Flexible container containing a liquid product, and a process for making a liquid-filled, flexible container

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flexible container containing a liquid product, wherein the flexible container ( 2 ) comprises a closure having an inner end and an outer end, the closure being fixed through the wall of the flexible container ( 2 ) such that the inner end of the closure lies within the flexible container ( 2 ) and is in contact with the liquid product, and the outer end of the closure lies outside of the flexible container, wherein the closure has an open position and a closed position, and wherein the outer end of the closure is connected to a self-sealing valve ( 30 ) which opens when the closure is in the open position and when pressure is applied to the liquid product within the flexible container, and which closes when the pressure is released. In another aspect the invention relates to a process of making a liquid-filled, flexible container by: (i) forming a closed flexible container ( 2 ) from a film material and fixing a female part ( 10 ) of a closure through the wall of the flexible container ( 2 ); (ii) filling the flexible container ( 2 ) with a liquid product by injecting the liquid product into the flexible container ( 2 ) through the female part ( 10 ) of the closure; (iii) sealing the flexible container by closing the female part ( 10 ) of the closure; and (iv) inserting a male part ( 20 ) of a closure into the female part ( 10 ) so that the male ( 20 ) and female ( 10 ) parts form a closure having an open and a closed position, wherein the male part ( 20 ) of the closure comprises a self-sealing valve ( 30 ) which opens when the closure is in the open position and when pressure is applied to the liquid product within the flexible container ( 2 ), and which closes when the pressure is released.

1 . Flexible container containing a liquid product, wherein the flexible container ( 2 ) comprises a closure having an inner end and an outer end, the closure being fixed through the wall of the flexible container ( 2 ) such that the inner end of the closure lies within the flexible container ( 2 ) and is in contact with the liquid product, and the outer end of the closure lies outside of the flexible container ( 2 ), wherein the closure has an open position and a closed position, and wherein the outer end of the closure is connected to a valve, characterized in that the valve is a self-sealing valve ( 30 ) which opens when the closure is in the open position and when pressure is applied to the liquid product within the flexible container ( 2 ), and which closes when the pressure is released.  
   
   
       2 . Flexible container according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is filled with the liquid product and is essentially free of any gas.  
   
   
       3 . Flexible container according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure comprises male ( 20 ) and female ( 10 ) parts which are fitted together by means of a screw thread ( 28 ), and wherein the closure is opened by rotating the male part ( 20 ) relative to the female part ( 10 ), and wherein the closure is closed by counter-rotating the male part ( 20 ) relative to the female part ( 10 ).  
   
   
       4 . Flexible container according to any of claims  1 , wherein the container comprises a base ( 3 ), so that the liquid-filled, flexible container ( 2 ) is self standing upon the base ( 3 ), wherein the closure is positioned at the top of the flexible container when the container ( 2 ) is self-standing on the base ( 3 ).  
   
   
       5 . Flexible container according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure in the closed position seals the flexible container ( 2 ) and prevents discharge of the liquid product.  
   
   
       6 . A process of making a liquid-filled, flexible container by: 
 (i) forming a closed flexible container ( 2 ) from a film material and fixing a female part ( 10 ) of a closure through the wall of the flexible container ( 2 );    (ii) filling the flexible container ( 2 ) with a liquid product by injecting the liquid product into the flexible container ( 2 ) through the female part ( 10 ) of the closure;    (iii) sealing the flexible container by closing the female part ( 10 ) of the closure; and    (iv) inserting a male part ( 20 ) of a closure into the female part ( 10 ) so that the male ( 20 ) and female ( 10 ) parts form a closure having an open and a closed position,    characterized in that the male part ( 20 ) of the closure comprises a self-sealing valve ( 30 ) which opens when the closure is in the open position and when pressure is applied to the liquid product within the flexible container ( 2 ), and which closes when the pressure is released.    
   
   
       7 . The process according to  claim 6 , wherein the self-sealing valve ( 30 ) is integrally molded into the male part ( 20 ) of the closure.  
   
   
       8 . A process according to  claim 7 , wherein the self-sealing valve ( 30 ) is molded into the male part ( 20 ) of the closure by means of a co-injection process.  
   
   
       9 . A process according to  claim 6 , wherein step (iii), the female part ( 10 ) of the closure is sealed by means of a releasably fitted plug ( 16 ).  
   
   
       10 . A process according to  claim 6 , wherein the male ( 20 ) and female ( 10 ) parts of the closure are fitted together by means of a screw thread ( 28 ), and wherein the closure is opened by rotating the male part ( 20 ) relative to the female part ( 10 ), and wherein the closure is closed by counter-rotating the male part ( 20 ) relative to the female part ( 10 ).