Abstract: A container system comprising an outer container, an inner container and a spout. The outer container includes a body and an outer spout. The inner container includes a bag and an inner spout. The inner container is positionable within the outer container such that the inner spout can extend through the outer spout. The spout interfacing assembly comprises a gasket and a lock ring. The gasket includes an outer container interfacing surface engagable with the outer spout and an inner container interfacing surface engagable with the inner spout. The lock ring is couplable to one of the inner spout and outer spout, the lock ring capable of limiting the movement of the inner spout relative to the outer spout. The attachment of a valve assembly substantially uniformly compresses the gasket to, in turn, maintain a substantially uniform and fluid tight seal between the inner spout and the outer spout.

Abstract: A hermetic package having a fitment having base coupled to a lid. The base is composed of a collar having a recessed groove, the base of the fitment defines an opening which provides access to the contents of the hermetic package. The lid is a planar structure having a first face and a second face. The lid includes a sealing member extending from the second face of the lid and engages the recessed groove on the base of the fitment to provide an airtight seal.

Abstract: The portable tank defines a chamber within which is disposed a liner having a sealing interface with a tank discharge assembly. The features of the sealing interface of the liner with the discharge assembly and this discharge assembly itself virtually eliminate any risk that contents of the tank will seep or flow into the space outside of the liner and between the liner and the inner walls of the tank. The method of installing and using the liner system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A two-part coupling structure (22, 32) includes a male coupling part (32) and a female coupling part (22) which are mutually engageable to open fluid communication between the coupling parts (22, 32). For example, the coupling parts (22, 32) may be used to establish fluid communication between a container (12) and a conduit (14). The coupling parts (22, 32) are disengageable from one another to discontinue fluid communication between them, and also to close communication between ambient and each of the container (12) and the conduit (14). The male coupling part (32) includes a mounting structure (44a-44e) for supporting on the female coupling part (32), and also includes a guide structure (44) effective to guide a male probe portion (36) of the male coupling part (32) into engagement with the female coupling part (22).

Abstract: An internal brace for use in association with a flexible container having at least one wall defining an inner cavity. The internal brace comprises a body and an attachment assembly. The body includes a first surface, a second surface, opposite the first surface and opposing ends. The attachment assembly is associated with the opposing ends of the body. The attachment assembly facilitates the attachment of the opposing ends of the body to the at least one wall within the inner cavity.

Abstract: A filler device sub-assembly having a manipulator for manipulating a cap of a container comprising a first and second cap gripper arm and a member for controllably manipulating the cap gripper arms. The controllable manipulating member comprising an inner cam assembly, an outer cam assembly and a follower. The outer cam assembly extends at least partially about the inner cam assembly. One of the inner and outer cam assemblies coupled to the first and second cap gripper arms. The follower is associated with the inner cam assembly and the outer cam assembly. Movement of the lifter shaft imparts movement of the follower and relative movement of the inner cam assembly and the outer cam assembly, to in turn, longitudinally and rotatably move the cap gripper arms from a first position proximate to a container to a second position distally spaced from a container.

Abstract: A container assembly apparatus associatable with a filler device. The container assembly apparatus being capable of positioning an inner flexible container filled by a filler device into an outer container. The container assembly apparatus comprises a transfer device and an outer container drive system. The transfer device comprises a conveyor including a first region and a second region. The first region is associatable with a filler device and the second region is positioned in an orientation which is substantially oblique to the first region. The outer container drive system is capable of positioning an outer container proximate an end of the second region of the conveyor of the transfer device.

Abstract: A flexible bag is positioned in a rigid container, such as a fifty-five gallon drum, and the bag is filled through its spout with flowable product, such as tomato paste. The bag is then expanded in the container to be substantially rigid and thereby reduce film movement and resultant flex cracking. A lid is sealed onto the container and a vacuum drawn from between the bag and the container, to, in turn, expand the bag. Gas volume needs to be present in the bag before the vacuum is applied so that the gas in the bag can expand from the vacuum on its outside. Once expanded, the container can be shipped.

Abstract: A collapsible bag for dispensing liquids which includes at least one sheet sealed to define an enclosure and a fitment (spout) attached to the enclosure and out through which liquid in the enclosure is dispensed. An interior surface of the one or more sheets has an integral texture to assist with withdrawal of the liquid from the enclosure when collapsed. The texture can be provided by sheet surfaces that are mechanically or ultrasonically embossed or are bubble-cushioned or which have sealed pleats or accordion folds. The bottom surface of a lower flange of the fitment may have concentric ridges (or spirals) and/or radial grooves. Also disclosed are methods of making the bag from one, two, three or four sheets.

Abstract: Filling and sealing devices and methods of aseptically filling containers are disclosed herein. More specifically, the filling and sealing devices include a sterile filling chamber and an induction sealing device provided within the filling chamber. The induction sealing device is capable of withstanding and operating in the adverse conditions required to maintain the sterile environment within the filling chamber. Within the filling chamber, the container may be uncapped, filled, recapped, and foil sealed by an induction sealing process.

