Claims
- 1. A box for receiving a collapsible bag, the bag having a spout and being capable of containing and dispensing a liquid, said box comprising:
an interior bottom surface for supporting the collapsible bag, said interior bottom surface comprising a first location and a second location, there being a difference in elevation between said first and second locations, said interior bottom surface having at least one portion selected from the group consisting of terrace, curve, corrugation, fan, and beam; and a wall adjacent said interior bottom surface, said wall having an opening for receiving the spout of the collapsible bag; wherein a liquid contained in the collapsible bag will be urged toward the spout under the influence of gravity due to said difference in elevation.
- 2. The box of claim 1 wherein said interior bottom surface further comprises at least one slope.
- 3. The box of claim 2 wherein said at least one slope comprises a lateral slope.
- 4. The box of claim 2 wherein said at least one slope comprises a longitudinal slope.
- 5. The box of claim 2 wherein said at least one slope comprises a lateral slope and a longitudinal slope.
- 6. (deleted)
- 7. (deleted)
- 8. (deleted)
- 9. (deleted)
- 10. (deleted)
- 11. The box of claim 1 wherein said interior bottom surface is integral to said box.
- 12. The box of claim 1 wherein said interior bottom surface is provided by an insert to said box.
- 13. The box of claim 1 further comprising a substantially horizontal exterior bottom surface.
- 14. The box of claim 1 wherein said difference in elevation allows substantially complete withdrawal of liquid from the collapsible bag.
- 15. A bag-in-box apparatus for containing and dispensing a liquid, said apparatus comprising:
a collapsible bag having a spout; and a box comprising an interior bottom surface having a first location and a second location, there being a difference in elevation between said first and second locations, said interior bottom surface having at least one portion selected from the group consisting of terrace, curve, corrugation, fan, and beam, said box further comprising a wall adjacent said interior bottom surface, said wall having an opening therein, said collapsible bag being disposed within said box, said spout being disposed through said opening in said wall; wherein a liquid contained in said collapsible bag will be urged toward said spout under the influence of gravity due to said difference in elevation.
- 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said interior bottom surface further comprises at least one slope.
- 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said at least one slope comprises a lateral slope.
- 18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said at least one slope comprises a longitudinal slope.
- 19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said at least one slope comprises a lateral slope and a longitudinal slope.
- 20. (deleted)
- 21. (deleted)
- 22. (deleted)
- 23. (deleted)
- 24. (deleted)
- 25. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said interior bottom surface is integral to said box.
- 26. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said interior bottom surface is provided by an insert to said box.
- 27. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said box further comprises a substantially horizontal exterior bottom surface.
- 28. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said difference in elevation allows substantially complete withdrawal of liquid from said collapsible bag.
- 29. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said bag comprises a stiffener that cooperates with said interior bottom surface as said bag collapses to allow substantially complete withdrawal of liquid from said bag.
- 30. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said box has a top and said bag is attached to said top.
- 31. A box for receiving a collapsible bag, the bag having a spout and being capable of containing and dispensing a liquid, said box comprising:
an insert forming an interior bottom surface of said box for supporting the collapsible bag, said interior bottom surface comprising a first location and a second location, there being a difference in elevation between said first and second locations; and a wall adjacent said interior bottom surface, said wall having an opening for receiving the spout of the collapsible bag; wherein a liquid contained in the collapsible bag will be urged toward the spout under the influence of gravity due to said difference in elevation.
- 32. A bag-in-box apparatus for containing and dispensing a liquid, said apparatus comprising:
a collapsible bag having a spout; and a box comprising an insert which forms an interior bottom surface having a first location and a second location, there being a difference in elevation between said first and second locations, said box further comprising a wall adjacent said interior bottom surface, said wall having an opening therein, said collapsible bag being disposed within said box, said spout being disposed through said opening in said wall; wherein a liquid contained in said collapsible bag will be urged toward said spout under the influence of gravity due to said difference in elevation.
- 33. A bag-in-box apparatus for containing and dispensing a liquid, said apparatus comprising:
a collapsible bag having a spout and a stiffener; and a box comprising an interior bottom surface having a first location and a second location, there being a difference in elevation between said first and second locations, said box further comprising a wall adjacent said interior bottom surface, said wall having an opening therein, said collapsible bag being disposed within said box, said spout being disposed through said opening in said wall; wherein a liquid contained in said collapsible bag will be urged toward said spout under the influence of gravity due to said difference in elevation and wherein said stiffener cooperates with said interior bottom surface as said bag collapses to allow substantially complete withdrawal of liquid from said bag.
- 34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said stiffener is substantially flat.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/197,026 filed on Apr. 13, 2000.
PCT Information
Filing Document |
Filing Date |
Country |
Kind |
PCT/US01/12197 |
4/13/2001 |
WO |
|