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: 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 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 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: This invention provides for a quick-disconnect coupling and valve assembly which consists of a single-service coupling and valve assembly and a connector for cooperating therewith. The single-service coupling and valve assembly is comprised of two main parts, namely, a spout fitment for a flexible bag and a valve member which slidably fits within the spout for axial movement. The valve member is provided with an outwardly-opening socket for receiving the connector and this socket has at least one dispensing outlet in the base thereof. In use, the valve member is normally in closed position with the outlet disposed within the spout axially-outwardly of an inner seal between the spout and valve member. A one-way stop arrangement permits axial inward movement of the valve member relative to the spout but prevents axial outward movement, the inward movement opening the valve by moving the outlet inwardly beyond the spout.

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 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.

Abstract: A self-sealing dispensing valve for use on various containers. It is a simple two-piece device consisting of an outer housing having a dispensing outlet and an inner complemental valve member which ordinarily closes the outlet but which can be moved by finger pressure to open the outlet, and which will automatically return to its closed position when opening pressure is released. The housing has a flexible dome-shaped outer wall which embraces and is attached to a complemental dome-shaped rigid wall at the outer end of the valve member, which also has an axially inwardly extending flared sealing skirt. The skirt normally seats on the outlet, which extends radially through the correspondially tapered housing, but will be displaced axially inwardly to open the outlet, upon inward axial pressure on the outer dome-shaped flexible housing wall. Internal container pressure aids in the normal seating of the valve member.