Patent Abstract:
A method of employing a bag-in-box container system in a dispensing machine includes placing a box in a first orientation, inserting a bag in the box, and closing the box with a portion of a dispensing end of the bag protruding through an opening in a first wall of the box. The first wall is a top surface of the box in the first orientation. The method further includes securing the portion of the dispensing end outside of the box and inverting the box to a second orientation, such that the first wall is a bottom surface of the box in the second orientation. The method also includes inserting the dispensing end of the bag into a holder of a dispensing machine.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/412,880 filed Mar. 27, 2009, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/191,887 filed Sep. 13, 2008. The disclosures of both applications is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present application relates to container systems and, more particularly, to bag-in-box container systems for interaction with spraying or dispensing systems. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Humans apply many products to their bodies for cosmetic purposes. These products include moisturizers, sunscreens, anti-aging treatments, UV tanning accelerators, sunless tanning products, and so on. Numerous forms of artificial tanning products are currently available, including lotions, creams, gels, oils, and sprays. These products are typically mixtures of a chemically-active skin colorant or a bronzer, in combination with moisturizers, preservatives, antimicrobials, thickeners, solvents, emulsifiers, fragrances, surfactants, stabilizers, sunscreens, pH adjusters, anti-caking agents, and additional ingredients to alter the color reaction. 
         [0004]    Systems exist for applying artificial tanning products including spraying booths for fluid containment used in conjunction with handheld sprayers, and closed booths equipped with automated spraying systems. These spraying systems may use high pressure compressed air nozzles along with sunless tanning composition fluids supplied to the nozzle to create atomized sprays directed towards the body. Sunless tanning composition fluids, as well as fluids in countless other applications, must be packaged in containers suitable for transportation of the fluids, for interaction with spraying or dispensing systems, and for economically efficient disposal. 
         [0005]    Conventionally, fluids have been packaged in rigid containers that provide satisfactory interaction with spraying or dispensing systems. However, these rigid containers are inefficient in terms of storage and disposal of empty containers because they retain their volume even after the fluids have been exhausted. Flexible containers such as bag-in-box containers provide more economically efficient containers in terms of storage and disposal. However, conventionally, these flexible containers have been used in applications that rely on pressurized air for evacuation of fluid from the bag while the bag-in-box system is sitting upright. Conventional, bag-in-box systems do not provide a sufficiently rigid container for proper interaction with spraying and dispensing systems that require upside-down installation for gravity to assist, at least in part, in the evacuation of the contents in the bag. Some of these upside-down applications may require also require a blind connection to be made between the bag-in-box system and dispensing machinery. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    In one embodiment, a method of providing fluid to a dispensing machine includes providing a bag having a dispensing end, the bag having fluid disposed therein. The method further includes providing a box in a first orientation. The box has a first wall with an opening disposed therein. The method also includes providing a dispensing machine having a holder configured to receive the dispensing end of the bag. The method further includes inserting the bag in the box, and closing the box with a portion of the dispensing end of the bag protruding through the opening in the first wall, wherein the first wall is a top surface of the box in the first orientation. The method also includes securing the portion of the dispensing end outside of the box and inverting the box to a second orientation, such that the first wall is a bottom surface of the box in the second orientation. The method further includes inserting the dispensing end of the bag into the holder of the dispensing machine. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, a method of employing a bag-in-box container system in a dispensing machine includes providing a bag-in-box container system. The bag-in-box container includes a box having a first wall with an opening disposed therein. The first wall is a top surface when the box is in a first orientation and the first wall is a bottom surface when the box is in a second orientation. The bag-in-box container system further includes a bag disposed inside the box, the bag having a dispensing end that protrudes through the opening in the first wall of the box. The method further includes providing a dispensing machine having a holder configured to receive the dispensing end of the bag. The method also includes placing the bag-in-box container system in the second orientation, and inserting the dispensing end of the bag into the holder of the dispensing machine. 
