Patent Publication Number: US-11639255-B2

Title: Filtering fitment for fluid packaging

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to, and claims priority to, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/937,978, filed Nov. 20, 2019, titled “Filtering Fitment for Bag-In-Box Packaging,” the complete subject matter and contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This disclosure generally relates to devices and methods of preventing unwanted flavors in packaged liquids, and more particularly relates to new designs of dispensing fitments for use with containers having a packaged liquid. 
     Water packaging has often had issues with off-tastes associated with either the packaging, the water sterilization process, or the combination of the packaging and the sterilization. Ozonation, for instance, imparts an off-taste due to the presence of ozone in the packaged water. If a package provides too much of a barrier, then the ozone may be trapped in the package with the water. Addressing this sometimes requires a holding period prior to filling the package to allow the ozone to dissipate. Ozone can also react with components of the package, such as a slip agent, causing oxidation of the slip agent and resulting in undesired or “rancid” flavors. Other treatment/packaging issues can also result in small molecules that impart unwanted flavors to water. Packaging or the packaging process can also affect other kinds of fluids besides water that are provided in packaging. 
     SUMMARY 
     Certain embodiments of the present technology include a fitment for dispensing a flowable material from a container. The fitment includes a body defining a fluid passage that is in fluid communication with an internal region of the container. The fitment includes a screen adjacent to the fluid passage and a filter media, wherein when flowable material is dispensed from the container, the flowable material passes through screen and the filter media. 
     The screen may include a first screen and a second screen and the filter media is located in between the first and second screens. The first and second screens may be part of a basket that is insertable into the fluid passage. The basket may include a top and a body connected by a hinge, such that the top of the basket can be moved to an open position and to a closed position. 
     The fitment may include a valve assembly downstream of the fluid passage, wherein the valve assembly includes a valve outlet and a screen proximate the outlet that retains filter media proximate the outlet. The valve assembly may be configured to operate in an open position that allows the flowable material to move through the fitment and out the outlet, and a closed position which prevents flowable material from flowing out of the outlet. 
     The screen may include holes or slots. The screen may be concave. The screen may be detachably secured to the body. 
     The fitment may be configured to be inserted into a spout connected to the container. 
     The filter media may include activated carbon. The filter media may be dissolvable. The flowable material may be configured to dissolve the filter media while the flowable material is dispensed through the fitment. The filter media may react with the flowable material to form carbon dioxide. The filter media may be configured to interact with the flowable material of the container while the flowable material is not being dispensed through the fitment. 
     The screen may be removable from the fitment. The fitment may be insertable into a spout and extend below a bottom of the spout into the container and the fitment may include circulation holes or slots in the portion of the fitment that extends below the bottom of the spout. 
     Certain embodiments of the present technology include a fitment for dispensing a flowable material from a container. The fitment includes a body defining a fluid passage that leads to a dispensing valve, the fluid passage being in fluid communication with an internal region of the container. The fitment includes a screen and a filter media. When flowable material is dispensed from the container, the flowable material passes through screen and the filter media. 
     The screen may include a first screen and a second screen and the filter media may be located in between the first and second screens. The first and second screens may be part of a basket that is insertable into the fluid passage. The may be located proximate an outlet of the dispensing valve, and the screen may retain the filter media proximate the outlet such that the filter media is isolated from the flowable material when the valve assembly is in a closed position. The fitment may be configured to be inserted into a spout connected to the container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a cross section side view of an example fitment assembly with a molded screen, a lock-in filter screen, and the associated filter material attached to the spout of fluid container, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  2 A  is an example of a filter screen to be used with the example fitment of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  2 B  is an example of a filter screen to be used with the example fitment of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  2 C  is an example of a filter screen to be used with the example fitment of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  2 D  is an example of a filter screen to be used with the example fitment of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a cross section side view of a second embodiment of an example fitment assembly with filter material on the discharge side of the isolating valve. 
         FIG.  4    is a cross section side view of a third embodiment of an example fitment assembly with a separate filter basket to contain the filter material. 
         FIG.  5 A  is a cross section view of the filter basket of the fitment assembly of  FIG.  3    in the closed position. 
         FIG.  5 B  is an end view of the filter basket of the fitment assembly of  FIG.  3    in the closed position. 
         FIG.  6 A  is a cross section side view of the filter basket of the fitment assembly of  FIG.  3    in the opened position. 
         FIG.  6 B  is an end view of the filter basket of the fitment assembly of  FIG.  3    in the opened position. 
