Patent Description:
Flexible, collapsible plastic bags are often used to store fluid products such as soft drink syrups, fruit juices, flowable foods, chemicals, hand sanitizer, and soap, among other things. The plastic bags may be housed in a box, housing, or other container to aid in the transporting, handling, and/or dispensing of the product.

The plastic bags in these systems typically have sidewalls sealed along a peripheral seam to define a fluid containing interior chamber. A spout or fitment is typically connected to the bag proximate an opening in the bag and provides access to the fluid chamber for filling the bag with fluid product and dispensing fluid product from the bag. After the flexible container is filled with a desired product, the spout is closed with a cap to seal the flexible container and protect the fluid contents from contamination. Depending on the type of contents, the container, spout, cap, and contents may be heat sterilized using steam, an autoclave process, or similar method. The filled bag may be inserted in a box or other kind of container to make a bag-in-box product. The filled bag is then transported to the end user. The end user may position the bag or bag-in-box in a housing or container. In order to dispense the fluid contents from the bag, the end user connects a dispenser system to the bag at the spout and/or cap to dispense the contents of the bag. Document <CIT> discloses a puncturable cap and piercer.

The embodiments of the present technology provide a system and method for dispensing the fluid from a bag.

Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a system for dispensing fluid according to claim <NUM>.

The system includes a flexible container carrying fluid and including a spout connected thereto. The spout is in fluid communication with an interior region of the container. The system includes a cap configured to be mounted to the spout to seal the spout. The cap includes an opening that leads to a membrane and a first retention mechanism located in the opening. The system includes a piercing tube having a first end that is configured to puncture the membrane and a second end configured to be connected to a dispensing tube. The piercing tube further includes a seal bead and a second retention mechanism. The piercing tube is inserted into the opening of the cap such that the first end punctures the membrane such that fluid can flow from the interior region into the piercing tube, the first and second retention mechanisms engage each other to retain the piercing tube in the cap, and the seal bead engages the cap to form a seal between the cap and the piercing tube.

The membrane may be made of the same material as the cap. The membrane may form a seal around the piercing tube after the piercing tube punctures the membrane. The membrane may be scored.

The cap may have a first bead that engages a lip on a wall of the spout to retain the cap in a pre-capping position with respect to the spout, and the cap may have a second bead that engages the wall of the spout to retain the cap in a final position with respect to the spout. The cap may be made of polyethylene.

The system may further include a connector that connects the piercing tube to the dispensing tube.

The first retention mechanism is a cavity in an inner wall of the cap and the second retention mechanism is a shoulder extending out from the piercing tube, wherein when the piercing tube is inserted into the cap, the shoulder is retained in the cavity. The piercing tube has a flange. The cavity has a lower wall and an upper wall. The piercing tube flange may abut against an upper wall of the cavity when the shoulder is retained in the cavity.

The piercing tube may include at least one barb at the second end for securing the piercing tube to the dispensing tube. The piercing tube may include a point at the first end. The piercing tube's first end outer diameter may be the same as the second end outer diameter. The piercing tube's first end inner diameter may be the same as the second end inner diameter. The piercing tube point and the seal bead may be made of different materials. The piercing tube point and the second retention element may be made of different materials. The seal bead may be located between the first end and the second retention element.

A system not according to the invention may include a flexible container carrying fluid and a spout connected thereto. The spout is in fluid communication with an interior region of the container. The system includes a cap configured to be mounted to the spout to seal the spout. The cap includes an opening that leads to a membrane and a first retention mechanism located in the opening as well as a first bead and a second bead. The first bead engages a lip on a wall of the spout to retain the cap in a pre-capping position in the spout. The second bead engages the lip on the wall of the spout in a final position in the spout. The system includes a piercing tube having a first end that is configured to puncture the membrane and a second end configured to be connected to a dispensing tube. The piercing tube further includes a seal bead and a second retention mechanism. The piercing tube is inserted into the opening of the cap such that the first end punctures the membrane such that fluid can flow from the interior region into the piercing tube, the first and second retention mechanisms engage each other to retain the piercing tube in the cap, and the seal bead engages the cap to form a seal between the cap and the piercing tube.

The first retention mechanism may be a cavity in an inner wall of the cap and the second retention mechanism may be a shoulder extending out from the piercing tube, wherein when the piercing tube is inserted into the cap, the shoulder is retained in the cavity. The piercing tube may have a flange. The cavity may have a lower wall and an upper wall. The piercing tube flange may abut against an upper wall of the cavity when the shoulder is retained in the cavity.