         [0008]    In yet another embodiment, a method of employing a bag-in-box container system in a dispensing machine includes placing a box in a first orientation, inserting a bag in the box, and closing the box with a portion of a dispensing end of the bag protruding through an opening in a first wall of the box. The first wall is a top surface of the box in the first orientation. The method further includes securing the portion of the dispensing end outside of the box and inverting the box to a second orientation, such that the first wall is a bottom surface of the box in the second orientation. The method also includes inserting the dispensing end of the bag into a holder of a dispensing machine. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The accompanying drawings, together with the detailed description provided below, describe exemplary embodiments of the claimed invention. In the drawings and description that follow, like elements are identified with the same reference numerals. The drawings are not to scale and the proportion of certain elements may be exaggerated for the purpose of illustration. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective front view of an embodiment of a bag-in-box container system. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective rear view of an embodiment of a bag-in-box container system. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective front exploded view of an embodiment of a bag-in-box container system. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective front exploded view of an embodiment of a bag-in-box container system with a clip. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of a bag-in-box container system. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a bag-in-box container system 
           [0016]      FIG. 7A  illustrates a perspective front view of an embodiment of a bag-in-box container system. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7B  illustrates a perspective top view of an embodiment of a bag-in-box container system. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates a partially assembled example application for a bag-in-box container system. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  illustrates an expanded or close up view of the partially assembled example application for bag-in-box container systems of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  illustrates a completely assembled example application for a bag-in-box container system. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  illustrates an expanded or close up view of the completely assembled example application for a bag-in-box container system of  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    The following includes definitions of selected terms. The definitions include various examples or forms of components that fall within the scope of a term. The examples are not intended to be limiting. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective front view of an embodiment of a bag-in-box container system. The example container system  100  includes a box  1 . Box  1  may be constructed of various different materials (cardboard, plastic, and so on) to give box  1  suitable rigidity, weight, etc. for the specific application. Example container system  100  also includes a bag  2 . Bag  2  may contain liquids such as those used for sunless tanning, as well as other liquids for various other uses. Bag  2  may have a valved fitting or dispensing end  3  that may provide a fluidic path for the fluid in bag  2 . Example box  1  has an opening on one of its walls for the dispensing end  3  to partially come through. Dispensing end  3  may have annular ringed flanges or ribs for, among other functions, connecting system  100  to equipment or machinery using the fluids inside of bag  2 . Dispensing end  3  may also include a collar (not shown) of a larger perimeter than the opening in box  1  such that the collar contacts the inside of box  1  around the opening. The contact between the collar and the inside of box  1  resists bag  2  from being pulled out of the box through the opening. Dispensing end  3  may also include a flange, rib, or set of flanges or ribs forming a groove or slot for a clip  4 , a spring clip (not shown), or some other means of engagement to engage dispensing end  3  and resist a force pushing in a direction towards the inside of box  1 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective rear view of an embodiment of a bag-in-box container system  100 . In the example embodiment, dispensing end  3  includes a groove  5 . The example embodiment also includes a clip  4  that engages groove  5  to hold dispensing end  3  in place relative to box  1 . Engagement of groove  5  and clip  4  causes clip  4  to resist a force urging dispensing end  3  inside box  1  by, for example, force exerted on dispensing end  3  when connecting system  100  to dispensing or spraying machinery. During and after connection to the machinery, clip  4  distributes, at least partially, the force exerted on dispensing end  3  along the opening end outside wall of the box contributing to the rigidity of system  100 . 
         [0025]    Clip  4  may have an opening for sliding in place into groove  5  in dispensing end  3 . Groove  5  may be formed by two spaced walls or flanges radially extending from dispensing end  3 . Groove  5  may be located in dispensing end  3  so that the proximal most wall or flange of groove  5  is flush with the outside surface of the opening wall of box  1 . In this example embodiment, groove  5  is disposed immediately outside of box  1  near the opening. Clip  4  may then engage dispensing end  3  at groove  5  with at least some surface area of clip  4  remaining in contact with the outside surface of the opening wall of box  1 , providing for very little, if any, play of dispensing end  3  in and out of box  1 . 
