Patent Publication Number: US-2019167032-A1

Title: Fitment assembly for food or beverage containers

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a fitment assembly for being used with food or beverage containers; in particular the invention relates to a fitment assembly that can move and adopt multiple orientations or positioning within the food or beverage container. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Preparing beverages by introducing a capsule containing a food or beverage ingredient, such as ground coffee or instant coffee, in a beverage dispensing machine and injecting water into the capsule is known in the state of the art: the beverage or food ingredient is typically extracted or dissolved into water to form the beverage or the desired final product, which flows out of the capsule through a suitable outlet. 
     As such, different capsules have been developed in the past, these capsules being at least differentiated by the nature of the capsule body used for storing the food or the beverage ingredient. While most of the capsules are made of a rigid body or semi-rigid body, typically made though injection moulding or thermoforming, flexible types of packs can be made out of foil materials. Flexible packs have generally the advantage to semi-rigid and rigid capsules that less amount of material is used to pack the product which leads to overall less production cost, to lower life cycle impact shown in several life-cycle assessments and to advantages on the part of the user, who will need less available space for storing these packs, as they are more compact. 
     It is known in the state of the art, for example as per document WO 99/05044, a flexible beverage-producing sachet comprising a beverage ingredient in a volume formed by bonding two laminates at their edges, having a base seam into which a conduit of rigid plastics is bonded. An inlet nozzle is provided at the top of the resulting sachet for introducing water that is mixed with the beverage or food ingredient inside the inner volume of the sachet, the beverage produced being then evacuated through a beverage outlet arranged at the bottom of the pack, where closing means are provided, such that the closing means are adapted to open under pressure when pressurized water is introduced into the sachet, allowing the beverage to evacuate through the beverage outlet. However, this configuration presents important drawbacks for the consumer: the opening of the closing means is obtained by increase of pressure inside the sachet. Yet this pressure increase is not recommended for the preparation of some beverages because it creates bubbles at the surface of the beverage, for example this would not be desired for the preparation of tea. Besides, there exists the risk for the user that the packages may not rupture at the desired pressure, and that they would finally open up in an uncontrollable explosion. For this reason the apparatus where the sachet is processed needs to comprise means for totally enclosing the sachet in the machine during beverage preparation in order to avoid damages for the consumer. Such flexible beverage-producing sachets as described do not therefore allow a proper control of the insertion of water in the inner volume, and neither a proper control of the outlet for delivering the beverage prepared inside. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a flexible sachet that allows this specific and good regulated control of the inlet and of the outlet parts. 
     Another drawback of these known sachets is that the inlet nozzle introduces water in the pack always according to the same vertical top-down orientation in the sachet. Therefore, all the beverages are produced according to the same process inside the sachet. Yet depending on the nature of the beverage ingredient and the desired beverage the beverage ingredient should be processed differently. It would thus also be very advantageous to provide a sachet where the inlet of the fluid and the outlet of the prepared beverages are differently configured according to the type of product or beverage that is prepared inside. 
     Other problems of existing pouches in the state of the art are for example that, when having a powder ingredient in its inner volume that is diluted or processed in order to prepare an appropriate beverage, sometimes powder starts to be dispensed without the product having been properly prepared or diluted: avoiding this would also be a main advantage of a sachet or pouch. 
     Another disadvantage of existing pouches or sachets is that, when the food product or beverage has been prepared and the sachet is removed from the machine, in most of the cases, because the outlet through which the product is dispensed still remains open, dripping of the remaining product inside occurs. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a flexible pack for preparing food or beverage products which addresses the problems and drawbacks in the state of the art. 
     The present invention comes to provide a solution to the above-described needs, as it will be further explained. The invention also aims at other objects and particularly at the solution of other problems as will appear in the rest of the present description. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a fitment assembly for one or a plurality of food or beverage containers, each container comprising at least one ingredient for the preparation of a food or beverage product, the fitment assembly comprising at least one fluid inlet communicating with at least one injection hole through which a fluid can be supplied into the food or beverage containers, and at least one dispensing outlet through which the food or beverage product is dispensed. The fitment assembly further comprises two parts relatively moveable with respect to each other such that this relative movement opens or closes the communication of the inner volume of the containers with the fitment assembly and/or further opens or closes the communication of the dispensing outlet with the exterior of the fitment assembly. 
     The fitment assembly typically comprises a primary part stationary and a secondary part substantially vertically displaceable with respect to the primary part. 
