Patent attributes
A spout includes a mounting portion to which a pouch of a container assembly is sealed. The exterior of the mounting portion is defined by a smooth, non-angled surface free of edges or sharp transition portions, and is defined along its height by a generally sinusoidal, wave-like pattern formed by alternating peaks and troughs. The exterior of the mounting portion is structured such that the ratio of the length of the portion of the mounting portion exterior surface extending between adjacent peaks to the height between adjacent peaks is minimized to no more than 10%, and more preferably no more than 5%. By minimizing this ratio, the amount that a pouch will stretch if it is pushed into the cavities formed between adjacent peaks of the mounting portion (e.g. during an HPP process) is minimized, thereby preventing damage to the pouch and/or attachment between the pouch and spout.
