CA1141708A

CA1141708A - Dip tube and valve with quick-disconnect coupling for a collapsible container

Info

Publication number: CA1141708A
Application number: CA000354846A
Authority: CA
Inventors: William S. Credle, Jr.
Original assignee: Coca Cola Co
Current assignee: Coca Cola Co
Priority date: 1979-07-19
Filing date: 1980-06-26
Publication date: 1983-02-22
Also published as: US4445539A; NO154724B; ZA803388B; JPS602454A; FI68386B; AR227027A1; US4286636A; GB2125129A; NZ192029A; BR8004237A; FR2509835A1; ES487666A0; GB8300757D0; PL225699A1; DE3023583C2; TR21834A; DK243080A; DK151617C; HU179087B; IL60350A

Abstract

DIP TUBE AND VALVE WITH QUICK-DISCONNECT
COUPLING FOR A COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER

Abstract of the Disclosure The present invention is directed to a dip tube and valve with a quick-disconnect coupling for use in combination with a collap-sible bag to dispense a liquid product therefrom.
The dip tube is extruded or otherwise formed formed plastic or other suitable materials and includes at least one channel in the per-ipheral surface thereof extending along the entire length of the dip tube. As a vacuum or suction is applied to the dip tube by a pump, initially all of the air within the collapsible bag is extracted therefrom. Subsequently, the liquid product is dispensed out of the collapsible bag and the bag collapses around a portion of tile dip tube which is no longer surrounded by the liquid product.
Progressively, as the liquid product is removed, the bag will con-tinue to collapse around the dip tube and the liquid product will continue to flow through the longitudinal channel of the tube until the contents of the collapsible bag are exhausted. The collapsible bag has a fitment or spout to which a valve with a quick-disconnect coupling is connected The dip tube may be moun-ted in either the bag fitment or the valve. The quick-disconnect coupling of the valve is adapted to receive a mating coupling from the hose socket of a dispensing hose. When the respective couplings are engaged the valve is biased in an open position. The valve is normally biased to a closed position when the coupling are not engaged.

Description

11~17~)8 B~CKGROUND OF Tll~ INVENrION
_ _ Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dip tube and valve with a quick-disconnect coupling ror use in combination ~ith a collapsible sealed container to dispense a liquid yroduct therefrom.

Description of tlle Prior Art ~Zany exemplary dip tubes are available in the prior art ~hieh permit the extraction of a product from a container. The most eonventional dip tube is an elongated cylindrical tube w;lich in-cludes an upper por~ion connected to a valve and an open lower portion positioned within the product to be extracted from the container. For example, Daniels, U.S. 3 171,571, discloses a conventional bag-in-box t~pe of dispensing package including l a dip tube 13.
1 Another e~ample of a dip tube positioned within a flexible bag is disclosed by Kramer et al U.S. 2,859,899. The dip tube includes perforations 38 through whic}l syrup or other material positioned wit]lin the flexible bag is sucked therefrom by means of a pump.
U.S. patent 2,133,411 to Zohe discloses a baby nursing bottle includi]-lg a rigid member 12 wllich precludes tlle bendillg of the flexible ba~ 4 thus preventing the sealing off o the al~erture at the top end of the bottle througll which the milk is sucked.
l It is conventioJlal in the pressurized container industry to position a dip tube witllin an aeroso] container for dispensing ¦the product tlleretlll-ollgll. A number of-exc]llplar)~ di~- tube~ are illustrated in the prior art W]lic]l are used ~ithin pressurized containers. For example Roth et al U.S. 3 245 582; ~icallef ' -1 -11~17{~8 U.S. 3,257,036; VenuS, U.S. 3,791,~57; Stewart, U.S. 3,388,832;
¦¦~Iarris et al, U.S. 4,062,475; and Petterson, U.S. 4,087,026 all disclose'dip tubes'positioned wit}lin an aerosol container. These conventional dip tubes are desi~ned to dispense a product by means of a pressurized source which pushes the product through the dip tube.

