Patent Publication Number: US-2019168252-A1

Title: Multi-component flexible pack dispensing manifold and system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/690,619, filed Aug. 30, 2017, and published as U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2018/0056324 on Mar. 1, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 62/381,627, filed Aug. 31, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to a dispensing system having a piercing member for opening a collapsible container. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Dispensing systems are commonly used for dispensing one or more fluids from containers. For example, some dispensing systems use so-called “sausage pack” containers, which are flexible and collapsible fluid containers. This type of collapsible container is generally cylinder shaped, and includes a fluid enclosed by a flexible membrane. Collapsible containers are generally sealed until they are ready to be used, at which point it is necessary to puncture the membrane. As the fluid is extracted from the container, the membrane may collapse to occupy a smaller volume than when it was full. 
     In one current system, the collapsible container is pre-assembled with a manifold. Just prior to use, the collapsible container is punctured and the fluid stored within is dispensed. This system generally requires extra handling related to the assembly and packaging, which requires extra care and risk. Additionally, the stored fluid often leaks and/or prematurely hardens within the container, as these systems are often susceptible to premature puncture. 
     To overcome these concerns, in other current systems, the container is introduced to the manifold just prior to dispensing. This results in less handling of the containers throughout distribution and use. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,757 describes a system having collapsible containers inserted into cylindrical barrels with a manifold introduced just prior to dispensing. The manifold is placed on an end of the cylindrical barrels and locked into place by a swing gate that is pivotable relative to the cylindrical barrels. Pistons are inserted into the barrels to extract the fluid from the collapsible containers. However, these systems often require specific dispensers and additional manual steps for opening the container prior to loading the dispensing system. Additionally, the force applied to the collapsible containers within the cylindrical barrels is also applied to the swing gate and the pivoting members. 
     Thus, an improved and/or simplified dispensing system for dispensing fluids is desired to increase the effectiveness and life expectancy of the system while minimizing leakage and assembly delay time. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the present disclosure provides a manifold assembly. The manifold assembly includes a manifold head and at least one piercing member. The manifold head includes a cap portion and a wall portion. The cap portion has an upper surface, a lower surface, and an inner edge that extends at least partially in a circumferential direction. The inner edge defines an opening that extends from the upper surface to the lower surface. The wall portion is coupled to the lower surface of the cap portion and has an inner wall surface that defines a channel. The at least one piercing member is coupled to the manifold head and extends in the circumferential direction along the inner edge of the cap portion and into the channel. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a dispensing system. The dispensing system includes a support structure and a container. The support structure includes a base, an extension arm, and a gate. The extension arm has a first end coupled to the base and a second end spaced from the first end. The extension arm defines a recess between the first end and the second end. The gate is coupled to the second end of the extension arm. The container is coupled to the support structure and has a pin extending from an outer surface. The recess is configured to receive the pin within. 
     Another aspect of a dispensing system includes a support structure and a container. The support structure includes a base, an extension arm, and a gate. The extension arm has a first end coupled to the base and a second end spaced from the first end. The extension arm defines a pocket between the first end and the second end. The gate is coupled to the second end of the extension arm. The container is coupled to the support structure and has a pin extending from an outer surface. The pocket is configured to receive the pin within. 
     Another aspect of a dispensing system includes a support structure and a container. The support structure includes a base, an extension arm, and a gate. The extension arm has a first end coupled to the base and a second end opposing the first end. The gate is coupled to the second end of the extension arm. The container is coupled to the support structure and includes a rib extending along an outer surface of the container. The extension arm is configured to support the rib of the container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the present application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustrating the present application, there is shown in the drawings illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a fluid dispensing system. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded perspective view of another implementation of a fluid dispensing system. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a perspective view of the assembled fluid dispensing system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a perspective cross sectional view of the fluid dispensing system shown in  FIG. 3A  taken along line  3 - 3 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cross section of the containers and the manifold shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a manifold assembly. 
         FIGS. 6 through 9  illustrate alternative implementations of manifold assemblies. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an alternative implementation of a fluid dispensing system. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates another alternative implementation of a fluid dispensing system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosure relates generally to a fluid dispensing system for dispensing fluid from collapsible containers. The fluid dispensing system includes a container and manifold that has at least one piercing member coupled thereto. When a collapsible container is slid within the container, the at least one piercing member may pierce a membrane of the collapsible container. A fluid stored within the collapsible container then flows through the manifold. 
