DE69103005T2 - DEVICE FOR DISPENSING FLOWABLE SUBSTANCES FROM A BAG. - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispenser of flowable materials from a pouch is disclosed. The pouch has an ear (55) at each of the ends of a transverse seal (53) located at one end of the pouch (57). The dispenser comprises i) a cylindrical container (33) having sides and an open top having a rim, the container being adapted to contain the pouch, and ii) a lid (35) attachable to the rim such that the lid is adapted to trap the ears of the pouch between the lid and the rim and to keep said end of the pouch taut between the ears when the lid is attached to the rim. The lid is also being adapted to allow a spout (41) to pierce the pouch at the taut portion.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for dispensing flowable materials from a bag. The bags are pillow-shaped and have "ears".

It is well known to package flowable materials, such as milk, on so-called vertical form and fill machines. Using such a machine, a flat sheet of synthetic thermoplastic film is unwound from a roll and a continuous tube is formed therefrom in a tube forming section by sealing the longitudinal edges of the film together to form a so-called lap seal or a so-called ridge seal. The tube so formed is drawn vertically down to a filling station. The tube is then folded over a transverse cross-section of the tube, the position of the cross-section being at a sealing device below the filling station. The sealing device applies a transverse heat seal to the folded portion of the tube so that an airtight seal is made over the tube. The sealing device generally comprises a pair of clamping jaws. After the transverse seal has been made, but before the jaws of the sealing device are opened, a quantity of material, such as liquid, to be packaged is introduced into the tube at the filling station and fills the tube upward from the above transverse seal. The tube is moved downward a predetermined distance. Such movement may be under the influence of the weight of the material in the tube or may be caused by pulling or mechanically moving the tube. The jaws of the sealing device are closed again so that the tube is kinked at a second transverse section. The second transverse section may be above, usually immediately above, the air/material interface in the tube, or the second transverse section may be below the air/material interface. The sealing device seals and severs the tube at the second transverse section in the transverse direction. The material-filled section of the tube now has the shape of a cushion-shaped bag. In one operation, the sealing device seals both the filled bag top sealed, and the bottom of the next bag to be formed is sealed. One such vertical form and fill machine of the type described above is sold under the brand name PREPAC. In some other machines, the sealing device does not sever the tube at the second transverse section, but rather sever the tube behind it. In some machines, the filling of the tube is continuous rather than discontinuous. The sections of the bag at the ends of the transverse closures would often be referred to as "ears."

For many years, milk has been packaged in bags made in vertical form and fill machines. Such bags are sold to household consumers, and for use, such milk-filled bags are placed in an open-mouthed vessel. More recently, such bags have been used to package other pourable foods, mayonnaise, salad dressings, preserves and the like. Bags containing such foods are usually sold to non-private buyers, such as restaurants. Heretofore, the pourable materials from such bags have been dispensed by cutting off an ear of the bag and pouring or squeezing the pourable material out of the bag. Alternatively, the bag has been provided with a pouring spout as disclosed in Canadian Patent 1,192,164 to L. Obidniak or with a dispensing device as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,265,372. The present invention provides an alternative device for dispensing flowable material from a bag.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing flowable material from a bag, said bag having an ear at each of the ends of a transverse closure located at one end of the bag, said apparatus comprising: i) a tubular container having sides and an open top with a rim, said container adapted to contain said bag, ii) a lid attachable to the rim such that the lid is adapted to retain the ears of the bag between the lid and the rim and to hold said end of the bag taut between said ears when said lid is attached to the rim, said lid also being adapted to allow a pouring spout to pierce said bag at said taut portion.

In one embodiment, the tubular container has a bottom that includes a piston plate configured to move toward the top of the container.

In another embodiment, the lid is pivotably attached to the container.

In yet another embodiment, the lid is separated from the container and can be attached to the edge with a snap fastener.

In yet another embodiment, the lid is separated from the container and can be attached to the edge with a quick-lock fastener.

In a further embodiment, the container has a lower rim and a bottom removable from said lower rim, said bag having ears at both ends of the bag and said bottom being adapted to retain at least one ear of the bag between the bottom and the lower rim, said container, when assembled with the bag, bottom, lid and pouring spout, being substantially gas-tight and said container has means for allowing gas to enter said container.

In yet another embodiment, the tubular container has a cross-section that is substantially rectangular with rounded corners.