         FIG.  7    is a cross section side view of a fourth embodiment of an example fitment assembly with an alternate filter basket to contain the filter material without fully inserting into the fitment inlet. 
         FIG.  8 A  is a cross-sectional isometric view of an alternative spout with an integrated filter using holes to filter the flowable material going through the spout. 
         FIG.  8 B  is a top isometric view of an alternative spout with an integrated filter using holes to filter the flowable material going through the spout. 
         FIG.  8 C  is a side isometric view of an alternative spout with an integrated filter using holes to filter the flowable material going through the spout. 
         FIG.  9 A  is a cross-sectional isometric view of a second alternative spout with flat bars and slots to filter flowable material going through the spout. 
         FIG.  9 B  is a top isometric view of the spout of  FIG.  9 A . 
         FIG.  9 C  is a side isometric view of the spout of  FIG.  9 A . 
         FIG.  10 A  is a cross-sectional isometric view of a third alternative spout with concave bars and slots to filter flowable material going through the spout. 
         FIG.  10 B  is a top isometric view of the spout of  FIG.  10 A . 
         FIG.  10 C  is a side isometric view of the spout of  FIG.  10 A . 
         FIG.  11 A  is a cross-sectional isometric view of a fourth alternative spout with convex bars and slots to filter flowable material going through the spout. 
         FIG.  11 B  is a top isometric view of the spout of  FIG.  11 A . 
         FIG.  11 C  is a bottom isometric view of the spout of  FIG.  11 A . 
         FIG.  12 A  is a cross-sectional isometric view of a fifth alternative spout with a first set of bars aligned in a first direction and a second set of bars aligned in a second direction to filter flowable material going through the spout. 
         FIG.  12 B  is a top isometric view of the spout of  FIG.  12 A . 
         FIG.  12 C  is a bottom isometric view of the spout of  FIG.  12 A . 
         FIG.  13 A  is a cross-sectional isometric view of a sixth alternative spout with a removable filter with a plurality of holes. 
         FIG.  13 B  is an exploded bottom isometric view of the spout of  FIG.  13 A . 
         FIG.  13 C  is a bottom isometric view of the spout of  FIG.  13 A . 
         FIG.  14 A  is a cross-sectional isometric side view of an alternative removable filter with a plurality of holes and with an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion configured to be pushed into the spout with a closure cap. 
         FIG.  14 B  is a bottom isometric view of the spout shown in  FIG.  14 A  with the removable filter in a partially inserted condition. 
         FIG.  14 C  is a bottom isometric view of the spout shown in  FIG.  14 A  with the removable filter in a closed position. 
         FIG.  15 A  is a cross-sectional side isometric view of an alternative removable filter with an upper filter portion and a lower filter portion to contain filter media and configured to be pushed into the spout with a closure cap. 
         FIG.  15 B  is a cross-sectional side isometric view of the filter of  FIG.  15 A  in a closed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure is directed to methods, systems, and apparati for removing unwanted tastes or impurities from drinking water, or other flowable media, that is packaged in a container, for example in bag-in-box packaging. This disclosure is also directed to isolating a solid from liquid contents until dispensing occurs. 
     As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are used to enumerate instances of similar or identical elements, and do not indicate or imply order unless an order is specifically identified. 
     As used herein, the term “inner surface” refers to the portion of a given component closest to the fluid flow path and the term “outer surface” refers to the portion of a given component away from the fluid flow path. 
     As used herein, the term “inward” refers to the direction towards the fluid container and the term “outward” refers to the direction away from the fluid container. 
     Turning now to the drawings,  FIG.  1    is a cross section view of a first embodiment of a fitment  100  installed in the spout  170  of a container. The container is configured to store a dispensable liquid or flowable solid such as water. In some examples, the container may be a bag-in-box type container system including a film bag to contain the liquid and cardboard box to enclose the film bag. In other examples, the container may be a rigid or semi-rigid plastic container. In other examples, the container may be aluminum or another type of metal or metal alloy. In some examples, container is filled with the flowable material into the bag through the spout  170  and then the spout is closed with the fitment  100 . 
     In the first embodiment, the fitment  100  defines a body having a fluid passageway. The fitment includes an inlet  110 , a valve assembly  130 , and an outlet  150 . The valve assembly  130  may have an open position that allows fluid to flow from the inlet  110 , through the valve assembly  130 , and through the outlet  150 . The valve assembly  130  may have a closed position that prevents fluid from flowing from the inlet  110 , through the valve assembly  130 , and through the outlet  150 . In some examples, a user may place the valve assembly  130  in the open position from the closed position by rotating a valve cap, pushing an elastomeric button, pulling a slide, or similar method for operating a valve known in the field of dispensing fluid from a container. 
