Abstract:
A portable, liquid-dispensing bag that has a bag within one or more bags. A fitment portal aligns openings in the one or more inner bags and outer the outer bag, which in at least one embodiment accommodates a tap. A variety of arrangements and variations are possible, including having a re-sealable opening in both the inner bag or bags and a re-sealable opening in the outer bag. A gas vent can be added to either the inner or outer bags. It is contemplated that a drinkable liquid is stored in an inner bag, and ice or cold water is stored in the outer bag to keep the drinking fluid cold.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Portable heating and cooling devices are known. There are also a number of inventions aimed at providing containers which provide liquid tight seals which allow for storage of liquids, foodstuffs, or other materials to permit extended storage life for the contents. 
     US published utility patent application 20010037872 by Sabin, et al is typical of a class of a self-contained packet in which heating or cooling materials are enclosed in a self contained packet which can be used to heat or warm a quantity of other material without contamination of the heated or cooled material. 
     US Published utility patent application by 20050220376 Tsukanome, et al is typical of a class of dispensing bags having a single fill portal and is not intended for re-use. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,571,977 to Goncalez, et al is typical of a class of inventions in which the inner and outer container are both made of rigid materials to allowing for fixed volumes of material in each of the storage spaces provided within the invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,585 to Mader, et al is typical of a class of inventions in which the inner container and outer container are configured to allow fluid in the inner container to flow through the outer container for inspection or other quality assurance or preparatory purposes. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,251 to Davis, et al is typical of a class of inventions in which supports or separators are employed to reduce or eliminate contact between an inner and an outer container. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,566 to Jackson, et al is typical of a class of inventions in which the inner container is a removable liner. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 386,769 to Cobb, et al is typical of a class of inventions in the inner and outer containers are rigid and self supporting. 
     The present invention seeks to provide a dispensing bag in which will conform in shape to any object placed within the inner bag thus forming a jacket about said object. A further object of the present invention is to allow conformance with a semi-rigid or rigid free standing container in which the present invention is placed. The present invention overcomes the limitations of the aforementioned devices by providing a set of flexible bags which can be configured for a wide variety of applications. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The portable, liquid-dispensing bag comprises a constellation of bags constructed of flexible liquid proof materials, fitment portals, and resealable openings. Each bag may have one or more re-sealable openings. 
     In one embodiment the portable, liquid-dispensing bag comprises a single inner bag and a single outer bag wherein both the inner bag and the outer bag are attached in a liquid-proof manner to a single fitment portal permitting flow of liquid from inside the inner bag to the outside of the outer bag. In another embodiment of the portable, liquid-dispensing bag the inner bag or bags and the outer bag are attached in a liquid proof manner to form a fitment portal  6  through which a tap or spigot of a liquid container, such as a wine box, bag or other flexible container, may pass allowing liquid from the container to be removed via the tap or spigot to the outside of the outer bag. The inner bag may or may not include one or more re-sealable openings to permit insertion of other containers, or materials as desired. The outer bag may or may not include one or more second re-sealable openings to permit insertion of other containers, or materials as desired. The inner bag and the outer bag may be composed of the same or differing materials, provided that the materials chosen are capable of being sealed to either each other to form a fitment portal or to the fitment portal in a liquid-proof manner, such as heat sealing, adhesive fastening, stretch fitting or other suitable means. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the portable liquid dispensing bag. 
         FIG. 2  is a section view of a preferred embodiment with a fused fitment portal. 
         FIG. 3  is a section view of a split ring fitment portal. 
         FIG. 4  is an embodiment of  FIG. 1  with a second fitment portal. 
         FIG. 5  is an embodiment of  FIG. 1  with a tap. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the portable liquid dispensing bag, dispensing liquid. 
         FIG. 7  is a section view of a retractable tap. 
         FIG. 8  is a detail view of a valve mechanism. 
         FIG. 9  is a detail view of a stopper. 
