A FLEXIBLE CONTAINER, A USE OF A CONTAINER, A CARTRIDGE WITH A POWDERED FILLING, AND A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A CARTRIDGE

Abstract: A container (2) for bulk matter comprises a rigid hollow mouthpiece (5), a pouch (4) in sealing connection with said mouthpiece, and a pierceable seal (6), which seals off said mouthpiece. The mouthpiece defines a lumen (7) matched to the pouch in order that the septum may be pierced to free an opening, by which any matter held by said container will be permitted to leave said pouch by flowing through the opening, substantially without meeting any restrictions.

Description: A FLEXIBLE CONTAINER, A USE OF A CONTAINER, A CARTRIDGE WITH A POWDERED FILLING, AND A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A CARTRIDGE The present invention relates to a container for bulk 5 matter, to a use of a container, to a cartridge with a powdered filling, and to a method of manufacturing a cartridge with a powdered filling. The invention is particularly relevant in the field of 10 packaging and handling of powdered chemicals which need a sealed enclosure in order to prevent degrading interaction with ambient air. The invention still more particularly relates to the 15 field of handling of photographic chemicals. International patent application PCT/DK95/00404 describes a sealed pouch for a powdered filling wherein the pouch, subsequent to the filling in of the powder, is evacuated 20 and then sealed with the effect that the powder is immobilized. This publication also suggests to adapt the pouch with an extra length, which length subsequent to sealing and evacuation provides a collapsed neck section, providing a means for the user by which he may manipulate 25 and guide pouring of the powder, once the neck has been cut open. With a packaging of this kind, the evacuation has the effect that the powder is totally immobilized and that the package may be handled and piled like a brick. Once the seal has been cut open and air admitted into the 30 pouch, the powder is relieved, and the package no longer maintains its shape. One container available on the market for photographic chemicals comprises a plastic bottle with a reduced neck 35 sealed with a sealing membrane, said package being adapted for automatic dispensing. A dispensing apparatus adapted for automatic dispensing. A dispensing apparatus comprises a fixture wherein the bottle is entered, turned with the neck downwards and retained, while a movable knife strikes from below to pierce the membrane and tear it loose along the greater part of the periphery in order that the center area of the membrane forms a flap secured along part of the edge. In case of photographic powdered chemicals, there may however be a tendency for the powder to form bridges inside a bottle with a reduced neck section, thus holding back the powder and making it difficult to empty the bottle completely. Besides, a bottle of this kind does not lend itself easily to collapsing following discharge of the filling, and therefore occupies a substantial volume which adds to the cost of removing the scrap. A reduced neck bottle is furthermore difficult to clean on the inside, and in case the bottle has been utilized for chemicals, some regulations may require added precautions in handling the scrap in view of the chemical residues. The invention in a first aspect provides a container as recited in claim 1. This container is well suited for handling in automatic dispensing equipment, and it provides optimum ' conditions for discharging the contents and minimizes any risk of bridging inside the filling. The full size lumen in the mouthpiece provides convenient access for cleaning the pouch inside. The mouthpiece also provides a base by which the cartridge may stand during discharge without any danger of forming folds or wrinkles which might otherwise intercept the unhindered discharge of the contents. Once the discharge has been completed, the flexible pouch may be collapsed to a minimum volume. the mouthpiece by a transverse weld. This provides a possibility for manually opening the cartridge by cutting the outermost portion of the end opposite the mouthpiece, and thus provides a dual use cartridge, equally well suited for emptying in automatic dispensing apparatuses as well as for manual dispensing. According to a preferred embodiment the mouthpiece provides a substantially circular spout with an exterior guiding surface adapted for axially mating with a suitable socket and for being retained therein in a non- rotatable fashion. The seal membrane is preferably structurally supported by the mouthpiece, in order not to deflect under the action by the knife. This facilitates the process of opening the container in that a knife may be pierced through a part of the membrane and e.g. moved to form a cut closely along part of the mouthpiece in order that the mouthpiece will support the pierceable seal membrane firmly during the cutting operation. In other preferred embodiments the pierceable seal membrane comprises a peripheral surface. With this embodiment a cut may be performed by entering a knife in a radial direction and by rotating the mouthpiece relative to the knife. In this embodiment the bottom part of the cartridge may comprise a more sturdy quality of septum, as this part is not intended to be cut. This has the advantage that the bottom surface may be used for standing the container and minimizes the risk that normal wear of this surface might cause leakages of the container. Structural support of the seal membrane is in this case provided by adjacent parts of the peripheral surface and by an adjacent container bottom wall. this case provided by adjacent parts of the peripheral surface and by an adjacent container bottom wall. The invention in a second aspect provides a use of a container for the packaging of a powdered chemical ingredient of a kind adapted for the preparation of a photograhic bath. The container is well adapted for this use, since it is easy to empty completely and to clean inside by automatic means as well as by manual operation. The invention in another aspect provides a