SIJ~I~lARY O~ Tl-IE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a dip tube whic]l includes one or more chanJIels in the periphery thereof, extending along substantially the entire len~th of the dip tube, for use in combination with a collapsible, sealed container to dispense a liquid product therefrom.
It is anot]ler objeet of the present invention to provide a dip tube wIlich may be inexpensively extrudc?d at a cost substan-tially less than ~nown techniques.
! A further object of the present invention is to provide a dip tube which ~ermits a flexible ba~ to collapse thereon while still enabling a product to be dispeIlsed therefrom.
ll l'he objects of t]-e preseIlt inve}ltion are fullfilled by

2~ I providing an elongated dip tube ~hic]l includes at least 031C
¦ channel in the periphery thereof whic]l extends along the entire length of the dip tube. The tube is positioned witIlin a collapsib e bag and a vacuum or suction is aI)plie~ at the l;pl)c?r C?lld thereo.
]nitially, ail .~ithiIl the co]lapsil)le bag will be draI~ll tlIerefroln.
ISubsequeJltly, the liqIlid pJoduct disposed witlIin tIIe collapsible bag will floI~ through .he c)iaIlllel in the diI) tuI)e aIlcl tIIC
¦Icollapsible bag ~ill eollapse around the outer circumlerence Or the dip tube. ]'rogressively, as the li(Iuicl product is remove~
~rom the collapsible ba~, the bag wilI continuc? to collapse OJl tIIe !l I

outer circumference of tlle dip tube until all of the liquid pro-duct is dispensed therefrom.
A major advantage of the dip tube of the present invention is that it will allo~Y the dip tube to be emptied regardless of the bag's orientation, namely, with the bag spout on the top bottom or side o~ the bag.
~ urther scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.
]lowever, it should be understGod that the detailed description of the invention and the specific examples while indicating pre-ferred embodimeTIts of the invention are given by way of illustra-tion only, since various changes and mocdifications within the spiri~
of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in ~he art from this cletailed description.

131~]~F ~S(.R]I'I]ON OF 11~ ])RA~lNGS

lhe present invention will become more fully understond from the detailed description givell hereinbelow and the accom])anying drawings whicll are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the present irivention arlcl wllerein:
~ igure 1 is a pa]tial cross-sectional view of a collapsible bag including a bag fitment to which the dip t~be of the present invention is attached:
]:igul-e 2 is a persepctive vie-.~ of a filst c~nbodimellt of the c]ip tube accoldirlg to the plesent invent-ion;
~ igure 3 is a persel-ctive view of a seconc3 eml)o(lilTIent o~ the dip tube accorcling the the preserlt invention;

11~17118 ~ Figure 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the ¦dip tube according to the present invention;
Figure 5 is an end view of another embodiment of a dip tube according to the present invention;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the dip tube according to the present invcntion including a washer for attaclli]lg the dip tube to a collapsible sealed container.
Figure 7 is an e~ploded view of an alternative embodiment of an assembly for retaining the dip tube of the present invention within the spout of a container;
Figure 8 is a side elevational view of an alternative em-bodiMent of the bag coupling mcmber of Figure l;
Figures 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views of one cmbodiinent of a valve member which may be used in the bag couplings of Figures 1 or 8 Figure 9 illustrating the valve in a closed position and Figure lO illustrating the valve in an open positjon;
~ igure 9A is a top plan vie- o~ the embodiments of Figures 9 and lU;
Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating anothcr embodiment o~ a valve member suitable for use in connection with the presellt invelltion;
Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of still another embod-iment of the bag coupling of the present invention illustrating thc valve of Figures 9 and 10 therein; and Figurc l~ is a cross-scctiona] view of ~ct anotl)cr embodi-j¦mcnt of tl~e pl'CsCnt invention illustratillg a dip tube rctaincd ¦ in the valvc bod).