         FIG. 10  is a detail view of the invention sealed to a spigot. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of a multiple bag arrangement. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of a first embodiment of two, side by side, inner bags with a fitment portal each. 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of a third embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is a exploded view of single sheet construction method. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of first method step (a). 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of first method step (b). 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of first method step (c). 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of first method step (d). 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of first method step (e). 
         FIG. 21  is a exploded view of pre made bag construction method. 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of second method step (a). 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of second method step (b). 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of second method step (c). 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of second method step (d). 
         FIG. 26  is a perspective view of second method step (e). 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view of multiples of fitment portals being manufactured. 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective view of an embodiment showing multiple positions on one arm and base. 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view of a split ring embodiment being manufactured. 
         FIG. 30  is a sectional view of another split ring manufacturing embodiment. 
         FIG. 31  is a perspective view of an embodiment incorporating a semi-rigid container 
         FIG. 32  is a side view of an embodiment incorporating semi rigid base 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The portable, liquid-dispensing bag  1  comprises: one or more inner bags  2  constructed of a first flexible liquid proof material and having a first re-sealable opening  3 , an outer bag  4  constructed of a second flexible liquid proof material and having a second re-sealable opening  5 , and a fitment portal  6  connecting said inner bag  2  to said outer bag  4  in a liquid proof manner and passing through both said inner bag  2  and said outer bag  4  to provide a passage from the inside of said inner bag  2  to the outside of said outer bag  4 . In one embodiment the portable, liquid-dispensing bag  1  comprises a single inner bag  2  and a single outer bag  4  wherein both the inner bag  2  and the outer bag  4  are attached in a liquid-proof manner to a single fitment portal  6  permitting flow of liquid from inside the inner bag  2  to the outside of the outer bag  4 . In another embodiment of the portable, liquid-dispensing bag  1  the inner bag  2  or bags  2  and the outer bag  4  are attached in a liquid proof manner to form a fitment portal  6  through which a tap or spigot of a liquid container, such as a wine box, bag or other flexible container, may pass allowing liquid from the container to be removed via the tap or spigot to the outside of the outer bag  4 . The inner bag  2  may or may not include one or more re-sealable openings  3  to permit insertion of other containers  8 , or materials  9  as desired. The inner bag  2  may be of seamless construction as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  7 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13  , 14  and  32 . The outer bag  4  may or may not include one or more second re-sealable openings  5  to permit insertion of other containers  8 , or materials  9  as desired. The inner bag  2  and the outer bag  4  may be composed of the same or differing materials, provided that the materials chosen are capable of being sealed to either each other to form a fitment portal  6  or to the fitment portal  6  in a liquid-proof manner, such as heat sealing, adhesive fastening, stretch fitting or other suitable means. 
     The outer bag  4  may be of a semi-rigid material. In some embodiments a cup shaped base may be employed to provide a stable base for the portable, liquid dispensing bag  1 . When such a base is employed it also may be fitted with fitment portals  6 , taps  12 , or holes for these as required to provide stable positioning of the portable liquid-dispensing bag  1 . The outer bag  4  may be of seamless construction as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  7 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14  and  32 . 
     In one embodiment the fitment portal  6  comprises a first ring  19  and second ring  20  with Said first ring  19  disposed interior to at least one inner  2  or one outer bag  4 , and said second ring  20  disposed outside at least one inner bag  2  or one outer bag  4 . Said first ring  19  and second ring  20  may be sized and formed such that they form a snap-together fitment portal for applications where heat or adhesive attachment may be unsuitable. 
     In use, the space  10  between the inner bag  2  and the outer bag  4  may be filled or partly filled with chilled material, warmed material, or insulating materials chosen to maintain the contents of the inner bag  2  at a chosen temperature without the contents of the inner bag  2  and the contents of the space  10  between the inner and outer bags  4  comingling or otherwise cross contaminating the respective contents. In some contemplated embodiments the adjacent spaces  10  between inner bags  2  or between inner bags  2  and outer bags  4  may be filled with differing materials which, when mixed through a temporarily sealed opening, react to produce heat or cooling. 
