CA2407375C - Bag-in-box container for liquids - Google Patents
Bag-in-box container for liquids Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2407375C CA2407375C CA002407375A CA2407375A CA2407375C CA 2407375 C CA2407375 C CA 2407375C CA 002407375 A CA002407375 A CA 002407375A CA 2407375 A CA2407375 A CA 2407375A CA 2407375 C CA2407375 C CA 2407375C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- box
- bag
- liquid
- interior bottom
- spout
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 78
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 239000003351 stiffener Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 abstract description 7
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- -1 corrugate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001934 delay Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011094 fiberboard Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011152 fibreglass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000003642 hunger Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000014214 soft drink Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000037351 starvation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
- B65D77/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
- B65D77/06—Liquids or semi-liquids or other materials or articles enclosed in flexible containers disposed within rigid containers
- B65D77/062—Flexible containers disposed within polygonal containers formed by folding a carton blank
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
- B65D77/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
- B65D77/06—Liquids or semi-liquids or other materials or articles enclosed in flexible containers disposed within rigid containers
- B65D77/062—Flexible containers disposed within polygonal containers formed by folding a carton blank
- B65D77/065—Spouts, pouring necks or discharging tubes fixed to or integral with the flexible container
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2231/00—Means for facilitating the complete expelling of the contents
- B65D2231/005—Means for facilitating the complete expelling of the contents the container being rigid
- B65D2231/007—Funnels or the like
- B65D2231/008—Funnels or the like integral with the container wall
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
Abstract
This invention is directed to an improved bag-in-box apparatus for containing and dispensing liquids such as beverages.
The interior surface of the bottom of the box (20) is preferably sloped downward toward the spout (12) of the bag (10) such tat gravity helps feed the liquid toward the spout (12). In lieu of or in conjunction with slopes, the interior bottom surface of the box (120, 130, 150, 140, 160) may have terraces (34), curves (132, 134), corrugations (152), fan-like ridges (142), or beams (162). The present invention thereby reduces the amount of residual liquid as the liquid is withdrawn from the bag (10) without the need for an evacuation strip or a special slanted rack. Although the primary intended application of the present invention is in bag-in-box packages for containing and dispensing beverages, this invention may also be used to advantage in other liquid dispensing applications.
The interior surface of the bottom of the box (20) is preferably sloped downward toward the spout (12) of the bag (10) such tat gravity helps feed the liquid toward the spout (12). In lieu of or in conjunction with slopes, the interior bottom surface of the box (120, 130, 150, 140, 160) may have terraces (34), curves (132, 134), corrugations (152), fan-like ridges (142), or beams (162). The present invention thereby reduces the amount of residual liquid as the liquid is withdrawn from the bag (10) without the need for an evacuation strip or a special slanted rack. Although the primary intended application of the present invention is in bag-in-box packages for containing and dispensing beverages, this invention may also be used to advantage in other liquid dispensing applications.
Description
TITLE: BAG-IN-BOX CONTAINER FOR LIQUIDS
$ACK(3ItOUND OF THE INVENTION
I. held of the nvention This invention relates generally to an apparatus for containing and dispensing liquid. More spedfically, this invention is directed to an improved box and bag for a bag-in-box apparatus.
$ACK(3ItOUND OF THE INVENTION
I. held of the nvention This invention relates generally to an apparatus for containing and dispensing liquid. More spedfically, this invention is directed to an improved box and bag for a bag-in-box apparatus.
2. ~e~crintion Q~~~telated Art In the field of post-mix beverage systems, an apparatus commonly known as a bag in-box package is used to store and dispense beverages such as soft drinks. Typically, such bag-in-box packages comprise a collapsible bag or bladder disposed within a cardboard or plastic box. The bag has a spout for filling the bag with liquid, and the spout protrudes through a wall of the box for dispensing the liquid from the bag, usually by connection to a pump.
One of the problems associated with such bag-in-box packages is that the bag collapses upon itself as the liquid is withdrawn, which tends to create pockets of liquid that are isolated from the spout and cannot be withdrawn from the bag. Thus, the residual portion of liquid remaining in the bag is wasted.