     Certain terminology is used in the description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “proximal” and “distal” generally refer to positions or directions toward and away from, respectively, an individual operating a fluid dispensing assembly  100 . The words “longitudinal”, “radial,” and “transverse” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The term “substantially” is intended to mean considerable in extent or largely but not necessarily wholly that which is specified. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. 
       FIGS. 1-3  illustrate perspective views of the fluid dispensing assembly  100 . The fluid dispensing assembly  100  includes containers  102 , a support structure  104 , a plunger assembly  106 , an actuator  108 , and a manifold assembly  200 . The containers  102  may include cylindrical barrels  110  and  112  ( FIG. 1 ) or cylindrical barrels  114  and  116  ( FIG. 2 ) being parallel relation. The containers  102  may include barrels having varying size diameters, for example, a diameter of cylindrical barrel  116  may be smaller than a diameter of cylindrical barrel  114 . Alternatively, the containers  102  may include barrels having substantially similar diameters, for example, a diameter of cylindrical barrel  110  may be substantially the same as a diameter of cylindrical barrel  112 . The containers  102  may include ribs  113  and optional retention ribs  115  that extend along an outer surface from a distal end to a proximal end of the containers  102 . The containers  102  may be configured to be supported by and fit within the support structure  104  as further described below. 
     Each of the containers  102  may be configured to hold a collapsible container (not shown) within. As used herein, the term “collapsible container” refers to the type of flexible and collapsible fluid containers which are known in the art as “sausage packs”. It will also be appreciated that the collapsible container is also applicable to other types of rigid or flexible containers that have a pierceable component that must be pierced before fluid can be dispensed from the container. 
     The collapsible container may include a flexible and collapsible, yet resilient, membrane. The membrane is configured to be pierced in order to provide access to the material contained within the membrane. The collapsible containers are generally cylindrical in shape and have a diameter and length slightly less than the containers  102 . Each of the collapsible containers positioned within the containers  102  may be similar or different, and are typically different so that a mixture of the two fluids forms a composite fluid. 
     The plunger assembly  106  may include a first plunger  118 , a second plunger  120 , and a thrust rod  121 . Each of the first and second plungers  118  and  120  may be configured to slide within their respective cylindrical barrel  110  and  112 . Each of the first and second plungers  118  and  120  is coupled to a distal end of the corresponding first and second plunger rod  122  and  124 . Each of the first and second plunger rods  122  and  124  extend from a proximal end  125  of the fluid dispensing assembly  100  through a proximal end  127  of the support structure  104 . 
     The actuator  108  acts to effect concurrent movement of the first and second plungers  118  and  120  to advance or retract the plungers. The actuator  108  may be operatively coupled to the thrust rod  121  of the plunger assembly  106 , such that actuation of a trigger  130  of the actuator  108  advances the thrust rod  121  in the proximal direction into the support structure  104 . The advancement of the thrust rod  121  causes each of the first and second plungers  118  and  120  to advance into the support structure  104 . The actuator  108  may comprise a manually driven gun, as shown in the figures, a pneumatically driven gun, or other actuation mechanism configured to drive the first and second plungers  118  and  120 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B , the support structure  104  includes a base  140 , a first extension arm  142 , a second extension arm  144 , and a gate  146 . The base  140  and the gate  146  are positioned at opposing ends of the support structure  104 , the base  140  being positioned at the proximal end  127  and the gate  146  being positioned at a distal end. Each of the first and second extension arms  142  and  144  include a first end coupled to the base  140  at the proximal end  127  of the support structure  104 , and a second end coupled to the gate  146  at the distal end of the support structure  104 . In an aspect, the first and second extension arms  142  and  144  may be welded to the gate  146  and the base  140 . The first and second extension arms  142  and  144  and the base  140  and gate  146  define an opening  149  that extends through the support structure  104 . The size of the opening  149  is such that the containers  102  may fit within. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3B , which illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid dispensing assembly  100  taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 3A , the ribs  113  of the containers  102  may be supported by the first and second extension arms  142  and  144 . A benefit of the ribs  113  and the optional retention ribs  115  is that they may rest and/or snap onto an existing unmodified dispenser assembly unit that is currently in use in the field. For example, the containers  102  may only include ribs  113  such that the containers  102  simply rest on support structure  104 , or the containers  102  may have the ribs  113  and the optional retention ribs  115  causing the containers  102  to snap onto the support structure  104 . 
