Device for containing a fluid substance

Device for containing fluid substance, including a bag having at least one flexible side wall, a substantially rigid neck delimiting an opening giving access to an internal cavity of the bag, shaped to at least partially accommodate a pumping member for pumping the fluid substance, and provided with a connector for connection to an external container. The bag is made from multilayer material, and the neck is made from a material different from bag material and includes a cup-shaped element having a bottom wall with at least one opening, and a side wall on the outer surface of which the upper edge of the bag is hermetically connected. The device includes a valve element for moving from an opening position, wherein the valve element makes the bag internal cavity accessible, and a closing position, wherein the valve element inhibits access to the internal cavity.

The present invention refers to a device for containing a fluid substance according to the pre-characterizing part of the main claim.

At present devices are known for containing a fluid substance which comprise a flexible bag provided with a rigid neck. Usually the flexible bag and its own rigid neck are made from one and the same thermoplastic material, for instance via injection-stretching-blowing and extrusion-blowing processes.

Such devices are illustrated for instance in patents EP2197589, EP2243557 or in patent application EP2366529.

The devices can be improved, in particular concerning the efficiency of the barrier offered by the bag itself. From this point of view, the polycoupled (PE-AL-PE, PE-AL-PA, OE-AL-EVOH, PE-PET-PE, PE-PET-PA) film materials are particularly advantageous materials in that they offer an optimum protection to the substance contained in the bag.

Therefore, bags have been developed which comprise a body made from a multilayer material comprising one or several barrier layers, and a rigid neck made from a rigid plastic material and firmly associated with the bag. For example, the bag features an upper edge welded around the neck. With such type of bag, the substance is inserted inside the bag before mounting the pumping member in the neck.

A problem encountered with this type of bags is that of being able to fill the bag in a vacuum atmosphere and of keeping the substance, contained inside the bag, as much isolated as possible from the external world, so as to protect the substance as much as possible.

These objects and others are achieved by realizing a device for containing a fluid substance realized according to the technical teachings of the attached claims.

With reference to the mentioned figures, they show a device1for containing a fluid substance S, the fluid substance having to be dispensed via a manually-operated pumping member P, for instance a pump. In particular the device1is suitable for being connected to the neck10A of a rigid external container10.

The device for containing a fluid substance comprises:a bag2comprising at least one flexible side wall2A,2B, anda substantially rigid neck3extending from the bag2and delimiting an opening giving access to an inner cavity of the bag2, the neck3being shaped in such a way as to at least partially accommodate the pumping member P used to pump the fluid substance S, and being provided with connection means4for its connection to the external container10(FIG. 1).

In the illustrated example, such connection members4comprise a crown-shaped element provided with an inner threading suitable for engaging a counter-threading on the external surface of the neck10A of the external container10, as already known to those skilled in this art.

The bag2is made from a multilayer material preferably containing at least one aluminium layer, for instance polycoupled (PE-AL-PE/PE-AL-PA/PE-AL-EVOH/PE-PET-PE/PE-PET-PA) film materials.

By multilayer material we mean, in the context of the present invention, a material composed of various layers of different materials, which create an indivisible film.

The pumping member P is suitable for creating in the bag a vacuum (with respect to the ambient pressure) ranging from approximately 250 to 600 millibars, and more preferably equal to approximately 400 millibars. In this range of pressures the bag is completely deformed.

Therefore, in the present context, by flexible or deformable bag we mean a bag that is completely deformed at the vacuum values created by the pump as indicated above, whereas by rigid neck we mean a neck that does not undergo any deformations.

Preferably the side wall2A of the bag2comprises at least one flat element20provided with at least one upper edge20A and one lower edge20B, wherein at least the upper edge20A and the lower edge20B are hermetically closed, the neck3of the bag2departing from the upper edge20A of the side wall2A of the bag2.

In the example shown inFIGS. 1thru9, the bag2is realized by joining two sheets20made from a multilayer material at their upper edges20A, lower edges20B, and side edges20C (FIG. 2). It is also possible to provide one unique sheet20made of multilayer material folded onto itself and the upper edges20A, lower edges20B, and side edges20C of which are joined together.

The sheets20are joined at the edges20A,20B,20C indeed, so as to create an internal cavity of the bag2for containing the fluid substance S.

Said edges20A,20B,20C are joined together so as to hermetically close the cavity, preferably by welding.

The neck3is made from a material different from that of the bag2and comprises a cup-shaped element30comprising a bottom wall31provided with at least one opening32, and a side wall33. The bottom wall31has such a thickness as to present an outer surface34which the upper edge20A of the bag2is hermetically connected onto (FIG. 3).

Therefore, the neck3is firmly connected to the bag2, so as to form one piece therewith.

The neck3is opportunely made from a rigid plastic material.

The cup-shaped element30forms a seat having such dimensions as to be able to at least partially accommodate the body of the pump P of the substance S dispensing system.

Preferably the cup-shaped element30comprises a dip element35which extends from its bottom wall31so as to be arranged inside the internal cavity of the bag2whenever the cup-shaped element30is connected to the bag2(FIGS. 1, 2, and 5thru9).