     Typically, the fluid inlet is arranged in the primary part and communicates through an injection hole with the inner volume of the container. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the primary part comprises two fluid inlets, each communicating through a respective injection hole with the inner volume of the container, sequentially and/or simultaneously actuated as a function of the type of product prepared. Typically, the fluid inlets are reversibly positioned. 
     The fitment assembly of the invention can also comprise a separating wall to allow connection to two separated inner volumes of a container or to two different containers. 
     Preferably, the fitment assembly of the invention is configured for injecting a high velocity jet into the one or plurality of containers through the at least one injection hole. 
     According to the present invention, the fitment assembly typically comprises a flexible cover over the at least one fluid inlet, this cover being piercable by appropriate means able to inject a fluid though the fluid inlet. It is also possible that the fitment assembly comprises a flexible cover overwrapping it, the moveable part of the fitment assembly comprising a sharpened area able to tear open when displacing the flexible cover in order to allow dispensing of the product through the dispensing outlet. 
     In a different embodiment of the invention, the fitment assembly comprises a flexible cover over the upper part of it and is provided with sharpened means able to tear open this upper flexible sheet when the two parts move relative to each other, so the communication between the inner volume of the container and the fitment assembly is opened. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the two parts of the fitment assembly are linked to each other by means of a breakable and/or deformable part, allowing their relative movement. 
     According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a pack comprising a fitment assembly as the one described and at least one food or beverage container to which the fitment assembly is attached. The containers are typically configured by impermeable sheets joined to one another or by one impermeable sheet folded in half, defining an inner volume where a food or beverage ingredient is stored. Typically, the impermeable sheets overwrap the fitment assembly. 
     The pack of the invention typically comprises identification means with the information for processing the ingredients inside the one or plurality of containers such as temperature, flow and/or volume of the fluid introduced, preparation time, sequence of movements of the parts in the fitment assembly, for example. 
     According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a machine for preparing a food or beverage product from a pack as the one described, the machine comprising means designed for engaging with the fitment assembly and for injecting a fluid through the at least one fluid inlet. 
     In the machine of the invention, further means are provided configured to be able to move and/or displace the two parts of the fitment assembly relative to each other. 
     Preferably, the machine according to the present invention is configured to receive a pack as the one described in an essentially vertical position, injecting fluid into it in an upward direction. 
     The machine according to the invention typically further comprises control means to control the processing the ingredients inside the one or plurality of containers such as temperature, flow and/or volume of the fluid introduced, preparation time, sequence of movements of the parts in the fitment assembly, for example. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent for a skilled person when reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a frontal view of a fitment assembly according to a possible embodiment of the present invention, showing two parts displaceable with respect to each other. 
         FIG. 2  shows a rear view of the fitment assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows a frontal view of a fitment assembly according to a different possible embodiment of the present invention, showing two parts displaceable with respect to each other. 
         FIG. 4  shows a rear view of the fitment assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIGS. 5 a - b    show respectively a frontal and a rear view of a fitment assembly according to a different possible embodiment of the present invention, showing two parts displaceable with respect to each other. 
         FIGS. 6 a - b    show respectively a frontal and a rear view of a fitment assembly still according to a different possible embodiment of the present invention, showing two parts displaceable with respect to each other. 
         FIGS. 7 a - b    show respectively a frontal and a rear view of a fitment assembly according to yet another possible embodiment of the present invention, showing two parts displaceable with respect to each other. 
         FIGS. 8 a - b    show respectively a frontal and a rear view of a fitment assembly according to still another different possible embodiment of the present invention, showing two parts displaceable with respect to each other. 
         FIGS. 9 a - b    show respectively a frontal and a rear view of a fitment assembly according to a different embodiment of the present invention, showing two parts displaceable with respect to each other, dividing the sachet or pack in two different inner volumes or compartments. 
         FIG. 10  shows schematically a configuration of a pack comprising a flexible container and a fitment assembly attached to it. 
         FIG. 11  shows schematically the insertion of a pack according to the invention in a beverage preparation machine. 
         FIG. 12  shows schematically the insertion of a pack according to the invention in a beverage preparation machine, the pack being inserted frontally in the machine. 
         FIG. 13  shows schematically a beverage preparation machine according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a fitment assembly  10  for being used with at least one food or beverage container  20  as shown schematically in  FIG. 10 . This container  20  comprises at least one ingredient for the preparation of food or beverage product. When more than one container is used, typically each container comprises a different product or ingredient such that they are mixed in order to obtain a more complex product or beverage recipe preparation. The content of the containers can then be either sequentially or simultaneously prepared and dispensed through the fitment assembly  10 . 
