GB2554887A

GB2554887A - Container arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2554887A
Application number: GB1617291.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Podevyn Michel
Original assignee: Spiroflow Ltd
Current assignee: Spiroflow Ltd
Priority date: 2016-10-12
Filing date: 2016-10-12
Publication date: 2018-04-18
Also published as: GB201617291D0

Abstract

A flexible container has: a removable airtight liner 14 within it; two opposed openings 32, 36 which are narrower than the main body between them; releasable airtight seals at the inlet and outlet 44, 46; and a taper 22, 26 between the main body of the container and each of the inlet and the outlet. The liner has tapers 30, 34 similar to those of the container. Various relative dimensions and angles of the parts of the container are specified. The inlets and outlets may include tubular material. The container could be the size of an FIBC and could be placed on a platform such as a pallet with supports above the platform to keep its inlet raised during filling. The platform could include a weighing device and a vibrator for use during filling and emptying. An upper portion of the liner could be folded up over the edges of the container prior to filling. The inlet could remain sealed during emptying. The contents could be a pharmaceutical hygroscopic sticky powder.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Spiroflow Limited (Incorporated in the United Kingdom) Lincoln Way, CLITHEROE, Lancs, BB7 1QG, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Michel Podevyn

(51) INT CL:
B65D 88/16 (2006.01) B65D 90/20 (2006.01)	B65D 88/66 (2006.01)
(56) Documents Cited: JP 2010042851 A1 JP 2000238793 A1 US 4597102 A JPH107185	JP 2004196395A1 US 5564833 A
(58) Field of Search: INT CL B65D Other: WPI, EPODOC

(74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Appleyard Lees IP LLP

Clare Road, HALIFAX, West Yorkshire, HX1 2HY, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Container arrangement

Abstract Title: Large tapering flexible container with airtight flexible liner and airtight inlet and outlet (57) A flexible container has: a removable airtight liner 14 within it; two opposed openings 32, 36 which are narrower than the main body between them; releasable airtight seals at the inlet and outlet 44, 46; and a taper 22, 26 between the main body of the container and each of the inlet and the outlet. The liner has tapers 30, 34 similar to those of the container. Various relative dimensions and angles of the parts of the container are specified. The inlets and outlets may include tubular material. The container could be the size of an FIBC and could be placed on a platform such as a pallet with supports above the platform to keep its inlet raised during filling. The platform could include a weighing device and a vibrator for use during filling and emptying. An upper portion of the liner could be folded up over the edges of the container prior to filling. The inlet could remain sealed during emptying. The contents could be a pharmaceutical hygroscopic sticky powder.

FIG. 2 /13

FIG. 1

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FIG. 2

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FIG. 3

4/13

FIG. 4

5/13

FIG. 5

6/13

A—Η

FIG. 6

7/13

FIG. 7

8/13

FIG. 8

9/13

FIG. 9

10/13

FIG. 10 /13

FIG. 11

12/13

FIG. 12

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FIG. 13

CONTAINER ARRANGEMENT

The present invention relates to a container arrangement, a method of at least partially filling a container arrangement, a method of at least partially discharging material from a container arrangement and a container arrangement at least partially filled. The present invention is particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with material comprising pharmaceutical material.

In a known method of filling and discharging pharmaceutical materials comprising powder, a steel container is provided having a slightly domed top. The pharmaceutical material is filled from a top opening and discharged from a bottom opening.

It is almost impossible to completely fill the container as the top wall is provided with a slight dome. Accordingly some air will be present. The pharmaceutical material is highly hygroscopic and consequently the air in the top part of the container will cause the upper layer to form a crust. Thus this material is wasted.

The powder is also sticky and thus is difficult to discharge and some ofthe powder remains and may be stuck to the walls.

The containers are expensive and are thus reused. However, prior to reusing the containers, it is necessary to clean them thoroughly. This can take a whole day in order to ensure that there is no contamination for a subsequent fill of powder and to ensure the inside ofthe container is dry.

It is also necessary to support such containers as they are being moved or stored as they have a funnel at the lower end leading to an outlet.

It is an object of the present invention to attempt to overcome at least one of the above or other problems.

