Abstract:
An improved screw-on assembly for coupling line connectors with spouts has been invented. The invention can be used with bag-in-box packaging or with a variety of other applications requiring fluid coupling. In one embodiment, threading is accomplished by mating internal threads on a line connector with flexible tabs located on the spout. Deformation of the tabs during threading provides a restorative force that stabilizes the assembly during threading. Cooperation of the deformable tabs with structures near the end of the thread provides for self-locking of the assembly. In addition, the tabs are situated on a flange, providing compatibility of the present invention with prior art line connectors.
Abstract:
A spout fitment attached to a liquid filled bag, or other fluid container, of a type having a slidable dispensing valve member to receive a line connector for establishing a fluid path from an interior of the container, through a valve element in the line connector and into a service line attached to the line connector. Although the dispensing valve member is slid into the container when the line connector is inserted therein, the sliding motion does not form the container valve action. The container seal is established by a valve element within the slidable dispensing valve member that is resiliently biased to close an opening therein. The dispensing valve member thus need not be slid in the fitment when the line connector is removed from the dispensing valve member, thereby making it easier to remove and reinsert the line connector. Insertion of the line connector within the dispensing valve member causes their respective valve elements to engage each other to open and form the fluid flow path.
Abstract:
A spout for a flexible bag adapted to hold a liquid, the spout adapted for coupling with a connector having a rotatable spout adapter with an internal thread. The spout has a substantially cylindrical body with an outer surface, a spout opening, and a spout axis. The spout further has at least one flexible tab attached to and protruding radially distal from the outer surface of the cylindrical body of the spout. The tab has a top side that is substantially perpendicular to the spout axis, a bottom side opposing the top side, and a leading edge for engaging the thread. Additionally, the spout, has an undeformed tab length that typically deforms upon engaging the internal thread of the spout adapter.
Abstract:
A spout for a flexible bag adapted to hold a liquid, the spout adapted for coupling with a connector having a rotatable spout adapter with an internal thread. The spout has a substantially cylindrical body with an outer surface, a spout opening, and a spout axis. The spout further has at least one flexible tab attached to and protruding radially distal from the outer surface of the cylindrical body of the spout. The tab has a top side that is substantially perpendicular to the spout axis, a bottom side opposing the top side, and a leading edge for engaging the thread. Additionally, the spout, has an undeformed tab length that typically deforms upon engaging the internal thread of the spout adapter.
Abstract:
A collapsible bag having opposed sidewalls for containing and dispensing liquid including a spout attached to a sidewall and having a spout axis, a sidewall axis extending through a central portion of the spout dividing the container into separate portions, and a fluid passage member secured to a sidewall and extending in a direction perpendicular to the spout axis and having a portion spaced a distance from the sidewall axis.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for coupling with a spout to permit coupling of a valve sub-assembly housed in the apparatus with a slider valve housed in the spout. The apparatus includes a sleeve having at least two resilient finger members diverging from each other wherein each finger member has a flange engaging surface engageable with the flange portion of the spout. At least a portion of the sleeve is axially disposable about at least the flange portion of the spout, and the valve sub-assembly is slidable in the sleeve to couple with the slider valve in the spout when the sleeve is coupled to the spout. A collar is slidable over an outer surface of the sleeve for constricting the resilient finger members about the spout as the collar slides from an upper end of the sleeve and over the resilient finger members toward a lower end of the sleeve, and for releasing the constricted resilient finger members of the sleeve as the collar slides from the resilient finger members and toward the upper end of the sleeve. The flange engaging surface of the resilient finger members is engageable with the flange portion of the spout to couple the sleeve with the spout when the resilient finger members are constricted about the spout by the collar.
Abstract:
A spout fitment attached to a liquid filled bag, or other fluid container, of a type having a slidable dispensing valve member to receive a line connector for establishing a fluid path from an interior of the container, through a valve element in the line connector and into a service line attached to the line connector. Although the dispensing valve member is slid into the container when the line connector is inserted therein, the sliding motion does not form the container valve action. The container seal is established by a valve element within the slidable dispensing valve member that is resiliently biased to close an opening therein. The dispensing valve member thus need not be slid in the fitment when the line connector is removed from the dispensing valve member, thereby making it easier to remove and reinsert the line connector. Insertion of the line connector within the dispensing valve member causes their respective valve elements to engage each other to open and form the fluid flow path.
Abstract:
A collapsible bag for use in containing and dispensing a liquid, such as in a bag-in-box arrangement, and a method for making the bag. Prior to sealing together two bag walls to form the bag, a one-piece spout and evacuation strip unit is attached to the outside surface of one bag wall and one or more openings are provided through the bag wall in liquid communication with a plurality of liquid channels in the strip. The two bag walls are then sealed together to form the bag and the evacuation strip provides liquid passageways for the liquid in the bag to flow to the spout to achieve complete withdrawal of the liquid from the bag as the bag collapses.
Abstract:
A device for automatically filling and capping containers comprising a filler nozzle positioned above an elevator mechanism, a bag station spaced from and on one side of the filler nozzle and a cap station spaced from and on the opposite side of the filler nozzle, and a movable carriage having a cap chuck on one end and a bag chuck on the other and being mounted for controlled movement between the filler nozzle and the bag station and the filler nozzle and the cap station whereby when the carriage is moved to the bag station, a filled bag is capped at the cap chuck location and a new bag is simultaneously obtained by the bag chuck, when the carriage is moved to the cap station, the capped, filled bag is ejected, the newly obtained bag is received by the elevator mechanism and a new cap is substantially simultaneously obtained from the cap station and when the carriage is moved to an intermediate position, the elevator mechanism raises the new bag to be filled to the filler nozzle and lowers the filled bag to the capping position and the cycle repeats itself.
Abstract:
Dispensers for flexible sealed plastic bags used for the storage of wines or other liquids that may spoil when exposed to the air. The outer sleeve of each of the described embodiments of the dispenser is attached to the exterior surface of the sealed bag and either cuts or shears open the bag by a combination of rotational and longitudinal movement of the barrel of the dispenser within the sleeve. The fluid is thereafter dispensed through radial holes through the sleeve and the barrel by only rotational adjustment of the sleeve within the barrel.