     The fitment inlet  110  may include a removable screen  112  and a valve screen  114 . The removable screen  112  and the valve screen  114  may retain a filter media  116  within the fitment inlet  110 . In some examples, the filter media  116  may include activated carbon, for example, activated charcoal. The filter media  116  may be configured to adsorb small molecules or other impurities that may affect the taste and/or quality of the stored flowable material. The adsorption of impurities may occur based on contact with flowable material prior to dispensing and/or during dispensing of the flowable material through the fitment. Additionally, some impurities may be adsorbed during temporary storage of the fitment within the container prior to the filling of the flowable material into the container. The filter media  116  may be dissolvable. For example, flowable material is configured to dissolve the filter media while the flowable material is dispensed through the fitment  100 . 
     The filter media  116  may be formed by molding or extrusion into pellets that are easily retained by the removable screen  112  and/or valve screen  114  in the fitment inlet  110 . As shown in the first embodiment, the filter media  116  may have a spherical shape. In other embodiments, the filter media  116  may be cylindrical, conical, cubical, or other three-dimensional shape. In other embodiments, the filter media  116  have one or more fluid passages through the media such as having a toroidal or honeycomb shape. The size and shape of the filter media  116  may be selected based on factors such as the wetted surface area, the desired flow rate of the flowable material through the fitment inlet, the size of the fitment inlet, and the expected level of impurities within the sealed container. As shown in the calculation below, it is believed that activated charcoal in a volume of one cubic centimeter should be sufficient to adsorb the impurities resulting from the forming of a 2.5 gallon bag-in-box style container. 
     Preliminary Calculations on Activated Carbon:
         Activated carbon adsorption ability: 20-25 g organic per 100 g of carbon (rule-of-thumb, source: emis.vito.be)   Bulk density of granulated carbon: 250-650 kg/m{circumflex over ( )}3 or 1 cc=0.25-0.65 g   Thus, 1 cc of granulated carbon may adsorb about 0.05 g of organics.   A 2.5 gallon inner ply container uses approximately 20 g of film. At 700 ppm erucamide in the film, approximately 0.014 g total of additive may be present in the container. Thus, 1 cc of granulated carbon should sufficiently adsorb the resulting additives of the film container.   Furthermore, activated charcoal is known in the art to facilitate catalytic redox reactions of contaminants, further extending its ability to eliminate off-tastes even beyond its ability to adsorb contaminants.       

     In the first embodiment, the valve screen  114  may be molded into the fitment  100  between the valve assembly  130  and the fitment inlet  110 . The valve screen  114  may have one or more holes to allow the fluid to flow from the fitment inlet  110 , through the valve screen  114 , and to the valve assembly  130  while preventing the filter media  116  from entering the valve assembly  130 . Similarly, the removable screen  112  may have one or more holes  118  to allow fluid to flow from the container and through the removable screen  112  while preventing the filter media  116  from exiting the fitment inlet  110 . In the first embodiment, the removable screen  112  may be held in position within the fitment inlet  110  with retention bumps  120 . In other embodiments, the removable screen  112  may fit within a groove of the fitment inlet  110  or may have either internal or external threads to attach to the fitment inlet  110 . In other embodiments, the removable screen  112  may rely on an interference fit or may be sonically welded or affixed to the fitment inlet  110  by some other similar method. In some examples, the fitment  100  may be assembled by inserting an amount of the filter media  116  into the filter inlet  110  then installing the removable screen  112  to retain the filter media  116 . 
     In other embodiments, a second removable screen  112  may be used instead of the molded valve screen  114  of the first embodiment to prevent the filter media  116  from entering the valve assembly  130 . The second removable screen may be similar or identical to the first removable screen  112 . In yet other embodiments, a valve screen  114  may be omitted based on the size and/or shape of the filter media  116  preventing the filter media  116  from entering the valve assembly  130 . 
