Patent Publication Number: US-10307777-B2

Title: Device for containing a fluid substance

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/381,076, filed Dec. 15, 2016, which claims the benefit of EP Patent application no. 15425109.4, filed Dec. 17, 2015. 
    
    
     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. 
    
    
     
       Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the device for containing a fluid substance, illustrated for explanatory hence not limitative purposes in the attached drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing system comprising a first embodiment of the device according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective and exploded view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of a detail of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C  are enlarged views of a detail of the device of  FIG. 1 , in three subsequent operating positions; 
         FIGS. 5  thru  7  are front and cross-sectional views of subsequent assembling steps of the dispensing system containing the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  are front and cross-sectional views of subsequent filling and closing steps of the dispensing system; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing system comprising a second embodiment of the device according to the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective and exploded view of the device of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D  are enlarged views of a detail of the device of  FIG. 10 , in four subsequent operating positions; 
         FIGS. 13 and 14  are front and cross-sectional views of subsequent assembling steps of a dispensing system containing the device of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIGS. 15 and 16  are front and cross-sectional views of the filling and closing steps of the dispensing system. 
     
    
    
     With reference to the mentioned figures, they show a device  1  for 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 device  1  is suitable for being connected to the neck  10 A of a rigid external container  10 . 
     The device for containing a fluid substance comprises:
         a bag  2  comprising at least one flexible side wall  2 A,  2 B, and   a substantially rigid neck  3  extending from the bag  2  and delimiting an opening giving access to an inner cavity of the bag  2 , the neck  3  being 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 means  4  for its connection to the external container  10  ( FIG. 1 ).       

