초록 ▼

An insert assembly (fitment) includes a container mounting element, a spout element carried by the mounting element, at least one support element and a grasp element suspended by the support element(s) below the mounting element. The grasp element provides a skeleton within a pouch-type flexible con

An insert assembly (fitment) includes a container mounting element, a spout element carried by the mounting element, at least one support element and a grasp element suspended by the support element(s) below the mounting element. The grasp element provides a skeleton within a pouch-type flexible container, against which a user can grasp and squeeze the flexible container for mixing or drinking Optionally or alternatively, a mixing element is suspended by the support element(s). The mixing element impinge upon at least a portion of fluid within the container to create turbulence, thereby promoting mixing of powdered material disposed within the container.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A fitment for a flexible container, the flexible container having walls and defining an opening, the fitment comprising: a mounting structure configured to be sealingly coupled to the flexible container about the opening, thereby defining an interior of the flexible container;a spout coupled to t

1. A fitment for a flexible container, the flexible container having walls and defining an opening, the fitment comprising: a mounting structure configured to be sealingly coupled to the flexible container about the opening, thereby defining an interior of the flexible container;a spout coupled to the mounting structure, the spout defining a fluid channel through the mounting structure and configured to be in fluid communication with the interior of the flexible container;at least one support structure extending from the mounting structure, generally parallel to an axis extending through the fluid channel of the spout, the at least one support structure being configured to extend into the interior of the flexible container; anda grasp structure extending along a closed loop in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis passing through the fluid channel of the spout, the grasp structure being attached to each of the at least one support structure and configured to be inserted into the interior of the flexible container and there extend proximate an entire inside perimeter of the flexible container, whereby the grasp structure provides a skeletal structure against which the walls of the flexible container may be pressed when the flexible container is grasped; anda mixing structure:mechanically coupled to the first support structure, the second support structure and the grasp structure;configured to extend into the interior of the flexible container; anddisposed so as to promote mixing of contents in the interior of the flexible container. 2. A fitment according to claim 1, further comprising a first spacing member extending from a first point along the grasp structure to an approximately diametrically opposite point along the grasp structure, the first spacing member not being directly attached to the mounting structure. 3. A fitment according to claim 2, wherein the first spacing member extends generally along an arc in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of the loop. 4. A fitment according to claim 3, further comprising: a first pad attached to the grasp structure proximate the first point along the grasp structure and oriented generally parallel to the axis passing through the fluid channel of the spout; anda second pad generally parallel to the first pad and attached to the grasp structure proximate the diametrically opposite point along the grasp structure. 5. A fitment according to claim 4, wherein: the at least one support structure comprises at least a first support structure and a second support structure;the first support structure is attached to the grasp structure approximately equidistantly between the first point along the grasp structure and the diametrically opposite point along the grasp structure; andthe second support structure is attached to the grasp structure approximately diametrically opposite the first support structure. 6. A fitment according to claim 5, further comprising a second spacing member extending from where the first support structure is attached to the grasp structure to where the second support structure is attached to the grasp structure, the second spacing member not being directly attached to the mounting structure. 7. A fitment according to claim 6, wherein the second spacing member extends generally along an arc in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of the first spacing member. 8. A fitment according to claim 7, wherein each of the first support structure and the second support structure defines an outwardly-facing concave portion proximate where the respective support structure is attached to the grasp structure. 9. A fitment according to claim 1, wherein the grasp structure extends along a generally oval-shaped loop having a major diameter at least about 1½ times as long as a minor diameter of the generally oval-shaped loop. 10. A fitment according to claim 1, wherein: the flexible container has a predetermined internal depth; andthe mounting structure, the at least one support structure and the grasp structure are configured such that the grasp structure is spaced from the mounting structure along the axis of the fluid channel of the spout a distance of between about ¼ and about ¾ the internal depth of the flexible container. 11. A fitment according to claim 1, wherein: the flexible container defines a waist portion located a predetermined distance from the opening of the flexible container; andthe mounting structure, the at least one support structure and the grasp structure are configured such that the grasp structure is spaced from the mounting structure along the axis of the fluid channel of the spout a distance approximately equal to the predetermined distance. 12. A fitment according to claim 11, further comprising the flexible container. 13. A fitment according to claim 1, further comprising a mixing structure: mechanically coupled to the mounting structure;configured to be disposed in the interior of the flexible container; anddisposed so as to promote mixing of contents in the interior of the flexible container. 14. A fitment according to claim 13, wherein the mixing structure comprises a plurality of interconnected members collectively defining a plurality of apertures through the mixing structure. 15. A fitment for a flexible container, the flexible container having walls and defining an opening, the fitment comprising: a mounting structure configured to be sealingly coupled to the flexible container about the opening, thereby defining an interior of the flexible container;a spout coupled to the mounting structure, the spout defining a fluid channel through the mounting structure and configured to be in fluid communication with the interior of the flexible container;at least one support structure extending from the mounting structure, generally parallel to an axis extending through the fluid channel of the spout, the at least one support structure being configured to extend into the interior of the flexible container; anda mixing structure attached to the at least one support structure, the mixing structure comprising a closed loop in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis passing through the fluid channel of the spout, the mixing structure being configured to be disposed in the interior of the flexible container and disposed so as to promote mixing of contents in the interior of the flexible container. 16. A fitment according to claim 15, wherein the mixing structure comprises a plurality of interconnected members collectively defining a plurality of apertures through the mixing structure. 17. A fitment according to claim 15, wherein: the flexible container has a predetermined internal depth; andthe mounting structure, the at least one support structure and the mixing structure are configured such that the mixing structure is spaced from the mounting structure along the axis of the fluid channel of the spout a distance of between about ¼ and about ¾ the internal depth of the flexible container. 18. A fitment according to claim 15, wherein: the flexible container defines a waist portion located a predetermined distance from the opening of the flexible container; andthe mounting structure, the at least one support structure and the mixing structure are configured such that the mixing structure is spaced from the mounting structure along the axis of the fluid channel of the spout a distance approximately equal to the predetermined distance. 19. A fitment according to claim 18, further comprising the flexible container.