11 .

7~ ~
DETAILED DESCRI]'lION OF THE INVENTlON
_ The present invention is directed to a dip tube for use in combination with a collapsible sealed container to disl~ense a liquid ~roduct therefrom. The dip tube of the present invention ~may be used in combination with a Post-mix beverage system. Such a Post-mix beverage system is disclosed in u.S. Patent 4,104,461, issued March 29, 1977 to Harvill and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

As illustrated in Figure l? a dip tube 10 ma~ include a 10 deformed end 12 for attachment to a bag fitment 14. I~owever the dip tube 10 according to the present invention may be attached to a collapsible sealed container 16 b~ mcans of a variety of dif-ferent attachment members. For example, as illustrated in Figure 6, a washer l9 may be positioned on the dip tube 10 for attachment 15 to the bag fitment 14. The washer l9 includcs an inwardly pro-¦jectin~ lip 19A which permits sliding movemcnt of thc washer l~on the dip tube 1~ in one direction only. There~ore aftcr the was]ler 19 is correctly positioned on the dip tube 10 and the dip tubc is insel-ted into the collapsible sealed containcr 16 to abut 20 against the bag fitment 14, the dip .tube 10 will be properly i positioncd wit]lin thc collapsibleJsealed container 16.
¦ The bag fitment 14 in one embodiment includes a substanti~lly ¦l~orizontal wall portion 13 to which the deformed end 12 or tl~e ¦was~cr l9 is securcl~ af~i~c(l to l~rcvent latera] Inovcment o~ the 2c dil~ tul)e ]n Wit]lil tl~c col]apsil)]c scllcd containcr l~.
Tllc ba~ fitmcnt 14 inclu~es an up~;ardly projectillg circular wall 15 ad~pted to be cnga~cd by a valvc attacilmcnt mcm~er 17. As 1 ustrate~ in ri~ure 1, ~1~ upwardly l~rojcctin~ circular l~all 15 ~417~

ma~- include serrations 15A, ~hich are engaged by corresponding serrations 17A on the couplin~ 17, to lcc] the t~o me?mbers rela-tive to each other.
In one contemplated use of the present invention the clip tube 10 may be disposeci ~!ithin a collapsihle, sealecl container 1D positioned ~ithin a bo~ 18. Tllis arrange~.ent is com~only referred to as a bag-in-boY.. ~s a vacuum or suction is supplied to the dip tube 10 through the valve me~.?er by means of a pump, initially al~ of the air within the collaps~ble, sealed container 16 is discharged therefrom. ~ubsequently, the liquid product contained in the sealed container 16 will begin to flo~ upwardly through the dip tube 10 to be discharged there~rom and supplied to a discharge spout, not illustrated in the drawings. As the liquid product is discharged from the collapsible, sealed .con-; tainer 16, the container will collapse onto the dip tube becauseo the suction a?plied by the pump. Nor~ally, the collapsing o the collapsible, sealed eontainer in this manner usually clogs the dip tube opening of a conventiona.l, prior art dip tube ancl prohibits further dispensing of the product disposed ~ithin the collapsible, sealed container.
The dip tu~e 10, according to the present invention, over-co~.es the disadvantages of the prior art by providiny at least one channel in the peripheral surface thereof e~tenc?ing along substantially the entire length of the dip tube. Therefore, as the liquid product is clisperlsed out of the collapsible, sealed container 1~, the containcr collapses arou?nd a portic)n of the clip tube 10, ~;hich is no longer surrounded by the lic~uicl product leavi.ng the rcmai.lli?lg pcrt.~on ~ t~e ~ha?.nel open to permit the cc~mplete clispensi.ng of all the liquid product contained ~ithin the collapsi)-le sealecl container 16.

