WO2014074220A1 - Access structure for a bag in a box container - Google Patents

Abstract

An access structure (100) for a bag in a box container has an access valve (104) that is hermetically sealed before first use by insertion of extracting equipment, and which closes against leakage upon removal of the extracting equipment, and which accommodates reinsertion of extracting equipment for continued use. Different parts of the access structure (100) can be made of different materials that are joined and united along the interfaces of the materials to provide a hermetical sealed relationship.

Description

ACCESS STRUCTURE FOR A BAG IN A BOX CONTAINER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[01] The present application claims the benefits of United States Provisional

Application Serial No. 61/701,289, filed 09/14/2012.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[02] The present invention relates generally to bag in a box assemblies, and, more particularly, to the access structures through which valves, probes and other devices are inserted for removing the contents from the bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[03] So-called bag in a box containers are used for transporting and dispensing flowing contents of many types. In known structures, a flexible bag-shaped membrane is provided with an access location through which a valve, probe or other structure can be attached or inserted for removing the contents from the bag by gravity, pumping or other induced extraction. It is known to use such containers for flowing contents of many different types, including food products that must be hermetically sealed to prevent contamination and spoilage in addition to preventing leakage.

[04] In some uses for bag in box containers, a valve, probe or other removal control structure is inserted through the access location of the bag and remains positioned therein until the content of the bag is completely removed. In other uses for bag in box containers, such as, for example, dispensing beverage mixes, condiments or the like at a food serving establishment, mandatory cleaning schedules for the dispensing equipment may require that the valve or probe be removed from the access location in the bag when the dispensing equipment is to be cleaned. After cleaning, the probe, valve or the like is reinserted through the access location. Accordingly, it is desirable to have an access location that prevents leakage before first use, that seals completely around the valve, probe or other extraction equipment inserted therethrough during use, that will close completely if the valve, probe or other access equipment is removed, and that accommodates reinsertion of the valve, probe or other access equipment. When used for food products, it is desirable that the access location is tamperproof, or at least tamper indicating so that one can readily determine if the closure at the access location has been compromised.

[05] Known structures for the access locations of bag in box containers have been multi-component assemblies, which have been known to include a die cut membrane and a snap ring assembled to a housing structure welded or otherwise secured to the bag. Such snap together assemblies can disassemble under pressure, can leak if the component parts are miss-cut or assembled improperly, and do not provide a hermetic seal. Accordingly, there is a need for improved access location structures for bag in box containers. Desirably, the access location structures are of single piece construction and hermetically sealed, and accommodate removal and reinsertion of a probe, valve or other extraction structure used for removing the content of the bag. Improved indicators of tampering also are desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[06] The access structures for a bag in a box container described herein provide a one-piece structure that is hermetically sealed before use by forming the structure using different materials in an overmolding process. The structure allows the opening to re-close if extraction equipment is removed. Tamper evident features can be incorporated into the structure.

[07] In one aspect of a form thereof, an access structure for a bag in a box container is provided with first and second components forming a structure through which material can be dispensed from a bag in box container. The first and second components establish a hermetical seal prior to first use for dispensing. The first component is made of a first material as a monolithic body adapted and arranged for attachment to the bag of a bag in box container, and the second component is made of a second material united with the first material with hermetically sealed interfaces between confronting surfaces of the first and second materials, and forming an access valve suitable for receiving dispensing equipment there through

[08] In another aspect of a form thereof, an access structure for a bag in a box container is provided with a first component made of a first material as a monolithic body adapted and arranged for attachment to the bag of a bag in box container. The first component defines a well. A second component made of a second material is overmolded on the monolithic body and forms an access valve extending across the well and having a plurality of segments exposed in the well. The first and second components form a hermetic seal prior to first use of the access valve.

[09] In still another aspect of a form thereof, an access structure for a bag in a box container is provided with an access valve including a plurality of segments connected by frangible links. The segments have inner surfaces and outer surfaces relative to the installed orientation of the access structure. At least some of the segments have creases on the inner surfaces thereof.

[10] An advantage of a form of the access structures disclosed herein is providing a hermetic seal for a bag container prior to first use.