According to one aspect of the present invention a container arrangement includes a flexible container and a flexible air impermeable liner located within the flexible container. The flexible container includes an upper opening, a middle region and a lower opening. The cross sectional area ofthe middle region is greater than the cross sectional area of the upper and lower openings. The container arrangement is capable of occupying a first configuration in which the flexible container includes a first taper that extends upwardly and inwardly from an upper region of the middle region towards the upper opening. In the first configuration, the flexible container includes a second taper that extends downwardly and inwardly towards the lower opening from a lower region ofthe middle region. In the first configuration, the liner extends within the flexible container from the upper opening to the lower opening with the liner including a greater cross sectional area in the middle region of the flexible container. In the first configuration the liner includes a third taper that extends upwardly and inwardly from the upper region of the flexible container towards an inlet ofthe liner. In the first configuration, the liner includes a fourth taper that extends downwardly and inwardly towards an outlet ofthe liner. The container arrangement includes releasable air tight seals in the region of both the inlet and the outlet with the liner being removable from the flexible container.

The middle region of the flexible container and the first and second tapers may be multifaceted.

The liner may be multifaceted in the middle region of the flexible container and in the third and fourth tapers.

Four facets may be provided on the flexible container or the liner.

The liner may be in close proximity to the flexible container along at least part of their coextent.

The liner may contact the flexible arrangement along at least part of their co-extent in the middle region and along at last part of the co-extent of the first and third tapers and along at least part of the coextent of the second and fourth tapers.

The middle region of the flexible container may include a curve extending from the upper region to the lower region.

The upwards extent of the middle region from the lower region to the upper region may be greater than the upwards extent of the second taper by a ratio of less than 2.5:1 or less than 2.2:1 or less than 2:1 or more than 1:1 or more than 1.2:1 or more than 1.4:1 or more than 1.6:1 and is preferable in the region of 1.8:1.

The upwards extent of the middle region from the lower region to the upper region may be greater than the upwards extent of the first taper by a ratio of less than 2.5:1 or less than 2.2:1 or less than 2:1 or more than 1:1 or more than 1.2:1 or more than 1.4:1 or more than 1.6:1 and is preferable in the region of 1.8:1.

The ratio of the maximum cross sectional area of the middle region of the liner to the maximum cross sectional area of the outlet may be greater than 2:1 or greater than 4:1 or greater than 6:1 or greater than 8:1 and is preferably in the region of 10:1.

The ratio of the maximum cross sectional area of the middle region of the liner to the maximum cross sectional area of the inlet may be greater than 2:1 or greater than 4:1 or greater than 6:1 or greater than 8:1 and is preferably in the region of 10:1.

The inclusive angle of the fourth taper to a centre line extending from the inlet to the outlet may have an average of less than 45° or less than 40° or less than 35° or less than 30° or more than 5° or more than 10° or more than 15° and is preferably 20°.

The inclusive angle of the third taper to a centre line extending from the inlet to the outlet may have an average of less than 45° or less than 40° or less than 35° or less than 30° or more than 5° or more than 10° or more than 15° and is preferably 20°.

A line extending upwardly along the fourth taper towards the lower region ofthe middle region may be straight.

A line extending downwardly along the third taper from the upper region ofthe middle region may be straight.

The liner may include a tubular section that includes the outlet extending downwardly from a lower region ofthe fourth taper.

The liner may include a tubular section that includes the inlet extending upwardly from an upper region ofthe third taper.

The flexible container may include a tubular section extending downwardly from a lower region ofthe second taper.

The flexible container may include a tubular section that extends upwardly from an upper region of the first taper.

In a second configuration, at least part ofthe second and fourth tapers are arranged to lie flat across a centre line extending from the inlet to the outlet. The complete extent ofthe second and fourth tapers may be arranged to lie flat across a centre line extending from the inlet to the outlet.

The invention extends to a method of at least partially filling a container arrangement of the type described in any preceding statement which comprises at least partially filling the volume of the liner with material.

In a preferred embodiment of said method, in which parts of second and fourth tapers lie flat as previously referred to, the method comprises applying an air tight seal at the outlet and supporting the parts ofthe second and fourth tapers that lie flat across the centre line by a platform, suspending the container arrangement from locations above the platform and at least partially filling the volume ofthe liner extending above the platform with material and then sealing the inlet with the air tight seal.

