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 multichannel 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 container filling apparatus for simultaneously filling all containers in a group of containers with a desired volumetric quantity of liquid. A lead group of containers is separated from a line of unfilled containers received by the apparatus. The group of containers is sequentially subjected to a filling operation and to the application of sealing caps, followed by the discharge of the resulting group of filled and capped containers from the apparatus. Each group of containers is supported during the filling and capping operation for proper orientation of the fill openings.

Abstract: A dispensing valve assembly comprising a slideable valve sleeve with a radially-directed dispensing outlet movable from closed position axially within a guide portion to open position axially-outwardly of the guide portion. Keying means between the guide portion and valve sleeve ensures that the dispensing outlet is normally directed downwardly but this keying means is flexible and can be overcome to permit twisting of the valve sleeve in the guide portion to break a seal connected therebetween. Finger-engaging means are also provided to facilitate closing.

Abstract: A removeable and replaceable self-sealing valve formed of resiliently flexible plastic which has inner and outer concentric walls spaced to provide an axially inwardly-opening socket for receiving the outer end of a semi-rigid plastic spout carried by a flexible plastic bag. The spout has one or more inner anular sealing ribs formed therein at a location spaced axially-inwardly from its lip and the inner wall normally resiliently engages this seal. A toggle lever is connected to the inner wall to flex it so that a portion thereof is flexed away from the sealing rib to open a dispensing passage to an outlet in the outer wall beyond the spout lip. A removable seal retainer insert holds the inner wall in sealed position until the valve is to be used.

Abstract: A quick-disconnect service-line connector assembly for use in a beverage dispensing system or the like for connecting the service line to a single-service coupling and dispensing spout valve assembly on a flexible bag containing a liquid or semi-liquid product to be dispensed. It comprises a clamp which permits quick application to and removal from the spout of the single-service assembly and the clamp carries a guide structure for mounting a plug or nozzle body assembly for axial movement relative to the spout for insertion into the closed dispensing spout valve member carried therein for pushing it into opened position and simultaneously gripping it so that, as it is withdrawn, it moves the dispensing spout valve member again into closed position. In the nozzle body is a normally-closed flow control valve which is positively opened when the nozzle is inserted into the dispensing spout valve and which is automatically closed as it is withdrawn therefrom.

Abstract: A barrier spout and cap assembly mounted on a flexible bag or pouch of plastic laminate film having barrier material incorporated therein to prevent the permeation of various gases and especially oxygen. The structures of the spout and its cooperating removable and replaceable cap are such that they provide a barrier to gas permeation at the joint between the spout and bag and through the cap. The cap and associated barrier are removeable and replaceable to facilitate filling of the bag.

Abstract: A dispensing valve made as a separate unit to be mounted on a flexible bag in box spout and including a slide valve member slideably disposed in a guide sleeve member for axial movement between closed sealing position and opened dispensing position. A locking arrangement is provided for keeping the slide in fully closed position and to prevent the slide from being accidentally opened. It also includes a sealing arrangement at the outer end of the slide member and guide sleeve for sealing the slide member when it is in closed position. It further includes a flange arrangement on the slide member and guide sleeve member to facilitate gripping by the fingers to push the slide manner into closed position in the guide sleeve member.

Abstract: A dispensing valve comprising a gate slideable transversely over the outer end of a passage from which is to be dispensed various viscous substances. The gate is slideable substantially at a right angle to the axis of the passage and the gate slide and guide are curved transversely relative to the direction of sliding movement so that the gate will be pulled axially into sealing engagement with the outer end of the passage as it moves thereover. Reciprocation of the gate can be accomplished with the fingers of one hand due to the provision of the cooperating lug arrangement on the slide gate and guide.

Abstract: A large light-weight bottle made of plastic of the type used on water dispensers instead of the heavy glass bottle. Each bottle is made of rectangular or square transverse cross-section with spaced reinforcing ribs or bands extending therearound. On opposed flat faces or sides, each bottle is provided, respectively, with a square locking projection and a complemental receiving socket so that a plurality of the bottles can be stacked on their sides with the locking projections and sockets of adjacent sides interfitting to keep the bottles in alignment in the stack and with the reinforcing ribs superimposed for strength.

Abstract: Apparatus for receiving a strip of flexible bags with capped spouts at longitudinally spaced intervals which are to be separated at transverse joints and then fed individually to a point of use. It includes draw rolls for drawing the strip horizontally into cooperation with a separator, means for vertically reciprocating the separator to pass through the strip and separate the leading bag therefrom, a guide channel for receiving the spout of each separated bag, and a feeding element for engaging the spout on each successive bag and arranging the spouts in predetermined spaced relationship relative to previously inserted spouts and with the leading bag in a selected position for its spout to be engaged by bag-withdrawing means.

Abstract: A continuous motion high-speed rotary machine of the turret type which has a plurality of angularly spaced filler heads thereon, each equipped with movable uncapping and capping means and a movable filler nozzle. As the turret rotates continuously, an individual bag spout is partially inserted into the approaching filler head. These bags are of the flexible type, each having a spout with a removable cap pressed thereon. The individual bags may be presented to the successive continuously-moving filler heads automatically or manually. A control system is provided on the machine which includes means for sensing the presence of the partially-inserted capped spout as the spout is clamped in the head. The movable uncapping and capping means on the head is then actuated to remove the cap and move the filler nozzle into cooperation with the clamped spout. A vacuum system on the machine then functions, through the nozzle, to pull vacuum through the spout on the bag to facilitate filling.

Abstract: A dispensing valve for liquid containers of the type which is normally actuated by a resiliently flexible concave diaphragm to automatically close or self-seal it but which can be manually opened a toggle arrangement including an actuating lever or tab extension projecting outwardly from the concave diaphragm. In combination with this automatically-closing toggle-actuated diaphragm structure, an extended spout is provided for slidably mounting the valve so that during shipping or when the container is not to be used for dispensing during relatively long periods, the valve is in a retracted non-dispensing position where it will be provided with an additional seal and where the valve cannot be accidentally opened by engaging the toggle lever or by shock but can be extended readily to dispensing position when desired.

Abstract: A helical coil winding inserted in a flexible bag, such as a plastic bag, and connected to or associated with the dispensing spout or neck opening thereof. The helical coil will extend into the bag and will provide a form, about which the flexible wall of the bag will collapse and form, to provide a dispensing tube or passageway leading to the bag spout, as the contents of the bag are removed as a result of a pumping action, suction action or other condition resulting in differential pressure causing collapse of the bag.