WO2001079072A1 - Bag-in-box container for liquids - Google Patents

Bag-in-box container for liquids Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001079072A1
WO2001079072A1 PCT/US2001/012197 US0112197W WO0179072A1 WO 2001079072 A1 WO2001079072 A1 WO 2001079072A1 US 0112197 W US0112197 W US 0112197W WO 0179072 A1 WO0179072 A1 WO 0179072A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
box
bag
interior bottom
hquid
slope
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/012197
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Kendall L. Yorn
Frank L. Provenza
Original Assignee
Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc. filed Critical Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc.
Priority to US10/257,335 priority Critical patent/US6827237B2/en
Publication of WO2001079072A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001079072A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
    • B65D77/06—Liquids or semi-liquids or other materials or articles enclosed in flexible containers disposed within rigid containers
    • B65D77/062—Flexible containers disposed within polygonal containers formed by folding a carton blank
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
    • B65D77/06—Liquids or semi-liquids or other materials or articles enclosed in flexible containers disposed within rigid containers
    • B65D77/062—Flexible containers disposed within polygonal containers formed by folding a carton blank
    • B65D77/065—Spouts, pouring necks or discharging tubes fixed to or integral with the flexible container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2231/00—Means for facilitating the complete expelling of the contents
    • B65D2231/005—Means for facilitating the complete expelling of the contents the container being rigid
    • B65D2231/007—Funnels or the like
    • B65D2231/008—Funnels or the like integral with the container wall