The method may comprise completely filling the volume ofthe liner above the platform.

The method may comprise monitoring the weight of the filling being added during the filling of the liner. The method may comprise continually monitoring the weight ofthe filling being added as the filling is being added to the liner. The method may comprise monitoring the weight of the filling being added by monitoring means on which the platform is mounted.

The method may comprise vibrating the platform during filling.

The method may comprise folding an upper portion of the liner is folded outwardly and over the flexible container prior to filling being added.

The method may comprise subsequently transporting the at least partially filled liner and the flexible container by lifting the platform and transporting the platform.

According to another aspect of the present invention a method of at least partially discharging material from a liner that has at least partially been filled as previously described comprises causing the parts of the second and fourth tapers that lie across the centre line to move downwardly from the second configuration to the first configuration and then releasing the air tight seal at the outlet and discharging material through the outlet.

The method may comprise monitoring the weight of material being discharged and may comprise continually monitoring the weight being discharged and may comprise determining when all of the material has been discharged by monitoring the weight of material that has been added to the liner compared to the weight of material that has been discharged.

The method may comprise causing material to leave the outlet via vibration means.

The method may comprise partially discharging material from the liner and then applying the air tight seal to the outlet prior and then recommencing discharge at a later time by releasing the air tight seal at the outlet.

The method may comprise maintaining the airtight seal at the inlet during discharge of material.

The method may comprise removing the liner from the flexible container through the upper or lower opening.

The method may comprise sealing the inlet and outlet of the liner prior to removal.

The material described in any statement herein may be a pharmaceutical. Thus, the method may comprise at least partially filling or discharging a pharmaceutical material.

The material described in any statement herein may be hygroscopic. Thus, the method may comprise at least partially filling or discharging highly hygroscopic material.

The material, for example pharmaceutical material, described in any statement herein for use with the container arrangement described may include at least 0.01wt%, for example at least 0.1wt%, at least 0.5wt% or at least 1wt% water. The amount of water may be less than 5wt% or less than 2wt%. The material may contain levels of water as aforesaid at any time immediately prior to association with the container arrangement, during association with said arrangement and/or immediately after discharge from said arrangement. Preferably, the material includes levels of water as aforesaid at least immediately after discharge from the container arrangement.

Said material may comprise particles having a 0.1 pm or greater, preferably 1 pm or greater, median particle diameter. The median particle diameter may be 200 pm or less, preferably 100 pm or less, more preferably 50 pm or less, especially 25 pm or less. As used herein, a d50 particle size is the median diameter, where 50% of the volume is composed of particles larger than the stated d50, and 50% of the volume is composed of particles smaller than the stated d50 value. As used herein, the median particle size is the same as the d50 particle size. In the aforementioned, the particle sizes and/or median diameter may be assessed by laser diffraction, for example using a Horiba LA950 Laser Particle Size Analyzer. Preferably, said liquid formulation includes less than 1 wt% of particles having a diameter greater than 200 pm, for example less than 1wt% of particles having a diameter greater than 100 pm or less than 1wt% of particles having a diameter greater than 50 pm.

The method may comprise at least partially filling or discharging poor flowing or sticky material.

The method may comprise at least partially filling or discharging powder material.

According to another aspect of the present invention a container arrangement is provided which has been at least partially filled with material as previously described.

The present invention can be carried out in various ways but various embodiments will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Figures 1, 2 and 3 are a perspective view, a side view and a plan view of a container arrangement

10,

Figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are respectively a perspective view, a side view without upper supports, a side view with upper supports, a front view and a plan view when the container arrangement is in a filling position,

Figures 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are respectively a perspective view, a side view, a front view with parts omitted, a front view and a plan view of the container arrangement in a discharge position.

Figures 1 to 3 show the container arrangement 10 comprising a flexible container 12 and a flexible air impermeable liner 14 in a first configuration.

The flexible container 12 includes an upper opening 16, a middle region 18 and a lower opening 20. The cross sectional area of the middle region 18 is greater than the cross sectional area of both of the upper and lower openings 16 and 20.

