Abstract: The present invention provides a spout for use with a container for holding and dispensing a fluid. The spout comprises a generally cylindrical body having an external surface capable of mating with a collar of a dispensing connector. The external surface has at least one threaded portion that is capable of mating with the internal surface of a collar of a dispensing connector.

Abstract: A single service package coupling and valve includes a fitment having a spout and a sliding tubular valve member mounted therein for receiving a cooperating dispensing connector of a liquid distributing and dispensing system, and an external adapter ring designed to cooperate with the mounting mechanisms of a plurality of conventional commercially available dispensing connectors. An internal adapter sleeve is mounted with in the sliding tubular valve member to provide a tight seal with any of the conventional dispensing connectors. The external adapter ring is provided with a pair of radially extending flanges adapted to accept and position different dispensing connectors. At least one of the radially extending flanges is provided with at least two wings to engage a threaded mounting collar of a service line connector.

Abstract: A preform or parison for manufacturing a container having a large interior diameter body and small interior diameter opening is prepared by molding the preform in two parts, a body having a generally cylindrical sidewall with one open end and one closed end, and a preform end having a diameter sized to mate with the sidewall and an opening therein for accessing the interior of the preform, and then joining the preform body and preform end to form a complete preform having an internal diameter larger than the diameter of the opening. The preform so formed is then used in a conventional blow molding process to produce a container having a large internal diameter and a narrow access opening.

Abstract: A single-service package coupling and valve includes a fitment having a spout and a sliding tubular valve member mounted therein for receiving a cooperating dispensing connector of a liquid distributing and dispensing system, and an external adapter ring designed to cooperate with the mounting mechanisms of a plurality of conventional commercially available dispensing connectors. An internal adapter sleeve is mounted with in the sliding tubular valve member to provide a tight seal with any of the conventional dispensing connectors.

Abstract: In a vertical form, fill, seal machine that produces liquid-filled stand-up pouches, a flat vertical fill tube is surrounded by an envelope of thermoplastic film that is closed along one longitudinal edge and open along the opposite longitudinal edge. A main drive assembly includes drive members that press opposite sides of the envelope against the flat fill tube. An auxiliary film drive assembly is responsive to film tension. Stand-up base cups are formed seriatim along the closed longitudinal edge of the envelope. Fitments are inserted seriatim into the open longitudinal edge, in correspondence with respective cups, and are sealed to the thermoplastic film, first by a spot-sealer and then by a top sealer. End seal/cut-off assemblies provide a seal transversely of the envelope that is bisected by a knife to release a leading pouch that has been formed, filled, and sealed.

Abstract: A spout for dispensing liquid from a closed container has a cap that fits over a fitment or neck on the container, the cap being provided with a sleeve within which a reciprocating barrel may slide from a closed position to an open position. The barrel has a longitudinal vent groove on its upper surface that serves as a passage to admit atmospheric air to equalize internal and external pressure. The cap is provided with a flap that blocks the groove when the internal pressure is close to atmospheric pressure, but opens to admit air when the internal pressure drops significantly below the atmospheric pressure outside the container.

Abstract: An improved bulk valve for tapping bulk material such as chemicals or foodstuffs is provided. The bulk valve operates with a piston-like action, in which an inner valve cylinder assembly is drawn open to open a path to a discharge port, or driven shut with a locking plunger to create a firm seal. Serrated puncturing teeth are provided to pierce the membrane seal of the bulk container, and light weight and low cost are achieved.

Abstract: A self-closing dispensing valve comprises a valve housing having a fluid conduit with a valve orifice therethrough, a flow control member within the valve body which is displaceable along an axis from a first position in which the flow control member obstructs the flow of fluid through the valve orifice to a second position in which the flow control member does not obstruct the flow of fluid through the valve orifice, and one or more resilient flexible fingers fixed to either the valve housing or the valve member which is deflected when the valve member is displaced to its open position. Preferably the fingers are arranged in pairs oriented parallel to the axis and are deflected toward the axis by a conical camming surface on the valve member when it is displaced from its closed position.

Abstract: A substantially flat collapsed plastic bag with an evacuation form unit insert positioned therein as manufactured to serve as a form about which the filled bag will collapse as it is emptied. The form unit comprises a ring for mounting the unit on the spout of the bag and a multi-channel form extending radially from the ring and hingedly connected thereto. A simple method is provided for manufacturing the bag with the form unit insert.

