Multiple access container and methods for the transfer of fluent materials

A container configured to hold and allow selective transferring of a fluent food material, the container comprising:

• a holding portion having a reservoir capable of holding a quantity of fluent food material;
• a flexible conduit defining a flow channel in fluid communication with said reservoir of said container, said conduit divided into a plurality of sections along its length;
• and
• a plurality of access ports, one of said plurality of access ports in fluid communication with each of said plurality of sections, each of said plurality of access ports each having a sealed condition which prohibits the flow of the fluent food material therethrough and an unsealed condition that permits the fluent food material to flow therethrough, each of said plurality of said sections configured to be selectively divided from upstream sections of said conduit after said access port is placed in the unsealed condition, a quantity of the fluent food material is transferred through said access port, and the flow of the fluent food material through said access port is subsequently discontinued.

A container configured to hold and allow selective transferring of a fluent food product, comprising:

• a pliable bag having a reservoir configured to hold the fluent food product;
• a protective housing at least partially surrounding the pliable bag;
• a flexible conduit defining a flow channel, said flexible conduit having a first section and a second section, said flow channel in fluid communication with said reservoir and said second section located nearer to the reservoir than said first section;
• and
• a first access port in fluid communication with said first section of said flexible conduit and a second access port in fluid communication with said second section of said flexible conduit, said first access port and said second access port each having a sealed condition in which prohibits the flow of the fluent material therethrough and an unsealed condition that permits the fluent material to flow therethrough, said flexible conduit configured to be selectively divided between said first section from said second section after said first access port is placed in the unsealed condition, a quantity of the fluent food product is transferred through said first access port, and the flow of the fluent food product through said first access port is subsequently discontinued.

A method of transferring a fluent food material to or from a holding portion of a container, the method comprising:

• providing the container with a flexible conduit having a plurality of access ports spaced along its length, one end of the flexible conduit in fluid communication with the holding portion;
• transferring a first quantity of the fluent food material using a first access port of the plurality of access ports;
• dividing the flexible conduit between the first access port and the holding portion to prevent to prevent outward leakage of fluent food material and/or the entry of contaminants through the first access port into the holding portion;
• and
• transferring a second quantity of the fluent material using a second access port of the plurality of access ports.