U.S. patent number RE32,354 [Application Number 06/707,698] was granted by the patent office on 1987-02-17 for container for holding and dispensing fluid.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Scholle Corporation. Invention is credited to Chester Savage.
United States Patent |
RE32,354 |
Savage |
February 17, 1987 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Container for holding and dispensing fluid
Abstract
A container for holding and dispensing fluid has a flexible bag
to which a spout is connected. A specially designed adapter within
the spout has an opening sealed by a plug. A tubular probe is
inserted into the adapter opening and snapped onto the plug. The
connected probe and plug are pushed into the bag to permit fluid to
flow through apertures in the probe. The probe channel is filled
with fluid before insertion into the bag, thus introducing
substantially no air into the system. Withdrawing the probe snaps
the plug back into the adapter to re-seal the bag without
substantial introduction of air, and without any leakage.
Inventors: |
Savage; Chester (Irvine,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Scholle Corporation (Irvine,
CA)
|
Family
ID: |
26866199 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/707,698 |
Filed: |
March 4, 1985 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
170541 |
Jul 21, 1980 |
04375864 |
Mar 8, 1983 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/81; 141/349;
222/105; 222/464.1; 222/464.2; 222/499; 222/501; 222/559;
251/149.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
77/067 (20130101); B67D 3/045 (20130101); B67D
1/0829 (20130101); B67D 1/0001 (20130101); B65D
2231/004 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
77/06 (20060101); B67D 3/04 (20060101); B67D
3/00 (20060101); B67D 1/08 (20060101); B67D
1/00 (20060101); B67B 007/24 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/80,81,89-91,105,464,499,501,531,559 ;141/348,349
;251/149.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Skaggs; H. Grant
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A connector for dispensing fluids from a container having a
fluid storage portion and a spout opening comprising:
(a) an elongate member having an interior channel to transport said
fluid having an entrance from the exterior and said member being
sized to closely fit within said opening; and
(b) a plug positioned within said opening which seals said opening
through first snap fitting, said plug and said member being
mutually engageable by means of a second snap fitting, said plug
and said member being mutually slidable while engaged to permit
said channel entrance to extend into the storage portion of the
container to dispense fluid, said first fitting being more
difficult to release than said second fitting is to effect, thereby
ensuring that the member and plug are mutually engaged before said
plug and member are slid into the storage portion breaking the
seal.
2. The connector of claim 1 wherein said second fitting is more
difficult to release than said first fitting is to effect to permit
said plug to be repositioned within said opening to reseal the
opening before said member and plug can be disengaged.
3. The connector of claim 1 wherein:
said plug is a sufficient distance from said channel while said
member and plug are mutually engaged within said storage portion of
the container to prevent the walls of said storage portion from
inhibiting the flow of fluid entering said channel.
4. The connector of claim 1 further comprising means cooperating
with said member and said spout opening to form a second seal
between the exterior of the member and the interior of the opening,
said means positioned so as to effect said seal before said plug is
slid into the storage portion breaking the seal.
5. A device for holding and dispensing fluid comprising:
(a) a flexible bag supported by a rigid box;
(b) a spout attached to said flexible bag;
(c) an adapter positioned within said spout having a bore which
provides communication between the interior of the flexible bag and
rigid box exterior;
(d) a plug sized to fit within said bore, said plug having a first
position located within said bore and coaxial with said bore in
which the bore is sealed and a second position in which the plug is
exterior of the bore so the seal is broken;
(e) a probe separable from said bore sized to fit coaxially within
said bore having means for engaging said plug and for pushing said
plug into said second position, said probe having an interior
channel which extends through an opening in an exterior wall, said
channel opening being positioned to effect communication with fluid
in the bag while said plug is in the second position, said probe
including means for selectively returning said plug to the first
position for resealing the bore;
(f) means for locking said probe in position within said bore while
said channel opening is in communication with the fluid.
6. A fluid container adapted to dispense fluid through a probe
having an interior fluid channel comprising:
(a) a box;
(b) a flexible bag supported within said box;
(c) a spout separable from said probe attached to said bag;
(d) an adapter positioned within said spout having a bore which
provides communication between the interior of the flexible bag and
the box exterior;
(e) a plug sized to fit coaxially within said bore to seal said
bore, said plug being releasable from said bore to permit movement
into the interior of the flexible bag to break the seal in response
to being pushed by said probe, said probe pulling said plug back
into sealing engagement with said bore when said probe is removed
from the interior of said flexible bag.