     The base  140  may define a first and second plunger opening (not labeled) configured to allow the first and second plunger rods  122  and  124  to slide therethrough, respectively. The base  140  may also define a screw opening (not labeled) configured to allow the thrust rod  121  to slide therethrough. The base  140  may be coupled to the actuator  108 . 
     The gate  146  may include a base gate member  148  that extends from the gate  146  towards the proximal end of the support structure  104 . The base gate member  148  may be positioned at a bottommost end of the gate  146  and configured to support the containers  102  when the containers  102  are positioned within the support structure  104 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate a cross section of the containers  102  positioned within the manifold assembly  200 , and a bottom view of the manifold assembly  200 , according to aspects of this disclosure. The manifold assembly  200  may be coupled to a distal end of the containers  102 . The manifold assembly  200  includes a manifold head  202  having a first cap section  204 , a second cap section  206 , and a neck  208 . The first and second cap sections  204  and  206  have a generally tubular shape, but closed on one end, and are configured to receive a portion of the first and second barrels  110  and  112 , respectively, therein. As shown, first ends  111  of the first and second barrels  110  and  112  are received within the first and second cap sections  204  and  206 . 
     A first opening  210  is formed in the first cap section  204  adjacent the first end  111  of the first barrel  110 . Similarly, a second opening  212  is formed in the second cap section  206  adjacent the first end  111  of the second barrel  112 . The first and second openings  210  and  212  are configured to accommodate the flow of fluids from the first and second barrels  110  and  112 , respectively, to neck  208  of the manifold assembly  200 . 
     The neck  208  of the manifold assembly  200  is positioned generally centrally with respect to the first and second cap sections  204  and  206 , and extends away therefrom towards a distal end of the manifold assembly  200 . The neck  208  includes a bore  214 , which is divided by a diametrically extending internal partition  216  that extends the length of the bore  214 . The partition  216  divides the bore  214  into a first passageway  220  and a second passageway  222 . The first passageway  220  fluidly communicates with the first opening  210  in the first cap section  204 , and the second passageway  222  fluidly communicates with the second opening  212  in the second cap section  206 . The first and second passageways  220  and  222  are configured to accommodate the flow of fluids from the first and second barrels  110  and  112 , respectively. 
     The neck  208  may also include an outer threaded portion  224  that is adjacent to the distal end of the manifold assembly  200 . The threaded portion  224  may be configured to engage a threaded portion of, for example, a mixing nozzle (not shown). 
     Each of the first and second cap sections  204  and  206  of the manifold head  202  include a cap portion  230  and a wall portion  232 . The cap portion  230  includes an upper surface  234 , a lower surface  236  opposing the upper surface  234 , an inner edge  238 , and an outer edge  240 . The inner edge  238  defines the first and second openings  210  and  212  formed in the first and second cap sections, respectively, which extend from the lower surface  236  to the upper surface  234 . 
     The outer edge  240  extends about each of the first and second cap sections  204  and  206 . The outer edge  240  may define an outer perimeter of the cap portion  230 . The inner edge  238  extends from a first end  242  of the outer edge  240  to a second end  244  of the outer edge  240 . The inner edge  238  may extend at least partially in a circumferential direction. For example, the inner edge  238  may extend in an 180° arc from the first end  242  to the second end  244 . 
     The wall portion  232  may be coupled to the lower surface  236  of the cap portion  230  and extend about the outer edge  240  in the distal direction by a wall distance W. The wall portion  232  defines a channel  246  that extends from the lower surface  236  of the cap portion  230  to the proximal end of the manifold head  202 . The channel  246  is configured to receive collapsible containers within. When the collapsible containers are positioned within the channel  246 , a primary seal is formed between an outer diameter of the collapsible container and an inner diameter of the wall portion  232 . Additionally, an outer diameter of the wall portion  232  may have a substantially similar size as an inner diameter of the containers  102 , such that the containers  102  may slide around the outer diameter of the wall portion  232  to create a secondary seal between them. 