In another aspect, this invention relates to a method for dispensing fluid from a flexible container that is filled with fluid according to claim <NUM>. The method includes providing the flexible container filled with fluid. The method also includes providing a spout, a cap, and a piercing tube. The cap includes an opening, a membrane at the bottom of the opening, and a first retention mechanism. The cap is snapably connected to the spout such that a portion of the cap is inserted into an opening in the spout and seals the spout opening. The piercing tube is inserted within the cap opening a first distance such that a pointed first end of the piercing tube contacts the cap membrane. The first end of the piercing tube is further inserted within the cap opening to a second distance such that the piercing tube punctures the cap membrane, the second retention mechanism engages the first retention mechanism, and fluid flows from the container, through the spout, and through the dispensing tube.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain techniques of the present application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustration, certain techniques are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the claims are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings. Furthermore, the appearance shown in the drawings is one of many ornamental appearances that can be employed to achieve the stated functions of the system.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate top isometric views of a piercer and piercing cap system being used to dispense fluid from a bag, pouch, container, or other kind of packaging. The bag <NUM> may be flexible and collapsible and, in particular, may be made of plastic. The bag <NUM> has sidewalls sealed along a peripheral seam to define a fluid containing interior chamber. The sidewalls are typically made of polymeric films with either a monolayer or multiple layer structure. The particular polymers constituting the container film layers vary depending on the type of fluid product to be placed in the container. The bag <NUM> may contain any number of different kinds of fluids or flowable products. The bag <NUM> may contain, for example, hand sanitizer, soap, chemicals, oils, and may also contain edible products like syrups, juices, and flowable foods. The bag <NUM> may be any number of sizes. By way of example only, the bag <NUM> may hold one gallon (<NUM>,<NUM><NUM>) of fluid or up to five gallons (<NUM><NUM>) of fluid.

A spout or fitment <NUM> is connected to bag <NUM> and is aligned with an opening <NUM> in the bag <NUM>. The fitment <NUM> is more rigid than the bag <NUM> and may be connected to the bag <NUM> by welding. A piercing cap <NUM> is connected to the spout <NUM> of the bag <NUM>. A piercing system engages the cap <NUM> to evacuate or dispense fluid from the bag <NUM>. The system includes a piercing tube or piercer <NUM>, which is connected to a flexible dispensing hose or tube <NUM> by a tube connector <NUM>. The dispensing tube <NUM> is connected to a dispensing mechanism (not shown) that dispenses the fluid. The dispensing tube <NUM> may be connected to a pump that creates a vacuum to suck fluid out of the bag <NUM>. By way of example only, the bag <NUM> may be positioned in a housing that is part of a soap or hand sanitizer dispensing station. The dispensing tube <NUM> may be connected to a pump and dispensing nozzle or faucet that allows for a person to dispense sanitizer from the nozzle or faucet into the person's hands at the station.

<FIG> illustrate different views of the piercer <NUM>. The piercer <NUM> has a hollow tube body <NUM> and includes a point <NUM> at an input end <NUM> thereof and includes an output end <NUM> configured to engage the tube connector <NUM> (<FIG>). The point <NUM> may be an angled and/or sharp edge extending from the input end <NUM>. The outer diameter of the input end <NUM> may be tapered towards the point <NUM>. The angled edge of the point <NUM> may terminate and form a horizontal surface <NUM>. The piercer <NUM> includes an annular seal bead <NUM> and flange <NUM> extending out from the body <NUM>. A curved shoulder <NUM> extends below the flange <NUM>, and the seal bead <NUM> is located below the flange <NUM> and shoulder <NUM>. The piercer <NUM> may be one piece made of plastic. Alternatively, the piercer body <NUM> may be made of one type of rigid plastic, and the seal bead <NUM> and/or shoulder <NUM> may be made of a more flexible material than the body <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the piercing cap <NUM>. The cap <NUM> may be one piece made of plastic. By way of example only, the cap <NUM> may be made of polyethylene. The cap <NUM> includes a top portion <NUM> from which downwardly extends an outer cylindrical wall <NUM> and an inner cylindrical wall <NUM>. The walls <NUM> and <NUM> define a ring shaped-gap <NUM> therebetween. The gap <NUM> is configured to receive the spout <NUM> (<FIG>). The outer wall <NUM> includes a first bead <NUM> extending inwardly therefrom into the gap <NUM> and a second bead <NUM> extending inwardly therefrom into the gap <NUM>. The first bead <NUM> is positioned below the second bead <NUM>. The first bead <NUM> assists in locating the cap <NUM> onto the spout <NUM> and into a precap position. The second bead <NUM> assists in locating the cap <NUM> into a final position on the spout <NUM>. A passage <NUM> extends from an opening <NUM> in the top portion <NUM> of the cap <NUM> down to a membrane <NUM> at the bottom of the cap <NUM>. The membrane <NUM> is thin and may be partly scored. For example, the membrane <NUM> might include cruciform-shaped partial scoring or a circumferential scoring <NUM> concentric with the inner wall <NUM>. The passage <NUM> is at least partly defined by a second inner wall <NUM>. On an inner side, the second inner wall <NUM> includes an annular cavity <NUM> extending into the wall <NUM> and first and second ledges <NUM> and <NUM> extending inwardly into the passage <NUM>.