One possible solution to the foregoing problem is to place an evacuation strip inside the bag as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,749,493 to Boone et al. The bag of the '493 patent contains an elongated, narrow, flexible evacuation strip comprising a plurality of upstanding ribs. The evacuation strip is attached to the inner surface of one of the bag walls. A spout is disposed through a wall of the bag, and the evacuation strip is in liquid communication with the spout. As the bag collapses upon withdrawal of the liquid through the spout, the ribs of the evacuation strip prevent the walls of the bag from isolating pockets of liquid from the spout. The evacuation stxip thus enables substantially complete withdrawal of the liquid from the bag. However, the evacuation strip adds an extra complication to the bag manufacturing process.
Another possible attempt to solve the problem of incomplete withdrawal of the liquid from such bag-in-box packages is to place the packages on slanted racks. By orientiug the package such that the spout is at the lowest possible point, gravity will assist in forcing the liquid toward the spout. However, the need for a special slanted rack is a disadvantage to such an arrangement.
In light of the foregoing disadvantages, it would be a significant advancement in the art of liquid dispensing to provide a bag-in-box package that would enable substantially complete withdrawal of the liquid from the container without the use of an evacuation strip or a slanted rack.
SUMMARY OF TH_lE INVENTION .
Accordingly, this invention is directed to an improved box and bag of a bag-in-box apparatus for containing' and dispensing liquids such as beverages. The interior surface of the bottom of the box is preferably sloped or terraced downward toward the spout of the bag such that gravity helps feed the liquid toward the spout. In this manner, the present invention reduces the amount of residual liquid as the liquid is withdrawn from the bag. Although the primary intended application of the present invention is in bag-in-box packages for containing and dispensing beverages, this invention may also be used to advantage in other liquid dispensing applications. .
One of the problems associated with such bag-in-box packages is that the bag collapses upon itself as the liquid is withdrawn, which tends to create pockets of liquid that are isolated from the spout and cannot be withdrawn from the bag. Thus, the residual portion of liquid remaining in the bag is wasted.
One possible solution to the foregoing problem is to place an evacuation strip inside the bag as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,749,493 to Boone et al. The bag of the '493 patent contains an elongated, narrow, flexible evacuation strip comprising a plurality of upstanding ribs. The evacuation strip is attached to the inner surface of one of the bag walls. A spout is disposed through a wall of the bag, and the evacuation strip is in liquid communication with the spout. As the bag collapses upon withdrawal of the liquid through the spout, the ribs of the evacuation strip prevent the walls of the bag from isolating pockets of liquid from the spout. The evacuation stxip thus enables substantially complete withdrawal of the liquid from the bag. However, the evacuation strip adds an extra complication to the bag manufacturing process.
Another possible attempt to solve the problem of incomplete withdrawal of the liquid from such bag-in-box packages is to place the packages on slanted racks. By orientiug the package such that the spout is at the lowest possible point, gravity will assist in forcing the liquid toward the spout. However, the need for a special slanted rack is a disadvantage to such an arrangement.
In light of the foregoing disadvantages, it would be a significant advancement in the art of liquid dispensing to provide a bag-in-box package that would enable substantially complete withdrawal of the liquid from the container without the use of an evacuation strip or a slanted rack.
SUMMARY OF TH_lE INVENTION .
Accordingly, this invention is directed to an improved box and bag of a bag-in-box apparatus for containing' and dispensing liquids such as beverages. The interior surface of the bottom of the box is preferably sloped or terraced downward toward the spout of the bag such that gravity helps feed the liquid toward the spout. In this manner, the present invention reduces the amount of residual liquid as the liquid is withdrawn from the bag. Although the primary intended application of the present invention is in bag-in-box packages for containing and dispensing beverages, this invention may also be used to advantage in other liquid dispensing applications. .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWtN(3s This invention may best be understood by reference to the following drawings:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a box in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the box of Fig. 1 having a collapsible bag disposed therein.
Fig. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the box of Fig. 1 haviag a collapsible bag disposed the.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a box in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of the box of Fig. 4 having a collapsible bag disposed therein.
Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional bag-in-box package having a flat, horizontal bottom.
Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a bag-in-box package in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of an alternative bag in-box package in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another alternative box in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 10 is a front elevational view of the box of Fig. 2 having an alternative collapsible bag disposed therein.
Fig. 11 is a front elevational view of yet another box in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 12 is a front elevational view of still another box in accordance with the present invention having an alternative collapsible bag disposed therein.
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of yet another alternative box in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a box in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the box of Fig. 1 having a collapsible bag disposed therein.