The invention also provides a kit for making a device for dispensing flowable material from a bag, said bag having an ear at each of the ends of a transverse closure located at one end of the bag, said kit comprising i) a cylindrical tube having a lower edge and an upper edge, and ii) a lid attachable to the upper edge so that that the lid is adapted to retain the ears of the bag between the lid and the upper edge and to hold said end of the bag taut between said ears when said lid is secured to the upper edge. Optionally, the set comprises a base adapted to be secured to a lower edge of the tube.

In a further embodiment, the set additionally contains a pour spout which is designed to pierce the tight section of the bag.

In a further embodiment, the base is integrally connected to the lower edge of the container.

In another embodiment, a piston plate and a piston rod are associated with the base, which are designed to push the said bag towards the lid when the set is assembled.

In yet another embodiment, the lid is designed so that a pouring spout can be attached to it.

In a further embodiment, a valve is assigned to the pouring spout.

In another embodiment, the pouring spout is designed so that a nozzle is attached to it.

In yet another embodiment, the cylindrical tube has a substantially rectangular cross-section with rounded corners.

The invention can be more easily understood by reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a container according to the present invention in cross section.

Fig. 2 is a partially cutaway three-quarter view of another container according to the present invention, said container having a pivoting lid and a removable pouring spout.

Figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d show one way of using the container of Figure 2.

Fig. 4 shows a pouring spout in cross section that can be used in conjunction with the container of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 shows the pouring spout of Fig. 4 in a different application.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 show details of the piercing end of the pouring spout shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Fig. 9 shows another pouring spout in cross section that can be used in conjunction with the container of Fig. 2.

Figures 10 and 11 show further containers according to the present invention.

Fig. 1 shows a system suitable for dispensing baby food from a pouch. The system comprises a container 11 having a base 12 integrally connected to the cylindrical tube 13. The cylindrical tube 13 has an upper rim 14 with an outwardly extending spout 15. Removably attached to the rim is the lid 16 which has a skirt 17 adapted to form a snap fit over the spout 15. In the lid 16, offset from the centre, is attached or connected a tube 18 to which a pouring spout 19 can be connected by means not shown. The pouring spout 19 has at the end facing the interior of the container a piercing end 20 adapted to pierce the film (not shown) of which the pouch (not shown) is made. At the other end of the spout a nipple 21 is attached. The bottom 12 is not essential. The cylindrical tube 13 should be long enough so that the bag, which hangs on ears held between the rim 14 and the lid 16, is stretched between the ears so that the film of the bag can be pierced relatively easily with the piercing end 19.

Figures 2 and 3a show a system suitable for dispensing cream, mayonnaise and the like from a bag. The system comprises a container 31 with a base 32 which is integrally connected to the tubular container 33. The tube 33 has an upper edge 34. The lid 35 is connected to the tube 33 by the hinge pin 36. The lid 35 also has side skirts 37. The tube 33 also has a transverse spout 38 on the side of the cylindrical tube furthest from the hinge pins 36. The lid 35 has a tab 39 with a locking piece 40 attached thereto. The locking piece 40 is designed to lock under the transverse spout 38 when the lid 35 is closed, as shown in Fig. 3c. A threaded tube 41 is connected to the lid 35. The tube 41 can be used to insert the pouring spout 42, which has a threaded end 43 and a nozzle 44. The threaded end 43 is for screwing into the threaded portion of the tube 41. The base 32 has a handle 45 attached thereto. The ratchet spindle 46 passes through the base of the handle and through the base 32. The spindle 46 is connected to the piston plate 47 within the cylindrical tube 33. The T-handle 48 is attached to the end of the spindle 46 distal to the plate 47. The trigger 49 is attached to a latch (not shown) so that the spindle 46 can be moved and thus the piston plate 47 can be moved forward towards the cover 35.

