Sampling and Pour Bag

Abstract

A sampling and pour bag includes a bag body with an interior for receiving a liquid through a sealable opening in the bag body. The bag body includes a severable spout section located at a side edge of the bag body that can be severed to open a pour spout for dispensing liquid from the interior of the bag body.

Description

RELATED FIELDS

Sampling bags, including sterile sampling bags for collecting and dispensing liquid samples.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,229 A describes a sampling bag with enclosed wire ends. The sampling bag of U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,229 A includes two flexible members defining an interior and a opening providing access to the interior. A deformable wire is connected to and extends laterally from each side of the bag, with the wire terminating in a pair of wire ends each spaced outwardly from a side edge of the bag. Once a sample has been introduced into the interior of the bag, the open end of the bag may be either folded, whirled, or otherwise rolled one or more times to close the bag. Once closed, the deformable wire may be bent to maintain closure of the bag. A wire cover is connected to the wire outwardly of the side edges of the bag. The wire cover extends beyond each wire end, to enclose the wire ends and thereby prevent contact of the wire ends with the bag walls when the wire ends are bent inwardly to secure closed the open top of the bag. The cover may be an adhesive strip fastened to a wall of the bag for sandwiching the wire therebetween, with the adhesive strip extending along with the wire laterally outwardly from the sides of the bag beyond the wire ends. An adhering element is secured to the adhesive strip outwardly of the sides of the bag and beyond the wire ends, for enclosing the wire ends and encasing that portion of the wire extending outwardly from the sides of the bag.

The sampling bag of U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,229 is an efficient and effective way of collecting and sealing a liquid sample (or other types of samples) inside the bag; however, there remains room for improvement. In particular, there remains a need for sampling bags that provide an efficient and effective way of collecting sealing a liquid sample in the bag while also providing from an easy way of controllably pouring the liquid sample out of the bag.

SUMMARY

This patent describes improved sampling bags that are configured with a pour spout for dispensing a collected liquid sample from the bag. In one example, the bag's body includes a severable spout section located at a side edge of the bag, the severance of which forms a pour spout in the side of the bag for dispensing liquid from the bag's interior. A separation in the body of the bag extending along a side edge of the severable spout section allows the severable spout section to be cut off of from the bag and performs other functions, as discussed further below.

In one example a sampling and pour bag includes a bag body with a first end, a second end, a first side edge extending between the first end and the second end, and a second side edge extending between the first end and the second end, the bag body defining an interior for receiving a liquid. The sampling and pour bag also includes a sealable opening configured to receive the liquid into the interior and to seal the liquid in the interior. The sampling and pour bag also includes a severable spout section located at the first side edge of the bag body between the first and second ends of the bag body, the severance of the spout section opening a pour spout for dispensing the liquid from the interior of the bag body, the severable spout section having a first spout side edge and a second spout side edge, the second spout side edge positioned inward relative to the first spout side edge and the first side edge of the bag body.

In some implementations a separation extends inwardly from the first side edge of the bag body and along the second spout side edge.

In some implementations the bag body comprises at least one seal extending around the separation.

In some implementations the separation is a recess, a slit, or a perforation.

In some implementations the first end, second end, first side edge, and second side edge of the bag body define a rectangular shape.

In some implementations the bag body includes a first planar member and a second planar member. A first heat seal extends along the first side edge of the bag body, sealing the first and second planar members together. A second heat seal extends along the second side edge of the bag body, sealing the first and second planar members together. A third heat seal extends around the separation, sealing the first and second planar members together.

In some implementations the second spout side edge is approximately parallel to the first spout side edge and to the first side edge of the bag body.

In some implementations the second spout side edge is straight and extends approximately parallel to the first pout side edge and the first side edge of the bag body.

In some implementations the bag is sterile and includes a separable closure at the first end of the bag body.

In some implementations the separable closure is a roll and bend closure.

In some implementations the bag body has a dam wall located between the first end of the bag body and the severable spout section. The interior of the bag body has an over-pour region between the dam wall and the first end of the bag body. The dam wall is configured to prevent direct flow of liquid from the over-pour region to the severable spout section.

In some implementations a separation extends between the dam wall and the severable spout section.

In some implementations the separation extends between the dam wall and the second spout side edge.