     According to the present invention the food or beverage ingredient of the container can be comprised within the list of: soups, fruit juices, vegetable juices, bouillons, coffee, chocolate, tea, milk or creamer, smoothies, purees, coulis, creams or a combination thereof. The food or beverage ingredient can be a soluble food or beverage ingredient. Preferably the food or beverage ingredient is a soluble food or beverage ingredient selected in the list of:
         instant coffee powder, milk powder, cream powder, instant tea powder, cocoa powder, soup powder, fruit powder or mixture of said powders,   a coffee concentrate, a milk concentrate, a syrup, a fruit or vegetable concentrate, a tea concentrate, a fruit or vegetable puree.       

     The powders can be agglomerated or sintered. The powders or liquid concentrates can be mixed with solid pieces for example for preparing soups with solid pieces. The food or beverage ingredient can also be an infusable food or beverage ingredient like a roast and ground coffee or tea leaves. In that embodiment water extracts the infusable ingredient. 
     In the present invention fluid covers any aqueous diluent that can be mixed with a soluble beverage ingredient to prepare a beverage, like water, carbonated water, milk, etc. However, according to the invention, water is the preferred fluid which will be used. 
     The fitment assembly  10  of the invention comprises at least one fluid inlet  12  (typically arranged on a frontal side of the fitment assembly  10 ) through which a fluid, typically water, is injected, preferably by a needle arranged in a machine cooperating with the fitment assembly, as it will be further described. It is also possible and covered within the scope of the present invention to provide a fitment assembly comprising two fluid inlets, typically on the front and on the rear opposite side of the fitment, so that fluid can be injected reversibly on one side or the other of the said fitment assembly  10 , or through both sides at the same time for a faster dissolution. Other embodiments of the fitment assembly of the invention comprise two frontal fluid inlets  12 ,  12 ′ (as it will be further explained) to inject fluid into the container through two inner jets. Other configurations are also possible according to the invention. 
     Through the at least one fluid inlet  12  a fluid is supplied into the food or beverage container  20  in order to properly mix the ingredients with the fluid injected to prepare the corresponding food or beverage product. 
     The fitment assembly  10  also comprises at least one dispensing outlet  13  through which the food product or beverage is dispensed. The dispensing outlet  13  is preferably configured so that it delivers the product as a free flow, meaning that the product can flow from the dispensing outlet  13  preferably by simple gravity fall. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispensing outlet  13  comprises an opening  23  at the bottom of the fitment assembly  10 , said opening  23  having a transverse section with a surface area equivalent to the surface of a circular surface of diameter of at least 1 mm, preferably at most 4 mm, even more preferably comprised between 1.5 and 3 mm. The dispensing outlet  13  is typically configured as a straight tube oriented essentially vertically in the fitment assembly  10 , comprising at its end an opening  23 . The length of the tube is preferably of at least 5 mm. Such a length generally enables a finalisation of the froth of the product, typically a beverage, before it is delivered in a drinking cup. An advantage of the dispensing outlet  13  of the present invention is that there is no need to implement a particular connection of it and the machine when a beverage is for example produced, in order to direct the flow of the beverage delivered at the dispensing outlet  13 : the beverage can flow from the dispensing outlet  13  directly into a drinking cup. 
     The fitment assembly  10  is preferably rigid and is made of a rigid plastic material, preferably by injection moulding. Typically, this plastic material can be selected from the following: polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and polylactic acid. Also according to a less preferred embodiment the fitment assembly  10  can be made of a metal like aluminium or tin-plate. 
     Preferably, the fluid inlet  12  is piercable by injecting and piercing means  30 , preferably a fluid needle, called in what follows needle, such that these injecting and piercing means  30  typically comprise an inner duct or pipe through which high pressure fluid is injected in the fluid inlet  12 . However, it is also possible that the fluid inlet  12  is directly accessible by injecting means which will inject fluid directly without the need to pierce any external lid or membrane. As it will be further explained in more detail, the preferred configuration of the invention is that a flexible sheet of material which configures the container  20  is also arranged covering the fluid inlet  12 , this sheet being then pierced by the needle as it has just been described. 
