Container and set of preforms for forming a container

• US 10,087,062 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2013
• Issued: 10/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Heineken Supply Chain B.V. (L'Arche Holding SA)
• Original Assignee: Heineken Supply Chain B.V. (L'Arche Holding SA)
• Inventors: Witte, Pieter Gerard, Paauwe, Arie Maarten, Bax, Bart Jan
• Primary Examiner(s): Weiss, Nicholas J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bainbridge, Andrew P
• Application Number:
  US14/416,953
• Publication Number:
  US 20150210524A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,894 Days
• Field of Search: 222 95, 222105, 222394, 222399, 2224007, 222401, 222388, 2223865, 22215301-15304, 22215309-15314, 53471, 264241, 264248, 264263, 264268, 264516, 264537, 215 121- 122, 215307, 215309, 215385, 425110, 425112, 425468, 425577, 425517, 425392, 425402, 428 357, 428 366, 4285428, 428 3691, 137 125, 137 1512, 137 1518, 137212, 137322-323, 251 895, 251344-345, 251347, 220240, 220677, 22049504, 22049506, 220617-618, 220613, 156 69, 156242, 156 735
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 11/14 characterised by structure or composition
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2049/023 using inherent heat of the preform, i.e. 1 step blow moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0715 the preform having one end closed
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0792 Closure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/08 Preforms made of several individual parts, e.g. by welding or gluing parts together
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/20 Preforms or parisons whereby a specific part is made of only one component, e.g. only one layer
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/3008 at neck portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/3012 at flange portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/3016 at body portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/302 at bottom portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/3066 having two or more components being applied using said techniques
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/3086 Interaction between two or more components, e.g. type of or lack of bonding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/06 Injection blow-moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/071 Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration, e.g. geometry, dimensions or physical properties
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/0246 Closure retaining means, e.g. beads, screw-threads
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/14 Suspension means handles B65D33/06
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0055 Containers or packages provided with a flexible bag or a deformable membrane or diaphragm for expelling the contents
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0462 Squeezing collapsible or flexible beverage containers, e.g. bag-in-box containers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0801 of beverage containers, e.g. casks, kegs
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0804 Shape or materials
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0807 : Openings for emptying, e.g. taped openings
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0835 : with one valve
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0812 : Bottles, cartridges or similar containers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0822 : Pressurised rigid containers, e.g. kegs, figals
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0828 : in pressurised housing

Abstract

Container of a bag-in-container type, wherein a neck region of the container is provided with at least one opening extending substantially radially there through, into a space between the outer container and an inner container adjacent thereto, wherein: the neck region is provided with coupling elements, preferably at opposite sides of the at least one opening, seen in circumferential direction, for coupling of a connecting device to the container for introducing a pressure fluid through the at least one opening into a space between the inner and outer container; and/or the at least one opening is provided with or forming part of a first coupler for coupling a pressure fluid feed line to the opening, for pressurizing a space between the inner and outer container.

Claims

1. A bag-in-container, comprising a neck region with at least one opening extending substantially radially there through, into a space between an outer container and an inner container adjacent thereto, wherein:

the neck region is provided with coupling elements, for releasably coupling of a connecting device to the bag-in-container for introducing a pressure fluid through said at least one opening into the space between the inner and outer containers, wherein the coupling elements are provided at opposite sides of said at least one opening, seen in circumferential direction; and

/or

the at least one opening is provided with or forming part of a first coupler for releasably coupling a pressure fluid feed line to said opening, for pressurising said space between the inner and outer containers,

wherein a ring is provided with at least one circumferential wall part, extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bag-in-container or at least of the neck region thereof, wherein teeth are provided on said wall part for engaging a spin welding tool.

2. The bag-in-container according to claim 1, manufactured by blow moulding from at least an inner and an outer plastic preform,

wherein the outer preform forms at least part of the outer container and the inner preform forms at least part of the bag or inner container,

wherein a closure ring is provided to the inner and outer container, at least closing off the space between said inner and outer container, and

wherein the inner and outer preform are integrally blow moulded to form the bag-in-container.

3. The bag-in-container according to claim 2, wherein the outer container and inner container have first and second neck portions respectively, wherein the ring is connected to the free ends of the first and second neck portions.

4. The bag-in-container according to claim 1, wherein the inner container is suspended by the neck portion in the neck portion of the outer container,

wherein the neck portions both have a free end opposite a body portion of the bag-in-container,

wherein a closure ring is mounted to the free ends of the inner and outer container, wherein an edge of the free end of the neck portion of the inner container lies at a level closer to the body portion of the bag-in-container than an edge of the free end of the neck portion of the outer container, and

wherein the ring extends at least partly into the neck portion of the outer container.

