SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID COLLAPSIBLE LINER, CONTAINER AND/OR LINER FOR REPLACING GLASS BOTTLES, AND ENHANCED FLEXIBLE LINERS
The present disclosure relates to a blow-molded, rigid collapsible liner that can be suitable particularly for smaller storage and dispensing systems. The rigid collapsible liner may be a stand-alone liner, e.g., used without an outer container, and may be dispensed from a fixed pressure dispensing can. Folds in the rigid collapsible liner may be substantially eliminated, thereby substantially reducing or eliminating the problems associated with pinholes, weld tears, and overflow. The present disclosure also relates to systems and liners, including the liners just mentioned, that may be used as alternatives to, or replacements for, simple rigid-wall containers, such as those made of glass. Such advantageous systems and liners may replace simple rigid-wall containers in a system for delivering a high purity material to a semiconductor process substantially without modification to an end user's existing pump dispense or pressure dispense systems.
1 - 33 . (canceled)
34 . A liner-based system comprising:
an overpack; and
a liner provided within the overpack, the liner comprising a mouth and a liner wall forming an interior cavity of the liner and having a thickness such that the liner is substantially self-supporting in an expanded state, but is collapsible at a pressure of less than about 20 psi.
35 . The liner-based system of claim 34 , wherein the overpack and the liner have substantially the same form.
36 . The liner-based system of claim 34 , wherein the liner is configured to collapse away from an interior wall of the overpack upon the introduction of a gas or liquid into an annular space between the liner and the overpack, thereby dispensing contents of the liner.
37 . The liner-based system of claim 36 , wherein at least one of the liner or overpack comprises one or more surface features for controlling the collapse of the liner.
38 . The liner-based system of claim 37 , wherein the one or more surface features comprise a plurality of rectangular-shaped panels spaced around the circumference of the at least one of the liner or overpack.
39 . The liner-based system of claim 38 , wherein the liner and overpack are coblowmolded.
40 . The liner-based system of claim 39 , wherein the one or more surface features for controlling the collapse of the liner are configured to maintain integrity between the liner and overpack when not in active dispense.
41 . The liner-based system of claim 36 , wherein at least one of the liner or overpack are configured to control the collapse of the liner such that the liner collapses substantially evenly circumferentially away from the interior wall of the overpack.
42 . The liner-based system of claim 37 , further comprising a chime coupled to the exterior of the overpack, wherein the chime comprises a barrier coating for protecting contents of the liner.
43 . The liner-based system of claim 36 , wherein at least one of the liner or overpack are comprise of a biodegradable material.
44 . The liner-based system of claim 36 , further comprising at least one of a sensor for measuring dispense of the contents of the liner and a device for tracking at least one of liner contents or liner usage.
45 . The liner-based system of claim 36 , further comprising a dessicant between the liner and overpack.
46 . The liner-based system of claim 34 , further comprising a connector for at least one of filling the liner or dispensing contents from the liner.
47 . The liner-based system of claim 46 , wherein the connector is configured for substantially aseptic filling or dispense.
48 . The liner-based system of claim 46 , wherein the connector is configured for at least one of direct pressure dispense, indirect pressure dispense, pump dispense, pressure assisted pump dispense, gravity dispense and pressure assisted gravity dispense.
49 . The liner-based system of claim 46 , wherein the connector comprises a diptube probe that partially extends into the liner for dispensing the contents of the liner.
50 . The liner-based system of claim 49 , wherein the connector is further adapted for recirculation of the contents of the liner.
51 . The liner-based system of claim 34 , wherein the overpack comprises two interconnecting portions.
52 . The liner-based system of claim 46 , wherein the connector is that of a conventional glass bottle dispensing system.
53 . A method of delivering a material to a downstream process, the method comprising:
providing a liner comprising a mouth and a liner wall forming an interior cavity of the liner with the material stored therein, the liner having a thickness such that the liner is substantially self-supporting in an expanded state, but is collapsible at a pressure of less than about 20 psi, and the liner having a diptube in the interior for dispensing the material therefrom;
coupling the diptube to a downstream process; and
dispensing the material from the container via the diptube and delivering the material to the downstream process.