Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DISPENSER/CLOSURE FOR FLEXIBLE PRODUCT CONTAINERS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to arrangements for permitting the dispensing of
product from flexible product contains such as bags, and for providing a
closure for
s the bag following dispensing of a part of the contents thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many products, such as candy, dry cereal, and certain types of cookies and
crackers are sold in flexible bags. Once the bags have been opened, however,
the
bags are often not easily re-closed, with attendant spilling of product, loss
of
io freshness, contamination, and similar problems. One product which has been
proposed to overcome this problem is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,273,332
B1. In
this arrangement, a bag is secured within a box, with a line of weakness in
the bag
defining a bag opening aligned with an opening in the box. Further, the box
opening
may be selectively closed or opened to disperse product.
is While this arrangement is satisfactory for products in bags mounted in
boxes,
such as a dry cereal, it is not applicable to products sold in bags without
enclosing
boxes, and requires special manufacturing arrangements to secure the bag
within the
box.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
2o Accordingly, it is a principal object of the inventor to provide a simple
dispenser/closure for products in flexible bags, which solve the problems
outlined
above.
In accordance with one specific illustrative embodiment of the invention, a
dispenser adapter for flexible pourable product containers, such as bags,
includes a
2s flexible bag with lines of weakness defining a bag opening, preferably near
one end
of the bag, and a dispenser base having a first main base portion and a second
slider
retention portion, both with openings, and with the two portions being folded
together
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to provide aligned dispenser openings and a guide. The dispenser base is
mounted
to the bag with the bag opening aligned with the dispenser openings. A slide
actuator is mounted between the first and second portions of the base, and
this slide
actuator is movable between a closed position blocking the openings and
closing the
s bag, and an open position permitting product to flow through the openings in
the bag
and base.
Other features or aspects of the dispenser adapter assembly may include the
following:
1. The base and the slide actuator may have interfitting stops for limiting
io outward movement of the actuator.
2. The stops may involve outwardly extending movable stop tabs at the inner
end of the actuator, and mating fixed stops on the base near the mouth of the
base
where the slide actuator exits the base.
3. A first portion of the base may have side flaps which may be folded over
is the second portion of the base to hold the two portions of the base
together, and to
provide a guide for the slide actuator.
4. The base may be secured to the bag with the second portion in
engagement with the bag, whereby the smooth surface of the first portion of
the
dispenser/closure is exposed.
Zo 5. The bag and dispenser adapter assembly may be mounted in a box, with
the box being cut away or having an opening to provide access to the slide
actuator
and to permit product flow.
6. The slide actuator may be provided with an extension for securing to
the top of the box with the extension flat against the top of the box when the
slide is
2s closed, and angularly raised where the slide is opened.
7. The slide actuator has an extended portion for gripping by the user.
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8. An easily broken line of weakness, preferably in the form of a tie or
perforations may be provided between the slide actuator and the base, to hold
the
slider in place prior to initiating the dispensing mode of the unit. This
easily broken
line of weakness maybe be at either end of the slide actuator, or slider.
s 9. The fixed stops for the assembly may involve fold lines, folded material
or
adhesive stops, for example.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a dispenser adapter for
flexible pourable product containers, such as bags, includes a flexible bag
with lines
of weakness defining a bag opening, preferably near one end of the bag, and a
to dispenser base having at least one opening, and with a portion of the base
being
folded over to provide a dispenser opening aligned with the bag opening and a
guide.
A slide actuator is mounted on the base with movement limited by the guide,
and this
slide actuator is movable between a closed position blocking said openings and
closing the bag, and an open position permitting product to flow through the
openings
is in the bag and base.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and from
the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
2o Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a dispenser adapter
illustrating one embodiment of the invention in the open configuration for
dispensing
pourable product;
FIG. 2 SHOWS A BLANK FROM WHICH A DISPENSER ADAPTER MAY BE FORMED;
Fig. 3 shows an initial step of folding the slide actuator down, in the course
of
2s forming the completed assembly;
Fig. 4 shows the second step of folding the slide actuator and one part of the
base over the other portion of the base;
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Fig. 5 shows the assembled adapter mounted on a bag, with the slide
actuator closed;
Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 5, but with the slide actuator open;
Fig. 7 is a cross-section taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 5;
s Fig. 7A is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross sectional view of Fig.
7;
Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 6;
Fig. 8A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of Fig. 8;
Fig. 9 illustrates the application of the dispenser adapter to a bag and box
assembly, in an exploded view;
io Fig. 10 shows the assembled configuration of the parts shown in Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 shows an assembly with an extension provided for the slide actuator,
and with the extension secured to the top of the box; and
Figs. 12, 13 and 14 show an additional embodiment of the invention, with
Fig. 12 showing a blank, Fig. 13 showing partial formation, and Fig. 14
showing the
is completed dispenser adapter assembly.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, product 12 from a bag 14 is being
dispensed from the bag 14 using the dispenser adapter 16 with the slide
actuator 18
in its open position. As will be developed below, the slide actuator 18 may be
slid
zo into the dispenser adapter 16 to close the bag 14.
