Dispenser system for flexible bags

Abstract

Embodiments relate to a dispenser including a container including a containment portion and a handle portion, the handle portion containing an actuating device to selectively actuate a pump; the containment portion defining a chamber, wherein the chamber may include at least a first interior side, and wherein the first interior side comprises at least a first zone comprising a first tackiness characteristic and a second zone comprising a second tackiness characteristic, such that the first tackiness characteristic exceeds the second tackiness characteristic.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispenser comprising:
 a container including a containment portion and a handle portion, the handle portion containing an actuating device to selectively actuate a pump,   the containment portion defining a chamber, wherein the chamber may include at least a first interior side, and wherein the first interior side comprises at least a first zone comprising a first tackiness characteristic and a second zone comprising a second tackiness characteristic, such that the first tackiness characteristic exceeds the second tackiness characteristic.   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising a valve separate from the pump, wherein the valve comprises one of the group consisting of a flexible seal, a foam, an open cell foam and a closed cell foam. 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the valve comprises a mechanical device for selective actuation of the valve responsive to actuation of the pump. 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising a barrier configured to open responsive to increased pressure resulting from actuation of the pump. 
     
     
         5 . The dispenser of  claim 4  wherein the barrier comprises one of the group consisting of an open cell foam, a closed cell foam and a flexible seal. 
     
     
         6 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first zone and second zone may include an adhesive. 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first zone and second zone may include a tacky polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first zone and second zone may include tape. 
     
     
         9 . The dispenser of  claim 8  wherein the tape is a double sided tape. 
     
     
         10 . The dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising at least one of a flexible bag, a flexible package and a flexible container along at least the first zone. 
     
     
         11 . The dispenser of  claim 10  wherein the at least one of the flexible bag, the flexible package and the flexible container having an inner surface with a coefficient of friction less than about 0.5. 
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 10  further comprising the at least one flexible bag, the flexible package and the flexible container having an inner surface with a coefficient of friction between about 0.2 and 0.5. 
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of  claim 10  further comprising the flexible bag, the flexible package and the flexible container having an inner surface with a coefficient of friction between about 0.1 and 1.0. 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser of  claim 10  further comprising the at least one flexible bag, the flexible package and the flexible container having an inner and outer surface, the outer surface having a higher coefficient of friction than the inner surface. 
     
     
         15 . The dispenser of  claim 10  further comprising the at least one flexible bag, the flexible package and the flexible container having an inner and outer surface, the outer surface in combination with at least the first interior side having a lower coefficient of friction than the inner surface. 
     
     
         16 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the pump comprises at least one of a group consisting of a piston, a mechanical drive member, a pneumatic drive member and an electrical drive member. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the actuating device incrementally actuates the pump. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18  wherein the pump is incrementally advanced a predetermined amount. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 18  wherein the pump is incrementally reversed a predetermined amount. 
     
     
         21 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the first tackiness characteristic provides a degree of tackiness sufficient to resist a flexible bag slipping along the first zone, and wherein the second tackiness characteristic is not sufficient to resist the flexible bag slipping along the second zone. 
     
     
         22 . A dispensing system comprising:
 a container including a containment portion and a handle portion, the handle portion containing an actuating device to selectively actuate a pump;   the containment portion defining a chamber, wherein the chamber may include at least a first interior side, and wherein the first interior side comprises at least a first zone comprising a first tackiness characteristic and a second zone comprising a second tackiness characteristic, such that the first tackiness characteristic exceeds the second tackiness characteristic; and   at least one of a flexible bag, a flexible package and a flexable container sized to fit within the containment portion.   
     
     
         23 . A dispensing system comprising:
 a container including a containment portion and a handle portion, the handle portion containing an actuation device to selectively actuate a pump that comprises at least one of a group consisting of a piston, mechanical drive device, pneumatic drive device and electrical drive device;   the containment portion defining a chamber, wherein the chamber may include at least a first interior side, and wherein the first interior side comprises at least a first zone comprising a first tackiness characteristic and a second zone comprising a second tackiness characteristic, such that the first tackiness characteristic exceeds the second tackiness characteristic; and   at least one of a flexible bag, a flexible package and a flexible container sized to fit within the containment portion, wherein first zone partially holds to the flexible bag and wherein the piston translates axially through the chamber and everts the flexible bag.   
     