7~8 Fi~ures 1 and 2 illustrate a preferred embodiment of tlle dil) tube according to the present invention. ~he dip tube lO includes three channels lOCl - lOC3 l~hich provide passa~eways for the liquic product positioned l~ithin the collapsible sealed container to be suc~ed therefrom. rhe frame lOF includes three arms connected at one end thereof and projecting outwardly from the connection. The other end of each of tl~e arms is connected to s~irt members lOAl -lOA3 l~hich are spaced relative to each other to form chaTInels lOC
lOC3 therebetween. ~he distance between the s~irt members whicll form the c~lannels may be increased or decreased depending upon the fluid viscosity and the flexibility of the collapsible sealed container used in combination l~ith the dip tube.
Figure 3 illustrates another embodiment of the dip tube accor~
ing to the present invention. The dip tube 20 includes a eha]lnel 20Cl in the peripheral suIface thereof extendin~ alon~ substantial Y
tlle entire lengt~l of the dip tube. In addition, a deformed end 22 may be positiolled at one end tllereof to facilitate t}~e attacl--ment of the dip tube to the horizontal ~all member 13 of the bag fitment 14 in the same manner as illustrated in ligure 1. llo-~-ever, as previously discussed other means of attachi3lg the dip tube 20 to the bag fitment 14 are contenlplaLed l~it]lin the scope of the present invcntioll. Ihe dip tube 20 operates in tl~c same n!anner as the dil) tube 10 described ahove.
Fi~ure 4 illustrates another embodinlent of the dip tube accor( 25 . ing to the present invention. lhe dip tube 30 includes tl~O channe s 30~1 30C2 Ihic]l are positio3led in the peripllcral surface t]~ereo3 and extend alollg substantially the entire ]engtll of t]~e dip tu~e.
A fraDIe 30F CC~ eCtS ~hc .-rt r~DIIlc~s ~n~l, 30A2 totct1~er to rOrm 11417~8 the channels 30Cl, 30Cz thertbetween. In addition, a deformed end 32 may be positioned at one end thereof to facilitate the a tach-ment of the dip tube to the hori~orltal member 13 of the bag fi~men member 14 in tlle same manner as illustrated in Fi~ure 1. Again, ¦other means of attaching the dip tube 30 to the bag fitment 14 may be utilized without departing from the spirit and intent of the present invention.
Fi~ure 5 illustrates an end view of yet anotller embodiment according to the present invention. lhe dip tube 40 is shaped in tlle form of a square and includes skirt members 40Al - 40A4 con-nected toget]~er by means of a frame 40F. ~he skirt members 40Al -40A4 are spacec] relative to each other to form channels 40Cl - 40C~
iJI the periplleral surface of the di~ tube 40 I~]liC}I extend sub-stantially alon~ the entire lengt]l of the dip tube. As discussed hereinabove, a suitable attachment member will be provided adjacen to one end of the dip tube for attacllment to the bag fitment 14.
lhe various embodiments of t]le dip tube accorc]ing to t]~e presellt invcntion may be extruded, molded or manufacturec] in any manner suital>le to obtain a clip tube with one or more cllallnels extendin~ subst~lltially along t]le entile lengt]l thertof. ln addition any suitable material for examl)le, plastic metal or ~~
otller materials may be utilized in constructing ~hc (lip tube _ according to the plesent invention. Furt]~er tlle dip tube accord-ing to tlle prescnt inventioll may be constructed in a variety of sl~apes and is not limited to a circular or s(~uare dip tube as ustrattcl in ]igures 1-~ Ihe nulllber o~ chanoe]s in tlle peril-he~ a~
surface of tl~e dip tube accorcling to ~lle prescnt invention is not ~imited to al~y pcll tiCU~ !UIIIbCi . 'I'hc c l~.innt'~ ~ CO~IlCl I~C ten or more if desirec].

