Dispensing system and a refill pouch

• US 4,553,685 A
• Filed: 12/21/1984
• Issued: 11/19/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CCL Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Enviro-Spray Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Magid, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, Charles A.
• Application Number:
  US06/684,742
• Time in Patent Office: 333 Days
• Field of Search: 222/1, 222/95, 222/94, 222/386.5, 222/399, 222/394
• US Class Current: 222/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/625 the propellant being generated by a chemical or electrochemical reaction for pressure gas in portable fire extinguishers A62C13/02

Abstract

The refill pouch is constructed of a flexible pouch containing a product to be dispensed and an expandable bag containing gas generating components for expanding the bag. Upon placement in a container with a valve, the pouch can be opened and the gas generating components activated. After dispensing of a product, the container can be emptied and a fresh refill pouch placed within the container.

Claims

1. A method of using a pressurizable dispensing assembly including a container with a receptacle chamber and an opening communicating with said chamber, closure means removably engageable with said container for closing said opening, and outlet means provided on said closure means for dispensing a flowable product from within said chamber, said method comprising the steps of:

removing the closure means from the container;

withdrawing, from the receptacle chamber of said container through the opening thereof, a first product-containing pouch at least partially emptied of product;

upon the completion of said step of withdrawing, inserting into said receptacle chamber through said opening a second product-containing pouch including therein a prepackaged flowable product to be dispensed, said second product-containing pouch being sealed and inflatable to define a liner within said container upon expansion therein of said second product-containing pouch, said second product-containing pouch further including therein a sealed expandable pressure-generating bag for exerting pressure on said prepackaged flowable product, said bag including therein first bag inflation means for expanding said bag to force said prepackaged flowable product from said second product-containing pouch and out of said container through the outlet means on said closure means, said bag further including therein triggering means for activating said first bag inflation means and second bag inflation means for generating additional bag expansion as said prepackaged flowable product is dispensed from said second product-containing pouch through said outlet means;

opening said second product-containing pouch to enable communication of said prepackaged flowable product held therein with said outlet means; and

upon the completion of said steps of removing, withdrawing and inserting, reattaching said closure means to said container.

2. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of manipulating said triggering means to begin the activation of said first bag expansion means, said step of manipulating being executed prior to said step of inserting.

3. The method defined in claim 2, further comprising the step of puncturing said first product-containing pouch prior to said step of withdrawing.

4. The method defined in claim 3 wherein said step of puncturing is executed prior to said step of removing.

5. The method defined in claim 3 or 4 wherein said container includes an additional opening, said step of puncturing comprising the step of inserting a piercing implement through said additional opening and puncturing said first product-containing pouch.

6. The method defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said outlet means is provided with valve means for controlling the dispensing of said prepackaged flowable product from said second product-containing pouch through said outlet means, further comprising the step of operating said valve means to dispense said prepackaged flowable product.

7. The method defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said second product-containing pouch includes a removable tab for opening said second product-containing pouch, said step of opening comprising the step of removing said tab from said second product-containing pouch.

8. The method defined in claim 7 wherein said step of opening is performed prior to said step of inserting.

9. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said second product-containing pouch is flexible so as to substantially conform to the shape of said receptacle chamber upon expansion of said second product-containing pouch therein.

10. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said container is substantially cylindrical and has an opening in a top end thereof and wherein said closure means is circular and is attachable to said container at the top end thereof.

12. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said first and said second bag inflation means each comprise a gas generating means.

13. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said prepackaged flowable product is a concentrate.

14. The method defined in claim 13 further comprising the step of adding water to said second product-containing pouch upon the execution of said step of opening and prior to said step of reattaching.

15. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of puncturing said first product-containing pouch prior to said step of withdrawing.

16. The method defined in claim 15 wherein said step of puncturing is executed prior to said step of removing.

17. The method defined in claim 16 wherein said container includes an additional opening, said step of puncturing comprising the step of inserting a piercing instrument through said additional opening and puncturing said first product-containing pouch.

18. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said step of opening performed prior to said step of inserting.

11. The method defined in step 1 wherein said second product containing pouch includes a siphon tube.