         [0026]    Engaging a portion of dispensing end  3  outside box  1  may be accomplished by various other means. In an example prophetic embodiment, engagement of a groove  5  is accomplished by a flap integral to box  1  that slides into groove  5  and prevents dispensing end  3  from pushing into box  1  through the opening. In another prophetic embodiment, dispensing end  3  may be engaged by inserting a grooved insert into a flange in dispensing end  3 . Dispensing end  3  may be alternatively or additionally engaged by a spring clip (not shown) that engages groove  5 . Various other methods of engagement may be used. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective front exploded view of an embodiment of a bag-in-box container system. In the example embodiment, bag-in-box container system  100  includes box  1  and bag  2 . To assemble bag-in-box system  100 , bag  2  is inserted inside box  1 , and box  1  is closed with a portion of dispensing end  3  protruding through opening  6 . Dispensing end  3  may also include a collar  7  of a larger perimeter than opening  6  such that collar  7  contacts the inside surface of top wall  8  around opening  6 . The contact between collar  7  and the inside surface of top wall  8  resists bag  2  from being pulled out of the box through opening  6 . Bag  2  may be manufactured of a flexible material. Box  1  may be designed and manufactured such that when fully assembled, bag-in-box system  100  with clip  4  engaged in groove  5  mimics a single, stable, rigid container. 
         [0028]    In example system  100 , opening  6  and collar  7  are shown to have circular geometries. In the example embodiment, the perimeters of opening  6  and collar  7  would be their respective circumferences. However, opening  6  and collar  7  may be of various non-circular geometries (square, oval, rectangular, and so on). In an alternate embodiment, collar  7  would be reinforced or supported by an additional clip (not shown) disposed inside box  1  and held in position with or without an additional groove on dispensing end  3 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective front exploded view of an embodiment of a bag-in-box liquid container system  100  with a clip  4 . In the example embodiment, after bag  2  has been inserted inside box  1  with dispensing end  3  protruding through opening  6 , clip  4  may be inserted or slid into groove  5 . Clip  4  has a shape complimentary to groove  5  such that clip  4  tightly fits on to groove  5  when pressed into engagement position. In this embodiment, clip  4  has a U-shaped opening. The U-shaped opening defines an engaging surface  9  for clip  4  to engage groove  5  of dispensing end  3  protruding through opening  6  in a wall of box  1 . In a prophetic embodiment, engaging surface  9  may be part of a flap, integral to or separable from box  1 , that slides into groove  5  to secure dispensing end  3  in place. In another prophetic embodiment, the engaging surface may be part of a spring clip or similar structure that engages groove  5  or some other portion of dispensing end  3  to secure dispensing end  3  in place. In other embodiments, engaging surface  9  could be formed by a discontinuous engaging surface or multiple engaging surfaces. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, clip  4  has top and bottom surfaces  10  and  11 , respectively. In the example embodiment, when clip  4  is fully inserted into groove  5 , top surface  10  contacts the distal wall of groove  5  preventing dispensing end  3  from recessing into box  1  through opening  6 . The bottom surface  11 , in turn, distributes at least some of the force applied to dispensing end  3  across the top wall  8  of box  1 . This distribution of force along the larger area of top wall  8  makes bag-in-box system  100  relatively rigid. The rigidity of system  100  makes it suitable for connecting to dispensing equipment even when system  100  is inverted upside-down and connected to dispensing equipment in a blind connection where substantial force may be exerted on system  100  to permit dispensing end  3  to connect to a mating fitting fixed to dispensing machinery. System  100  may be sufficiently rigid to be self supporting in such an application when mounted by means of dispensing end  3  in an inverted angled or upside-down orientation. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, engaging surface  9  may have dimples for a snap engagement between clip  4  and groove  5 . In another embodiment, engaging surface  9  may have a total engaging circumference in excess of half the outside circumference of groove  5  for a snap engagement. Clip  4 , among other embodiments, could also be a spring clip (not shown) that may be compressed, placed over groove  5 , and released to engage groove  5 . Clip  4  may be fabricated of various known materials (e.g. plastic, metal, and so on). 
         [0032]    After the contents of bag  2  have been exhausted, the bag-in-box system  100  may be removed from the dispensing machinery, clip  4  may be removed from groove  5 , box  1  opened, bag  2  removed from box  1 , and both box  1  and bag  2  may be collapsed to a relatively small volume to be discarded or recycled. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded view and  FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a bag-in-box container system  500 . The example container system  500  includes a box  12 . Box  12  may be constructed of various different materials (cardboard, plastic, and so on) to give box  12  suitable rigidity, weight, etc. for the specific application. Example container system  500  also includes a bag  13 , which may contain liquids such as those used for sunless tanning, as well as other liquids for various other uses. Bag  13  may have a valved fitting or dispensing end  14  that may provide a fluidic path for fluid in bag  13 . Dispensing end  14  may also have annular ringed flanges or ribs for, among other functions, connecting system  500  to equipment or machinery for dispensing the fluids inside of the bag. 