7~ 8 Figures 7 to 13 illustrate various embodiments of a bag ~I ~
coupling member 50, valve assemblies retained within bag coupling member 50, ?nd alternative means for retaining tlle dip tube lO
either within the bag couyling 50 or the bag fitment.
l~eferring in detail to Figure 7, there is illustrated what shall be referred to heleinalter as a bag coul)ling 50, which per-forms essentially the same function as the bag coupling 17 of Figure l. That is, the bag coupling 50 houses a valve assembly and provides at its respective ends a quick-disconnect coupling between a bag fitment 54 and the hose coupling of a dispensing hose, to be discussed hereinafter.
As illustrated in Figure 7 bag coupling 50 is open at both ends thereof, to permit tlle flow of fluid therethrough, and includes screw threads 50A about the peripllery of the outer wall adjacent the top end of the coupling for receiving a screw-on hose coupling a slloulder 50B for engaging the bottom edge of tl)e hose coupliJIg a lower enlarged portion 5()C wllich fits into a socket 54A of a bag fitment 54 and an annular sealillg ring or rings SOD, which are sized for a force-fit witllin soc~et 54~.
l~ag ritment 54 includes an annular flange 54i~ whicll is heat ¦sealed or secured by other suitable means to a coll~l)sible bag generally indicated 16. ~isposed witllin the bottom lortion of socket 54A of fitment 54 is a spider 56. Spider 56 in a pl:eferl-ed embodiment, is mo]ded as an integral part of tlle fitment 54.
I~'ithin the l)ottom portion of the socket 54A the spi(ler 5~ in-cludes a CCntl';lll)' located, annular ring 5~A ~hicl- ~el~ines a hole or openirlg throu~l~ W~liC]l a dip tul)e In is inserted into the con-tainer and a pluralit)~ ol ladial SpO~CS 5~ le ceilter hole of ~L~417~3 11 , tlle spider definecl b)~ annulilr ring 5fiA is lar~e enougll to allo~
,dip tul)e ln to be easily insertecl yet tlle lar~c? clip tube retainer ~asl~er 52 (or defol-lnecl clip tubc end) does not let the dip tube ,filll tl~rou~l~ the Ope!li]lg into thc bag The eentrill hole in s~ider 11 56 iS sizecl so t}~at thc dip tube ean also c~asily pivot as recluired ¦lt ean bc obseTved ~itl~ re~erenee to Fi~llre 7 that onee the bag , cou~ n~ 5n eontainin~ the valve is instrted into soe~et 54 of the ilbag ~itment, the dip tube 10 and retainer 52 are eaptivated or llsandwicl~ed bet~een the ba~ eouplin~ and the spider 56. lhe s~aee Ibetween the raclial spo~es 56~ of ~picler 56 permits the eontainer lor eollapsible bag, to he fille~ .~ith liquid before the dip tube is inscrted without impairing or restrietinb tl~e flo~ of fluid.
I¦lhe spider is loeated at the bottom of the annulal- soe~et 54A of i fitment 54 so th2t there is room ~OI tlle eoupling of a fillin~
maehine to seal on soe~ct 5~ itl-out touehing tlle spider. lhus the spider 56 Tll~)' be maint;~illed in a ~ubstanti;~lly sterile eondi-¦tion. lhe use of tlle spic]er 5G climinates th~ neccl for all CXtl'a ¦part or e]ement for supportin~ the dip tube 1() in tlle bag fitlllent 54.
Fi~ure 8 illustrates anot~er ~orm ol .I bag eouplin~ 50 in ~ITl insertetd sealed eon(litioll ~itl~in bar, fitment 54 Or tl~e eo~lall-sible ba~ 16. In tllis eml)o(lilnellt ba~ eouplin~ 50 has sulstantial-ly tl~e sallle ~ialTIeTer from top to bottom.
}:ilull-es '3 and ]0 are eross-seetiol-~ vie~s ill~ls~r~tin~ t]lC
Illinterrl.l] feiltures of tl~c ba~ eouplin~ 50 of li~ule 8 in elosecl 'lal~d open posi1ion~ resl)eeti~c]y with the valve assembly 60. The ¦ha~ eouplin~ 50 lliel~ in a pl-eferlccl enll)oclime]lt is molclcd from plilstie ful~etions as tl)e l-ody of tlle valve asselllbly.

