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 integral texture to assist in 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: A method of forming a plurality of interconnected bulk bags or with an interconnecting section of material between adjacent bags on a roll or blank of flexible material to permit the blank of material to be advanced for subsequent processing. The interconnecting section is defined at least in part by a separation line that permits scrap or waste material to be removed from the blank without removing the interconnecting section. This permits the bags to remain interconnected after they are formed so that they may be disposed on a roll or folded in a box for convenient shipping and handling of a plurality of bags. Desirably, perforations maybe provided between adjacent bags to facilitate removal of an individual bag from the remainder.

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 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 tap for dispensing liquids, essentially constituted by a body (1) for mounting in the outlet of a receptacle and for dispensing liquid, in a rigid manner, by a flap or a sealing closure member (2) for an opening (3) for dispensing the liquid, provided with a control member (4) and disposed in the portion of the body (1) opposite that for mounting in the outlet, and by an actuating device (5) for the control member (4). The body is made of a composite material by conjoint injection or co-molding in a single molded piece integrating the actuating device (5) for the control member (4) of the flap or of the sealing closure membrane (2) of the opening (3) for dispensing the liquid, by spring force, via a resiliently deformable membrane constituted by a flexible material with permanent spring effect, the rest of the body (1) being constituted of a rigid material.

Abstract: A fill valve assembly for use in association with a filler device. The fill valve assembly generally includes: an outer housing; a product dispensing member; a displaceable piston; and mechanisms for controllably displacing the piston to a clean-in-place position. The product dispensing member is associated with the outer housing and includes a channel having a sealing member retained therein. The displaceable piston is positioned within at least a portion of the outer housing and the product dispensing member. When the piston is in the clean-in-place position, the seal member retained within the channel of the product dispensing member is exposed which facilitates cleaning thereabout.

Abstract: A tap for dispensing liquids, essentially constituted by a body (1) for mounting in the outlet of a receptacle and for dispensing liquid, in a rigid manner, by a flap or a sealing closure member (2) for an opening (3) for dispensing the liquid, provided with a control member (4) and disposed in the portion of the body (1) opposite that for mounting in the outlet, and by an actuating device (5) for the control member (4) . The body is made of a composite material by conjoint injection or co-molding in a single molded piece integrating the actuating device (5) for the control member (4) of the flap or of the sealing closure membrane (2) of the opening (3) for dispensing the liquid, by spring force, via a resiliently deformable membrane constituted by a flexible material with permanent spring effect, the rest of the body (1) being constituted of a rigid material.

Abstract: A rotary union assembly for use in a rotary filler device comprising a first product supply conduit, a second product supply conduit, and a product supply turret rotatably coupled to the first product supply conduit and the second product supply conduit, to, in turn, maintain substantially sealed coupling therebetween.

Abstract: A tap for dispensing liquids, essentially constituted by a body (1) for mounting in the outlet of a receptacle and for dispensing liquid, in a rigid manner, by a flap or a sealing closure membrane (2) for an opening (3) for dispensing the liquid, provided with a control member (4) and disposed in the portion of the body (1) opposite that for mounting in the outlet, and by an actuating device (5) for the control member (4). The body is made of a composite material by conjoint injection or co-molding in a single molded piece integrating the actuating device (5) for the control member (4) of the flap or of the sealing closure membrane (2) of the opening (3) for dispensing the liquid, by spring force, via a resiliently deformable membrane constituted by a flexible material with permanent spring effect, the rest of the body (1) being constituted of a rigid material.

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. One way that the bag can be expanded, pursuant to this invention, is for a lid to be sealed onto the container and a vacuum drawn from between the bag and the container. 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. Another way to expand the bag is, after filling the bag with the flowable product, to inject pressurized gas into the bag. For this embodiment, the container need not be vacuum sealable. For example, the container may be formed from a metal, plastic, cardboard and the like, and the container walls can be either solid or have openings.