     In the illustrated example, such connection members  4  comprise a crown-shaped element provided with an inner threading suitable for engaging a counter-threading on the external surface of the neck  10 A of the external container  10 , as already known to those skilled in this art. 
     The bag  2  is 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  2  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 wall  2 A of the bag  2  comprises at least one flat element  20  provided with at least one upper edge  20 A and one lower edge  20 B, wherein at least the upper edge  20 A and the lower edge  20 B are hermetically closed, the neck  3  of the bag  2  departing from the upper edge  20 A of the side wall  2 A of the bag  2 . 
     In the example shown in  FIGS. 1  thru  9 , the bag  2  is realized by joining two sheets  20  made from a multilayer material at their upper edges  20 A, lower edges  20 B, and side edges  20 C ( FIG. 2 ). It is also possible to provide one unique sheet  20  made of multilayer material folded onto itself and the upper edges  20 A, lower edges  20 B, and side edges  20 C of which are joined together. 
     The sheets  20  are joined at the edges  20 A,  20 B,  20 C indeed, so as to create an internal cavity of the bag  2  for containing the fluid substance S. 
     Said edges  20 A,  20 B,  20 C are joined together so as to hermetically close the cavity, preferably by welding. 
     The neck  3  is made from a material different from that of the bag  2  and comprises a cup-shaped element  30  comprising a bottom wall  31  provided with at least one opening  32 , and a side wall  33 . The bottom wall  31  has such a thickness as to present an outer surface  34  which the upper edge  20 A of the bag  2  is hermetically connected onto ( FIG. 3 ). 
     Therefore, the neck  3  is firmly connected to the bag  2 , so as to form one piece therewith. 
     The neck  3  is opportunely made from a rigid plastic material. 
     The cup-shaped element  30  forms 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 element  30  comprises a dip element  35  which extends from its bottom wall  31  so as to be arranged inside the internal cavity of the bag  2  whenever the cup-shaped element  30  is connected to the bag  2  ( FIGS. 1, 2, and 5  thru  9 ). 
     According to the present invention, the device  1  comprises a valve element  5  suitable for being moved at least from an opening position, wherein the valve element  5  allows to access the internal cavity of the bag  2 , to a closing position, wherein the valve element  5  inhibits the access to the internal cavity of the bag  2 . 
     In a first variant of the device  1 , illustrated in  FIGS. 1  thru  9 , the valve element  5  is arranged at the lower edge  20 B of the bag  2 . More precisely, the valve element  5  is inserted between the two lower edges  20 B of the sheets  20  (or between two portions of the lower edge  20 B, should the bag  2  comprise one folded sheet  20  only) made from a multilayer material, and is caught in the weld of the lower edge  20 B of the bag  2 . 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 element  35  assume a length substantially equal to the distance D that separates the upper edge  20 A from the lower edge  20 B of the bag  2  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ), and connected to the valve element  5  at its lower end. Such dip element  35  imparts a bigger sturdiness to the device  1 , and is suitable for operating as a support for rolling-up the bag on itself, so as to make its insertion inside the external container  10  easier, as it will be better explained below. In addition, such dip element  35  holds the valve element  5  in position during the operating step whereby the bag  2  is filled with the fluid substance S. 
     Alternatively, it is possible that the valve element  5  be provided with locking members that connect to the external container  10 , at its bottom wall. It is worth pointing out that the presence of a valve element in the lower edge  20 B of the bag  2  makes it necessary to drill a through-hole in the bottom wall of the external container  10 , in order to fill the bag  2  after it is inserted inside the external container  10 . 
     The valve element  5  comprises a fixed part  50  connected to the lower edge  20 B of the bag  2 , delimiting a passage channel  51  for the passage of the fluid substance S and provided with a breakable internal member  52  which closes the passage channel  51 , for instance a membrane. The valve element also comprises a movable part  53  connected to the fixed part  50  and suitable for being moved between a first operating position, wherein the movable part  53  does not interfere with the breakable internal member  52  ( FIG. 4A ), a second operating position, wherein the movable part  53  breaks the breakable internal member  52  and leaves the passage channel  51  open ( FIG. 4B ), and a third operating position, wherein the movable part  53  closes the passage channel  51  ( FIG. 4C ). 
     Preferably, the movable part  53  comprises first and second connection means  60 A,  70 A, and the fixed part  50  comprises first and second connection counter-means  60 B,  70 B suitable for cooperating with the first and second connection means  60 A,  70 A of the movable part. 
     Advantageously the movable part  53  comprises an annular element  54  and a central element  55  removably connected to the annular element  54  and in such a way as to have at least one opening between the annular element  54  and the central element  55  to enable the fluid substance S to pass through. 
     The central element  55  is connected to the annular element  54  via breakable connection members  56 , preferably angularly distributed between the central element  55  and the annular element  54 . 
     The annular element  54  comprises an inner wall  540  and an outer wall  541  separated from the inner wall  540  in such a way as to create a gap  542 . Such gap is suitable for interacting with a circular edge  500  of the fixed part  50  of the valve element  5 , by interference. Both the inner wall  540  and the outer wall  541  project substantially perpendicular from a third wall  543 . 
     The two walls  540 ,  541  and the gap  542  of the annular element  54  make-up the first connection means  60 A of the movable part  53 , whereas the circular edge  500  makes-up the first connection counter-means  60 B of the fixed part  50 . 
     Likewise, the central element  55  comprises a disc-shaped member  550 , from the outer edge of which an annular wall  551  extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the disc-shaped member  550 . Such annular wall  551  is suitable for connecting to the fixed part  50  by interference inside the channel  51  to let the fluid substance S pass through. 
     Therefore, such annular wall  551  makes-up the second connection means  70 A of the movable part  53 , whereas the initial portion of the inner surface of the channel  51  makes-up the second connection counter-means  70 B of the fixed part  50 . 
     Let&#39;s point out that the circular edge  500  suitable for engaging the gap  542  of the annular element  540  of the movable part  54  is arranged outside the channel  51  for the passage of the substance S, so as to be axially spaced away from the channel  51  itself, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the latter. 
     The central element  55  of the movable part  53  also comprises an axial member  552  axially projecting from the disc-shaped member and suitable for interfering with and breaking the breakable internal member  52  which closes the channel  51  of the fixed part  50 . 
     The operation of the invention is the following. 