     In the first embodiment, the fitment inlet  110  is inserted into the spout  170  of the container. The fitment inlet  110  may have a locking ledge  122 . The spout  170  may have a corresponding locking shelf  172  configured to abut against the locking ledge  122  when the fitment inlet  110  is fully inserted within the spout  170  thus preventing the subsequent removal of the fitment  100  once the container has been filled. In other embodiments, the fitment inlet  110  may have external threads to mate with the internal threads of a corresponding spout  170  to secure the fitment inlet to the spout. In yet other embodiments, internal threads of the fitment inlet  110  may mate with external threads of a corresponding spout  170  to secure the fitment inlet  110  to the spout  170 . 
       FIG.  2 A  is a front view of the removable screen  112  of  FIG.  1   . The removable screen  112  of  FIG.  2    has a plurality of holes  118  sized and spaced to allow the flowable material to pass through from the container into the fitment  100 . The holes  118  are also sized to prevent the filter media  116  from exiting the fitment inlet  110 . The filter screen  112  of  FIG.  2 A  may be molded from plastic. In other embodiments, the filter screen  112  could be a stamped metal part. As seen in  FIG.  1   , the filter screen  112  may have a constant thickness. In other embodiments, the filter screen could have a thicker outer edge  220  to provide additional rigidity in the mating surface between the filter screen  112  and the spout inlet  110 . 
       FIGS.  2 B,  2 C, and  2 D  are additional example embodiments of alternative filter screen patterns which may be used with either the removable screen  112  or the molded valve screen  114  of  FIG.  1   . In contrast with the concentric holes  118  of  FIG.  2 A , the holes  218  of  FIG.  2 B  may be spaced at other intervals. In some embodiments, the location of the holes  218  and the orientation of the filter  212  may be selected to adjust the flow path of the flowable material through the filter media  116 .  FIGS.  2 C and  2 D  show a first mesh pattern  222  and a second mesh pattern  224  that may be used as part of a filter screen  112  or  114 . In some embodiments, the mesh patterns  222  and  224  may be molded as part of the removable filter screen  112  or  114 . In some embodiments, the mesh patterns  222  and  224  may have a thinner thickness than the outer edge  220  ( FIG.  2 A ). In some embodiments, the mesh patterns  222  and  224  may be made of a first material such as nylon thread or wire and the outer edge  220  may be molded around the first material. In other embodiments, the outer edge may be separately formed then subsequently attached to the first material of one of the mesh patterns  222  or  224 . 
       FIG.  3    is a cross section side view of a second embodiment of the fitment  300  and associated spout  370  of the present technology. Similar to the first embodiment of  FIG.  1   , the fitment  300  of the second embodiment may include an inlet  310 , a valve assembly  330 , and an outlet  350 . The fitment  300  may include a removable screen  312 , a valve screen  314 , and an inlet filter media  316  or any of the other alternate configurations described with in regards to the first embodiment that would place the filter media  316  in fluid communication with the flowable material during storage. In other examples, the inlet filter media  316  and the corresponding removable screen  312  and valve screen  314  may be omitted. 
     In contrast with the fitment  100  of  FIG.  1   , the fitment  300  of  FIG.  3    may include an outlet filter media  352 . In some embodiments, the outlet filter media  352  may be the same type of material used in the inlet filter media  316  such as activated charcoal. In other embodiments, the outlet filter media  352  may include one or more of flavoring, nutrients, or other additives that may or may not be stable in water or the associated stored flowable material stored in the container. The additives may coat portions of an inert filter media  352  retained in place by the outlet screen  354 . The additives can react with and/or be incorporated into the dispensed flowable material. As a result of the outlet filter media  352  being on the discharge side of the valve assembly  330 , the outlet filter media  352  is not exposed to the stored flowable material of the container until the valve assembly  330  is placed into the open condition allowing the flowable media to flow through the fitment inlet  310 , through the valve assembly  330 , and through the fitment outlet  350 . Alternatively and/or additionally, the additives of the outlet filter media  352  may benefit from the valve assembly  330  separating the inlet filter media  316  from the outlet filter media  352  thus preventing the inlet filter media  316  from adsorbing the outlet filter media  352  additives during storage of the flowable material. Other contents besides beverages and food may also benefit from this concept. For instance, a reactive material could be isolated from a reactant flowable material within the container until dispensing occurs. 
     The outlet filter media  352  may be retained by a molded outlet screen  354  similar to the molded valve screen  114  of  FIG.  1   . In these embodiments, the outlet filter media  352  may be placed within the fitment outlet  350  prior to the installation of the sub-components of the valve assembly  330 . In other embodiments, a removable outlet screen  354  similar to the removable screen  112  of  FIG.  1    could be used. The removable outlet screen  354  could be retained by the fitment outlet  350  using any of the methods described above associated with removable screen  112  of the first embodiment. The outlet filter media  352  thus could be added after the valve assembly  330  is installed. 