<FIG> show the piercing cap <NUM> in different positions with respect to the spout <NUM>. <FIG> shows the cap <NUM> mounted to the spout <NUM> in a pre-capping position. As shown, the spout <NUM> includes a cylindrical wall <NUM> extending upwardly from a base flange <NUM> and defining a fluid passage <NUM>. The spout <NUM> may be a single, integral piece. The base flange <NUM> is connected to the bag <NUM> (<FIG>) to align the fluid passage <NUM> with the opening <NUM> (<FIG>) in the bag <NUM>. The base flange <NUM> may be connected to the bag by welding, adhesive, or other methods known in the art. The wall <NUM> includes a lip <NUM> extending outwardly along a top end of the wall <NUM> and a ledge <NUM> that extends inwardly into the passage <NUM> proximate the top end of the wall <NUM>. The cap <NUM> is typically put in the pre-capping position on the spout <NUM> prior to the bag <NUM> being transported to a filler that fills the bag with fluid. The cap <NUM> is put in the pre-capping position by aligning the gap <NUM> of the cap <NUM> with the wall <NUM> of the spout <NUM> and lowering the cap <NUM> such that the lip <NUM> engages and flexibly slides over and above the first bead <NUM> of the cap <NUM> but is still located below the second bead <NUM> of the cap <NUM>. In this way, the cap <NUM> may be snapably connected to the spout <NUM>. When the lip <NUM> is located between the first and second beads <NUM> and <NUM> of the cap <NUM>, the ledge <NUM> of the spout <NUM> engages the lower end of the first inner wall <NUM>, and the cap <NUM> is held in place with respect to the spout <NUM> in the pre-capping position. The cap <NUM> is detachably connected to the spout <NUM> when it is in the pre-capping position.

When the bag <NUM> gets to a filler, the filler removes the cap <NUM> from the spout <NUM> by pulling the cap <NUM> upwards with sufficient force that the lip <NUM> slides downward and back over the first bead <NUM> of the cap <NUM>. <FIG> shows the cap <NUM> in the removed position with respect to the spout <NUM>. With the cap <NUM> removed from the spout <NUM>, the filler can fill the bag <NUM> (<FIG>) with fluid product through the spout <NUM>. This can be done in an assembly line where the uncapped bag <NUM> is moved to a station where a filling component engages the spout <NUM> and dispenses fluid product through the spout <NUM> into the bag <NUM> to fill the bag <NUM>.

Once the bag <NUM> (<FIG>) is filled with fluid product, the filler seals the spout <NUM> with the cap <NUM> so that the filled bag <NUM> can be shipped to an end user. <FIG> shows the cap <NUM> in a final position where the cap <NUM> seals the spout <NUM>. The cap <NUM> is put in the final position by aligning the gap <NUM> of the cap <NUM> with the wall <NUM> of the spout <NUM> and lowering the cap <NUM> with enough force such that the lip <NUM> engages and flexibly slides over and above both the first bead <NUM> and the second bead <NUM> of the cap <NUM>. In this way, the cap <NUM> may be snapably connected to the spout <NUM>. When the lip <NUM> is located above the second bead <NUM>, the ledge <NUM> of the spout <NUM> sealingly engages the first inner wall <NUM>, and the cap <NUM> is in the final position. The outer diameter of the inner wall <NUM> is sized to create an interference fit, and thus a seal, with the inner diameter of the spout wall <NUM>. When the cap <NUM> is in the final position, the cap <NUM> sealingly engages the spout <NUM> so that fluid cannot get out and the cap <NUM> is not easily removed from the spout <NUM>. The membrane <NUM> prevents fluid from flowing into the passageway <NUM> (<FIG>) of the cap <NUM>.