     Preferably, fluid is injected at a pressure higher than 2 bars, more preferably higher than 3 bars, preferably comprised between 2 and 10 bars, more preferably of around 7 bars. The fluid inlet  12  is configured in such a way that the high pressure fluid injected through it by the injecting and piercing means  30  is converted into a high velocity jet, which is driven into the container or containers. Typically, the diameter of the fluid inlet is comprised between 1 mm and 4 mm, more preferably between 1.5 mm and 3 mm and comprises a yieldably cover over it which can be pierced by the injecting and piercing means  30 . The injecting and piercing means  30  also typically comprise a toroidal ring, preferably made of rubber, ensuring that there is no leakage of fluid outside the fluid inlet while the injecting and piercing means  30  are injecting fluid into the fluid inlet. The fluid inlet  12  is communicated with the inside volume of the container through at least one injection hole  14 , having a diameter of at most 1 mm, preferably of at least 0.24 mm, preferably comprised between 0.3 mm and 1 mm, preferably between 0.3 and 0.5 mm, more preferably of about 0.4 mm. With such a configuration, when high pressure fluid is injected by the injecting and piercing means  30  through the fluid inlet  12 , it is conveyed internally towards the injection hole  14 , from which it is converted into a high velocity jet of fluid injected inside the container  20  when passing through the small section injection hole. Typically, this jet of fluid provided in the container has a velocity of at least 20 m/s. 
     According to the invention, the fluid inlet can also be configured for providing an orientable high velocity jet into the container, preferably at about 90° with respect to the fluid supply provided into the fluid inlet by the injecting and piercing means  30 , though any other angle would be possible and comprised within the scope of the present application. 
     As described, the fluid inlet  12  together with the injection hole  14  in the fitment assembly  10  are configured for introducing the fluid under the form of a jet in the inner volume of the container  20 . By jet it is understood a stream of liquid or fluid that comes out of the fluid inlet and into the inner volume of the food or beverage container quickly and with force. The fluid inlet  12  is configured for introducing fluid in the inner volume of the container with a high velocity, this fluid jet preferably presenting a velocity of at least about 20 m/s, preferably at least 30 m/s. As previously described, such a configuration is preferably obtained in the present invention by placing a constriction (that of the injection hole  14 ) in the fluid path in the fluid inlet to reduce the size of the section of the fluid inlet. Due to the small surface of the injection hole  14  through which the fluid goes into the inner volume of the container  20 , the pressurized fluid creates a jet in the inner volume of the container. 
     For the same fluid to be provided through the fluid inlet  12 , the surface of the injection hole  14  can vary according to the nature of the food and beverage ingredient inside the container which is to be mixed with the fluid. In particular when the ingredient is difficult to dissolve a smaller injection hole creates a jet with a higher velocity which improves agitation and dissolution of this ingredient in the container. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show a possible embodiment or execution of a fitment assembly  10  according to the invention. This fitment assembly  10  comprises two parts, a primary part  110  and a secondary part  120 , moveable relative to each other, in particular displaceable, preferably linearly displaceable, with respect to each other. Typically, the primary part  110  is stationary while the secondary part  120  is displaceable with respect to the part  110 . By the configuration of the secondary part  120 , when it moves with respect to the primary part  110 , which remains preferably static, the dispensing outlet opens and/or closes, therefore allowing a control of the preparation and dispensing process. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the fitment assembly comprises a fluid inlet  12  connected to the inner volume of the container  20  through an injection hole  14 . Typically, in this configuration, the fitment assembly is completely overwrapped by a flexible sheet configuring the container  20 , also contouring the lower part  130  of the fitment assembly. Therefore, the dispensing outlet  13  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) preferably comprises a sharpened part  140  on its lower side that is able to tear open the flexible film closing this lower part  130  when the secondary part  120  linearly displaces with respect to the primary part  110 . Typically, the beverage preparation machine is further provided with means engaging with the fitment assembly  10  in displacing points  15  and  15 ′ to connect and move vertically downwards the part  120  with respect to the part  110 . By this vertical displacement of the secondary part  120  with respect to the primary part  110 , two apertures  16  and  16 ′ to the dispensing outlet  13  are opened allowing that the prepared beverage or product is delivered. 