Fig. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the box of Fig. 1 haviag a collapsible bag disposed the.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a box in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of the box of Fig. 4 having a collapsible bag disposed therein.
Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional bag-in-box package having a flat, horizontal bottom.
Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a bag-in-box package in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of an alternative bag in-box package in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another alternative box in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 10 is a front elevational view of the box of Fig. 2 having an alternative collapsible bag disposed therein.
Fig. 11 is a front elevational view of yet another box in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 12 is a front elevational view of still another box in accordance with the present invention having an alternative collapsible bag disposed therein.
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of yet another alternative box in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED .pESCRIPTIO,~T OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT' Referring to Figs. 1-3, a preferred embodiment of this invention comprises a box 20 having an interior bottom surface that is sloped, preferably both laterally and longitudinally. That is, the interior bottom surface is sloped laterally along lines 24 as depicted by arrows 26 and longitudinally along line 28 as depicted by arrows 30. The ea-terior bottom surface 40 is flat (horizontal) like a conventional box. Box 20 has a flap opening 22 for receiving a spout 12 of a collapsible bag 10 disposed within box~20. Together, bag 10 and box 20 form a bag-in-box apparatus which is useful for containing and dispensing a liquid such as a beverage (not shown).
Typically, a pump (not shown) is indirectly connected to spout I2 via a hose and connector (not shown) for dispensing the liquid. When filled with liquid, bag 10 will conform to the contour of the interior bottom surface of box 20, and bag 10 is oriented inside box 20 such that spout I2 is located at or near the lowest point of the interior bottom surface of box 20. As the liquid is withdrawn from bag 10, gravity causes the liquid to seek the lowest point in box 20 (i.e., spout 12), which assists is withdrawal of the liquid. As used herein, , the term '2ateral" denotes a direction generally transverse to spout 12, and "longitudinal" denotes a direction generally parallel to spout 12.
Due to the lateral and longitudinal sloping of the interior surface of the bottom of box 20, the liquid moves toward spout 12.
The velocity of the liquid at spout 12 will be greater than in other regions of the liquid. This higher velocity creates a low pressure region which in turn pulls more liquid toward spout 12 for improved drainage. This phenomenon is governed by the equation P~ + ~pVI~= P~+ /zpVz~ Eq. [1] .
where P represents static pressure, p represents the density of the liquid (which is assumed to be constant), V xepresents the velocity of the liquid, and subscripts 1 and 2 represent two different locations in the liquid. The quantity %pV2 represents the dynamic pressure 5 at a particular point in the liquid. If point 2 is chosen at spout 12 and point 1 is chosen at a location in the fluid remote from spout 12, one may assume that VE»V~, and Eq. [l] simplifies to Pa = Pi -'.~pV~ ~ Eq. [2]
Equation [2] indicates that the static pressure at spout 12 is lower than at other locations in the liquid, which draws the liquid toward spout 12.
Figures 6 and 7 illustrate another advantage of the present invention in providing improved flow of liquid. Figure 6 depicts a conventional box 100. with a horizontal interior bottom surface containing a certain volume of liquid 50 in a bag (not shown), and Fig. 7 depicts a box 20 with a sloped interior bottom surface 24, 28 in accordance with the present invention containing the same volume of liquid 50 as Fig. 6 in a bag (not shown). The height (~bz) of the liquid 50 above spout 12 in the sloped box 20 of Fig. 7 is greater than the height (~h~) of the liquid 50 above spout 12 in the conventional box 100 of Fig. 6. This increased height increases the static pressure at spout 12, which results in better liquid flow when the pump is activated and also delays the onset of starvation of the pump. This phenomenon is illustrated by the equation P~ + ~zpVU + pgh~ = P~ + ~zpV~ + pgh~ Eq. [3]
where P~r is the static pressure at a reference level in the liquid, p is the density of the liquid (which is assumed to be constant), V is the velocity of the liquid, g is the gravitational constant, h is the difference in height of the liquid from the reference level down to the s level of interest, and subscripts 1 and 2 represent two different locations in the liquid. If point 1 is chosen at the top of the liquid 50 above spout 12 and point 2 is chosen at spout 12, then Vz»V~ and Eq. [3] simplifies to Vzz = 2g~h Eq. [4]
where Oh = I h~ - h~ ( is the height of the head of liquid 50 above spout 12. Thus, as ~h increases, the velocity at spout 12 increases.
