Collapsed Bag With Evacuation Channel Form Unit

This invention relates to a collapsed plastic bag with a form insert which is connected to the spout thereof so that it will extend into the filled bag and as its contents are withdrawn by a pressure differential on the bag, the bag will gradually collapse around the form to maintain an outlet passage to the spout until the bag is completely emptied.

A form of this general type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,930 and merely consists of a perforated tube attached to the closure valve and about which the bag collapses. Another form of this general type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,138,036 and consists of a flexible helical coil-adapter attached to the spout and about which the bag collapses to form a tubular passageway. Still another form of this general type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,636 as consisting of a dip tube which is attached to the closure valve and which has longitudinal slots in the peripheral surface thereof leading into straight passages. With each of these forms, it is not possible to preinsert them into the bag before filling. It is necessary to first fill the bags and then the closure/valve with the dip tube attachment must be carefully inserted after fill. Doing so at a reasonable rate, without making a mess and without excessive labor costs is impossible. Also, introduction of unwanted air into the bag will occur.

The passage-producing unit of this invention, about which the walls of the container or bag collapse as the bag is emptied, comprises an elongated open-face multi-channel form and an integral mounting ring hingedly attached to one end thereof and adapted to be used to mount the form on the bag spout. The evacuation form unit consisting of the opne-face channel and mounting ring is positioned flat within the bag and attached to the spout during the manufacture of the bag. The entire multi-channel form unit is preferably molded of plastic in one piece. A simple manufacturing method is provided the bag with the open channel form of the unit disposed flat between the opposed walls thereof and attached to the spout thereof.

The best mode contemplated in carrying out this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible bag with the evacuation channel form unit of this invention disposed therein and attached to the spout thereof;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the evacuation channel form and attaching ring of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a side edge view of the unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the ring end of the unit;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a modification of the evacuation channel form;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the evacuation channel form unit in a filled bag in a box before use;

FIG. 8A is a schematic view showing the evacuation channel form attached to the spout of a partially-collapsed bag in a box being evacuated through a valve mounted in the spout;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 8; showing one type of service line connector for evacuating the bag;

FIG. 10 is a similar view showing a different type of service-line connector on the spout;

FIG. 11 is another similar view showing still another form of service line connector on the spout;

FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the steps of manufacturing flexible bags with the evacuation channels of this invention disposed therein and attached to the spouts thereof; and

FIG. 13 is a plan view taken on line 13--13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the evacuation channel form with a modified attaching ring.

FIG. 14A is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken along line 14A--14A of FIG. 14;

FIG. 15 is a side edge view of the unit of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 14 but showing still another form of attaching ring;

FIG. 16A is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken along line 16A--16A of FIG. 16;

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 9 but showing the evacuation channel form unit of FIG. 14 used with the spout;

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 10 but showing the evacuation channel form unit of FIG. 16 used with the spout;

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 but showing a different type of service line connector;

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19 but showing the evacuation channel form ulnit of FIG. 14 associated with a different type of service line connector;

FIG. 21 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 21--21 of FIG. 20.

With specific reference to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1, a plastic bag 20 shown in its original manufactured, substantially flat collapsed form with a fitment in the form of a spout 21 extending from a side wall thereof near one end. The bag as manufactured is of flat rectangular form with a heat seal seam 22 along all its edges. The evacuation channel form unit 25 of this invention is inserted in the bag during manufacture and lies flat between the opposed superimposed flat walls 23 and 24 of the bag, as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2, which may be of single or multiple ply.

The spout 21 is molded of semi-rigid plastic and may take various forms but will include a tubular body 26 through which the bag 20 is usually filled and emptied. It is formed to receive a dispensing valve and closure and is provided with means for mounting it on a wall of a box B as indicated in FIG. 8A, the flanges 27 and 28 being praovided for this purpose in this particular spout. The flange 28 is spaced axially-outwardly from the large peripheral attaching flange 29 at its inner extremity which is heat-sealed to the upper wall 23 of the bag. Between the flanges 28 and 29 a cylindrical inwardly-opening ring-receiving socket 30 is formed which has an internal annual locking rib 31 on its inner annular wall surface 32.

One example of insert evacuation channel form unit 25 is shown best in FIGS. 3 to 6 and is an integral structure, preferably molded from plastic. It consists of two main sections, namely, an elongated channel form section 35 and a hingedly connected spout-mounting or attaching ring section 36. The channel form section is of flat multi-channel form with all the channels 37 open at both ends 35a and 35 b and facing outwardly, being formed by the parallel longitudinnally-extending ribs 38 projecting from a flat wall 39. However, the ribs and flat wall 39 are sufficiently flexible to permit flexing of the form-section 35 in a direction perpendicular to the normal flat plane of the wall 39.