The flexible container arrangement is shown in a first configuration and includes a first taper 22 that extends upwardly and inwardly from an upper region 24 otthe middle region 18 towards the upper opening

16. The flexible container also includes a second taper 26 that extends downwardly and inwardly towards the lower opening 20 from a lower region 28 of the middle region 18. The first configuration may be effected when the material in the container arrangement is being discharged.

The liner 14 extends within the flexible container 12 from the upper opening 16 to the lower opening 20. The liner may extend beyond the upper opening or the lower opening or both. The liner includes a greater cross sectional area in the middle region 18 otthe flexible container. The liner includes a third taper 30 that extends upwardly and inwardly from the upper region 24 otthe flexible container towards an inlet 32 of the liner. The liner also includes a fourth taper 34 that extends downwardly and inwardly towards an outlet 36 otthe liner.

The container arrangement includes releasably air tight seals (not shown) in the region of both the inlet and the outlet.

The liner is removable from the flexible container. The liner may be removable from the flexible container by pulling the liner out through the inlet 16 or outlet 20.

The middle region otthe flexible container and the first and second tapers 22 and 26 may be multifaceted and each may have four faces.

The liner may be multi-faceted in the middle region of the flexible container and in the third and fourth tapers 30 and 34 and each may have four faces.

The liner may be in close proximity to the flexible container along at least part of their co-extent. The liner may contact the flexible container along part of their co-extent. Such close proximity or contact may be the case both when the liner is empty of material and when the liner is partially filled with material or when the liner is full and when the liner is in a second configuration to be described later.

The middle region of the flexible container may include a curve extending from the upper region to the lower region. The liner in the region of its co-extent with the middle region otthe flexible container may include a curve extending from the upper region to the lower region otthe middle region.

The upwards extent of the middle region from the lower region to the upper region may be greater than the upwards extent otthe first taper 22 and or second taper and or the third taper and or the fourth taper by a ratio of 2 less than 2.5:1 or less than 2.2:1 or less than 2:1 or more than 1:1 or more than 1.2:1 or more than 1.4:1 or more than 1.6:1 and is preferably in the region of 1.8:1.

The ratio otthe maximum cross sectional area otthe middle region otthe liner to the maximum cross sectional area otthe inlet and or the outlet may be greater than 2:1 or greater than 4:1 or greater than 6:1 or greater than 8:1 and is preferably in the region of 10:1.

The inclusive angle of the third and/or the fourth taper to a centre line extending from the inlet to the outlet, may have an average of less than 45° or less than 40° or less than 35° or less than 30° or more than 5° or more than 10° or more than 15° and is preferably 20°.

A line extending upwardly along the third and or second taper towards the lower region of the middle region may be straight.

A line extending downwardly about the first and or third taper towards the upper region of the middle region may be straight.

The liner may include a tubular section 38 that includes the outlet extending downwardly from a lower region 40 of the fourth taper. The liner may include a tubular section 42 extending upwardly from an upper region 44 of the third taper. The upwards extent of the tubular section 38 may be greater than the upwards extend of the tubular section 42.

The flexible container may include a tubular section 44 or 46 extending downwardly from the lower region of the second taper and or upwardly from the upper region of the first taper.

Figures 4 to 8 show one embodiment for at least partially filling the bag.

At least part of the second and fourth tapers 26 and 34 may lie flat across a centre line extending from the inlet to the outlet in a second configuration. The complete extent of the second and fourth tapers may lie flat in the second configuration.

The flexible container may be partly suspended for example by releasable hooks 48 and the base may be supported on a platform 50.

A filling head 52 may extend into the liner and the liner may be sealed around the filler head 52. Material is dispensed through the filler head 52 to at least partially fill and preferably completely fill the liner. After filling the liner the filling head is withdrawn and the top of the liner is sealed, for instance by ties (not shown).

During filling the liner and flexible container vibrators 54 may be arranged to act on the platform 50 which may ensure that the material completely fills the liner.

A partial vacuum may be applied during or after filling.

