Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~43346
--1--
SELP-DISPENSING SPRING BIASED
THIN FILM CONTAINER
Technical Field
This invention relates to packaging of fluid and fluent
5 materials such as food products, carbonated beverages, and the
like, and more particularly it relates to the confinement of
materials in thin film bags and means for dispensing the~ there-
from.
Background Art
Containers for dispensing fluids such as wine, milk, carbon-
- ated beverages in individual quantities such as to fill glasses
often cost more than the contents themselves, such as in the case
of beer cans. Furthermore the containers are difflcult to store
and present disposal problems. In most cases they have a single
resident discharge position ~or dispensing and cannot be used in
both horizontal and vertical positions. There has been no suitable
substitute low-cost bulk package for dispensing carbonated bever-
ages, in part, becau~e the carbonation may be lost in storage upon
partial emptying of the bulk containers.
Also other forms of bulk packaging such a~ the thin plastic
film storage bags placed in corrugated cardboard cartons by various
packagers for dispensing wine and milk are deficient for household
use in home refrigerators because of the limited storage space
therein and shape~ where such bulk packa~es depend on gravity flow
to dispense not compatible with shelf dimensions. Not only can it
be di~ficult to completely empty a thin plastic bag because of
folds, creases and pocket~ but also the gravity dispensed package
in aspect ratio need be tall or vertical to produce the necessary
discharge gravlty welght. Also dispensing force varies as
contents are used. Loss of expensive liquids such as wine
because of incomplete discharge is a problem. Also the discharge
force decreases as the contents are dlspensed creates conditions
such that carbonation is lost when carbonated beverages are
attempted to be dispensed by gravity methods.
~*
'.~
3346
--2--
Accordingly it is an objective of thi:s invention to provide
improved bulk low-cost packaging with thin film flexible bags
correcting the foregoing and other prior art deficiencies, in-
cluding variable dispensing pressure and inconvenient aspect
ratios.
Some attempts have been made to provide bulk dispensing con-
tainers with pressurized discharge by a collapsing elastic member
providing discharge force for a bag-like container, or the like,
as typified by U.S. Patents 4,077,543 - D. F. Kulikowski et al.,
Mar. 7, 1978; 4,121,737 - C. L. Kain, Oct. 24, 1978; and
4,098,434 - A. R. Uhlig, July 4, 1978. However, these collapsible
elastic members provide varying pressure during discharge and need
be packaged in expensive outer containers. Neither do these
devices adapt themselves to large bulk amounts of stored materials,
such as five or ten liters.
In order to get a more constant dispensing pressure over a
large distance, coiled spiral constant force springs have been
used to produce dispensing force, for example, in U.S. Patents
4,136,802 - C. T. Mascia et al., Jan. 30, 1979 and S.N. Hope,
2,298,884, Oct. 13, 1942. However, as proposed in the prior
art, these springs have not been effectively combined with thin
plastic film containers in such a way as to provide effective
and inexpensive bulk storage dispensing containers.
Brief Disclosure of the Invention
Accordingly this invention provides an improved packaging
combination of a thin flexible-walled bag bulk storage container
and a constant force wide strip spring biased to coil up into a
spiral, wherein the contents of a filled bag will hold the spring
uncoiled and as the bag is emptied the spring automatically rolls
up with the bag thereinside to simultaneously squeeze out the con-
tents thoroughly and with substantially constant pressure over
the dispensing range of contents while completely eliminating
voids, folds and pockets of accumulated air, effervescence gas,
or stored materials.
L~l
114334G
~3-
The bag is inexpensive and may be formed integrally with
the constant force spring as a constituent wall of the bag.
Preferably it is contained in an outer carton of proper aspect
ratio to fit on a home refrigerator shelf to dispense several
liters of carbonated beverage, milk, wine, or the like, and thus
provide low container cost, simple efficient storage and ready
access for dispensing.
