Patent Application
20130306676
The present disclosure relates generally to a cleanable connector system for a Bag-In-Box (“BIB”) type package. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a cleanable BIB connector system having a valve arrangement that prevents the mixing of product within the bag and in the line.
In packaging, a bag-in-box or BIB is a type of container for the storage and transportation of liquids. It consists of a plastic bag seated inside a corrugated fiberboard box. BIB packages are well known for containing and dispensing liquids such as syrup for post-mix soft drink dispensers. The plastic bag has a spout for feeding the syrup to the post-mix beverage dispenser via a hose and a pump.
A typical self-sealing valve disposed in the fitment of a collapsible bag for use in a BIB dispensing system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,539 to Credle issued May 1, 1984. As described in that patent a quick-disconnect line-side coupling is operatively associated with a self-sealing bag-side valve such that when the valves are coupled together the respective valve poppets of the bag-side valve open to permit the flow of syrup through the associated line-side connector to the beverage dispenser pump.
Currently used bag-side valves and line-side couplings are adequate for low viscosity carbonated beverages such as soft drinks but present problems when used with thicker liquids such as juices and especially with liquids containing particulates such as pulpy orange juice. Currently used systems are also designed for acidic beverages, which are less prone to microbial contamination. These systems however may experience contamination issues when used with less acidic liquids.
Other requirements for BIB systems are that they are easy to connect, they minimize contamination, minimize the potential for spill, they are easy to clean with standard regimes, and they ensure flow is adequate under normal operations.
The present disclosure relates to a self-sealing bag-side valve in a bag-in-box (BIB) container for use with a quick-disconnect line-side coupling. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an improved bag-side valve and improved line-side coupling.
The issues discussed above are addressed by the present disclosure. A push and lock connection is used instead of the previously used and unreliable screw connection. This reduces spillage and contamination.
The bag-side valve is a one-way valve formed of an elastomeric membrane. When fluid is not being pumped from the bag and through the system the valve is closed, reducing back flow into the bag and the contamination this can cause.
The plunger of the line-side coupling is enclosed by a sleeve (gator) so that the spring and other parts do not contact the fluid. This prevents them from being gummed up by particulates in the fluid and from being exposed to microbes. In addition, the flow path through the coupling is stream-lined so that potential areas of contamination are eliminated and the coupling remains as clean as possible during operation. Dead spots are reduced, orifices are enlarged and trap points are reduced or eliminated. Due to streamlining, flow through the coupling is higher, which further reduces accumulation of particulates or accumulation of sticky residue.
Cleaning of the equipment used with BIB systems involves clean-in-place (CIP) methods of blowing pressurized fluid through the line-side connector. Enclosed parts and streamlining of the fluid flow allow for more efficient clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning. In addition, the nose of the line-side coupling has an outer form surrounding it. This allows for cleaning of the nose during CIP.
The present disclosure provides several advantages over previous BIB connectors, particularly for use with fluids containing particulates and having a higher pH. The BIB connector has reduced contamination risk due to the one way bag-side valve, the push and lock connection means, the enclosed coupling spring, and the streamlined fluid flow path.
Given the following enabling description of the drawings, the disclosure should become evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art.
The present disclosure, in at least one embodiment, describes a cleanable connector system for a Bag-In-Box (“BIB”) type package. In at least one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a connector system including a valve arrangement having a line-side valve and a bag-side valve, wherein the valve arrangement allows connection to a bag and to a line-side connector while preventing the product within the bag and in the line from mixing. In at least one embodiment, the present disclosure improves the shelf life of products contained within the bag and reduces the risk of contamination of the bag, the line, and the product contained within the bag by minimizing the risk of introducing biological and other foreign material into the system when connecting the bag and the line.
The bag-side connector 110 is discussed in more detail with respect to
The elastomeric boot 164 also includes one or more seals 166, such as gator seals, that are arranged and configured to be longitudinally displaced thereby creating a flow path between the interior of connector body and the exterior of the elastomeric boot 164/plunger 158 upon the plunger 158 being deformed by the valve actuation post(s) 122 of bag-side connector 110. The seals 166 also isolate the plunger 158 and spring 160 from product flowing through the opening 156 and along the side of the elastomeric boot 158. The one or more seals 166 isolate the plunger 158 and spring 160 from the product which helps to eliminate dead-spots within the flow path created by obstructions, build-up and the like. Isolating the plunger 158 and spring 160 from the product also improves cleaning of the bag-side connector 150. The thermoplastic plunger 158 also includes a spring retaining end cap 162 that encloses the thermoplastic plunger 158 and retains the spring 160 in place. The spring 160 urges the plunger 158 towards the opening 156 and maintains the seal(s) 166 in the closed position. The bag-side connector also includes an attachment/release element 170 having an engagement lip 172. The attachment/release element 170 and engagement lip 172 are arranged and configured to fittingly engage the annular collar 119 and engagement lip 121 of the bag-side connector 110 to secure the line-side connector 150 to the bag-side connector 110. The attachment/release element 170 includes a resilient actuation element 168, such as a stainless steel spring, that holds the attachment/release element 170 in position to ensure that the connectors 110, 150 remain fittingly and securely attached. The resilient actuation element 168 also allows the connectors 110, 150 to be readily disconnected.