In another example a sampling and pour bag has a bag body with a first end, a second, a first side edge extending between the first end and the second end, and a second side edge extending between the first end and the second end, the bag body defining an interior for receiving a liquid. In this example the sampling and pour bag also includes a sealable opening configured to receive the liquid into the interior and to seal the liquid in the interior, the sealable opening including a roll and bend closure located at the first end of the bag body. The bag body also includes a severable spout section located at the first side edge of the bag body between the first and second ends of the bag body, the severance of the spout section opening a pour spout for dispensing the liquid from the interior of the bag body.

In some implementations the sampling and pour bag is configurable between a first state and a second state. In the first state the roll and bend closure extends over the severable spout section. In the second state the roll and bend closure is bent to expose the severable spout section.

In some implementations when in the second state, the roll and bend closure does not extend over the severable spout section.

In some implementations when in the second state, the roll and bend closure is rolled down and bent to expose the severable spout section.

In some implementations the severable spout section includes a first spout side edge and a second spout side edge, the second spout side edge positioned inward relative to the first spout side edge and the first side edge of the bag body.

In some implementations a separation extends inwardly from the first side edge of the bag body and along the second spout side edge.

In another example a method of pouring a sample from a bag includes receiving a liquid sample in a sealed sampling and pour bag, the sampling and pour bag including (i) a bag body with a first end, a second, a first side edge extending between the first end and the second end, and a second side edge extending between the first end and the second end, the bag body defining an interior holding the liquid; (ii) a sealed opening; and (iii) a severable spout section located at the first side edge of the bag body between the first and second ends of the bag body, the severable spout section having a first spout side edge and a second spout side edge, the second spout side edge positioned inward relative to the first spout side edge and the first side edge of the bag body. In this example the method further includes severing the severable spout section; and pouring the liquid from the interior out through the severed spout section.

In some implementations severing the severable spout section includes cutting a portion of the severable spout section from the first side edge of the bag body to the second spout side edge.

In some implementations a separation extends inwardly from the first side edge of the bag body and along the second spout side edge.

In some implementations the bag body includes at least one seal extending around the separation.

In some implementations the at least one seal or at least one second seal extends along the first side edge of the bag body.

In some implementations severing the severable spout section includes cutting across the at least one seal or the at least one second seal extending along the first side edge of the bag body and cutting at least partially across the at least one seal extending around the separation.

In some implementations the second spout side edge is approximately parallel to the first spout side edge and to the first side edge of the bag body. In some implementations “approximately” may be the first spout side edge and the second side edge are angled at 5 degrees or less relative to one another.

In some implementations the bag body further includes a dam wall located between the first end of the bag body and the severable spout section. The interior of the bag body has an over-pour region between the dam wall and the first end of the bag body. The dam wall is configured to prevent direct flow of liquid from the over-pour region to the severable spout section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of one example of a sampling and pour bag.

FIG. 2 shows the sampling and pour bag of FIG. 1 after severance of the severable spout section.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of another example of a sampling and pour bag, shown in a first state.

FIG. 4 shows the sampling and pour bag of FIG. 3, shown in a second state.

FIG. 5 shows the sampling and pour bag of FIG. 4 after severance of the severable spout section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-2 and FIGS. 3-5 show examples of sampling and pour bags. In both examples the sampling and pour bag includes a bag body, a sealable opening, and a severable spout section. The bag body includes a first end, a second end, a first side edge extending between the first end and the second end, and a second side edge extending between the first end and the second end. The bag body defines an interior for receiving a liquid. The sealable opening is configured to receive the liquid into the interior and to seal the liquid in the interior. The severable spout section is located at the first side edge of the bag body between the first and second ends of the bag body. The severance of the spout section opens a pour spout for dispensing the liquid from the interior of the bag body. The severable spout section having a first spout side edge and a second spout side edge, the second spout side edge positioned inward relative to the first spout side edge and the first side edge of the bag body.

In both examples the sealable opening is a roll and bend closure located at the first end of the bag body. The sampling and pour bag is configurable between a first state and a second state. In the first state the roll and bend closure extends over the severable spout section. In the second state the roll and bend closure is rolled and bent to expose the severable spout section. In the second state, the roll and bend closure does not extend over the severable spout section.

