WO1998008753A2

WO1998008753A2 - Dispenser bag

Info

Publication number: WO1998008753A2
Application number: PCT/GB1997/002302
Authority: WO
Inventors: Colin Lee Andrews
Original assignee: Bettix Limited
Priority date: 1996-08-19
Filing date: 1997-08-28
Publication date: 1998-03-05
Also published as: AU4025797A; WO1998008753A3

Abstract

A non-rigid flexible container (1) for dispensing a predetermined volume of liquid has a first chamber (3) and a second chamber (2) separated by a dividing wall (11), the chambers (2, 3) being in communication with each other through an integral channel (4). The first chamber (3) has a dispensing means (13) in one corner and a filling means (16) is provided at the end of the integral channel (4) in communication with the first chamber (3). The container is manufactured from two layers of flexible plastics material having a dispensing means located therebetween, the sides and dividing walls being formed by welding the layers together.

Description

DISPENSER BAG

The present invention relates to a container for dispensing liquids which allows the delivery of a predetermined volume of liquid.

Containers having separate chambers for storing and dispensing of liquids are well known. It is known in the art to use flexible "squeeze bottles" having a pipe to connect the storage chamber with the dispensing chamber. However with such containers it is often difficult to dispense the last drops of liquid as they are out of reach of the end of the connecting pipe or the container cannot be squeezed hard enough to force the remaining liquid up the connecting pipe into the dispensing chamber.

It is also known in the art to use more rigid containers and to fill the dispensing chamber by tipping the container to allow the liquid to flow from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber. Containers of this type must generally be lifted and manoeuvred in order to fill the dispensing chamber and the ease with which this is done varies largely with the size and shape of the container. Both types of known containers generally involve complex manufacturing processes.

With the above problems in mind we have now developed a non- rigid container of unitary construction for storing liquid and dispensing of a predetermined volume of liquid which is easy to manipulate and manufacture.

Accordingly from one aspect the present invention provides a container used to dispense predetermined volumes of liquid having a unitary construction and comprising a first chamber and a second chamber having a dividing wall therebetween to isolate the chambers one from the other and an integral channel extending between a region of the first chamber and a region of the second chamber, said first chamber having a dispensing means, means being provided for closing said dispensing means when not in use.

The integral channel may extend from a region of the first chamber remote from the dividing wall to a region of the second chamber adjacent the dividing wall. Alternatively the channel may extend from a region of the first chamber remote from the dividing wall to a region of the second chamber remote from the dividing wall.

Preferably means for filling the container with liquid is provided, the filling means is preferably opposite to the end of the integral channel in the first chamber. The filling means is preferably an unseamed portion of the top edge of the container forming an aperture in the edge seam. The aperture is preferably of a size suitable for a nozzle or a funnel to be inserted therein and is sealed after the container has been filled and the nozzle or funnel has been removed.

The filling means overcomes problems encountered in filling the container with liquid to be stored and dispensed through the dispensing means of the first chamber. The liquid has to pass from the first chamber down the integral channel and into the second chamber which is a time consuming and difficult process.

The dispensing container is preferably formed from two sheets of a non-rigid plastics material such as polyethylene sheet joined around the edges by seams, alternatively the container may be formed from a single folded sheet of a non-rigid plastics material joined around the edges by seams. This construction results in a dispensing container which is light, non-rigid and easily manipulated thus facilitating the transfer of the liquid from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber.

In the context of this application non-rigid is taken to mean incapable of holding its own shape.

The dividing wall between the chambers is formed by a first liquid resistant seam. In the context of this application a seam is taken to mean an area where two surfaces of non-rigid plastics material are joined by welding, adhesive or other suitable means.

The integral channel connecting the chambers is preferably formed along one vertical edge of the dispensing container by a second liquid resistant seam which runs parallel with the edge of the container at a given distance from the edge and may form a T-junction with the dividing wall between the chambers.

The channel is preferably prevented from closing by a crease running along the centre of the length of the channel.

Preferably a tuck is provided in the base of the second chamber between the two pieces of non-rigid plastics material or between the single, folded piece of non-rigid plastics material. On filling the container the presence of this tuck allows greater expansion of the second chamber and furthermore provides a flat base which allows the container to stand upright. The tuck may be formed from a separate piece of plastics material or, alternatively, it may be an extension of one or both of the pieces of plastics material from which the container is formed. The dispensing means is preferably positioned in a corner of the first chamber remote from the dividing wall and may comprise a block of plastics material sealed into an aperture, preferably formed in an edge seam of the first chamber and having a closable outlet communicating with the first chamber. The dispensing means may alternatively be a closable tube sealed into the aperture. The dispensing means may be closed by any suitable means, for example, a screw cap or a push-in plug.