When the bag <NUM> (with the cap <NUM> in the final position) is shipped to the end user, the end user can use the piercing system shown in <FIG> to evacuate the fluid contents from the bag <NUM> and dispense them. <FIG> show how the piercing assembly is used to do so. If the piercer <NUM> has not already been connected to the dispensing tube <NUM> (<FIG>) and the connector <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, then the first step is to connect the connector <NUM> to the piercer <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, this is done by aligning the output end <NUM> of the piercer <NUM> with the connector <NUM> and inserting the output end <NUM> into one end of the connector <NUM>. If the other end of the connector <NUM> is not connected to the tube <NUM>, then the connector <NUM> can be connected to the tube <NUM>. The output end <NUM> of the piercer <NUM> may have the same or similar inner and/or outer diameters as the dispensing tube <NUM>. The connector <NUM> can be a push-to-connect tube fitting or another kind of connector, adapter, or fitting that can connect two or more tubes to each other. The use of the connector <NUM> allows the piercer <NUM> to be connected to a number of different kinds of dispensing tubes <NUM>, including both hard plastic and flexible rubber tubing.

Once the piercer <NUM> is connected to the connector <NUM> and tube <NUM>, the user can hold the piercer <NUM> above the flange <NUM> with his or her fingers and thumb and align the piercer <NUM> with the opening <NUM> in the top portion <NUM> of the cap <NUM> and lower the piercer <NUM> into the passage <NUM> of the cap <NUM> until the point <NUM> of the piercer <NUM> engages the membrane <NUM> of the cap <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Because the membrane <NUM> is thin and may be partially scored along the scored surface <NUM> (<FIG>), the user is able to push the point <NUM> of the piercer <NUM> through the membrane <NUM>. The user can then continue to move the piercer <NUM> further into the cap <NUM> until, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, (i) the shoulder <NUM> of the piercer <NUM> snapably slides over the second ledge <NUM> and into the cavity <NUM> of the cap <NUM> such that it engages the first ledge <NUM> of the cap <NUM>, and (ii) the flange <NUM> of the piercer <NUM> engages the second ledge <NUM> of the cap <NUM>. At this point, the piercer <NUM> is in a final dispensing position where it is retained in the cap <NUM> by the second ledge <NUM>, it cannot be pushed any further into the cap <NUM>, and the seal bead <NUM> sealingly engages the second inner wall <NUM> of the cap <NUM> to prevent fluid from flowing out of the cap <NUM> between the second inner wall <NUM> and the piercer <NUM>. The engagement of the second ledge <NUM> with the shoulder <NUM> serves as a locking mechanism to retain the piercer <NUM> in the cap <NUM>. The seal bead <NUM> forms a seal by an interference fit with the inner diameter of the wall <NUM>. In addition, the wall <NUM> may be thin enough at the point where the seal bead <NUM> engages it such that the wall <NUM> flexes around the seal bead <NUM> to form a tight seal. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the piercer <NUM> goes through the membrane <NUM>, the membrane <NUM> does not detach from the cap <NUM> and go into the fluid contents of the bag <NUM>. Rather, the membrane <NUM> may become one or more flaps that extend down from the cap <NUM> and may form a seal around the piercer <NUM>.