The invention particularly comprehends a packaging array for
bulk dispensing of several servings of a beverage, including, a
thin film non-self-supporting flexible walled bulk bag-like con-
tainer containing multiple servings of a liquid and having a
normally closed discharge outlet in communication with the liquid
to discharge its contents without manual pxessure when the outlet
is opened. The thin flexible-walled bag-like container having a
selectively openable material discharge outlet at one end thereof
to permit part or substantially all the liquid to flow thereout
and be dispensed automatically without manual pressure when the
outlet is opened and having a tail portion at the other end.
Spring means engage the tail with a force tending to coil it up
and supply-a substantially constant discharge pressure against the
liquid in the bag-like container with the liquid within the con-
tainer supplying a counter force engaging the coil position to
hold the tail portion of the container partly uncoiled and permit-
ting the spring means to coil up to roll up the tail portion of
the bag as the outlet is opened to remove from time to time the
contents from the bag-like container automatically without manual
pressure or repositioning substantially by the force of the spring
means. Thus a discharge force is exerted by the coiled spring
on the liquid to discharge the liquid rapidly and uniformly, to
keep the liquid under pressure until it is substantially completely
disaharged from the bag-like container without entrapment in
folds or creases of the non-self-supporting film, to squeeze
substantially all the contents from the container without residual
waste, and to prevent entry of air or contamination into the con-
tainer when multiple servings are dispensed.
D
.
3346
--4--
Brief Description of the Drawings
Further features, objects and advantages of the invention
will be found throughout the following description with reference
to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a broken away view of a refrigerator shelf look-
ing into the front view of a carton containing the dispensing
container afforded by this invention;
Figure 2 is a side view in section of a carton containing
a partly empty dispensing container as seen from lines 2-2 of
Figure l;
Figure 3 is a further side view embodiment enlarged in
section with the dispensing container filled, showing further
features of the invention;
Figures 4A to D are various structural embodiments of the
spring-thin film bag construction as afforded by the teachings
of this invention; and
Figure 5 is a side elevation view of a package with a gage
showing the amount of contents remaining.
Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment
In storage of fluent food products such as milk, carbonated
beverages, wine, etc. it is desirable to provide packages with an
aspect ratio compatible with standard home refrigerator shelving,
as depicted in Figure 1 by carton 10 between shelves 11 and 12
adjacent refrigerator insulated wall 13. The contents may be
discharged by way of flexible hose 14, which may be simply clamped
in the clip 15, which serves as a simple valve. The hose may be
pinched manually during dispensing to draw out neatly a glass of
liquid from a several liter supply stored within carton 10.
Other fastening and valve arrangements may be used, as desired,
including flow-control devices.
The container within the carton 10, shown with cardboard
corrugations 16, is a flexible walled thin film bag 17 of plastic
or an equivalent flexible thin wall material, as shown in this
case partly full of a fluent material 18 to be dispensed. In ac-
cordance with this invention the tail end 19 of the container bag17 opposite the discharge hose 14 is neatly rolled up within the
spiral sheet strip spring 20 which retains a constant external
D
1143346
--5--
spring pressure upon the remaini:ng contents 18 for urging them
out the discharge opening at hose 14 throughout the dispensing
cycle until bag 17 is completely emptied and the spring is coiled
in its rightmost position against front wall 21 of carton 10.
As the flexible bag simultaneously rolls inside the strip spring
coil 22 convolutions all remaining liquid in the tail section 19
is squeezed out into the residual reservoir portion of liquid
18 without any loss of liquid or accumulation of gas pockets as
in the case of carbonated beverages.
Design data for constant force metal spiral springs is
shown in a pamphlet from AMETEK, ltrade name), Hunter Spring
Division, Hatfield, Pa. 19440. Constant force of the coil 22
is maintained upon the stored liquid material 18 tending to hold
the effervescent carbonized state intact during long periods of
storage, as constrasted with CO2 loss into gas pockets when any
pockets or portions of the bag are depressurized such as if the
contents were fed out solely by force of gravity. However,
supplemental gravity force of discharge may be incorporated and
amplified by means of the inserted wedge 23 which gives an in-
clined surface toward spout hose 14 when the carton is on a re-
frigerator shelf as shown in Figure 1.
