Patent Description:
This disclosure relates generally to a containment system for containing a fluid. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a fitment for attaching a liner within a container and providing a fluid path from the liner to an outside of the containment system.

Some manufacturing processes utilize fluid chemicals. The fluid chemicals may include, for example, acids, solvents, bases, photoresists, dopants, inorganic solutions, organic solutions, pharmaceuticals, or the like. In using such chemicals, glass bottles may be utilized to properly contain the chemicals during storage, transport, and ultimately during the manufacturing process itself. Glass bottles are typically used for containers, as they can provide ultraviolet (UV) protection and chemically resistant wetted surfaces for storage and transport of the fluid chemicals.

<CIT> relates to a system for handling high purity liquid chemicals according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

The present invention relates to a fitment for a fluid containment system and a containment system according to claim <NUM>.

Glass bottles are currently used for many manufacturing chemicals. Plastic bottles may offer lower cost over glass bottles. Plastic bottles provide better resistance to shattering and are safer and less difficult to clean up following a drop or other handling incident. Plastic bottles may, through use of materials such as fluoropolymers, also provide reduced contamination of some sensitive chemicals when compared to glass.

Plastics having suitable manufacturing properties for use in bottles, such as stretch-blow-moldable plastics, tend to be reactive with many chemicals used in manufacturing processes. Plastics suitable for containing these chemicals, such as, but not limited to fluoropolymers, are difficult or expensive to manufacture into bottles, and may lack other important properties such as, but not limited to, blocking ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Embodiments of this disclosure include fitments that allow attachment of a bag within a plastic bottle (e.g., a bag-in-bottle), to allow the wetted surfaces of the container to be made of non-reactive materials, while allowing outer surfaces to use materials having desirable manufacturing properties, and other properties such as UV protection.

According to the invention, a fitment for a fluid containment system includes a liner fitment having a liner joining surface configured to be joined to a liner and defining a liner fitment aperture, and the liner fitment is joined to a retainer. The retainer defines an aperture suitable for receiving the liner fitment. The liner fitment is held in the aperture by a load-bearing feature formed by an outer surface of the liner fitment and surface of the retainer.

In an embodiment, the liner joining surface is disposed on an annular flange. In an embodiment, the liner joining surface is disposed on one or more curved surfaces extending from a first end point to a second end point.

In an embodiment, the retainer includes one or more vent holes, allowing fluid communication from a first side of the retainer to a second side of the retainer, the second side of the retainer being opposite the first side of the retainer.

In an embodiment, the liner fitment is made of a fluoropolymer. In an embodiment, the retainer is made of a UV-blocking material.

In an embodiment, the retainer includes a polymer that is ultrasonically weldable to a stretch-blow moldable polymer.

In an embodiment, an O-ring is located between the liner fitment and the retainer. In an embodiment, an annular groove is located on an outer surface of the liner fitment, and the O-ring is located within the annular groove.

In an embodiment, a fluid containment system includes a liner, a container, surrounding the liner, and a fitment. The fitment includes a liner fitment having a liner joining surface joined to the liner and defining a liner fitment aperture. The retainer defines an aperture suitable for receiving the liner fitment. The liner fitment is held in the aperture by a load-bearing feature formed by an outer surface of the liner fitment and surface of the retainer.

In an embodiment, the liner is joined to the liner joining surface of the fitment by a weld. In an embodiment, the container is joined to the retainer by a weld.

In an embodiment, the container includes a UV-blocking material. In an embodiment, the container comprises a stretch blow-moldable polymer. In an embodiment, the liner comprises a fluoropolymer.

A method of manufacturing a containment system includes welding a liner to a fitment at a liner joining surface, placing the liner and the fitment inside a container, pressurizing the liner, and joining the fitment to the container at a container joining surface. In an embodiment, joining the fitment to the container is ultrasonic welding of the container and fitment. In an embodiment, the liner is pressurized when joining the fitment to the container.

The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following description of various illustrative embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings.

It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit aspects of the disclosure to the particular illustrative embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Some manufacturing processes utilize fluid chemicals. The fluid chemicals may include, for example, acids, solvents, bases, photoresists, dopants, inorganic solutions, organic solutions, pharmaceuticals, or the like. In using such chemicals, a fluid containment system may be utilized to properly contain the chemicals during storage, transport, and ultimately during the manufacturing process itself.

A fluid includes, but is not limited to, a substance that flows or deforms when a shear stress is applied. A fluid can include, for example, a liquid.

<FIG> shows a section view of an end of a fluid containment system <NUM>, according to an embodiment. Fluid containment system <NUM> includes container <NUM>, retainer <NUM>, and liner fitment <NUM>.

Fluid containment system <NUM> is a system for containing chemicals such as, for example, acids, solvents, bases, photoresists, dopants, inorganic solutions, organic solutions, pharmaceuticals, or the like.

Container <NUM> is a hollow container capable of holding a fluid located within a liner (not shown), such as the liner described below and shown in <FIG>. Container <NUM> may be made of one or more polymers. Container <NUM> may be made of, for example, a stretch-blow moldable polymer. Examples of materials that may be used in container <NUM> include polyethylene (PE), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly(ethylene terepthate) glycol (PETG), polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalic acid (PCTA), polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate glycol (PCTG), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), polyethersulfone (PES), polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), high impact polystyrene (HIPS), poly(ethylene napthalate) (PEN), poly(ether ketone) (PEEK), cyclic olefin polymers, cyclic olefin copolymers, or the like, and copolymers including those materials.