[11] Another advantage of a form of the access structures disclosed herein is that the bag container on which the structure is used can be removed from dispensing equipment and the access structure will reclose.

[12] Still another advantage of a form of the access structures disclosed herein is that portions of the access structure can be made of different materials that are sealed along interfaces of the materials.

[13] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[14] Fig. 1 is a plan view of the outside of an access structure for a bag in a box container;

[15] Fig. 2 is a plan view of the inside of the access structure; [16] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the access structure shown in Figs. 1

& 2, taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

[17] Fig. 4 is a plan view of the attachment body in the access structure;

[18] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment body shown in Fig. 4, taken along line A- A of Fig. 4;

[19] Fig. 6 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of a portion of the cross- sectional view in Fig. 5 ;

[20] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment body shown in Fig. 4, taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 4;

[21] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a cover in the attachment body;

[22] Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 7;

[23] Fig. 10 is an enlarged plan view of a hinge between portions of the attachment body;

[24] Fig. 11 is a plan view of the outside of the access valve for the access structure;

[25] Fig. 12 is a plan view of the inside of the access valve for the access structure;

[26] Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of the access valve of the access structure;

[27] Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the access valve of the access structure taken along line 14-14 in Fig. 11 ;

[28] Fig. 15 is a plan view of the outside of another embodiment for an access structure for a bag in a box container;

[29] Fig. 16 is a plan view of the inside of the access structure shown in Fig.

15;

[30] Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the access structure shown in Figs. 15 and 16, taken along line 17-17 of Fig. 15;

[31] Fig. 18 is a plan view of the outside of yet another embodiment for an access structure for a bag in a box container;

[32] Fig. 19 is an exploded view of the access structure shown in Fig. 18; and [33] Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the access structure shown in Figs. 18 and 19, taken along line 20-20 of Fig. 18.

[34] Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of "including", "comprising" and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[35] Referring now more particularly to the drawings, an access structure 100 for a bag in a box container is shown. Access structure 100 includes first and second components that are hermetically sealed prior to first use for dispensing material there through. Accordingly, access structure 100 includes an attachment body 102 and an access valve 104. Access structure 100 is made of moldable materials in a two shot molding process whereby attachment body 102 is first formed of one material, and access valve 104 of a second material is over molded onto the previously formed attachment body 102. By forming access structure 100 in a two shot molding process, no subsequent assembly is required, and, since the over molded materials are bonded one to the other in the molding process, a hermetic seal is provided by the single body construction even when two different materials are used for attachment body 102 and access valve 104.

[36] Attachment body 102 is a monolithic body of injection molded plastic of suitable type for the application, including compatibility with the materials to be contained in and dispensed from the bag in which access structure 100 will be used. Attachment body 102 defines a generally annular cavity 110 between an inner wall 112 and an outer wall 114. Attachment body 102 can be attached to an opening in a bag container by any suitable means, such as by welding the bag into annular cavity 110, snap fit engagement of a boss formed in the bag container into annular cavity 110, etc. A protrusion 116 encircling annular cavity 110 or a plurality of discrete protrusions 116 can be used to facilitate the attachment of body 102 to a bag container. Further, inner wall 112 and/or outer wall 114 can be provided with chamfers 118, 120 also to facilitate installation of body 102 in a bag container.

[37] Attachment body 102 further defines a well 122 inwardly of inner wall

112, for receiving access valve 104.in a subsequently performed overmolding process. Well 122 defines an aperture 124 centrally located in a floor 126 at the bottom of well 122.

[38] A rim 128 between well 122 and inner wall 112, and a barrier 130 between inner wall 112 and outer wall 114 together define an outer surface of attachment body 102. A plurality of shallow channels 132, 134, 136 are provided in the outer surface formed by rim 128 and barrier 130, generally extending from well 122 to the outer perimeter of attachment body 102. In the exemplary embodiment, three shallow channels 132, 134, 136 are provided; but more channels or fewer channels can be used. During the overmolding of access valve 104 onto attachment body 102, channels 132, 134, 136 are filled with the material of access valve 102, to further anchor the access valve to the body.