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to an apparatus for containing and dispensing liquid. More specifically, this invention is directed to an improved box and bag for a bag-in-box apparatus.
  • bag-in-box packages In the field of post-mix beverage systems, an apparatus commonly known as a bag-in-box package is used to store and dispense beverages such as soft drinks.
  • bag-in-box packages comprise a collapsible bag or bladder disposed within a cardboard or plastic box.
  • the bag has a spout for filling the bag with liquid, and the spout protrudes through a wall of the box for dispensing the liquid from the bag, usually by connection to a pump.
  • One of the problems associated with such bag-in-box packages is that the bag collapses upon itself as the liquid is withdrawn, which tends to create pockets of liquid that are isolated from the spout and cannot be withdrawn from the bag. Thus, the residual portion of liquid remaining in the bag is wasted.
  • the bag of the '493 patent contains an elongated, narrow, flexible evacuation strip comprising a plurality of upstanding ribs.
  • the evacuation strip is attached to the inner surface of one of the bag walls.
  • a spout is disposed through a wall of the bag, and the evacuation strip is in liquid communication with the spout.
  • the ribs of the evacuation strip prevent the walls of the bag from isolating pockets of liquid from the spout.
  • the evacuation strip thus enables substantially complete withdrawal of the liquid from the bag.
  • the evacuation strip adds an extra complication to the bag manufacturing process.
  • this invention is directed to an improved box and bag of a bag-in-box apparatus for containing and dispensing liquids such as beverages.
  • the interior surface of the bottom of the box is preferably sloped or terraced downward toward the spout of the bag such that gravity helps feed the Hquid toward the spout.
  • the present invention reduces the amount of residual Hquid as the Hquid is withdrawn from the bag.
  • the primary intended appHcation of the present invention is in bag-in-box packages for containing and dispensing beverages, this invention may also be used to advantage in other Hquid dispensing appHcations.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a box in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the box of Fig. 1 having a coUapsible bag disposed therein.
  • Fig. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the box of Fig. 1 having a collapsible bag disposed therein.
  • Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a box in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the box of Fig. 4 having a coUapsible bag disposed therein.
  • Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional bag- in-box package having a flat, horizontal bottom.
  • Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a bag-in-box package in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of an alternative bag-in- box package in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another alternative box in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 10 is a front elevational view of the box of Fig. 2 having an alternative coHapsible bag disposed therein.
  • Fig. 11 is a front elevational view of yet another box in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 12 is a front elevational view of still another box in accordance with the present invention having an alternative coHapsible bag disposed therein.
  • Fig. 13 is a perspective view of yet another alternative box in accordance with the present invention.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figs. 1-3, a preferred embodiment of this invention comprises a box 20 having an interior bottom surface that is sloped, preferably both lateraHy and longitudinaUy. That is, the interior bottom surface is sloped lateraHy along Hues 24 as depicted by arrows 26 and longitudinally along Hne 28 as depicted by arrows 30.
  • the exterior bottom surface 40 is flat (horizontal) Hke a conventional box.
  • Box 20 has a flap opening 22 for receiving a spout 12 of a coUapsible bag 10 disposed within box 20.
  • bag 10 and box 20 form a bag-in-box apparatus which is useful for containing and dispensing a Hquid such as a beverage (not shown).
  • a pump (not shown) is indirectly connected to spout 12 via a hose and connector (not shown) for dispensing the Hquid.
  • bag 10 wiU conform to the contour of the interior bottom surface of box 20, and bag 10 is oriented inside box 20 such that spout 12 is located at or near the lowest point of the interior bottom surface of box 20.
  • gravity causes the Hquid to seek the lowest point in box 20 (i.e., spout 12), which assists in withdrawal of the Hquid.
  • the term "lateral” denotes a direction generaUy transverse to spout 12
  • 'longitudinal denotes a direction generaUy paraUel to spout 12.
  • Pi + 2 pV ⁇ 2 P 2 + fcpW 8 Eq. [1] .
  • P static pressure
  • p the density of the Hquid (which is assumed to be constant)
  • V the velocity of the Hquid
  • subscripts 1 and 2 represent two different locations in the Hquid.