Container <NUM> may be a bottle. In an embodiment, container <NUM> is a bottle having an internal volume of between at or about <NUM> and at or about <NUM> liters. Only an end of container <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The entirety of container <NUM> is shown in <FIG> and described below.

Container <NUM> may be made of a UV-blocking material, for example by inclusion of additives, pigments, or the like in the material used for the container <NUM>. Container <NUM> may be made of a material selected for resistance to shattering due to, for example, fluid containment system <NUM> being dropped during handling. In an embodiment, container <NUM> is an outer layer of containment system <NUM>, and a liner is located inside of container <NUM>. In an embodiment, container <NUM> has an opening <NUM> (<FIG>) at an end of the container <NUM>, and a fitment is located at the opening <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the fitment located at opening <NUM> is a fitment including the retainer <NUM> and the liner fitment <NUM>. In an embodiment, the liner fitment <NUM> is joined to the bottle at the opening <NUM>. In an embodiment, the liner fitment <NUM> extends through the opening <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, retainer <NUM> and liner fitment <NUM> are joined to one another. As shown in <FIG>, retainer <NUM> is joined to liner fitment <NUM> by the interface of protrusions <NUM> from an outer surface <NUM> (<FIG>) of liner fitment <NUM> with recesses or openings <NUM> on an inner surface <NUM> of the retainer <NUM>. In an example not comprised in the scope of the invention, retainer <NUM> and liner fitment <NUM> may be joined by friction, such as being sized to be press-fit to one another, or by friction at an O-ring <NUM> (visible in <FIG>) disposed in an O-ring groove, such as O-ring groove <NUM> disposed on the outer surface <NUM> of liner fitment <NUM>. In an example not comprised in the scope of the invention, adhesive may be used to join retainer <NUM> to liner fitment <NUM>. In an example not comprised in the scope of the invention, welding, such as ultrasonic welding, may be used to join retainer <NUM> to liner fitment <NUM>. O-ring <NUM> may be made of a material that is softer than the retainer <NUM> or the liner fitment <NUM>. O-ring <NUM> may be made of a material selected based on cleanliness and reduction of particle generation from friction between the O-ring <NUM> and the retainer <NUM> and/or liner fitment <NUM>.

Retainer <NUM> may be made of a material capable of being joined to container <NUM> via, for example, ultrasonic welding, heating, or the like. Capability of being joined may depend on the method of joining, the compatibility of materials, and similarity among the melting points of materials used for container <NUM> and retainer <NUM>. Retainer <NUM> may include additives or coatings, such as stabilizers, colorants, or UV-blocking or absorbing materials.

Examples of materials used in retainer <NUM> may include, for example, PE, PET, PEN, and/or PEEK.

Retainer <NUM> includes a container joining surface <NUM>, configured to be joined to container <NUM> at a corresponding joining surface <NUM>a. Retainer <NUM> includes openings <NUM>, having a width, height, and depth capable of receiving protrusions <NUM> from the liner fitment <NUM> to secure the liner fitment <NUM> and the retainer <NUM> together. Retainer <NUM> defines an aperture, through which liner fitment <NUM> may pass. An example of this aperture is shown in <FIG> and described below. In an embodiment, an O-ring groove is disposed on retainer <NUM> on an inner surface facing the retainer aperture. In an embodiment, retainer <NUM> has threads <NUM>. In an embodiment, threads <NUM> are located at an end of the retainer <NUM> that is outside the container <NUM> when the fluid containment system <NUM> is assembled. In an embodiment, retainer <NUM> is configured to be joined to container <NUM> via a snap-fit.

Liner fitment <NUM> is made of one or more materials capable of being joined to a liner used with containment system <NUM>. The liner and liner fitment <NUM> may be joined by, for example, ultrasonic welding, heat sealing, or the like. The joining of liner and liner fitment <NUM> may form a fluid-impermeable seal between the liner and liner fitment <NUM> such that a fluid within the liner can only escape via a liner fitment aperture <NUM> in the liner fitment <NUM>.

A material selected for liner fitment <NUM> may be selected in part based on the reactivity of the material with a chemical to be stored in the fluid containment system <NUM>. In an embodiment, a liner used with containment system <NUM> is poly (tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE), and the liner fitment <NUM> is a perfluoroalkoxy alkane polymer (PFA).

Liner fitment <NUM> defines the liner fitment aperture <NUM> having diameter <NUM> and passing through the entire liner fitment <NUM>. The liner fitment aperture <NUM> allows fluid communication from a first end <NUM> of the liner fitment <NUM>, disposed outside of container <NUM>, and a second end <NUM> of the liner fitment <NUM>, disposed inside the container <NUM> when the containment system <NUM> is assembled. Liner fitment <NUM> includes a liner joining surface <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the liner joining surface <NUM> is disposed on a flange <NUM> extending from the liner fitment <NUM>. In an embodiment, the liner joining surface <NUM> is joined to a liner via ultrasonic welding. In an embodiment, the liner joining surface <NUM> is joined to a liner via a heat seal or a heat weld.

