Abstract: A probe for dispensing a flowable material includes a body having a first end and a second and a passage extending therethrough. The probe has a first engagement portion configured to have a deformed state when the first end of the body is in contact with a dispensing component, and an undeformed state. The probe has a channel having a floor and two walls and is on the first engagement portion. The probe has a second engagement portion to frictionally fit within the dispensing component and to form a seal between the probe and the component. The probe has a locking groove to prevent movement of the probe relative to the dispensing component. In the undeformed state, the walls of the channel are spaced apart at a first distance, and in the deformed state, the walls are spaced apart at a second, smaller distance.

Abstract: This invention relates to inner-plies for bulk-bags that surprisingly offer not only high thermal resistance, but also high flex-crack resistance. This invention also relates to such bulk-bags made for packaging of flowable materials, aseptic or otherwise, and the process for improving their flex-crack and thermal resistance. Preferably, the packaging is aseptic. More specifically, the inner-ply of the invention comprises a resin blend comprising the Exceed® XP resin; an LDPE resin or an ethylene-?-olefin copolymer (EAO copolymer); or a blend of said LDPE resin and said EAO copolymer, with flex-crack resistance improved in both machine direction and transverse direction, in conjunction with an improved thermal resistance. Thus, in addition to possessing good flex-crack resistance, the bulk-bags can withstand steam sterilization and/or aseptic packaging conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid transfer assembly for dispensing flowable material from a container, the fluid transfer assembly having a spout, a screw cap body, and an aseptic plug, wherein the aseptic plug is configured to form an aseptic seal with the screw cap body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a universal fitment, method of assembling the universal fitment, and method of dispensing liquids using such universal fitment. The universal fitment of the present invention has features to engage a quick-connect-disconnect dispensing connector or a screw-on connector dispensing connector for the dispensing of liquids and semi-liquids from a collapsible bag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a universal fitment, method of assembling the universal fitment, and method of dispensing liquids using such universal fitment. The universal fitment of the present invention has features to engage a quick-connect-disconnect dispensing connector or a screw-on connector dispensing connector for the dispensing of liquids and semi-liquids from a collapsible bag.

Abstract: A front pull piercing valve assembly attached to a flexible container, whereby; when the wall of the flexible container is pulled into contact with a piercing element in the assembly, the contents of the container are dispensed by piercing the wall of the container and liquid flows through the valve assembly and directly into a container or through flexible hose or another connection to be dispensed. The valve assembly is configured in such a manner that during use it is filed with the liquid being dispensed thereby preventing the liquid in the flexible container from being exposed to air, namely, oxygen that often causes spoilage of certain liquids, such as wine.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a body having a an exterior surface, an interior surface, a first chamber, a first opening in fluid communication with the first chamber and extending through the body, a second opening in fluid communication with the first chamber and extending through the body, a first valve and a second valve disposed on the body, the valves having a closed and an open configuration, and an actuator disposed at least partially within the first chamber. The actuator may be configured to increase and decrease pressure in the first chamber such that the first valve and the second valve change from their respective closed configurations to their respective open configurations and from their respective open configurations to their respective closed configurations. When in the closed configuration, flow through the valves is impeded.

Abstract: A front pull piercing valve assembly attached to a flexible container, whereby; when the wall of the flexible container is pulled into contact with a piercing element in the assembly, the contents of the container are dispensed by piercing the wall of the container and liquid flows through the valve assembly and directly into a container or through flexible hose or another connection to be dispensed. The valve assembly is configured in such a manner that during use it is filed with the liquid being dispensed thereby preventing the liquid in the flexible container from being exposed to air, namely, oxygen that often causes spoilage of certain liquids, such as wine.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a body having a an exterior surface, an interior surface, a first chamber, a first opening in fluid communication with the first chamber and extending through the body, a second opening in fluid communication with the first chamber and extending through the body, a first valve and a second valve disposed on the body, the valves having a closed and an open configuration, and an actuator disposed at least partially within the first chamber. The actuator may be configured to increase and decrease pressure in the first chamber such that the first valve and the second valve change from their respective closed configurations to their respective open configurations and from their respective open configurations to their respective closed configurations. When in the closed configuration, flow through the valves is impeded.