Because ~hz in Fig. 7 is greater than Oho in Fig. 6, the flow at spout 12 is better (i.e., has a higher velocity) in the configuration of Fig. 7 than in the configuration of Fig. 6 for the same volume of liquid in the container. The sloped design of Fig. 7 also serves to delay the collapse of the bag until substantially all of the liquid is withdrawn.
To minimize the residual liquid, the opening of spout 12 should be at or below the lowest point on the interior bottom surface of box 20. The longitudinal and lateral sloping of the interior bottom surface of box 20 may be accomplished by sloping the box itself (i.e., an integral structure) or by adding an insert inside the box. The insert or box bottom could be made of a variety of materials, such as fiberboard, corrugate, wood, plastic, metal, fiberglass, eh-panded foam, or any other suitable material, which could be recycled or virgin.
The sloped interior bottom surface of box 20 may be replaced with several alternative configurations. For example, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the interior bottom surface of box 120 may comprise terraces 34. Alternatively, the interior bottom surface of the box may comprise curves 132, 134 as shown on box 130 of Fig. 8, fans 142 as shown on box 140 of Fig. 9, corrugations 152 as shown on box 150 of Fig. 11, or beams 162 as shown on box 160 of Fig. 12.
~ Furthermore, the foregoing types of box bottom structure may be combined in various combinations for the interior bottom surface of the box, and any given type of structure may have any desirable number of slopes, terraces, curves, fans, corrugations, or beams, as the case may be. Although it is contemplated that the exterior bottom surface of the box will be substantially planar and horizontal during use fox the sake of simplicity and compatibility with conventional horizontal shelves or racks, the ea-terior bottom surface of the box may have any desirable configuration so long as the interior bottom surface of the box is configured so as to urge a liquid contained in a collapsible bag disposed within the box toward the bag spout under the influence of gravity due to a difference in elevation on the interior bottom surface.
To further guard against the complete collapse of the bag upon itself and the consequent trapping of residual liquid inside the bag, a stiffener 114 may be provided along the top surface of the bag 110 as shown in Fig. 10. As the liquid is withdxawn from bag 110, stiffener 114 gradually approaches the bottom of box 20, and the outer edges of stiffener 114 eventually come to rest upon slopes 24 leaving a gap between stiffener 114 and the bottom of bag 110 so that liquid may pass through spout 12. Stiffener 114 may be provided on the interior of the top of bag 110 as shown in Fig. 10, or stiffener 214 may be provided on the exterior of bag 210 as shown inside box 160 of Fig. 12. Such a stiffener, which could be integral to the bag itself or a separate member attached to the bag by suitable means such.as heat sealing or adhesive, may be used to advantage in conjunction with any type of box bottom as disclosed herein.
Figure 13 illustrates a box 1?0 having beams 172 on its interiox bottom surface. Beams 1?2 stop short of spout 12 to form a collection zone 80 in the vicinity of spout 12 to assist in the withdrawal of liquid from the bag (not; shown). As an additional safeguard against the collapse of the bag, the top of the bag (not shown) may be attached to the top of the box 170 using a suitable means of attachment 70, such as hook-and loop fasteners, snaps, or adhesives.
Although the foregoing specific details describe a preferred embodiment of this invention, persons reasonably skilled in the art of liquid dispensing will recognize that various changes may be made in the details of the apparatus of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as deTned in the appended claims. Therefore, it should be understood that this invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and descr;.bed herein.
Typically, a pump (not shown) is indirectly connected to spout I2 via a hose and connector (not shown) for dispensing the liquid. When filled with liquid, bag 10 will conform to the contour of the interior bottom surface of box 20, and bag 10 is oriented inside box 20 such that spout I2 is located at or near the lowest point of the interior bottom surface of box 20. As the liquid is withdrawn from bag 10, gravity causes the liquid to seek the lowest point in box 20 (i.e., spout 12), which assists is withdrawal of the liquid. As used herein, , the term '2ateral" denotes a direction generally transverse to spout 12, and "longitudinal" denotes a direction generally parallel to spout 12.
Due to the lateral and longitudinal sloping of the interior surface of the bottom of box 20, the liquid moves toward spout 12.
