U.S. patent number 3,908,864 [Application Number 05/076,371] was granted by the patent office on 1975-09-30 for container for bulk liquids such as milk.
Invention is credited to Max V. Capper.
United States Patent |
3,908,864 |
Capper |
September 30, 1975 |
Container for bulk liquids such as milk
Abstract
A container for the handling and dispensing of bulk liquids,
such as milk, consists of a primary single service flexible plastic
bag with dispensing tube, a single service semi-rigid protective
cover for the primary bag which is foldable into a box-like
configuration from an initially flat blank, and a reusable carrying
and utilization case which is rigid and durable in construction and
of a size to receive the folded protective cover snugly so that the
shape of the latter will be maintained without the use of tape,
staples or sealants. The reusable carrying and utilization case
includes a removable reusable closure element for the normally open
side of the case which assures that the folded protective cover
will be stabilized during use and during up-ending of the container
for placement into a dispensing cabinet or machine.
Inventors: |
Capper; Max V. (Isle of Palms,
SC) |
Family
ID: |
22131582 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/076,371 |
Filed: |
September 28, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/105 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
77/065 (20130101); Y02W 30/80 (20150501) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
77/06 (20060101); B65d 035/56 () |
Field of
Search: |
;220/97A
;222/183,105,185,325,386.5 ;229/14B,14BA,14BL,51D |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Tollberg; Stanley H.
Assistant Examiner: Stack, Jr.; Norman L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fishburne, Jr.; B. P.
Claims
I claim:
1. A container for storing, transporting and dispensing beverages
comprising an exterior substantially rigid rectangular case having
one open side, said case being of a shape and size to fit
conveniently inside of a refrigerated beverage dispensing cabinet
and said case being readily portable, an intermediate stiff
protective liner in the form of an initially flat foldable sheet
material blank which is erectable by folding into a rectangular
box-like form which is not self-supporting in the erected
condition, the erected box-like liner being bodily insertable into
said exterior rigid case in closely confined relationship therein
so that the rigid case forms the means of maintaining said liner in
the erected box-like form and prevents the liner from collapsing
into its original flat form, said erected liner having a hinged
closure portion at one side thereof, a thin-walled highly flexible
bag for holding a beverage without leakage insertable bodily into
the erected liner prior to closing the hinged closure portion,
whereby said bag is fully enclosed and protected by the liner
following the closing of said closure portion, a liquid filling and
discharging tube extension on said bag, said erected liner and said
case having alignable opening means through which said tube
extension is extended to the exterior of the container during the
use thereof for dispensing the beverage, said tube extension being
retractable to lie entirely inside of the liner during usage of the
container for storing and transporting the beverage, and a readily
separable and removable closure panel for the open side of the
exterior rigid case and spanning the erected liner therein and
preventing dislodging of the liner from the case prematurely or
collapsing of the liner to its flat form, the liner with an empty
bag therein being readily removable from said open side of the case
for disposal after a single usage with the liner returned to its
flat form.
2. The structure as defined by claim 1, and said exterior rigid
case formed from substantially rigid wire, and said stiff
protective liner formed of cardboard.
3. The structure of claim 2, and said wire case having a marginal
rim around its open side, and said closure panel also constructed
of rigid wire and including arms which interlock removably under
said rim.
Description
Great strides have been made in recent years in the development of
both single service and reusable containers for bulk liquids, such
as milk. The single service type bulk liquid containers have come
to the forefront mainly because of aseptic or sanitary capabilities
as contrasted to reusable containers of various sorts.
Nevertheless, the presently used single service containers have
certain weaknesses and are not fully satisfactory from the
standpoint of economy, convenience of use, storability and
disposability and for these, and other, reasons they have not yet
been adopted universally.
The objective of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a
completely satisfactory container for bulk liquids which is free of
the deficiencies found in former single use types and reusable
types. The present container employs a primary single use flexible
plastic bag with sealed dispensing tube for maximum sanitation. It
employs an initially flat semi-rigid single service protective
cover for the bag which folds readily into a box-like configuration
and does not require taping, stapling or other securing means. Both
the bag and the protective cover are easy to dispose of after usage
in substantially flat or knock-down conditions of minimum bulk.
Spillage and wastage of the liquid is almost completely eliminated.
Finally, the container features an exterior rigid reusable carrying
and utilization case which maintains the folded configuration of
the single use folded protective cover and prevents the latter from
springing open in any position or during any type of manipulation
of the total container assembly, for example, while up-ending the
container for placement in a refrigerated cabinet or dispensing
machine. The overall container assembly can be sized and shaped so
that two or more units may be placed side-by-side in a conventional
dispenser and each container can be manufactured to hold a desired
volume of liquid, such as 3, 5, 6 or 7 gallons. It is believed that
the container provides the ultimate in convenience, economy and
sanitation. The container has the ability to be stacked with like
containers and possesses other improvement features which will be
brought to light during the course of the following detailed
description.
The invention has particular utility and benefits for dining halls
at military installations, colleges and the like. These benefits
include the inherent sanitary aspects of a single service container
with no exposure of the milk to air or contamination of the milk
with some other outside substance. The milk or other liquid will be
kept colder due to the provision for circulation of air around the
entire container and the lesser insulating qualities of paper.