[39] Attachment body 102 further includes a tamper indicating enclosure 140, which includes a cover 142 connected to outer wall 114 by a hinge 144. Cover 142 is of a size and shape to overlie well 122 and access valve 114 provided therein. Cover 142 can be snapped into well 122 and secured therein to establish a physical protective barrier over access valve 104. Cover 142 can include a slot 146 to engage well 122 and/or to provide a less resilient area that can distort upon opening to indicate previous use or tampering, Hinge 144 may include a window 148 to facilitate bending and/or to provide another area of less resilience that can distort or even rupture upon opening to indicate previous use or tampering.

[40] Access valve 104 is formed by overmolding into and over well 122, including extending across aperture 124, on floor 126, over the outer surface of rim 128 and into channels 132, 134, 136. Access valve 104 may include a generally annular support ring 150 comprising a generally thicker area of material against and over floor 126 and into the transition between floor 126 and well 122. Access valve 104 extends generally over rim 128 and forms stabilizing and securing arms 152, 154, 156 filling channels 132, 134, 136. It should be understood that the general annular shape is exemplary, and other shapes also could be used. Whereas three stabilizing and securing arms 152, 154, 156 are shown, more arms or fewer arms also can be used with a corresponding number of the aforedescribed shallow channels 132, 134, 136.

[41] The center of access valve 104 defines a rupturable receiver 160 that is exposed in aperture 124 and can be pierced by a probe, valve or other extraction structure that can be inserted for removing the content of a bag in which access structure 100 is used. Viewed from the outside thereof, receiver 160 is a convex cone generally defining three pie-shaped segments or pieces 162, 164, 166. As formed, a frangible link or web 172, 174, 176 is established between the adjacent edges of pie-shaped pieces 162, 164, 166, with the frangible links 172, 174, 176 joining in a frangible center 178 at the apexes of the pie-shaped pieces. It should be understood that access valve 104 is of monolithic construction, and the frangible links 172, 174, 176 and frangible center 178 are simply thinned material regions between the adjacent thicker portions defining the pie-shaped pieces 162, 164, 166.

[42] As seen most clearly in Figure 12, the interior surface of rupturable receiver 160 is differently shaped than the outer surface thereof. A depression or crease 182, 184, 186 is provided along the centerline of each pie-shaped piece 162, 164, 166, respectively, each crease 182, 184, 186 extending substantially from the apex to the base edge of the pie shaped piece 162, 164, 166 on which it is formed. The creases 182, 184, 186 are thinned material regions within each pie shaped piece 162, 164, 166, but, being formed only in the inner surface of receiver 160 are generally thicker than the frangible links 172, 174, 176 which extend inwardly from both the inner surface and outer surface of receiver 160. Accordingly, while the outer surface of receiver 160 defines three pie-shaped pieces 162, 164, 166, the inner surface defines six pie-shaped surfaces 192, 194, 196, 198, 200, 202 between the alternating frangible links 172, 174, 176 and creases 182, 184, 186.

[43] During use, a probe or valve is inserted through receiver 160, thereby rupturing the frangible links or webs 172, 174, 176 between pie-shaped pieces 162, 164, 166 and frangible center 178 at the apexes thereof. Typically, the creases 182, 184, 186 are not ruptured during the installation of a probe or valve, but may be stretched. The separated pie shaped pieces 162, 164, 166 are urged against the probe or valve as a result of the convex shape of receiver 160. If the probe or valve is extracted from receiver 160, the thermoplastic material of the receiver does not necessarily flex back to its original shape before piercing. The resultant overstretching of the thermoplastic from the convex side helps to urge the individual pie shaped pieces against each other when the probe or valve is removed. The reduced thicknesses established along creases 178, 180, 182 allow for better conformation against a probe or valve inserted and change loading such that stretching can occur both to increase sealing against the inserted probe or valve and to urge the closing of pie shaped pieces 162, 164, 166 against one another even after the frangible links 172, 174, 176 have been ruptured.