The dispensing means is preferably positioned remote from the channel. The relative positioning of the channel and dispensing means allows the predetermined volume of liquid to be dispensed without further liquid travelling through the channel into the first chamber during the dispensing process.

Accordingly from a second aspect the present invention provides a method of manufacturing the dispensing container of the present invention wherein two layers of a non-rigid thermoplastic material having a dispensing means positioned therebetween are formed into the said container by sealing the layers together along lines defining the edge portions of the container along a line to form the dividing wall defining the said chambers and along a line defining the channel between the chambers.

The two layers of non-rigid plastics material may be two separate pieces or alternatively a single folded piece.

Preferably an aperture is left in the edge seam opposite the end of the channel situated in the first chamber which aperture is sealed after the container has been filled. Preferably formation of the edge seams, the dividing wall and channel seams is carried out by welding, most preferably in a single operation. Alternatively an adhesive may be used.

The aperture in the edge seam opposite the end of the channel situated in the first chamber is sealed by welding or adhesive when the container has been filled.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail as examples only and with reference to the figures wherein: -

Figure 1 shows a cross section through a dispensing container as in one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows an end view of the empty dispensing container of

Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a cross section through a dispensing container of another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3a shows an end view of the container of Figure 3;

Figure 4 shows a cross section through a dispensing container of a further embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 4a shows an end view of the container of Figure 4.

Figure 1 shows a dispensing container 1 which is formed from two sheets of non-rigid plastics material such as polyethylene having edge seams 9 which are formed by welding the plastics material. The container 1 has two chambers 2, 3 divided by a liquid resistant seam 12. The larger chamber 2 is used to store the liquid and the smaller chamber 3 is the dispensing chamber and is used to hold a predetermined volume of liquid. The size of the dispensing chamber 3 depends on the volume of liquid which needs to be dispensed.

A tuck 14 of the plastics material is provided in the base of the storage chamber 2 between the two pieces of non-rigid plastics material and is forced downwards to form a substantially horizontal base when the storage chamber is filled.

A channel 4 is provided which connects the storage chamber 2 with the dispensing chamber 3. The channel 4 runs parallel with a vertical side of the container 1 and is defined by a seam 11. The channel 4 has an opening 6 near to the bottom of the storage chamber 2 and an opening 7 near to the top of the dispensing chamber 3. The positioning of these openings allows the last drops of the liquid from the storage chamber to be taken up the channel and also stops any flow back from the dispensing chamber 3 until it is full. The channel 4 has a crease 5 running along the centre of its length to add support to the channel 4.

A dispensing means 13 having a cap 8 is provided in a corner of the dispensing chamber 3 remote from the end 7 of the channel 4 and the dividing seam 12. Figure 2 shows that the dispensing means 13 is integral with a plastics block 10 which is secured into the edge seam 9 of the container 1. In this embodiment the dispensing means 13 is a tube (not shown) which protrudes from the plastics block 10 and has a screw- thread so that it can be closed by using a screw cap 8. A predetermined volume of liquid is dispensed from the container 1 by applying pressure, such as squeezing, to the storage chamber 2 which forces liquid to move through the gap 6 and up the channel 4 into the dispensing chamber 3. When the dispensing chamber 3 contains the required volume of liquid the screw cap 8 covering the dispensing means

13 can be removed and the predetermined volume of liquid can be poured out. During the pouring process the liquid in the storage chamber 2 and in the dispensing chamber 3 flows away from the channel 4 which ensures that no further liquid travels up the channel 4 as the dispensing chamber 3 is emptied.

The container 1 is filled through the dispensing means 13 and in a reverse process to that of dispensing liquid runs down the channel 4 into the storage reservoir 2.

In manufacture of the dispensing container 1 the edge seams 9, the separating seam 12, the channel seam 11 and the crease 5 are all formed by the welding together of pieces of plastics material. This operation can be done in a single operation with the plastics block 10 containing the dispensing means 13 in place or, alternatively, the welding can be carried out in stages.

Figures 3 and 3a show another embodiment of the invention where like parts are given the same numerical reference.

In this embodiment channel 4 connects the storage chamber 2 with the dispensing chamber 3. The channel 4 has an opening 6 near to the top of the storage chamber 2 and an opening 7 near to the top of the dispensing chamber 3. The positioning of these openings allows liquid from the storage chamber to be taken through the channel 4 and also stops any flow back from the dispensing chamber 3 until it is full.