The use of the container of Fig. 2 for dispensing material is described in more detail with reference to Figs. 3a to 3d. The container 31 is placed upright in the frame 50 having a cutout 51 adapted to hold the container 31 upright. The container 31 is held upright by the base 32 being flush with the upwardly facing side of the frame 50, i.e. resting on the frame 50 under the influence of gravity. The lid 35 is opened as shown in Fig. 3a. The bag 52 of flowable material, e.g. cream, has two transverse end seals, one of which is shown as 53. The bag is made of a planar sheet of material. of thermoplastic polymer material, e.g. polyethylene, and is formed lengthwise into a tube. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3a, the tube is closed with a longitudinal seal 54 and then closed with the transverse seals 53. The transverse seal forms the "ears" 55 and 56. As shown in Fig. 3a, the bag 52 is placed in the container 31. The ears 55 and 56 of the bag are stretched over the upper edge 34 of the cylindrical tube 33 as shown in Fig. 3b. The lid 35 is pivoted following arrow A in Fig. 3b until the engaging piece 40 of the tab 39 engages the transverse lip 38. The lid 35 then firmly grasps the ears 55 and 56 and holds them between the rim 34, the bezels 37 and the lid 35 as shown in Fig. 3c. Thus the top 57 of the bag 52 is held taut between the ears 55 and 56. The bag itself is filled so that the contents are not under pressure. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3c the pouring spout 42 is already connected to the tube 41. The tube is offset from the center in the lid so that the nozzle 44 does not sit over the longitudinal seal 54 or the transverse seal 53. Rotating the nozzle 44 causes the pointed end of the threaded end or the sawtooth end of the pouring spout to penetrate the taut portion of the top 57 of the bag 52. Since the bag is not under pressure the contents of the bag remain in the bag without leaking out. If the bag were under pressure, there would be a risk of the contents splashing into the interior of the container 33. By a mechanism and method described below, the threaded end or the sawtooth end of the pouring spout is sealed to the bag so that no material leaks into the container. The container with the bag therein is then ready for use. The threaded end type of pouring spout is preferred for films which are less stretchable, for example polyethylene films laminated to ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer films. As shown in Fig. 3d, the dispenser can be held by hand using the handle 45. To force material from the bag, the trigger 49 is squeezed by hand, causing the ratchet mechanism to move the piston plate 47 toward the lid 35 and the hydraulic pressure within the bag to force material from the bag through the pouring spout 42 and nozzle 44.

A pouring spout that can be used with the dispenser shown in Figures 3 is shown more clearly in cross-section in Figures 4 and 5. The lid 35 has a threaded tube 41 therein. The pouring spout 42 includes a tapered sleeve 58 with a tapered lever 59, a nozzle 60, a diffuser 62 and a diffuser retaining cap 61. The nozzle 60 has a spiral tip 69 attached distally to the diffuser retaining cap 61. The diffuser retaining cap 61 may be blind or may have a plurality of diffusers 62 associated with it. The type of diffuser depends on the type of material being dispensed. For example, if the material is mayonnaise, the diffuser may be in the form of a disk with a plurality of 3 to 6 mm diameter holes therein for dispensing in bulk to, for example, hamburger buns. Cross-shaped slots may be used in the diffuser 62 for cream or the like. The diffuser 62 is conveniently made of disks of neoprene or polyester film. The beveled lever 59 has a handle 63 attached thereto to facilitate turning the beveled lever 59. The beveled sleeve 58 and the beveled lever 59 each have a locking device 64 and 65, respectively, to hold the beveled sleeve and lever in the position shown in Figure 5. The beveled sleeve 58 is in threaded engagement with the threaded tube 41.

Figures 6 through 8 show details of the pouring spout of Figures 4 and 5. In these figures, nozzle 60 has a spiral tip 69 at its end which has a thread 70 which terminates in a piercing tip 71. The beveled sleeve 58 defines a bore 66 into which nozzle 60 is inserted and held. The end of bore 66 distal to diffuser 62 has an enlarged bore 67 and a still further bore 68. Thread 70 has an outside diameter slightly less than the diameter of bore 68 and is essentially "zero pitch" with respect to bore 67. For example, enlarged bore 67 may have a diameter approximately 12.5 µm larger than the outside diameter of the threads. For use with a bag having a film thickness of about 76 µm, the bore 68 should be about 76 to 100 µm wider in diameter than the outside diameter of threads 70. Threads 70 have a tapered end 72. In use, nozzle 60 is first retracted so that threads 70 are at least within bore 68. Spiral tip 69 should be retracted into bore 67 so that piercing tip 71 does not accidentally catch on and pierce bag. Lid 35 is then closed so that bag ears 55 and 56 are held against upper rim 34 and portion 57 of the bag is held taut. Nozzle 60 of spout 42 is then rotated and depressed so that piercing tip 71 pierces film 76 in taut portion 57. Spiral tip 69 then pierces film 76. The spiral tip 69 is gradually rotated into the bag 52 until the film 76 is tightly seated against the tapered portion 77 of the nozzle 60, as shown in Fig. 6. The handle 63 of the beveled lever 59 is then rotated until the detents 64 and 65 are engaged. The thrust on the sliding surfaces 78 and 79 (shown in Fig. 4) causes the nozzle 60, and hence the spiral tip 69, to be pulled away from the bag 42. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the spiral tip 69 is drawn toward the bore 68 and the film 76 is captured between the threads 70 and 75 and the bore 68. The now film covered threaded section 70 and 75 is drawn into the bore 68 until the threads are prevented from moving further by the step between the bore 68 and the narrower bore 67. Material is then prevented from leaking out of the bag 42 by the mechanical seal formed by the clamped film 76 between the threads 70, 75 and the bore 68 and by the contraction of the film edge onto the tapered section 77. The narrowed thread 72, which may extend the entire length of the threaded section, helps to prevent material from extruding from the bag through the sealing area via the trough in the thread, although this is not entirely satisfactory in the case of very free flowing materials such as water when high pressure is exerted by the piston plate 47. In such a case, however, a different arrangement would be adopted. Material in bag 42 can then be removed by extruding the material through the bore of nozzle 60. In the case of the sawtooth end shown in Figure 9, the relative lengths of bore 67 and bore 68 are determined by the length of the sawtooth section.