The liner (not shown) may be joined to liner fitment <NUM> at liner joining surface <NUM> such that fluid within container <NUM> is held within the liner, the liner and the liner fitment <NUM> providing wetted surfaces having appropriate and/or desired properties, such as resistance to or compatibility with the fluid to be stored in the fluid containment system <NUM>. Other factors for material selection for the liner may include chemical compatibility with the chemical to be stored, cleanliness of the material (i.e. reduced material loss during storage or handling), ease of cleaning the liners, purity of the material, or other such concerns regarding potential interactions between the liner and a chemical to be stored.

<FIG> shows an enlarged portion of the section view of <FIG> shows the joint between retainer <NUM> and container <NUM>, according to an embodiment. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, retainer <NUM> includes container joining surface <NUM>, and the container <NUM> has a corresponding joining surface <NUM>a. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, container <NUM> has a shear joint <NUM> which functions as an energy director located at an inner circumferential portion of corresponding joining surface <NUM>a. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, shear joint <NUM> and container joining surface <NUM> are configured to be ultrasonically welded together. Embodiments may include joining surfaces <NUM> and corresponding joining surfaces <NUM>a configured to be joined via other ultrasonic welding joint structures, such as step joint or tongue and groove ultrasonic welds, or the like. Embodiments may include joining surfaces <NUM> and corresponding joining surfaces <NUM>a configured to be joined through other methods of joining such as heat welds, mechanical connections such as via snaps or threads, adhesives, or the like.

In <FIG>, the retainer <NUM> and liner fitment <NUM> are joined to one another via the interface between opening <NUM> of retainer <NUM> and protrusion <NUM> from the liner fitment <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> from liner fitment <NUM> has a sloping side <NUM> over which retainer <NUM> can be slid, and an engagement face <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the engagement face <NUM> is parallel to a side of the opening <NUM> of retainer <NUM>. Engagement face <NUM> of protrusion <NUM> engages with a side of an opening <NUM> in retainer <NUM> to secure liner fitment <NUM> to the retainer <NUM>.

Also in <FIG>, O-ring <NUM> can be seen in O-ring groove <NUM>. O-ring <NUM> may be made of a polymer, such as an elastic polymer, for example rubber or the like. O-ring <NUM> may provide a seal between retainer <NUM> and liner fitment <NUM>. In an embodiment, O-ring <NUM> is used to provide friction between retainer <NUM> and liner fitment <NUM> joined to one another.

<FIG> shows the entire fluid containment system <NUM>, including the entirety of container <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, container <NUM> may be, for example, a bottle, and the portion shown in <FIG> may be a neck <NUM> of that bottle. The container <NUM> may have an opening <NUM> at the end at which the retainer <NUM> and liner fitment <NUM> are connected. The container <NUM> may include features such as depressed portions <NUM> shown in <FIG>, raised portions, textured portions, handles, or other such features. Surface features such as depressed portions <NUM> may be added, for example, to improve aesthetics, handling, bottle strength, or suitable combinations thereof.

<FIG> shows a section view of an end of a fluid containment system <NUM>, according to an embodiment. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the fluid containment system <NUM> includes container <NUM> and retainer <NUM>, along with all of the features of those elements as shown in <FIG> and described above, as well as liner fitment <NUM>.

Liner fitment <NUM> includes the O-ring groove <NUM>, as in liner fitment <NUM> described above. Liner fitment <NUM> defines an aperture <NUM> extending from a first end of liner fitment <NUM> to a second end of liner fitment <NUM>. Liner fitment <NUM> may be made of the same materials as liner fitment <NUM> described above. In liner fitment <NUM>, liner joining surface <NUM> is located on first end point <NUM>, second end point <NUM>, and one or more curved surfaces (not shown) extending from the first end point <NUM> to the second end point <NUM>. Curved surfaces such as those on which liner joining surface <NUM> may be disposed are visible in <FIG> and <FIG> and are described below.

The retainer includes one or more load-bearing features to engage the liner fitment and create a seal between the liner fitment and the retainer. <FIG> depicts one particular embodiment of the fluid containment system <NUM> with a container <NUM> having a retainer <NUM> secured in an opening <NUM> of the container <NUM>. A liner fitment <NUM> is secured in the retainer <NUM> by pressing the top edge <NUM> of the liner fitment <NUM> through the aperture <NUM> of the retainer <NUM> until a load bearing feature <NUM> of the liner fitment <NUM> passes a load-bearing feature <NUM> on the retainer <NUM>. The mating of load-bearing features <NUM>, <NUM> seats the liner fitment <NUM> securely within the retainer <NUM>. The retainer <NUM>, the liner fitment <NUM> or both are molded polymers that may be resilient enough to allow movement of the liner fitment <NUM> through the retainer <NUM> into the seating alignment. Once the liner fitment <NUM> is seated, it may not be easily retracted from the retainer <NUM>.