The ring 36 is integrally joined to one end of the form section 35 by an integral hinge tab 40, which spaces end 35a from the ring. The ring 36 and form section 35 are molded in substantially the same plane with section 35 extending radially from the ring, but the hinge 40 permits the section 35 to swing to various angles relative to the ring out of the plane of the ring. The ring is so formed that its peripheral outer surface 42 can fit interlockingly within the inner annular surfafce 32 of the spout socket 30 and it has an annular groove 41 on that surface which will receive the annular locking ribe 31 on the socket wall surface but rib and groove may be reversed as in FIG. 9.

In FIG. 7 there is shown a device 25a which is identical with that shown in FIG. 3 except that it has a sinuousoidal curve laterally which will give it more lateral stability.

With the unit 25 inserted in the bag 20 as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the ring 36 mounted on the spout 21, the mounting or connecting ring 36 will have been snapped into position with the spout socket 30 and will be locked in that position by the spout annular rib 31 and cooperating groove 41. The form section 35 will extend with its lower end 35b near the bottom seam 22a of the bag. Then if the bag is filled, for example through the spout with the unit 25 in place, it is placed into a box B (FIG. 8) for storing and shipping. When put in use the spout 21 is mounted on the box B, as shown in FIG. 8A, and the form section 35 will extend into the bag 20. The box is shown in FIG. 8A on its side but may be upright, or in any other position. In either case, the form section 35 will flex at hinge 40 relative to the spout-mounting ring 36 and in itself and be long enough to extend to the farthest point in the box. As the contents of the bag is withdrawn, the bag will collapse from its spout end inwardly around the multi-channel form 35 to produce multiple passages to the spout 21 when the spout is positioned above the liquid level.

The spout may be controlled by various dispensing valves in association with various evacuation systems commonly known and used. In the example shown in FIGS. 8A and 9, the spout 21 has moutned thereon but not limited to an evacuation system of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,421,146 consisting of a seprable service line connector 45, connected to a pump or other evacuator, which has an axially reciprocable probe 46 mounted thereon cooperating with a dispensing valve unit 47 mounted on the spout 21. As disclosed in the patent, axial movement of th probe will move the slide valve member 48 to open or close the radial outlets 49 thereof. In exposing the outlets 49 in the inward position of the slide valve member 48, an inwardly projecting annular skirt 50 on the inner end thereof engages the opposed bag wall 24 as it collapses at the inner end of the spout. This will insure exposure of the outer open end 35a of the channel form 35 and maintain clear passage through the ring 36 to the exposed outlets 49. It will be noted that the ring 36 is of sufficient diameter to permit the skirt 50 to pass axially therethrough. Thus passageways will always be maintained through the collapsed part of the bag by the multi-channel form section 35 and by skirt 50 to the ring 36 and the associated radial outlets 49, as indicated in FIG. 9. Other types of closure valves and spouts in common use today may be modified to function in the same manner in combination with the evacuation form unit 25.

FIG. 10 illustrates the evacuation unit 25 of this invention used with a different type of spout and evacuation system. The spout 21a is of tubular form and is attached to the bag 20 in a similar manner. It includes the inwardly-opening socket 30a for receiving the mounting ring 36 and similar axially-spaced external flanges 27a and 28a for mounting the spout in the wall of a box. After filling, the spout receives a closure (not shown) which remains sealed to the spout during storage and shipping. When put into use, the closure is removed and the evacuation system is connected and may include a plug-in service-line connector which will be connected to a pump or other suitable evacuator by tubing connected to tube outlet 45a. It includes a tubular adaptor 46a which is inserted in the spout 21a and is frictionally related therein. At the inner side of the adaptor 46a is an inwardly-projecting skirt 50a having radial outlets 49a leading to outlet tube 45a. When the adaptor 46a is inserted in the spout 21a as determined by flange 46b and associated retaining means, its inner end will project axially into the ring 36 and its sleeve 50a will project even farther. This will hold the bag wall 24 away from the ends of the evacuation channels 37 at form end 35a to ensure that the contents can flow from the channels through the outlets 49a to tube outlet 45a. Thus, all contents of the bag 20 can be evacuated.

In FIG. 11, the spout 21a is identical with that shown in FIG. 10. The adaptor 46c is the same except that it has the inwardly-projecting, angularly-spaced pins 50b at its inner end with spaces 49b therebetween. The pins 50b like the skirt 50a will hold the bag wall 24 inwardly away from ring 36 and the ends of the channels at end 35a. Thus, the bag contents will flow from the channel passageways through the spaces 49b between the pins and to the tube outlet 45a.