     In other embodiments the outer bag  4  may be fitted with a second fitment portal  11  or tap  12  to permit the contents of the space  10  between the inner bag  2  and outer bag  4  to be drained from the outer bag. In an exemplary application, wine, or soft drinks may be placed within the inner bag  2  and kept cool by placing ice made from a potable liquid in the space  10  between the inner bag  2  and the outer bag  4 . The proximity of the ice to the potable liquid within the inner bag  2  permits cooling of the potable liquid in the inner bag  2 . As heat is absorbed by the portable, liquid-dispensing bag  1  the ice in the space  10  between the inner bag  2  and the outer bag  4  will melt and provide a reservoir of potable liquid in the space  10  between the inner-bag  2  and the outer bag  4  which may be withdrawn through a second fitment portal  11  fitted to the outer bag  4 . It will be appreciated that the two potable liquids may be the same or different potable liquids in other uses of the portable, liquid-dispensing bag  1 . It will be further appreciated that either or both of the two liquids may not be potable. 
     It will now be appreciated that a plurality of taps  12  may be affixed to any inner bag  2  or the outer bag  4 . Further, taps  12  and fitment portals  6  chosen of such relative sizes and configurations such that any inner bag  2  fitted with a tap  12  or taps  12  may have these taps  12  concealed within an outer bag  4  or another inner bag  2 . In this configuration it is also possible to reposition the inner bag  2  to allow one of the taps  12  affixed to it to protrude through a fitment portal  6  in the surrounding inner  2  or outer bag  4 . In additional embodiments the fitment portal  6  may further comprise a closable cover  24  which could be used to prevent contamination of a tap  12 , valve mechanism  13 , an inner bag  2 , or anything contained within the outer bag  4  by sand, dirt, microbes, chemicals, or any other undesirable materials. 
     The fitment portal  6  provides an attachment area where one or more inner bags  2  and an outer bag  4  may be attached in a liquid-proof manner to provide a path for liquids contained within the inner bag  2  or within the space between the inner bag  2  and the outer bag  4  to be drained to the outside of the outer bag  4 . 
     In some embodiments the fitment portals  6  may include valve mechanisms  13  of varying complexity. These valve mechanisms serve to allow fluids to pass through the fitment portal  6  to the outside of the outer bag  4  and to interrupt that flow through action of the user. In other embodiments the valve mechanism may consist of a simple stopper. In yet other instances, the fitment portal  6  may be configured to seal to the outside of a spigot, or faucet of a vessel containing potable liquid. In some embodiments the inner bag  2  or bags  2  may be fitted with a gas vent  23  to permit release of air or other gasses trapped within said inner bags  2 . In some embodiments the outer bag  4  may be fitted with a gas vent  23 . This gas vent  23  may be a one-way vent. 
     In embodiments involving more than one inner bag  2  it will be appreciated that additional inner bags  14  may be configured within other inner bags  2  or additional inner bags  14  in a sequence of bags configured in an onion-like arrangement with any number of additional inner bags  2 . In these embodiments any combination of bags may be sealed together about a fitment portal  6  to provide egress for liquids contained within any specific inner bag  2  or additional inner bag  14  and the outside of the outer bag  4 . In another class of embodiments a number of inner bags  2  may be enclosed within an outer bag  4 , and the fitment portals  6  configured to provide egress for liquids from within any of the inner bags  2  to the outside of the outer bag  4 . It will now be apparent that many combinations of these two embodiments are possible. For example a portable, liquid-dispensing bag  1  may be constructed of an outer bag  4 , two inner bags  2 , and an additional inner bag  14  within each of the inner bags  2 . 
     It may now be appreciated that the portable, liquid-dispensing bag  1  may be used in any application where mixing of any number of liquids or fluids contained within the various chambers formed within the portable, liquid-dispensing bag  1  is undesirable. 
