Container evacuation arrangement

Abstract

The invention discloses a container evacuation arrangement, which includes a flexible container constructed of at least two layers, each consisting of four polygonally shaped sheets and having a first flexible pocket adapted to receive a flowable material, a second flexible pocket in sealed fluid communication with the first flexible pocket. The first flexible pocket has an inlet and/or funnel and a drain, while the second flexible pocket is provided with a fill port. The flexible container is supported by a rigid frame.

1 . A container evacuation arrangement, which includes a flexible container constructed of at least two layers, each consisting of four polygonally shaped sheets and having
 (a) a first flexible pocket adapted to receive a flowable material;   (b) a second flexible pocket in communication with the first flexible pocket and sealed in fluid communication with the first flexible pocket;   (c) an inlet and/or funnel in communication with the first flexible pocket;   (d) a drain in communication with the first flexible pocket;   (e) a fill port in communication with the second flexible pocket;   and a rigid frame for supporting the flexible container.   
     
     
         2 . The arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the second flexible pocket surrounds the first flexible pocket. 
     
     
         3 . The arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the first flexible pocket is secured to the second flexible pocket as follows:
 (a) along seams along the edges of one polygonally shaped sheet;   (b) along seams having a rectangular shape and/or a side of the container;   (c) along seams along the edges of one polygonally shaped sheet and which further extend to the opposite corners of the first flexible pocket; and/or   (d) along seams surrounding the inlet and/or the funnel and the drain.   
     
     
         4 . The arrangement according to  claim 3 , wherein the polygonally shaped sheet, along whose seams the first flexible pocket and the second flexible pocket are secured, includes the inlet and/or funnel and the drain. 
     
     
         5 . The arrangement according to  claim 3 , wherein the respective four polygonally shaped sheets are inter-connected and/or integrally formed. 
     
     
         6 . The arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible container is a form-fit flexible container. 
     
     
         7 . The arrangement according to  claim 3 , wherein the seams are substantially straight. 
     
     
         8 . The arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is air. 
     
     
         9 . The arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible container is cube-shaped. 
     
     
         10 . A method for evacuating a container includes the steps of
 (a) providing a flexible container constructed of at least two layers each consisting of four polygonally shaped sheets and having
 (i) a first flexible pocket adapted to receive a flowable material; 
 (ii) a second flexible pocket in communication with the first flexible pocket and sealed in fluid communication with the first flexible pocket; 
 (iii) an inlet and/or funnel in communication with the first flexible pocket; 
 (iv) a drain in communication with the first flexible pocket; 
 (v) a fill port in communication with the second flexible pocket; 
   (b) of supporting the flexible container with a rigid frame;   (c) of opening the drain in communication with the first flexible pocket to allow the flowable material to exit the first flexible pocket; and   (d) of charging a fluid into the second flexible pocket through the fill port with sufficient pressure to assist in forcing the flowable material out of the first flexible pocket.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the flexible pocket surrounds the first flexible pocket. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the first flexible pocket is secured to the second flexible pocket as follows:
 (a) along seams along the edges of one polygonally shaped sheet;   (b) along seams having a rectangular shape and/or a side of the container;   (c) along seams along the edges of one polygonally shaped sheet and which further extend to the opposite corners of the first flexible pocket; and/or   (d) along seams surrounding the inlet and/or the funnel and the drain.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the polygonally shaped sheet, along whose seams the first flexible pocket and the second flexible pocket are secured, includes the inlet and/or funnel and the drain. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the respective four polygonally shaped sheets are inter-connected and/or integrally formed. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the flexible container is a form-fit flexible container. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the seams are substantially straight. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the fluid is air. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the flexible container is cube-shaped. 
     
     
         19 - 20 . (canceled)