~ I . .. . . . . _. . .

1~4~ 8 1 . , ', 11 , A s~rin~-loaded poppet (0 is disl~ose~ Yithin tl~e valve bod~
~n~ is normall) hiased to a closcd ~OsitiOIl ~]~crcin frusto-conical valve mclllhcr 62 is sealingl~ en a~ed in t~c o~enin~ G3 under the laction of integrall~ molded s~ring 66 ~hicll tcrminates in a rin~-5 1l s~a~ed base 70. Tle hase 70 of spring 66 is mounted in a ~roove in the inside ~all of bag coupling 50. Thc valve asscrnbly j~urther inclu~es an inner poppet stem 64 Yhich is integrally molded .ith elements 62 66 and 70. An outer ~tcm 68 is integr~ mol-l~ed Witl~ the bag coupling 50 and is sul)porte~ centrally thereof llby mcans of radial spokes 68~ (Figurc 9A) in the provision of fluid ~assa~es 67 ahout the peripllery thereof.
As illustrated in Figure 9 the s~rin~-lo~lel po~et 60 is llnormall~ seated in opening 63 to preclu~e tl~e flo~ of fluid throu~li jlthe ~alve body Ot b~g coupling 50. On tlle other h~n~ Figure 10 lillustratcs tlle sprin~-loaded lolpct 60 in its ac~u~tc~ con~itio !in res~onsc to tne inscrtion o~ a matin~ cou~in~ 72 OlltO tl~e !Itoy of t}~e ba~ cou~ling 50. ~l~tin~ cou~lin~ 72 may he a conven-!1 tional 4uic~-disconnect couplin~ as is illustr~te~l i31 the Post-mi~
¦! ~)evera~e industry for coul~ling tlle lcll k~lo~n FlGAL * s)~ru}
l¦cont.1iners to the dispensin~ maclliner)~ c top o cou~lin~ 72 l¦includcs a serrate~ llose conncctioll 76 an~ tl-c bottom inclu~cs a ¦Idown~Yardly extendin~ s~irt 74 whicll fits over tl~e side lalls of ¦b~g cou~ling 50. Coup]in~ 72 may l)e scrc-~ed onto ~ag coupli ~ mcans of thrc~ds 50A. As i]]ustr.ltc~ in ~i~lJiC ~ cn lln.~ti1)~ coul)]in~ 72 is scre~c~ into rosition it Ic~ csscs tl)c in-jIcr ~alvc l)ol-l)et stcn ~ o~c r~ st~-~conica] vllvc clcment G~ ollt of scllin~ cn~clllcnt ;ith l)olc ~13 The outer stem 68 presses up into coupling 72 11 ' -11-* Trademark I