     It will be further understood that inner bags  2  and the outer bag  4  can be provided with fitment portals  6 , taps  12 , valve mechanisms  13 , or other devices such as weakened areas in the bag material permitting the materials present in selected chambers to mix when the user desires to achieve the effect such mixing would produce. Said chambers result from the selection and relative positioning of a number of inner bags  2  and an outer bag  4 . Typically, the mixing of fluids to produce heating, cooling or other effects results from intentional rupturing of a bag provided with a weakened area. 
     The portable, liquid-dispensing bag  1  may be constructed in a number of ways. One such way comprises first making the necessary holes and creating or attaching the desired fitment portals  6 , taps  12 , and other seals in sheet material  21  and then forming the sheet material  21  into portable, liquid-dispensing bags  1  by cutting folding, and/or sealing the sheets as required. This method of making the portable, liquid-dispensing bag comprises the steps: (a) configuring a base  18  with a set of bonding positions  16 , (b) configuring a set of vacuum arms  15  with a set of cutting positions  17 , where at least one of said cutting positions  17  is placed opposite to and in alignment with at least one of said bonding positions  16 , (c) placing one or more sheets of material between said set of vacuum arms  15  and said base  18 , (d) moving said set of vacuum arms  15  and said base  18  causing said corresponding cutting positions  17  and said bonding positions  16  to effect one or more holes in said sheets of material  21 , (e) forming each of said sheets of material  21  into either one or more of said inner bags  2  or one or more outer bags  4 . 
     Another method of constructing the portable, liquid-dispensing bag  1  comprises first creating the inner bags  2  and an outer bag  4 , then placing the necessary holes, fitment portals  6 , taps  12 , and seals in and among the inner bags  2  and the outer bag  4 . This method of making the portable, liquid-dispensing bag  1  comprises the steps: (a) configuring a base  18  with a set of bonding positions  16 , (b) configuring a set of vacuum arms  15  with a set of cutting positions  17 , where at least one of said cutting positions  17  is placed opposite to and in alignment with at least one of said bonding positions  16 , (c) placing one outer bag  4  between said set of vacuum arms  15  and said base  18  with either said set of vacuum arms  15  or said base  18  within said outer bag  4 , (d) placing one or more inner bags  2  between said set of vacuum arms  15  and said base  18  with either said set of vacuum arms  15  or base  18  within said inner bags  15  with said inner bags  2  placed within said outer bag  4 , (e) moving said set of vacuum arms  15  and said base  18  causing said cutting position  17  and bonding positions  16  to effect one or more holes in the inner bags  2  and the outer bag  4  placed between said set of vacuum arms  15  and said base  18 . The liquid proof seals are formed by any suitable means including, but not limited to, pressure fitting or heat sealing. Heat sealing would be accomplished by the inclusion of fusers  22  either on the cutting positions  16  or the bonding positions  17  or both. 
     The set of vacuum arms  15  and base are efficiently used when all the layers of bag material between the innermost of the inner bags  2  and the outside of the outer bag  4  are cut and sealed at the same time. 
     It will be appreciated that any number of bonding positions  16  may be present and used on a single base  18  and that any number of cutting positions  17  may be present and used on a single set of vacuum arms  15 . It will also be appreciated that said bonding positions  16  may be placed anywhere on the base  18  and any number of said cutting positions  17  may be placed on a set of vacuum arms  15  that efficiency in the manufacture of the portable, liquid-dispensing bag  1  may dictate and that multiple set of vacuum arms  15  may be employed in the construction of portable, liquid-dispensing bags  1  or in the simultaneous manufacture of two or more such bags  1  of differing configurations. It will also be appreciated that a number of dissimilar portable, liquid-dispensing bags  1  may be manufactured simultaneously employing set of vacuum arms  15  and bases  18  of differing configurations.