         [0034]    Example box  12  has an opening  15  on one of its walls. Dispensing end  14  may include a flange, rib, or set of flanges or ribs forming a groove or slot  16  and opening  15  may incorporate two different diameters for dispensing end  14  to partially come through the larger diameter and engage into the smaller diameter at groove or slot  16  to resist a force pushing in a direction towards the inside of box  12 . Dispensing end  14  may also include a collar  17  of a larger perimeter than the smaller diameter in opening  15  such that the collar contacts the inside of box  13  around the smaller diameter resisting bag  13  from being pulled out of box  12  through opening  15 . Engagement at groove or slot  16  resists a force urging dispensing end  14  inside box  12  by, for example, force exerted on dispensing end  14  when connecting system  500  to dispensing or spraying machinery. During and after connection to the machinery, this force exerted on dispensing end  14  is distributed along the wall surface of box  12  around opening  15  contributing to the rigidity of system  500 . 
         [0035]    In one embodiment, system  500  may include a lid  18  for closing the bag-in-box container. After the contents of bag  13  have been exhausted, the bag-in-box system  500  may be removed from the dispensing machinery, lid  18  removed, bag  13  removed from box  12 , and bag  13  may be collapsed to a relatively small volume to be discarded or recycled. Box  12  may be “refilled” with a full bag  13 , reassembled and reinstalled on the dispensing machinery. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrates a perspective front view and a top view, respectively, of an embodiment of a bag-in-box container system  700 . The example container system  700  includes a box  19 . Box  19  may be constructed of various different materials (cardboard, plastic, and so on) to give box  19  suitable rigidity, weight, etc. for the specific application. Example container system  700  also includes a bag  20 . Bag  20  may contain liquids such as those used for sunless tanning, as well as other liquids for various other uses. Bag  20  may have a valved fitting or dispensing end  21  that may provide a fluidic path for the fluid in bag  20 . Dispensing end  21  may have annular ringed flanges or ribs for, among other functions, connecting system  700  to equipment or machinery for dispensing the fluids inside of bag  20 . Example box  19  has an opening on one of its walls, in this example top wall  23 , for dispensing end  21  to partially come through the opening. 
         [0037]    To assemble bag-in-box system  700 , bag  20  is inserted inside box  19  with a portion of dispensing end  21  protruding through the opening on wall  23 . Dispensing end  21  may also include a collar (not shown) of a larger perimeter than the opening in box  19  such that the collar contacts the inside of wall  23  around the opening. The contact between the collar and the inside of wall  23  resists bag  20  from being pulled out of box  19  through the opening. Dispensing end  21  may also include a flange, rib, or set of flanges or ribs forming a groove or slot for a clip  22 , a spring clip (not shown), or some other means of engagement to engage dispensing end  21  and resist a force pushing in a direction towards the inside of box  19 . 
         [0038]    In the example embodiment, clip  22  engages dispensing end  21  at a groove in dispensing end  21  and holds bag  20  in place relative to box  19 . Engagement of dispensing end  21  and clip  22  causes clip  22  to resist a force urging dispensing end  21  inside box  19  by, for example, force exerted on dispensing end  21  when connecting system  700  to dispensing or spraying machinery. During and after connection to the machinery, clip  22  distributes, at least partially, the force exerted on dispensing end  21  along the opening end outside wall of box  19 , in this case top wall  23 , contributing to the rigidity of system  700 . 
         [0039]    Clip  22  may have an opening for sliding in place into the groove in dispensing end  21 . The groove may be formed by two spaced walls or flanges radially extending from dispensing end  21 . The groove may be located in dispensing end  21  so that the proximal most wall or flange of the groove is flush with the outside surface of the opening wall of box  19 . In this example embodiment, the groove is disposed immediately outside of box  19  near the opening on wall  23 . Clip  22  may then engage dispensing end  21  at the groove with at least some surface area of clip  22  remaining in contact with the outside surface of wall  23 , providing for very little, if any, play of dispensing end  21  in and out of box  19 . 