[44] Attachment body 102 and access valve 104 can be formed of different materials, the selection of which can be determined depending on the contents to be held in the bag for which access structure 100 is provided. For example, and not limitation, polypropylene can be used for attachment body 102 and a thermoplastic elastomer for access valve 104. For the purposes of further example, different thermoplastics can be used for acidic and non-acidic contents in the bag, for bags that will be ambient and those that will be refrigerated as well as for water-based and oil-based bag contents. Suitable materials for the different contents that may be held in a bag in box container are well known to those skilled in the art. Being formed in an overmolding process which bonds the materials together, attachment body 102 and access valve 104 create a hermetic seal before disruption of frangible links 172, 174, 176.

[45] Tamper evidence is provided in several ways. First, the structures of cover 142 and/or hinge 144 can be provided with cored sections, undercuts and the like whereby deformation occurs upon initial opening. Cover 142 can be designed so as to be incapable of reattachment after being disengaged from a closed position over well 122 as a result of deformation of its structure, breakage of hinge 144, or the like. Further, frangible links or webs 172, 174, 176 provide a further visual indication that rupturing has occurred. Other types of tamper indicative connections can be used between cover 142 and attachment body 102 that are modified upon initial opening, so that if cover 142 is disengaged from its initial closed condition, it can not be re-engaged, thus clearly indicating that it has been opened. Further, hinge 144 can be frangible so that it will break if cover 142 is opened.

[46] It should be understood that a suitable hermetic seal can be achieved in ways other than providing receiver 160 as an uninterrupted, but rupturable structure. For example, if frangible links or webs 172, 174, 176 are formed instead as slits or cuts completely through the material of receiver 160, a suitable hermetic seal can be achieved through the use of undercuts and other engagement features between cover 142 and well 122, either in a way that prevents reengagement after first opening or in a way that enables reengagement.

[47] An overmolding process can be used to form one-piece access structures different from that described above. Figs. 15-17 illustrate an access structure 300 for a bag in a box container. Access structure 300 includes first and second components that are hermetically sealed prior to first use for dispensing material there through. Accordingly, access structure 300 includes an attachment body 302 and an access valve 304. Access structure 300 is made of moldable materials in a two shot molding process similar to that described previously herein whereby attachment body 302 is first formed of one material, and access valve 304 of a second material is over molded onto the previously formed attachment body 302. By forming access structure 300 in a two shot molding process, no subsequent assembly is required, and, since the over molded materials are bonded one to the other in the molding process, a hermetic seal is provided along the interfaces of the materials, even when two different materials are used for attachment body 302 and access valve 304. [48] Attachment body 302 is a monolithic body of injection molded plastic of suitable type for the application, including compatibility with the materials to be contained in and dispensed from the bag in which access structure 300 will be used. Attachment body 302 is similar to attachment body 102 described previously herein and defines a generally annular cavity 310 between an inner wall 312 and an outer wall 314. Attachment body 302 can be attached to an opening in a bag container by any suitable means, such as by welding the bag into annular cavity 310, snap fit engagement of a boss formed in the bag container into annular cavity 310, etc. A protrusion 316 encircling annular cavity 310 or a plurality of discrete protrusions 316 can be used to facilitate the attachment of body 302 to a bag container. Further, inner wall 312 and/or outer wall 314 can be provided with chamfers 318, 320 also to facilitate installation of body 302 in a bag container.

[49] Attachment body 302 further defines a well 322 inwardly of inner wall

312, for receiving access valve 304 in a subsequently performed overmolding process. Well 322 is a substantially annular ring having an open bottom, but may also be of other shapes and may have a partial floor with an aperture therein similar to aperture 124 and floor 126 described previously herein.

[50] A rim 328 between well 322 and inner wall 312, and a barrier 330 between inner wall 312 and outer wall 314 together define an outer surface of attachment body 302. A plurality of shallow channels 332, 334, 336 similar to the previously described channels 132, 134, 136 are provided in the outer surface formed by rim 328 and barrier 330, generally extending from well 322 to the outer perimeter of attachment body 302. In the exemplary embodiment, three shallow channels 332, 334, 336 are provided; but more channels or fewer channels can be used. During the overmolding of access valve 304 onto attachment body 302, channels 332, 334, 336 are filled with the material of access valve 302, to further anchor the access valve to the body.