     In these configurations, the fitment outlet  350  may rely on the valve sealing surfaces  332 , the size and shape of the outlet filter media  352 , and the flow of the flowable material during use to prevent the outlet filter media  352  from entering the valve assembly  330 . In other embodiments, the fitment outlet may use one or more screens on either side of the outlet filter media  352  that may be molded as part of the fitment  300  and/or removable. In some embodiments, the fitment outlet  350  may be stored prior to the first use and/or between uses with a cap or film covering the end of the fitment outlet  350  to prevent moisture and/or other air constituents from reacting with the outlet filter media  352 . 
       FIG.  4    is a cross section side view of a third embodiment of the fitment  400  and associated spout  470  of the instant present technology. The fitment  400  may include an inlet  410 , valve assembly  430 , and an outlet  450 . Instead of the separate removable screen  112 , valve screen  114  and sidewalls of the inlet  110  containing the filter media  116  of the first embodiment, the third embodiment may use a filter basket  412  to contain the filter media  416 . This allows the filter media  416  to be loaded into the filter basket  412  at one point in time and allow the filter basket  412  to be installed into the fitment inlet  410  at another time such as just before the fitment  400  is installed within the spout  470 . Separately assembling the filter basket  412  may help minimize filter media  116  ending up in less desired locations and/or may provide greater flexibility in storage methods. 
     Similar to the removable screen  112  of the first embodiment, the filter basket  412  may have one or more holes  418  on a first side to allow the flowable material from the container to flow into the filter media  416 . The first side holes  418  prevent the filter media  416  from escaping the filter basket  412 . Similarly, the filter basket  418  may have one or more holes  414  on a second side that allow the flowable media to flow from the container, through the fitment inlet  410 , through the valve assembly  430 , and out the fitment outlet  450  when the valve assembly  430  is in the open condition. However, the second side holes  414  retain the filter media  416  and prevent the filter media  416  from reaching the valve assembly  430 . 
     The fitment inlet  410  may have a retention bump  420  to help retain the filter basket  412  after the filter basket  412  is inserted within the inlet  410 . In other embodiments, the fitment basket  412  may have an interference fit with the fitment inlet  410 , eliminating the need for a separate retention bump  420 . 
     One would recognize a similar filter basket  412  could be used in a fitment outlet similar to the fitment outlet  350  of the fitment assembly  300  of the second embodiment shown in  FIG.  3    instead of the outlet screen  354  described with that embodiment. A filter basket may be particularly useful for automated assembly of the fitment system. A filter basket may also allow for atmospheric isolation of the fitment basket and filter media prior to assembly, in order to preserve a sensitive filter medium. 
       FIGS.  5 A,  5 B,  6 A, and  6 B  show the filter basket  412  of the third embodiment of  FIG.  4   .  FIG.  5 A  shows a cross section view of the filter basket  412  in the closed position.  FIG.  5 B  shows a top view of the filter basket  412  in the closed position.  FIG.  6 A  shows a cross section view of the filter basket  412  in the opened position.  FIG.  6 B  shows a top view of the filter basket  412  in the opened position. 
     The filter basket  412  may further include a basket top  520  and a basket body  522 . The first side holes  418  may be in the basket top and the second side holes  414  may be in the basket body  522 . The basket top  520  may be attached to the basket body  522  by a flexible basket strap  524  that can serve as a hinge. The basket top  520 , basket body  522 , and basket strap  524  may be molded as a single unit. In the present embodiment, the basket top  520  may have a greater number of first side holes  418  than the second side holes  414  of the basket body  522 . In other embodiments, the first side holes  418  may be identical to the second side holes  414 , thus allowing the filter basket  412  to be installed into the fitment inlet  410  with either the basket top  520  or the basket body  522  closer to the valve assembly  430 . The basket top  520  may include a retention ledge  526 . The retention ledge  526  may engage, such as by a press fit, the upper portion of the basket body  522  to keep the filter basket  412  in the closed position. 