7. A device for holding and dispensing fluids, comprising:
(a) a container having a fluid storage portion;
(b) a spout opening attached to said container which permits fluid
to flow from the fluid storage portion to the exterior of the
container;
(c) means for dispensing a fluid from said container, said
dispensing means having an interior channel to transport said fluid
in communication with the exterior, said channel being
substantially free of gaseous material to prevent contamination of
said fluid;
(d) means for sealing said spout opening positioned within said
opening;
(e) means for engaging said sealing means with said dispensing
means, said engaging means comprising a first snap fitting between
said dispensing means and said sealing means, said dispensing means
having means for positioning said channel within the storage
portion of the container by removal of said sealing means from said
spout opening to break the seal, said sealing means having means to
prevent said removal until said dispensing means and said sealing
means are in mutual engagement, said removal prevention means
comprising a second snap fitting between said sealing means and
said spout opening, said second snap fitting being more difficult
to release than said first snap fitting is to effect; and
(f) means cooperating with said dispensing means and said spout
opening for securing the interface between said dispensing means
exterior and said spout opening against passage of fluid, said
securing means being positioned to effect securing before said
sealing means is removed. .Iadd.
8. A container adapted to dispense fluid comprising:
(a) a fluid container;
(b) a spout attached to said container, said spout having a bore
which provides communication between the interior and the exterior
of the container, said bore being adapted to receive a dispenser
probe having an interior fluid channel; and
(c) a plug sized to fit coaxially within said bore to seal said
bore, said plug being coaxially slidable within said bore to extend
into the interior of said container flexible bag to break the seal
in response to being pushed by said probe and having means for
fixedly fastening the plug to said probe so that the plug will move
axially with the probe in said bore when being pushed or pulled,
the plug being fixedly fastened to said probe upon axial pushing
engagement by said probe before breaking said seal, said plug
adapted to be pulled by said probe back into sealing engagement
with said bore, and then to separate from said probe during axial
pulling removal of said probe from the interior of said bore.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.9. The container of claim 8, wherein said fluid
container is a flexible bag, further comprising a box within which
said bag is supported. .Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention is generally related to containers having a
collapsible plastic bag containing fluid and means for dispensing
this fluid from the bag. More specifically, the container bags
often are filled with liquid which can be contaminated by air, and
therefore the fluid must be dispensed from the bag without a
substantial introduction of air.
A container presently becoming more widely used for dispensing
fluids such as milk which deteriorate in contact with air consists
of a thin-film plastic forming a bag within a cardboard box. The
plastic bag is filled with the liquid and as the liquid is removed,
the bag collapses within the box so that no air need enter the bag
to replace the dispensed liquid and therefore no air contamination
occurs. Presently post-mixed syrup for use in fountains, for
example, in mixing soft drinks at a bar is held in a stainless
steel container from which it is pumped to a dispensing nozzle
where it is mixed with other ingredients. It is desired to
substitute the plastic bag system referred to above for the
stainless steel containers.
It is important that no air be introduced into this system for
several reasons. First, air may be harmful to the pump. Secondly,
the air dilutes the syrup which is dispensed in a measured mixing
ratio with other ingredients in order to produce the soft drink.
Thirdly, air can be detrimental to the fluid itself. It is not only
important to be able to dispense the fluid without introducing air,
but it is also advantageous for the container to be able to be
re-sealed without introduction of air. This allows for changing the
fluid container when only partially empty permitting its re-use at
a later time. In the re-sealing, none of the fluid escapes to
create a messy and unsanitary condition with, for example, syrup
dripping from the container.
Many different types of containers and dispensing mechanisms for
containers have been developed in the past. None, however, satisfy
the requirements for a fluid dispensing system as described
above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The inventive container is composed of a flexible plastic bag which
is supported by a rectangular box typically made of cardboard. A
spout is connected to the bag and extends through an orifice in one
of the walls of the container. A specially designed adapter is
retained within the spout. The adapter has a central bore
communicating with the interior of the bag and sized to receive a
plug that seals the bore through a snap connection, thereby
preventing fluid from flowing out of the bag.