[51] Attachment body 302 further includes a tamper indicating and hermetically sealing enclosure 340, which includes a cover 342 connected to outer wall 314 by a hinge 344. Cover 342 is of a size and shape to overlie well 322 and access valve 334 provided therein. Cover 342 can be snapped into well 322 and secured therein to establish a physically protective and hermetically sealing barrier over access valve 304. Cover 342 can include a slot (not shown) similar to slot 146 to engage well 322 and/or to provide a less resilient area that can distort upon opening to indicate previous use or tampering, Hinge 344 may include a window (not shown) similar to window 148 to facilitate bending and/or to provide another area of less resilience that can distort or even rupture upon opening to indicate previous use or tampering.

[52] Access valve 304 is formed by overmolding into and over well 322, including extending across the open bottom of well 322, over the outer surface of rim 328 and into channels 332, 334, 336. Access valve 304 may include a generally annular support ring 350 comprising a generally thicker area of material against and within well 322. Access valve 304 extends generally over rim 328 and forms stabilizing and securing arms 352, 354, 356 filling channels 332, 334, 336. It should be understood that the general annular shape is exemplary, and other shapes also could be used. Whereas three stabilizing and securing arms 352, 354, 356 are shown, more arms or fewer arms also can be used with a corresponding number of the aforedescribed shallow channels 332, 334, 336.

[53] The center of access valve 304 defines an outwardly rounded membranelike receiver 360 that is exposed in open bottom well 322 and can be pierced by a probe, valve or other extraction structure that can be inserted for removing the content of a bag in which access structure 300 is used. Viewed from the outside thereof, receiver 360 is a convex dome defining three generally pie- shaped segments or pieces 362, 364, 366. On the inside thereof, receiver 360 is smooth and concave and defines inner surfaces of the same three generally pie-shaped pieces or segments 362, 364, 366. As formed, a frangible link or web 372, 374, 376 is established between the adjacent edges of pie-shaped pieces 362, 364, 366, with the frangible links 372, 374, 376 joining in a frangible center 378 at the apexes of the pie-shaped pieces. It should be understood that access valve 304 is of monolithic construction, and the frangible links 372, 374, 376 and frangible center 378 are simply thinned material regions between the adjacent thicker portions defining the pie-shaped pieces 362, 364, 366. Alternatively, frangible links 372, 374, 376 can be pre-use slits formed completely through receiver 360 during manufacture, in which case hermetic sealing is provided by cover 342 on well 322 through suitable interference engagement, or by other hermetic sealing means. However, the interfaces between the different materials of attachment body 302 and access valve 304 are hermetically sealed through the overmolding process.

[54] Techniques other than overmolding can be used to establish hermetic seals along the interfaces of different materials used for attachment bodies and access valves of access structures in accordance herewith. For example, in some applications and uses it may be desirable to use an expense material or a slow curing material as the access valve material. Material costs may make it desirable to minimize the amount of material used, and cycle time for an overmolding process can impact tool costs to meet desired production levels.

[55] Figs. 18-20 illustrate an access structure 500 for a bag in a box container.

Access structure 500 includes components that are hermetically sealed prior to first use for dispensing material there through. Accordingly, access structure 500 includes an attachment body 502 and an access valve 504 held together with a retainer ring 506. Access structure 500 is made of moldable materials that are assembled and joined with one another to establish hermetically sealed interfaces between the materials. Joining can be performed, for example, by ultrasonic welding. By joining the individual components forming access structure 500 in a process such as sonic welding, no subsequent assembly is required, and a hermetic seal is provided along the interfaces between the different materials.