cartridge as defined in claim 8. This cartridge is well adapted for manipulating in automatic dispensing devices, and particularly adapted for dispensing powdered materials which may be difficult to handle due to imminent tendency to agglomeration, etc. A dispensing apparatus adapted for using the cartridge according to the invention is the subject of a co-pending international patent application in the name of the same applicant and claiming priority from a Danish patent application No. 0589/97. The invention in still another aspect provides a method of manufacturing a cartridge holding a powdered material according to claim 9. This provides an expedient method for the manufacturing of a cartridge which exhibits the advantages mentioned above. Further features, characteristics, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments given with reference to the drawings wherein Fig. 1 illustrates a vertical axial section in a cartridge according to a first embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 illustrates a plan view of a component which forms part of the container according to the first embodiment, Fig. 3 shows a vertical axial section through a container according to the second embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 4 shows a plan view of the component which forms part of the container according to the second embodiment of the invention. All figures are schematic and not necessarily to scale and illustrate only those items which are essential to enable those skilled in the art to understand the invention, while other items which are considered to be known in the art have been deleted for the sake of simplicity. In all figures the same references have been used about identical or similar items. Reference is first made to Figs. 1 and 2 for a description of a container according to a first embodiment of the invention. The container 2 illustrated in Fig. 1 basically comprises a pouch 4, mouthpiece 5, and septum 6. This container 2, when filled with a filling 3 and properly sealed, provides a cartridge 1. The pouch 4 basically is formed from a section of a tube of flexible material. In the upper end as shown in Fig. 1, this tube section is closed and sealed by a linear transverse weld 8. In the lower end as shown in Fig. 1, this tube section is joined to the mouthpiece 5 by a tubular weld 9. The tube, i.e. the pouch, may comprise a laminate material which is gas impervious and adapted to provide suitable barrier capacity in view of the matter to be contained by the cartridge. In case of photographic chemicals, it is presently preferred to use a polyethylene foil laminated with a polyamide foil to an overall thickness of 0.18 mm. In this foil polyethylene provides suitable barrier capabilities, while the polyamide provides structure qualities. The combined laminate is well adapted for welding, as it is possible to melt the polyethylene while the polyamide provides structural support. The mouthpiece 5 comprises a short, generally tubular piece of rigid material. The lower part of this tubular piece provides a spout 11 with a cylindric exterior wall and with two radially outward projecting lobes 12. The spout is adapted for axial registry and introduction into a suitable socket, which socket is also provided with recesses matched to the lobes 12 in order that the socket may secure the mouthpiece in a non-rotatable fashion. The top part of the mouthpiece 5 provides spigot 13 to which the lower end of the tube section is joined. Spigot 13 exhibits a moderate wall thickness relative to the spigot inner diameter, e.g. 2 mm wall thickness against 11 cm inner diameter, in order that the spigot internal lumen 7 is virtually equal to that of the tube section providing the pouch. The inside wall, upper edge of the spigot 13 preferably exhibits a flaring 15 with the purpose of funnelling any powder flowing downwards into the lumen in the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece bottom annular surface 14 is oriented perpendicular to the axis of the mouthpiece, and it provides a seat for a septum 6 joined to the bottom surface 14 by annular weld 10. The mouthpiece 5 is according to the preferred embodiment manufactured from polyethylene. Other rigid or substantially rigid plastic materials may be used in other embodiments. The septum preferably comprises polyethylene to a thickness around 0.1 mm at the section intended for piercing. The cartridge 1 is manufactured in a process to which the basic components used comprise an open tube section, a mouthpiece, and a septum. The septum is welded to the mouthpiece at the lower end thereof, and the tube section is welded to the mouthpiece upper end by one end. This provides a generally cylindrical container with a closed bottom and with an upward opening. A predetermined quantity of powdered material is filled into this container. Subsequently the container interior is evacuated of air and the upper empty portion of the tube section allowed to collapse. The upper end portion of the tube section is sealed by a transverse linear weld 8. Once the container interior has been evacuated of air, the powdered content is immobilized and the cartridge appears as a solid block which is easy in handling. Automatic dispensing is carried out by installing the cartridge in a suitable fixture oriented as shown in Fig. 1, by cutting open the septum by a circular cut, adjacent the inner edge of the bottom annular surface. The circular cut is carried a full turn around except for a short section which is left uncut in order that the center portion of the septum stays adhered to one edge. The flap thus formed bends downwards by its own weight and possibly by the load of the cartridge filling and clears a discharge opening generally similar in size and shape to the lumen 7 in the mouthpiece. As soon as the septum has been punctured, the pouch is relieved; however it retains its shape while the powdered filling starts flowing outwards. The tubular shape provides it with the capability of remaining standing with little likelihood of forming folds or wrinkles which might impair the outflow of the filling. Once the