U.S. patent application number 11/312316 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-06 for flexible container containing a liquid product, and a process for making a liquid-filled, flexible container.
Invention is credited to Patrick Jean-Francois Etesse.
Application Number | 20060144875 11/312316 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34928788 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060144875 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Etesse; Patrick
Jean-Francois |
July 6, 2006 |
Flexible container containing a liquid product, and a process for
making a liquid-filled, flexible container
Abstract
The present invention relates to a flexible container containing
a liquid product, wherein the flexible container (2) comprises a
closure having an inner end and an outer end, the closure being
fixed through the wall of the flexible container (2) such that the
inner end of the closure lies within the flexible container (2) and
is in contact with the liquid product, and the outer end of the
closure lies outside of the flexible container, wherein the closure
has an open position and a closed position, and wherein the outer
end of the closure is connected to a self-sealing valve (30) which
opens when the closure is in the open position and when pressure is
applied to the liquid product within the flexible container, and
which closes when the pressure is released. In another aspect the
invention relates to a process of making a liquid-filled, flexible
container by: (i) forming a closed flexible container (2) from a
film material and fixing a female part (10) of a closure through
the wall of the flexible container (2); (ii) filling the flexible
container (2) with a liquid product by injecting the liquid product
into the flexible container (2) through the female part (10) of the
closure; (iii) sealing the flexible container by closing the female
part (10) of the closure; and (iv) inserting a male part (20) of a
closure into the female part (10) so that the male (20) and female
(10) parts form a closure having an open and a closed position,
wherein the male part (20) of the closure comprises a self-sealing
valve (30) which opens when the closure is in the open position and
when pressure is applied to the liquid product within the flexible
container (2), and which closes when the pressure is released.
Inventors: |
Etesse; Patrick Jean-Francois;
(Etterbeek, BE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DIVISION
WINTON HILL TECHNICAL CENTER - BOX 161
6110 CENTER HILL AVENUE
CINCINNATI
OH
45224
US
|
Family ID: |
34928788 |
Appl. No.: |
11/312316 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/494 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B 11/047 20130101;
B65D 75/008 20130101; B65D 75/5883 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/494 |
International
Class: |
B65D 35/38 20060101
B65D035/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 29, 2004 |
EP |
04078548.7 |
Claims
1. Flexible container containing a liquid product, wherein the
flexible container (2) comprises a closure having an inner end and
an outer end, the closure being fixed through the wall of the
flexible container (2) such that the inner end of the closure lies
within the flexible container (2) and is in contact with the liquid
product, and the outer end of the closure lies outside of the
flexible container (2), wherein the closure has an open position
and a closed position, and wherein the outer end of the closure is
connected to a valve, characterized in that the valve is a
self-sealing valve (30) which opens when the closure is in the open
position and when pressure is applied to the liquid product within
the flexible container (2), and which closes when the pressure is
released.
2. Flexible container according to claim 1, wherein the container
is filled with the liquid product and is essentially free of any
gas.
3. Flexible container according to claim 1, wherein the closure
comprises male (20) and female (10) parts which are fitted together
by means of a screw thread (28), and wherein the closure is opened
by rotating the male part (20) relative to the female part (10),
and wherein the closure is closed by counter-rotating the male part
(20) relative to the female part (10).
4. Flexible container according to any of claims 1, wherein the
container comprises a base (3), so that the liquid-filled, flexible
container (2) is self standing upon the base (3), wherein the
closure is positioned at the top of the flexible container when the
container (2) is self-standing on the base (3).
5. Flexible container according to claim 1, wherein the closure in
the closed position seals the flexible container (2) and prevents
discharge of the liquid product.
6. A process of making a liquid-filled, flexible container by: (i)
forming a closed flexible container (2) from a film material and
fixing a female part (10) of a closure through the wall of the
flexible container (2); (ii) filling the flexible container (2)
with a liquid product by injecting the liquid product into the
flexible container (2) through the female part (10) of the closure;
(iii) sealing the flexible container by closing the female part
(10) of the closure; and (iv) inserting a male part (20) of a
closure into the female part (10) so that the male (20) and female
(10) parts form a closure having an open and a closed position,
characterized in that the male part (20) of the closure comprises a
self-sealing valve (30) which opens when the closure is in the open
position and when pressure is applied to the liquid product within
the flexible container (2), and which closes when the pressure is
released.
7. The process according to claim 6, wherein the self-sealing valve
(30) is integrally molded into the male part (20) of the
closure.
8. A process according to claim 7, wherein the self-sealing valve
(30) is molded into the male part (20) of the closure by means of a
co-injection process.
9. A process according to claim 6, wherein step (iii), the female
part (10) of the closure is sealed by means of a releasably fitted
plug (16).
10. A process according to claim 6, wherein the male (20) and
female (10) parts of the closure are fitted together by means of a
screw thread (28), and wherein the closure is opened by rotating
the male part (20) relative to the female part (10), and wherein
the closure is closed by counter-rotating the male part (20)
relative to the female part (10).