         [0040]    Bag  20  may be manufactured of a flexible material. Box  19  may be designed and manufactured such that when fully assembled, bag-in-box system  700  with clip  22  engaged mimics a single, stable, rigid container. 
         [0041]    In the example embodiment, after bag  20  has been inserted inside box  19  with dispensing end  21  protruding through the opening on wall  23 , clip  22  may be inserted or slid into the groove in dispensing end  21 . Clip  22  has a shape complimentary to the groove such that clip  22  tightly fits on to the groove when pressed into engagement position. In the example embodiment, when clip  22  is fully inserted into the groove, it prevents dispensing end  21  from recessing into box  19  through the opening. A bottom surface of clip  22 , in turn, distributes at least some of the force applied to dispensing end  21  in the direction to the inside of box  19  across the top wall  23 . This distribution of force along the larger area of top wall  23  contributes in making bag-in-box system  700  relatively rigid. The rigidity of system  700  makes it suitable for connecting to dispensing equipment even when system  700  is inverted upside-down and connected to dispensing equipment in a blind connection where substantial force may be exerted on system  700  to permit dispensing end  21  to connect to a mating fitting fixed to dispensing machinery. System  700  may be sufficiently rigid to be self supporting in such an application when mounted by means of dispensing end  21  in an inverted angled or upside-down orientation. 
         [0042]      FIG. 8  illustrates a partially assembled example application  800  for bag-in-box container systems interacting with portions of a dispensing machinery  810 .  FIG. 9  illustrates an expanded or close-up view of the partially assembled example application  800  of  FIG. 8 . In example application  800 , multiple bag-in-box liquid systems  100   a,    100   b,  and  100   c  may be inserted into fixed holders  820   a,    820   b,  and  820   c  that may be part of dispensing machinery  810 . Bag-in-box system  100   a,  for example, is inverted for connection to holder  820   a.  When system  100   a  is inverted a force F 1  including the weight of the liquid inside system  100   a,  is exerted on the collar that forms part of the dispensing end against the inside surface of the opening end wall of the box. The weight tends to push the dispensing end in a direction outside of the box through the opening. The collar resists the dispensing end from being pushed out the box by force F 1 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 10  illustrates a completely assembled example application  1000  for bag-in-box container systems interacting with portions of dispensing machinery  810 .  FIG. 11  illustrates an expanded or close-up view of the completely assembled example application  1000  of  FIG. 10 . In example application  1000 , multiple bag-in-box systems  100   a,    100   b,  and  100   c  have been inserted into fixed holders  820   a,    820   b,  and  820   c,  respectively, that may be part of dispensing machinery  810 . Bag-in-box system  100   b,  for example, is inverted for connection to holder  820   b.  Once system  100   b  is inverted and connected to holder  820   b,  a force F 2  representing the entire weight of system  100   b,  including the weight of the liquid inside system  100   b,  is exerted on the dispensing end pushing the dispensing end in the direction of the inside of system  100   b.  However, one of the walls that form the groove in the dispensing end transfers the weight to the clip engaging the dispensing end or other means of engagement, and effectively distributes at least some of the weight of system  100   b  along the opening surface of the box. The distribution of weight makes system  100   b  more rigid, stable, and reliable than a comparable system without the weight distribution attributes of the clip or other means of engagement. Moreover, in the example embodiment, system  100   b  is sufficiently strong to withstand force F 2  even when force F 2  includes force applied to the dispensing end in excess of the weight of system  100   b  to achieve the blind connection of system  100   b  to holder  820   b.    
         [0044]    After the contents of the bag have been exhausted, the bag-in-box system  100   b  may be removed from machinery  810 , the clip (if one is used in the application) may be removed from the groove, the box opened, the bag removed from the box, and the bag or both the box and the bag may be collapsed to a relatively small volume to be discarded or recycled. 
         [0045]    To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the term “only A or B but not both” is employed. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See, Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage  624  (2d. Ed. 1995). Also, to the extent that the terms “in” or “into” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean “on” or “onto.” 
         [0046]    While the present application illustrates various embodiments, and while these embodiments have been described in some detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the claimed invention to such detail. Departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant&#39;s claimed invention. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8