It will be understood that many other different types of spouts and connecting systems can be used and other examples will be given.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, a preferred method of forming the bag 20 with the evacuation channel form unit 25 inserted therein to the condition shown in FIG. 1 is schematically shown. The bag is formed from plies of suitable plastic or other material as is well known in the art. For sake of simplicity, a roll 230 of single ply web materials is shown for forming the upper wall 23 and a roll 240 of web material is shown for forming the lower wall 24. The web 230 is pulled intermittently horizontally from the roll at an lupper location above the web 240, which is pulled intermittently horizontally from the roll and then vertically around a lower guide roll 60 to an upper guide roll 60 where it is directed horizontally closely beneath the horizontally moving web 230. The web 230, after being pulled under tension from its roll, is subjected first to a punch unit 61 of a common type which is actuated to punch a spout-receiving hole in the web. This unit is provided with a fixed upper punch 61a above the web and a vertically movable die 61b below the web. The web 230 moves to th next unit 62 which is of a common type and which inserts the spout 21 into the receiving hole formed in the web. This unit includes a cylinder and piston unit 62a which supports a spout 21 to move it upwardly into the hole and an upper fixed heating element 62b which heat seals the flange 29 of the spout to the web 230 at the edge of the punched opening. Next the evacuation channel form units 25 are moved beneath the web 230 to a position at its longitudinal centerline. This is accomplished with a support conveyor 64 which is disposed transversely of the path of web 230 and the upper run of the belt is directly below that path. This conveyor has regularly-spaced transverse sockets 65 for receiving the units 25 when on the upper run with their rings 36 positioned forwardly of the edge of the conveyor in alignment with the spouts 21 moved into ring-receiving position. When a ring 36 of a unit 25 is in position beneath the spout 21, it is inserted therein by unit 66 which includes a plunger on the end of a lower cylinder and piston unit 66a which moves upwardly to engage the ring 36 and push it up into the downwardly-opening socket 30 of the cooperating spout 21 which, at that time, is supported from above by a fixed depending spout support. The two webs 230 and 240, with the unit 25 inserted therebetween, are carried on to a heat sealing unit 68 of a common type which heat seals the sides of the bag being formed in the usual manner and then farther on to a common heat-sealing unti 69 which heat seals the opposite ends of succeeding bags being formed. At this time, the completed bags 20 are connected in a strip and may be supplied in that form with a closure or valve 70 positioned on each spout by a capping unit 71 of a common type if desired. The strip of bags may first pass to a perforating unit 72 of a common type or if the bags are to be supplied individually this may be a separating unit of a common type.

The movement of the webs 230 and 240, of the conveyor 64, and operation of the units 61, 62, 66, 68, 69, 71 and 72 may all be synchronized by the usual means.

It will be apparent from the above that this method provides a simple arrangement for forming the bags 20 with the evacuation channel form units 25 positioned flat therein between the front and rear walls 23 and 24 so that the flat bags 20 can be folded near the perforation or stacked if they are in individual form.

In FIG. 14 there is illustrated an evacuation form unit 25b which is like that of FIG. 3 except that it has an attaching ring section 36b which is of different form to further ensure the exposure of the outer open outlet end of the channel form and maintain clear passage through the ring to the dispensing valve. It will be noted that in this example the ring 36b is thicker or deeper, being provided with an almost annular flanges 34b which, in the flat condition of form unit 25b, projects in the same direction and at least to the same extent as the outward projection of the longitudinally-extending ribs 38b (FIGS. 14A and 15) or the flat wall 39b. Thus it is of an axial extent at least equal to the depth of ribs 38b. It will be noted (FIG. 14A) that this flange 34b is eliminated directly radially opposite the inner ends 37b of the channels to provide an outlet notch 33b and that the flange is of less diameter than the body of the ring. The use of the modified form unit 25b is illustrated in FIGS. 17, 19 and 20.

With reference to FIG. 17, the evacuation system shown is identical to that shown in FIG. 9 including the service line connector 45, the reciprocable probe 46 and the dispensing valve unit 47 mounted on the spout 21. As described, the slide valve member 48 will be moved by probe 46 to open or close the radial outlets 49 and the axially inwardly-extending annular skirt 50 is at the inner end of the spout. The ring 36b will snap into position within the spout socket 30 and will be locked in that position by the spout annular rib 31 and cooperating ring groove 41b. It will be noted, however, that in this example of attaching ring 36b, the flange or projection 34b thereof is of sufficient depth that it extends axially-inwardly out of the spout socket 30. This projecting flange engages bag wall 24 to flex it inwardly to a greater extent so as to hold the bag wall away from the outlet ends of the channels 37b, so as always to permit passage from the evacuation channels and through the notch 33b into the interior of ring 35b and on to the valve outlets 49. It also provides a longer annular lead-in channel 32b around the outlets 49 and thereby prevents the bag wall from being sucked into that channel over the outlets, under high vacuum conditions.