     A piercing member  250  may be coupled to the manifold head  202  along the inner edge  238  of the cap portion  230 . The piercing member  250  may extend into the channel  246 , such that when a collapsible container is positioned within the channel  246 , the piercing member  250  may engage and pierce the membrane of the container. 
     The piercing member  250  may extend along the inner edge  238  in the circumferential direction. In an aspect, the piercing member  250  may extend along the entire inner edge  238 , such that the piercing member  250  extends from the first end  242  of the outer edge  240  to a second end  244  of the outer edge  240 . 
     The piercing member  250  includes a base  252  and a tip  254 . The base  252  may be coupled to the lower surface  236  of the manifold head  202 , for example, to the inner edge  238 . The base  252  may have a curvilinear shape when viewed from the proximal direction. The base  252  may have a substantially similar shape as the inner edge  238  of the cap portion  230 . For example, if the inner edge  238  extends in a 180° arc, the base  252  may also extend in a 180° arc. 
     The tip  254  may be spaced from the base  252  in the proximal direction by a tip distance T, such that the piercing member  250  is substantially perpendicular to the lower surface  236  of the manifold head  202 . Alternatively, the piercing member  250  may be angularly offset from the lower surface  236 . 
     In an aspect, the tip distance T is less than the wall distance W, such that the tip  254  is within the channel  246  of the wall portion  232 . This configuration may help prevent the tip  254  from being damaged during transportation, assembly, or other use. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative aspect of a manifold assembly  300 . The manifold assembly  300  includes a cap portion  330  and a wall portion  332  configured substantially similarly to the cap portion  230  and the wall portion  232  of the manifold assembly  200 . The manifold assembly  300  includes an inner channel  302  formed in a lower surface  336  of the cap portion  330 . The inner channel  302  is configured to receive a piercing member  350  within. Sidewalls of the inner channel  302  may be adjacent to an inner circumference of the piercing member  350 , or alternatively, the piercing member  350  may be fully contained within the inner channel  302 . The piercing member  350  may be configured substantially similarly to the piercing member  250  described above. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate another alternative aspect of a manifold assembly  300 ′. The manifold assembly  300 ′ includes a piercing member  350 ′ that is fully contained within an inner channel  302 ′. The piercing member  350 ′ includes a tip  352 ′ and a blade edge  351 ′ that extends along a proximal end of the piercing member  350 ′. In a preferred aspect, the blade edge  351 ′ forms a knife edge having a spear point shape (as illustrated in  FIG. 7B ) when viewed from a side, such that the blade edge  351 ′ has a symmetrical curve on either side of the tip  352 ′. In alternative aspects, the blade edge  351 ′ may include the following shapes: straight back, drop point, curved trailing point, clip point, straight clip point, or still other shapes. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate alternate aspects of manifold assemblies  400  and  500 . The manifold assembly  400  includes a manifold head  402  that has a cap portion  430  and a wall portion  432 . The wall portion  432  may be configured substantially similarly to the cap portions  230  and  330  of the manifold assemblies  200  and  300 . The cap portion  430  includes an upper surface (not visible), a lower surface  436  opposing the upper surface, an inner edge  438 , and an outer edge  440 . The inner edge  438  defines an opening  410  that extends from the lower surface  436  to the upper surface of the cap portion  430 . The opening may open to a passageway  420 , similar to how the first and second openings  210  and  212  open to the first and second passageways  220  and  222  of the manifold assembly  200 . In an aspect, the opening  410  may be substantially circular. 
     The outer edge  440  extends about the cap portion  430 , and may define an outer perimeter of the cap portion  430 . In an aspect, the outer perimeter of the cap portion  430  may be greater than a diameter of the wall portion  432 . A seat  437  is formed between the wall portion  432  and the outer edge  440  of the cap portion  430 . The seat  437  may support the container  102  when the container  102  is coupled to the manifold assembly  400 . 
     The manifold assembly  400  further includes three piercing members  450 . In an alternate aspect, the manifold assembly  400  may include a single piercing member or at least two piercing members. The piercing members  450  may be coupled to the manifold head  402  along the inner edge  438  of the cap portion  430 . In an aspect, each of the piercing members  450  may be spaced evenly along the inner edge  438 . For example, if three piercing members are coupled to the manifold head  402 , they may be spaced 120° apart about the inner edge  438 . 
