Pressurized system for dispensing fluids
View Patent ↗A bag-in-bag-in-bottle assembly formed by a flexible dispensing container with a dispensing fitment. The dispensing container is positioned adjacent or sandwiched between one or more flexible pressurization containers having a separate inlet/outlet path through a second fitment. The bag-in-bag assembly can then be placed in a containment vessel with the fitments mounted such that it is accessible on the vessel. A liquid can be extracted from the dispensing container by introducing a fluid into the pressurization container(s) with enough pressure to force the liquid out through the dispensing fitment. A contoured dispensing head may be coupled to the bag-in-bag-in-bottle assembly using a earn actuation arrangement for simultaneously locking the pressurization, vent and fluid extraction couplings.
1. A dispensing system for dispensing a liquid, comprising:
a dispense bag for containing said liquid and including a sheet of flexible material having an exterior surface;
a pressurization bag substantially surrounding said dispense bag, said pressurization bag including a flexible inner portion and a flexible outer portion that cooperate to at least partially define an interior cavity therebetween, said flexible inner portion having an exterior surface exterior to said interior cavity and being in physical contact with said exterior surface of said sheet of flexible material of said dispense bag, said physical contact being on opposing sides of said dispense bag;
a containment vessel having an inner surface that defines an interior chamber, said dispense bag and said pressurization bag being disposed within said interior chamber, said outer portion of said pressurization bag being confined by said inner surface of said containment vessel;
a first fitment operably coupled with said dispense bag and adapted to route said liquid to or from said dispense bag; and
a second fitment operably coupled with said pressurization bag and adapted to route a fluid to or from said pressurization bag,
wherein said first fitment and said second fitment cooperate as a fitment assembly, said fitment assembly adapted to vent gas from said interior chamber of said containment vessel.
2. The dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said fluid is a gas.
3. The dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said containment vessel is a rigid structure.
4. The dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said dispense bag comprises perfluoroalkoxy.
5. The dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said pressurization bag comprises polyethylene.
6. A dispensing system for dispensing photo resist, the system comprising:
a first flexible bag comprising a polymer for containing said photo resist, said first flexible bag having an outer surface;
a second flexible bag comprising a polymer adjacent said first flexible bag, said second flexible bag defining a pressurization chamber, said second flexible bag being in contact with said outer surface of said first flexible bag to define an interface therebetween; and
a containment vessel having an inner surface that defines an interior chamber, said first and second flexible bags being disposed within said interior chamber;
a fitment attached to the containment vessel and having connections to the first bag and second bag, said fitment including a venting passage in fluid communication with the exterior of the first bag, the exterior of the second bag and said interface between said first flexible bag and said second flexible bag.
7. A dispensing system for dispensing a liquid, comprising:
a dispense bag defining an inner chamber for containing said liquid, said dispense bag including an exterior surface;
a pressurization bag that defines a pressurization chamber bounded at least by an inner member and an outer member, said pressurization bag having a first portion and a second portion, said dispense bag being disposed between said first and second portions such that said inner member of said first and second portions of said pressurization bag contact opposing sides of said outer surface of said dispense bag;
a containment vessel having an inner surface that defines a containment chamber, said dispense bag and said pressurization bag being disposed within said containment chamber, said outer portion of said pressurization bag being confined by said containment vessel;
an outer fitment in fluid communication with said pressurization chamber of said pressurization bag; and
an inner fitment in fluid communication with said inner chamber of said dispense bag.
8. The dispensing system of claim 7 , wherein an edge portion of said dispense bag is attached to an edge portion of said first portion of said pressurization bag and to an edge portion of said second portion of said pressurization bag.
9. The dispensing system of claim 7 , wherein:
said dispense bag includes a first sheet material comprising polytetrafluoroethylene, said sheet material having a thickness less than 0.25 millimeters;
said pressurization bag is less permeable to gases than said polytetrafluoroethylene, said inner member and said outer member of said pressurization bag each having a thickness less than 0.25 millimeters.
10. The dispensing system of claim 7 , wherein said inner fitment is disposed within said outer fitment.
11. The dispensing system of claim 10 , wherein said outer fitment is a two-piece fitment.
12. The dispensing system of claim 11 wherein said outer fitment includes a distal portion and a base portion, said distal portion being configured to snap over said base portion.
13. A dispensing system for dispensing a liquid, the system comprising:
a first flexible bag comprising a polymer and defining a containment chamber for containing said liquid, said first flexible bag having an outer surface;
a second flexible bag comprising a polymer adjacent said first flexible bag, said second flexible bag defining a pressurization chamber, said second flexible bag being in contact with said outer surface of said first flexible bag to define an interface therebetween; and
a fitment assembly having connections to the first bag and second bag, said fitment assembly including a venting passage in fluid communication with the exterior of the first bag, the exterior of the second bag and said interface between said first flexible bag and said second flexible bag.
14. The dispensing system of claim 13 , wherein:
said first flexible bag includes an attaching tab that includes structure defining a through hole;
said second flexible bag includes a seam allowance, said seam allowance including a first portion that is disposed on a first side of said through hole, said seam allowance including a second portion that is disposed on a second side of said through hole, said first portion of said seam allowance being attached to said second portion of said seam allowance through said through hole.
15. The dispensing system of claim 13 wherein said second flexible bag comprises polyethylene.
16. The dispensing system of claim 13 , wherein said first flexible bag includes a first sheet material comprising polytetrafluoroethylene, said first sheet material having a thickness less than 0.25 millimeters.
17. The dispensing system of claim 13 wherein said first flexible bag comprises one of perfluoroalkoxy and polytetrafluoroethylene.
18. The dispensing system of claim 13 , wherein said liquid is a photo resist.
19. The dispensing system of claim 13 , further comprising a containment vessel having an inner surface that defines an interior chamber, said first flexible bag and said second flexible bag being disposed within said interior chamber.
20. The dispensing system of claim 19 wherein said containment vessel is a rigid structure.
21. The dispensing system of claim 19 , wherein said fitment assembly is attached to said containment vessel.
22. The dispensing system of claim 13 , wherein said fitment assembly includes:
an inner fitment in fluid communication with said containment chamber of said first flexible bag; and
an outer fitment in fluid communication with said pressurization chamber of said second flexible bag.
23. The dispensing system of claim 22 , wherein said inner fitment is disposed within said outer fitment.
24. The dispensing system of claim 22 , wherein said outer fitment is a two-piece fitment.
25. The dispensing system of claim 24 wherein said outer fitment includes a distal portion and a base portion, said distal portion being configured to snap over said base portion.