According to the present invention, the device1comprises a valve element5suitable for being moved at least from an opening position, wherein the valve element5allows to access the internal cavity of the bag2, to a closing position, wherein the valve element5inhibits the access to the internal cavity of the bag2.

In a first variant of the device1, illustrated inFIGS. 1thru9, the valve element5is arranged at the lower edge20B of the bag2. More precisely, the valve element5is inserted between the two lower edges20B of the sheets20(or between two portions of the lower edge20B, should the bag2comprise one folded sheet20only) made from a multilayer material, and is caught in the weld of the lower edge20B of the bag2. In this way the internal cavity of the bag is always hermetically closed.

In this variant, it is particularly advantageous, but not mandatory, to make the dip element35assume a length substantially equal to the distance D that separates the upper edge20A from the lower edge20B of the bag2(FIGS. 1 and 2), and connected to the valve element5at its lower end. Such dip element35imparts a bigger sturdiness to the device1, and is suitable for operating as a support for rolling-up the bag on itself, so as to make its insertion inside the external container10easier, as it will be better explained below. In addition, such dip element35holds the valve element5in position during the operating step whereby the bag2is filled with the fluid substance S.

Alternatively, it is possible that the valve element5be provided with locking members that connect to the external container10, at its bottom wall. It is worth pointing out that the presence of a valve element in the lower edge20B of the bag2makes it necessary to drill a through-hole in the bottom wall of the external container10, in order to fill the bag2after it is inserted inside the external container10.

The valve element5comprises a fixed part50connected to the lower edge20B of the bag2, delimiting a passage channel51for the passage of the fluid substance S and provided with a breakable internal member52which closes the passage channel51, for instance a membrane. The valve element also comprises a movable part53connected to the fixed part50and suitable for being moved between a first operating position, wherein the movable part53does not interfere with the breakable internal member52(FIG. 4A), a second operating position, wherein the movable part53breaks the breakable internal member52and leaves the passage channel51open (FIG. 4B), and a third operating position, wherein the movable part53closes the passage channel51(FIG. 4C).

Preferably, the movable part53comprises first and second connection means60A,70A, and the fixed part50comprises first and second connection counter-means60B,70B suitable for cooperating with the first and second connection means60A,70A of the movable part.

Advantageously the movable part53comprises an annular element54and a central element55removably connected to the annular element54and in such a way as to have at least one opening between the annular element54and the central element55to enable the fluid substance S to pass through.

The central element55is connected to the annular element54via breakable connection members56, preferably angularly distributed between the central element55and the annular element54.

The annular element54comprises an inner wall540and an outer wall541separated from the inner wall540in such a way as to create a gap542. Such gap is suitable for interacting with a circular edge500of the fixed part50of the valve element5, by interference. Both the inner wall540and the outer wall541project substantially perpendicular from a third wall543.

The two walls540,541and the gap542of the annular element54make-up the first connection means60A of the movable part53, whereas the circular edge500makes-up the first connection counter-means60B of the fixed part50.

Likewise, the central element55comprises a disc-shaped member550, from the outer edge of which an annular wall551extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the disc-shaped member550. Such annular wall551is suitable for connecting to the fixed part50by interference inside the channel51to let the fluid substance S pass through.

Therefore, such annular wall551makes-up the second connection means70A of the movable part53, whereas the initial portion of the inner surface of the channel51makes-up the second connection counter-means70B of the fixed part50.

Let's point out that the circular edge500suitable for engaging the gap542of the annular element540of the movable part54is arranged outside the channel51for the passage of the substance S, so as to be axially spaced away from the channel51itself, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the latter.

The central element55of the movable part53also comprises an axial member552axially projecting from the disc-shaped member and suitable for interfering with and breaking the breakable internal member52which closes the channel51of the fixed part50.

The operation of the invention is the following.

The first operation consist of prearranging the device1, wherein the cup-shaped element30is firmly connected to the upper edge20A of the bag2and the valve element5is firmly connected to the lower edge20B of the bag2.

It is preferred that, before being filled, the bag2be totally empty, even of air. It is also preferred that the valve element5be set to its first operating position, as described above.

The device1is then inserted inside the external container10, and the valve element is inserted in the hole drilled in the bottom wall of the external container10. In order to make this insertion easier, it is possible to roll-up the bag2around the dip element35, so as to present a transversal dimension smaller than the diameter of the opening of the neck10A of the external container10. Obviously, it is also possible to insert the device1inside the external container10without rolling-up the bag2around the dip element35.

Then a pumping member P is added to the external container, in a manner that is conventional for those skilled in this art. This step might also be performed after the bag2is filled with the substance S.

At this point the filling step of the bag2can start.

When the movable part53is set to its first operating position, it is connected to the fixed part50only via the annular element54.

Filling is performed by means of an appropriate apparatus provided with a nozzle200suitable for interacting with the valve element by exerting a pressure onto the third wall543of the annular element54of the movable part53of the valve element5.

