Device for handling, supporting, carrying and or dispensing flow-able agents

Abstract

A holder for flowable agent is comprised of an assembly of the holder and a valve to control the flow of flowable agent. The holder is a flexible container in direct contact with the flowable agent or a support for such a container. The holder comprises means to be oriented for use such that the direction of flow of the flowable agent is enabled by the user, the holder further comprises means to be reduced in volume by pressure applied to the walls of the holder. The holder is further characterised as comprising a valve that has means to be releasably functionally applied to that part of the assembly that is in direct contact with the flowable agent without necessarily being fixedly attached to it.

1 - 61 . (canceled) 
     
     
         62 . A holder for a flexible container containing fluid and a fluid exit pathway, the holder comprising:
 a substantially rigid support member adapted to laterally or vertically support the container, wherein the support member is compressible in its operating state such that a pressure applied to the outside of the support member causes a reduction in an internal volume defined by the support member,   valve means operable to prevent or allow dispensing of the contents while the device is attached to the container, wherein the valve means comprises at least two pressure members and pressure member extension actuating means, the pressure members comprised of elongate surfaces locate-able in opposition around the fluid exit pathway and providing means to co-operate compressively on the fluid exit pathway to prevent dispensing of fluid while the holder is attached to the container, the holder being releasably attachable to the container.   
     
     
         63 . The holder as claimed in  claim 62 , wherein support members provide valve members. 
     
     
         64 . The holder as claimed in  claim 62  or  63 , wherein support members are spatially configured to co-operate with the container to provide longitudinal support to the container at opposite ends of the container. 
     
     
         65 . The holder as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the valve means includes a biasing member for biasing the valve pressure members to a closed position. 
     
     
         66 . The holder as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the supporting members comprise flexibly compressible walls. 
     
     
         67 . The holder as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the pressure member extension actuating means is configured to at least partly overlie the body of the fluid contents in the container. 
     
     
         68 . The holder as claimed in any previous claim wherein the pressure member extension means comprises at least one hingedly related member depressible with respect to the plane of the extension member. 
     
     
         69 . The holder as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the holder includes a frame structure. 
     
     
         70 . The holder as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the pressure members are rotatable relative to each other, the pressure members being downstream of the axis of rotation and the pressure actuating means being upstream of the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         71 . The holder as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the pressure member extension actuating means at least partially supports the container. 
     
     
         72 . The holder as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the pressure members are arranged around a rotational axis and on the under-surface such that the fluid upstream of the pressure members is pressurised when the pressure members are spaced apart to allow fluid to flow downstream. 
     
     
         73 . The holder as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the holder comprises a hinged part integral to a pressure member such that the hinged part co-operates with an opposing surface to apply compressive pressure to fluid upstream of the fluid exit. 
     
     
         74 . The holder as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the device is adapted to support the container in both an inverted and an upright mode.