An elongate probe which is sized to pass sealingly through the bore
is inserted into the bore and engages the plug through a second
snap connection. As the probe with the engaged plug passes further
into the bore, the plug is pushed interior of the container,
thereby breaking the adapter-plug seal. It is important that the
plug-adapter snap connection be more difficult to release than the
probe-plug snap connection is to effect, so that the probe and plug
can be mutually engaged before the plug slides within the bore to
break the seal.
The probe and bore of the adapter have means for creating a seal
between them to prevent fluid from escaping after the plug is
disengaged from the bore. It is thus important that the sealing
means between the bore and probe be positioned so that the
bore-probe seal is effected before the plug-bore seal is broken.
The probe has an interior channel for dispensing the fluid which
passes through apertures in its insertion end. The other end of a
probe is connected to a hose which leads to a suitable container
for further mixing the fluid. The hose and probe are filled with
fluid before insertion into the adapter bore to prevent air
contamination of the fluid in the bag.
The mutually engaged probe and plug are pushed into the interior of
the container, to allow fluid to flow through the apertures in the
end of the probe beginning the dispensing process. The plug is
retained on the end of the probe to prevent it from falling into
the container and to permit it to be returned to its closing
position within the adapter when the probe is withdrawn. The plug
is appropriately spaced from the apertures in the end of the probe
to ensure that the walls of the bag do not interfere with the
liquid flowing through the apertures as the bag collapses during
the dispensing process. This allows virtually all of the fluid to
be dispensed from the container. The probe may possess a locking
rib which locks the probe in its extended position within the
interior of the bag.
If desired, the probe and plug can be withdrawn, thereby re-sealing
the adapter bore again without introduction of air and without
fluid spillage or drip. In order to accomplish this, it is
important for the plug-adapter snap connection to be easier to
effect than the probe-plug snap connection is to release. Thus, the
plug is replaced with the adapter-bore and the probe and plug are
disengaged. This allows containers which are only half empty to be
re-sealed without introduction of air, and to be re-used at a later
time.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the spout and adapter are
positioned through the top wall of the box, but are not attached to
the box wall. The spout, adapter and attached bag are allowed to
collapse downward with the fluid level as fluid is dispensed. This
allows the probe apertures to remain in communication with the
fluid in the bag throughout the dispensing process. Alternatively,
the spout and adapter may be affixed to the top wall. In this
embodiment, the probe is of a longer length sufficient to tranverse
from the top to the bottom of the box, thereby permitting the probe
aperture to remain in communication with the fluid until the box is
virtually empty of fluid.
These and other advantages of the invention will be clarified and
discussed below with reference to the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upright fluid container with the
probe ready to be inserted in the spout;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the connector assembly and
probe in approximately the position of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, sectional view of the mutually engaging
portions of the probe and plug;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view of the mutually engaging
portions of the adapter and plug;
FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the connector assembly
similar to FIG. 2, but showing the probe and plug in their
intermediate, engaged position;
FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of the connector assembly
similar to FIG. 2, but showing the probe and plug in their fully
extended dispensing position;
FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of the connector assembly
similar to FIG. 2, but showing the probe and plug in their fully
extended position with the fluid in the container substantially
depleted;
FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention in which
the connector assembly system moves downward with the bag as the
fluid is depleted; and
FIG. 9 shows a further alternative embodiment of the invention with
a probe of increased length.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a container 10 for holding and dispensing
fluids includes a rectangular box having six walls 12 which are
typically formed of a material such as cardboard. The walls 12
provide support for a flexible fluid containing bag 14 which is
housed within the box. The bag preferably is made of plastic film
and will typically contain a fluid such as syrup, milk or other
liquid which can be contaminated by exposure to air.
One of the walls 12 has a circular orifice 16 extending
therethrough. Located above the orifice 16 are two slits 18 which
are cut through the cardboard side wall 12 and extend upward and
diagonally outward from each other. Connecting the slits 18 is a
fold line 20 in the side wall 12. The slits 18 and fold line 20
allow a section 22 of the carboard side wall 12 to be folded upward
and outward along the fold line 20 in a flap-like fashion. A fourth
side 24 of the foldable section 22 is arcuately shaped to fit flush
against a circular .Iadd.outer .Iaddend.spout 26.
