One-piece, continuoulsy blow molded container with rigid fitment

Abstract

A one-piece, blow molded fluoropolymer container, having a thin-walled, flexible bag portion and one or more rigid, thick-walled fitment, wherein the bag and the one or more rigid fitment are formed during the same blow molding process, from a continuous source of fluoropolymer material, to form a complete, one-piece, fully integrated container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 931,958 entitled “ONE-PIECE BLOW-MOLDED CONTAINER WITH RIGID FITMENT” and filed on May 29, 2007 for Cathy G. Edgington, which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]A one-piece, continuously blow molded, fluoropolymer container for storage, transport, and dispensing of various liquid, gel, powder, and pelletized materials. In particular, the present blow molded container invention is formed using a continuous, single step blow molding process to create a complete, fully-integrated, one-piece container that includes a collapsible, thin-walled, bag portion constructed of a thin layer fluoropolymer film and one or more rigid fitment which are formed of a greater thickness fluoropolymer resin, as compared to the thin fluoropolymer film.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The assembly of multiple component (multi-piece) containers constructed...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The present invention includes a blow molded container, having a thin-walled, flexible film bag and one or more rigid, thick-walled fitment wherein the bag and the one or more rigid fitment are blow molded during a single, continuous blow molding process, from a continuous source of fluoropolymer material, to form a complete, one-piece, fully integrated, three dimensional container. The container of the present invention has particular relevance to the storage, transportation, and dispersal of corrosive and / or hazardous materials and other materials, which may present a potential hazard or concern in their use and / or transportation. The blow molding process used to manufacture the present invention is unique in that it produces a single complete, three-dimensional container with a thin-walled film bag portion and one or more rigid, thick-walled fitment, without the need for a post-molded welds, seams or any other mechanical joining or engagement procedure to connect individual container parts, including the joining of thin-walled parts with thick-walled parts. The present invention blow molded container also allows for the variety of different sealing or dispensing mechanisms and additional features to be molded to the bag and / or fitment during the single blow molding process or may be adapted and used with the rigid thick-walled fitment depending upon the material to be stored in the bag. These additional features may include, for example, valves, fittings for attaching tubes, inserts, dip tubes, relief devices, measuring ports, measuring devices, electrical connections, and devices molded as one-piece to the bag to facilitate filling, dispensing, and mixing the contents stored in the bag.

[0013]Another object of the invention is to provide a one-piece, continuously blow molded container, having a thin-walled, flexible bag portion, one or more rigid, thick-walled fitment, and a closure portion, all of which are formed during a single blow molding process which seals the container and prevents the introduction of contaminants within the one or more fitment and the thin-walled bag portion.

Problems solved by technology

Further, fluoropolymer containers have extremely low permeability to liquids, gasses, and vapors.

A major disadvantage of the known fluoropolymer containers is the requirement of using a multi-step manufacturing process, where the thin walled pouch or bag portion of the container is formed during a first step, and in the second step, a pre-formed, relatively thick-walled material comprising a rigid neck, spout, fitment or other sealing or dispensing mechanism is then mechanically affixed or welded to the thin walled bag.

Additionally, there are other shortcomings associated with the known fluoropolymer containers constructed using the multi-step method, which include: the increased cost and added time to manufacture and assemble the multi-piece body and spout combination, cross-contamination from handling during assembly, and seams which are prone to leak where assembly of the two components are joined together.

Conventional blow molded containers are also generally aesthetically inferior due to the welding operations and there is great contamination potential as a result of mechanically joining the separate parts to create a complete container.

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