5. The bag-in-container according to claim 3, wherein the at least one opening in the neck region is positioned at a level between the free ends of the neck portions of the inner and outer containers to which the ring is connected.

6. The bag-in-container according to claim 1, wherein the inner container is provided at the neck region with an inclined, outward facing lip portion, which has an edge positioned close to or in abutment with an inner surface of the outer container above the at least one opening, substantially closing off the space between the neck portions of the inner and outer container, whereby debris is prevented from entering the space between the inner and outer container during mounting of a closure ring to the inner and/or outer container,

wherein the lip has an inclined face spaced apart from and facing the opening.

7. The bag-in-container according to claim 1, wherein the inner container has a free edge opposite a body portion of the bag-in-container, which free edge is provided with an annular groove open to the side opposite the body portion, and

wherein a ring is mounted to the free edge, having a skirt extending into said groove.

8. The bag-in-container according to claim 1, wherein a ring has been mounted to the inner and outer containers by spin welding.

9. The bag-in-container according to claim 1, wherein a ring is provided with an opening, opening into the bag or inner container, said opening is closed by a valve.

10. The bag-in-container according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the inner and outer preform is provided with spacer elements, at least in a shoulder portion, forming a transition area between the neck regions and the body portion of the bag-in-container, preventing close contact between at least part of the inner surface of the outer container and the outer surface of the inner container in said area,

wherein the neck portion of the outer preform is provided with an inward reaching shoulder,

wherein the inner preform has an outward reaching flange, adjacent to or resting at least partly on said shoulder, and

wherein said flange and/or said shoulder comprises at least one spacer element or passage for providing a passage between the flange and the shoulder.

11. The bag-in-container according to claim 1, wherein a coupler element is provided in or at least partly by the at least one opening, and

wherein the coupler element comprises a channel including a bend between the bag-in-container and an opposite end for coupling to a pressure medium feed line.

12. A set of preforms for forming the bag-in-container according to claim 1.

13. The set of preforms according to claim 12, wherein the inner and outer preform are for blow moulding to form the bag-in-container, and

wherein a closure ring is mounted on the inner and outer preforms, at least closing off the space between said inner and outer container.

14. The set of preforms according to claim 13, wherein the outer preform and inner preform have first and second neck portions respectively, wherein the ring is connected to the free ends of the first and second neck portions.

15. The set of preforms according to claim 12, wherein the inner preform is suspended in the outer preform by a neck portion of the inner preform,

wherein the neck portions both have a free end opposite a body portion,

wherein a closure ring is mounted to the free ends of the inner and outer preforms,

wherein an edge of the free end of the neck portion of the inner preform lies at a level closer to a bottom forming portion of the outer preform than an edge of the free end of the neck portion of the outer preform, and

wherein the ring extends at least partly into the neck portion of the outer preform.

16. The set of preforms according to claim 14, wherein the at least one opening in the neck region is positioned at a level between the free ends of the neck portions of the inner and outer preform to which the ring is connected.

17. The set of preforms according to claim 12, wherein the inner preform is provided at the neck region with an inclined, outward facing lip portion, which has an edge positioned close to or in abutment with an inner surface of the outer preform above the at least one opening, substantially closing off the space between the neck portions of the inner and outer preforms, whereby debris is prevented from entering the space between the inner and outer preforms during mounting of a closure ring to the inner and/or outer preform, and

wherein the lip has an inclined face spaced apart from and facing the opening.

18. The set of preforms according to claim 12, wherein the inner preform has a free edge opposite a bottom forming portion, which free edge is provided with an annular groove open to the side opposite the bottom forming portion, and

wherein a ring is mounted to the free edge, having a skirt extending into said groove.

19. The set of preforms according to claim 12, wherein a ring is mounted to the inner and/or outer preforms by spin welding.

20. The set of preforms according to claim 12, wherein a ring is provided with an opening, opening into the inner preform, which is sufficiently large for entering a blow moulding core tool, such as a stretch rod, into the inner preform during blow moulding the preforms into a bag-in-container and for pressure release passed said tool.

21. The set of preforms according to claim 12, wherein a ring is provided with at least one circumferential wall part extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the preforms or at least of the neck portions thereof, and

wherein teeth are provided on said wall part for engaging a spin welding tool.

22. The set of preforms according to claim 12, wherein the inner and outer preforms each have a body forming portion extending from the respective neck portions, said body forming portions including bottom forming portions, and

wherein a longitudinal outer length of the body forming portion of the inner preform is substantially equal to a longitudinal inner length of the body forming portion of the outer preform.