One of ordinary skill in the art with knowledge of this disclosure will recognize that the load bearing features of the retainer and the liner fitment may be placed at various locations to secure the liner fitment in the retainer. <FIG> are non-limiting examples of two potential load-bearing features. In <FIG>, a load-bearing feature <NUM> of the retainer <NUM> and a load-bearing feature <NUM> of the liner fitment <NUM> are positioned at location below the top edge <NUM> of liner fitment <NUM>. <FIG> depicts an alternative location for a load-bearing feature. In <FIG>, the load-bearing feature includes an annular surface <NUM> on an end of the liner fitment <NUM>. The annular surface <NUM> extends beyond the aperture <NUM> of the retainer <NUM> to form a seat at an upper edge <NUM> of the retainer. The load-bearing features described may be used singularly or in combination, such as illustrated in <FIG>, to matingly engage the retainer <NUM> and liner fitment. Additionally, other sealing options, such as an O-ring, may be employed to enhance the seal between the retainer and the fitment liner.

Liner fitment <NUM> includes protrusions such as protrusions <NUM> shown on liner fitment <NUM> in <FIG>; however, these are not visible in the section view of <FIG>. Such protrusions may engage retainer <NUM> to fix liner fitment <NUM> to retainer <NUM>. Such protrusions are also visible in the example liner fitment <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of a liner fitment <NUM>, according to an embodiment. Liner fitment <NUM> defines liner fitment aperture <NUM>, which extends through a length direction <NUM> (visible in <FIG>) of the liner fitment <NUM>. Liner fitment <NUM> includes flange <NUM>. Liner joining surface <NUM> is disposed on a surface of flange <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, projections <NUM> are disposed on outer surface <NUM> of the liner fitment <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, an O-ring groove <NUM> is also disposed on outer surface <NUM> of the liner fitment <NUM>.

Liner fitment aperture <NUM> is an opening extending in the length direction <NUM> of liner fitment <NUM>. When a liner (not shown) is attached to the liner fitment aperture <NUM> at the liner joining surface <NUM>, the liner fitment aperture <NUM> allows fluid communication into and out of the liner, and provides the wetted surface between the inside of the liner and outside of a fluid containment system including the liner fitment <NUM>. In an embodiment, the wetted surface provided by liner fitment <NUM> is one or more polymers that are non-reactive with a chemical to be stored in a fluid containment system including the liner fitment <NUM>, such as fluoropolymers, including homopolymers and copolymers of fluoropolymers. In an embodiment, the liner fitment <NUM> is made entirely of one or more polymers that are non-reactive with a chemical to be stored in a fluid containment system including the liner fitment <NUM>, such as fluoropolymers, including homopolymers and copolymers of fluoropolymers.

Flange <NUM> extends from liner fitment <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, flange <NUM> is an annular projection from an end of the liner fitment <NUM>. In an embodiment, flange <NUM> is continuous. In embodiments where the flange is discontinuous, part or all of the width of the flange may include the discontinuities. In an embodiment where the flange is discontinuous, the flange includes one or more openings through the flange. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the liner joining surface <NUM> is disposed on an upper surface of the flange <NUM>. The liner joining surface <NUM> is a surface configured to be joined to a liner. The connection between the liner and liner joining surface <NUM> may be fluid-impermeable and may be via, for example, a weld such as an ultrasonic weld or a heat weld. In an embodiment, the material at liner joining surface <NUM> is the same material as used in the liner to be used with liner fitment <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a section view of liner fitment <NUM> according to the embodiment shown in <FIG>. In the section view of <FIG>, the length direction <NUM> of the liner fitment, is visible. Liner fitment aperture <NUM> extends the entire length of liner fitment <NUM> in this length direction <NUM>. The liner fitment <NUM> has a first end inner diameter <NUM> and a first end outer diameter <NUM>. In an embodiment, the first end inner diameter <NUM> is selected to allow insertion of a tube into a liner attached to liner fitment <NUM> to allow fluid to be extracted from the liner via the tube. In an embodiment, an inner diameter of a retainer to be used with the liner fitment <NUM> is selected to be greater than the first end outer diameter <NUM> of liner fitment <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of a liner fitment <NUM>, according to an embodiment. Liner fitment <NUM> defines a liner fitment aperture <NUM>. Liner fitment aperture <NUM> is an opening in liner fitment <NUM> extending in a length direction <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) of the liner fitment <NUM>.

Liner fitment <NUM> includes liner joining surface <NUM>. Liner joining surface <NUM> is configured to allow the liner fitment <NUM> to be joined to a liner. The liner may be joined to the liner joining surface <NUM> via a fluid-impermeable seal by, for example, an ultrasonic weld or heat sealing. The liner joining surface <NUM> may be configured to be joined to the liner by, for example, ultrasonic welding. In an embodiment, the material at the liner joining surfaces <NUM> or for the entire liner fitment <NUM> is selected based on compatibility with chemicals to be stored within the liner. For example, in an embodiment, liner fitment <NUM> is made of PFA when the liner fitment <NUM> is to be used with a liner made of PTFE.