     The piercing members  450  may extend into a channel  446  formed by the wall portion  432 , such that when a collapsible container is positioned within the channel  446 , the piercing members  450  may engage and pierce the membrane of the container. Each of the piercing members  450  may include a base (not visible) and a tip  454  having a substantially similar configuration as the base  252  and the tip  254  of the piercing member  250 . 
     The manifold assembly  500  includes a manifold head  502  having a first cap section  504 , a second cap section  506 , and a neck  508 . The first cap section  504  may have a diameter larger than the second cap section  506 , allowing for different sized containers  102  to be attached to the manifold assembly  500 . Each of the first and second cap sections  504  and  506  may include a piercing member  550  coupled thereto in a way at least similar to how the piercing members  250 ,  350 , and  450  are coupled to their respective manifold assemblies  200 ,  300 , and  400 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view another aspect of a fluid dispensing assembly  600 . The fluid dispensing assembly  600  includes containers  602 , a support structure  604 , a plunger assembly  606 , an actuator  608 , and a manifold assembly  700 . The plunger assembly  606 , the actuator  608 , and the manifold assembly  700  may include any of the configurations described above related to the plunger assembly  106 , the actuator  108 , and the manifold assemblies  200 ,  300 ,  400 , and  500 , respectively. 
     The containers  602  may include cylindrical barrels  610  and  612 . The barrels  610  and  612  may be configured substantially similarly to cylindrical barrels  110  and  112  of container  102  described above with the following additional features. The first and second cylindrical barrels  610  and  612  may include a first pin  615  and second pin (not visible), respectively, extending from an outer surface. The pins  615  may be cylindrical in shape and may be positioned between a proximal end and a distal end of each of the barrels  610  and  612 . In an aspect, the pins  615  are positioned in a middle of the barrels  610  and  612 . 
     The support structure  604  includes a base  640 , a first extension arm  642 , a second extension arm  644 , and a gate  646 . The base  640 , the first extension arm  642 , the second extension arm  644 , and the gate  646  are configured substantially similarly to the base  140 , the first extension arm  142 , the second extension arm  144 , and the gate  146  of the support structure  104 , respectively, with the following additional features. The first and second extension arms  642  and  644  may define a first recess  617  and a second recess (not visible), respectively. Each recess  617  may be positioned between a proximal end and a distal end of their respective first and second extension arms  642  and  644 . 
     Each recess  617  of the support structure  604  may be configured to receive each respective pin  615  of the first and second barrels  610  and  612 . The pins  615  may slide into the recess  617  from a top of the support structure  604 . When the pins  615  are positioned within the recesses  617 , the first and second barrels  610  and  612  may pivot about the pins  615  causing the barrels  610  and  612  to rotate relative to the support structure  604 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an alternative structure for coupling the containers  102  to the support structure  604 , according to an aspect of this disclosure. The first and second extension arms  642  and  644  may define a first pocket  902  and a second pocket (not visible), respectively. The pins  615  may snap into the pockets  902  forming a snap clip coupling. 
     In an aspect, a distance the pins  615  are located from the distal end of the barrels  610  and  612  is somewhat less than the distance the recesses  617  are located from the gate  646  at the distal end of the support structure  604 . A benefit of the pin  615  and recess  617  couplings is that no force, or very minimal force, is applied to the pin  615  by the containers  602  when the plunger assembly  606  is providing a force to the collapsible containers within the containers  602 . Instead, the force provided by the plunger assembly  606  is transferred to the first and second extension arms  642  and  644 , the base  640 , and the gate  646 , such that the support structure  604  bears the load from the plunger assembly  606  as opposed to the pin  615  and recess  617  (or pin  615  and pocket  902 ) coupling. 
     Another benefit of the pin  615  and recess  617  (or pin  615  and pocket  902 ) coupling is that the containers  102  may be easily removed and replaced from the support structure  604  for, for example, cleaning or replacement. 