[56] Attachment body 502 is a monolithic body of injection molded plastic of suitable type for the application, including compatibility with the materials to be contained in and dispensed from the bag in which access structure 500 will be used. Attachment body 502 is similar to attachment bodies 102 and 302 described previously herein and defines a generally annular cavity 510 between an inner wall 512 and an outer wall 514. Attachment body 502 can be attached to an opening in a bag container by any suitable means, such as by welding the bag into annular cavity 510, snap fit engagement of a boss formed in the bag container into annular cavity 510, etc. A protrusion 516 encircling annular cavity 510 or a plurality of discrete protrusions 516 can be used to facilitate the attachment of body 502 to a bag container. Further, inner wall 512 and/or outer wall 514 can be provided with chamfers 518, 520 also to facilitate installation of body 502 in a bag container.

[57] Attachment body 502 further defines a well 522 inwardly of inner wall

512, for receiving access valve 504. Well 522 defines an aperture 524 centrally located in a floor 526 at the bottom of well 522, all similar to well 122, aperture 124 and floor 126 described previously. Alternatively, well 522 can be a substantially annular ring having an open bottom, as described for well 322 previously.

[58] A rim 528 between well 522 and inner wall 512, and a barrier 530 between inner wall 512 and outer wall 514 together define an outer surface of attachment body 502. Rim 528 is s ledge-like structure which receives both an outer periphery of access valve 504 and retainer ring 506 as will be described subsequently herein. Rim 528 defines an annular channel 532 in the surface thereof. Channel 532 is spaced inwardly from an axially projecting annular inner flange 534. An axially projecting annular outer flange 536 is spaced from inner flange 534 to define an annular slot 538 between inner flange 534 and outer flange 536.

[59] Attachment body 502 further includes a tamper indicating and hermetically sealing enclosure 540, which includes a cover 542 connected to outer wall 514 by a hinge 544. Cover 542 is of a size and shape to overlie well 522 and access valve 554 provided therein. Cover 542 can be snapped into annular slot 538 and secured therein to establish a physically protective and hermetically sealing barrier over access valve 504. Cover 542 can include a less resilient area that can distort upon opening to indicate previous use or tampering, Hinge 544 may include a window (not shown) similar to window 148 to facilitate bending and/or to provide another area of less resilience that can distort or even rupture upon opening to indicate previous use or tampering. [60] Access valve 504 is a cup-like structure formed by molding independently of attachment body 502. Access valve 504 may include a generally annular support ring 550 comprising a generally thicker area of material, an inner portion of which is received in channel 532. An annular side 552 of access valve 504 extends inwardly from support ring 550 in channel 532, over the inner edge of rim 528 and into well 522. Within well 522, access valve 504 spans aperture 524 and floor 526.

[61] The center of access valve 504 defines an inwardly rounded membranelike receiver 560 that is exposed in aperture 524 of well 522 and can be pierced by a probe, valve or other extraction structure that can be inserted for removing the content of a bag in which access structure 500 is used. Viewed from the outside thereof, receiver 560 is a concave dome generally defining three generally pie-shaped segments or pieces 562, 564, 566. On the inside thereof, receiver 560 is smooth and convex and defines inner surfaces of the same three generally pie- shaped pieces or segments 562, 564, 566. As formed, a frangible link or web 572, 574, 576 is established between the adjacent edges of pie-shaped pieces 562, 564, 566, with the frangible links 572, 574, 576 joining in a frangible center 578 at the apexes of the pie-shaped pieces. It should be understood that access valve 504 is of monolithic construction, and the frangible links 572, 574, 576 and frangible center 578 are simply thinned material regions between the adjacent thicker portions defining the pie-shaped pieces 562, 564, 566. Alternatively, frangible links 572, 574, 576 can be pre -use slits formed completely through receiver 560 during manufacture, in which case hermetic sealing is provided by cover 542 on well 522 through suitable interference engagement, or by other hermetic sealing means. However, the interfaces between the different materials of attachment body 502 and access valve 504 are hermetically sealed through the joining process that unites attachment body 502, access valve 504 and retainer ring 506.

[62] Retainer ring 506 can be of the same material as attachment body 502, or can be of different material, and is formed by molding independently of attachment body 502 and access valve 504. Retainer ring 506 fits against and within the L-shaped ledge generally formed by rim 528 and inner flange 534. On the as-installed bottom thereof, retainer ring 506 defines a channel 590 to receiver an outer portion of support ring 550.

