Bag-in-box container

Abstract

 A bag-in-box arrangement having a rigid outer box 10 is provided with an inner bag 20 having two openings 50, 80. One opening 80 has means for connecting the arrangement to an apparatus to be supplied with the contents of the bag. The second opening 50 is such that it may be connected to venting means to allow any gas evolved from the contents of the bag 20 to escape.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of containers, in particular to "bag-in-box" containers which are used to supply chemical solutions to a process.

Background of the Invention

[0002] There is a need to deliver chemical solutions to an apparatus, such as photographic processors and associated equipment, without the operator of the equipment coming into contact with the chemicals. It is known to supply processing solutions to a photographic process using a "bag-in-box" arrangement. This arrangement comprises an outer liquid-tight container inside which there is a flexible bag containing the process solution. The bag-in-box is filled with liquid and fitted with an air-tight valve which can be connected by suitable means to the equipment to deliver the solution.

Problem to be solved by the Invention

[0003] The chemical solutions stored within the bag-in-box may not be stable. Some of the chemicals within the solution may decompose slowly and release a gas. Examples of solutions which will decompose are hydrogen peroxide and alkali metal hydrogen carbonate solutions. If such solutions are stored within a flexible bag the bag will inflate. The bags may eventually inflate to such an extent that they explode or break the containing box.

[0004] In order to prevent such an explosion it may be possible to provide a valve to vent any gas formed within the bag. However such a valve would have to be newly designed to incorporate a vent. The valve would be complex in design and would require modifications of known tools to carry out the manufacture.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is therefore an aim of this invention to provide a bag-in-box arrangement which retains a known valve for delivering the solution to the apparatus but which can be properly vented to avoid the problem of inflation of the inner bag.

[0006] According to the present invention there is provided a bag-in-box arrangement for supplying solution to a process, the arrangement comprising an outer box having an inner bag located therein, the inner bag being provided with two openings, one opening having means for connection between the bag and the process, the second opening having means for connection to venting means.

[0007] Preferably the inner bag is made of a flexible material.

Advantageous Effect of the Invention

[0008] The provision of the extra vented cap allows the bag-in-box arrangement to be used for chemical solutions that evolve gas. A standard venting cap is used which avoids the need for expensive modification or redesign of existing valves.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 shows a container in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 2 shows a second container in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0010] Referring to Figure 1, a bag-in-box arrangement is shown which comprises a substantially rigid outer box 10 enclosing a collapsible bag 20. The box 10 is non-airtight. The bag 20 may be made of a flexible material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon and may be a composite of more than one layer, each layer being made of the same or different material. It may also incorporate a metalised layer. It must be inert to the liquid contents 100. When the bag is filled with liquid 100 a small gas space 90 is left.

[0011] The bag 20 is provided with two openings 50 and 80. Both openings are located at the top of the bag 20. A tube 110 is provided within the bag and extends to the bottom thereof to allow the liquid 100 to be withdrawn via opening 80. The tube may be of any suitable shape to empty the bag most efficiently. A conventional valve 60 can be fitted to opening 80 and is accessible from the outside of the box 10. Valve 60 is, in use, connected to a suitable fitting on the apparatus to be supplied with the contents 100 of the bag.

[0012] The second opening 50 of the bag 20 is provided with means to allow a venting cap 30 to be fixed to it. The cap 30, having vent 40, may be a standard venting cap having, for example, a screw or push fit connection.

[0013] In the embodiment shown in figure 1 the vented cap is located within the box 10. Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment in which the vented cap 30 is attached to the top of the box 10 and is therefore accessible from the outside of the box. This second embodiment keeps the bag extended even when liquid is drawn through tube 110. It also holds the valve above the liquid level.

[0014] The bag 20 is maintained upright in transit. This allows any gases formed in gas space 90 from the liquid which create a pressure above atmospheric pressure to be safely vented through cap 30.

[0015] The bag-in-box arrangement described above can be used in any situation where the solution may decompose to release a gas. It is not limited to use with photographic processing solutions and their supply to or from a photographic process.

Claims

1. A bag-in-box arrangement for supplying solution to a process, the arrangement comprising an outer box having an inner bag located therein, the inner bag being provided with two openings, one opening having means for connection between the bag and the process, the second opening having means for connection to venting means.

2. A bag-in-box arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the inner bag is made of a flexible material.

3. A bag-in-box arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the venting means is located within the outer box.

4. A bag-in-box arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the venting means is accessible from the outside of the outer box.

5. A bag-in-box arrangement according to claim 4 wherein the venting means is attached to the top of the box.

6. A bag-in-box arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the venting means is a venting cap.

7. A bag-in-box arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the inner bag is a composite of more than one layer of material.

8. A bag-in-box arrangement according to claim 7 wherein one of the layers is a metalised layer.

Drawing