The velocity of the liquid at spout 12 will be greater than in other regions of the liquid. This higher velocity creates a low pressure region which in turn pulls more liquid toward spout 12 for improved drainage. This phenomenon is governed by the equation P~ + ~pVI~= P~+ /zpVz~ Eq. [1] .
where P represents static pressure, p represents the density of the liquid (which is assumed to be constant), V xepresents the velocity of the liquid, and subscripts 1 and 2 represent two different locations in the liquid. The quantity %pV2 represents the dynamic pressure 5 at a particular point in the liquid. If point 2 is chosen at spout 12 and point 1 is chosen at a location in the fluid remote from spout 12, one may assume that VE»V~, and Eq. [l] simplifies to Pa = Pi -'.~pV~ ~ Eq. [2]
Equation [2] indicates that the static pressure at spout 12 is lower than at other locations in the liquid, which draws the liquid toward spout 12.
Figures 6 and 7 illustrate another advantage of the present invention in providing improved flow of liquid. Figure 6 depicts a conventional box 100. with a horizontal interior bottom surface containing a certain volume of liquid 50 in a bag (not shown), and Fig. 7 depicts a box 20 with a sloped interior bottom surface 24, 28 in accordance with the present invention containing the same volume of liquid 50 as Fig. 6 in a bag (not shown). The height (~bz) of the liquid 50 above spout 12 in the sloped box 20 of Fig. 7 is greater than the height (~h~) of the liquid 50 above spout 12 in the conventional box 100 of Fig. 6. This increased height increases the static pressure at spout 12, which results in better liquid flow when the pump is activated and also delays the onset of starvation of the pump. This phenomenon is illustrated by the equation P~ + ~zpVU + pgh~ = P~ + ~zpV~ + pgh~ Eq. [3]
where P~r is the static pressure at a reference level in the liquid, p is the density of the liquid (which is assumed to be constant), V is the velocity of the liquid, g is the gravitational constant, h is the difference in height of the liquid from the reference level down to the s level of interest, and subscripts 1 and 2 represent two different locations in the liquid. If point 1 is chosen at the top of the liquid 50 above spout 12 and point 2 is chosen at spout 12, then Vz»V~ and Eq. [3] simplifies to Vzz = 2g~h Eq. [4]
where Oh = I h~ - h~ ( is the height of the head of liquid 50 above spout 12. Thus, as ~h increases, the velocity at spout 12 increases.
Because ~hz in Fig. 7 is greater than Oho in Fig. 6, the flow at spout 12 is better (i.e., has a higher velocity) in the configuration of Fig. 7 than in the configuration of Fig. 6 for the same volume of liquid in the container. The sloped design of Fig. 7 also serves to delay the collapse of the bag until substantially all of the liquid is withdrawn.
To minimize the residual liquid, the opening of spout 12 should be at or below the lowest point on the interior bottom surface of box 20. The longitudinal and lateral sloping of the interior bottom surface of box 20 may be accomplished by sloping the box itself (i.e., an integral structure) or by adding an insert inside the box. The insert or box bottom could be made of a variety of materials, such as fiberboard, corrugate, wood, plastic, metal, fiberglass, eh-panded foam, or any other suitable material, which could be recycled or virgin.
The sloped interior bottom surface of box 20 may be replaced with several alternative configurations. For example, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the interior bottom surface of box 120 may comprise terraces 34. Alternatively, the interior bottom surface of the box may comprise curves 132, 134 as shown on box 130 of Fig. 8, fans 142 as shown on box 140 of Fig. 9, corrugations 152 as shown on box 150 of Fig. 11, or beams 162 as shown on box 160 of Fig. 12.
~ Furthermore, the foregoing types of box bottom structure may be combined in various combinations for the interior bottom surface of the box, and any given type of structure may have any desirable number of slopes, terraces, curves, fans, corrugations, or beams, as the case may be. Although it is contemplated that the exterior bottom surface of the box will be substantially planar and horizontal during use fox the sake of simplicity and compatibility with conventional horizontal shelves or racks, the ea-terior bottom surface of the box may have any desirable configuration so long as the interior bottom surface of the box is configured so as to urge a liquid contained in a collapsible bag disposed within the box toward the bag spout under the influence of gravity due to a difference in elevation on the interior bottom surface.