The reference numerals in Figure 9 refer to similar features in Figures 6 through 8, except that the sawtooth end is designated by reference numeral 73. Before the sawteeth 74 of the sawtooth section 73 pierce the bag, the sawtooth section 73 should be retracted into the bore 67 so that the teeth 74 do not inadvertently catch on the bag and pierce it when not necessary.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 10. This container is more suitable for a container that is more difficult to transport than the containers shown in the other figures and is suitable for dispensing mustard, ketchup and similar materials. The container is shown bottom up and comprises a collapsible cylindrical tube 81 having a bottom 82 and a lid 83. The bottom 82 has a one-way air valve 84 therein. The bottom 82 has a skirt 85 which is adapted to "snap" onto the rim spout 86 of the cylindrical tube 81 and form a hermetic seal. Similarly, the lid 83 has a skirt 87 which is adapted to "snap" onto the rim spout 88 of the cylindrical tube. The lid 83 also has a tube 89 which leads to the pouring spout 90. The entire container 80 is supported on legs 91. Associated with the tube 89 is a spout piercing device similar to the embodiment shown and described in Figures 2 to 8. The bag 92 is held by at least one of its ears at the end of the bag adjacent the bottom 82, or by both ears at the end of the bag adjacent the lid 83. Associated with the spout 90 may be a valve (not shown) or a neoprene retainer with a slot therein, as is known in the art. In use, the tube 81 is positioned with its rim 86 upward. The material-filled bag 92 is then inserted into the cylindrical tube 81. The skirt 85 of the bottom 82 snaps onto the rim 86, with at least one ear of the bag captured therebetween. The partially assembled container is then placed with the rim 88 upwards and the skirt 87 of the lid 83 snaps onto the rim 88, thereby holding both ears of that end of the bag in a manner which ensures that the film between the ears is taut. The bag 92 is pierced with the piercing device so that the nozzle 90 is tightly inserted into the bag, largely as described with reference to Figures 4 to 8. The container 80 is then rotated so that the pouring spout 90 is at the bottom and product 94 can flow freely to the pouring spout 90 by gravity. The tube 81 can then be squeezed by hand so that the bag is pressurized. This causes material 94 within the bag to flow out of the bag through the pouring spout 90. When the tube 81 is released, air enters the tube 81 through the valve 84. Outline 93 shows the bag after some of the contents 94 of the bag have been emptied.

Figure 11 shows a container for pourable liquids. As will be noted, it is very similar in construction and use to the container of Figure 3 as far as the pouring spout mechanism is concerned. The container 95 has an integral bottom (not shown) and a top rim 96. The bottom is not essential for the purpose of supporting the bag, but is clearly desirable to enable the container to be placed unsupported on a table or the like. The lid 97 is attached to the container 95 by the hinge pin 98. The lid 97 also has side skirts 99. The container 95 also has a transverse lip 100 on the side of the cylindrical tube furthest from the hinge pins 98. The lid 97 has a tab 101 with a locking piece 102 attached thereto. The locking piece 102 is designed to lock under the transverse lip 100 when the lid 97 is closed. A threaded tube 103 is connected to the lid 97. The pouring spout 104, which is similar in essential details to those shown in Figures 4 to 8, can be inserted into the tube 103. A handle 105 is attached to the container 95. The pouring spout 104 can have a cover cap 107 thereon.

