Flexibility-Mounted Evacuation Channels In Collapsible Bags

A method of preparing a collapsible bag for evacuation of a liquid therein, the method comprising:

• providing the collapsible bag in a collapsed configuration, the collapsible bag having a spout and a flexible mounting connected the spout, at least a portion of the flexible mounting being disposed within the collapsible bag in a flat configuration in substantially the same plane in which the spout lies;
• and
• filling the collapsible bag with the liquid, such that the collapsible bag is in a filled configuration, such that at least the portion of the flexible mounting in the flat orientation is moved into an extended configuration in a plane that forms an angle of between about 0 degrees and about 180 degrees with the plane in which the spout lies,
• wherein the flexible mounting comprises:
• a peripheral ring adapted to fit within a spout of said fitment;
• a plurality of flexible legs attached to the peripheral ring to which is attached said evacuation members for evacuation of said bag that permit said helical evacuation members to be displaced relative to said peripheral ring to allow accommodation of any service line connector to which said fitment is secured without interfering with the operation of said helical evacuation members and said helical evacuation members being as flat as possible within the bag upon manufacture and wherein said evacuation members are integrally formed with said flexible mounting and at least one of said evacuation members is a helical channel;
• wherein each of said evacuation members being individually adjustable to alternative positions where the longitudinal axis of the evacuation members is oriented radially (0 degree), perpendicularly (90 degree), or at an angle selected from the range of from about 0 degree to about 90 degree to the plane of the peripheral ring, without the flexing of the flexible legs or the evacuation members and
• a central member to which a second evacuation member is secured;
• and a plurality of spring members extending between said peripheral ring and said central member, said spring members supporting said central member while permitting said central member to be displaced relative to said peripheral ring;
• wherein the plurality of spring members permits the displacement of the central member relative to said peripheral ring and wherein the spout having an internal passage that does not hinder insertion of couplings into the bag.

A dispenser for dispensing a fluid, the dispenser comprising:

• a collapsible bag having a fitment, the fitment having a spout defining a passage to an interior of the collapsible bag;
• and
• a flexible mounting for securing a plurality of flexible evacuation members to the fitment for use in the collapsible bag said mounting consisting of:
• a peripheral ring adapted to fit within the spout of said fitment;
• a plurality of flexible legs attached to the peripheral ring to which is attached said evacuation members for evacuation of said collapsible bag that permit said evacuation members to be displaced relative to said peripheral ring to allow accommodation of any service line connector to which said fitment is secured without interfering with the operation of said evacuation members and said evacuation members being as flat as possible within the collapsible bag upon manufacture and wherein said evacuation members are integrally formed with said flexible mounting and at least one of said evacuation members is a helical channel;
• wherein each of said evacuation members being individually adjustable to alternative positions where the longitudinal axis of the evacuation members is oriented radially (0 degree), perpendicularly (90 degree), or at an angle selected from the range of from about 0 degree to about 90 degree to the plane of the peripheral ring, without the flexing of the flexible legs or the evacuation members.