherein the channel is cylindrical shaped. 
     
     
         17 . The flexible container according to  claim 9 , wherein it further comprises a twistable cap to be connected to the spout by means of a twisted area of the outside end of the upper portion. 
     
     
         18 . The flexible container according to  claim 17 , wherein the cap is perforated. 
     
     
         19 . The flexible container according to  claim 9 , wherein both the flexible body and the spout are made of plastic material. 
     
     
         20 . The flexible container according to  claim 19 , wherein the flexible body and the spout are made of the same material.