Dispensing – With cutter and/or punch – To form dispensing opening in container
Patent
1998-04-17
1999-10-19
Jacyna, J. Casimer
Dispensing
With cutter and/or punch
To form dispensing opening in container
222107, 141114, 141329, 604905, 604906, 600 35, 383202, A61D 1902
Patent
active
059673680
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns means for connecting a flexible container of fluid to an external duct, the container being formed of a sealed flexible bag delimiting at least one sealed compartment, and the external duct comprising a tube with an orifice for connection to the container.
Flexible containers are used in the most diverse applications to contain a fluid in a sealed flexible bag, usually made of plastic material. The container is usually connected to an external duct by providing a coupling, on the flexible bag of the container, fixed to the bag. When the container is designed to contain initially a fluid, the coupling is closed off by a stopper or a tear-off seal. The orifice of the external duct then fits over or into the coupling, and to allow the fluid to flow the seal is torn off or the stopper is removed. One drawback of a structure of the above kind is the relative complexity of the container, that has to include a rigid coupling associated with the flexible bag, and the relative complexity of use because of the need to remove the stopper or to tear off the seal to make the connection. Another drawback is that aseptic conditions are not assured, because there is a risk of pollution by bacteria when the external duct is connected to the container.
The same drawbacks exist in the device described in document GB-A-1 295 834, in which the container coupling closed off by a stopper is fitted afterwards:a conical coupling covered with a conical stopper is previously contained in the liquid in the flexible bag container; a perforated plate is applied to the outside face of the bag, and the coupling and the conical stopper are forced through the flexible bag and the perforation in the plate to grip the bag between a peripheral flange on the coupling and the perforated plate. The stopper is then removed, or the coupling is pierced, to fit an external duct. Aseptic conditions are not assured at the time of such fitting.
In document WO-A-93 14986, the coupling previously contained in the liquid in the flexible bag container has an ogival pointed and chamfered end, extended by a cylindrical body and a push-base. The end of a tubular external duct is applied to the outside face of the bag, and the chamfered coupling is forced to pierce the bag and enter the duct. The seal between the external duct and the container is not satisfactory.
Document EP-A-0 605 406 proposes flexible containers formed of a sealed flexible bag one side of which can be torn, for example by providing areas of weakness or pre-cut areas, the external duct having an end shaped to allow the user to introduce this end into the torn portion of the bag. Although the container can be made more economically than in the previous embodiment, handling is even more difficult because it is difficult to engage the end of the external duct in the opening of the flexible bag, the flexibility of the bag preventing accurate lining up, and it is even more difficult to prevent the fluid flowing out of the bag before the end of the external duct is inserted completely and correctly. Aseptic conditions are also not assured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The problem addressed by the present invention is therefore that of designing a new structure for devices for connecting a flexible container to an external duct, preventing any outflow of the fluid during and after connection of the external duct to the flexible container.
Another object of the invention is to limit the risk of pollution of the fluid on passing between the flexible container and the external duct.
To achieve the above and other objects the invention provides a device for connecting a flexible container for fluid to an external duct, the container being formed of a flexible bag that can be welded to delimit at least one sealed compartment, the external duct comprising a tube with an axial passage with a connecting opening, a tubular rigid coupling being received freely inside the compartment delimited by the flexible bag and including an elongate axial
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Eilberg William H.
Jacyna J. Casimer
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