Abstract: A tap for dispensing fluid from a vessel includes a main tap body, an actuator, and a seal member. The main tap body includes a passage with an inlet and an outlet and a seat with a shoulder formed around the outlet. The actuator has a handled and is pivotally attached to the main tap body and dispenses fluid from the vessel upon activation of the handle by a user. The seal member is received within the seat and attached to the actuator. The seal member includes a retaining portion received against the shoulder of the seat and a sealing portion which is releasably engageable with the seat. The seal member is resilient to provide a bias force to urge the sealing portion against the seat.

Abstract: A liquid-dispensing tap includes a tap body which is mountable to a container holding liquid, a seal member disposed within the tap body, and an actuator connected to the seal member. The actuator is pivotally disposed on the tap body so that when pivoted by a user, a seal formed between the seal member and the tap body is disengaged, allowing liquid within the container to dispense. The actuator may be pivoted in any number of predetermined directions. The tap may be manufactured and assembled to consist essentially of only the tap body, the seal member, and the actuator, thereby eliminating many other elements commonly found in conventional taps.

Abstract: A two-part coupling valve apparatus includes a first coupling part and a second coupling part which are mutually inter-engageable to open fluid communication through the coupling valve. The coupling parts can be disengaged from one another to discontinue fluid communication, which also closes fluid communication between each of the coupling parts and ambient. The retention volume of fluid exposed to ambient upon the coupling parts being disconnected is small. The coupling valve also allows a user to selectively regulate the flow rate of fluid by manually rotating the coupling parts relative to one another.

Abstract: A two-part coupling structure includes a male coupling part and a female coupling part which are mutually engageable to open fluid communication between a fluid-storage vessel and a conduit, for example. The coupling parts are disengageable from one another to discontinue fluid communication between the vessel and the conduit, and also to close communication between ambient and each of the vessel and conduit. The retention volume of fluid which is trapped between the connected male and female coupling parts and which is exposed to or lost to ambient when the coupling parts are disconnected is very small. The male coupling part is carried in a guide structure which is removably engageable with the female coupling part to guide the male coupling part into engagement. Also, the male coupling part and its guide structure define cooperating structural features which effect opening of the male coupling part in response to advancement relative to the guide structure.

Abstract: A two-part coupling structure includes a male coupling part and a female coupling part which are mutually engageable to open fluid communication between a fluid-storage vessel and a conduit. The coupling parts are disengageable from one another to discontinue fluid communication between the vessel and the conduit, and also to close communication between ambient and each of the vessel and conduit. The retention volume of fluid which is trapped between the connected male and female coupling parts and which is exposed to or lost to ambient when the coupling parts are disconnected is very small. Because of particular structural features, the coupling parts will function reliably even with fluid having chunks or particulates of non-fluid material therein.

Abstract: A two-part coupling structure includes a male coupling part and a female coupling part which are mutually engageable to open fluid communication between a fluid-storage vessel and a conduit. The coupling parts are disengageable from one another to discontinue fluid communication between the vessel and the conduit, and also to close communication between ambient and each of the vessel and conduit. The retention volume of fluid which is trapped between the connected male and female coupling parts and which is exposed to or lost to ambient when the coupling parts are disconnected is very small. Because of particular structural features, the coupling parts will function reliably even with fluid having chunks or particulates of non-fluid material therein.

Abstract: A valve is provided which includes a valve body having a passageway from an inlet end to an outlet end and a tapered annular valve seat intermediate the ends, a plastic poppet being provided with a disc portion and a tapered portion which can engage the valve seat, the tapered part being stepped to provide a deflectable outer edge portion, the poppet including three beams which extend toward the inlet end of the body and are bent outwardly to enter a groove in the valve body, thereby providing resilient means to bias the poppet to a closed position. The valve body includes a transverse wall adjacent the valve seat, the wall having openings for allowing flow through the passageway and also including an opening that receives a post projecting from the poppet toward the outlet end and beyond the wall for engagement by a mating connector to displace the poppet to its open position.