First Example

FIG. 1 shows an example of a sampling and pour bag 10. The bag 10 shown in this example includes a bag body 12 with a first end 14, a second end 16, a first side edge 18, and a second side edge 20. The bag body 12 defines an interior for receiving a liquid. In one example implementation, the bag body 12 is formed by a pair of planar members that have been secured together. For instance, the bag body 12 may be formed of a pair of polyethylene sheets or other thermoplastic films that have been secured together by heat sealing or any other appropriate process. The bag 10 shown in FIG. 1 has heat seals 22 along its first and second side edges 18, 20 and in other places. The bag 10 is gusseted at second end 16, such that it can stand up on its second end 16.

The sampling and pour bag 10 of FIG. 1 has a sealable opening at the first end 14 that is configured to receive a liquid sample into the interior of the bag 10 and seal the liquid sample in the interior. In the particular example shown, the opening is sealable using a roll and bend closure 24 similar to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,229 A, the entire contents of which is incorporated into this patent by this reference.

In some implementations, the sampling and pour bag may be originally provided in a sterile condition. The bag 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a separable closure 26 at the first end 14 of the bag 10, which keeps the bag 10 closed and sterile until use. In the particular example shown, separable closure 26 is the heat sealed portion of the bag 10 at its first end 14. Cut line 28 is provided to indicate where the bag 10 should be cut to open the first end 14.

The bag 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a severable spout section 30 located at the first side edge 18 of the bag body 12 between the first and second ends 14, 16.

The severable spout section 30 has a first spout side edge 34 and a second spout side edge 36. The second spout side edge 36 is positioned inward relative to the first spout side edge 34 and relative to the first side edge 18 of the bag body 12. In this example, the first spout side edge 34 is the same and part of the first side edge 18 of the bag body 12. In this example, the two spout side edges 34, 36 meet at a tip 38 of the severable spout section 30. The bag body 12 further defines a recess 40 extending inward relative to the first side edge 18 of the bag body 12, with the recess 40 extending along the second spout side edge 36. Recess 40 is an area where the bag body 12 material has been cut away or is otherwise not present.

The severable spout section 30 and recess 40 are configured such that severance of the spout section 30 (e.g. cutting the tip of the section 30 off using scissors or another cutting implement to remove the heat sealed portion of bag body at 32) forms a pour spout on the first side edge 18 of the bag body 12 for dispensing liquid from the interior of the bag body 12. FIG. 2 shows the bag 10 of FIG. 1 with the severable spout section severed in a manner to form a pour spout 42.

In the example of FIG. 1, the recess 40 is located between the severable spout section 30 and the first end 14 of the bag 10, such that the interior space between the recess 40 and first end 14 of the bag 10 serves as an over-pour region 44. Over-pour region 44 can receive and hold excess liquid that does not immediately flow out of pour spout 42 when the bag 10 is tipped. The recess defines a dam wall 46 that prevents direct flow of liquid from the over-pour region 44 back to the pour spout 42 when the bag 10 is tipped back up to stop pouring. In other words, when the bag 10 is tipped back up, excess liquid that was in over-pour region will not flow down where the pour spout 42 is located, such that it could flow out pour spout 42 in an undesirable manner, but will be deflected away by the dam wall 46 to flow back to the bottom of bag 10. In this way, the user may precisely control the dispensing of liquid (and the cessation of dispensing of liquid) from the bag 10.

In the example of FIG. 1, the bag 10 is shaped and configured for efficient manufacture. For instance, bag body 12 has a rectangular shape with the recess 40 being a cut out from that rectangular shape, such that two bags can be manufactured side by side with minimal waste of material. Additionally, the shape of recess 40 is curved. It curves partially around the severable spout section 30 and it is continuously curved at its terminus 48. In this way, the heat seal 50 about recess 40 may also be curved to avoid any sharp corners that may not heat seal effectively due to inconsistencies that can occur in heat sealing equipment when sharp corners are present.

Second Example

FIGS. 3-5 show another example of a sampling and pour bag 110. As in the previous example, the sampling and pour bag 110 of this example includes a bag body 112 including a first end 114, a second end 116, a first side edge 118 extending between the first and second ends 114, 116, and a second side edge 120 extending between the first and second ends 114, 116, with the bag body 112 defining an interior for receiving a liquid. Heat seals 122 extend along both side edges 118, 120.

The bag 110 further includes a sealable opening configured to receive the liquid into the interior and to seal the liquid in the interior via a roll and bend closure 124. The bag 110 has a separable closure 126 at the first end 114 of the bag 110, which keeps the bag 110 closed and sterile until use, and can be removed by cutting along cut line 128.

