Flexible bag for use in manufacturing

Abstract

A flexible bag for use in a method for manufacturing in which a fluent material is dispensed to an article such as a container from a flexible bag. The fluent material is dispensed directly to the container without any intervening structure which contacts the fluent material. Accordingly, the manufacturing apparatus can be constructed of less expensive materials and does not require frequent cleaning. The apparatus acts on the bag to dispense and does not act on the fluent material. Thus, the apparatus has particular application where aseptic conditions need to be maintained such as in the packaging of the food and medicine. The flexible bag is preferably formed with multiple outlets permitting simultaneous dispensing to multiple containers.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A flexible bag for use in dispensing a fluent material, the bag being formed of flexible material and shaped for substantially enclosing a volume for containing the fluent material, the bag comprising a body and plural nipples, each nipple being integral with the body and projecting outwardly from the body, the body and nipples being in fluid communication for movement of the fluent material from the body to the nipples.  
     
     
         2 . A flexible bag as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the nipples are formed of the flexible material as one piece with the body.  
     
     
         3 . A flexible bag as set forth in  claim 2  wherein each nipple has a generally elongate, tubular shape.  
     
     
         4 . A flexible bag as set forth in  claim 3  wherein each nipple has an outlet therein for passage of fluent material out of the bag.  
     
     
         5 . A flexible bag as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a hanger for hanging the bag.  
     
     
         6 . A flexible bag as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the hanger is formed integrally with the bag.  
     
     
         7 . A flexible bag as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the hanger is located on a side of the body opposite the nipples.  
     
     
         8 . A flexible bag as set forth in  claim 1  in combination with apparatus for dispensing fluent material from the bag, the apparatus comprising a flow control adapted to deform the bag for forcing material from the bag.  
     
     
         9 . The combination as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the flow control is adapted to receive plural portions of the bag, the flow control being adapted to separately deform the bag portions for dispensing fluent material to plural articles and the same time.  
     
     
         10 . The combination as set forth in  claim 9  wherein the apparatus further comprises a bag squeezing device for moving fluent material in the bag generally toward the flow control.