When the container bag 17 is filled as in Figure 3, the coil
22 is positioned against the rear wall 25 of the carton 10 to have
the materials 18 filling the bag 17 and exerting a counterforce
toward rear wall 25 tending to unwind coil 22. Thus, the bag 17
may be preloaded and placed in carton 10 or the materials may be
entered into hose 14 orifice at a pressure sufficient to unwind
coil 22 when the container is emptied to refill. Carton 10 has
sufficient strength to support and limit the filled bag 17 dimen-
sions. On the other hand the carton-container assembly is in-
expensive and can be a single use cardboard item thrown away
after use. As such it can be crushed for trash disposal in a
compactor or manually to take little disposal space.
The preferable materials for the container bag 17 are poly-
ethylene and polyester (polyterepthalic acid) commonly referred
' ' :
-6~ 33~6
to as PET being the preferred bag material for eith~r a separate
blow molded bag or sheet bag laminate of two layers or one layer
and substrate as later will be described. Sealing of laminated
bags is conventional by dielectric, laser, ultrasonic or cement
sealing techniques. Methyl ethyl ketone can be used as a liquid
adhesive, dnd is manufactured by E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.,
Wilmington, Delaware, 19898.
In accordance with this invention, wherein the bag 17 and
coil spring 22 are rolled up together, it is desirable to hold
the outer end 30 of the flat spring strip when uncoiled to affix
ln place in the container. This may be done for easy manual
removal and insertio~when the spring forces are compatible by
a fabric to "Velcro'~Yinterface depicted by the micro-hook
structure 31. One interface material is attached to the floor
32 of carton 10 near the front panel 21 and the other is attached
to the bottom of the spring strip end 30, thereby to removably
fasten the spring strip end 30 down in place by a simple insertion
or removal step. This then lets the coil 22 wind up toward
front face 21 of carton 10. Adhesives, bolts or clamps may also
be used to perfor~ thls function.
On the other hand to assure complete rolling and squeezin~
of contents 18 out of the tall end 19 of the bag 17 it is pre-
ferably attached to the inner end 33 of the spring strip when
uncoiled by a similar removable "Velcro" holding strip 34 disposed
laterally across the bag end 19 and spring strip end 33. It may
be sufficient when separate bags and springs are used simply to
wind up a longer tail section 19 into the coils of the spring to
retain the bag frictionally in place.
Thus as the coil 22 winds up it squeezes out the materials
at gap 35 to avoid loss of material while maintaining the optimum
spring force pressure of the coil 22 against the bag 17 and
contents 18 to urge discharge from spout 14. In the case of
carbonated beverages stored at 40F a pressure of at least 10 psi
(70 kPaj is usually sufficient to prevent loss of CO2 in gas
pockets.
1.'13~3~6
- --7~
Also as seen in Figure 3, the arrangement of spout 14 and
weight of materials 18 in the container bag 17 will tend to keep
spring strip end 30 in place, particularly with a grommet like
holder built into hose 14 to mate with a carton aperture 37 and
hold the bag 17 at the bottom of front panel 21.
The coil spring assembly is preferably one of a low-cost
plastic or fibrous laminated construction of the nature shown
for example in U.S. Patent 2,826,523 to H. Blaszkowski et al.,
March 11, 1958. Thus, the spring strip has two contiguous layers
one 40 cross sectioned for plastic such as a polyester and the
other 41 not cross sectioned to represent a variety of base
material laminates serving with layer 40 to provide a spring
coiling bias of the nature required to dispense the materials.
The spring force and size is selected to provide the desired
dispensing pressure and to conform with the packaging dimensions.
It is noted however that the strip spring used in this invention
has primary utility when the packaging aspect ratio desired is
a deep but low profile. Thus, the depth of a box along the
length of the coiling strip is considerable and the maximum outer
diameter of the coiled spring can be small so that the height
need not be great. Thus, as shown in Figure 1 this container
combination is well suited for containers to be stored on refrig-
erator shelves. The width of the spring strip and thus the
container is variable but may be relatively large since the spring
strip is preferably in the form of a sheet of 25 to 50 cm in order
to have a single economical package with the packaging cost per
serving low.