During filling the weight of material that has been added to the liner may be monitored by scales 56 which may include measuring the total weight of material in the liner and or may include monitoring the weight being added during filling. Prior to filling an upper portion of the liner may be folded outwardly and over the upper portion of the flexible container.

The volume of the liner may be of any size but preferably may be such that 50 to 80kg or 67.25kg of material can completely fill the container in the second configuration.

After filling the platform may be moved, for instance by a fork lift truck. The flat base of the flexible container and liner help ensure the stability of the container arrangement during transportation and the container arrangement may need no other support than the flat top of the platform during transportation or storage.

Figures 9 to 13 show an embodiment for at least partially emptying material from the liner.

The flexible container is again at least partially supported by releasable hooks 58 which are then raised. The previously flat portions of the liner and flexible container are allowed to drop down into the first configuration. Pinch bars 60 may apply an air tight seal at the lower region of the flexible container and liner. A discharge chute may be inserted into the lower portion of the outlet of the liner either before or after the airtight seal at the lower portion of the liner has been released.

Releasing the airtight seal effected by the pinch bars may allow material to be discharged and such discharge may be assisted by a vibratory feeder 64 and or by reciprocating massagers 66. The lower region of the container arrangement may be enclosed by a door arrangement 68.

The weight of material being discharged may be monitored during discharge which may be effected by measuring the reduction in weight of the container arrangement and or the total weight of material that has been discharged and or by monitoring the weight of material that has been added compared to the weight that has been discharged.

The material may be a pharmaceutical material.

The material may comprise a powder. The powder may have an average particle size of less than 15 microns (pm). The powder component may have an average particle size of less than 12 pm, suitably, less than 10 pm, such as less than 7.5 pm, or even less than 5 pm. For the avoidance of doubt the term “less than” includes particles having the stated average particle size. The aforesaid particle sizes may be measured as described hereinabove.

The method may comprise maintaining an air tight seal at the inlet during discharge of material.

The method may comprise partially discharging material from the liner and then sealing the lower region of the liner and subsequently recommencing discharge. The method may comprise monitoring when all of the material has been discharged. Consequently an extremely accurate amount of material can be discharged. This can be of great importance when pharmaceutical material is being discharged and mixed with other material as the liner may include only powder without there being any “crust” formed by hydrophilic absorption of water.

The method may comprise maintaining an airtight seal at the inlet during discharge of material.

The method may comprise removing the liner from the flexible container after discharging the material for instance by pulling the liner out of the upper or lower opening of the flexible container. The upper and lower regions of the flexible container may have the airtight seal applied during removal. Anew liner may subsequently be inserted into the flexible container. The used liner may be trashed.

Claims

1. A container arrangement including a flexible container and a flexible air impermeable liner located within the flexible container, the flexible container including an upper opening, a middle region and a lower opening with the cross sectional area of the middle region being greater than the cross sectional area of the upper and lower openings, the container arrangement being capable of occupying a first configuration in which the flexible container includes a first taper that extends upwardly and inwardly from an upper region of the middle region towards the upper opening, and in which, in the first configuration the flexible container includes a second taper that extends downwardly and inwardly towards the lower opening from a lower region of the middle region, and in which, the liner extends within the flexible container from the upper opening to the lower opening with the liner including a greater cross sectional area in the middle region of the flexible container, and in which in the first configuration the liner includes a third taper that extends upwardly and inwardly from the upper region of the flexible container towards an inlet of the liner, and in which, in the first configuration, the liner includes a fourth taper that extends downwardly and inwardly towards an outlet of the liner, the container arrangement including releasable air tight seals in the region of both the inlet and the outlet with the liner being removable from the flexible container.

2. A container arrangement claimed in claim 1 in which the middle region of the flexible container and the first and second tapers are multifaceted.

3. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the liner is multifaceted in the middle region of the flexible container and in the third and fourth tapers.

4. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 2 or 3 including four facets on the flexible container or the liner.

5. A container arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 in which the liner is in close proximity to the flexible container along at least part of their coextent.

6. A container arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 in which the liner contacts the flexible arrangement along at least part of their coextent in the middle region and along at last part of the coextent of the first and third tapers and along at least part of the coextent of the second and fourth tapers.

7. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the middle region of the flexible container includes a curve extending from the upper region to the lower region.

8. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the upwards extent of the middle region from the lower region to the upper region is greater than the upwards extent of the second taper by a ratio of less than 2.5:1, or less than 2.2:1 or less than 2:1 or more than 1:1 or more than 1.2:1 or more than 1.4:1 or more than 1.6:1 and is preferably in the region of 1.8:1..

9. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the upwards extent of the middle region from the lower region to the upper region is greater than the upwards extent of the first taper by a ratio of less than 2.5:1 or less than 2.2:1 or less than 2:1 or more than 1:1 or more than 1.2:1 or more than 1.4:1 or more than 1.6:1 and is preferably in the region of 1.8:1.

10. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the ratio of the maximum cross sectional area of the middle region of the liner to the maximum cross sectional area of the outlet is greater than 2:1 or greater than 4:1 or greater than 6:1 or greater than 8:1 and is preferably in the region of 10:1.

11. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the ratio of the maximum cross sectional area of the middle region of the liner to the maximum cross sectional area of the inlet is greater than 2:1 or greaterthan 4:1 or greater than 6:1 or greater than 8:1 and is preferably in the region of 10:1.

12. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the inclusive angle of the fourth taper to a centre line extending from the inlet to the outlet has an average of less than 45° or less than 40° or less than 35° or less than 30° or more than 5° or more than 10° or more than 15° and is preferably 20°.

13. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the inclusive angle of the third taper to a centre line extending from the inlet to the outlet has an average of less than 45° or less than 40° or less than 35° or less than 30° or more than 5° or more than 10° or more than 15° and is preferably 20°.

14. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which a line extending upwardly along the fourth taper towards the lower region of the middle region is straight.

15. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which a line extending downwardly along the third taper from the upper region of the middle region is straight.

16. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the liner includes a tubular section that includes the outlet extending downwardly from a lower region of the fourth taper.

17. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the liner includes a tubular section that includes the inlet extending upwardly from an upper region of the third taper.

18. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the flexible container includes a tubular section extending downwardly from a lower region of the second taper.

19. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the flexible container includes a tubular section that extends upwardly from an upper region of the first taper.

20. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which, in a second configuration at least part of the second and fourth tapers are arranged to lie flat across a centre line extending from the inlet to the outlet.

21. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 20 in which the complete extend of the second and fourth tapers are arranged to lie flat across a centre line extending from the inlet to the outlet.

22. A method of at least partially filling a container arrangement as described in any preceding claim, the material comprising at least partially filling the volume of the liner with material.

23. A method according to claim 22, which comprises at least partially filling a container arrangement as claimed in claim 20 or 21, with material, the method comprising applying an air tight seal at the outlet and supporting the parts of the second and fourth tapers that lie flat across the centre line by a platform, suspending the container arrangement from locations above the platform and at least partially filling the volume of the liner extending above the platform with material and then sealing the inlet with the air tight seal.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23, comprising completely filling the volume of the liner above the platform.

25. A method as claimed in any of claims 22 to 24 comprising monitoring the weight of the material being added during the filling of the liner.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25 comprising continually monitoring the weight of the material being added as the material is being added to the liner.

27. A method as claimed in claim 25 or 26 comprising monitoring the weight of the material being added by monitoring means on which the platform is mounted.

28. A method as claimed in any of claims 23 to 27 comprising vibrating the platform during filling.

29. A method as claimed in any of claims 23 to 28 comprising folding an upper portion of the liner outwardly and over the flexible container prior to filling being added.

30. A method as claimed in any of claims 23 to 29 comprising subsequently transporting the at least partially filled liner and the flexible container by lifting the platform and transporting the platform.

31. A method of at least partially discharging material from a liner that has at least partially been filled as claimed in any of claims 23 to 30 comprising causing the parts of the second and fourth tapers that lie across the centre line to move downwardly from the second configuration to the first configuration and then releasing the air tight seal at the outlet and discharging material through the outlet.

32. A method as claimed in claim 31 comprising monitoring the weight of material being discharged.

33. A method as claimed in claim 32 comprising continually monitoring the weight being discharged.

34. A method as claimed in claim 32 or 33 comprising determining when all of the material has been discharged by monitoring the weight of material that has been added to the liner compared to the weight of material that has been discharged.

