Flexible Liner with Fitting on Gusseted Side

Abstract

The present invention is a collapsible liner for use in a bulk container. The liner comprises a front portion, a rear portion, and first and second side portions. The front portion, rear portion, and side portions are sealed together to form a four side panels, and top and bottom panels. A removable piece is provided in at least one of the portions. The removable piece may be removed to provide an opening for receiving a fitment. After the portions are sealed together, the removable piece is removed and a fitment is fit and sealed within the opening thereby provided.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 720,855, filed Sep. 26, 2005, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to flexible liners for use in bulk containers such as those used in flexible intermediate bulk container (“FIBC”) systems or bag-in-box container systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to placement of a fitting on the gusseted side of a flexible liner for use in a FIBC or bag-in-box container system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In recent years a number of industries have adopted the FIBC or bag-in-box concept for storing and transporting fluid and particulate commodities in relatively large quantities. For example, the FIBC or bag-in-box concept has been employed for transporting in bulk such diverse products as vegetable oils, salad dressings, syrups, soy sauce, peanut butter, pharm...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0029] The present invention is directed to a flexible liner 1 for use in bulk containers such as those used in flexible intermediate bulk container (“FIBC”) systems or bag-in-box container systems. While certain liner embodiments are discussed herein, the particular liner configuration is generally not important to the present invention, and instead, any suitable liner configuration may be used. As will be discussed more fully below, the liner comprises a front portion, a rear portion, and first and second side portions. The front portion, rear portion, and side portions are sealed together to form a front panel, a rear panel, two gusseted side panels, a top panel, and a bottom panel. More specifically, longitudinal edges of the front portion and the rear portion are sealed to respective edges of the side portions. The first and second side portions are folded to form gussets. Top ends of the front portion and the rear portion are sealed to top folds of the first and second side po...

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 720,855, filed Sep. 26, 2005, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to flexible liners for use in bulk containers such as those used in flexible intermediate bulk container (“FIBC”) systems or bag-in-box container systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to placement of a fitting on the gusseted side of a flexible liner for use in a FIBC or bag-in-box container system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In recent years a number of industries have adopted the FIBC or bag-in-box concept for storing and transporting fluid and particulate commodities in relatively large quantities. For example, the FIBC or bag-in-box concept has been employed for transporting in bulk such diverse products as vegetable oils, salad dressings, syrups, soy sauce, peanut butter, pharm...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0029] The present invention is directed to a flexible liner 1 for use in bulk containers such as those used in flexible intermediate bulk container (“FIBC”) systems or bag-in-box container systems. While certain liner embodiments are discussed herein, the particular liner configuration is generally not important to the present invention, and instead, any suitable liner configuration may be used. As will be discussed more fully below, the liner comprises a front portion, a rear portion, and first and second side portions. The front portion, rear portion, and side portions are sealed together to form a front panel, a rear panel, two gusseted side panels, a top panel, and a bottom panel. More specifically, longitudinal edges of the front portion and the rear portion are sealed to respective edges of the side portions. The first and second side portions are folded to form gussets. Top ends of the front portion and the rear portion are sealed to top folds of the first and second side po...

Images