Bag nozzle retention system

Abstract

A bag nozzle retainment system which includes a flexible bag positioned within a container. The container defines an outlet through which extends a nozzle provided on the flexible bag. A plate provided with a hole is slidably coupled to the container and the nozzle is positioned through the hole. Hydrostatic pressure secures the plate to the container which, in turn, holds the nozzle sufficiently back into the container to prevent damage and inadvertent dislodgment of the nozzle during transport and storage of the container.

1 . A bag nozzle retention system comprising: 
 (a) a flexible bag defining an interior and an exterior;    (b) a nozzle provided on said bag, said nozzle comprising a body defining a passage between said interior and said exterior of said bag;    (c) a container defining an outlet, wherein at least a portion of said bag is provided within said container, and wherein said nozzle is positioned to deliver a flowable material through said outlet; and    (d) means releasably coupled around said nozzle and releasably coupled to said container for retaining said nozzle against said container.    
   
   
       2 . The bag nozzle retention system of  claim 1 , wherein said retaining means is a plate defining an opening sized to accommodate said nozzle.  
   
   
       3 . The bag nozzle retention system of  claim 2 , wherein said plate comprises: 
 (a) a center plate;    (b) first means coupled to said center plate for retaining said center plate to a first portion of said container; and    (c) second means coupled to said center plate for retaining said center plate to a second portion of said container.    
   
   
       4 . The bag nozzle retention system of  claim 3 , further comprising a strengthening rib secured to said center plate.  
   
   
       5 . The bag nozzle retention system of  claim 1 , wherein said retaining means is a plate comprising: 
 (a) a first strengthening rib provided along a first side of said plate;    (b) a second strengthening rib provided along a second side of said plate;    (c) a first container retainer provided along a third side of said plate;    (d) a second container retainer provided along a fourth side of said plate; and    (e) wherein said plate is provided with an opening sized to accommodate said nozzle.    
   
   
       6 . The bag nozzle retention system of  claim 5 , wherein said container is provided with a first bar and a second bar, wherein said first container retainer is a first bar retainer, and wherein said second container retainer is a second bar retainer.  
   
   
       7 . The bag nozzle retention system of  claim 1 , wherein said container comprises a first bar and a second bar wherein at least a portion of said flexible bag extends past at least a portion of said first bar and at least a portion of said second bar, and wherein said retaining means is means for retaining at least a portion of said flexible bag inward of said first bar and said second bar.  
   
   
       8 . The bag nozzle retention system of  claim 7 , wherein said retaining means is a plate defining an opening sized to accommodate said nozzle.  
   
   
       9 . The bag nozzle retention system of  claim 8 , wherein said plate comprises: 
 (a) a center plate;    (b) first means coupled to said center plate for retaining said center plate to a first portion of said container; and    (c) second means coupled to said center plate for retaining said center plate to a second portion of said container.    
   
   
       10 . The bag nozzle retention system of  claim 9 , further comprising a strengthening rib secured to said center plate.  
   
   
       11 . The bag nozzle retention system of  claim 7 , wherein said retaining means is a plate comprising: 
 (a) a first strengthening rib provided along a first side of said plate;    (b) a second strengthening rib provided along a second side of said plate;    (c) a first container retainer provided along a third side of said plate;    (d) a second container retainer provided along a fourth side of said plate; and    (e) wherein said plate is provided with an opening sized to accommodate said nozzle.    
   
   
       12 . The bag nozzle retention system of  claim 11 , wherein said container is provided with a first bar and a second bar, wherein said first container retainer is a first bar retainer, and wherein said second container retainer is a second bar retainer.  
   
   
       13 . A bag nozzle retention system comprising: 
 (a) a container comprising a first upright bar and a second upright bar defining an outlet;    (b) a flexible bag provided within said container, wherein said flexible bag defines an interior and an exterior;    (c) a nozzle provided on said bag, said nozzle comprising a body defining a passage between said interior and said exterior of said bag; and    (d) means slidably coupled to said first bar and said second bar for retaining said nozzle a predetermined amount relative to said first bar and said second bar.    
   
   
       14 . The bag nozzle retention system of  claim 13 , wherein said retaining means is a plate defining an opening sized to accommodate said nozzle.  
   
   
       15 . The bag nozzle retention system of  claim 13 , wherein said retaining means is a plate comprising: 
 (a) a first strengthening rib provided along a first side of said plate;    (b) a second strengthening rib provided along a second side of said plate;    (c) a first container retainer provided along a third side of said plate;    (d) a second container retainer provided along a fourth side of said plate; and;    (e) wherein said plate is provided with an opening sized to accommodate said nozzle.    
   
   
       16 . The bag nozzle retention system of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of said flexible bag extends into said outlet, and wherein said retaining means is means for retaining at least a portion of said flexible bag out of said outlet, and wherein said nozzle extends through said retaining means.  
   
   
       17 . A bag retainer comprising: 
 (a) a rigid plate defining an opening;    (b) a first strengthening rib provided along a first side of said plate;    (c) a second strengthening rib provided along a second side of said plate;    (d) a first container retainer provided along a third side of said plate; and    (e) a second container retainer provided along a fourth side of said plate.    
   
   
       18 . The bag retainer of  claim 17 , wherein said opening is circular.  
   
   
       19 . The bag retainer of  claim 17 , wherein said center plate carves arcuately into said first strengthening rib; wherein said center plate carves arcuately into said second strengthening rib; wherein said center plate carves arculately into said first container retainer; and wherein said center plate carves arcuately into said second container retainer.  
   
   
       20 . The bag retainer of  claim 17 , further comprising a container: 
 (a) a flexible bag defining an interior and an exterior;    (b) a nozzle provided on said bag, said nozzle comprising a body defining a passage between said interior and said exterior of said bag;    (c) a flexible bag provided within said container, wherein said flexible bag defines an interior and an exterior;    (d) wherein said first container retainer is slidably engaged within said first bar; and    (e) wherein said second container retainer is slidably engaged within said second bar.