     
         24 . A dispenser comprising:
 a container including a containment portion and a handle portion, the handle portion containing an actuation device to selectively actuate a pump,   the containment portion defining a chamber, wherein the chamber may include at least a first zone comprising a first tackiness characteristic sufficient to adhere to a flexible bag while allowing the flexible bag to evert by pulling away from the first zone.   
     
     
         25 . The dispenser of  claim 24  wherein the first tackiness characteristic provides a degree of tackiness sufficient to resist a flexible bag slipping along at least the first zone, and wherein the second tackiness characteristic is not sufficient to resist a flexible bag slipping along at least the second zone. 
     
     
         26 . The dispenser of  claim 24  further comprising a valve separate from the pump. 
     
     
         27 . The dispenser of  claim 24  wherein the valve comprises at least one of the group consisting of an open cell foam, a closed cell foam and a flexible seal. 
     
     
         28 . The dispenser of  claim 26  wherein the valve comprises a mechanical device for selective actuation of the valve responsive to actuation of the pump. 
     
     
         29 . The dispenser of  claim 24  wherein the first zone comprises at least one of a tacky polymer, an adhesive, tape, a high friction material having a coefficient of friction greater than about 0.5. 
     
     
         30 . The dispenser of  claim 24  further comprising at least one barrier configured to open responsive to increased pressure resulting from actuation of the pump. 
     
     
         31 . The dispenser of  claim 24  wherein the barrier comprises at least one of the group consisting of an open cell foam, a closed cell foam and a flexible seal. 
     
     
         32 . A dispenser comprising:
 a container including a containment portion and a handle portion, the handle portion containing an actuation device to selectively actuate a pump,   a flexible bag; and wherein the containment portion may include at least a first zone comprising a first tackiness characteristic sufficient to adhere to the flexible bag while allowing the flexible bag to evert by pulling away from the first zone.   
     
     
         33 . A method of dispensing product comprising:
 receiving a flexible bag containing product into a dispenser, the dispenser including a containment portion and a handle portion, the handle portion containing an actuator device to selectively actuate a pump including a piston, wherein the containment portion may include at least a first zone comprising a first tackiness characteristic sufficient to hold to a flexible bag while allowing the flexible bag to evert by pulling away from the first zone;   bringing a portion of the flexible bag into contact with the first zone;   translating the piston axially;   pushing the piston against the flexible bag; and   everting the flexible bag responsive to the pushing, wherein the everting comprises separating a portion of the held flexible bag from the first zone and allowing at least a portion of the detached flexible bag to be inserted into itself.   
     
     
         34 . A dispenser comprising:
 a container including a containment portion and a handle portion, the handle portion containing an actuator device to selectively actuate a pump,   the containment portion defining a chamber, wherein the chamber may include at least a first interior side, and wherein the first interior side comprises a tackiness characteristic.   
     
     
         35 . A dispenser adapted to receive a flexible bag and dispense a product, the dispenser comprising:
 a housing having a first wall and a second wall hingedly connected to the first wall and defining a chamber having a first end and a second end enabling the flexible bag to firmly adhere to a portion of at least one of the first wall and second wall and loosely adhere to a portion of at least one second wall and the first wall;   a handle located proximate the chamber first end and having a trigger and a reversely biased actuating device;   a piston positioned in the chamber and actionably coupled to at least the actuating device; and   an end cap adapted to be removably, rotatably received by the housing proximate the second end, the end cap defining at least one opening adapted to allow flow in only one direction.   
     
     
         36 . The dispenser of  claim 35  wherein the piston is a segmented piston. 
     
     
         37 . The dispenser of  claim 35  wherein the at least one outlet having a valve fitment that allows product to flow there through in only one direction. 
     