       FIG.  7    is a cross section side view of a fourth embodiment of the fitment  700  and associated spout  770  of the present technology. The fitment  700  may include an inlet  710 , valve assembly  730 , and an outlet  750 . Similar to the fitment  400  of the third embodiment in  FIG.  4   , the fitment  700  may include a filter basket  712 ; however, the filter basket  712  may not extend fully into the fitment inlet  710 . By offsetting the end of the filter basket  712  from the back surface of the fitment inlet  710 , the flowable material may pass through more of the second side holes  714 , thus increasing the flow rate through the filter basket  712 . In addition to the retention bump  720  of the fitment inlet  710 , an offset bump  722  may set the innermost distance the filter basket  712  may be inserted within the filter inlet  710 . Similarly, an offset post (not shown) could be added to the same surface as the second side holes  714  to establish the offset distance. 
     The shortened filter basket  712  of  FIG.  7    could also be used to decrease the amount of filter media  716  used. Conversely, in other embodiments a longer filter basket could be used that would extend beyond the back end of the fitment inlet  710 . Additional holes around the filter basket body could be added to increase the interaction between the flowable material and the filter media  716  in the storage state, thus, increasing the rate of adsorption of any impurities. 
       FIGS.  8 A- 8 C  show an alternate spout  800  to be used with a container such as a film bag of a bag-in-box assembly.  FIG.  8 A  is a cross section view of the alternate spout  800 .  FIG.  8 B  is an isometric view from an upper angle of the alternate spout  800 .  FIG.  8 C  is an isometric view from a lower angle of the alternate spout  800 . The spout  800  may include a spout wall  810  and a bag attachment flange  850 . A transition ledge  830  may offset the attachment flange  850  from the end of the spout wall  810 . A retention flange  812  may extend from the spout wall  810 . The retention flange  812  may support the spout  800  against the box (not shown) of the bag-in-box assembly. 
     A filter surface  814  may span across the opening created by an interior surface of the spout wall  810 . The filter surface  814  of this embodiment has a plurality of holes  816 . The filter surface  814  may be used to filter particulate larger than the holes  816  during the filling of the container. Alternatively, the filter surface  814  may be used to prevent particulate from exiting the container and entering the spout  800  while dispensing the flowable material from the container. In some embodiments, a filter media similar to that of  FIG.  1    could be added directly to the container prior to attaching the spout  800  to the container, thus allowing the filter media to disperse through the container and/or the flowable material after filling the container. The filter media would thus be able to adsorb impurities during the storage of the container. The filter surface  814  would retain the filter media within the container while the flowable material was being dispensed. 
     One would recognize the filter surface  814  could be used with other similar spouts such as the spout  170  of the first embodiment of  FIG.  1    with minor modifications such as shortening the length of the fitment inlet  110 . Similarly, in other embodiments, the filter surface  814  could be used with spouts with internal or external threads configured to mate with fitments with corresponding threads. The filter surface  814  could be on spouts configured to mate with fitments with valve assemblies similar to the valve assembly  130  of  FIG.  1    and/or fitments configured to attach to the hose of dispensing system such as a milk dispenser. 
       FIGS.  9 A- 9 C  show a second alternate filter design with bars  914  and slots  916  that could be used with spouts such as the spout of  FIGS.  8 A- 8 C .  FIG.  9 A  is a cross section view of the alternate filter design with bars  914  and slots  916 .  FIG.  9 B  is an isometric view from an upper angle of  FIG.  9 A .  FIG.  9 C  is an isometric view from a lower angle of  FIG.  9 A . Instead of the plurality of holes  816  of  FIGS.  8 A- 8 C , the slots  916  allow the flowable material to pass through the spout  900 . For uniformly shaped material being filtered, such as the filter media  116  of  FIG.  1   , the bars  914  and slots  916  may provide similar ability to retain the filtered material while allowing greater flow through the spout as compared to the plurality of holes  816  of  FIGS.  8 A- 8 C . Conversely, thin and/or long material which may be retained by the holes  816  of  FIGS.  8 A- 8 C  may in some instances be able to pass through the slots  916  of  FIGS.  9 A- 9 C . Although the bars  914  appear to be the same width as the slots  916  of  FIGS.  9 A- 9 C , in some embodiments the bars  914  could be narrower than the slots  916 . In other embodiments, the bars  914  could be wider than the slots  916 . 
       FIGS.  10 A- 10 C  show a third alternate filter design with concave bars  1014  and slots  1016  that could be used with spouts such as the spout of  FIGS.  8 A- 8 C .  FIG.  10 A  is a cross section view of the alternate filter design.  FIG.  10 B  is an isometric view from an upper angle of  FIG.  10 A .  FIG.  10 C  is an isometric view from a lower angle of  FIG.  10 A . The concave shape of the bars  1014  may aid in concentrating any captured material in the center of the spout  1000  for material flowing into the container. Conversely, for fluid flowing out of the container, the curved shape of the bars  1014  may help shed the filtered material away from the center of the spout  1000 , aiding in maintaining flow through the spout while still filtering the material. 