cartridge has been emptied, the large opening permits washing or blowing of the pouch interior in order to clean out any filling residues. Reference is now made to Figs. 3 and 4 for a description of a container according to a second embodiment of the invention. The container 16 according to the second embodiment basically only differs from the first embodiment container by the mouthpiece and by the septum. In the second embodiment, the mouthpiece 17 comprises a bottom disc 16 integral with a tubular piece 20. The tubular piece 20 also differs from the mouthpiece 5 of the first embodiment by exhibiting a thin-walled sleeve section 18 of the spout. In the preferred embodiment, this sleeve section exhibits a wall thickness of 0.5 mm. This has the purpose of defining a peripheral section which may be cut by a knife which engages the mouthpiece 17 from a radial direction. The mouthpiece 17 further comprises three radially projecting lobes for enhanced retention by a suitable mating socket. As there is no need for cutting the disc 19, this part may be provided by a somewhat more sturdy component which provides a sole which is well suited for enduring such wear as may occur when standing the container on the disc and on handling the container. In the preferred embodiment, this component comprises a disc of polyethylene of a thickness of 1 mm. Thus the container 16 according to the second embodiment avoids having a very delicate piece on the bottom face which may be subjected to wear. When cutting the sleeve section 18, the adjacent section of the tubular piece 20 together with the adjacent disc 19 provides structural support in order to facilitate the cutting operation. The cutting operation is preferably carried out in a similar manner as is the case with the first embodiment, i.e. the cut is carried over one whole revolution except for a small stub which is left in order that the disc cut loose remains attached to the mouthpiece. Although specific embodiments have been described above it is emphasized that the invention may be exercised in several ways and that the explanation given above exclusively serves to clarify the invention and not to limit the scope of protection conferred, which is exclusively defined by the appended claims.

Claims: Claims 1. A container for bulk matter, comprising a rigid hollow mouthpiece, which mouthpiece is provided with externally accessible support surfaces by which said container may be engaged and secured, a pouch in sealing connection with said mouthpiece, and a member with a pierceable seal membrane adapted for sealing off said mouthpiece, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by said pouch comprising a flexible material, and by said mouthpiece defining a lumen matched to said pouch in order that said seal membrane may be pierced to free an opening, by which any matter held by said container will be permitted to leave said pouch by flowing through the opening, substantially without meeting any restrictions. 2. The container according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by said pouch being provided by a section of a tube with substantially constant circumference, joined at one end with the mouthpiece, and by said mouthpiece lumen exhibiting a circumference substantially equal to that of the tube . 3. The container according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by said tube being sealed in the end opposite to the mouthpiece by a transverse weld. 4. The container according to any of the claims 1, 2 or 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by said mouthpiece defining a substantially circular spout with an exterior guiding surface, in order that said spout may be mated axially with a suitable socket and may be retained therein in a non-rotatable fashion. 5. The container according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by said seal membrane being structurally supported by said mouthpiece. 6. The container according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by the pierceable section of said seal membrane comprising a peripheral surface . 7. A use of a container according to any of the preceding claims for the packaging of a powdered chemical ingredient of a kind adapted for the preparation of a photographic bath. 8. A cartridge with a powdered filling, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by comprising a container according to any of the preceding claims, by said container holding a powdered matter, and by said container being evacuated of air and sealed. 9. A method of manufacturing a cartridge holding a powdered material, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by comprising the steps of: - selecting a section of a tube of a flexible material, said tube exhibiting a substantially constant circumference, - selecting a rigid mouthpiece, which defines a lumen of a circumference substantially equivalent to that of the tube, and which is provided with externally accessible gripping surfaces by which said mouthpiece may be engaged, - selecting a member comprising a seal membrane, in sealing connection with said mouthpiece in order to seal off said lumen, - joining said tube section in sealing connection with said mouthpiece in order that said tube section is closed at the respective end, filling in a predetermined quantity of powdered material through the open end of the tube, - evacuating the tube, and - sealing the opposite end of the tube section. 10. The method according to claim 8, c h a r a c t e - r i z e d by said tube section and the predetermined quantity of powdered material being mutually matched in such way that said tube section subsequent to the filling step exhibits a flat neck section, which section may be opened by cutting off a distal, sealed end to leave a stub section, available for use to guide pouring of said powdered material.

Inventors: JOSEPHSEN BIRGER, NIELSEN KAJ, JOSEPHSEN, BIRGER, NIELSEN, KAJ
Applicants: DELTAGRAPH AS, JOSEPHSEN BIRGER, NIELSEN KAJ, DELTAGRAPH A/S, JOSEPHSEN, BIRGER, NIELSEN, KAJ
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B65D33
IPC codes: B65B9, B65D30, B65D33, B65D75, B65D77, B65D83