     Typically, when the pack is received in a dedicated beverage preparation machine, means engage the fitment assembly through displacing points  15  and  15 ′; also, piercing and injecting means connect the fitment assembly  10  in the fluid inlet  12 , piercing the external sheet of flexible material wrapped over the said fluid inlet  12 . This makes that, when the film over the fluid inlet  12  is pierced, fluid is therefore injected and goes into the inner volume of the container  20  through the injection hole  14 , allowing the dissolution and preparation of the beverage. Once the beverage is prepared, the means engaging the fitment assembly  10  move downwards vertically through the displacing points  15  and  15 ′ the secondary part  120  with respect to the stationary primary part  110 : thus, the two apertures  16  and  16 ′ are opened allowing that the prepared beverage flows inside the part  120  through dedicated channels directing the beverage towards the dispensing outlet  13 . By the vertical movement of the part  120 , and because the dispensing outlet  13  is provided with sharpened means  140  on its lower side, the flexible sheet overwrapping the lower part  130  of the fitment assembly is opened and the beverage can be consequently dispensed. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show another possible embodiment or execution of a fitment assembly  10  according to the invention. The fitment assembly  10  again comprises two parts,  110  and  120 , linearly displaceable with respect to each other. Typically, the fitment assembly  10  in this embodiment is also overwrapped by a flexible sheet, so first the piercing and injecting means in the beverage preparation machine pierce the film covering two fluid inlets  12  and  12 ′, and start injecting fluid into the inner volume of the container  20  by means of respective injection holes  14  and  14 ′. Once the beverage is prepared, the means in the machine engaging with the fitment assembly  10  in displacing points  15  and  15 ′ move vertically downwards the part  120  with respect to the part  110 : this movement allows on one side that the apertures  16  are opened so the beverage can flow inside the secondary part  120  and into the dispensing outlet  13 . By a sharpened part  140  at one end of the secondary part  120 , when this part moves downwards, the film wrapping the lower part  130  is torn and opened, allowing exiting of the beverage through the dispensing outlet  13 . 
     Another possible configuration (not shown in the Figures) is that the fitment assembly  10  is not completely overwrapped but over the fluid inlet(s) and over the upper part  150  of the fitment assembly  10 . Therefore, first the piercing and injecting means pierce and inject fluid into the fluid inlet(s)  12 ,  12 ′ and through respective injection hole(s)  14 ,  14 ′. Once the beverage is prepared, engaging means in the machine connecting the fitment assembly  10  in displacing points  15 ,  15 ′ now arranged in the primary part  110  displace vertically downwards this primary part with respect to the secondary part. The secondary part  120  will be provided with sharpened means on the side facing the upper part  150 , so the film over it will be torn open and apertures  16 ,  16 ′ will allow dispensing of the beverage through the outlet  13 . 
       FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b    show a different possible embodiment or execution of a fitment assembly  10  according to the invention. The fitment assembly  10  comprises two parts moveable with respect to each other, linearly displaceable with respect to each other: piercing and injecting means first pierce the film over the fluid inlet  12  and then inject the fluid inside the container through a dedicated injection hole  14 . Once the beverage has been mixed and prepared, by downwardly displacing the secondary part  120 , the sharpened part  140  of it tears open the film over the lower part  130  of the fitment assembly  10  so the beverage can flow through the apertures  16  and  16 ′ and into the dispensing outlet  13 . 
       FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    show a different possible embodiment or execution of a fitment assembly  10  according to the invention. The fitment assembly  10  initially comprises only one part that is converted into two parts which move relative to each other linearly for the beverage preparation. Initially, the fitment assembly is pierced in the fluid inlet  12  so fluid is injected through the injection hole  14  and into the inner volume of the container  20 ; the apertures  16  and  16 ′ are closed and, when the parts  110  and  120  displace vertically with respect to each other, the apertures  16  and  16 ′ are opened, breakable parts  17 ,  17 ′ either break or deform to allow the mentioned displacement, and through the apertures  16  the beverage is diverted into the dispensing outlet  13 . Similarly as in  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   , the sharpened part  140  of the secondary part  120  tears open the film over the lower part  130  of the fitment assembly  10  so the beverage can flow through the apertures  16  and  16 ′ and into the dispensing outlet  13 . 
       FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b    show a possible configuration of a fitment assembly according to the invention: typically, the fitment is overwrapped so the piercing and injecting means first pierce the film over the fluid inlet  12  and then inject fluid through the injection hole  14  into the container  20 . Once the beverage is prepared, the moveable part  120  displaces vertically with respect to the stationary part  110 , and tears open the film over the lower part  130 , leaving free the dispensing of the prepared beverage, coming from an aperture  16 , through the dispensing outlet  13 . 