The various construction forms for which this techni~ue is
suitable are shown in Figures 4~ to D. Thus, in Figure 4A, the
spring strip comprises contiguous layers 40 and 41 of a plastic
or fibrous material as for example in U.S. Patent 2,826,523,
supra. It is critical when the constant force spiral spring strip
or sheet is used for dispensing bulk materials from a package,
that the spring layers 40 and 41 are compatible with the need to
expand a thin film bag with considerable volume so that it can
be rolled up together with the spring to exert the dispensing
1:~
- ~ . .
~. :
3 3 ':~ 6
force on the materials stored therein. Thus, a two layer spring
as in Figure 4A has the layers 40, 41 bonded together over their
entire surface. At the inner end 50 the tail end 19 of bag 17
is affixed or frictionally held within the spiral coil layers.
The bag 17 is not cross hatched but shown simply by lines to
indicate its thin film quality, and has upper and lower layers 51,
52. This is the configuration as illustrated in Figures 2 and
3.
As seen from Figure 4B, the coil spring strip 53 may be
metallic. This is preferable generally only when optimum forces
are required or when reusable cartons are provided for refilling
or replacing container bags 17.
The version of Figure 4C is the least expensive unit having
the layer 40 of the coil spring strip comprising the lower layer
52A of the bag 17'. Thus, the upper layer 51A comprises a
further plastic film attached or sealed about the junction 50
and edges Inot shown) to form a unitary bag-spring assembly. The
plastic film may be replaced by an equivalent such as a thin
flexible aluminum film for example in some applications.
It is important that the bag layer 17' is not coextensive
with the constant force spring area, otherwise the required
container storage capacity shown in Figures 2 and 3 would not
be available. Thus the two spring layers, if there are two, are
bonded together over their entire surface area, and a bag is
attached to the spring external to the two bonded layers. Also
it is critical that the layer 17' be wound up into the coil over
the entire strip or sheet of the two layer spring ~or one layer
metal alternative if used). Although it is conceivable that some
of the surface area of the coil spring strip or sheet may be
deleted, it would not then serve the purpose of preventing loss
of contents in pockets as the container is emptied.
In Figure 4D the dispensing and coiling forces may be
increased by joining two spring strips to conjointly coil wherein
the spring strip layers 40A and 40 constitute the container bag
walls. This might be desirable for example in dispensing semi-
fluid fluent materials such as batter. In general this version
would have limited volume capacity because of the requirement
.D
~. ~
~L1433~
g
that the coil springs wind up to~ether and would therefore need
be somewhat coextensive in area.
As may be seen in Figure 5, there is shown a simple gage
for showing the remaining materials in storage. Because of the
constant force discharge, there is in this type of package no
"feel" for the amount of material remaining, and the contents
gage helps determine when a replacement need be reordered.
Thus the constant force spring sheet 50 which is wrapping
up t~e tail end 51 of bag 52 in the spiral 53 is wound about a
center spool 54. This spool has an extending finger riding in
the slot 55 at one side of the box container 56 to show the
- spiral position and thus the contents of the bag 52. Preferably
~ a matchinq slot is on the opposlte carton side, and the marker
54 is a shaft extending through the coil spring 53 to ride in
the slots 55 on both sides.
Accordingly there is provided a self-dispensing container
incorporating a thin film flexible bag and a
constant force spiral spring provides a low-cost readily
manufactured bulk container for fluent materials substantially
reducing container cost per serving. The aspect ratios of the
contalner provide convenient and efficient storage of bulk
quantities in household refrigerator shelves. The package is
especlally suitable for storing carbonated beverages so that
they can be partially dispensed without losing carbonization.
Having therefore advanced the state of the art with improved
container features, those features of novelty believed repre-
sentative of the spirit and nature of the invention are defined
with particularity in the claims.
.
'
'
