초록 ▼

A dispensing container including a interior barrier bag is disclosed, along with a method for filling the barrier bag with a material to be dispensed. The dispensing structure includes a non-vented pump and a dip tube structure, and a mechanism for venting the interior of the container to the atmosp

A dispensing container including a interior barrier bag is disclosed, along with a method for filling the barrier bag with a material to be dispensed. The dispensing structure includes a non-vented pump and a dip tube structure, and a mechanism for venting the interior of the container to the atmosphere and for venting the interior of the barrier bag during filling. During assembly and filling, the barrier bag is wrapped or collapsed around the dip tube structure, so that the dip tube structure and the barrier bag can be easily inserted into a conventional container. After insertion, the barrier bag is inflated (with either an air blast or the introduction of the dispensed product) and filled with product. After filling a pump structure can be attached to the container. The method and apparatus allow a barrier bag device to be used on conventionally-designed container structures. The method and apparatus are particularly useful with containers which are made up at least partially of recycled materials.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [11.] A barrier structure for holding a product to be dispensed, comprising:(a) a fitment including an axially inner end, said fitment comprising a venting path on a radially outer surface of said fitment, said fitment further comprising a second venting path on a radially inner surface

[ I claim:] [11.] A barrier structure for holding a product to be dispensed, comprising:(a) a fitment including an axially inner end, said fitment comprising a venting path on a radially outer surface of said fitment, said fitment further comprising a second venting path on a radially inner surface of said fitment;(b) a flexible bag structure sealingly secured to said fitment..Iaddend..Iadd.12. The barrier structure of claim 11, wherein:said second venting path is on a radially inner surface of said axially inner end..Iaddend..Iadd.13. A dispensing apparatus for holding a product to be dispensed, comprising:(a) a container;(b) a fitment including an axially inner end, said fitment comprising a venting path on a radially outer surface of said fitment, said fitment further comprising a second venting path on a radially inner surface of said fitment;(c) a flexible bag structure sealingly secured to said fitment..Iaddend..Iadd.14. The dispensing apparatus of claim 13, wherein:said second venting path is on a radially inner surface of said axially inner end..Iaddend..Iadd.15. A method of filling a dispensing container comprising the steps of:(a) providing a container;(b) inserting a sealed barrier structure into an interior of said container, said barrier structure comprising a flexible bag and a fitment, said flexible bag being sealed to said fitment, said fitment comprising a venting path on a radially outer surface of said fitment and a second venting path on a radially inner surface of said fitment;(c) filling said flexible bag with a product to be dispensed, said step of filling said flexible bag comprising the steps of venting air from an interior of said flexible bag through said second venting path and venting air from an interior of said container through said venting h..Iaddend..Iadd.16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:attaching a pump structure to said container after said step of filling said flexible bag..Iaddend..Iadd.17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:expanding said flexible bag to substantially fill an interior of said container to said step of filling said flexible bag..Iaddend.