A first pressure exerted by the nozzle determines a transition of the valve element5from its first operating position to its second operating position, wherein the breakable internal member52is broken by the axial member552of the central element55of the movable part53.

In this second operating position, the circular edge500of the fixed part50is completely inserted in the gap542of the annular element54of the movable part53. The opening between the annular element54and the central element55and the channel51, devoid of the internal element52, create a passageway for the fluid substance S towards the internal cavity of the bag2. Being the valve element5engaged by the nozzle200, it is inferred that in the instant in time the membrane52breaks, air cannot let inside the bag2.

The fluid substance S is then injected into the internal cavity of the bag2, which causes the bag2itself to inflate.

Having injected the desired quantity of substance S (a quantity that not necessarily corresponds to the maximum capacity of the bag2) a further pressure exerted by the nozzle200causes the valve element5to move from its second operating position to its third operating position.

The central element55is disconnected from the annular element54and pushed up to hermetically engaging the channel51of the fixed part50. In this way, the valve element is closed and the filling has been performed with no possibility for air of letting in the bag2.

FIGS. 10thru16illustrate a second embodiment of the device according to the invention. In these figures, the elements common to the first embodiment as described above retain the same numeral references, with a prime added thereto.

In the second embodiment, the valve element5′ is arranged the neck3′ of the bag2′.

More specifically, the valve element5′ is arranged in such a way as to rest onto the bottom wall31′ of the cup-shaped body of the neck3′.

The valve element5′ is suitable for being opened only when it is engaged by a rigid element, and it is arranged in such a way as to be engaged by the body of the pumping member P′ when it is mounted onto the neck3′ of the bag2′, so as to allow the fluid substance S′ to pass through.

In the example illustrated inFIGS. 10thru16, the dip element35′ is a separate element which is inserted inside the neck3′. The dip element35′ comprises an abutting member350′, for instance an annular flange, suitable for abutting against the bottom wall31′ of the neck3′ and positioned in such a way as to leave an upper end portion351′ of the dip element35′ inside the neck3′. Note that such upper end portion351′ has such an inner diameter as to be able to receive a lower end portion P1′ of the pump P′.

The valve element5′ comprises a fixed part50′ which determines a channel51′ for the passage of the fluid substance S′, and a movable part53′, resting in turn on the abutting member350′ of the dip element35′.

The fixed part50′ comprises a substantially cylindrical body500′ provided with an annular abutting member501′ arranged internally to the fixed part50′ at its lower edge.

The movable part53′ comprises a base530′ from which an elastic member531′, in this case a spring, extends, at the free end of which an annular member532′ is provided, closed by a breakable internal member52′, preferably a membrane. The annular member532′ has an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the fixed part50′, and slightly greater than the inner diameter of the abutting member501′ of the fixed part50′, so as to strike the abutting member501′, and thus to close the channel51′. Note that the inner diameter of the annular member532′ preferably corresponds to the inner diameter of the upper end portion352′ of the dip element35′.

In order to fill the bag2′ with the fluid substance S′, use is made of a nozzle provided with a pusher member201′ suitable for passing inside the fixed part50′ so as to push the annular member532′ of the movable part54′ so as to open the channel51′ and enable the fluid substance S′ to flow out (FIG. 15). The pusher member201′ shall have a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the fixed part50′ of the valve element5′.

When the filling of the bag2′ is over, upon removal of the nozzle, the annular member532′, which is pushed by the spring531′, immediately and automatically closes the channel51′. Therefore, air has not been allowed to let in the bag2′, from the start up to the end of the filling.

Upon installing the pump P′, its lower end portion351′ is made pass inside the fixed part50′ so as to exert a pressure onto the membrane52′ of the movable part53′.

When the annular member532′ of the fixed part cannot be pushed any longer, for instance because it abuts against the upper edge of the dip element35′, the lower end portion P1′ of the pump P′ breaks the membrane52′, and it is stably inserted inside the upper end portion of the dip element35′. In this way, the pump P′ is able to pick-up the substance S′ from inside the bag2′.

Let's point out that, in the light of the above considerations, in this second variant the pumping member P′ is added to the external container10′ after the filling step.

The present invention also concerns a system100,100′ for containing and dispensing a fluid substance, the system100,100′ comprising:

a device1,1′ according to any of the attached claims,

a pumping member P, P′ arranged in the neck3,3′ of the bag2,2′ of the device1,1′, the neck3,3′ of the bag2,2′ comprising connection means4,4′,

an external container10,10′ wherein the bag2,2′ is inserted, the external container10,10′ comprising a neck10A,10′A delimiting an opening giving access to a internal cavity of the external container10,10′, and comprising connection counter-means7,7′ suitable for cooperating with the connection means4,4′ of the neck3,3′ of the bag2,2′.

In the system100,100′ it is preferred to arrange the pumping member P, P′ and the bag2,2′ connected to each other in such a way as to make it possible for them to be taken out from the external container10,10′ together when the fluid substance S, S′ is exhausted. Such a connection can be performed by using different types of members, as already known.