The spout 26 is connected to the bag 14 by means of an annular
flange 28 as shown in FIG. 2. Extending outward from the flange 28
is a reduced diameter collar 29 and then a further reduced diameter
neck portion 30 which extends through the orifice 16 in the side
wall 12. The step in diameters from the collar to the neck forms a
circular shoulder 34 which abuts the inside surface of the box wall
12. A second annular flange 36 around the neck portion 30 outward
of the shoulder 34 abuts the outer surface of the box wall 12 and
with the shoulder forms an annular recess 32. The recess 32
contains the portion of the wall 12 forming the periphery of the
orifice 16. The spout 26 is placed within the orifice 16 with the
flap section 22 folded upward. The remainder of the periphery of
the orifice 16 is engaged within the recess 32. By folding the
section 22 downward and engaging it within the recess 32, the spout
26 is locked into position.
Extending into the spout 26 is an adapter .Iadd.or inner spout
.Iaddend.38. The adapter 38 has a cylindrical wall 40 which is
positioned within the spout 26. A shoulder 42 formed by an annular
flange 44 on the wall 40 abuts the neck portion 30 of the spout 26
to limit extension of the adapter 38 into the spout 26. The outer
part of the neck portion 30 has protuberances 46 which extend
radially inward and seat against the wall 40 of the adapter 38. In
a like manner, the wall 40 of the adapter 38 has sealing ribs 48
which seat against the neck portion 30 of the spout 26. The
protuberances 46 and the sealing ribs 48 not only provide a tight
seal between the neck portion 30 of the spout 26 and the wall 40 of
the adapter 38, but also lock the adapter 38 within the spout 26.
The adapter 38 has an inner cylindrical wall 50 which forms a
central bore 52 that provides communication between the interior of
the bag 14 and the exterior of the container 10. Extending radially
inward from the exterior end of the wall 50 are two sealing ribs
54. As most clearly shown in FIG. 4, the interior end of the inner
wall 50 has a circular notch 55 which has a corresponding circular
rib 57.
Positioned within the bore 52 is an essentially cylindrical plug
56. The plug 56 is sized to fit coaxially within the bore 52. The
plug has a convex cap 58 of enlarged diameter which forms an
annular shoulder 60 that abuts the inner end 59 of the cylindrical
wall 50, forming a seal. As shown most clearly in FIG. 4, the plug
56 has sides 61 and 63 which are located below the shoulder 60 and
which extend radially outward to form a ridge 62. The ridge 62 and
the notch 55 in the adapter 38 cooperate in a snap-type connection
to lock the plug 56 in its sealing position within the bore 52. As
most clearly shown in FIG. 3, the plug 56 has a groove 65 defining
a ridge 67 in a central cavity 69.
The adapter 38 and the plug 56 are removed from the spout 26 as a
unit to initially fill the container, and then are re-inserted in
the spout as a unit to seal the filled container.
In FIG. 2, a probe 66 is shown aligned with the bore 52. The probe
66 is an elongate tubular member which is sized to fit within the
bore 52. The probe 66 has an upstream end 68 and a downstream end
70. The downstream end 70 is attached in a conventional manner to a
hose 72 which leads to a dispenser nozzle (not shown). The upstream
end 68 of the probe tapers into a head 76. Located between the
downstream end 70 and the head 76 is a ring flange 78 which has a
larger diameter than the diameter of the body of the probe 66.
Located slightly downstream of the head 76 are apertures 80 which
extend through the wall 82 of the probe 66. The apertures 80
provide communication between the exterior and the axial channel 84
through the length of the probe.
Located between the flange 78 and the aperture 80 is a check valve
86, shown as a slit flapper, but which may be of any suitable type.
The check valve 86 is locked in position within the channel 84 by
means of locking ribs 94 extending radially outward from the
cylindrical body 88 and engaging recess 96 within the outer wall 82
of the probe 66. An annular rib 97 extending radially inward from
the outer wall 82 serves to further lock the valve 86 in position.
The check valve 86 prevents fluid contained within the channel 84
downstream of the check valve from flowing through the valve and
out of the apertures 80. The check valve 86 therefore allows the
probe 66 and hose 72 to be filled with liquid downstream of the
valve prior to insertion of the probe 66 into the bore 52. This is
quite important in preventing the introduction of air into the
fluid as will hereinafter be described.