23. The set of preforms according to claim 12, wherein the outer preform has a substantially cylindrical body forming portion extending from the neck region, which is at least partly substantially cylindrical, the body forming portion and the neck region having coinciding longitudinal axes, and

wherein a maximum outer cross section of the body forming portion is smaller than an average cross section of the substantially cylindrical portion of the neck region.

24. The set of preforms according to claim 23, wherein a flange is provided between the substantially cylindrical part of the neck region and the body forming portion of the outer preform.

25. The set of preforms according to claim 23, wherein the neck region of the outer preform is provided with an inward reaching shoulder,

wherein the inner preform has an outward reaching flange, adjacent to or resting at least partly on said shoulder, and

wherein said flange and/or said shoulder comprises at least one spacer element or passage for providing a passage between the flange and the shoulder.

26. The set of preforms according to claim 24, wherein the shoulder is provided at a level substantially the same as the level of the flange.

27. The set of preforms according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the inner and outer preform is provided with spacer elements, at least in a shoulder portion, forming a transition area between the neck portions and the body portion of the bag-in-container, preventing close contact between at least part of the inner surface of the outer container and the outer surface of the inner container,

wherein the neck portions of the outer preform is provided with an inward reaching shoulder,

wherein the inner preform has an outward reaching flange, adjacent to or resting at least partly on said shoulder, and

wherein said flange and/or said shoulder comprises at least one spacer element or passage for providing a passage between the flange and the shoulder.

28. A method for forming a bag-in-container using the set of preforms according to claim 12, wherein

part of a blow moulding tool is inserted into the inner preform through an opening in a ring closing off a space between the inner and outer preform and integrally blow moulding the set of preforms into the bag-in-container, thereby allowing pressure equilibration between said space and the environment of the bag-in-container through said at least one opening in the neck region, at least during blow moulding of the bag-in-container.

29. A tapping assembly for a beverage, comprising the bag-in-container according to claim 1,

wherein the assembly further comprises a connecting element, connected or connectable to a coupler element formed at least partly by or provided in the at least one opening, and

wherein the connecting element is connected to a source of pressurized gas.

30. The set of preforms according to claim 20, wherein the opening has a cross section smaller than the inner cross section of the neck portion of the inner preform, and

wherein a peripheral outer surface portion of the tool is spaced apart from an interior peripheral surface of the inner preform.

31. The set of preforms according to claim 25, wherein the at least one spacer element extends at least below said at least one opening.

32. A set of preforms for forming a bag-in-container, comprising an inner preform and an outer preform,

wherein a neck portion of one of the preforms is provided with at least one opening extending substantially radially there through, into a space between the outer preform and a part of the inner preform adjacent thereto,

wherein the neck portion is provided with at least one of

coupling elements, at opposite sides of said at least one opening, seen in circumferential direction;

and

a coupler element in or partly formed by the at least one opening for releasably coupling of a pressure medium feed line to a bag-in-container after blow moulding of the preforms, for introducing a pressure fluid through said at least one opening into a space between inner and outer containers,

wherein the outer and inner preforms each have neck portions, wherein a ring is connected to the free ends of the neck portions.

33. A method for forming a set of preforms for integrally blow moulding a bag-in-container comprising,

inserting an inner preform into an outer preform, wherein the inner preform is connected to the outer preform by at least a ring, welded or glued to a free end of at least one of the inner and outer preforms,

wherein the ring is an integral part of or is connected to the other of the inner and outer preform,

wherein a space between the inner and outer preform is closed off by said ring,

wherein at least one opening is provided through a neck portion of the inner preform or outer preform, opening into said space and extending substantially radially through a wall of said neck portion, and

wherein the set of preforms are then integrally blow moulded to form a bag-in-container.

34. A bag-in-container comprising a neck region with at least one opening extending substantially radially there through, into a space between an outer container and an inner container adjacent thereto, wherein:

the neck region is provided with coupling elements, at opposite sides of said at least one opening, seen in circumferential direction, for coupling of a connecting device to the bag-in-container for introducing a pressure fluid through said at least one opening into a space between the inner and outer containers; and

/or

the at least one opening is provided with or forming part of a first coupler for coupling a pressure fluid feed line to said opening, for pressurizing the space between the inner and outer containers,

wherein a ring is provided with at least one circumferential wall part, extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bag-in-container or at least of the neck region thereof, and

wherein teeth are provided on said wall part for engaging a spin welding tool.

35. A set of preforms for forming the bag-in-container according to claim 34.