In other embodiments, the seal bead <NUM> may be located closer to the point <NUM> of the piercer <NUM> and/or the cap wall <NUM> may be extended downward such that the seal bead <NUM> engages the wall <NUM> prior to the point <NUM> engaging the cap membrane <NUM>. In yet other embodiments, the dimensions of the spout <NUM>, the piercing cap <NUM>, and the piercer <NUM> may be adjusted such that the piercer tip <NUM> remains above the base flange <NUM> when the piercer is fully inserted into the piercing cap <NUM> to minimize the risk of the piercer tip <NUM> puncturing the bag <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show cross-sectional side views of the piercer <NUM> in the final dispensing position and connected to the tube connector <NUM> and dispensing tube <NUM>. When the piercer <NUM> is in the final dispensing position, fluid can flow from the bag interior <NUM> into the piercer <NUM> and through the connector <NUM> and the dispensing tube <NUM> to a dispenser device (not shown). By way of example, the dispensing tube <NUM> can be connected to a pump that can be used to suck fluid out of the bag <NUM> via the piercer <NUM> such that the fluid can be dispensed. For example, the bag <NUM> could be positioned in a housing at a hand sanitizing or hand soap station and the dispensing tube <NUM> could be connected to a dispensing pump and nozzle or faucet that allows a user to dispense sanitizer or soap from the bag <NUM> into the user's hands. The transition between the angled point <NUM> and the horizontal surface <NUM> of the input end <NUM> may help prevent the bag <NUM> from forming a seal against the piercer <NUM>, thus improving the process of extracting fluid from the bag <NUM> when the vacuum is applied. When the bag <NUM> is emptied of its fluid contents, the user can remove the piercer <NUM> from the cap <NUM> (by pulling the piercer <NUM> with enough force to snapably slide the shoulder <NUM> (<FIG>) out of the cavity <NUM> (<FIG>) and over the second ledge <NUM> (<FIG>)) and then dispose of the bag <NUM> and cap <NUM>. The user can connect the piercer <NUM> to the cap <NUM> of a new bag <NUM> such that fluid product can be dispensed from the new bag <NUM>. If the piercer <NUM> becomes dull or damaged, it can easily be replaced by detaching the worn piercer <NUM> from the connector <NUM> and attaching a new piercer <NUM> to the connector <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show an alternative embodiment of the piercer <NUM>. The piercer <NUM> includes one or more hose barbs <NUM> at the output end <NUM>. The piercer <NUM> also includes an upper flange <NUM> positioned below the barbs <NUM>. The barbs <NUM> can be used to secure the piercer <NUM> directly to the dispensing tube <NUM> (<FIG>), i.e., a portion of the tube <NUM> is positioned over the barbs <NUM>, such that the connector <NUM> (<FIG>) is not needed to connect the tube <NUM> and the piercer <NUM>. The use of the barbs <NUM> allows the piercer <NUM> to be directly connected to a number of different kinds of dispensing tubes <NUM>. The barbs <NUM> may provide for connection to larger dispensing tubes <NUM> than the connector <NUM> does. The space between the flanges <NUM> and <NUM> provides an area for the user to grip the piercer <NUM> with his or her fingers and thumb. Alternatively, a similar flange <NUM> of the second embodiment could also be used with the piercer <NUM> of the first embodiment that uses a connector for similar gripping purposes.

The embodiments disclosed herein provide for a quick and easy connection of a dispenser system to a bag full of fluid product and for easy dispensing of the fluid product. A single piercer can be used with any number of different dispensing tubes connected to dispensing systems and can be used to puncture numerous different bags. Because the piercer is a single molded piece and is quick and easy to use, it provides a low cost way to dispense fluid product from multiple bags. By making the piercing cap and its membrane as a single molded piece made of the same material, the cap is cheap and easy to manufacture. In addition, the ability of the cap to be connected to the spout in a pre-capping position and a final position provides for flexibility in filling, sealing, transporting, and evacuating the bag.

Claim 1:
A system for dispensing fluid, comprising:
a flexible container (<NUM>) including a spout (<NUM>) connected thereto, the spout (<NUM>) being in fluid communication with an interior region of the container (<NUM>);
a cap (<NUM>) configured to be mounted to the spout (<NUM>) to seal the spout (<NUM>), the cap (<NUM>) including (i) a top portion (<NUM>) from which downwardly extends an outer cylindrical wall (<NUM>) and an inner cylindrical wall (<NUM>) that define a gap (<NUM>) that is configured to receive the spout (<NUM>), (ii) a second inner wall (<NUM>) that defines a passage (<NUM>) that extends from an opening (<NUM>) in the top portion (<NUM>) and that leads to a membrane (<NUM>), wherein the second inner wall (<NUM>) includes a cavity (<NUM>) between first and second ledges (<NUM>, <NUM>) that extend inwardly into the passage (<NUM>);
a piercing tube (<NUM>) having a first end (<NUM>) that is configured to puncture the membrane (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>) configured to be connected to a dispensing tube (<NUM>), the piercing tube (<NUM>) further including a seal bead (<NUM>) and a shoulder (<NUM>) that extends below a flange (<NUM>), wherein the piercing tube (<NUM>) is inserted into the opening (<NUM>) of the cap (<NUM>) such that the first end (<NUM>) punctures the membrane (<NUM>) such that fluid can flow from the interior region into the piercing tube (<NUM>), the shoulder (<NUM>) snapably slides over the second ledge (<NUM>) into the cavity (<NUM>) to retain the piercing tube (<NUM>) in the cap (<NUM>), the flange (<NUM>) engages the second ledge (<NUM>), and the seal bead (<NUM>) engages the second inner wall (<NUM>) of the cap (<NUM>) to form a seal between the cap (<NUM>) and the piercing tube (<NUM>).