As most clearly shown in FIG. 3, the head 76 of the probe 66 has a
peripheral notch 98. The notch 98 has a corresponding rib 99 which
is formed by sides 101 and 103 which extend radially outward. When
the probe is inserted into the bore 52 as will hereinafter be
described, the rib 99 fits within the groove 65 in the plug 56 and
the ridge 67 fits within the notch 98 to connect the probe 66 and
the plug 56. With respect to the probe 66 and the plug 56, by
"connect" is meant to fixedly fasten the probe 66 and the plug 56
one to the other so that force must be exerted to separate
them.
The cooperation of the ridge 67 with the notch 98 and the rib 99
with the groove 65 ensures that the probe 66 and the plug 56 cannot
be moved apart unless a longitudinal pulling force is applied to
them. Such a force is required by the need to move the rib 99 over
the ridge 67 before the plug 56 and the probe 66 can be
separated.
The spout 26, the adapter 38, the plug 56 and the probe 66 are
preferably of a semi-rigid plastic material such as polyethylene
with sufficient resiliency to form good seals.
Referring to FIG. 5, the probe 66 is shown in an intermediate
position in which it has been inserted into the bore 52 engaging
the plug 56 by means of the snap fitting between the rib 99 on the
probe head 76 and the plug groove 65 within the cavity 69. It is
important that the snap fitting between the ridge 62 on the plug 56
and the notch 66 in the inner wall 50 of the adapter 38 be more
difficult to release than the snap fitting between the probe 66 and
the plug 56 is to effect. This allows the probe 66 and the plug 56
to be mutually engaged before the seal provided by the cap 58 is
broken.
It should be understood that the side 103 of the probe 66 forms a
cam surface which approaches the plug ridge 67 at an obtuse angle
tending toward 90.degree.. This allows the side 103 to cam the
ridge 67 radially outward to permit the rib 99 to easily engage the
groove 65. In contrast, the side 63 of the plug 65 forms an acute
angle with the rib 57 of the adapter 38, thereby making it
relatively difficult for the plug ridge 62 to force the adapter rib
57 radially outward to break the seal. Thus, the snap fitting
between the plug 56 and the inner wall 50 of the adapter 38
provides a resistance to movement of the plug 56, thereby allowing
the snap fitting between the probe 66 and the plug 56 to be
effected. If the snap fitting between the plug 56 and the inner
wall 50 of the adapter 38 were not more difficult to release than
the snap fitting between the plug 56 and the probe 66 was to
effect, the probe 66 would simply push the plug 56 into the bag 14
without the probe 66 being engaged with the plug 56.
The adapter sealing ribs 54 engage with the outer wall 82 of the
probe 66 to provide a seal between the probe 66 and the inner wall
50 of the adapter 38. It is important that the sealing ribs 54 be
positioned so that the seal between the probe 66 and the inner wall
50 of the adapter 38 is effected before the seal provided by the
plug 56 is broken. If such were not the case, liquid would be able
to flow out of the bag 14 and between the probe 66 and inner wall
50, thereby not only spilling fluid but also introducing air into
the bag.
It should also be understood that the section of the channel 84
distal to the check valve 86 and the hose 72 is filled with fluid
before insertion. This means that the only section of the probe 66
which contains air is that section between the check valve 86 and
the head 76. The total volume of this section is very small and
contains a relatively insubstantial amount of air which will not
significantly contaminate the fluid in the bag 14.
Referring to FIG. 6, the probe 66 is shown in its fully inserted
position in which the apertures 80 are in communication with the
fluid in the bag 14. Thus, fluid can freely flow through the
apertures 80, through the check valve 86, and through the hose 72
into a suitable container. As discussed above, the only air which
has been introduced into the interior of the bag which holds the
fluid was contained in the probe between the head 76 of the probe
66 and the check valve 86. The probe is inserted until the flange
78 abuts the upper surface of the annular inner wall 50 of the
adapter 38. The flange 78 therefore serves to limit passage of the
probe 66 through the bore 52. The plug 56 is retained on the probe
66 by means of the snap connection discussed above, thereby
preventing the plug 56 from becoming unattached with the bag
14.