In Fig. 1, a portion 20 of the bag 14 is coming free from the bag 14 and may
be removed to provide a hole aligned with the holes in the adapter. In the
course of
the manufacturing step, the material 20 of the bag is outlined by a line of
weakness,
which may take the form of a series of perforations, or by partially die
cutting through
2s the material of the bag. As another manufacturing step, the dispenser
adapter
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assembly may be mounted to the film or sheet material from which the bag is
formed
prior to completion of the bag or filling it with product.
The next few figures of the drawing show steps in the formation of the
dispenser adapter, such as that shown at reference number 16 in Fig. 1.
s Fig. 2 shows a blank 16 from which the complete dispenser adapter may be
formed. In Fig. 2 the base is formed of a first portion 24 and a second
portion 26,
separated by a fold line 28. The openings 30 and 32 are aligned where the two
parts
24, 26 are folded along line 28.
The slide actuator 34 is secured to the base part 24 only by tie 36 so that it
to may be readily separated from base part 24 when the dispenser adapter is
put into
use. Fold line 38 extending across the slide actuator 34, may be noted, and
permits
easy gripping of the actuator tab 40 which is used to shift the position of
the slide
actuator 34.
The mating stops 42 on the slide actuator, and 44 on the base part 24 serve
is to limit outward movement of the slide actuator 34 as more clearly shown in
later
figures of the drawings.
The spots of adhesive 46 on base part 24 engage areas 48 on base part 26
to firmly secure stop tabs 44 in place. The adhesive stripes 50 at the outer
edges of
base part 26 hold base parts 24 and 26 together, following folding along line
28, and
2o subsequent overlapping folding of the side flaps 52 inward along fold lines
54.
Fig. 3 of the drawings shows the first step in the formation of the blank of
Fig.
2 into the completed dispenser adapter. More specifically, in Fig. 3 the slide
actuator
34 has been folded down along line 38, with the remainder of the assembly
being as
shown in Fig. 2. It may also be noted that, in the showing of Fig. 3, the
actuator tab
2s 40 has been bent back, so that it is only shown in dashed lines.
In Fig. 4 of the drawings the upper portion of the partial assembly of Fig. 3
has been folded down along fold line 28, so that the slide actuator 34 is
between the
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base parts 24 and 26. In addition, the mating stops 42 on the slide actuator
and 44
on part 24 may been seen in their operating relationships. In the showing of
Fig. 4,
the side flaps 52 have not yet been folded over to complete the assembly.
Figs. 5 and 6 show the dispenser adapter 16 mounted on a bag 14, with Fig.
s 5 showing the slide actuator 34 in the closed position, and Fig. 6 showing
the slide
actuator 34 in the open position.
In Fig. 5 the slider 34 and the tab 40 are still secured to the base part 24
by
the tie 36. This tie 36 is merely a very short connection between two cuts so
that it is
easily broken to operate the slide actuator and open the dispenser adapter, as
shown
to in Fig. 6. Incidentally, instead of the single tie 36, perforations, or
several ties, or
merely a line of weakness by partially die cutting along the line, including
tie 36, may
be employed.
Fig. 6 shows the stops 42 on the slide actuator engaging the stops 44 on the
base portion 24 to limit outward movement of the slide actuator 34.
is In both Figs. 5 and 6, the side flaps 52 on base part 26 have been folded
over and adhesively secured to base part 24. The slide actuator 34 is now
constrained to linear in-and-out motion as the stops 42 engage the resultant
fold, and
the reduced width upper part of the slide actuator 34 is limited in its
lateral movement
by stops 44.
zo Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 5, and Fig.
7A is
an enlarged view of a part of Fig. 7. Relative to Figs. 7 and 7A, it may be
noted that
the slider 34 is closed and that the bag element 20 is shown partially
loosened from
bag 14. In addition, to be noted in Figs. 7 and 7A are the side flaps 52 which
hold
the lower base part 26 to the upper base part 24.
2s Turning now to the cross-sectional views of Fig. 8 and 8A, note that the
cross-section is taken along lines 8-8 of Fig. 6, which shows the slider 34 in
the open
configuration. In Figs. 8 and 8A, the top layer is the side flap 52 which
holds the
upper base member 24 to the lower base member 26. The stops 42 at the lower
end
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of slider 34 ride in the space between the two base members 24 and 26. The
adhesive 46 would be thinner than shown in Fig. 8A, and holds the tabs 44
close to
lower base member 26 so that the stop tabs 42 on the slider 34 limit the
upward
movement of the slider to the point where stop tabs 42 engage stops 44 on the
upper
s base member 24. Adhesive 53 bonds the dispenser assembly to the bag 14.
Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings show another embodiment of the invention
in which a bag 62 is mounted in a box 64. The bag 62 may be provided with a
dispenser adapter assembly 66 of the type described hereinabove. The box 64 is
a
generally conventional, tube type box with lower closure flaps 68, and upper
closure
io flaps 70. The box has an opening, or is cut away at area 72 so that the
dispenser
adapter assembly 66 is accessible, as indicated in Fig. 10.
Fig. 11 shows a bag and box configuration which is similar to the showing of
Figs. 9 and 10. However, the embodiment of Fig. 11 includes a dispenser
adapter 82
with an extended slide actuator 84 which is secured to the top of the box 86
at area
is 88 located on the side of the top of box 86 away from the side of box 86
where the
main dispenser adapter assembly 82 is located. The slide actuator 84 may be
provided with a tab or cut 90 to facilitate raising and lowering the slide
actuator 84
and opening and closing the product package. As in the case of the
arrangements of
Figs. 9 and 10, the box 86 may be cut away at area 92 to provide access to the
2o dispenser adapter assembly 82.
Figs. 12, 13 and 14 show a further embodiment of the invention, with Fig. 12
showing a blank which may be folded and bonded to realize the invention, Fig.
13
showing a partially assembled configuration, and Fig. 14 showing the completed
assembly.
2s Fig. 12 includes the main base portion 102 with a central opening 104
through which product may be dispensed. Also shown in Fig. 12 are the slide
actuator or slider 106, and the slide retention member 108 which forms part of
the
fixed base portion of the assembly. The side flaps 110 on either side of the
main
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base member 102, are provided with adhesive stripes 112 for subsequent bonding
to
the side portions of slide retention member 108.
In Fig. 13 the slider is shown folded inward along fold line 114. Incidentally
the tie 116 indicates a line of weakness 118 along which the slider 106 may be
s separated from the remainder of the assembly. This line of weakness may be
implemented by a single tie as indicated, or by perforations having long cuts
and
short ties, for example.
An adhesive coated area 122 of the slide retention member 108 is adhered
to the area 124 by folding along the stop folds 12b to provide a positive
fixed stop for
io engagement by the movable stops 128 on the slider 106.
Fig. 14 shows the assembled dispenser closer with the slider partially raised
to partially open the hole 104 through which product may be dispensed. In Fig.
14
the left side flap 110 is shown closed, with the flap being adhesively secured
to one
of the side legs of the slide retainer 108; while the right hand side flap 110
has not
is yet been folded over the other side leg of slide retention member 108. In
Fig. 14, the
tie 116 has been broken, to permit opening of the slider 106.
One advantage of the embodiment of Figs. 12 - 14 is that the fixed stop 126
for limiting movement of the slider is implemented by a fold in the material,
rather
than by adhesive, as in the case of the arrangements of Figs. 1 - 11 of the
present
2o specification. It may also be noted that both the embodiment of Figs. 12 -
14 and
that of Figs. 1 - 11 have a main base portion and a slider retention portion.
Further,
in the embodiment of Figs. 12 - 14, the slider retention portion 108 has a
central
rectangular opening which is much larger than the opening 104 in the main base
portion.
2s It is also noted that the dispenser adapter could, with minor changes, be
made using only a slide actuator or slider similar to that shown as reference
numeral
34 in Fig. 2, and a single base member such as that shown at reference numeral
26
in Fig. 2. To provide limiting stops for the slider, the upper ends of the
flaps 52 may
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be cut and secured together; and the lower end of part 26 may be extended for
adhesive bonding to the bag. Following adhesive binding of the adapter to the
bag,
the slider would be located between the hole in the bag and the hole in the
single
base member, when the slider is in its closed position; and product may be
poured
s out of the bag when the side actuator or slider is shifted to its open
position.
In conclusion, in the foregoing detailed description and in the accompanying
drawings preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed. However,
it
is to be understood that various modifications and changes may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, by way of example
and
Io not of limitation, either side of the dispenser adapter may be secured to
the bag or
other container. Also, the upper ends of the flaps 52 could be cut to form the
base
stops 44, and the lower end of the slide actuator could be provided with a
reversely
bent tab to form a stop to mate with a similar reversely bent portion of a
base
member. In addition, the openings on the bag and the base members do not have
to
is be of the same size or configuration; i.e., one or two of the holes or the
base could be
square or triangular if desired; or one of the base openings could merely be a
frame
extending around the hole in the other base member. Concerning materials, the
dispenser adapter assembly may be made of heavy paper or light weight
cardboard,
of aluminum, of plastic sheet material, or any other sheet material,
preferably
2o compatible with the bag with which it is to be used. Regard the "tie"
securing the
slider to the base prior to use, any readily breakable coupling such as
perforations or
partial cutting to form a line of weakness, may be employed. Accordingly, the
present invention is not limited to the precise embodiments as shown and
described
hereinabove.