An aperture 16 is provided in the edge seam 9 at the end of the channel 4 adjacent the opening 7 near the top of the dispensing chamber 3.

The container 1 is filled by inserting a nozzle or a funnel into the aperture 16 in the edge seam 9, when the storage chamber 2 is full the funnel or nozzle can be removed and the aperture 16 can be sealed by welding or an adhesive to provide a liquid tight edge seam 9.

Figure 4 and 4a show a further embodiment of the container of the present invention in which like parts are given the same numerical reference.

In this embodiment channel 4 is extended to a point close to the lower end of storage chamber 2 and runs parallel with a vertical side of the container 1 and is defined by a seam 11. The channel 4 has an opening 6 near the bottom of the storage chamber 2 and an opening 7 near the top of the dispensing chamber 3. The positioning of these openings allows the last drops of the liquid from the storage chamber to be taken up the channel and also stops any flow back from the dispensing chamber 3 until it is full.

Claims

1. A non-rigid flexible container used to dispense predetermined volumes of liquid having a unitary construction and comprising a first chamber and a second chamber having a dividing wall therebetween to isolate the chambers one from the other and an integral channel between a region of the first chamber and a region of the second chamber, said first chamber having a dispensing means, means being provided for closing said dispensing means when not in use.

2. An container according to claim 1 wherein the integral channel extends from a region of the first chamber remote from the dividing wall to a region of the second chamber adjacent the dividing wall.

3. A container according to claim 1 wherein the integral channel extends from a region of the first chamber remote from the dividing wall to a region of the second chamber remote from the dividing wall.

4. A container according to any one of claims 1-3 wherein a means of filling the container is provided.

5. The container according to claim 4 wherein the means for filling the container is in the first chamber opposite to the end of the integral channel.

6. The container according to either of claims 4 or 5 wherein the means for filling the container is an unseamed portion of the top edge of the container forming an aperture in the edge seam.

7. The container according to claim 6 wherein the aperture is of a size suitable for a nozzle or a funnel to be inserted therein.

8. The container according to any preceding claim formed from two sheets of a non rigid plastics material joined around the edges by seams.

9. The container according to any one of claims 1-7 formed from a single folded sheet of non-rigid plastics material joined around the edges by seams.

10. The container according to any preceding claim wherein the dividing wall between the containers is formed by a first liquid resistant seam.

11. The container according to any preceding claim wherein the integral channel connecting the chambers is formed along one vertical edge of the container by a second liquid resistant seam which runs parallel with a side edge of the container at a given distance from the edge.

12. The container according to claim 10 wherein the second liquid resistant seam forms a T-junction with the dividing wall between the chambers.

13. The container according to any preceding claim wherein the integral channel is provided with a crease along the centre of its length.

14. The container according to any preceding claim wherein a tuck is provided in the base of the second chamber between the two pieces of run rigid plastics material.

15. The container according to claim 14 wherein the tuck is formed from a separate piece of plastics material.

16. The container according to claim 15 wherein the tuck is an extension of one or both pieces of plastics material from which the container is formed.

17. The container according to any preceding claim wherein the dispensing means is positioned in a corner of the first chamber remote from the dividing wall.

18. The container according to any preceding claim wherein the dispensing means comprises a block of plastics material sealed into an aperture in the first chamber and having a closable outlet communicating with the first chamber.

19. The container according to any one of claims 1-17 wherein the dispensing means is a closable tube sealed into an aperture in the first chamber.

20. The container according to claim 18 or 19 wherein the aperture is in the edge seam of the first chamber.

21. The container according to any preceding claim wherein the dispensing means is positioned remote from the integral channel.

22. A method of manufacturing the dispensing container according to claim 1 wherein two layers of a non-rigid thermoplastic material having a dispensing means positioned therebetween are formed into the said container by sealing the layers together along lines defining the edge portions of the container along a line to form the dividing wall defining the said chambers and along a line defining the channel between the chambers.

23. The method according to claim 22 wherein an aperture is left in the edge seam in the first chamber opposite the end of the channel situated which aperture is sealed after the container has been filled.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 27 wherein the sealing and formation of the dividing wall and channel seam is carried out by welding.

25. The method according to claim 24 wherein the welding is a single operation.

26. The method according to claim 22 or 23 wherein the sealing and formation of the dividing wall and channel seams is carried out by use of an adhesive.

27. The method according to claim 23-26 wherein the aperture is sealed by welding or use of an adhesive when the container has been fitted.