     
         38 . The dispenser of  claim 35  further comprising the outlet having a predetermined shape allowing product to flow there though in only one direction. 
     
     
         39 . The dispenser of  claim 35  further comprising a tacky portion mounted to at least one of the first wall and the second wall. 
     
     
         40 . The dispenser of  claim 35  further comprising the end cap rotatably connected to the housing. 
     
     
         41 . The dispenser of  claim 35  further comprising a lock securing the first wall and the second wall. 
     
     
         42 . A dispenser adapted to receive a flexible bag and dispense a product contained in the flexible bag, the dispenser comprising:
 a housing having a first wall and a second wall movably connected to the first wall and defining a chamber having a first end and a second end;   a tacky portion contacting the housing enabling the flexible bag to firmly adhere to a first portion of the tacky portion and loosely adhere to a second portion of the tacky portion;   a handle located proximate the chamber first end and having a reversely biasing actuating device;   a segmented piston positioned in the chamber and actionably coupled to at least the actuating device enabling the segmented piston to advance in a reversible manner, applying pressure to the flexible bag and dispense the product; and   an end cap adapted to be removably received by the housing proximate the second end, the end cap defining at least one outlet adapted to allow flow in only one direction, wherein the handle and segmented piston act in concert, such that upon applying pressure to the flexible bag, everting the flexible bag and dispensing a predetermined amount of the product, and upon completion of dispensing a predetermined amount of the product, relieves any residual pressure on the flexible bag, preventing the product from weeping.   
     
     
         43 . A dispenser adapted to dispense a product, the dispenser comprising:
 a housing having a first wall and a second wall movably connected to the first wall and defining a chamber having a first end and a second end;   a flexible bag received in the chamber and adapted to dispense a product upon application of pressure thereto;   a tacky portion mounted to the housing enabling the flexible bag to firmly adhere to a first portion of the tacky portion and loosely adhere to a second portion of the tacky portion;   a handle located proximate the chamber first end and having a trigger and a reversely biasing actuating device;   a segmented piston positioned in the chamber and actionably coupled to at least the actuating device enabling the segmented piston to advance in a reversible manner, applying pressure to the flexible bag and dispense the product; and   an end cap adapted to be removably received by the housing proximate the second end, the end cap defining at least one outlet adapted to allow flow in only one direction, wherein the handle and segmented piston act in concert, such that upon applying pressure to the flexible bag that flexible bag everts dispensing a predetermined amount of the product, and upon completion of dispensing a predetermined amount of the product, relieves any residual pressure on the flexible bag, preventing the product weeping.   
     
     
         44 . A method for dispensing a product using a dispenser adapted to receive a flexible bag comprising:
 the dispenser comprising:   a housing having a first wall and a second wall hingedly connected to the first wall and defining a chamber having a first end and a second end;   a handle located proximate the chamber first end and having a trigger and a reversely biased actuating device;   a tacky portion mounted to the housing having a first portion and a second portion;   a segmented piston positioned in the chamber and actionably coupled to at least the actuating device; and   an end cap adapted to be removably, rotatably received by the housing proximate the second end, the end cap defining at least one outlet adapted to allow flow in only one direction;   the flexible bag formed from a film comprising:
 a first edge; 
   a first surface, the first surface having a first static coefficient;   a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface having a static coefficient of friction greater than the first static coefficient;   the second surface firmly adhering to the first portion of the tacky portion and loosely adhering to the second portion of the tacky portion;   
       and
 wherein the at least one layer is joined along at least the first edge and defining a tearing direction that allows the flexible bag to be torn open only along the tearing direction; 
 the method comprising: 
 removing the end cap; 
 moving the first wall away from the secong wall, opening the dispenser and exposing at least the chamber; 
 positioning the flexible bag in the chamber such that at least the tear strip extends from the dispenser; 
 moving the first wall towards the second wall, closing the dispenser; 
 opening the tear strip in the tearing direction; 
 placing the end cap on the dispenser; and 
 actuating the actuating device.