As in the previous example, the sampling and pour bag 110 also includes a severable spout section 130 located at the first side edge 118 of the bag body 112 between the first and second ends 114, 116 of the bag body 112, the severance of the spout section 130 opening a pour spout 142 for dispensing the liquid from the interior of the bag body 112 (see FIG. 5), the severable spout section 130 having a first spout side edge 134 and a second spout side edge 136, the second spout side edge 136 positioned inward relative to the first spout side edge 134 and the first side edge 118 of the bag body 112.

In this example, the first spout side edge 134 is the same and part of the first side edge 118 of the bag body 112.

In this example, and unlike the previous example, the two spout side edges 134, 136 are approximately parallel to one another. In the particular example shown in FIG. 3, the two side edges are precisely parallel to one another. In other implementations, the two side edges may be approximately parallel to one another (e.g. diverge by 5 degrees or less relative to one another).

In this example, and also unlike the previous example, the separation between the severable spout section 130 and the rest of bag body 112 is a slit 140 instead of a recess. The slit 140 extends inward perpendicular to the first side edge 118 of the bag body 112 and then turns 90 degrees to also extend along the second spout side edge 136.

As in the previous example the severable spout section 130 and slit 140 are configured such that severance of the spout section 130 forms a pour spout on the first side edge 118 of the bag body 112 for dispensing liquid from the interior of the bag body 112.

As in the previous example, the slit 140 is located between the severable spout section 130 and the first end 114 of the bag 110, such that the interior space between the slit 140 and first end 114 of the bag 110 serves as an over-pour region 144. Over-pour region 144 can receive and hold excess liquid that does not immediately flow out of pour spout 142 when the bag 110 is tipped. The slit 140 (and adjacent heat seal) defines a dam wall 146 that prevents direct flow of liquid from the over-pour region 144 back to the pour spout 142 when the bag 110 is tipped back up to stop pouring. In other words, when the bag 10 is tipped back up, excess liquid that was in over-pour region will not flow down where the pour spout 142 is located, such that it could flow out pour spout 142 in an undesirable manner, but will be deflected away by the dam wall 146 to flow back to the bottom of bag 110. In this way, the user may precisely control the dispensing of liquid (and the cessation of dispensing of liquid) from the bag 110.

As in the previous example, the bag 110 is shaped and configured for efficient manufacture. For instance, bag body 112 has a rectangular shape with the slit 140 being cut into that rectangular shape, such that two bags can be manufactured side by side with minimal waste of material.

As in the previous example, the bag 110 is configurable between a first state and a second state. For this second example the bag 110 is shown in the first state in FIG. 3 and the second state in FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in FIG. 3, when in the first state, the roll and bend closure 124 extends over the severable spout section 130. As shown in FIG. 4, when in the second state, the roll and bend closure 124 is bent to expose the severable spout section 130. In this example, the vertical portion of the slit 140 allows portions of the bag 110 above the severable spout section 130 to fold over when the roll and bend closure 124 is bent over, thereby exposing the severable spout section 130. As shown in FIG. 4, when in the second state, the roll and bend closure 124 is rolled down and bent to expose the severable spout section 130 and does not extend over the severable spout section 130.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that additions, deletions, substitutions, modifications, and other changes may be made to the sampling and pour bag examples shown in the figures without departing from the scope or spirit of the present inventions set out in the following claims.

Claims

1. A sampling and pour bag comprising: (a) a bag body comprising a first end, a second end, a first side edge extending between the first end and the second end, and a second side edge extending between the first end and the second end, the bag body defining an interior for receiving a liquid;(b) a sealable opening configured to receive the liquid into the interior and to seal the liquid in the interior; and(c) the bag body further comprising a severable spout section located at the first side edge of the bag body between the first and second ends of the bag body, the severance of the spout section opening a pour spout for dispensing the liquid from the interior of the bag body, the severable spout section having a first spout side edge and a second spout side edge, the second spout side edge positioned inward relative to the first spout side edge and the first side edge of the bag body.

2. The sampling and pour bag of claim 1 wherein a separation extends inwardly from the first side edge of the bag body and along the second spout side edge.

3. The sampling and pour bag of claim 2 wherein the bag body comprises at least one seal extending around the separation.

4. The sampling and pour bag of claim 2 wherein the separation comprises a recess, a slit, or a perforation.

5. The sampling and pour bag of claim 4 wherein the first end, second end, first side edge, and second side edge of the bag body define a rectangular shape.