[63] During manufacture of access structure 500, attachment body 502, access valve 504 and retainer ring 506 are separately and independently provided. Access valve 504 is assembled into attachment body 502, with support ring 550 of access valve 504 received snuggly within both channel 532 in rim 528 and channel 590 in retainer ring 506, with a portion of access valve 504 immediately inward from support ring 550 being sandwiched between retainer ring 506 and rim 528 immediately inwardly radially from channels 532 and 590. Surfaces of radially outer portions of retainer ring 506 are engaged against rim 528 outwardly of channel 532 and against an inward surface of inner flange 534. Through the use of known techniques such as ultrasonic welding the engaged surfaces between the components are permanently joined one to another to establish a one-piece structure that is sealed along the interfaces of the different materials.

[64] The pie-shaped pieces of the various embodiments disclosed herein seal sufficiently around probes and other equipment inserted for the extraction of contents, and close sufficiently to inhibit undesirable leakage if the probe or equipment is removed. When such probe or equipment is removed, the pie- shaped pieces close sufficiently even if one or more of the pie-shaped pieces begins to rebound before the others, or if one or more rebounds more quickly than others result in a misaligned but overlapping arrangement of the pie-shaped pieces.

[65] Further variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the

Claims

invention. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art. Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims. CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An access structure for a bag in a box container; comprising: first and second components forming a structure through which material can be dispensed from a bag in box container, said first and second components establishing a hermetical seal prior to first use for dispensing;

said first component made of a first material as a monolithic body adapted and arranged for attachment to the bag of a bag in box container; and

said second component made of a second material united with said first material of said monolithic body with hermetically sealed interfaces between confronting surfaces of the first and second materials, and forming an access valve suitable for receiving dispensing equipment there through.

2. The access structure of claim 1, said second component being held in said first component by a third component joined to said first and second components along hermetically sealed interfaces.

3. The access structure of claim 2, said access valve being concave outwardly.

4. The access structure of claim 2, said access valve including a plurality of adjacent segments defined in a monolithic body.

5. The access structure of claim 4, said access valve being convex outwardly.

6. The access structure of claim 1, said access valve including three pie shaped pieces.

7. The access structure of claim 6, each of said pie shaped pieces having a crease therein along the centerline thereof on the inner surface thereof.

8. The access structure of claim 1, said second component being united with said first component by overmolding of said second component on said first component.

9. An access structure for a bag in a box container; comprising: a first component made of a first material as a monolithic body adapted and arranged for attachment to the bag of a bag in box container, said first component defining a well;

a second component made of a second material overmolded on said monolithic body and forming an access valve extending across said well and having a plurality of segments exposed in said well; and

said first and second components forming a hermetic seal prior to first use of the access valve.

10. The access structure of claim 9, said access valve being convex from the outside thereof.

11. The access structure of claim 9, each segment of said plurality of segments having a crease along the centerline thereof on the inner surface thereof.

12. The access structure of claim 11, said access valve being convex from the outside thereof.

13. The access structure of claim 9, said access valve including three pie shaped pieces connected by frangible links.

14. The access structure of claim 13, each of said pie shaped pieces having a crease therein along the centerline thereof on the inner surface thereof.

15. The access structure of claim 9, said monolithic body defining a plurality of channels in an outer surface thereof, and said second component including arms filling said channels.

16. The access structure of claim 9 said first component having a tamper indicating enclosure including a cover disengageably attached over said well.

17. An access structure for a bag in a box container; comprising: an access valve including a plurality of segments connected by frangible links, said segments having inner surfaces and outer surfaces relative to the installed orientation of the access structure; and

at least some of said segments having creases on said inner surfaces thereof.

18. The access structure of claim 17, each of said segments having a crease therein on the inner surface thereof.

19. The access structure of claim 17, said plurality of segments comprising at least three pie shaped segments, each having a crease extending between the apex and the base thereof.

20. The access structure of claim 17, said segments arranged in a convex shape viewed from the outer surface.