Abstract: A method of preparing a collapsible bag includes providing the bag in a collapsed configuration and filling it. The bag has a spout connected to a flexible mounting. A portion of the mounting is flat within the bag in the same plane as the spout and can form an angle between 0 and 180 degrees with the spout's plane. The mounting includes a peripheral ring in the spout having flexible legs. The legs permit the evacuation members to be displaced relative to the ring to accommodate a service line connector. The evacuation members can be helical channels, are integral with the mounting, and are as flat as possible within the bag upon manufacture. Each member is adjustable to alternative positions where it is oriented radially, perpendicularly, or at an angle between relative to the plane of the ring, without the flexing of the flexible legs or the evacuation members.

Abstract: In one of its aspects, the present invention relates to a process for forming a flexible liquid-packaging pouch. This process improves fill-accuracy of the flowable material contained in the pouch. Specifically, the invention relates to a process for improving the fill-accuracy of a pouch by incorporating at least one stand-pipe in a balance tank that feeds the pouch with flowable material to be packaged. This invention also relates to such apparatus for improving the fill-accuracy of the flexible liquid-packaging pouch.

Abstract: Provided is a tube fitment used in a fitment valve assembly having a vertical cylindrical housing and a horizontal cylindrical channel connected to each other in a T-shape, the vertical housing having a top section, a middle section, and a lower section, the top section of the housing having a front wall and a partially open back wall, where the opening is the locus for connecting a spout valve assembly; the horizontal cylindrical channel having a first opening at the first end proximate to the joint of the T-shaped tube fitment and at the top of the horizontal cylindrical channel; having an activator pin and an O-ring situated in the second section of the vertical cylindrical housing that is narrower that said first section of said vertical cylindrical housing.

Abstract: A front pull piercing valve assembly attached to a flexible container, whereby; when the wall of the flexible container is pulled into contact with a piercing element in the assembly, the contents of the container are dispensed by piercing the wall of the container and liquid flows through the valve assembly and directly into a container or through flexible hose or another connection to be dispensed. The valve assembly is configured in such a manner that during use it is filed with the liquid being dispensed thereby preventing the liquid in the flexible container from being exposed to air, namely, oxygen that often causes spoilage of certain liquids, such as wine.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fitment assembly used for dispensing liquids from flexible bags. The connector engages a valved fitment for a container for holding and dispensing fluid. The fitment includes a spout connected to the container and a sliding internal valve body and an external valve body securely positioned within the spout. The connector has a fitment end mateable with the fitment so as to compress the top edge of the external valve body so as to form a seal between the external valve body and the dispensing connector. The external valve body through circumferentially placed apertures allows for substantially complete drainage of the flexible bag.

Abstract: A piercing fitment assembly for a thin film flexible container containing a liquid having (A) a spout assembly having a sealing flange sealed to the film of the flexible container and having positioned therein a circular piercing element with at least one piercing point in close proximity to the film of the flexible container; (B) a threaded plug fitted into the spout assembly and the bottom of the plug being sealed to the film of the flexible container; (C) a threaded collar positioned in the spout assembly and threadably engaged with the threaded exterior of the threaded plug; whereby when the threaded collar is moved to engage the threaded plug and the threaded plug is moved away from the film of the flexible container, the film of the flexible container is brought into contact with the piercing end of the piercing element and the film is pierced allowing the liquid from the container to flow out through the spout assembly and out of the flexible container.

Abstract: This invention discloses a multi-layer film for making pouches for containing flowable materials, said multi-layer film comprising generally five layers in order: inner sealant-layer, first interposed layer, the core layer, second interposed layer, and the outer sealant layer. The sealant and core layers are ethylene-based, whereas the interposed layers are polypropylene-based. The multi-layer film thickness is in the range of from about 35 microns to about 66 microns. The combined thickness of the first and the second interposed layers is in the range of from about 10% to about 27% of the total thickness of said multi-layer film. Similarly, a combined thickness of the inner and the outer sealant-layers is in the range of from about 10% to about 27% of the total thickness of the multi-layer film. The interposed layers comprise polypropylene that has a melt-index of less than 0.75 dg/min.

Abstract: The present invention provides a slider valve assembly for connection to a spout of an aseptically-packaged flexible container for filling and dispensing flowable material. The slider valve assembly comprises a cap member, a valve member, and an outlet member. The cap member has a central opening and is adapted to be secured to the spout of the container. The valve member defines one or more side openings in communication with a central bore, is slidable within the central opening of the cap member and is lockable into a closed or open position. The outlet member is detachably engaged to the valve member and is used for actuating the valve member. The outlet member also defines a hollow interior portion which is in communication with the central bore of the valve member.