       FIGS. 8 a  and 8 b    show another possible configuration of the fitment assembly  10  of the invention: the piercing and injecting means pierce the film over the fluid inlet  12  and then inject fluid through the injection hole  14  into the container. By displacement of the secondary part  120  with respect to the primary part  110 , two actions are obtained: the apertures  16  and  16 ′ are unblocked allowing the beverage to flow into the dispensing outlet  13  and the sharpened lower part  140  of the primary part  110  tears open the film overwrapping the lower part  130  of the fitment assembly  10 , allowing dispensing of the prepared beverage. 
       FIGS. 9 a  and 9 b    show a possible configuration of the fitment assembly  10  in which the primary part  110  comprises a separating wall  160  connecting with a middle sealing in the flexible sheets configuring the container  20 , so two inner volumes in the container are obtained, with two different products, for example, that are advantageously separated in transport and preparation. Similarly to previous embodiments, the piercing and injecting means pierce the fluid inlets  12  and  12 ′ and inject fluid into each container through respective injection holes  14  and  14 ′. When the secondary part  120  moves downwardly with respect to the primary part  110 , the apertures  16  and  16 ′ are unblocked, allowing the beverages coming from the two volumes of the container to enter the secondary part  110  and slow through the dispensing outlet  13 . By the displacement of the part  120 , its sharpened part  140  tears open the film overwrapping the lower part  130  thus allowing exiting and delivery of the beverage. 
     In the embodiments described, once the delivery of the beverage ends, the moveable part  120  can go back to its first positioning, thus closing again the communication with the inner volume of the container, typically the apertures  16  and  16 ′ allowing that, when the pack is removed from the preparation machine, no dripping occurs. 
     Even when not shown in the Figures, another possibility is not to have the fitment assembly overwrapped, but the lower part of it having the dispensing outlet  13  closed by a plug  17 , as represented schematically in  FIG. 10 . The plug  17  comprises means for maintaining it attached to the fitment assembly  10  after the opening of the dispensing outlet  13 . Consequently the plug  17  does not fall in the beverage or food during its production. The means for maintaining the plug  17  attached to the fitment assembly  10  can be a plastic bond  18  attached to the fitment assembly  10 , for example, or any other suitable means providing a similar effect. Moreover, the dispensing outlet  13  can also comprise a weakened area near the plug  17 : this weakened area can be made for example as a narrowing of the dispensing outlet tube so that it is easier to cut or tear off the plug  17  by the machine. 
     Preferably the plug  17  is part of one single fitment assembly  10  comprising the dispensing outlet and the fluid inlet. In particular when the fitment assembly  10  is made by injection moulding, the design of the mould also comprises the plug  17 . In the same manner the plastic bond  18  can also be part of the design of the fitment assembly  10  when it is made by injection moulding, which again provides advantages from a manufacturing point of view, as the same part comprises the fluid inlet, the plug  17  and the bond  18 . 
     According to a second aspect, the invention also refers to a pack  40  comprising a fitment assembly  10  as the one described previously, and at least one food or beverage container  20  to which the fitment assembly  10  is attached, as it is represented in  FIG. 10 , for example. Different sizes of the pack  40 , can be used in a same machine adapted to store different quantities of ingredients: typically, it is the configuration of the fitment assembly  10  as to external shape and piercing requirements of the fluid inlet what determines the machine to use; however, the size of the containers, when extending vertically, does not determine or limit the machine. As a consequence, it becomes possible to produce different products, such as for example a cup of espresso coffee or a bowl of soup. The external design and configuration of the fitment assembly  10  will remain unchanged independently on the product targeted; however, the internal design of the fitment assembly  10 , in particular as to the diameter of the injection hole or holes will differ as a function of the ingredient to be processed and therefore as a function of the food or beverage product targeted. Also, other parameters such as the flow rate of fluid injected and/or the temperature of the fluid injected and/or the total volume of fluid injected, will be modified as a function of the ingredient to be processed and therefore as a function of the food or beverage product targeted. 
     The food or beverage container  20  configuring the pack  40  preferably comprises two flexible water impermeable sheets joined to one another to define an inner volume where at least one ingredient is stored. Preferably, the food or beverage container presents an essentially plane shape, wherein the fitment assembly  10  is arranged on one of the sides of the pack  40 . Preferably the pack itself is substantially flexible and looks like a pouch or sachet. By flexible, it is meant that the sheets can be bent easily. The resulting pack  40  can be bent also, as being soft and can be deformed contrary to rigid containers. The flexible sheet material can be plastic laminates, metallised foil or alufoil or fibre base material. According to the invention the two flexible water impermeable sheets can be formed of one single flexible water impermeable sheet folded in half and joined at its free edges. 
