Importance

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Abstract

A spout, particularly for flexible fluid reservoirs having opposing film panels, which minimizes stresses and abrasion resulting from manufacture and/or use of such reservoirs as well as enhances the strength of the weld/bond between the films and the spout. Spouts according to the invention include a generally cylindrical neck portion and a pair of opposed, generally triangular portions extending laterally there from that form a spout-film interface. This interface may be smooth and/or define depressions or holes to increase bond integrity. Spout embodiments of the invention also may include at least one, and preferably four, stress delocalizing feature(s) (“SDF”) to disperse material stress from edges of the spout-film interface that might form during use of the spout. Exemplary SDFs include flexible appendages, preferably at the apex of the triangular portions or at neck portions that form a portion of the spout-weld interfaces, which depend beyond the spout weld interface and into the reservoir.

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First Claim