Liner fitment <NUM> has outer surface <NUM>. On outer surface <NUM>, an O-ring groove <NUM> may be disposed. O-ring groove <NUM> is an annular groove in outer surface <NUM> having a depth and width to receive an O-ring and, in some embodiments, to allow a portion of the O-ring to protrude past outer surface <NUM> such that it may contact a retainer used with liner fitment <NUM>, for example to form a seal between the liner fitment <NUM> and the retainer used with the liner fitment <NUM>. The seal formed via the O-ring may be a fluid-impermeable seal. The O-ring may be made of a polymer, for example an elastic polymer such as rubber. The O-ring may be the same as or similar to the O-ring <NUM> shown in <FIG> and described above.

Protrusions <NUM> may extend from outer surface <NUM> of liner fitment <NUM>. The protrusions <NUM> may be configured to engage with recesses on a retainer to be used with the liner fitment <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a section view of liner fitment <NUM> according to the embodiment shown in <FIG>. In the sectional view, the length direction <NUM> of the liner fitment <NUM>, along which liner fitment aperture <NUM> extends, is visible. In the sectional view, an inner diameter <NUM> of the liner fitment <NUM> is visible, and defines the diameter of the liner fitment aperture <NUM> at an end of the liner fitment <NUM>. The liner fitment <NUM> also has an outer diameter <NUM> at that end. A thickness of the liner fitment <NUM> at the end is half of a difference between the inner diameter <NUM> and the outer diameter <NUM> of the liner fitment. The thickness of the liner fitment <NUM> may vary along the length direction <NUM> of the liner fitment <NUM>. A retainer to be used with liner fitment <NUM> will have an aperture that has a diameter at least about that of outer diameter <NUM> of the liner fitment, such that the liner fitment <NUM> can be inserted into the aperture of the retainer. In an embodiment, the retainer will have an aperture having a diameter selected to be approximately equal or slightly smaller than outer diameter <NUM> of the liner fitment, such that the retainer may be press-fit with the liner fitment <NUM> when assembled.

<FIG> shows a bottom view of liner fitment <NUM> according to the embodiment shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, protrusions <NUM> are visible. Both surfaces <NUM> extending from first end point <NUM> to second endpoint <NUM> are shown in <FIG>. Liner joining surface <NUM> is disposed on each of surfaces <NUM> and at first and second end points <NUM>, <NUM>. Liner fitment aperture <NUM> extends through the entirety of the liner fitment <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, in a bottom or top view of the liner fitment <NUM>, the surfaces <NUM> and end points <NUM>, <NUM>, form a regular diagonal, where an angle formed between the surfaces <NUM> at end points <NUM> and <NUM> equal one another, and the surfaces <NUM> have equal lengths and curvatures.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of a retainer <NUM>, according to an embodiment. Retainer <NUM> defines a retainer aperture <NUM> along a length direction <NUM> (<FIG>) of the retainer <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, retainer <NUM> includes multiple openings (shown in <FIG> as <NUM>) configured to receive projections from a liner fitment such as projections <NUM> of liner fitment <NUM> shown in <FIG> or projections <NUM> of liner fitment <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Retainer <NUM> may include a container joining surface (shown in <FIG> as <NUM>). In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the container joining surface <NUM> is located on a retainer flange <NUM>.

Retainer aperture <NUM> is an opening defined by retainer <NUM>. Retainer aperture <NUM> has an inner diameter <NUM> that is about the same size or larger than an outer diameter of a liner fitment such as outer diameter <NUM> of liner fitment <NUM> or outer diameter <NUM> of liner fitment <NUM> that is used with retainer <NUM>. This allows the liner fitment <NUM> or <NUM> to be inserted into retainer aperture <NUM>. In an embodiment, liner fitment <NUM> or <NUM> may project through the retainer <NUM> such that the liner fitment <NUM> or <NUM> provides the entire wetted surface from the liner to outside the fluid containment system, for example, fluid containment system <NUM> or fluid containment system <NUM> when the fluid containment systems <NUM>, <NUM> are assembled.

Retainer <NUM> includes threads <NUM> on an outer surface of the retainer <NUM>. Threads <NUM> may be used, for example, to attach a cap enclosing a containment system including retainer <NUM>. In an embodiment, retainer <NUM> may not include threads <NUM> at an end. In an embodiment, another connector such as a lip for engaging a cap may be present on retainer <NUM>. In an embodiment, retainer <NUM> may include features configured to engage with a cap to form a snap fit between the retainer and the cap.

Retainer flange <NUM> extends outwards from retainer <NUM>. Retainer flange <NUM> may be an annular flange, surrounding the entirety of retainer <NUM>. Retainer flange <NUM> may include one or more vent holes. The vent holes may allow fluid communication between an outside of a fluid containment system including the retainer <NUM> and a space between a liner joined to a liner fitment and a container joined to the container joining surface <NUM>. In an embodiment, the vent holes are used to pressurize the space between the container and the liner when dispensing a chemical stored in the liner of the fluid containment system. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, retainer flange <NUM> is continuous. In an embodiment, the retainer flange <NUM> includes one or more discontinuities in some or all of the retainer flange <NUM> as it extends away from retainer <NUM>. In an embodiment the discontinuities form vent holes at the edges of retainer flange <NUM> and gaps in the container joining surface <NUM> corresponding to the discontinuities in the flange <NUM>. In an embodiment, the vent holes allow air to escape or enter the container in response to changes in volume for the liner.