To further guard against the complete collapse of the bag upon itself and the consequent trapping of residual liquid inside the bag, a stiffener 114 may be provided along the top surface of the bag 110 as shown in Fig. 10. As the liquid is withdxawn from bag 110, stiffener 114 gradually approaches the bottom of box 20, and the outer edges of stiffener 114 eventually come to rest upon slopes 24 leaving a gap between stiffener 114 and the bottom of bag 110 so that liquid may pass through spout 12. Stiffener 114 may be provided on the interior of the top of bag 110 as shown in Fig. 10, or stiffener 214 may be provided on the exterior of bag 210 as shown inside box 160 of Fig. 12. Such a stiffener, which could be integral to the bag itself or a separate member attached to the bag by suitable means such.as heat sealing or adhesive, may be used to advantage in conjunction with any type of box bottom as disclosed herein.
Figure 13 illustrates a box 1?0 having beams 172 on its interiox bottom surface. Beams 1?2 stop short of spout 12 to form a collection zone 80 in the vicinity of spout 12 to assist in the withdrawal of liquid from the bag (not; shown). As an additional safeguard against the collapse of the bag, the top of the bag (not shown) may be attached to the top of the box 170 using a suitable means of attachment 70, such as hook-and loop fasteners, snaps, or adhesives.
Although the foregoing specific details describe a preferred embodiment of this invention, persons reasonably skilled in the art of liquid dispensing will recognize that various changes may be made in the details of the apparatus of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as deTned in the appended claims. Therefore, it should be understood that this invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and descr;.bed herein.
Claims (24)
1. A box for receiving a collapsible bag, the bag having a spout and being capable of containing and dispensing a liquid, said box comprising:
an interior bottom surface for supporting the collapsible bag, said interior bottom surface comprising a first location and a second location, there being a difference in elevation between said first and second locations, said interior bottom surface having at least one portion selected from the group consisting of terrace, corrugation, fan, and beam; and a wall adjacent said interior bottom surface, said wall having an opening for receiving the spout of the collapsible bag;
wherein a liquid contained in the collapsible bag will be urged toward the spout under the influence of gravity due to said difference in elevation.
an interior bottom surface for supporting the collapsible bag, said interior bottom surface comprising a first location and a second location, there being a difference in elevation between said first and second locations, said interior bottom surface having at least one portion selected from the group consisting of terrace, corrugation, fan, and beam; and a wall adjacent said interior bottom surface, said wall having an opening for receiving the spout of the collapsible bag;
wherein a liquid contained in the collapsible bag will be urged toward the spout under the influence of gravity due to said difference in elevation.
2. The box of claim 1 wherein said interior bottom surface further comprises at least one slope.
3. The box of claim 2 wherein said at least one slope comprises a lateral slope.
4. The box of claim 2 wherein said at least one slope comprises a longitudinal slope.
5. The box of claim 2 wherein said at least one slope comprises a lateral slope and a longitudinal slope.
6. The box of claim 1 wherein said interior bottom surface is integral to said box.
7. The box of claim 1 wherein said interior bottom surface is provided by an insert to said box.
8. The box of claim 1 further comprising a substantially horizontal exterior bottom surface.
9. The box of claim 1 wherein said difference in elevation allows substantially complete withdrawal of liquid from the collapsible bag.
10. A bag-in-box apparatus for containing and dispensing a liquid, said apparatus comprising:
a collapsible bag having a spout; and a box comprising an interior bottom surface having a first location and a second location, there being a difference in elevation between said first and second locations, said interior bottom surface having at least one portion selected from the group consisting of terrace, corrugation, fan, and beam, said box further comprising a wall adjacent said interior bottom surface, said wall having an opening therein, said collapsible bag being disposed within said box, said spout being disposed through said opening in said wall;
wherein a liquid contained in said collapsible bag will be urged toward said spout under the influence of gravity due to said difference in elevation.
a collapsible bag having a spout; and a box comprising an interior bottom surface having a first location and a second location, there being a difference in elevation between said first and second locations, said interior bottom surface having at least one portion selected from the group consisting of terrace, corrugation, fan, and beam, said box further comprising a wall adjacent said interior bottom surface, said wall having an opening therein, said collapsible bag being disposed within said box, said spout being disposed through said opening in said wall;
wherein a liquid contained in said collapsible bag will be urged toward said spout under the influence of gravity due to said difference in elevation.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said interior bottom surface further comprises at least one slope.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said at least one slope comprises a lateral slope.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said at least one slope comprises a longitudinal slope.