       FIGS.  11 A- 11 C  show a third alternate filter design with convex bars  1114  and slots  1116  that could be used with spouts such as the spout of  FIGS.  8 A- 8 C .  FIG.  11 A  is a cross section view of the alternate filter design.  FIG.  11 B  is an isometric view from an upper angle of  FIG.  11 A .  FIG.  11 C  is an isometric view from a lower angle of  FIG.  11 A . The concave shape of the bars  1114  may aid in concentrating any captured material in the center of the spout  1100  for material flowing out of the container. Conversely, for fluid flowing into the container, the curved shape of the bars  1114  may help shed the filtered material away from the center of the spout  1100 , aiding in maintaining flow through the spout while still filtering the material. 
       FIGS.  12 A- 12 C  show a fourth alternate filter design with a first set of bars  1214   a  aligned in a first direction and a second set of bars  1214   b  aligned in a second direction and corresponding slots  1216   a  and  1216   b  that could be used with spouts such as the spout of  FIGS.  8 A- 8 C .  FIG.  12 A  is a cross section view of the alternate filter design.  FIG.  12 B  is an isometric view from an upper angle of  FIG.  12 A .  FIG.  12 C  is an isometric view from a lower angle of  FIG.  12 A . The crossing pattern of the bars  1214   a  and  1214   b  create a plurality of holes similar to the holes  816  of  FIGS.  8 A- 8 C . However, the crossing pattern may further increase the turbulence of the flowing material as the material passes through the bars  1214   a  and  1214   b , thus resulting in greater mixing of the material as it is dispensed out the spout  1200 . 
     One would recognize the alternate filter designs of  FIGS.  9 - 12    could similarly be incorporated into and/or used with the removable screen  112  and valve screen  114  of  FIG.  1    as well as the filter basket  412  of such as in  FIG.  4   . 
       FIGS.  13 A- 13 C  show an alternate spout  1300  using a removable filter  1314  that includes holes  1316 . The removable filter  1314  is configured to be inserted within a groove  1332  within the transition ledge  1330  of the spout  1300 .  FIG.  13 A  is a cross section view of the alternate filter design.  FIG.  13 B  is an exploded, isometric view from a lower angle of  FIG.  10 A  with the removable filter  1314  not yet installed.  FIG.  10 C  an isometric view from a lower angle of  FIG.  10 A  after the removable filter  1314  has been installed. In some embodiments, the retention groove  1332  may be elsewhere along the spout wall  1310 . In other embodiments, the removable filter may sit within the spout wall  1310  without a groove. In some embodiments, the removable filter  1332  may be made of the same material as the spout  1300 . In other embodiments, the removable filter  1314  may be made of an activated carbon material such as activated charcoal. By using an activated charcoal, the removable filter  1314  would be able to adsorb impurities similar to the filter media  116  of the first embodiment. In some embodiments, the removable filter  1314  may be made of a material configured to react with the liquid being dispensed. In some embodiments, the reaction with the dispensed material may result in the formation of carbon dioxide. One would recognize the alternative filter configurations of  FIGS.  9 - 12    could also be used with the removable filter  1314 . 
       FIGS.  14 A- 14 C  show another embodiment of a removable filter  1414  configured to be inserted within a spout wall  1410 .  FIG.  14 A  shows a cross section view of the removable filter  1414  within the spout  1400 , along with a closure cap  1460  and a portion of a bag-in-box style film container  1480 . 
     The removable filter  1414  includes a filter portion  1416  and a wall portion  1418 . The wall portion  1418  may include a cylindrical upper wall  1420  above the filter portion  1416  and a cylindrical lower wall  1422  below the filter portion  1416 . In some embodiments, the upper wall  1420  and lower wall  1422  may have the same outer diameter. In other embodiments, the upper wall  1420  may be wider than the lower wall  1422 . In other embodiments, the lower wall  1422  may be wider than the upper wall  1420 . Similar to the removable filter  1314  of  FIG.  13   , the removable filter  1414  may be made of the same material as the spout  1400  or an activated carbon material such as activated charcoal. 