<FIG> shows a section view of retainer <NUM> according to the embodiment shown in <FIG>. In the view of <FIG>, openings <NUM> described above are visible, as is container joining surface <NUM>. <FIG> shows the length direction <NUM> of retainer <NUM>, along which retainer aperture <NUM> extends.

Container joining surface <NUM> may be located on flange <NUM> of retainer <NUM>. Container joining surface <NUM> may be a surface configured to be joined to a container, such as container <NUM> shown in <FIG> and described above. In an embodiment, container joining surface <NUM> is positioned to be welded to the container. In an embodiment, container joining surface <NUM> is a flat surface that is configured to contact an energy director on a corresponding joining surface of a container upon ultrasonic welding.

In an embodiment, container joining surface <NUM> is a position for adhesive to be used to join the retainer <NUM> to a container. In an embodiment, container joining surface <NUM> may be configured to be mechanically joined to the container, for example via threads, snaps, an interference fit, or the like. Container joining surface <NUM> may be continuous, for example extending around an entire circumference of flange <NUM> where flange <NUM> is an annular flange. In an embodiment, container joining surface <NUM> is discontinuous to form vent holes allowing fluid communication between a space outside the containment system and a space between a container and a liner of the containment system.

Openings <NUM> are openings in retainer <NUM> having a height <NUM>, width (not visible in the section view of <FIG>), orientation, and depth <NUM> are configured to receive protrusions on a liner fitment used with the retainer, such as protrusions <NUM> of liner fitment <NUM> or protrusions <NUM> of liner fitment <NUM> described above. The openings <NUM> of the retainer <NUM> and the protrusions <NUM> of liner fitment <NUM> or protrusions <NUM> of liner fitment <NUM> described above combine to provide a snap fit joining liner fitment <NUM> or liner fitment <NUM> to retainer <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a liner <NUM>, according to an embodiment. The liner <NUM> in the embodiment shown in <FIG> can be used with liner fitment <NUM>, as described above and shown in <FIG>.

Liner <NUM> contains a fluid when the fluid is stored in a fluid containment system including the liner <NUM>, such as fluid containment system <NUM> or fluid containment system <NUM>. Liner <NUM> is formed of a top sheet and a bottom sheet. The top sheet, bottom sheet, and liner fitment <NUM> are joined using a joining method that results in a fluid-impermeable seal, such as a weld, for example an ultrasonic weld or heat seal.

The liner fitment <NUM> can be placed such that the flange <NUM>, on which liner joining surface <NUM> is disposed, is located between the bottom sheet and the top sheet, with the liner fitment <NUM> protruding through an opening <NUM> in the top sheet. Opening <NUM> has a diameter <NUM> that is larger than a diameter of the liner fitment <NUM> at an end of the liner fitment aperture <NUM>, but smaller than the smallest diameter of flange <NUM> of the liner fitment <NUM>. In an embodiment, liner fitment <NUM> protrudes out of the liner <NUM>. In an embodiment, a seal can be formed preventing fluids from escaping liner <NUM> except through liner fitment aperture <NUM> of liner fitment <NUM>.

Liner <NUM> may be closed by joining the edges <NUM> of the top sheet and the bottom sheet to form a seal around the edges <NUM>, and allowing fluid to be stored in a space <NUM> between the top sheet and bottom sheet and between the sealed edges <NUM>.

In an embodiment, liner <NUM> is joined to a liner fitment such as liner fitment <NUM> having joining surfaces located on curved surfaces between two end points instead of on a flange. When liner <NUM> is used with a liner fitment such as liner fitment <NUM>, the bottom sheet, top sheet, and the liner fitment <NUM> are arranged such that an edge of each of the bottom sheet and the top sheet each contact a curved surface <NUM> on which a liner joining surface <NUM> of the liner fitment <NUM> is disposed. Edges <NUM> of the top sheet and bottom sheet are joined to one another and to the liner joining surfaces <NUM>. When liner <NUM> is used with a liner fitment such as liner fitment <NUM>, opening <NUM> may be omitted from the sheets used to form the liner <NUM>. When liner <NUM> is used with a liner fitment such as liner fitment <NUM>, the top and bottom sheets and the liner fitment <NUM> may be joined to one another during one joining process such as ultrasonic welding or heat welding.

Liner <NUM> may be made of a polymer. Liner <NUM> may be made of a polymer that is impermeable to the fluid to be contained by the containment system including liner <NUM>. Liner <NUM> may be made of a flexible polymer such that the liner may be expanded when pressurized. In an embodiment, liner <NUM> is made of a polymer selected based on chemical resistance or compatibility with the fluid to be contained by the containment system including liner <NUM>. In an embodiment, liner <NUM> is made of a fluoropolymer, which may be a homopolymer or a copolymer of a fluoropolymer. In an embodiment, liner <NUM> is PTFE. In an embodiment, a liner fitment such as liner fitment <NUM> or liner fitment <NUM> is made of a material selected to be ultrasonically weldable to the liner <NUM>, such as PFA when the liner <NUM> is PTFE. In an embodiment, the liner may be, for example, polyolefins, or any other polymer suitable for containing chemicals to be used with a containment system including the liner, based on, for example, chemical compatibility, purity, and cleanliness of the liner material.