  • HpV 2 represents the dynamic pressure at a particular point in the Hquid. If point 2 is chosen at spout 12 and point 1 is chosen at a location in the fluid remote from spout 12, one may assume that V2»V ⁇ , and Eq. [1] simplifies to
  • Equation [2] indicates that the static pressure at spout 12 is lower than at other locations in the Hquid, which draws the Hquid toward spout 12.
  • Figures 6 and 7 illustrate another advantage of the present invention in providing improved flow of Hquid.
  • Figure 6 depicts a conventional box 100 with a horizontal interior bottom surface containing a certain volume of Hquid 50 in a bag (not shown)
  • Fig. 7 depicts a box 20 with a sloped interior bottom surface 24, 28 in accordance with the present invention containing the same volume of Hquid 50 as Fig. 6 in a bag (not shown).
  • the height ( ⁇ h.2) of the Hquid 50 above spout 12 in the sloped box 20 of Fig. 7 is greater than the height ( ⁇ hi) of the Hquid 50 above spout 12 in the conventional box 100 of Fig. 6.
  • Pref is the static pressure at a reference level in the Hquid
  • p is the density of the Hquid (which is assumed to be constant)
  • V is the velocity of the Hquid
  • g is the gravitational constant
  • h is the difference in height of the Hquid from the reference level down to the level of interest
  • subscripts 1 and 2 represent two different locations in the Hquid. If point 1 is chosen at the top of the Hquid 50 above spout 12 and point 2 is chosen at spout 12, then N2»V ⁇ and Eq. [3] simplifies to
  • ⁇ h I hi - 1121 is the height of the head of Hquid 50 above spout 12.
  • ⁇ I12 in Fig. 7 is greater than ⁇ hi in Fig. 6, the flow at spout 12 is better (i.e., has a higher velocity) in the configuration of Fig. 7 than in the configuration of Fig. 6 for the same volume of Hquid in the container.
  • the sloped design of Fig. 7 also serves to delay the coUapse of the bag untU substantiaUy aU of the Hquid is withdrawn.
  • the opening of spout 12 should be at or below the lowest point on the interior bottom surface of box 20.
  • the longitudinal and lateral sloping of the interior bottom surface of box 20 may be accompHshed by sloping the box itself (i.e., an integral structure) or by adding an insert inside the box.
  • the insert or box bottom could be made of a variety of materials, such as fiberboard, corrugate, wood, plastic, metal, fiberglass, expanded foam, or any other suitable material, which could be recycled or virgin.
  • the sloped interior bottom surface of box 20 may be replaced with several alternative configurations.
  • the interior bottom surface of box 120 may comprise terraces 34.
  • the interior bottom surface of the box may comprise curves 132, 134 as shown on box 130 of Fig. 8, fans 142 as shown on box 140 of Fig. 9, corrugations 152 as shown on box 150 of Fig. 11, or beams 162 as shown on box 160 of Fig. 12.
  • the foregoing types of box bottom structure may be combined in various combinations for the interior bottom surface of the box, and any given type of structure may have any desirable number of slopes, terraces, curves, fans, corrugations, or beams, as the case may be.
  • the exterior bottom surface of the box wiU be substantiaUy planar and horizontal during use for the sake of simpHcity and compatibility with conventional horizontal shelves or racks
  • the exterior bottom surface of the box may have any desirable configuration so long as the interior bottom surface of the box is configured so as to urge a Hquid contained in a coUapsible bag disposed within the box toward the bag spout under the influence of gravity due to a difference in elevation on the interior bottom surface.
  • a stiffener 114 may be provided along the top surface of the bag 110 as shown in Fig. 10. As the Hquid is withdrawn from bag 110, stiffener 114 graduaUy approaches the bottom of box 20, and the outer edges of stiffener 114 eventually come to rest upon slopes 24 leaving a gap between stiffener 114 and the bottom of bag 110 so that Hquid may pass through spout 12. Stiffener 114 may be provided on the interior of the top of bag 110 as shown in Fig. 10, or stiffener 214 may be provided on the exterior of bag 210 as shown inside box 160 of Fig. 12. Such a stiffener, which could be integral to the bag itself or a separate member attached to the bag by suitable means such as heat seaHng or adhesive, may be used to advantage in conjunction with any type of box bottom as disclosed herein.
  • Figure 13 illustrates a box 170 having beams 172 on its interior bottom surface. Beams 172 stop short of spout 12 to form a coUection zone 80 in the vicinity of spout 12 to assist in the withdrawal of Hquid from the bag (not shown). As an additional safeguard against the coUapse of the bag, the top of the bag (not shown) may be attached to the top of the box 170 using a suitable means of attachment 70, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, or adhesives.
  • a suitable means of attachment 70 such as hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, or adhesives.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Abstract

This invention is directed to an improved bag-in-box apparatus for containing and dispensing liquids such as beverages. The interior surface of the bottom of the box (20) is preferably sloped downward toward the spout (12) of the bag (10) such that gravity helps feed the liquid toward the spout (12). In lieu of or in conjunction with slopes, the interior bottom surface of the box (120, 130, 150, 140, 160) may have terraces (34), curves (132, 134), corrugations (152), fan-like ridges (142), or beams (162). The present invention thereby reduces the amount of residual liquid as the liquid is withdrawn from the bag (10) without the need for an evacuation strip or a special slanted rack. Although the primary intended application of the present invention is in bag-in-box packages for containing and dispensing beverages, this invention may also be used to advantage in other liquid dispensing applications.

Description

TITLE: BAG-IN-BOX CONTAINER FOR LIQUIDS INVENTORS: KENDALL L. YORN and FRANK L. PROVENZA
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Application Serial No. 60/197,026 filed on April 13, 2000. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to an apparatus for containing and dispensing liquid. More specifically, this invention is directed to an improved box and bag for a bag-in-box apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the field of post-mix beverage systems, an apparatus commonly known as a bag-in-box package is used to store and dispense beverages such as soft drinks. Typically, such bag-in-box packages comprise a collapsible bag or bladder disposed within a cardboard or plastic box. The bag has a spout for filling the bag with liquid, and the spout protrudes through a wall of the box for dispensing the liquid from the bag, usually by connection to a pump. One of the problems associated with such bag-in-box packages is that the bag collapses upon itself as the liquid is withdrawn, which tends to create pockets of liquid that are isolated from the spout and cannot be withdrawn from the bag. Thus, the residual portion of liquid remaining in the bag is wasted. One possible solution to the foregoing problem is to place an evacuation strip inside the bag as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,493 to Boone et al. The bag of the '493 patent contains an elongated, narrow, flexible evacuation strip comprising a plurality of upstanding ribs. The evacuation strip is attached to the inner surface of one of the bag walls. A spout is disposed through a wall of the bag, and the evacuation strip is in liquid communication with the spout. As the bag collapses upon withdrawal of the liquid through the spout, the ribs of the evacuation strip prevent the walls of the bag from isolating pockets of liquid from the spout. The evacuation strip thus enables substantially complete withdrawal of the liquid from the bag. However, the evacuation strip adds an extra complication to the bag manufacturing process.
Another possible attempt to solve the problem of incomplete withdrawal of the Hquid from such bag-in-box packages is to place the packages on slanted racks. By orienting the package such that the spout is at the lowest possible point, gravity will assist in forcing the liquid toward the spout. However, the need for a special slanted rack is a disadvantage to such an arrangement.
In light of the foregoing disadvantages, it would be a significant advancement in the art of hquid dispensing to provide a bag-in-box package that would enable substantially complete withdrawal of the hquid from the container without the use of an evacuation strip or a slanted rack.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, this invention is directed to an improved box and bag of a bag-in-box apparatus for containing and dispensing liquids such as beverages. The interior surface of the bottom of the box is preferably sloped or terraced downward toward the spout of the bag such that gravity helps feed the Hquid toward the spout. In this manner, the present invention reduces the amount of residual Hquid as the Hquid is withdrawn from the bag. Although the primary intended appHcation of the present invention is in bag-in-box packages for containing and dispensing beverages, this invention may also be used to advantage in other Hquid dispensing appHcations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS This invention may best be understood by reference to the fallowing drawings:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a box in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the box of Fig. 1 having a coUapsible bag disposed therein.
Fig. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the box of Fig. 1 having a collapsible bag disposed therein. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a box in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the box of Fig. 4 having a coUapsible bag disposed therein.
Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional bag- in-box package having a flat, horizontal bottom.
Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a bag-in-box package in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of an alternative bag-in- box package in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another alternative box in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 10 is a front elevational view of the box of Fig. 2 having an alternative coHapsible bag disposed therein.
Fig. 11 is a front elevational view of yet another box in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 12 is a front elevational view of still another box in accordance with the present invention having an alternative coHapsible bag disposed therein.
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of yet another alternative box in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figs. 1-3, a preferred embodiment of this invention comprises a box 20 having an interior bottom surface that is sloped, preferably both lateraHy and longitudinaUy. That is, the interior bottom surface is sloped lateraHy along Hues 24 as depicted by arrows 26 and longitudinally along Hne 28 as depicted by arrows 30. The exterior bottom surface 40 is flat (horizontal) Hke a conventional box. Box 20 has a flap opening 22 for receiving a spout 12 of a coUapsible bag 10 disposed within box 20. Together, bag 10 and box 20 form a bag-in-box apparatus which is useful for containing and dispensing a Hquid such as a beverage (not shown). TypicaUy, a pump (not shown) is indirectly connected to spout 12 via a hose and connector (not shown) for dispensing the Hquid. When fiUed with Hquid, bag 10 wiU conform to the contour of the interior bottom surface of box 20, and bag 10 is oriented inside box 20 such that spout 12 is located at or near the lowest point of the interior bottom surface of box 20. As the Hquid is withdrawn from bag 10, gravity causes the Hquid to seek the lowest point in box 20 (i.e., spout 12), which assists in withdrawal of the Hquid. As used herein, , the term "lateral" denotes a direction generaUy transverse to spout 12, and 'longitudinal" denotes a direction generaUy paraUel to spout 12.
Due to the lateral and longitudinal sloping of the interior surface of the bottom of box 20, the Hquid moves toward spout 12. The velocity of the Hquid at spout 12 wiU be greater than in other regions of the Hquid. This higher velocity creates a low pressure region which in turn pulls more Hquid toward spout 12 for improved drainage. This phenomenon is governed by the equation
Pi + 2pVι2 = P2 + fcpW8 Eq. [1] . where P represents static pressure, p represents the density of the Hquid (which is assumed to be constant), V represents the velocity of the Hquid, and subscripts 1 and 2 represent two different locations in the Hquid. The quantity HpV2 represents the dynamic pressure at a particular point in the Hquid. If point 2 is chosen at spout 12 and point 1 is chosen at a location in the fluid remote from spout 12, one may assume that V2»Vι, and Eq. [1] simplifies to
Figure imgf000006_0001
Equation [2] indicates that the static pressure at spout 12 is lower than at other locations in the Hquid, which draws the Hquid toward spout 12.
Figures 6 and 7 illustrate another advantage of the present invention in providing improved flow of Hquid. Figure 6 depicts a conventional box 100 with a horizontal interior bottom surface containing a certain volume of Hquid 50 in a bag (not shown), and Fig. 7 depicts a box 20 with a sloped interior bottom surface 24, 28 in accordance with the present invention containing the same volume of Hquid 50 as Fig. 6 in a bag (not shown). The height (Δh.2) of the Hquid 50 above spout 12 in the sloped box 20 of Fig. 7 is greater than the height (Δhi) of the Hquid 50 above spout 12 in the conventional box 100 of Fig. 6. This increased height increases the static pressure at spout 12, which results in better Hquid flow when the pump is activated and also delays the onset of starvation of the pump. This phenomenon is illustrated by the equation Pref + % p Vi2 + pghi = Pref + H p V2 2 + pgh2 Eq. [3]
where Pref is the static pressure at a reference level in the Hquid, p is the density of the Hquid (which is assumed to be constant), V is the velocity of the Hquid, g is the gravitational constant, h is the difference in height of the Hquid from the reference level down to the level of interest, and subscripts 1 and 2 represent two different locations in the Hquid. If point 1 is chosen at the top of the Hquid 50 above spout 12 and point 2 is chosen at spout 12, then N2»Vι and Eq. [3] simplifies to
Figure imgf000007_0001
where Δh = I hi - 1121 is the height of the head of Hquid 50 above spout 12. Thus, as Δh increases, the velocity at spout 12 increases. Because ΔI12 in Fig. 7 is greater than Δhi in Fig. 6, the flow at spout 12 is better (i.e., has a higher velocity) in the configuration of Fig. 7 than in the configuration of Fig. 6 for the same volume of Hquid in the container. The sloped design of Fig. 7 also serves to delay the coUapse of the bag untU substantiaUy aU of the Hquid is withdrawn.
To minimize the residual Hquid, the opening of spout 12 should be at or below the lowest point on the interior bottom surface of box 20. The longitudinal and lateral sloping of the interior bottom surface of box 20 may be accompHshed by sloping the box itself (i.e., an integral structure) or by adding an insert inside the box. The insert or box bottom could be made of a variety of materials, such as fiberboard, corrugate, wood, plastic, metal, fiberglass, expanded foam, or any other suitable material, which could be recycled or virgin.
The sloped interior bottom surface of box 20 may be replaced with several alternative configurations. For example, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the interior bottom surface of box 120 may comprise terraces 34. Alternatively, the interior bottom surface of the box may comprise curves 132, 134 as shown on box 130 of Fig. 8, fans 142 as shown on box 140 of Fig. 9, corrugations 152 as shown on box 150 of Fig. 11, or beams 162 as shown on box 160 of Fig. 12. Furthermore, the foregoing types of box bottom structure may be combined in various combinations for the interior bottom surface of the box, and any given type of structure may have any desirable number of slopes, terraces, curves, fans, corrugations, or beams, as the case may be. Although it is contemplated that the exterior bottom surface of the box wiU be substantiaUy planar and horizontal during use for the sake of simpHcity and compatibility with conventional horizontal shelves or racks, the exterior bottom surface of the box may have any desirable configuration so long as the interior bottom surface of the box is configured so as to urge a Hquid contained in a coUapsible bag disposed within the box toward the bag spout under the influence of gravity due to a difference in elevation on the interior bottom surface.
To further guard against the complete coUapse of the bag upon itself and the consequent trapping of residual Hquid inside the bag, a stiffener 114 may be provided along the top surface of the bag 110 as shown in Fig. 10. As the Hquid is withdrawn from bag 110, stiffener 114 graduaUy approaches the bottom of box 20, and the outer edges of stiffener 114 eventually come to rest upon slopes 24 leaving a gap between stiffener 114 and the bottom of bag 110 so that Hquid may pass through spout 12. Stiffener 114 may be provided on the interior of the top of bag 110 as shown in Fig. 10, or stiffener 214 may be provided on the exterior of bag 210 as shown inside box 160 of Fig. 12. Such a stiffener, which could be integral to the bag itself or a separate member attached to the bag by suitable means such as heat seaHng or adhesive, may be used to advantage in conjunction with any type of box bottom as disclosed herein.
Figure 13 illustrates a box 170 having beams 172 on its interior bottom surface. Beams 172 stop short of spout 12 to form a coUection zone 80 in the vicinity of spout 12 to assist in the withdrawal of Hquid from the bag (not shown). As an additional safeguard against the coUapse of the bag, the top of the bag (not shown) may be attached to the top of the box 170 using a suitable means of attachment 70, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, or adhesives.
Although the foregoing specific details describe a preferred embodiment of this invention, persons reasonably skiUed in the art of Hquid dispensing wiU recognize that various changes may be made in the details of the apparatus of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, it should be understood that this invention is not to be Hmited to the specific details shown and described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:
1. A box for receiving a coUapsible bag, the bag having a spout and being capable of containing and dispensing a Hquid, said box comprising: an interior bottom surface for supporting the coUapsible bag, said interior bottom surface comprising a first location and a second location, there being a difference in elevation between said first and second locations; and a waU adjacent said interior bottom surface, said waU having an opening for receiving the spout of the coUapsible bag; wherein a Hquid contained in the coUapsible bag wiU be urged toward the spout under the influence of gravity due to said difference in elevation.
2. The box of claim 1 wherein said interior bottom surface comprises at least one slope.
3. The box of claim 2 wherein said at least one slope comprises a lateral slope.
4. The box of claim 2 wherein said at least one slope comprises a longitudinal slope.
5. The box of claim 2 wherein said at least one slope comprises a lateral slope and a longitudinal slope.
6. The box of claim 1 wherein said interior bottom surface comprises at least one terrace.
7. The box of claim 1 wherein said interior bottom surface comprises at least one curved portion.
8. The box of claim 1 wherein said interior bottom surface comprises at least one corrugation.
9. The box of claim 1 wherein said interior bottom surface comprises at least one fan.
10. The box of claim 1 wherein said interior bottom surface comprises at least one beam.
11. The box of claim 1 wherein said interior bottom surface is integral to said box.
12. The box of claim 1 wherein said interior bottom surface is provided by an insert to said box.
13. The box of claim 1 further comprising a substantiaUy horizontal exterior bottom surface.
14. The box of claim 1 wherein said difference in elevation aUows substantiaUy complete withdrawal of Hquid from the coUapsible bag.
15. A bag-in-box apparatus for containing and dispensing a Hquid, said apparatus comprising: a coUapsible bag having a spout; and a box comprising an interior bottom surface having a first location and a second location, there being a difference in elevation between said first and second locations, said box further comprising a waU adjacent said interior bottom surface, said waU having an opening therein, said coUapsible bag being disposed within said box, said spout being disposed through said opening in said wall; wherein a Hquid contained in said coUapsible bag wiU be urged toward said spout under the influence of gravity due to said difference in elevation.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said interior bottom surface comprises at least one slope.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said at least one slope comprises a lateral slope.
18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said at least one slope comprises a longitud nal slope.
19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said at least one slope comprises a lateral slope and a longitudinal slope.
20. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said interior bottom surface comprises at least one terrace.
21. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said interior bottom surface comprises at least one curved portion.
22. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said interior bottom surface comprises at least one corrugation.
23. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said interior bottom surface comprises at least one fan.
24. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said interior bottom surface comprises at least one beam.
25. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said interior bottom surface is integral to said box.
26. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said interior bottom surface is provided by an insert to said box.
27. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said box further comprises a substantiaUy horizontal exterior bottom surface.
28. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said difference in elevation aUows substantiaUy complete withdrawal of Hquid from said coUapsible bag.
29. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said bag comprises a stiffener that cooperates with said interior bottom surface as said bag coUapses to allow substantiaUy complete withdrawal of Hquid from said bag.
30. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said box has a top and said bag is attached to said top.
PCT/US2001/012197 2000-04-13 2001-04-13 Bag-in-box container for liquids WO2001079072A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/257,335 US6827237B2 (en) 2000-04-13 2001-04-13 Bag-in-box container for liquids

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US19702600P 2000-04-13 2000-04-13
US60/197,026 2000-04-13
CA002407375A CA2407375C (en) 2000-04-13 2002-10-10 Bag-in-box container for liquids

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Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004063086A1 (en) * 2002-12-13 2004-07-29 Paul Boudier Heat exchanger for a supple receptacle
EP1394070A3 (en) * 2002-08-21 2005-03-30 ALSECCO BAUCHEMISCHE PRODUKTE GmbH & Co. KG Disposable container
EP2322468A1 (en) * 2009-11-11 2011-05-18 Alfa Klebstoffe AG Method and device for introducing gas into a container containing an adhesiv, and coupling element
FR2966810A1 (en) * 2010-10-29 2012-05-04 Beissier S A S Disposable container for containing e.g. paint, in e.g. construction field, has support inclined from upper part of casing to discharge port, and structure including plates cooperating with each other to form frame for receiving support
EP2535284A1 (en) * 2011-06-17 2012-12-19 DS Smith Packaging France Container for powdery, granular, liquid or paste-like product
FR2986521A1 (en) * 2012-02-02 2013-08-09 Dominique Perrier Ets Support device for accommodating bag-in box container used to store and preserve wine, has reception zones defined by configuration of edges of device, where one of edges includes shoulders arranged in staircase from outside toward interior
WO2017116473A1 (en) * 2015-12-31 2017-07-06 Bemis Company, Inc. Self-venting bag-in-box package
CN113195364A (en) * 2018-12-11 2021-07-30 诺力昂化学品国际有限公司 Method for packaging particulate materials, pastes or gels

Families Citing this family (1)

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US11485536B2 (en) 2020-02-14 2022-11-01 Georgia-Pacific Corrugated Llc Multi piece corrugated box assemblies, blanks, and systems for heavy bag in box dispensed products

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US6223944B1 (en) * 1994-03-14 2001-05-01 John P. Gehl Device for dispensing flowable material from a flexible package

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US3198390A (en) * 1962-04-30 1965-08-03 John H Beckman Insulated container having a disposable bag therein anchored to its discharge tube
US4165024A (en) * 1977-09-09 1979-08-21 Cato Oil And Grease Co. Bulk shipping container
US5148939A (en) * 1989-02-25 1992-09-22 Soltralentz S.A. Container for storing and transporting a liquid
US5566851A (en) * 1990-04-11 1996-10-22 Dai Nippon Insatsu Kabushiki Kaisha Liquid container and mouth thereof
US5186359A (en) * 1990-04-23 1993-02-16 Brown Donald A Method and apparatus for dispensing flowable hair products
US6223944B1 (en) * 1994-03-14 2001-05-01 John P. Gehl Device for dispensing flowable material from a flexible package
US5743435A (en) * 1996-07-10 1998-04-28 Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc. Bag-in-box and method and apparatus for making the same

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1394070A3 (en) * 2002-08-21 2005-03-30 ALSECCO BAUCHEMISCHE PRODUKTE GmbH & Co. KG Disposable container
EP1736419A1 (en) * 2002-08-21 2006-12-27 ALSECCO BAUCHEMISCHE PRODUKTE GmbH & Co. KG Disposable container
WO2004063086A1 (en) * 2002-12-13 2004-07-29 Paul Boudier Heat exchanger for a supple receptacle
EP2322468A1 (en) * 2009-11-11 2011-05-18 Alfa Klebstoffe AG Method and device for introducing gas into a container containing an adhesiv, and coupling element
WO2011057418A1 (en) 2009-11-11 2011-05-19 Alfa Klebstoffe Ag Method and device for exposing an adhesive contained in a container to a gas, and coupling element
FR2966810A1 (en) * 2010-10-29 2012-05-04 Beissier S A S Disposable container for containing e.g. paint, in e.g. construction field, has support inclined from upper part of casing to discharge port, and structure including plates cooperating with each other to form frame for receiving support
EP2535284A1 (en) * 2011-06-17 2012-12-19 DS Smith Packaging France Container for powdery, granular, liquid or paste-like product
FR2976569A1 (en) * 2011-06-17 2012-12-21 Ds Smith Packaging France CONTAINER FOR PULVERULENT, GRANULAR, PASTY OR LIQUID PRODUCT
FR2986521A1 (en) * 2012-02-02 2013-08-09 Dominique Perrier Ets Support device for accommodating bag-in box container used to store and preserve wine, has reception zones defined by configuration of edges of device, where one of edges includes shoulders arranged in staircase from outside toward interior
WO2017116473A1 (en) * 2015-12-31 2017-07-06 Bemis Company, Inc. Self-venting bag-in-box package
US10569950B2 (en) 2015-12-31 2020-02-25 Bemis Company, Inc. Self-venting bag-in-box package
CN113195364A (en) * 2018-12-11 2021-07-30 诺力昂化学品国际有限公司 Method for packaging particulate materials, pastes or gels
CN113195364B (en) * 2018-12-11 2023-09-22 诺力昂化学品国际有限公司 Method for packaging particulate material, paste or gel

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CA2407375C (en) 2006-12-05

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