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a flexible container
containing a liquid product, and to a process for making a
liquid-filled, flexible container. The flexible container may be,
for example, a pouch or bag, and it is preferably made from a
plastic film.
[0002] Flexible pouches which comprise some sort of spout are
useful as packaging for various sorts of products including drinks.
In practice the spout may be closed by means of a screw cap, or a
flip-top cap.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,955, issued on May 3, 1994, discloses a
lightweight bottom delivery package for fluid products which
incorporates a closure comprising a self-sealing valve and a
flip-top cap.
[0004] However such a package may leak during packing or transport
if too much pressure is applied to the bag which causes the
self-sealing valve to open, and is sufficient to displace the
flip-top cap.
[0005] Closures have been devised which resist externally applied
pressure unless the closure is first manually opened by the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,551, issued on May 1, 1984, discloses a
quick-disconnect coupling and valve assembly which consists of a
single-service coupling and valve assembly and a connector for
cooperating therewith.
[0006] However, it would be useful to provide a lightweight,
flexible container, which resists leaking during packing and
transportation, and which can be opened and reclosed so that it is
suitable for multiple doses. Examples of products which are usually
sold in packages containing multiple doses include, but are not
limited to: dish washing liquids, fabric softeners, laundry
cleaning liquids, shampoo, skin lotions, foodstuffs, and the
like.
[0007] The flexible container according to the present invention
contains a liquid product, wherein the flexible container comprises
a closure having an inner end and an outer end, the closure being
fixed through the wall of the flexible container such that the
inner end of the closure lies within the flexible container and is
in contact with the liquid product, and the outer end of the
closure lies outside of the flexible container, wherein the closure
has an open position and a closed position, and wherein the outer
end of the closure is connected to a valve.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to the present invention the valve is a
self-sealing valve which opens when the closure is in the open
position and when pressure is applied to the liquid product within
the flexible container, and which closes when the pressure is
released.
[0009] The present invention further relates to a process for
making such a flexible container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1a shows cross-section, A-A, of a flexible container
with a closure according to the present invention. The closure is
shown in the open position. FIG. 1b shows a top view of the
flexible container and closure.
[0011] FIG. 2a shows cross-section, A-A, of a flexible container
with a closure according to the present invention. The closure is
shown in the open position.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows an assembly view of a flexible container and
closure according to the present invention in perspective.
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the liquid-filled,
flexible container of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In its simplest embodiment, the closure of the present
invention may consist of two concentric cylinders: an outer female
cylinder and an inner male cylinder. The inner male cylinder has a
blind end, and has at least one hole in the curved cylinder wall.
When the outer cylinder of this closure is fixed through the wall
of a liquid-filled container, there is no passage for the liquid to
pass through the closure as long as the inner cylinder is
completely enclosed within the outer cylinder. However when the
inner cylinder is displaced axially relative to the outer cylinder,
towards the liquid-filled container, the hole in the inner cylinder
wall becomes exposed, and liquid may pass through the hole and out
of the closure by passing along the inner cylinder. Displacing the
inner cylinder back to its original position closes the dispensing
hole and prevents further liquid from leaving the container.
[0015] In an alternative embodiment, a closure as described in
WO99/05446, published on Feb. 4, 1999, may be used. In this
embodiment the female part has an axial bore and a plug which
closes off the bore. A cooperating male part is provided, and the
plug and the male part are provided with cooperating connection
devices which connect the plug with the male part when the male
part is inserted into the bore and which maintain this connection
when the male part is inserted further into the bore. The plug is
provided with at least one hooking part which keeps the plug in the
bore until the plug and the male part are connected to each other
while the male part is inserted into the bore.
[0016] The male and female parts of the connecting device may
cooperate by means of a simple push-pull action, or these two
components may be connected by means of a screw thread. These
variations are illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 of WO00/66448,
published on Nov. 9, 2000.
[0017] According to the present invention, the connecting device
further comprises a self-sealing valve. A self-sealing valve is
typically made from an elastomeric material such as silicone or
thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The valve has one or more slits cut
through the elastomeric material. For example, the valve may have
two mutually orthogonal slits. The rate at which liquid product is
dispensed under pressure from the container may be controlled by
selecting the size and configuration of the slits in the
self-sealing valve.
[0018] Self-sealing valves are commercially available, one example
of such valves is sold under the Trade Name SimpliSqueeze, supplied
by Seaquist Closures, of Mukwonago, Wis., US.
[0019] By "flexible" it is meant herein that the container may be
flexibly deformed, but that it is not resilient in the sense that
it recovers its original shape when the deforming pressure is
removed. Preferably flexible containers of the present invention
are formed from plastic film or films which are sealed together at
the edge in order to form a closed container. The container is
provided with an opening which is sealed around the closure. Most
preferably the plastic film is made from polyethylene,
polypropylene, polyester or laminate thereof and has a thickness of
from 50 to 250 micrometers.
[0020] The liquid which fills the liquid container may be of any
type of liquid, including relatively viscous gels and pastes. The
only limitation upon viscosity is that it should be possible to
dispense the liquid under pressure through the self-sealing valve.