<FIG> shows a liner <NUM> according to an embodiment. The liner <NUM> is configured to be used with a fitment as shown in <FIG>. Liner <NUM> has neck <NUM>. When the edges <NUM> of the layers of liner <NUM> are joined, to form the liner, the edge at an end <NUM> of the neck <NUM> is not joined and allows fluid flow between the outside of the liner and space <NUM> between the joined layers of the liner. When liner <NUM> is used with liner fitment <NUM>, the inner surfaces <NUM> of the neck <NUM> are joined to the liner joining surface <NUM> by a heat seal or an ultrasonic weld.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method of manufacturing a containment system <NUM>, according to an embodiment. The liner is joined to at least a portion of the fitment <NUM>. Optionally, the fitment is fully assembled <NUM>. The liner and fitment are placed within a container <NUM>. The liner is pressurized <NUM>. The fitment is joined to the container <NUM>.

The liner is joined to at least a portion of the fitment <NUM>. In an embodiment, the liner is joined to the entire fitment, such as an assembled fitment as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> or a fitment <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In an embodiment, the liner is joined to only a portion of a fitment, such as liner fitment <NUM> or liner fitment <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, respectively, prior to their assembly with a retainer such as retainer <NUM> (<FIG>). The liner may be liner <NUM> as described above. The liner may be joined to the fitment or portion of a fitment <NUM> by, for example, ultrasonic welding, heat sealing, adhesives, or the like. In an embodiment, the liner is assembled as it is joined to the portion of the fitment.

Optionally, where the liner is joined to only a portion of a fitment in <NUM>, the fitment may be assembled <NUM>. The fitment is assembled by joining the components, such as a retainer (e.g., retainer <NUM>) and a liner fitment such as liner fitment <NUM> or liner fitment <NUM>. The components may include the liner fitment such as liner fitment <NUM> or liner fitment <NUM> and a retainer such as retainer <NUM>. The liner fitment and the retainer may be joined by, for example, mechanical interference such as snaps or threads, friction such as press-fitting or an O-ring disposed between the liner fitment and retainer, or by adhesives.

The liner and fitment are placed within a container <NUM>. The liner is placed entirely within a container such as container <NUM> used in containment system <NUM> described above and shown in <FIG>. The fitment is surrounded by a perimeter of an aperture of the container. In an embodiment, the container joining surface, such as container joining surface <NUM> is placed in contact with a corresponding joining surface <NUM>a.

The liner is pressurized <NUM>. Pressurizing the liner may be accomplished via, for example, a gas tube providing gas to a liner fitment aperture such as liner fitment aperture <NUM>. Pressurizing the liner may be performed while the container, liner, and fitment are inside an ultrasonic welding device, for example by providing a gas source such as a gas tube, apertures in a bell of the ultrasonic welding device, or the like. Pressurizing the liner <NUM> expands the liner inside the container. In an embodiment where the fitment is joined to the container by an airtight seal, pressurizing the liner may be performed prior to joining the fitment to the container <NUM>.

The fitment is joined to the container <NUM>. The fitment and the container may be joined by ultrasonic welding, heat sealing, adhesives, or the like. In embodiments, the fitment and container may be joined by mechanical interference such as snaps or threads, friction such as press-fitting or an O-ring disposed between the liner fitment and retainer, or by adhesives. Joining the fitment to the container <NUM> may be performed while the liner is pressurized. In an embodiment, the liner is pressurized <NUM>, and then pressure is maintained while joining the fitment to the container <NUM>. In an embodiment, the liner is pressurized <NUM> while the container and fitment are in an ultrasonic welding device used to join the fitment to the container <NUM>. In an embodiment, the gas source used to pressurize the liner <NUM> continues to be in use to maintain pressure in the liner as the ultrasonic welding device is used to form an ultrasonic weld joining the fitment to the container.

<FIG> shows a fitment <NUM>, according to an embodiment. Fitment <NUM> defines an aperture <NUM> extending in a length direction <NUM> of the fitment <NUM>. Fitment <NUM> may include a container joining surface <NUM>, and a liner joining surface <NUM>. In an embodiment, container joining surface <NUM> is located on a flange <NUM> extending outwards from the fitment <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, liner joining surface <NUM> is located on first end point <NUM> and second end point <NUM>, and on surfaces (not visible in the section view of <FIG>) extending from the first end point <NUM> to the second end point <NUM>, as in the liner joining surface <NUM> described above and shown in <FIG>. In an embodiment, liner joining surface <NUM> may be located on a flange, similar to liner joining surface <NUM> and flange <NUM> described above and shown in <FIG>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, fitment <NUM> is a unitary fitment, formed of a one-piece construction including both liner joining surface <NUM> and container joining surface <NUM>, instead of a separate retainer and liner fitment. A unitary fitment may be made of a material weldable to both a container and a liner. A unitary fitment may be used for containment systems used to contain chemicals that are not particularly sensitive to the cleanliness or reactivity of the liner and fitment materials.

In an embodiment, one or more vent holes may be formed in fitment <NUM>, for example in the flange <NUM>. The vent holes may allow fluid communication between an outside of a fluid containment system including the fitment <NUM> and a space between a liner joined to the liner joining surface <NUM> and a container joined to the container joining surface <NUM> of the fitment <NUM>, for example to pressurize that space when dispensing a chemical stored in the liner of the fluid containment system. The vent holes may allow air to enter or leave a space between a liner and a container joined by the fitment <NUM>, for example in response to changes in the volume of the liner.

