Container such as a nursing container, with flexible liner and access site and method of making said access site

• US 4,558,792 A
• Filed: 04/12/1984
• Issued: 12/17/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Cabernoch, James L., White, Leonard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pollard, Steven M.
• Application Number:
  US06/599,412
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 215/11 R, 215/11 D, 215/11 E, 220/403, 220/404, 220/413
• US Class Current: 215/11.3
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 11/0095 Seal rupturing means containers having several compartments for products to be mixed A61J1/2093
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 9/001 with inner liners
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/3094 preform having at least partially loose components, e.g. at least partially loose layers
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/04 Extrusion blow-moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/22 using multilayered preforms or parisons
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/02 by heating, with or without pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/112 Single lapped joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/114 Single butt joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/133 Fin-type joints, the parts to be joined being flexible the parts to be joined being rigid B29C66/1312
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/135 Single hemmed joints, i.e. one of the parts to be joined being hemmed in the joint area
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1352 Single hem to hem joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/43123 Closing the ends of squeeze tubes, e.g. for toothpaste or cosmetics producing flexible squeeze tubes by combined operations B29D23/20; collapsible tubes B65D35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/5324 said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length B29C66/5326 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/5344 said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length, e.g. joining flanges to tube ends B29C66/5346 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/54 Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-shells, to form hollow articles, e.g. for making balls, containers; Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-cylinders, to form tubular articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/72341 for gases
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 22/003 Containers for packaging, storing or transporting, e.g. bottles, jars, cans, barrels, tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 23/20 Flexible squeeze tubes, e.g. for cosmetics
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/06 : PE, i.e. polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/0641 : MDPE, i.e. medium density polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/0666 : ULMWPE, i.e. ultra low molecular weight polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2025/08 : Copolymers of styrene, e.g. AS or SAN, i.e. acrylonitrile styrene B29K2055/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2027/06 : PVC, i.e. polyvinylchloride
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2009/00 : Layered products
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2009/001 : the layers being loose
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2023/20 : Flexible squeeze tubes, e.g. for cosmetics
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 : of synthetic resin

Abstract

A container is disclosed having a semi-rigid or rigid shell, a co-extensive flexible liner weakly or temporarily adhered to the shell and an access site defined in the container wall to which an access assembly may be attached. The access site is preferably defined by an annular fold in the container wall which tightly captures the liner to provide a mechanical peripheral seal between the shell and liner around the access site to prevent leakage of liquid, into the area between the shell and liner. The container is particularly useful as a nursing container, including a nipple access site with an attached nipple assembly.

Claims

1. A nursing container comprising:

a substantially rigid outer shell;

a co-extensive flexible inner liner selectively adhered to said outer shell and separable therefrom;

a nipple access site defined in said shell and liner;

a nipple assembly sealed to said container at said access site;

said access site being defined by a continuous circumferential fold in said shell and liner tightly capturing said liner to prevent inadvertent delamination of said liner outwardly of said fold upon rupture of said access site.

2. A nursing container in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a dispensing nipple assembly attached to said access site and including means for rupturing said access site upon manipulation of said nipple assembly.

3. A nursing container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fold comprises at least one fold of said wall portion to define two segments of said wall portion in overlying relationship with a portion of said liner captured in a face-to-face relationship therebetween.

4. A nursing container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fold is cross-sectionally S-shaped.

5. A nursing container in accordance with claim 4 wherein said S-shaped fold is tightly compressed to secure said liner.

6. A method of providing a nipple access site in a nursing container wall portion comprising a substantially rigid outer plastic layer and a flexible inner plastic layer adhered to said outer layer and separable therefrom, comprising:

forming a continuous groove in said wall portion inadvertent toward said flexible layer;

folding the wall portion defining said groove to mechanically capture said inner layer therealong to define said access site in the area of said wall portion circumscribed by said folded wall portion.

7. A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein said groove is generally V-shaped, and said step of folding comprises swaging said the wall portion defining said groove into a generally flattened configuration.

8. A method in accordance with claim 7 further comprising forming a raised annular rib around said groove.

9. A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein said step of forming is conducted when said plastic is at an elevated termperature.

10. A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein said groove is generally V-shape.

11. A method in accordance with claim 6 further comprising a nipple assembly sealed to said outer plastic layer in the area of said wall portion circumscribed by said folded wall portion.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11 further comprising sealing a cover over said nipple assembly.

13. A container for fluid comprising:

a substantially rigid outer shell;

a co-extensive flexible inner liner selectively adhered to said outer shell and separable therefrom;

an access site defined in said shell and liner;

an access assembly sealed to said container at said access site;

said access site being defined by a continuous circumferential fold in said shell and liner tightly capturing said liner to prevent inadvertent delaminatin of said liner outwardly of said fold upon rupture of said access site.

14. A container in accordance with claim 13 further comprising a dispensing member attached to said access site and including means for rupturing said access site upon manipulation of said dispensing member.

15. A container in accordance with claim 13 wherein said fold comprises at least one fold of said wall portion to define two segments of said wall portion in overlying relationship with aportion of said liner captured in a face-to-face relationship therebetween.

16. A container in accordance with claim 13 wherein said fold is cross-sectionally S-shaped.

17. A container in accordance with claim 16 wherein said S-shaped fold is tightly compressed to secure said liner.

18. A method of providing an access site in a container wall portion comprising a substantially rigid outer plastic layer and a flexible inner plastic layer adhered to said outer layer and separable therefrom, comprising:

forming a continuous groove in said wall portion; and

folding the wall portion defining said groove to mechanically capture said inner layer therealong to define said access site in the area of said wall portion circumscribed by said folded wall portion.

19. A method in accordance with claim 18 wherein said groove is generally V-shaped, and said step of folding comprises swaging said the wall portion defining said groove into a generally flattened configuration.

20. A method in accordance with claim 19 further comprising forming a raised annular rib around said groove.

21. A method in accordance with claim 18 wherein said step of forming is conducted when said plastic is at an elevated temperature.

22. A method in accordance with claim 18 wherein said groove is generally V-shaped.

23. A method in accordance with claim 18 further comprising an access assembly sealed to said outer plastic layer in the area of said wall portion circumscribed by said folded wall portion.

24. A method in accordance with claim 23 further comprising sealing a cover over said access assembly.