i _ . I

~1708 against valve member 72A to open the same. Thus all valves are open in the respective couplings, and fluid is free to flow from the bottom of bag coupling 50 through its interior an~ that of coupling 72 and out through the hose conneCtioll 76 to the dis- ¦
pensing apparatus.
The pair of stems 64 and 68 offer a uniquc advantage in that the center stcm 64 of the spring-loaded poppet when depressed by the mating coupling 72, opens the valve in the bag couplin~
while the outer stem 68 serves to open the valve elemellt 72A withi the mating coupling. Accordingly, the spring ~6 of the spril-g-loaded poppet does not have to be strong enough to open the poppet 72A of the mating coupling 72 since the outer stem 68 which IS fixedly mounted with respect to bag coupling 50, performs this operation. Since the fixed outer stem 68 is capable of op-erating very strong mating coupling sprillgs, such as would be desirable in a coupling 72, it is possible to us~ a variety of desiglls of mating couplings 72 witll thc bag coupling 5() of the presellt invention. T}lis o~fers thc additional advantage that the strong splings in the mating coupling allol~ tlle ~rovision of a ver~
strong seal against the high vacculll created h) the dispellsing systcm. ~f the outer stem ~)8 ~ere not l~rovide(l tllell tllc pol)pet sprillg 66 would llave to be strong enough to open the mating coupling, or the pol)pet spring assembly, after opcning would llave to bottom-out on a fixed restraint, so that the poppet stem could thell open the po~pct of the mating coupling. Jllis, of coursc ~ould be undesirable becausc an addition~ art ~iould bc rcqu rcd, addillg tc the co-l~le~:ity of tl~c l.,g co~lp~ g aSsCIIl-~1417~8 In a preferred embodiment, the entire bag coupling 50, and spring-loaded poppet 60, are molded from relatively inexpensive plastic material and thus, would be disposable if so desired.
As illustrated in the embodiments of Figures 9 and 10, the biasing spring 66 of the poppet 60 has a pair of spiral legs which terminate in a ring-shaped base 70~ Thus, the spring 66 is similar in shape to a coil spring, which permits the free and unobstructed flow of fluid therethrough.
An alternative embodiment of the spring is illustrated in Figure 11 (shown on the same page as Figure 7). As illustrated in Figure 11, the spring 80B is merely an extension of the frusto-conical sealing member 80, and includes a plurality of folds, resulting in a substantially cylindrical bellows configuration. An inner poppet stem 80A, is also provided and functions in a similar manner to the poppet stem 64 of the embodiment of Figures 9 and 10. The bottom of the cylindrical spring element 80B of Figure 11 terminates in an annular flange 80C which is mounted in the inside walls of bag coupling 50 adjacent the bottom thereof in a suitable groove. Flange 80C
includes a plurality of fluid passages 82 disposed about its circumference to permit the free flow of liquid. The valve assembly of Figure 11 functions in substantially the same manner as the valve assembly in the embodiments of Figures 9 and 10.
Referring to Figure 12 (shown on the same page as Figure 8), there is illustrated a bag coupling 50 including the spring poppet embodiment of Figures 9 and 10. The bag coupling 50 of Figure 12 has a slightly different external configuration to facilitate the use of a different form of mating coupling, namely, one that snaps onto the top of bag coupling 50, rather than screwing onto the coupling. The 1~17V8 top of the bag coupling 50 of Figure 12 has a reduced diameter, which extends down to an enlarged shoulder portion 92, and a plurality of outwardly extending pins 94. Thus, when a mating coupling is connected to the reduced end of bag coupling 50, it sealingly engages with the top thereof with an "O"ring seal 90, and connects to the outwardly extending pins 94 in the fully coupled position. The coupling 50 of the embodiment of Figure 4 is further provided with an enlarged flange 96 which permits the coupling to be supported by an operator's hand for insertion 0 into a bag fitment or while being attached to a mating coupling.
Referring to Figure 13 (shown on the same page as Figure 8), there is illustrated a bag coupling 50 including a spring-loaded poppet 60 of the type illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, with a dip tube 10 supported in the bottom of bag coupling 50 or valve body, by means of a dip tube retainer 98. Dip tube retainer 98 is a one-way slidable washer, as previously described in the embodiment of Figure 6. However, in the Figure 13 embodiment the dip tube retainer washer supports dip tube 10 in the bottom of the valve body, ~bag coupling 50) rather than in the bag fitment. There are distinct advantages to supporting the dip tube in the valve body or valve coupling 50 rather than in the bag fitment. For example, the valve~dip tube assembly of Figure 13 can be inserted into the bag fitment, and collapsible bag 16, without contaminating the dip tube 10 or parts of the bag coupling 50, which contact the product by means of the flange 96. In addition, the valve/dip tube assembly of Figure 13 can be used with standard bags, spouts or fitments without the need for a spider type retainer, such as 56 of Figure 7. Thus, filling of the bag through the spout or fitment .
.,. ' l is not in tlle least impaired. A further advalltage is that the valve/dip tube assembly of Figure 13 can be shipped from the :
supplier to the bag fillin~ location as one assemhly and no .secondary assenlbl.y steps need take place at the bag fillin~
facility.
The invention being thus described it will be ob~ious that the salne may be varied in many ways. Suc~ variations are not to ;
be regarded as a dcparture from the splrit and scope of the inven-tion and al.l sucl~ modifications as would be obvious to one skil-led in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the Iollowing claims.
'