Fitment <NUM> may be made of one or more polymers having suitable joining characteristics relative to a container and a liner, chemical resistance or compatibility, and/or other properties required by an application for a fluid containment system, such as UV blocking and the like. In an embodiment, a coating such as a fluoropolymer which may be a homopolymer or a copolymer of a fluoropolymer, such as PFA or the like, may be applied to the wetted surfaces of the fitment <NUM> such as an inner surface of the fitment <NUM> defining aperture <NUM> of the fitment <NUM>. In an embodiment, the entire fitment <NUM> is made of a fluoropolymer which may be a homopolymer or a copolymer of a fluoropolymer, for example PFA. In an embodiment, the fitment <NUM> is coated with a surface treatment, such as a UV-absorbing coating, or other coatings to improve cleanliness and/or chemical compatibility.

The fitment <NUM> may be used in a fluid containment system, for example, where a fitment material provides all of the needed properties for an application the fluid containment system is to be used for. For example, if a fluid containment system is to be used for storage of a chemical for which UV protection is not important, and a fluoropolymer, which may be a homopolymer or a copolymer of a fluoropolymer, can be successfully joined to the container <NUM>, the unitary fitment <NUM> may be used in place of systems having separate retainers such as retainer <NUM> and separate liner fitments such as liner fitment <NUM> or liner fitment <NUM>. The fitment <NUM> can include threads <NUM> for receiving a cap or the like.

In some embodiments, a fluid containment system, as described herein can include a closure ring. <FIG> show various views of a closure ring <NUM>, and <FIG> show various views of a fluid containment system <NUM> including the closure ring <NUM> coupled with a fluid container <NUM>. Fluid container <NUM> includes a neck <NUM> to which a retainer <NUM> and a fitment <NUM>, as described herein according to the various embodiments, are connected.

The closure ring <NUM> is cylindrical and includes an aperture <NUM> that is sized such that the closure ring <NUM> can be received over the neck <NUM> of the fluid container <NUM> including retainer <NUM> and liner fitment <NUM>. Closure ring <NUM> includes a plurality of internal threads <NUM> provided on an inner surface <NUM>. Internal threads <NUM> are configured to threadably engage external threads <NUM> provided on an external surface <NUM> of the neck <NUM> of the fluid container <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, closure ring <NUM> is received over the retainer <NUM> and fitment <NUM> and is threadably engaged with threads <NUM> provided on the outer surface <NUM> of the neck <NUM> of the container <NUM>. When the closure ring <NUM> is threaded onto the neck <NUM> of the container <NUM>, closure ring <NUM> applies a downward pressure to the retainer <NUM> which aids in retention of the liner fitment <NUM> and retainer <NUM> in the neck <NUM> of the fluid container <NUM>.

Closure ring <NUM> also include a plurality of tines <NUM> extending away from the inner surface <NUM> in a direction towards a center of the closure ring <NUM>. In some embodiments, as best viewed in <FIG>, the tines <NUM> are located at a bottom end <NUM> of the closure ring <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, tines <NUM> interact with protrusions <NUM> provided on an external surface <NUM> of the neck <NUM> of the fluid container <NUM> to which the closure ring <NUM> is coupled. According to various embodiments, the neck <NUM> includes at least two protrusions spaced an equal distance apart about an outer circumference of the neck <NUM> of the fluid container <NUM>. The interaction between tines <NUM> and protrusions <NUM> define a ratcheting system, which helps secure closure ring <NUM> to the fluid container <NUM>. In addition, once secure, protrusions <NUM> provide an anti-rotational function which prevents closure ring <NUM> from being removed from the fluid container <NUM>. If removed, protrusions <NUM> will deform indicating that the fluid containment system <NUM> has been tampered with or improperly opened.

The terminology used in this specification is intended to describe particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. The terms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural forms as well, unless clearly indicated otherwise. The terms "comprises" and "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, or components.

Claim 1:
A fitment for a fluid containment system (<NUM>), comprising:
a liner fitment (<NUM>), including a liner joining surface (<NUM>), the liner joining surface configured to be joined to a liner, wherein the liner fitment defines a liner fitment aperture (<NUM>); and
a retainer (<NUM>), including a container joining surface (<NUM>), the container joining surface configured to be joined to a container (<NUM>), wherein the retainer defines an aperture suitable for receiving the liner fitment and wherein the liner fitment is held in the aperture by a load-bearing feature formed by an outer surface of the liner fitment and surface of the retainer, wherein the load-bearing feature includes an annular surface (<NUM>); on an end of the fitment and wherein the annular surface extends beyond the aperture of the retainer, wherein the load-bearing feature is positioned on a surface of the aperture of the retainer and a corresponding surface of the liner fitment
characterized in that
the liner fitment includes one or more connection protrusions (<NUM>) located on the outer surface (<NUM>) of the liner fitment and the retainer includes one or more connection recesses (<NUM>) on an inner surface, and the liner fitment and the retainer are joined via interface of the one or more connection protrusions and the one or more second connection recesses.