Dining hall personnel will become more conscious of wasted milk
with the provision of a sight opening in the container. Storing is
greatly improved due to the stackability of the containers, thereby
saving floor space and enhancing overall economy. As the container
is universally adopted, there will be a significantly lower milk
cost due to lower packaging cost. The disposal or trash problem is
greatly lessened over conventional containers since the cardboard
protective cover can be prepared for the trash substantially flat
and the plastic bag can be placed directly in the garbage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a semi-rigid single service protective
cover in the initially flat blank form prior to folding.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the folding of the protective
cover into a box-like form and the placement thereof into a
reusable rigid utilization case, the single service flexible
primary bag also being illustrated in the protective cover.
FIG. 3 is a further perspective view of the container assembly
after filling of the primary bag with liquid and closing of the
protective cover.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a stack of the containers as they
would appear in storage.
FIG. 5 is a partly diagrammatic front elevational view showing a
pair of the containers up-ended for use in a dispensing cabinet
with the reusable closure or holding device in place on each
container.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a container shown in the
general use up-ended position which it would assume during
placement into a dispensing cabinet.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section taken on line 7--7
of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the reusable case and
holding device.
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view through the container in the use
position taken on line 9--9 of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals designate
like parts, referring first to FIG. 1, a semi-rigid single use
protective cover liner for the primary plastic bag, to be
described, is indicated by the numeral 20. This protective cover
may be formed as an initially flat blank of corrugated paper,
fiberboard, plastic sheeting or the like in the configuration shown
in FIG. 1. The flat blank is generally rectangular and is scored or
otherwise conventionally treated to produce transverse folding
lines 21 and longitudinal folding lines 22 thereon. These folding
lines which are perpendicular form the margins of primary sides or
panels 23 which are elongated and rectangular. A narrow tapered end
flap 24 is provided on one end of the blank, as shown, as well as
side flaps 25 and 26 along opposite sides of the blank separated by
cuts or slits 27, as indicated. For a purpose to be described, a
pair of the side flaps 26 on one side of the blank is provided with
rectangular notches 28.
The flat blank is readily foldable on the lines 21 and 22 to
produce the rectangular box-like protective cover in the erected
form shown in FIG. 2 as it is being introduced into a rigid
reusable utilization case, yet to be described. The disposition of
the various panels 23, flaps 25 and 26, and other components, is
readily apparent in FIG. 2. The folded and erected protective cover
20 requires no stapling, taping or bonding since it is maintained
in the erected condition by the rigid case into which it fits
snugly. It may be mentioned here that in the rectangular panel 23
carrying the flap 24 two parallel score lines 29 are provided in
closely spaced relation to provide for the formation of an
elongated sight opening or slot 30 in the completed container, FIG.
6, formed by the tearing away of the material enclosed between
these two score lines. Portions of the same panel 23 and one
adjacent flap 25 are similarly scored along shorter divergent lines
31 to provide for the formation of a flap 32 in the front wall of
the container at the bottom thereof in the use position, FIG. 6.
These elements will be further discussed.
A primary single service flexible plastic bag 33 of a conventional
type adapted to hold from three to seven gallons of milk is shown
in FIG. 2 as it will be placed into the protective cover 20 prior
to filling with milk and closing the panel 23 with flaps 24 and 25.
As is well known, the bag is provided with a nipple or fitting 34
and a dispensing tube 35 plugs into this nipple after the bag is
filled with milk or other liquid. The free end of the tube 35 is
sealed at 36 and remains closed until the seal is cut off after
placement of the container into a dispensing cabinet. The bag 33 is
preferably filled after placement in the erected cover 20 but it
may be prefilled and then placed into the protective cover.
In any event, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the erected semi-rigid
protective cover 20 will be slipped into the exterior rigid
reusable utilization case 37, while the upper panel or flap 23
remains open, as shown. The bag 33 is then introduced into the
protective cover 20 and filled and the nipple 34 and sealed tube 35
are tucked inside in the region of the notches 28 which now
register at the tube end of the assembly, FIG. 2. The end flaps 25
are folded downwardly as is the narrow flap 24 and the cover panel
23 is closed so that the entire rectangular box-like protective
cover 20 with the filled bag 33 inside of it is disposed within the
confines of the reusable case 37, FIG. 3. The flaps 24 and 25 will
engage between the walls of the protective cover 20 and the
opposing walls of the rigid case 37. As shown in FIG. 3, the top
panel 23 is spaced slightly below the open top of the case 37
defined by a continuous marginal rim 38.