     The pack  40  can also comprise an excrescence enabling the handling of the pack  40  by the user or consumer: this has not been shown in the Figures attached, though. 
     Typically, the two flexible water impermeable sheets joined to one another to define the inner volume of the container are formed of one single flexible water impermeable sheet folded in half and joined at its free edges. According to said mode the container is a plane pouch made of a flexible material sheet, said sheet being folded at the top of the container and bonded on its edges to define the inner volume, the bottom bonded edge typically including the fitment assembly  10 . This embodiment constitutes a particularly easy way to manufacture the pack  40  comprising the container and the fitment assembly since it requires the cutting of only one piece of sheet—most preferably according to a rectangular shape—and its folding to create the inner volume for the food or beverage ingredient. Typically, also for manufacturing convenience, the fitment assembly  10  is introduced in the bottom edge of the container during the sealing of its edges. 
     According to the invention, either the fitment assembly  10  and/or the food or beverage container  20  preferably comprise identification means (not shown) which comprise the information for the processing of the ingredients inside the container  20  and provide this information to appropriate control means in the machine. As already mentioned, this information can comprise for example the parameters in the preparation process, such as: temperature of the fluid introduced, flow and total volume of the fluid, preparation time, sequences of relative movement of primary and secondary parts in the fitment assembly, etc. 
     These identification means can comprise any kind of recognition means such as, for example, mechanical codes, optical codes, RFID tags, bar codes, magnetic codes, or the like. These identification means can also be made as detection holes arranged for example on one lateral edge of the food or beverage container, configured by the two flexible sheets brought together to conform the pouch or container, preferably on the sealing area of the container, where there is no product or ingredient. When the two sheets are brought together and are welded on the edges to configure a container, on one of these lateral edges, additional welding with circumferential shape will be provided, thus configuring the holes as punching holes. A plurality of holes will typically be provided vertically on one of the edges of the container brought together: these holes will allow light to pass through and, depending on the configuration of the holes, the machine will be provided with the information for the processing of the container that has to be followed. Because the packs  40  according to the present invention are made reversible, in order to allow the machine read the identification means independently on the sense in which the pack  40  has been introduced, these identification means, typically these detection holes or punched holes, will be provided on two lateral edges of the container. The identification means can also provide the machine with the information regarding the sense of introduction of the pack. 
     Preferably, according to the invention, the pack  40  presents a plane shape oriented along a plane essentially vertically oriented during beverage production and the fluid inlet orientates the jet of fluid in a direction comprised in said plane. The fluid jet introduced from the bottom into the container is developing into circular and spiral movements creating turbulences, frictions and high contact surfaces between the fluid molecules (typically, water molecules) and the ingredient particles. In average the fluid molecules have several turns within the container until they leave it together with the beverage or food product once mixed. Best results (reconstitution) have been observed with a pack of rectangular shape. Packs with single fitment assembly placed in the corner of a rectangular pack have also been found to improve reconstitution. 
     According to the invention, the food or beverage container is arranged essentially vertically during the production and dispensing of the product or beverage, and the fitment assembly  10  is arranged in such a way that the fluid coming through the fluid inlet  12  is supplied into the container  20  in an upward direction. 
     According to yet another aspect, the invention refers to a machine  50  for preparing food or beverage products from a pack  40 . The machine  50  comprises receiving means  51  adapted to accommodate the pack  40  preferably in such a way that the pack  40  is positioned vertically and the fitment assembly  10  is positioned at the bottom of the pack  40 , and injecting means  30  (preferably also being piercing means) designed for engaging with the fitment assembly  10  and for injecting high pressure fluid inside the fluid inlet  12  of the fitment assembly  10 . These injecting means  30  can also act as the means for displacing the part  120  with respect to the stationary part  110  (embodiments of  FIGS. 5 a - b , 6 a - b , 7 a - b    for example) or separate displacing means will be provided in the machine  50  to effect such displacement of the part  120  ( FIGS. 1-2, 3-4, 9   a - b  for example). Typically, as the pack  40  is processed to obtain the beverage or food product in an essentially vertical position in the machine  50 , the pack  40  will be introduced either frontally in the machine  50  (as schematically represented in  FIG. 12 ) or laterally, so that the pack  40  is slidably inserted into a dedicated insert in the machine  50  (as schematically represented in  FIG. 11 ). 