6. The sampling and pour bag of claim 2 wherein the bag body comprises a first planar member and a second planar member, wherein a first heat seal extends along the first side edge of the bag body, sealing the first and second planar members together; wherein a second heat seal extends along the second side edge of the bag body, sealing the first and second planar members together; and wherein a third heat seal extends around the separation, sealing the first and second planar members together.

7. The sampling and pour bag of claim 1 wherein the second spout side edge is approximately parallel to the first spout side edge and to the first side edge of the bag body.

8. The sampling and pour bag of claim 1 wherein the second spout side edge is straight and extends approximately parallel to the first pout side edge and the first side edge of the bag body.

9. The sampling and pour bag of claim 1 wherein the bag is sterile, wherein the sealable opening further comprises a separable closure at the first end of the bag body.

10. The sampling and pour bag of claim 9 wherein the separable closure comprises a roll and bend closure.

11. The sampling and pour bag of claim 1 wherein the bag body further comprises a dam wall located between the first end of the bag body and the severable spout section, wherein the interior of the bag body comprises an over-pour region between the dam wall and the first end of the bag body, wherein the dam wall is configured to prevent direct flow of liquid from the over-pour region to the severable spout section.

12. The sampling and pour bag of claim 11 wherein a separation extends between the dam wall and the severable spout section.

13. The sampling and pour bag of claim 12 wherein the separation extends between the dam wall and the second spout side edge.

14. A sampling and pour bag comprising: (a) a bag body comprising a first end, a second, a first side edge extending between the first end and the second end, and a second side edge extending between the first end and the second end, the bag body defining an interior for receiving a liquid;(b) a sealable opening configured to receive the liquid into the interior and to seal the liquid in the interior, the sealable opening comprising a roll and bend closure located at the first end of the bag body; and(c) the bag body further comprising a severable spout section located at the first side edge of the bag body between the first and second ends of the bag body, the severance of the spout section opening a pour spout for dispensing the liquid from the interior of the bag body.

15. The sampling and pour bag of claim 14 wherein the sampling and pour bag is configurable between a first state and a second state; wherein in the first state the roll and bend closure extends over the severable spout section; andwherein in the second state the roll and bend closure is rolled and bent to expose the severable spout section.

16. The sampling and pour bag of claim 15 wherein, when in the second state, the roll and bend closure does not extend over the severable spout section.

17. The sampling and pour bag of claim 15 wherein, when in the second state, the roll and bend closure is rolled down and bent to expose the severable spout section.

18. The sampling and pour bag of claim 15 wherein the severable spout section comprises a first spout side edge and a second spout side edge, the second spout side edge positioned inward relative to the first spout side edge and the first side edge of the bag body.

19. The sampling and pour bag of claim 18 wherein a separation extends inwardly from the first side edge of the bag body and along the second spout side edge.

20. A method of pouring a sample from a bag, the method comprising: (a) receiving a liquid sample in a sealed sampling and pour bag, the sampling and pour bag comprising: (i) a bag body comprising a first end, a second, a first side edge extending between the first end and the second end, and a second side edge extending between the first end and the second end, the bag body defining an interior holding the liquid;(ii) a sealed opening; and(iii) a severable spout section located at the first side edge of the bag body between the first and second ends of the bag body, the severable spout section having a first spout side edge and a second spout side edge, the second spout side edge positioned inward relative to the first spout side edge and the first side edge of the bag body;(b) severing the severable spout section; and(c) pouring the liquid from the interior out through the severed spout section.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein severing the severable spout section comprises cutting a portion of the severable spout section from the first side edge of the bag body to the second spout side edge.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein a separation extends inwardly from the first side edge of the bag body and along the second spout side edge.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the bag body comprises at least one seal extending around the separation.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the at least one seal or at least one second seal extends along the first side edge of the bag body.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein severing the severable spout section comprises cutting across the at least one seal or the at least one second seal extending along the first side edge of the bag body and cutting at least partially across the at least one seal extending around the separation.

26. The method of claim 20 wherein the second spout side edge is approximately parallel to the first spout side edge and to the first side edge of the bag body.

27. The method of claim 20 wherein the bag body further comprises a dam wall located between the first end of the bag body and the severable spout section, wherein the interior of the bag body comprises an over-pour region between the dam wall and the first end of the bag body, wherein the dam wall is configured to prevent direct flow of liquid from the over-pour region to the severable spout section.