As best shown in FIG. 8, the reusable rigid utilization case 37 is
constructed of heavy wire, and in addition to the top rim 38
includes suitable corner posts 39, a desirable number of
intermediate reinforcing rims or frames 40, and a plurality of
crossing intersecting side right angular wires 41. The case 37
further embodies a bottom marginal rim or frame 42 having secured
thereto a bottom gridwork of wires or rods 43 constituting the
rigid bottom of the case. All of the metal elements which make up
the case are secured integrally by welding and the details of
construction are not important to the invention. In any event, the
case 37 will be sturdy, rigid and durable, easy to clean as by
steaming, and long-lasting during rugged usage. Below the bottom
gridwork 43 and rim 42, shown upwardly in FIG. 9, a reduced width
and length rectangular stacking frame 44 of rigid construction is
welded to the bottom of the case to facilitate nesting or stacking
within the tops of identical utilization cases. In this regard,
FIG. 4 of the drawings illustrates the stacking of the filled bulk
liquid containers prior to usage and prior to withdrawing the
dispensing tubes 35 or otherwise opening the containers. The
containers can be stacked to any reasonable height with the
stacking frame 44 on the bottom of each case 37 fitting inside of
the open top of the next underlying case as defined by the rim 38.
The top wall of the protective cover 20 is sufficiently below the
rim 38 to allow the entrance of stacking frame 44 without the
latter contacting the protective cover.
When it is desired to take a container from the storage stack in
FIG. 4 and place it in a conventional refrigerated dispensing
cabinet 45 shown diagrammatically in broken lines in FIG. 5, it is
necessary to up-end the assembled container so that the end
possessing the tube 35 and the flap 32 will be lowermost, FIGS. 5
and 6. FIG. 5 actually shows a dispenser which accommodates two of
the bulk storage containers of the invention and naturally this
arrangement may vary depending upon installation facilities. Before
the composite container is up-ended for placement inside of the
cabinet 45, a reusable holding or securing element 46 in the form
of a rigid wire grid is placed across the open forward side of the
reusable case 37. This holding or securing grid includes a
rectangular body portion 47 and a pair of projecting arms 48 rigid
therewith and secured thereto by welding. The opposite ends of the
arms 48 are provided with short hook-like projections 49 readily
engageable beneath the sides of the open marginal rim or frame 38.
The holder 46 lies flat against the forward panel 23 of the
semi-rigid protective cover 20 and assures that this folded cover
cannot open and the cover with the filled bag therein cannot be
displaced from the utilization case 37 during usage. The holder 46
need only be employed when the container is in the up-ended use
position and therefore an installation which employs two of the
containers according to the invention will require only two of the
holders 46 and these may be employed with any number of the
assembled containers as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. That is to say,
it is unnecessary for the user to stock a holder 46 for every
container in storage or on order.
Prior to placement of the holder 46 into position, FIGS. 5 and 6,
and prior to the final positioning of the complete container in the
cabinet 45, the sight opening 30 is produced by tearing out the
material bounded by the score lines 29, as stated. Also, at this
time, the flap 32 is torn open along the score lines 31 and as
shown a portion of this flap lies in the plane of the panel 23
while an end tab portion 50, FIG. 6, lies in the plane of the flap
25 so as to produce an approximately semi-circular notch 51, FIG.
7, in this flap 25 when torn out. FIG. 7 shows how the conventional
nipple 34 or fitting interlocks slidably with the notch or slot 51
in the flap 25 produced by the lifting or tearing of the elements
32 and 50. The notches 28 will lie rearwardly of the fitting 34 to
accommodate an inward flange 52 thereof and the adjacent neck
portion of the single service bag 33. The notch 51 maintains the
nipple or fitting 34 securely in the vertical use position and the
dispensing tube 35 projects downwardly therefrom for gravity
feeding, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. As is well known, the sealed
end 36 of the tube 35 is merely cut off to release the milk and
some conventional form of pinch valve of the like is employed on
the dispenser cabinet to open and close the tube for dispensing the
milk or other liquid. At all times, the level of the milk within
the container may be observed through the sight opening or slot 30
which extends substantially to the bottom of the container, the bag
33 being transparent or semi-transparent.
When the contents of the container is exhausted, it is merely
necessary to remove the entire container assembly from the
dispensing cabinet 45 and replace it by a new container from
storage. The holder 46 is transferred from the empty container to
the new container. The protective cover 20 of the empty container
is removed from the reusable case 37 and the empty bag 33 is
removed. The empty bag is conveniently dropped intact into a
garbage can and all wastage and spillage should be completely
avoided by the proper use of the invention. The semi-rigid cover 20
is unfolded either to a completely flat condition, or perhaps
folded in two and this element can be discarded in the trash alone
or with other like covers in a non-bulky condition. This is a great
advantage in the disposal operation over conventional stapled or
taped boxes which are rarely discarded in a crushed or knock-down
state.
The invention provides a very economical and efficient container
for bulk liquids particularly milk. As explained fully, the
container embodies two single service components, namely the
primary bag 33 and the semi-rigid foldable protective cover 20 for
this bag which maintains the proper shape of the filled bag. Two
reusable sturdy components are included, namely the rigid
utilization case 37 and the holder 36, as explained. The case 37 is
employed in the lifting, transporting and storage of the contents
as well as during use in the dispenser. The utmost sanitation and
convenience are provided by the container. Spilling and wasting of
milk are completely eliminated and the disposal of the single
service components is rendered much more efficient. The various
advantages of the container over the prior art should be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art without the necessity for any
further description herein.
It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith
shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the
same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement
of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of
the invention or scope of the subjoined claims.
* * * * *