Abstract: A fill valve assembly for use in association with a filler device comprising an outer housing, a product dispensing member, a displaceable piston and a seal member. The product dispensing member is associated with the outer housing. The displaceable piston is displaceably positioned within the outer housing. The seal member is fixedly associated with the displaceable piston at one end thereof, and at least one of the outer housing and the product dispensing member, at another end thereof. The seal member is capable of maintaining fixed association throughout displacement of the displaceable piston, such that isolation of outer housing and the product dispensing member can be maintained without the use of seals having slidable engagement.

Abstract: A standup bags made of a flexible material and methods of producing these standup bags. In particular, the standup bags have at least one substantially flat surface which is free of seams and folds. When the bag is filled with a flowable substance, the pressure exerted by the fluid upon the flat surfaces allows the bag to be self-standing. Additionally, the standup includes at least one contour structure that defines the geometry of the bag and also contributes to the standup bag's ability to be self-standing when even partially filled with a flowable substance.

Abstract: A standup bags made of a flexible material and methods of producing these standup bags. In particular, the standup bags have at least one substantially flat surface which is free of seams and folds. When the bag is filled with a flowable substance, the pressure exerted by the fluid upon the flat surfaces allows the bag to be self-standing. Additionally, the standup includes at least one contour structure that defines the geometry of the bag and also contributes to the standup bag's ability to be self-standing when even partially filled with a flowable substance.

Abstract: A separator assembly for separating a container from a web of at least two containers, comprising a frame member, a clamp and a clamp actuator. The frame includes a base. The clamp is associated with the frame member. The clamp includes a lower surface defined by at least two legs and a slot positioned therebetween to, in turn, facilitate the clamping of a portion of a web of at least two containers relative to the base. The clamp actuator is associated with each of the at least one clamp and the frame. The at least one clamp actuator is capable of selectively moving the at least two legs and the slot of the lower surface of the at least one clamp relative to the frame, to, in turn, releasably clamp a portion of a web of at least two containers between the base and the at least two legs.

Abstract: A standup bags made of a flexible material and methods of producing these standup bags. In particular, the standup bags have at least one substantially flat surface which is free of seams and folds. When the bag is filled with a flowable substance, the pressure exerted by the fluid upon the flat surfaces allows the bag to be self-standing. Additionally, the standup includes at least one contour structure that defines the geometry of the bag and also contributes to the standup bag's ability to be self-standing when even partially filled with a flowable substance.

Abstract: The portable tank defines a chamber within which is disposed a liner having a sealing interface with a tank discharge assembly. The features of the sealing interface of the liner with the discharge assembly and this discharge assembly itself virtually eliminate any risk that contents of the tank will seep or flow into the space outside of the liner and between the liner and the inner walls of the tank. The method of installing and using the liner system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A filler device sub-assembly comprising: a first cap gripping arm and a second cap gripping arm, wherein each of the first and second cap gripping arms include a second end, and wherein the second ends of the first and second cap gripping arms cooperatively define a cap retaining region; a pivot opening associated with each of the first and second cap gripping arms, wherein the first and second cap gripping arms are pivotable about the pivot opening; and means for guiding a cap into the cap retaining region, wherein the cap guiding means facilitates outward pivoting of at least one of the first and second cap gripping arms by a cap which results in directing a cap into the retaining region toward retention thereof.

Abstract: A two-part connector structure (22, 32) includes a male connector part (32) and a female connector part (22) which are mutually engageable to open fluid communication between the connector parts (22, 32). For example, the connector parts (22, 32) may be used to establish fluid communication between a container (12) and a conduit (14). The connector parts (22, 32) are disengageable from one another to discontinue fluid communication between them, and also to close communication between ambient and each of the container and the conduit. The male connector part (32) includes a mounting structure (32a) for supporting on the female connector part (22), and also includes a guide structure (44) effective to guide a male portion (36) of the male connector part (32) into engagement with the female connector part (22).

Abstract: Filling and sealing devices and methods of aseptically filling containers are disclosed herein. More specifically, the filling and sealing devices include a sterile filling chamber and an induction sealing device provided within the filling chamber. The induction sealing device is capable of withstanding and operating in the adverse conditions required to maintain the sterile environment within the filling chamber. Within the filling chamber, the container may be uncapped, filled, recapped, and foil sealed by an induction sealing process.

Abstract: A hermetic package having a fitment having base coupled to a lid. The base is composed of a collar having a recessed groove, the base of the fitment defines an opening which provides access to the contents of the hermetic package. The lid is a planar structure having a first face and a second face. The lid includes a sealing member extending from the second face of the lid and engages the recessed groove on the base of the fitment to provide an airtight seal.