Abstract: A system for supplying liquid in large bottles from a point where they are filled to a dispenser having a reservoir for receiving the liquid. The bottles each have a neck which carries a cap unit for closing the spout thereof. Each cap unit has an outlet valve that is normally closed. The reservoir has means for supporting another normally closed inlet valve in a neck-receiving socket. When the neck is slipped into the socket the outlet valve of the cap unit is opened and substantially simultaneously the inlet valve for the reservoir is opened thus allowing flow of water from the bottle into the reservoir. When the bottle is removed from the reservoir as the cap unit is withdrawn from the neck-receiving socket, the outlet valve in the bottle neck cap unit is positively closed and the inlet valve of the reservoir automatically closes.

Abstract: A system for supplying liquid in large bottles from a point where they are filled to a dispenser having a reservoir for receiving the liquid. The bottles each have a neck which carries a cap unit for closing the spout thereof. Each cap unit has an outlet valve that is normally closed. The reservoir has means for supporting another normally closed inlet valve in a neck-receiving socket. When the neck is slipped into the socket the outlet valve of the cap unit is opened and substantially simultaneously the inlet valve for the reservoir is opened thus allowing flow of water from the bottle into the reservoir. When the bottle is removed from the reservoir as the cap unit is withdrawn from the neck-receiving socket, the outlet valve in the bottle neck cap unit is positively closed and the inlet valve of the reservoir automatically closes.

Abstract: A blow molded plastic bottle has a reinforced plastic bottom with a concave central portion and a bottom rim portion. A solid depending rib, formed at the pinch off seam, extends across the concave portion, and depending hollow ribs, formed in the concave portion at ninety degress to the solid rib, extend radially to the bottom rim portion. The hollow rims effectively reduce the depth of the bottom rim intermediate the seam junctions to reduce bulging of the concave base thereby preventing instability.

Abstract: A cup type liquid dispensing machine in which the liquid-supplying system is a closed airtight circuit in the form of bag-in-box packages. The packages are connected to a dispensing pump which supplies the liquid to a dispensed and supported cup. Waste liquids from the machine are collected by various lines which are coupled to a flexible bag. A movable member engages the bag and activates a control switch to stop the machine as the bag becomes full.

Abstract: A system for supplying liquid in large bottles from a point where they are filled to a dispenser having a reservoir for receiving the liquid. The bottles each have a neck which carries a cap unit for closing the spout thereof. Each cap unit has an outlet valve that is normally closed. The reservoir has means for supporting another normally closed inlet valve in a neck-receiving socket. When the neck is slipped into the socket the outlet valve of the cap unit is opened and substantially simultaneously the inlet valve for the reservoir is opened thus allowing flow of water form the bottle into the reservoir. When the bottle is removed from the reservoir as the cap unit is withdrawn from the neck-receiving socket, the outlet valve in the bottle neck cap unit is positively closed and the inlet valve of the reservoir automatically closes.

Abstract: Bag-in-box packaging of products which will not readily flow under gravity conditions for discharge. The bag is of special three-ply form to provide separate product and pressure chambers. Coupling fitments are connected independently to the respective chambers. When it is desired to dispense the product, the product fitment is exposed at a wall of the box along with the pressure fitment. A dispensing valve on the product fitment is opened and pressure is supplied and maintained in the pressure chamber to expand it and exert pressure through the baffle wall on the product in the product chamber to aid in the dispensing of the product therefrom. Before applying dispensing pressure, the box is disposed in an enveloping pressure-resisting unit. A novel method is provided for efficiently producing the special bag.

Abstract: A tear-off tab structure applicable to a self-closing dispensing valve structure of the toggle type mounted on a spout in which passage to the outlet is normally-closed by an axially inwardly-extending flexible wall structure that can be flexed by a toggle lever carried thereby to complete a discharge passage to the outlet. The tear-off tab structure substantially covers the outlet and to give access to the spout through the outlet the tab structure must be disturbed thereby giving evidence of tampering.

Abstract: A machine for automatically filling the capped spouts of flexible bags of a continuous strip which comprises a strip-feed section, a separated bag-feed section, a separator section and a filling and uncapping/capping section. The strip-feed section feeds the strip to the separator section where the leading bag is separated from the strip and is immediately advanced by the bag-feed section to the filling section. At the filling section, the bag is uncapped, filled and recapped.

Abstract: A machine for automatically filling the capped spouts of flexible bags of a continuous strip which comprises a strip-feed section, a separated bag-feed section, a separator section and a filling and uncapping/capping section. The strip-feed section feeds the strip to the separator section where the leading bag is separated from the strip and is immediately advanced by the bag-feed section to the filling section. At the filling section, the bag is uncapped, filled and recapped.