     According to the present invention, the fluid can be supplied to the pack  40  at any temperature, cold, ambient or hot, depending on the type of food or beverage product targeted. 
     According to the invention and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 13 , a machine  50  for preparing food or beverage products from a pack  40  as described previously comprises at least:
         a fluid supply or tank  84  and a pump  82  for supplying pressurized fluid to the fluid inlet  12 ;   a heater  83  for eventually heating the fluid;   a bypass line  87  for delivering fluid at ambient temperature;   a valve (not illustrated) for the selection of either hot or ambient fluid,   optionally, a cooling unit (not shown) can also be provided in the machine  50  for delivering cold fluid;   injecting means, preferably piercing and injecting means  30 , more preferably a fluid needle, piercing the cover over the fluid inlet  12  and injecting the pressurized fluid coming from the fluid supply into the fluid inlet; these means can also act as displacing means for the part  120  or separate displacing means (not shown) will be provided in the machine;   a device  85  for cutting or tearing the plug  17  from the dispensing outlet  13  (optional, in case the fitment assembly is not overwrapped);   control means (not shown) to control the process parameters and/or the movement of the part  120  with respect to part  110 .       

     The machine  50  can also comprise a data reader, preferably comprising an optical device, which reads and retrieves the information from the identification means regarding the process parameters to be used for preparing the food or beverage product from the pack  40  and sends it to the control means. Preferably, the data reader will retrieve the information from the identification means in the pack  40  by a light emitter device emitting light passing through punched holes configuring in a preferred embodiment the identification means. 
     Preferably the machine further comprises a positioning area  86  for allocating a drinking cup  9  under the dispensing outlet of the pack  40  when a food product or a beverage is prepared. 
     The present invention presents the advantage of proposing packs for the preparation of food or beverages wherein a broad range of different foods and beverages can be produced with the same machine. Further, with a fitment assembly as the one shown in  FIGS. 9 a - b   , two inner volumes in the container  20  can be separated so different products can be arranged in them and not be processed until the beverage is going to be prepared. The foods and beverages can differ by their nature (coffee, tea, chocolate, soup, etc.), by their aspect (presence of foam for coffee, of foam for milk and chocolate, absence of bubbles for tea, etc.), by their volume (from espresso volume up to soup volume) and still be obtained by the same machine. The machine elements can remain very simple and limited to a simple fluid needle, typically a simple water needle. 
     The present invention presents the advantage of proposing a consumer friendly preparation of foods and beverages. The beverage of food delivered from the pack is ready to be served and does not require any additional process step, for example for foaming the beverage. 
     The present invention also presents the advantage of proposing packs wherein the ingredients are fully protected from atmosphere before use. 
     The present invention presents the advantage of proposing packs for preparing beverages or food products wherein the contact of ingredients and prepared beverage or food product with the machine is avoided and the risk of cross contamination is therefore limited. The prepared beverages or food products present optimal organoleptic properties. 
     The present invention further presents the advantage of proposing packs presenting a low environmental impact since they can be made of a laminated pouch with a small insert piece (fitment assembly) of plastic. 
     The present invention presents the advantage of proposing packs which can be very easily produced starting from flexible sheets and one single fitment assembly inserted. In particular the pack usually does not comprise an internal filter or membrane to be positioned in the inner volume during manufacturing. 
     The space needed for storing the packs according to the invention, is clearly much less than that for typical capsule containers, for example. 
     Also, as previously described, the configuration of the fitment assembly of the invention provides advantages, such as described below.
         Because the initial configuration of the fitment assembly is such that the dispensing outlet is closed, the risk that the ingredient arranged inside the inner volume of the container  20 , which is typically configured as a powder, gets introduced inside the fitment assembly  10  and can either block an injection hole for example or can be introduced in the dispensing outlet so that when the product is delivered, the first thing dispensed is unprocessed (undissolved) powder is avoided.   Because the dispensing outlet  13  is typically blocked while the food product or beverage is being prepared, the dissolution is improved inside the container.   Dripping of remaining product from the pack when it is removed from the machine once the preparation of the food product or beverage has ended is also avoided, as the end position of the fitment assembly is such that both the dispensing outlet and the one or more injection holes are closed.       

     Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, many modifications and alternations may be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of this invention which is defined by the appended claims.