35. A method as claimed in any of claims 31 to 34 comprising causing material to leave the outlet via vibration means.

36. A method as claimed in any of claims 31 to 35 comprising partially discharging material from the liner and then applying the air tight seal to the outlet prior and then recommencing discharge at a later time by releasing the airtight seal at the outlet.

37. A method as claimed in any of claims 31 to 36 comprising maintaining the airtight seal at the inlet during discharge of material.

38. A method as claimed in any of claims 31 to 37 comprising removing the liner from the flexible container through the upper or lower opening.

39. A method as claimed in claim 38 comprising sealing the inlet and outlet of the liner prior to removal.

40. A method as claimed in any of claims 31 to 39 comprising at least partially filling or discharging a pharmaceutical material.

41. A method as claimed in any of claims 22 to 39, comprising at least partially filling or discharging highly hygroscopic material, for example including at least 0.1wt%, or at least 1wt% water.

42. A method as claimed in any of claims 22 to 41 comprising at least partially filling or discharging poor flowing or sticky material.

43. A container arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 20 when at least partially filled with material, for example as described in any of claims 39, 40, 41 or 42.

09 06 17

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1617291.8 Examiner: Mr Joe Cornfield

43. A method as claimed in any of claims 22 to 42 comprising at least partially filling or discharging powder material.

44. A container arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 21 when at least partially filled with material, for example as described in any of claims 40, 41,42 or 43.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows:

Claims

09 06 17

1. A container arrangement including a flexible container and a flexible air impermeable liner located within the flexible container, the flexible container including an upper opening, a middle region and a lower opening with the cross sectional area of the middle region being greater than the cross sectional area of the upper and lower openings, the container arrangement being capable of occupying a first configuration in which the flexible container includes a first taper that extends upwardly and inwardly from an upper region of the middle region towards the upper opening, and in which, in the first configuration the flexible container includes a second taper that extends downwardly and inwardly towards the lower opening from a lower region of the middle region, and in which, the liner extends within the flexible container from the upper opening to the lower opening with the liner including a greater cross sectional area in the middle region of the flexible container, and in which in the first configuration the liner includes a third taper that extends upwardly and inwardly from the upper region of the flexible container towards an inlet of the liner, and in which, in the first configuration, the liner includes a fourth taper that extends downwardly and inwardly towards an outlet of the liner, the container arrangement including releasable air tight seals in the region of both the inlet and the outlet with the liner being removable from the flexible container and in which, when the liner is full of material the, liner contacts the flexible container along their coextent in the middle region and along the coextent of the first and third tapers and along the coextent of the second and fourth tapers.

6. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the middle region of the flexible container includes a curve extending from the upper region to the lower region.

7. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the upwards extent of the middle region from the lower region to the upper region of the middle region is greater than the upwards extent of the second taper from the upper region of the middle region to the inlet by a ratio of less than 2.5:1, or less than 2.2:1 or less than 2:1 or more than 1:1 or more than 1.2:1 or more than 1.4:1 or more than 1.6:1 and is preferably in the region of 1.8:1.

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8. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the upwards extent of the middle region from the lower region to the upper region of the middle region is greater than the upwards extent of the first taper from the lower region of the middle region to the outlet by a ratio of less than 2.5:1 or less than 2.2:1 or less than 2:1 or more than 1:1 or more than 1.2:1 or more than 1.4:1 or more than 1.6:1 and is preferably in the region of 1.8:1.

9. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the ratio of the maximum cross sectional area of the middle region of the liner to the maximum cross sectional area of the outlet is greater than 2:1 or greater than 4:1 or greater than 6:1 or greater than 8:1 and is preferably in the region of 10:1.

10. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the ratio of the maximum cross sectional area of the middle region of the liner to the maximum cross sectional area of the inlet is greater than 2:1 or greaterthan 4:1 or greater than 6:1 or greater than 8:1 and is preferably in the region of 10:1.

11. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the inclusive angle of the fourth taper to a centre line extending from the inlet to the outlet has an average of less than 45° or less than 40° or less than 35° or less than 30° or more than 5° or more than 10° or more than 15° and is preferably 20°.