     The first operation consist of prearranging the device  1 , wherein the cup-shaped element  30  is firmly connected to the upper edge  20 A of the bag  2  and the valve element  5  is firmly connected to the lower edge  20 B of the bag  2 . 
     It is preferred that, before being filled, the bag  2  be totally empty, even of air. It is also preferred that the valve element  5  be set to its first operating position, as described above. 
     The device  1  is then inserted inside the external container  10 , and the valve element is inserted in the hole drilled in the bottom wall of the external container  10 . In order to make this insertion easier, it is possible to roll-up the bag  2  around the dip element  35 , so as to present a transversal dimension smaller than the diameter of the opening of the neck  10 A of the external container  10 . Obviously, it is also possible to insert the device  1  inside the external container  10  without rolling-up the bag  2  around the dip element  35 . 
     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 bag  2  is filled with the substance S. 
     At this point the filling step of the bag  2  can start. 
     When the movable part  53  is set to its first operating position, it is connected to the fixed part  50  only via the annular element  54 . 
     Filling is performed by means of an appropriate apparatus provided with a nozzle  200  suitable for interacting with the valve element by exerting a pressure onto the third wall  543  of the annular element  54  of the movable part  53  of the valve element  5 . 
     A first pressure exerted by the nozzle determines a transition of the valve element  5  from its first operating position to its second operating position, wherein the breakable internal member  52  is broken by the axial member  552  of the central element  55  of the movable part  53 . 
     In this second operating position, the circular edge  500  of the fixed part  50  is completely inserted in the gap  542  of the annular element  54  of the movable part  53 . The opening between the annular element  54  and the central element  55  and the channel  51 , devoid of the internal element  52 , create a passageway for the fluid substance S towards the internal cavity of the bag  2 . Being the valve element  5  engaged by the nozzle  200 , it is inferred that in the instant in time the membrane  52  breaks, air cannot let inside the bag  2 . 
     The fluid substance S is then injected into the internal cavity of the bag  2 , which causes the bag  2  itself to inflate. 
     Having injected the desired quantity of substance S (a quantity that not necessarily corresponds to the maximum capacity of the bag  2 ) a further pressure exerted by the nozzle  200  causes the valve element  5  to move from its second operating position to its third operating position. 
     The central element  55  is disconnected from the annular element  54  and pushed up to hermetically engaging the channel  51  of the fixed part  50 . In this way, the valve element is closed and the filling has been performed with no possibility for air of letting in the bag  2 . 
       FIGS. 10  thru  16  illustrate 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 element  5 ′ is arranged the neck  3 ′ of the bag  2 ′. 
     More specifically, the valve element  5 ′ is arranged in such a way as to rest onto the bottom wall  31 ′ of the cup-shaped body of the neck  3 ′. 
     The valve element  5 ′ 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 neck  3 ′ of the bag  2 ′, so as to allow the fluid substance S′ to pass through. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS. 10  thru  16 , the dip element  35 ′ is a separate element which is inserted inside the neck  3 ′. The dip element  35 ′ comprises an abutting member  350 ′, for instance an annular flange, suitable for abutting against the bottom wall  31 ′ of the neck  3 ′ and positioned in such a way as to leave an upper end portion  351 ′ of the dip element  35 ′ inside the neck  3 ′. Note that such upper end portion  351 ′ has such an inner diameter as to be able to receive a lower end portion P 1 ′ of the pump P′. 
     The valve element  5 ′ comprises a fixed part  50 ′ which determines a channel  51 ′ for the passage of the fluid substance S′, and a movable part  53 ′, resting in turn on the abutting member  350 ′ of the dip element  35 ′. 
     The fixed part  50 ′ comprises a substantially cylindrical body  500 ′ provided with an annular abutting member  501 ′ arranged internally to the fixed part  50 ′ at its lower edge. 
     The movable part  53 ′ comprises a base  530 ′ from which an elastic member  531 ′, in this case a spring, extends, at the free end of which an annular member  532 ′ is provided, closed by a breakable internal member  52 ′, preferably a membrane. The annular member  532 ′ has an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the fixed part  50 ′, and slightly greater than the inner diameter of the abutting member  501 ′ of the fixed part  50 ′, so as to strike the abutting member  501 ′, and thus to close the channel  51 ′. Note that the inner diameter of the annular member  532 ′ preferably corresponds to the inner diameter of the upper end portion  352 ′ of the dip element  35 ′. 
     In order to fill the bag  2 ′ with the fluid substance S′, use is made of a nozzle provided with a pusher member  201 ′ suitable for passing inside the fixed part  50 ′ so as to push the annular member  532 ′ of the movable part  54 ′ so as to open the channel  51 ′ and enable the fluid substance S′ to flow out ( FIG. 15 ). The pusher member  201 ′ shall have a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the fixed part  50 ′ of the valve element  5 ′. 
     When the filling of the bag  2 ′ is over, upon removal of the nozzle, the annular member  532 ′, which is pushed by the spring  531 ′, immediately and automatically closes the channel  51 ′. Therefore, air has not been allowed to let in the bag  2 ′, from the start up to the end of the filling. 
     Upon installing the pump P′, its lower end portion  351 ′ is made pass inside the fixed part  50 ′ so as to exert a pressure onto the membrane  52 ′ of the movable part  53 ′. 
     When the annular member  532 ′ of the fixed part cannot be pushed any longer, for instance because it abuts against the upper edge of the dip element  35 ′, the lower end portion P 1 ′ of the pump P′ breaks the membrane  52 ′, and it is stably inserted inside the upper end portion of the dip element  35 ′. 
     In this way, the pump P′ is able to pick-up the substance S′ from inside the bag  2 ′. 
     Let&#39;s point out that, in the light of the above considerations, in this second variant the pumping member P′ is added to the external container  10 ′ after the filling step. 
     The present invention also concerns a system  100 ,  100 ′ for containing and dispensing a fluid substance, the system  100 ,  100 ′ comprising: 
     a device  1 ,  1 ′ according to any of the attached claims, 
     a pumping member P, P′ arranged in the neck  3 ,  3 ′ of the bag  2 ,  2 ′ of the device  1 ,  1 ′, the neck  3 ,  3 ′ of the bag  2 ,  2 ′ comprising connection means  4 ,  4 ′, 
     an external container  10 ,  10 ′ wherein the bag  2 ,  2 ′ is inserted, the external container  10 ,  10 ′ comprising a neck  10 A,  10 ′A delimiting an opening giving access to a internal cavity of the external container  10 ,  10 ′, and comprising connection counter-means  7 ,  7 ′ suitable for cooperating with the connection means  4 ,  4 ′ of the neck  3 ,  3 ′ of the bag  2 ,  2 ′. 
     In the system  100 ,  100 ′ it is preferred to arrange the pumping member P, P′ and the bag  2 ,  2 ′ connected to each other in such a way as to make it possible for them to be taken out from the external container  10 ,  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.