In FIG. 19, the ring 36b of the form unit 25b is mounted in the spout 21b which receives a different type of dispensing valve assembly now in use. The assembly includes an adapter 46d that is mounted on the spout and carries a spring-seated valve member 48d. The adapter includes an inward axial tubular extension 47d which has a central outlet opening 49d in its inner end and outlets 49e surround this extension. Projecting inwardly from the extension 47d are angularly-spaced pins 50d which will engage the bag wall 24 as it collapses and prevent it from being sucked into ring 36b to cover outlets 49d and 49e. The ring 36b is mounted in spout socket 30d exactly as before but it will be noted that the flange 34b thereof projects inwardly out of the socket 30d beyond the inner end of the spout. This prevents the collapsing bag wall 24 from covering the adjacent ends of the evacuation channels 37b of the form unit 25b. Since flange 34b is offset radially-inwardly from the body of the ring 36b, there is an almost annular passage 37d extending from the notch 33b around the flange to permit a flow through 360.degree. around the ring from the channels 37b toward the outlets 49d and 49e.

In FIGS. 20 and 21 the spout 21b and dispensing valve assembly are substantially the same as in FIG. 19 but the adapter 46e is modified. The ring 36b is mounted in and locked in the spout socket 30d exactly as before. The inner end of the tubular extension 47e is provided with means for preventing the opposed bag wall 24 from being sucked into the ring 36b into covering relationship to the central outlet 49 or even the surrounding outlet 49e and in aiding in preventing covering of the outlet ends of the channels 37b of the form unit 25b. This means comprises radially-extending anularly-disposed fins 50e formed on the inner end of the extension 47e in a spoke-like arrangement. These fins are of substantial axial extent projecting inwardly at least as far as the projection of flange 34b. The radial outward extremities of the fins 50e terminate short of the flange 34b to provide the annular passageway 37d which communicates with the adjacent outlet ends of the channels 37b. As stated, these fins 50e will prevent collapse of the bag wall 24 into the ring 36b and will aid in preveting covering of the outlet ends of the channels 37b of the form unit 25b.

In FIGS. 16 and 16A there is illustrated a modification of the evacuation form unit shown in FIGS. 14 and 14A. This modified form unit 25c is the same as the unit 25b except that its attaching ring 36c is provided with means for preventing the bag wall 24 from collapsing into the ring. This means comprises fins or lugs 50c projecting radially-inwardly from the body and flange 34c of the ring and arranged in a spoke-like manner but terminating short of the center of the ring to provide a central clear space. It will be noted from FIGS. 16 and 16A that the outlet ends of the channels 37c are positioned directly opposite one of the fins 50c and that the flange 34c at this point is eliminated to provide a flow notch 33c. Also, the ring, as in FIG. 14, is of the same or greater thickness than the form section 35c of the unit 25c. Further, it will be noted that as before the outer diameter of the flange 34c is less than the body of the ring. The use of this modified form unit 25c is illustrated in FIG. 18.

In FIG. 18, the form unit 25c is shown applied to a spout and evacuation system of the type shown in FIG. 10 but it can be applied to other systems. This system includes the spout 21a which has the inwardly-opening socket 30a that receives the attaching and mounting ring 35c. This ring is snapped into place in the socket 30a and is locked therein as before. The spout receives the adapter 46a which is part of the service-line connector. It will be noted that when the ring 35c is snapped into locked position within the spout socket 30a, the flange 34c, being of substantial depth, will project axially-inwardly beyond the inner end of the spout where it, along with the inner edges of the fins 50c will engage the opposed bag wall 24 to prevent it from collapsing into the ring and preventing flow to the outlet 45a. It will also be noted that the flange 34c and fins 50c are of sufficient axial extent to prevent the bag wall 24 from being sucked into the ring 35c into covering relationship with the outer ends of the channels 37c. Thus, flow from these channels toward the outlet 45a will not be precluded. Because the flange 34c is offset radially-inwardly from the body of the ring 36c, there is an almost annular passage 37d extending from the notch 33c around the flange to permit a flow through 360.degree. around the ring from the channels 37c toward the outlet 45a.

The bags supplied as separate bags or as a strip of bags with the inserted evacuation channel forms therein can be filled by the usual automatic or semi-automatic filling machine. When filled and disposed in a box, the evacuation channel form will extend to the point in the box farthest from the spout whether the box is upright or on its side. As the bag is evacuated and collapses, it will collapse around the multi-channel evacuation form which will produce passages to the spout. The mounting ring for mounting the channel form on the spout will not interfere with movement of respective dispensing valve or connector parts inwardly through the spout into the bag. Means is provided to prevent the wall of the bag opposite the inner end of the spout from being sucked into the spout to close the outlets of the associated valve or to close the outlet end of the evacuation channel. This means may be on the spout in the form on the inwardly-extended flange on the attaching ring of may be on the valve assembly in the form of extensions, or both, and both of which extend inwardly beyond the inner end of the spout.