Referring to FIG. 7, the probe 66 is shown again in its fully
extended or dispensing position. The fluid in the bag 14 has been
almost fully dispensed. As the bag 14 empties of fluid, the walls
104 of the bag begin to collapse around the plug 56. The plug 56 is
spaced a proper distance from the probe 66 to hold the collapsing
bag away from the apertures 80, thereby ensuring that the walls 104
do not interfere with fluid entering the apertures 80. This permits
virtually all of the fluid in the bag 14 to be removed from the
container 10. If the plug 56 extended significantly further into
the interior of the bag 14, the bag 14 would have a tendency to
collapse behind the plug 56 possibly blocking the apertures 80.
Conversely, if the plug extended a relatively short distance beyond
the probe 66, the bag 14 again would tend to collapse around the
apertures. Thus, it is important that a balance be struck, with the
plug 56 being spaced a sufficient distance from the apertures 80 to
provide a small cavity between the apertures 80 and the bag 14.
Located slightly distal to the apertures 80 is an optional locking
flange 106 (shown in FIG. 7 only) which mates with the notch 55 in
the inner wall 50 of the adapter 38. The locking flange 106 resists
the probe 66 and engaged plug 56 being inadvertently pulled from
the interior of the bag 14.
The invention allows the bag 14 to be re-sealed by the plug 56. For
example, if one wish to change containers when the bag 14 were only
partially empty, the probe 66 would simply be withdrawn from the
bore 52, thereby replacing the plug 56 in its sealing position as
shown in FIG. 2 with the bag being re-sealed without spillage or
introduction of air. It is important that the snap connection
between the probe 66 and the plug 56 be more difficult to release
than the snap connection between the plug 56 and the inner wall 50
of the adapter 38 is to effect. The bore 52 is relatively easy to
re-seal because the side 61 of the plug 56 approaches the rib 57 of
the adapter 38 at an obtuse angle tending toward horizontal. This
allows the ridge 62 to cam the rib 57 radially outward so that the
ridge 62 can engage the notch 55 effecting the seal. In contrast,
the side 101 of the probe 66 forms a relatively acute angle tending
toward vertical with the plug ridge 67 making it more difficult for
the probe 66 to disengage from the plug 56. Thus, the snap
connection between the probe 66 and the plug 56 provides a
resistance to the probe 66 disengaging from the plug 56. This
resistance to the disengagement allows the snap fitting between the
plug 56 and the adapter 38 to be effected, thereby re-sealing the
bore 52. Thus, the snap fittings between the probe 66 and the plug
56 and the snap fitting between the plug 56 and the adapter 38 are
easy on/hard off snap connections.
Referring to FIG. 8, a modification of the invention is shown. In
this embodiment, the orifice 16 for the spout 26 and adapter 38 has
been positioned in an upper wall 12. Thus, as fluid is dispensed
from the bag 14, the fluid level drops downward away from the
orifice 16. Since the bag 14 is sealed to the flange 28 of the
spout 26, if the spout 26 were attached to the wall 12, the fluid
level would soon drop below the apertures 80 in the probe 66,
therefore terminating all further dispensing of fluid. However, as
shown in FIG. 8 in this embodiment, the spout 26 and the adapter 38
are not affixed to the wall 12 and therefore allow the bag to
collapse downward as fluid is dispensed, with the spout and probe
going down with the collapsing bag 14. A sufficient length of hose
72 is provided to extend into the container 10 to its bottom. A
weight 74 attached to the spout assures that the spout moves down
as the fluid is dispensed from the bag. In the FIG. 8 embodiment,
preferably the spout 26 and the adapter 38 are mounted within the
side wall orifice 16 which is surrounded by an annular tear-away
strip (not shown). This tear-away strip can be disengaged from the
side wall 12, thereby releasing the spout from the side wall. This,
in turn, allows the spout 26 and the adapter 38 and the bag 14 to
collapse with the fluid in the bag permitting the apertures 80 in
the probe 66 to remain in communication with the fluid.
Referring to FIG. 9, a further embodiment of the invention is
shown. Like the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the orifice 16 is again
positioned through an upper wall 12. In this embodiment, however,
the spout 26 and the adapter 38 remain attached to the wall 12. If
the probe were of a length as shown in FIGS. 1-8, the fluid level
would quickly drop below the apertures 80 in the probe 66, thereby
terminating further dispensing of fluid. However, in this
embodiment, the probe 66 is of a much longer length and is inserted
to extend the full length of the container 10 to its bottom. Thus,
the apertures 80 will remain in communication with the fluid
throughout the dispensing process.
* * * * *