The cleaning element 200 includes an in-flow line 210 for connection with a cleaning solution source (not shown). The in-flow line 210 connects to a nozzle or fluid body 220 that is arranged and configured to direct the flow of fluid through the cleaning element 200. The fluid body 220 includes a valve opening structure 222 that is arranged and configured to depress and open the valve of line-side connector 150 (formed by the plunger 158, elastomeric boot 164, and spring 160) when the cleaning element 200 is connected to the line-side connector 150. The fluid body 220 also includes one or more fluid flow openings 224 that allow fluid to flow from the in-flow line 210 into the fluid body 220. The fluid body 220 and valve opening structure 222 are arranged and configured to evenly distribute the fluid (cleaning solution) flowing from the cleaning element 200 to the line-side connector 150 such that the cleaning solution is applied to all surfaces of the line-side connector 150. For example, the nozzle shape of the fluid body 220 allows the velocity of the fluid flow to be increased and enables the fluid flow to be more effectively directed through the fluid body 220. Also, the valve opening structure 222 includes partitions that help to evenly distribute the fluid flowing through the fluid body 220. The cleaning element 200 attaches to the line-side connector 150 via an engagement structure to create a substantially fluidic seal. The engagement structure is formed by flange 232, annular collar 236, and annular collar 230 having a circumferential groove 234 and an engagement lip 235. Optionally, a seal such as an O-ring seal (not shown) may be disposed within the circumferential groove 234 to assist creating a fluidic seal between the cleaning element 200 and the line-side connector 150.
In use, the annular collars 230, 236 and engagement lip 235 of cleaning element 200 fittingly engage the annular collars 152, 153 and engagement lip 172 of the line-side connector 150 to create a substantially fluidic seal. The cleaning element 200 allows a fluid, e.g., a cleaning solution, water, chemical solution, etc., to be applied to the fluid flow surfaces of the line-side connector 150. The fluid is applied to the cleaning element 200 from a fluid source (not shown) via in-flow line 210. The fluid may be applied by a variety of methods including, for example, a pressurized fluid source or a vacuum applied to the line-side connector 150 via vacuum line 155. In-flow line 210 is connected to the fluid body 220 and fluid openings 224 such that fluid flows from the in-flow line 210 into the fluid body 220. The valve opening structure 222 passes through opening 156 of the nose 154 of line side connector 150. The valve opening structure 222 depresses and opens the valve (formed by plunger 158, spring 160 and elastomeric boot 164) which allows the fluid to flow from the fluid body 220 through opening 156 of nose 154, along the elastomeric boot 164 of plunger 158, and out of the line-side connector 150 via vacuum line 155. The fluid flow through the line-side connector 150 allows for any product or debris disposed on the surfaces of the line-side connector 150 to be cleaned by the fluid.
The cleaning element 300 includes an annular collar 310 for connection with a fluid source (not shown), e.g., as cleaning solution, water, chemical solution, etc. The annular collar 310 extends longitudinally and connects to a flange having an inner annular collar 320 and outer annular collar 330. A fluid body 336, having a fluid dispersion plate 333 and a valve opening structure 332, is disposed within the inner annular collar 320. The valve opening structure 332 is disposed substantially in the center of the fluid dispersion plate 333. A plurality of circumferentially-spaced fluid flow channels 324 are formed between the inner annular collar 320 and the fluid body 336. The fluid flow channels 324 allow fluid to flow from the annular collar 310 into the fluid body 336. The fluid dispersion plate 333 forms the bottom of the fluid body 336 and causes the fluid to flow through the fluid flow channels 324 and into the interior of the fluid body 336, before passing through opening 156 of nose 154 and along the elastomeric boot 164 of plunger 158, before finally passing out of the line-side connector via vacuum line 155. The fluid body 336, fluid dispersion plate 333, and fluid flow channels 324 are arranged and configured to evenly distribute the fluid flowing from the from the cleaning element 300 to the line-side connector 150 such that the fluid is applied to all surfaces of the line-side connector. For example, the circumferentially spaced fluid flow channels 324 allows the fluid flow to be effectively directed towards the perimeter of the line-side connector 150 such that the fluid flows along the walls of the nose 154 before passing through opening 156. The cleaning element 300 attaches to the line-side connector 150 via an engagement structure to create a substantially fluidic seal. The engagement structure is formed by flange 332, annular collar 320, and annular collar 330 having a circumferential groove 334 and an engagement lip 335. A seal such as an O-ring seal (not shown) may be optionally disposed within the circumferential groove 234 to help form a fluidic seal between the cleaning element 300 and the line-side connector 150.
In use, the annular collars 320, 330 and engagement lip 335 of cleaning element 300 fittingly engage the annular collars 152, 153 and engagement lip 172 of the line-side connector 150 to create a substantially fluidic seal. The cleaning element 300 allows a fluid, e.g., a cleaning solution, water, chemical solution, etc., to be applied to the fluid flow surfaces of the line-side connector 150. The fluid is applied to the cleaning element 300 from a fluid source (not shown) in fluid communication with annular collar 310. The fluid may be applied by a variety of methods including, for example, a pressurized fluid source, or a vacuum applied to the line-side connector 150 via vacuum line 155. Annular collar 310 is fluidly connected to the fluid body 336 via fluid flow channels 324 such that fluid flows from the fluid source (not shown), through the annular collar 310, and into the fluid body 220. The valve opening structure 322 passes through opening 156 of the nose 154 of line side connector 150. The valve opening structure 322 depresses and opens the valve (formed by plunger 158, spring 160 and elastomeric boot 164) which allows the fluid to flow from the fluid body 336 through the opening 156 and through the vacuum line 155 such that any product or debris disposed on the surfaces of the line-side connector 150 can be cleaned by the fluid.
While the present disclosure has been described in terms of particular preferred and alternative embodiments, it is not limited to those embodiments. Alternative embodiments, examples, and modifications which would still be encompassed by the disclosure may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. Further, it should be understood that the terminology used to describe the disclosure is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.
Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the preferred and alternative embodiments described above can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.