In use, the container 95 is positioned upright. A bag 106 of pourable material, e.g. milk, juice, having two transverse end seals, one of which is shown as 108, a longitudinal seal 109 and ears 110 and 111 is placed in the container 95. The ears 110 and 111 of the bag are stretched over the upper edge 96 of the container 95. The lid 97 is pivoted until the engaging piece 102 of the flap 101 engages the transverse lip 100. The lid 97 then firmly grasps the ears 110 and 111 and holds them between the rim 96, the skirts 99 and the lid 97. Thus, the top 112 of the bag 106 is held taut between the ears 110 and 111. The tube 103 is offset from center in the lid so that the nozzle 104 does not sit over the longitudinal seal 109 or the transverse seal 108. Twisting the nozzle 104 causes the pointed end of the threaded end or the sawtooth end of the pouring spout (not shown) to pierce the taut portion of the top 112 of the bag 106. By a mechanism and method previously described, the threaded or sawtooth end of the pouring spout is sealed to the bag so that the pourable material does not leak into the container. The container with the bag therein is ready for use. As will be noted, the container can be held by hand using the handle 105. After removing the orifice cap 107 from the pouring spout 104, the container 95 can be tilted so that the pourable liquid can be dispensed through the pouring spout 104. After pouring sufficient liquid from the bag 106, the container 95 is placed on its base and the cap replaced to keep the contents fresh.

The present invention is suitable for dispensing flowable materials. The term "flowable materials" does not include gases, but includes materials that are flowable under gravity or can be pumped or extruded. Such materials include emulsions, e.g. ice cream mix; soft margarine; sauces; pastes; preserves, e.g. doughnut fillings; jellies; detergents; and liquids, e.g. milk; oils. The dispenser of Fig. 1 is suitable for dispensing baby food, for example. The dispenser of Figs. 2 and 3 is suitable for portion-controlled dispensing of products such as mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, relish, cream, e.g. 28 ml portions of cream dispensed from a 680 ml bag onto a taco. When using such a dispenser, there is only about 1.25% loss within the bag and another 1.25% loss remaining in the nozzle throat. The dispenser of Fig. 10 is suitable for dispensing ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish, cream, maple syrup, caramel, Pouring ice cream over the surface. The dispenser in Fig. 11 is suitable for dispensing pourable liquids, e.g. juice, milk, liquid detergent.

Claims (13)

1. Apparatus for dispensing flowable material from a bag (52), said bag having an ear (55,56) at each of the ends of a transverse closure (53) located at one end of the bag, said apparatus comprising: i) a tubular container (31) having sides and an open top with a rim (34), said container adapted to contain said bag, ii) a lid (35) attachable to the rim such that the lid is adapted to retain the ears of the bag between the lid and the rim and to hold said end of the bag taut between said ears when said lid is attached to the rim, said lid also being adapted to allow a pouring spout (42) to pierce said bag at said taut portion. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tubular container has a bottom (32) comprising a piston plate (47) adapted to move towards the top of the container. 3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the lid (35) is pivotally attached to the container. 4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the lid (35) is separate from the container and can be fastened to the edge with a snap closure. 5. Device according to claim 1, wherein the lid (35) is separate from the container and can be fastened to the edge with a quick-lock closure. 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container has a lower rim (86) and a bottom (82) detachable from the container, said bag having ears at both ends of the bag and said bottom being adapted to retain at least one ear of the bag between the bottom and the lower rim (86), said container, when assembled with the bag (94), the bottom (82), the lid (83) and the pouring spout (90), being substantially gas-tight and said container having means (84) which allows the entry of gas into said container. 7. A kit for making a device for dispensing flowable material from a bag (52), said bag having an ear (52,56) at each of the ends of a transverse closure (53) located at one end of the bag, said kit comprising i) a cylindrical tube (33) having a lower edge and an upper edge (34), and ii) a lid (35) attachable to the upper edge such that the lid is adapted to retain the ears of the bag between the lid and the upper edge and to hold said end of the bag taut between said ears when said lid is attached to the upper edge. 8. A kit according to claim 7, wherein the kit additionally comprises a pouring spout (42) which is adapted to pierce the taut portion of the bag. 9. A set according to claim 7, wherein the container has a bottom (32) which is integrally attached to the lower edge of the container. 10. A kit according to claim 7, wherein the container has a bottom surface associated with a piston plate (47) and a piston rod (46) which are adapted to push said bag towards the lid when the kit is assembled. 11. A set according to claim 7, wherein the lid is designed to allow the pouring spout to be attached thereto. 12. Set according to claim 7, wherein the pouring spout is associated with a valve. 13. A set according to claim 7, wherein the pouring spout is designed so that a nozzle (44) is attached thereto.