14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said at least one slope comprises a lateral slope and a longitudinal slope.
15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said interior bottom surface is lintegral to said box.
16. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said interior bottom surface is provided by an insert to said box.
17. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said box further comprises a substantially horizontal exterior bottom surface.
18. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said difference in elevation allows substantially complete withdrawal of liquid from said collapsible bag.
19. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said bag comprises a stiffener that cooperates with said interior bottom surface as said bag collapses to allow substantially complete withdrawal of liquid from said bag.
20. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said box has a top and said bag is attached to said top.
21. A box for receiving a collapsible bag, the bag having a spout and being capable of containing and dispensing a liquid, said box comprising:
an insert forming an interior bottom surface of said box for supporting the collapsible bag, said interior bottom surface comprising a first location and a second location, there being a difference in elevation between said first and second locations, said interior bottom surface having at least one portion selected from the group consisting of terrace and corrugation; and a wall adjacent said interior bottom surface, said wall having an opening for receiving the spout of the collapsible bag;
wherein a liquid contained in the collapsible bag will be urged toward the spout under the influence of gravity due to said difference in elevation.
an insert forming an interior bottom surface of said box for supporting the collapsible bag, said interior bottom surface comprising a first location and a second location, there being a difference in elevation between said first and second locations, said interior bottom surface having at least one portion selected from the group consisting of terrace and corrugation; and a wall adjacent said interior bottom surface, said wall having an opening for receiving the spout of the collapsible bag;
wherein a liquid contained in the collapsible bag will be urged toward the spout under the influence of gravity due to said difference in elevation.
22. A bag-in-box apparatus for containing and dispensing a liquid, said apparatus comprising:
a collapsible bag having a spout; and a box comprising an insert which forms an interior bottom surface having a first location and a second location, there being a difference in elevation between said first and second locations, said interior bottom surface having at least one portion selected from the group consisting of fan and beam, said box further comprising a wall adjacent said interior bottom surface, said wall having an opening therein, said collapsible bag being disposed within said box, said spout being disposed through said opening in said wall;
wherein a liquid contained in said collapsible bag will be urged toward said spout under the influence of gravity due to said difference in elevation.
a collapsible bag having a spout; and a box comprising an insert which forms an interior bottom surface having a first location and a second location, there being a difference in elevation between said first and second locations, said interior bottom surface having at least one portion selected from the group consisting of fan and beam, said box further comprising a wall adjacent said interior bottom surface, said wall having an opening therein, said collapsible bag being disposed within said box, said spout being disposed through said opening in said wall;
wherein a liquid contained in said collapsible bag will be urged toward said spout under the influence of gravity due to said difference in elevation.
23. A bag-in-box apparatus for containing and dispensing a liquid, said apparatus comprising:
a collapsible bag having a spout and a stiffener; and a box comprising an interior bottom surface having a first location and a second location, there being a difference in elevation between said first and second locations, said box further comprising a wall adjacent said interior bottom surface, said wall having an opening therein, said collapsible bag being disposed within said box, said spout being disposed through said opening in said wall;
wherein a liquid contained in said collapsible bag will be urged toward said spout under the influence of gravity due to said difference in elevation and wherein said stiffener cooperates with said interior bottom surface as said bag collapses to allow substantially complete withdrawal of liquid from said bag.
a collapsible bag having a spout and a stiffener; and a box comprising an interior bottom surface having a first location and a second location, there being a difference in elevation between said first and second locations, said box further comprising a wall adjacent said interior bottom surface, said wall having an opening therein, said collapsible bag being disposed within said box, said spout being disposed through said opening in said wall;
wherein a liquid contained in said collapsible bag will be urged toward said spout under the influence of gravity due to said difference in elevation and wherein said stiffener cooperates with said interior bottom surface as said bag collapses to allow substantially complete withdrawal of liquid from said bag.