     The use of the fluid dispensing assemblies  100  and  600  is now described. Although reference is made to the fluid dispensing assembly  100 , manifold assembly  200 , and piercing member  250  in the below described example, it will be appreciated that this method may also be employed by either aspect of the fluid dispensing assemblies  100  and  600  having any of the aspects of the piercing members  250 ,  350 ,  350 ′,  450 , and  550  coupled to the manifold assemblies  200 ,  300 ,  300 ′,  400 ,  500 , and  700 . 
     The fluid dispensing assemblies  100  may be provided in a partially disassemble state. For example, the fluid dispensing assembly  100  shown in  FIGS. 1-3  may be provided with the actuator  108 , the plunger assembly  106 , and the support structure  104  coupled together, but without the containers  102  and manifold assembly  200  coupled thereto. Further, the manifold assembly  200  may not be provided coupled to the containers  102 . Additionally, a protective cap (not shown) may be provided to cover the piercing member  250  within the manifold head  202 . The protective cap may protect the piercing member  250  so that they are not damaged so that, for example, the manifold assembly  200  can be safely sold and transported without concern that the piercing member  250  would damage or be damaged by other components. 
     When it is desirable to pierce the membranes of the collapsible containers, the protective cap may be removed from the manifold assembly  200 , and the containers  102  may be coupled to the manifold head  202 . A nozzle (not shown) may be coupled to the neck  208  of the manifold head  202  via the thread portion  224 . The collapsible containers may be inserted into the containers  102  and moved towards the distal end of the containers  102 . After the collapsible containers are inserted into the containers  102 , the manifold assembly  200  may be attached to the distal end of the containers  102 . The containers may then be positioned within the support structure  604  and the plunger assembly  106  may be inserted into the containers  102 . The actuator  108  may provide a force to the plunger assembly  106  moving the plunger assembly  106  in the distal direction forcing the collapsible containers to engage the piercing members  250 , thereby causing the members  250  to pierce or puncture the collapsible containers. In particular, the piercing tip  254  of the piercing member  250  may engage and pierce the distal end of the collapsible container. Alternatively, the attachment of the manifold assembly  200  may cause the piercing members  250  to pierce or puncture the collapsible containers. 
     Once the collapsible containers are pierced, the fluids contained within the containers can be extracted to flow into the manifold head  202 . In particular, the fluids flow through their respective first and second openings  210  and  212  of the first and second cap sections  204  and  206 . The first and second openings  210  and  212  communicate with their respective first and second passageways  220  and  222  in the neck  208 , and the fluids flow into these passageways. The fluids then flow through the first and second passageways  220  and  222  and into the nozzle and out of the manifold head  202 . If a nozzle is coupled to the manifold head  202 , then the fluids would flow into the nozzle from the manifold head  202 . 
     When the collapsible containers are pierced, flaps  256  and  258  are cut into the collapsible containers and two opening are formed. The openings may be substantially the same size as the respective first and second openings  210  and  212  in the first and second cap sections  204  and  206 . The flaps  256  and  258  may open into the first and second openings  210  and  212 , such that the flaps  256  and  258  lie against sidewalls of the first and second openings  210  and  212 . In an aspect, the flaps  256  and  258  may further extend to the first and second passageways  220  and  222 , such that the flaps  256  and  258  at least partially lies against sidewalls of the first and second passageways  220  and  222 . A benefit of the flaps  256  and  258  opening into the first and second openings  210  and  212  is that a large opening may be formed in the collapsible containers and the flaps  256  and  258  fold out of the flow path of the fluid contained in the collapsible containers. 
     Although reference has been made to the fluid dispensing assembly  100  having multiple containers  102  for receiving two collapsible containers, it will be appreciated that the teachings herein are also readily adaptable to a fluid dispensing assembly having a single container  102  for receiving a single collapsible container, or more than two containers  102  for receiving more than two collapsible containers. The manifold assembly  200  would be configured to receive one or multiple containers  102  and collapsible containers, and the piercing member  250  would be positioned as described above to pierce the membranes of the collapsible containers. 
     The fluid dispensing assemblies  100  and  600  may be used with various types of collapsible containers. For example, containers that have a pierceable component that must be pierced before fluid can be dispensed from the container (such as syringes, for example) can be used with the manifold assembly  200  in a manner consistent with the above. 
     It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed system and method. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated.