WO2014009700A1

WO2014009700A1 - A fluid container and a valve for a fluid container

Info

Publication number: WO2014009700A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/051782
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan Joseph Green
Original assignee: Green Alan J
Priority date: 2012-07-07
Filing date: 2013-07-05
Publication date: 2014-01-16
Also published as: US20150151882A1

Abstract

A fluid container (2) comprises a flexible bag (4) and supporting elements attached externally to the bag wall that enable it to be freestanding and held tilted by the user without overspill. These elements comprise a semi rigid base (6) and a supporting handle (8) formed joined to the base. Adhesive tape (24) surrounds the assembly thereby joining the components together and strengthening the bag wall. A valve that comprises two longitudinal pressure member (30), (32) configured in opposition to each other may also be attached externally, across a top corner of the bag.

Description

A Fluid Container and a valve for a Fluid Container

The present invention relates to flexible fluid containers in the consumer market place, that are particularly, but not exclusively, low cost, low weight, fluid containers for containing flow-able agents that are generally sold from shop shelves.

Many liquids such as milk, juice, disinfectant, detergents etc. are typically sold to consumers in blown or shape formed semi-rigid plastic bottles (often formed from high-density polyethylene (HDPE)). One problem with such containers is that they require a relatively large quantity of plastic material which can be wasteful and can increase the total raw material cost, transportation costs and hence the overall environmental impact of the container. In particular, in view of the ubiquitous nature of such containers in the marketplace even relatively small savings on raw material costs and weight can result in significant financial and environmental benefits.

Another problem with existing containers is that they are typically semi- rigid. This also means that, when empty, the container takes up more space than is required. Although such containers can be compacted down for rubbish disposal, this is not always a viable option. For instance, this can be a problem in a domestic environment, where rubbish bins have a limited size. Furthermore, this can also be a particular problem for high volume users of such containers in the commercial market (for example, in city centre cafes where large quantities of milk containers are used but no, or minimal, compacting facilities exist). Using containers formed as bags, that are easily flattened when empty, solves this problem but introduces other disadvantages of handling and pouring that are sometimes solved by inserting the bag into a jug.

A further inconvenience of some containers is the difficulty of initial opening of them, especially by the senior consumer, this is addressed by the current invention.

Very lightweight bag containers constructed from lighter flaccid webs are proneto puncture, especially at fluid depth, in the lower part of the container, and also cannot hold normal valves that give a good pour stream. When used with higher fluid volumes, for example, more than one litre, they are subject to distortion of thefluid column leading to instability.

The provision of a valve, for attachment to lightweight containers of flaccid wall format, one that can suit pillow pack top formatted bags from which fluid can be poured from a top corner, enables a new useful package.

Such valves require to have a secure re-seal such that they do not open on accidental shock, ie. dropping of the container.

It is known to supply 'bag clips to seal flexible bags. The application or fixed attachment of such clips to a flexible bag, to be used for pouring fluids, creates problems to overcome.

A particular problem for the design of such a disposable valve, rather than a re-useable valve, applied to the exterior surface of a bag, is that of producing a lightweight, low cost structure that is easy opening, can be operated by one hand of the user and that enables a good flow of pouring liquid.

Furthermore, on occasion, internal adhesion forces in the container may prevent the walls from separating to form a pouring configuration, the valve herein disclosed is designed to actively separate the container walls, on being opened.

There is a very large industry and many different types of valve and the provision of the valve, disclosed herein, enables a low cost pouring flexible container to be constructed especially when combined with the tilt grip user ergonomics and the robust base of the new disclosed container format.

The problem of using thicker webs is that the strength and penetration resistance is mostly required only in the lower part of the container, using adhesive tape provides an engineering solution that provides this and avoids unnecessary weight.

A user grip means or handle is disclosed, with a vectored strength, to reduce weight and enable stacking of the containers, rather than to be thick all over, and yet to be easily crushable by the user for disposal. The problems of supporting a weighty column of fluid in a thin walled flexible crushable container bag is that of the effect of the movement of the fluid that affects the wall and disturbs it away from a natural stable circular configuration and that of the lack of rigidity of the material in contact with the supporting surface at the container base plus the lack of rigidity for a pouring handle to influence tilting of the container base. Such flexible containers may be constructed of a heavier wall material and can stand upright but do tend to be unstable when empty or when they are compressed at the base or when they are required to stand on uneven surfaces such as the transport cages used in many places that comprise grid like shelves to enable easy washing down and chill permeation of the containers therein.

The invention disclosed herein overcomes these deficiencies by proposing a new hybrid product that for the first time combines a firm pre-formed base with a bag and a jug type handle held together with an overlying tape that offers a localised advantage to toughen the container lower parts and sandwiches an extension of the handle portion between the tape and the wall to give the required stiffness for tilting the

container, without the added weight of adding overall wall thickness. A complimentary new type of valve is also disclosed.

In this patent the words 'adhesive tape' mean any film, label or web that is applied to the substrate with adhesive or has adhesive on its structure. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a a fluid container comprising a flexible bag portion for receiving fluid therein;

a more rigid base portion, that comprises longitudinally orientated upwardly extending walls, attached to the flexible bag portion such that the fluid container is able to stand upright in said base portion;

and

a longitudinal reinforcing support member extending between an upper and a lower portion of the bag,

and

a handle portion adapted to allow the fluid to be selectively poured from the container when a fluid pouring aperture is created in the flexible bag portion of the container,

and adhesive tape applied over the base portion and flexible bag such that they are joined together.

Preferably the adhesive tape also covers the handle portion.

Preferably the base portion is a separate part applied to the bag.

Preferably the handle portion comprises a reinforcing support member extending between an upper and a lower portion of the flexible bag portion. Preferably the container further comprises adhesive tape applied around the outside of the base portion and the reinforcing support member. Preferably the handle portion is attached to the outer surface of the flexible bag portion such that a middle portion of the handle member remains unattached to the fluid container to thereby provide an aperture for a user's fingers to pass there-through.

Preferably the reinforcing support member is formed as a channel Preferably the fluid container further comprises a baffle arrangement adapted to reduce tendency for fluid movement within the container. Preferably the baffle arrangement comprises a join provided between opposite walls of the bag portion and wherein the join extends partly across the width of the fluid container.

Preferably the base portion comprises a reinforcement tray adapted to receive and support a lower part of the flexible bag portion therein.

Preferably the base portion is attached to the reinforcing member.

Preferably the base portion is attached to the reinforcing support member by adhesive tape that overlies the outer surfaces.

The fluid container is technically suited for use with the valve described herein.

The container preferably comprises a flexible bag characterised as comprising a top format as in a pillow pack construction, for example a single top seal .

Constructing a lightweight bag that is able to compete in performance with blown and injected plastic containers is a considerable challenge and confers the ecological advantages and facilitates a format that is even more easily crushable by the user than existing lightweight containers of blown or injected form.

Optionally the support member comprises corrugations or folds

orientated along its length, thus the support member may be folded and be re-straightened providing some stiffness across the fold line in an antero- posterior direction.

Preferably the handle is formed as part of a support member.

Preferably the support member is fixedly related to the base portion. Optionally the support member is integral to the base portion.

Preferably the fluid container bag comprises a circular periphery.

Preferably the base portion comprises a circular periphery that matches the periphery of the fluid container bag.

Preferably support means are attached to the exterior surface of the container bag.

Optionally adhesive tape is applied to the exterior of the container walls. Preferably there is provided a circular band of adhesive tape that overlies and encompasses the base part and the handles.

Optionally there are strengthened zones created on the exterior surface of the bag, for eg. adhesive tape application, such that external penetration resistance is enhanced.

Optionally the user handle is formed, at least partly along its length, as an open channel or corrugation thus providing a comfortable surface area for the users hand and thus can be constructed speedily by pressure moulding from a thin gauge plastic. This format provides sufficient flexural resistance for tilting the filled container, when overlaid with adhesive tape and sandwiched between the tape and the container wall, with one hand while being easily bent by the users two hands on disposal. This format of construction avoids the need for extrusion or injection moulding and facilitates on site 'Just in time ' rapid forming in keeping with the production speeds of under 2 sees, per unit. Preferably a portion of the handle part upstream of the grip section and preferably under the adhesive tape, is of planar or reduced section, thus enabling easy folding when crushed.

The handle has strength in the antero-posterior direction but above the initial fluid level it requires strength, mostly laterally, to direct the fluid pour configuration.

Optionally the handle comprises a hinging or bending means, for example a reduced dimension or notch, created in the antero-posterior direction, adjacent to or near to its top extremity such that it may be folded by the user thus enabling the top of the container to be flattened down for space saving in transit.

Preferably the flexible bag is inserted inside a shallow formed, relatively rigid base tray, the base tray having upright walls, for example, of about 30mm.

Preferably the base comprises a recess slot in its floor in order to facilitate engagement with a turning means during assembly, not shown. The slot is longitudinally aligned with long axis of the handle such that the base will easily fold over the handle when the container is empty. According to a second aspect of the invention there is described a valve for controlling fluid flow from out of the container, that is technically especially suited to work with the container of the first aspect.

The valve is comprised of at least two pressure members that are spaced in opposition to each other, one on each side of the container, the container is further characterised in that the valve pressure members are joined at one end of the valve and on being urged to open become spaced, on a divergent pathway, at the other end.

Preferably an upstream portion of the valve members are adhesively attached to the container wall. Preferably the valve comprises a transverse actuating member, the actuating member extending laterally from a first pressure member and crossing the longitudinal vector of a second pressure member.

Preferably the actuating member of the valve comprises interference means that interfere with the second pressure member such that the valve can be held open or closed.

Preferably the valve actuating member crosses through a perforation in an extended portion of the second member.

Preferably the container is comprised of a bag that further has a handle and a base attached to its exterior.

Optionally the valve is attached to the bag portion during manufacture of the fluid container and operated during use to selectively close and open the pressure members on a divergent pathway to control the fluid pouring aperture of the flexible bag portion.

Optionally the valve pressure members are attached together by a hinge means.

Optionally the valve pressure member comprise hinge or flex means.

Optionally the valve is attached to the container wall by adhesive means.

Optionally the valve pressure members are separate components that are attached on opposite sides of the bag wall.

Optionally the valve is adhesively attached to the container over at least the lower part of the inside surface of at least one pressure member.

Optionally the valve comprises a pressure member that is attached to the container wall by overlying adhesive tape.

Optionally the valve is attached to the container wall by welding or fusing.

Preferably the valve members comprise hinge or flex means such that they can become spaced from the container bag wall. Optionally the container wall is pre weakened or cut through to form a pouring aperture and the adhesive tape overlies the valve and seals the aperture, preferably tape being applied on both sides of the container wall.

Optionally the adhesive tape overlying the valve is easily tear-able tape, for example BOPP tape.

Preferably the overlying tape comprises a tear notch.

Optionally the bag comprises a fluid exit, for pouring fluid, that is pre- cut during manufacture, the valve sealing the fluid exit up-stream.

Optionally the valve pressure members are attached to the bag by hinge means or comprise hinge means such that they rotate in an arc during function.

Preferably the aforesaid valve comprises a transverse actuating member that is an extension from a first pressure member and that during use extends laterally across a second pressure member and interferes with the second pressure member or an extension of the second member on closure, to create a catch means to obtain secure closure.

Preferably on opening, the first valve member interferes with the second member extension to maintain an open configuration.

Optionally the transverse actuating member is formed as a channel, a portion of which temporarily deforms to allow it passage through a perforation in an extension of the second member and then the walls rebound to interfere with the sides of the perforation to form a catch means.

Alternatively the actuating arm is deflected to form an acute angle with the first member by interference from the inside top of the perforation thus maintaining catch function of extensions under the actuating arm that engage the top of the lower inside surface of the perforation. Preferably the second pressure member extends longitudinally beyond the first pressure member such that a finger grip means is created that enables squeezing action of two user fingers together to open the valve. Optionally the bag comprises an internal fluid pocket or catchment area, bounded by welding or fusing the walls upstream of the fluid exit, such that on tilting the bag fluid enters and fills the catchment area.

Subsequently, with the valve closed, a predetermined dose of fluid is poured out of the bag on opening the valve, the bounded walls

preventing the main body of fluid from outpouring.

This valve can be attached to any suitably formed bag that contains fluid and for the first time enables a very low cost and lightweight

freestanding container with an ergonomic re-closure, to be lifted to tilt and pour fluid.

The transverse actuator of the disclosed valve is a new feature that creates and maintains the open aperture.

This valve is especially effective to produce a very lightweight pack when used in combination with the bag container disclosed here-in.

Furthermore the valve may be constructed from very thin sheet material in a rapid pressure forming process with very little material waste

The valve herein described enables a lower cost and more ergonomic pouring format for fluids than for example for fluids that are supplied as bag in box or as flexibles with taps sited on the base.

In the description, and claims, the term "fluid" means any substance which has fluidic characteristics and includes for example, liquids and granulated powders which are able to flow in a fluid-like manner and the term 'bag' means any flexible fluid container that comprises a pillow pack format at its top end.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams, in which:- Fig. 1 is an illustration of a fluid container according to the present invention viewed a side perspective.

Fig. 2 is a more detailed view of one side of a valve arrangement; and

Fig. 3 shows a further view of the valve in opening function and a dosing catchment pocket.

Fig.4 shows further valve detail.

Fig. 5 shows a top view of the valve in the open, position at manufacture.

Fig.6 shows a valve with an actuator comprising catch means on its under-surface, closed, ready to be re-opened.

Referring to the figures;

In figure 1 a fluid container 2 comprises a flexible bag portion 4, a reinforcement base portion 6, a handle 8 and a closure valve 10 and a fluid baffle 12.

In the present invention, the flexible bag 4 comprises a container for example, a "pillow pack", comprised of flexible walls formed into a tube and sealed at the top and bottom by a heat weld (the top heat weld 14 is shown). The walls of the flexible bag 4 comprise a thin low-density polyethylene (LDPE) material; however, alternative materials may be used. As shown in Fig.2, the flexible bag 4 may also be provided with a line of weakness for example, perforations 16, and, or a pull tab, not shown, in order to create a corner 18 that can be easily removed from the flexible bag 4 to provide a pouring aperture 20 , from which fluid may be poured.

In the presently described embodiment, the fluid container 2 is illustrated in a filled condition where fluid is contained therein up to a fluid level 22. The reinforcement base 6 comprises a tray or tube which is able to receive a lower portion of the flexible bag 4 therein. The reinforcement base 6 has greater rigidity than the flexible bag portion 4 and may comprise high-density polyethylene (HDPE) material.

The shape of the reinforcement base 6 is such that when the filled flexible bag 4 is held therein, the flexible bag is supported in the upright position illustrated in Fig. 1 . The bag 4 may preferably be filled with fluid prior to dropping into the reinforcement base 6; however, if the bag 4 is filled after dropping into the reinforcement base 6 the reinforcement base 6 also helps to support the un- \\\e6 bag 4.

In the presently described embodiment, the handle 8 is pressure formed from planar material, preferably with at least a partly corrugated upper portion shaped as the grip 8 and an extended planar lower section that is attached to or may be integral with the base 6. Alternatively it may comprise an extruded plastic channel, for example a tubular member or an open channel member. The handle 8 extends along the whole height of the container and is preferably partly weakened in an antero-posterior direction, for example is made thinner or is notched, at points 8A and 8B in order to be bendably crushable by the user, once the container is empty, or during transit for stacking purposes.

At point 8B the overlying tape reinforces the handle in normal function. The handle 8 may comprise HDPE, thereby enabling fusion welding to an LDPE bag, or it may be Polypropylene thereby enabling fusion welding to a bag comprised of Polypropylene.

During manufacture, not shown, of the fluid container 10, a carousel or other arrangement is provided with the ability to hold and locate a number of reinforcement bases 6. These bases are preferably formed as shallow circular trays with a wall height of about 3cms. The bases may comprise recesses or other locating means in the bottom, where each recess may engage with a means to apply rotary forces to it. The lower end of the handle 8 is laid over the edge of the base locating means in the carousel, preferably a spot weld, not shown, is formed between the handle and the lower part, the locating means may also be formed as a recess, such that, when the (filled or empty) flexible bag portion 4 is dropped into the reinforcement base 6, the bag strikes the inward part of the handle, the handle 8 is leveraged upwardly (over the fulcrum created by the edge of the carousel locating means) and into position against the outside of the flexible bag 4.

Alternatively the handle may be formed integral to the base and urged upwards after the bag has entered the base.

As illustrated in Fig. 1 , a strip of reinforcement tape 24 is then wrapped around the container 10 at the juncture between the base 6 and the flexible bag 4 to create a join there-between.

The base and the handle lower extension may be fixedly located by the tape and or by a weld.

Reinforcement tape 26 can also be provided around a central area of the flexible bag 4, upstream of the handle 8 to provide further reinforcement. In addition adhesive tape 28 may be applied at the handle top 30 to hold it to the container.

Optionally the handle top may be welded to the bag material.

Furthermore, these or additional strips of reinforcement tape, can be wrapped around the reinforcement base 6, flexible bag 4 and handle 8 in order to secure these together and to provide additional structural rigidity and puncture resistance to the fluid container 2.

As illustrated in Fig 1 , the upper and lower ends of the handle 8 are secured to the flexible bag 4, whereas the middle section of the handle 8 remains unattached to the flexible bag 4. This creates a gap between the middle section of the handle 8 and the adjacent flexible bag 4 to thereby provide an aperture for the fingers of a user's hand, not shown, to pass there-through. The skilled reader will appreciate that combining the relatively rigid reinforcement base 6 and the flexible bag 4 enables thinner materials to be used but the optimum balance between low weight and material costs, whilst retaining sufficient structural rigidity is obtained by a matching circular format of base and bag and a longitudinal support attached from the base and extending to and fixed to the bag top.

Furthermore the surrounding adhesive tape enhances the penetration resistance of the bag by enabling the use of a material with better puncture resistant qualities than the bag wall itself especially in the lower areas most likely to puncture during transit and use of he fluid container.

Thus the tape has two extra surprising functions that complement its adhesive function.

The combination of the filled bag exerting pressure on the inner surface of the base 6 and a circular bag creates a surprising strong and stable structure.

Furthermore, the present invention, that is in the format of a bottle/ flexible hybrid product, provides a number of additional advantages over existing container packs. These include, but are not limited to, the following:- The container is engineered to have material strength vectored only where functionally required.

- Once the fluid container 2 has been emptied of fluid, due to its bag structure, it can be very easily compacted by hand into a very small or flat mass. The resulting emptied containers therefore use up much less room in a user's rubbish bin.

- In figure 6 a valve is shown. Pressure members 30 and 32 are

shown in a closed condition. Pressure member 32 comprises an extension 75 that aids finger pressure on closure.

- Catch extension 58 is shown formed on the under-surface of

actuator 44 thus it always tends to remain engaged once the valve is closed.

- By rotating actuator 44 around hinge 52 ,on closure, the valve

pressure members are further urged tightly together to form a good fluid seal.

- Actuator 44 comprises a raised section 80 that interferes with the curved convexity 81 of the interfering part of extension 48.

Actuator 44 tends to remain in a down position, once closed, due to its time spent sealed in this position after manufacture. However accidental shock forces may dislodge it upwards and these are countered by the spring effect of the section 81 on part 80 of actuator 44. The curved nature of section 81 ideally suits

interference with the extensions 66 that keep the valve open.

- The fluid container of the present invention uses a minimum

quantity of raw material which therefore reduces weight, cost and the overall "carbon footprint" of the container;

- The reduced quantity of material required to produce the fluid

container of the present invention means that it is ideally suited to being discarded after use. When used to store perishable liquids such as e.g. milk, this is more hygienic than known systems which typically require external support (such as pouring jugs containing replaceable bags); - The flexible nature of the product allows the fluid container to fit into small shelves or compartments of a user's storage space. For example, when used to store perishable liquids such as milk, the container will readily and reversibly deform when placing it into any fridge door shelf;

- Unlike other flexible containers for fluid, this fluid container remains upright and stable when empty and full, resisting sideways and compressive forces and accidental interference.

With particular reference to Figs.2, 3, 4, and 5;

the closure valve 10 comprises a first closure member 32 and a second co-operating closure member 30. The first and second closure

members 32 and 30 may be fixedly attached to the exterior of the bag wall along part of their length and or the valve may be attached by a weld 34.

The weld 34 may be a heat weld that joins HDPE of the valve together with the LDPE of the bag creating a through seal that is fluid tight.

The valve pressure members are shown with hinges 36 such that the closure valve 10 can be opened and closed, on a divergent pathway, around the portion of the bag 4 adjacent the perforations or pre-cut fluid exit 16. A male ridge 1 and corresponding female recess 3 (not shown) are provided along the inside of the first and second closure members 32 and 30 such that, when the valve 10 is closed, the flexible bag 4 is sandwiched there-between in order to close and seal the fluid pouring aperture.

The first closure member 32 is also provided with a male member 1 projecting inwardly therefrom. The male member 1 engages with a corresponding female aperture 3 provided by the second closure member 30, in order to obdurate the aperture when the closure valve 10 is in a closed configuration to stop fluid flowing in direction 5. In figures 4 and 5 bag 4 is not shown.

Actuator member means 44 is an extension of the first closure member 32 that transits across the second pressure member 30 preferably through aperture 70 in second member extension 48 and enables a squeeze or press open action by the fingers 46 of one hand of the user by applying opposing pressure applied across features 44 and 48 in direction 60, Fig .3.

In figure 3, fluid pocket 62 is shown bounded by line seal 64 of the bag walls.

The valve closure 10 is heat welded to the bag 4 at weld 34 or

adhesively attached to the corner of the flexible bag 4.

Attaching the valve closure 10 to the flexible bag 4 in this way provides for the same closing and sealing action previously described whilst simplifying manufacture of the fluid container 2. The valve members are hinged independently at hinges 36.

Extension feature 82 acts to enable the user to drink directly from the container by providing a balance point for the user's lips or teeth to locate the pour spout.

In figure 4 pressure member 32 is shown with transverse actuator member 44 hinged at hinge 52 passing through a perforation 70 formed in the actuator extension 48 of the second pressure member 30.

Sides 56 or other part of extension 48 and or the sides 71 of actuator 44 may temporarily deform to allow passage of extension actuator 44 to then engage and catch, catch means 58 formed on extension 48.

Transverse actuator 44 may be moved towards and overlie the pressure member 30 and be welded to it at manufacture with a user breakable weld, thus forming a secure closure. Actuator 48 may comprise interference means, for example a slot 66 cut in its top surface, or a raised dimple, to engage with the flap 54 to hold the valve open.

This valve actuator 44 lies closed at an angle to the outer surface of the pressure member 30, that enables the user to easily engage it with fingers to break open the security means and open the valve to pour all in one simple movement of two fingers by rotating the actuator 44 in direction 50 to lever it up and break the security seal 68 and then to squeeze fingers together as in figure 3 ,to open the valve 10.

In figure 5 valve 10 is shown made from planar material with a slot 66 formed in the top surface of actuator 44.

When the valve is configured by bending it in direction 42 around hinge 38, male member 1 rotates towards female member 3, co-operative surfaces not shown, and actuator 44 bends around hinge 52 and passes through the aperture 70.

Slot 66 may engage catch means 54 to hold the valve open.

To hold the valve closed, deformable interference means 58 passes through perforation 70 and engages with catch means 56.

The valve preferably has adhesive means 40 applied as shown on its under-surface, not shown, before being closed over the bag during initial assembly.

In Figure 6 pressure member 32 is shown almost closed into pressure member 30. When actuator 44 is rotated closed around hinge 52 the pressure member are encouraged to a tighter approximation.

Interference member 81 arises from extension 48 and extends to contact interference member 80 that extends from the top of the actuator 44. Thus when the pressure members are closed together by the user squeezing extensions 48 and 75 together, the actuator 44 is urged downwards. The convexity of interference means 81 supplies a force to overcome forces accidentally generated that might tend to dislodge catch means 58 sited on the underside of the actuator 44. On opening the valve, interference means 81 contacts interference means 66 to hold the valve open. When the valve is closed at manufacture, the actuator is depressed such that points 57 and 59 come together and are spot welded with a user breakable weld. . This holds the valve closed and provides an excellent visual means of tamper evidence as the actuator 44 rises up on breaking the weld. Although particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein in detail, this has been done by way of example and for the purposes of illustration only. The aforementioned embodiments are not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the appended claims. It is contemplated by the inventors that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.

When manufacturing the fluid container 10, as an alternative to the reinforcement tape, adhesives may be used to secure the components of the container together. Furthermore, as an alternative to adhesive tape a web, label, coating or film may be applied and used.

Claims

1 . A fluid container comprising:- a flexible bag portion for receiving fluid therein;

a more rigid base portion, that comprises longitudinally orientated upwardly extending walls, attached to the flexible bag, such that the fluid container is able to stand upright in said base portion;

and

a handle portion adapted to allow the fluid to be selectively poured from the container when a fluid pouring aperture is created in the flexible bag portion of the container

and

adhesive tape applied over the base portion and flexible bag such that they are joined together.

2. A fluid container as claimed in claim 1 whereby the adhesive tape covers the reinforcing support member, such that it is attached to the container.

3. A fluid container as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2, wherein the handle portion comprises a reinforcing support member extending between an upper and a lower portion of the flexible bag portion.

4. A fluid container as claimed in any previous claim that further comprises adhesive tape applied circumferentially around the outside of the base portion and the reinforcing support member.

5. A fluid container as claimed in any previous claim whereby the reinforcing support member is attached to the base portion.

6. A fluid container according to any previous claim, wherein the handle portion is attached to the outer surface of the flexible bag portion such that a middle portion of the handle member remains unattached to the fluid container to thereby provide an aperture for a user's fingers to pass there-through.

7. A fluid container according to any previous claim, whereby the reinforcing support member is formed as a channel

8. A fluid container according to any preceding claim, further comprising a baffle arrangement adapted to reduce any tendency for fluid movement within the container.

9. A fluid container according to claim 7, wherein the baffle arrangement comprises a join provided between opposite walls of the bag portion and wherein the join extends partly across the width of the fluid container.

10. A fluid container according to any previous claim, wherein the base portion comprises a reinforcement tray adapted to receive and support a lower part of the flexible bag portion therein.

1 1 . A container for containing fluid as claimed in any previous claim comprises a valve for controlling the flow of fluid from out of the container, the valve is comprised of at least two pressure members that are spaced in opposition to each other, one on each side of the container,

the container is further characterised in that the valve pressure members are joined at one end of the valve and on being urged to open become spaced, on a divergent pathway, at the opposite end.

12. The container as claimed in claim 10 whereby an upstream portion of the valve members are adhesively attached to the container wall.

13. The container as claimed in claims 10 and claim 1 1 whereby the valve

comprises a transverse actuating member, the actuating member extending laterally from a first pressure member and crossing the longitudinal vector of a second pressure member.

14. The container as claimed in claims 10-12 whereby the actuating member of the valve comprises interference means that interfere with the second pressure member such that the valve can be held open or closed.