24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said stiffener is substantially flat.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2001/012197 WO2001079072A1 (en) | 2000-04-13 | 2001-04-13 | Bag-in-box container for liquids |
| US10/257,335 US6827237B2 (en) | 2000-04-13 | 2001-04-13 | Bag-in-box container for liquids |
| CA002407375A CA2407375C (en) | 2000-04-13 | 2002-10-10 | Bag-in-box container for liquids |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US19702600P | 2000-04-13 | 2000-04-13 | |
| CA002407375A CA2407375C (en) | 2000-04-13 | 2002-10-10 | Bag-in-box container for liquids |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2407375A1 CA2407375A1 (en) | 2004-04-10 |
| CA2407375C true CA2407375C (en) | 2006-12-05 |
Family
ID=32963041
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002407375A Expired - Lifetime CA2407375C (en) | 2000-04-13 | 2002-10-10 | Bag-in-box container for liquids |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2407375C (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2001079072A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US11485536B2 (en) | 2020-02-14 | 2022-11-01 | Georgia-Pacific Corrugated Llc | Multi piece corrugated box assemblies, blanks, and systems for heavy bag in box dispensed products |
| WO2025074352A1 (en) * | 2023-10-07 | 2025-04-10 | Barry Geer | Bag-in-a-box |
Families Citing this family (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE20213063U1 (en) * | 2002-08-21 | 2002-10-24 | Alsecco Bauchem Prod | disposable containers |
| AU2002364838A1 (en) * | 2002-12-13 | 2004-08-10 | Paul Boudier | Heat exchanger for a supple receptacle |
| EP2322468A1 (en) | 2009-11-11 | 2011-05-18 | Alfa Klebstoffe AG | Method and device for introducing gas into a container containing an adhesiv, and coupling element |
| FR2966810B1 (en) * | 2010-10-29 | 2014-02-28 | Beissier S A S | CONTAINER COMPRISING A LIQUID, COLORFUL, PASTY PRODUCT |
| FR2976569B1 (en) * | 2011-06-17 | 2014-10-10 | Ds Smith Packaging France | CONTAINER FOR PULVERULENT, GRANULAR, PASTY OR LIQUID PRODUCT |
| FR2986521B1 (en) * | 2012-02-02 | 2014-03-21 | Dominique Perrier Ets | SUPPORT DEVICE FOR CUBITAINER |
| US10569950B2 (en) | 2015-12-31 | 2020-02-25 | Bemis Company, Inc. | Self-venting bag-in-box package |
| CN113195364B (en) * | 2018-12-11 | 2023-09-22 | 诺力昂化学品国际有限公司 | Methods for packaging granular materials, pastes or gels |
| US12043535B2 (en) | 2020-12-10 | 2024-07-23 | H2Yo | Personalized dietary supplement dispensing device |
| US12042110B2 (en) | 2022-05-24 | 2024-07-23 | David Frederick BUSSEN | Liquid collection devices |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3198390A (en) * | 1962-04-30 | 1965-08-03 | John H Beckman | Insulated container having a disposable bag therein anchored to its discharge tube |
| US4165024A (en) * | 1977-09-09 | 1979-08-21 | Cato Oil And Grease Co. | Bulk shipping container |
| US5148939A (en) * | 1989-02-25 | 1992-09-22 | Soltralentz S.A. | Container for storing and transporting a liquid |
| US5566851A (en) * | 1990-04-11 | 1996-10-22 | Dai Nippon Insatsu Kabushiki Kaisha | Liquid container and mouth thereof |
| CA2015175A1 (en) * | 1990-04-23 | 1991-10-23 | Donald A. Brown | Method and apparatus for dispensing flowable hair products |
| US6056157A (en) * | 1994-03-14 | 2000-05-02 | Gehl's Guernsey Farms, Inc. | Device for dispensing flowable material from a flexible package |
| US5743435A (en) * | 1996-07-10 | 1998-04-28 | Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc. | Bag-in-box and method and apparatus for making the same |
-
2001
- 2001-04-13 WO PCT/US2001/012197 patent/WO2001079072A1/en not_active Ceased
-
2002
- 2002-10-10 CA CA002407375A patent/CA2407375C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US11485536B2 (en) | 2020-02-14 | 2022-11-01 | Georgia-Pacific Corrugated Llc | Multi piece corrugated box assemblies, blanks, and systems for heavy bag in box dispensed products |
| WO2025074352A1 (en) * | 2023-10-07 | 2025-04-10 | Barry Geer | Bag-in-a-box |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2407375A1 (en) | 2004-04-10 |
| WO2001079072A1 (en) | 2001-10-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20221011 |