Typical examples of suitable liquid products include detergent
products, for example dish washing detergent liquid, and fabric
treatment products, for example fabric softening liquid
compositions.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a closure comprising a female part (10)
which comprises a collar (12) which is secured within the opening
of the flexible container (2). The female part (10) further
comprises an axial bore (14) and a plug (16). The plug (16) is
provided with at least one hooking part (18) which enables the plug
(16) to be removably sealed within the axial bore (14).
[0022] The male part (20) comprises a cylindrical section (22)
which fits within the axial bore (14) of the female part (10) and
which can be moved axially therein. The end (26) of the cylindrical
section (22) removably engages with the plug (16). The male part
(20) and the female part (10) are mutually interconnected by means
of a screw thread (28) so that the male part (20) moves axially
within the bore (14) of the female part (10) when the screw thread
(28) is engaged, thereby releasing the plug (16) from the bore
(14), and moves axially in the opposite direction when the screw
thread (28) is disengaged thereby closing bore (14) with the plug
(16). The open position is illustrated by FIG. 1; the closed
position is illustrated by FIG. 2.
[0023] The male part (20) comprises an axial bore (24). The axial
bore (24) houses a self-sealing valve (30).
[0024] A cap (40) covers the closure assembly. The cap (40) may be
clipped onto the male part (20) to facilitate the opening and
closing of the closure.
[0025] The resulting assembly provides a one-way valve closure
wherein the self-sealing valve (30) does not permit air to be
vented back into the flexible container (2). Furthermore the
closure has a closed position (FIG. 2) which is the position in
which the plug (16) is engaged within the bore (14). In the closed
position no liquid can be dispensed from the flexible container
(2). The closed position prevents leakage or accidental dispensing
during transport and during storage. The closure has an open
position (FIG. 1) which is the position in which the plug (16) is
disengaged from the bore (14). In the open position no liquid is
discharged until the liquid pressure exceeds the threshold pressure
of the self-sealing valve (30). When the threshold pressure is
exceeded, the self-sealing valve (30) opens and liquid is dispensed
from the container (2) until the applied pressure is released and
the self-sealing valve (30) recloses.
[0026] Preferably, the liquid within the flexible container (2) is
free, or at least substantially free of any gas, for example the
liquid is free, or at least substantially free of any air.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows an assembly view of a flexible container and
closure according to the present invention in perspective.
[0028] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the liquid-filled,
flexible container of the present invention, incorporating the
closure described in detail above. The container shown in FIG. 4 is
self standing, wherein the closure is positioned at the top of the
flexible container (2) when the container is self-standing on the
base (3).
[0029] In one aspect of the present invention, the liquid-filled
flexible container is formed and filled by the following process
steps: [0030] (i) forming a closed flexible container (2) from a
film material and fixing a female part (10) of a closure through
the wall of the flexible container (2); [0031] (ii) filling the
flexible container (2) with a liquid product by injecting the
liquid product into the container (2) through the female part (10)
of the closure; [0032] (iii) sealing the flexible container (2) by
closing the female part (10) of the closure, preferably by means of
a releasably fitted plug (16); and [0033] (iv) inserting a male
part (20) of a closure into the female part (10) so that the female
and male parts (10, 20) form a closure having an open and a closed
position, wherein the male part (20) of the closure comprises a
self-sealing valve (30) which opens when the closure is in the open
position and when pressure is applied to the liquid product within
the flexible container (2), and which closes when the pressure is
released.
[0034] Preferably the self-sealing valve (30) is integrally molded
into the male part (20) of the closure. More preferably the
self-sealing valve (30) is molded into the male part (20) of the
closure by means of a co-injection process.
[0035] In one particular aspect of the process, the female part
(10) of the closure is sealed by means of a releasably fitted plug
(16) such as is described in WO00/66448. This process facilitates
the filling of the flexible bag with the exclusion of essentially
any gas, in particular with the exclusion of essentially any
air.
[0036] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the process the
male and female parts of the closure are fitted together by means
of a screw thread (28), and wherein the closure is opened by
rotating the male part (20) relative to the female part (10), and
wherein the closure is closed by counter-rotating the male part
(20) relative to the female part (10).
[0037] The advantages of the closure of the present invention
include the avoidance of leaking or accidental discharge which may
occur when a self-sealing valve is used as the only closing means,
or even when a self-sealing valve is used in combination with a
flip-top cap. Further, since the closure is between the fluid and
the valve, it eliminates concerns about long term product
compatibility with the valve material since product contact with
the valve only occurs at point of use.
[0038] A further advantage is that liquid-filled, flexible
container which is made by the process described above may be made
such that the liquid is substantially free of gas. The closure
described avoids the ingress of any gas, such as air, into the
liquid-filled container during normal use.
[0039] Furthermore the self-sealing valve avoids or minimizes
dripping of liquid during use, and consequently the closure of the
invention is mess-free.
[0040] The flexible container is light-weight and cheap to
manufacture and transport.
[0041] A further advantage is that the present invention does not
have any removable part, such as a screw cap, that consumer may
lose after opening the package.
* * * * *