     The lower wall portion  1418  has an interference fit with the spout wall  1410  allowing the removable filter  1410  to slide in or out of the spout wall  1410  when force is applied axially, but remain stationary within the spout wall when insufficient force is applied. As shown in  FIG.  14 A , the closure cap  1460  may include an inner wall  1462  and an outer wall  1464 . The inner wall  1462  may abut against the upper wall  1420  of the removable filter  1414  thus allowing an assembler to further insert the removable filter  1414  by pushing on the top surface  1466  of the closure cap  1460 .  FIG.  14 B  shows the removable filter  1414  and closure cap  1460  only partially inserted within the spout wall  1410 .  FIGS.  14 A and  14 C  show the removable filter  1414  and closure cap  1460  fully inserted within the spout wall  1410 . One would recognize other similar fitments including fitments with an inner wall  1462 , such as fitments with valve assemblies or hose connections to dispensing systems, could also be used with a similar spout wall  1410  and removable filter  1414 . 
     The lower wall  1422  may include circulation holes  1424 . As shown in  FIG.  14 A , the lower wall  1422  may extend beyond or below the bag attachment flange  1450  such as in the fully inserted position. This may help separate an upper portion  1482  and lower portion  1484  of the film container  1480  during storage and prior to filling of the film container  1480  with a flowable material. The circulation holes  1424  allow fluid to pass into the spout  1400  while the lower wall  1422  engages the lower portion  1484  of the container  1480 . In embodiments with an activated charcoal removable filter  1414 , the activated charcoal of the removable filter  1414  may better adsorb any impurities due to the upper portion  1482  and lower portion  1484  being separated. Similarly, in some embodiments, filter media similar to that of  FIG.  1    may be inserted into the film container  1480  prior to inserting the removable filter  1414 . The extended lower wall  1422  and circulation holes  1424  may similarly facilitate adsorption of contaminants in these embodiments. 
       FIGS.  15 A and  15 B  show a cross section view of another embodiment of a removable filter  1514  configured to be inserted within a spout wall  1410 .  FIG.  15 A  shows a cross section view of the removable filter  1514  within the spout  1400  and the closure cap  1460  of  FIGS.  14 A- 14 C . In  FIG.  15 A , the removable filter  1514  and closure cap  1460  are partially inserted within the spout  1400 . In  FIG.  15 B , the removable filter  1514  and closure cap  1460  are fully inserted within the spout  1400 . 
     The removable filter  1514  of  FIGS.  15 A and  15 B  has a lower filter portion  1516   a  and an upper filter portion  1516   b . The upper wall  1520  connects the upper filter portion  1516   b  with the lower filter portion  1516   a . In other embodiments, the upper wall  1520  may continue to extend above the upper filter portion  1516   b . The removable filter  1514  may have filter media  1526  similar to the filter media  116  of  FIG.  1    in the space defined by the upper filter portion  1516   b , lower filter portion  1516   a , and the upper wall  1520 . The filter media  1526  may be used to adsorb contaminants or impurities during the storage of the container. In some embodiments, the upper filter portion  1516   b  may use a strap and removable top similar to the basket strap  524  and basket top  520  shown in  FIGS.  5 A- 5 B  to allow for the filling of the filter media  1526 . 
     Similar to the removable filter  1414  of  FIGS.  14 A- 14 C , the removable filter  1514  may have a lower wall  1522  that may extend beyond or below the bag attachment flange  1450  of the spout  1400 . The lower wall  1522  may also include circulation holes  1524  in lower wall portion  1518  that may aid in adsorption of contaminants by the filter media  1526 . 
     The filter media may also help filter the flowable material during both the filling of the container as the flowable material passes through the removable filter  1514  to the container as well as when the flowable material passes through the removable filter  1514  as the fluid is dispensed out of the spout  1400 . In some embodiments, the removable filter  1514  may be inserted into the spout  1400  after the fluid has been filled within the container. 
     The removable filter  1514  may be configured to allow the inner wall  1462  of the removable cap  1460  to help push the removable filter  1514  further into the spout  1400  when the top surface  1466  is pushed toward the spout  1400 . In some embodiments, the inner wall  1462  may abut against the upper wall  1520  of the removable filter. In other embodiments, the inner wall  1462  may push against the upper filter  1516   b.    
     Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for removing and or filtering impurities and contaminants from fluids that are stored and dispensed from packaging. 
     It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the novel techniques disclosed in this application. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the novel techniques without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the novel techniques not be limited to the particular techniques disclosed, but that they will include all techniques falling within the scope of the appended claims.