Apparatus and method with vessel for containing/transporting a fluent substance

Abstract

An apparatus having a flexible-walled vessel compatible with a fluent substance for transporting the fluent substance and dispensing during production, research, testing, and other related processes. The vessel, as oriented by a support framework, has an upper-end and a lower-portion with at least one port through which the fluent substance is dispensed, and an outwardly-facing indicia. This port is in communication with a primary flow channel and a valve for controlling the dispensing of a preselected amount of the substance as needed during the process. The fluent substance may be any such as liquid reagents, cleaning solutions, solvents, and/or other fluent substances used in the production/test process. A second flow channel, in communication with a second port of the vessel's lower-end, may be added for filling the vessel at the filling-site. Also characterized: method of transporting a fluent substance for dispensing during a production/test process that uses a flexible-walled vessel. Additionally, a method and system for building an order for replenishing stock of a fluent substance (contained in a flexible-walled vessel with an indicia) for use in a production/test process, including: reading the indicia; transmitting at least a part of the information provided by the indicia to a remote processor; accessing a database with the remote processor to search for a package record that corresponds with the indicia information; using the indicia information, updating and reviewing an inventory file record, if any; and generating the order; and if the order is accepted, automatically transmitting a request to determine a shipping-carrier and availability of stock at a warehouse.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.