Patent ID: 8123078

Claim:
In combination a flexible package, a clamping mechanism, and an inlet tube, said inlet tube forming a portion of a dispensing system and including a tapered end portion having an outer surface and a sealing ring, said flexible package being arranged for holding a flowable material therein to enable the flowable material to be introduced into the dispensing system via said inlet tube, said flexible package comprising a body portion formed of at least one sheet of a flexible packaging material and a projection, said body portion including a hollow interior in which the flowable material is arranged to be located, said projection being flared, forming a mouth for the package and being in communication with said interior of said package, said projection being openable to form a passageway having an inner surface of a mating shape to said outer surface of said tapered end portion of said inlet tube to closely accommodate said inlet tube therein, with said outer surface of said inlet tube being located immediately adjacent said inner surface of said passageway, said projection being arranged to be releasably clamped into engagement with said inlet tube by said clamping mechanism to cause said inner surface of said passageway to engage said outer surface of said inlet tube with said sealing ring interposed therebetween to form a fluid-tight interface therebetween, said clamping mechanism being releasable to cause said fluid-tight interface to be released.