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A dip tube for use in combination within a collapsible container and suction means for withdrawing a liquid product from the collapsible container, the improvement comprising:
an elongated dip tube positioned within said collapsible container for permitting a liquid product disposed within said collapsible container to be withdrawn therefrom by said suction means;
said elongated dip tube including at least one substantially straight channel in the peripheral surface thereof extending along substantially the entire length of said dip tube and at least one longitudinal interior passage through the entire length of said dip tube, said at least one straight channel communicating along the entire length thereof with said at least one longitudinal interior passage;
whereby said collapsible container progressively collapses around said dip tube sealing a portion of said channel while the remaining open portion of said channel permits the complete withdrawal of liquid product disposed within said collapsible container.

2. The combination according to claim l wherein said dip tube includes at least three channels in the peripheral surface thereof and three associated longitudinal interior passages.

3. The combination according to claim 2, wherein said at least three longitudinal interior passages are formed by a central frame including three arms commonly connected at one end thereof and projecting outwardly from said connection; and skirt members connected to the other end of each of said arms, said skirt members having major exterior surfaces defining said peripheral surface of said dip tube and straight edges extending longitudinally of said dip tube, said edges being spaced to define said straight channels.

4. The combination according to claim 3, wherein said central frame and said skirt members form a unitary structure.

5. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said dip tube includes at least two channels in the peripheral surface thereof.

6. A dip tube according to claim 5, wherein said at least two channels are formed by a frame member including a skirt member connected to each end thereof, said channels being formed between said skirt members extending along substantially the entire length of said dip tube.

7. A dip tube according to claim 6, wherein said frame and said skirt members form a unitary extruded structure.

8. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said collapsible container has a fitment therein defining an opening through which said dip tube extends, said dip tube having a flange thereon for supporting said dip tube in said fitment.

9. The combination of claim 8, wherein said flange comprises a deformed enlarged end of said dip tube.

10. The combination of claim 8, wherein said flange comprises a washer with a one-way slidable coupling for holding said washer on said dip tube.

11. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said collapsible container has a fitment therein defining an opening through which said dip tube extends, said fitment including a spider means for supporting said dip tube substantially centrally of said fitment, said spider including openings about said dip tube through which liquid may be introduced into said collapsible container.

12. The invention according to claim 11, wherein said spider means is integrally molded within said fitment.

13. The invention according to claims 11 or 12, wherein said spider is recessed in said fitment toward the side of said fitment adjacent said collapsible container.

14. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said col-lapsible container comprises a flexible bag.

15. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said straight channels are more narrow than the longitudinal interior passages in communication therewith and are of a size which precludes the collapse of said container therethrough into said interior passages.

16. In a dispensing system having a collapsible container containing a fluid product, suction means for withdrawing said fluid product from said container, and a dip tube disposed in said container coupled to said suction means, the improvement in said dip tube comprising:
said dip tube having an open bottom and at least one substantially straight passage disposed within said dip tube and extending along substantially the entire length thereof, said passage being open to fluid adjacent the exterior surface of said dip tube along the entire length thereof; and said exterior surface including means for precluding the collapse of said container into said straight passage to the extent necessary to block fluid flow longitudinally of said dip tube.