12 A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the inclusive angle of the third taper to a centre line extending from the inlet to the outlet has an average of less than 45° or less than 40° or less than 35° or less than 30° or more than 5° or more than 10° or more than 15° and is preferably 20°.

13. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which a line extending upwardly along the fourth taper towards the lower region of the middle region is straight.

14. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which a line extending downwardly along the third taper from the upper region of the middle region is straight.

15. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the liner includes a tubular section that includes the outlet extending downwardly from a lower region of the fourth taper.

16. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the liner includes a tubular section that includes the inlet extending upwardly from an upper region of the third taper.

17 A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the flexible container includes a tubular section extending downwardly from a lower region of the second taper.

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18. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the flexible container includes a tubular section that extends upwardly from an upper region of the first taper.

19. A container arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which, in a second configuration at least part of the second and fourth tapers are arranged to lie flat across a centre line extending from the inlet to the outlet.

20. A container arrangement as claimed in claim 20 in which the complete extend of the second and fourth tapers are arranged to lie flat across a centre line extending from the inlet to the outlet.

21. A method of at least partially filling a container arrangement as described in any preceding claim, comprising at least partially filling the volume of the liner with material.

22. A method according to claim 21, which comprises at least partially filling a container arrangement as claimed in claim 20 or 21, with material, the method comprising applying an air tight seal at the outlet and supporting the parts of the second and fourth tapers that lie flat across the centre line by a platform, suspending the container arrangement from locations above the platform and at least partially filling the volume of the liner extending above the platform with material and then sealing the inlet with the air tight seal.

23. A method as claimed in claim 22, comprising completely filling the volume of the liner above the platform.

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24. A method as claimed in any of claims 21 to 23 comprising monitoring the weight of the material being added during the filling of the liner.

25. A method as claimed in claim 24 comprising continually monitoring the weight of the material being added as the material is being added to the liner.

26. A method as claimed in claim 24 or 25 comprising monitoring the weight of the material being added by monitoring means on which the platform is mounted.

27. A method as claimed in any of claims 22 to 26 comprising vibrating the platform during filling.

28. A method as claimed in any of claims 22 to 27 comprising folding an upper portion of the liner outwardly and over the flexible container prior to filling being added.

29. A method as claimed in any of claims 22 to 28 comprising subsequently transporting the at least partially filled liner and the flexible container by lifting the platform and transporting the platform.

30. A method of at least partially discharging material from a liner that has at least partially been filled as claimed in any of claims 22 to 29 comprising causing the parts of the second and fourth tapers that lie across the centre line to move downwardly from the second configuration to the first configuration and then releasing the air tight seal at the outlet and discharging material through the outlet.

31. A method as claimed in claim 30 comprising monitoring the weight of material being discharged.

32. A method as claimed in claim 31 comprising continually monitoring the weight being discharged.

33. A method as claimed in claim 31 or 32 comprising determining when all of the material has been discharged by monitoring the weight of material that has been added to the liner compared to the weight of material that has been discharged.

34. A method as claimed in any of claims 30 to 33 comprising causing material to leave the outlet via vibration means.

35. A method as claimed in any of claims 30 to 34 comprising partially discharging material from the liner and then applying the air tight seal to the outlet prior and then recommencing discharge at a later time by releasing the airtight seal at the outlet.

36. A method as claimed in any of claims 30 to 35 comprising maintaining the airtight seal at the inlet during discharge of material.

37. A method as claimed in any of claims 30 to 36 comprising removing the liner from the flexible container through the upper or lower opening.

38. A method as claimed in claim 37 comprising sealing the inlet and outlet of the liner prior to removal.

39. A method as claimed in any of claims 30 to 38 comprising at least partially filling or discharging a pharmaceutical material.

40. A method as claimed in any of claims 21 to 38, comprising at least partially filling or discharging highly hygroscopic material, for example including at least 0.1 wt%, or at least 1wt% water.

41. A method as claimed in any of claims 21 to 40 comprising at least partially filling or discharging poor flowing or sticky material.

42. A method as claimed in any of claims 21 to 41 comprising at least partially filling or discharging powder material.