Collapsible container for liquids

Abstract

This invention is directed to an improved collapsible bag ( 10 ) having a spout ( 12 ) and one or more grooves ( 14 ) on the interior surface of a wall of the bag ( 10 ). The grooves ( 14 ), which are integral to a wall of the bag ( 10 ) rather than on a separate evacuation strip, are in liquid communication with the spout ( 12 ) and are sized such that the opposing wall of the bag ( 10 ) is not completely forced into the grooves ( 14 ) under the suction of conventional pumps which are used to withdraw the liquid from the bag ( 10 ). Thus, the grooves enable substantially complete withdrawal of the liquid from the bag ( 10 ) without the use of an evacuation strip. Additionally, the present invention may be used in any orientation and does not require a slanted rack.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A collapsible container for use in containing and dispensing a liquid, comprising: 
 a flexible bag having a bag wall with an interior surface, said interior surface having at least one groove; and    a spout disposed through said bag wall for dispensing liquid from said bag;    wherein said at least one groove is in liquid communication with said spout as said bag collapses to permit substantially complete withdrawal of liquid from said bag.    
     
     
         2 . The collapsible container of  claim 1  wherein said at least one groove comprises a plurality of grooves having elongated portions oriented substantially parallel to each other.  
     
     
         3 . The collapsible container of  claim 1  wherein said at least one groove comprises a plurality of grooves interconnected in a grid-like pattern.  
     
     
         4 . The collapsible container of  claim 1  wherein said at least one groove comprises a plurality of grooves interconnected in a chevron pattern.  
     
     
         5 . The collapsible container of  claim 1  wherein said at least one groove comprises a plurality of grooves that feed into a collection zone adjacent said spout.  
     
     
         6 . The collapsible container of  claim 1  wherein said flexible bag further comprises a stiffener that overlies said at least one groove as said flexible bag collapses to help maintain liquid communication between said at least one groove and said spout.  
     
     
         7 . A collapsible container for use in containing and dispensing a liquid, comprising: 
 a flexible bag having a first bag wall and a second bag wall, said first bag wall having an interior surface with at least one groove; and    a spout disposed through said second bag wall for dispensing liquid from said bag;    wherein said at least one groove is in liquid communication with said spout as said bag collapses to permit substantially complete withdrawal of liquid from said bag.    
     
     
         8 . The collapsible container of  claim 7  wherein said at least one groove comprises a plurality of grooves having elongated portions oriented substantially parallel to each other.  
     
     
         9 . The collapsible container of  claim 7  wherein said at least one groove comprises a plurality of grooves interconnected in a grid-like pattern.  
     
     
         10 . The collapsible container of  claim 7  wherein said at least one groove comprises a plurality of grooves interconnected in a chevron pattern.  
     
     
         11 . The collapsible container of  claim 7  wherein said flexible bag further comprises a stiffener that overlies said at least one groove as said flexible bag collapses to help maintain liquid communication between said at least one groove and said spout.  
     
     
         12 . The collapsible container of  claim 11  wherein said stiffener is connected to said second bag wall.