Bag-in-box.

This invention relates to a bag-in-box product.

Developments in packaging technology have permitted the marketing of liquids packed in a bag-in-box, that is to say a plastic bag fitted with some type of dispensing device, physically protected by a rigid box normally made from board. Wine, liquid soap and liquid fabric conditioner are three examples of products of this type which are on the market.

We have now realised that this product form opens opportunities for the marketing of liquids containing otherwise incompatible substances.

Accordingly the invention provides an article comprising two or more flexible liquid impermeable envelopes communicating with a single liquid dispensing device contained within a substantially rigid, protective container.

Normally the envelopes will be plastics bags welded to the dispensing device, or connected by tubes to it and the rigid protective container will be a cardboard box.

One of the most advantageous applications for the article in accordance with the invention is one in which one of the envelopes contains a liquid composition comprising a surfactant and the other a liquid composition comprising a bleach.

The liquid dispensing device may be a tap assembly or it may be a pump device such as a peristaltic pump.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li>Figure 1 is a front elevation of a tap suitable for use in the article of the invention;</li><li>Figure 2 is a side view of the tap shown in Figure 1;</li><li>Figure 3 is a plan view from above of the tap shown in Figures 1 and 2;</li><li>Figure 4 is a rear view of the tap shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3; and</li><li>Figure 5 is a side view of a spindle for the tap shown in Figures 1 to 4.</li><li>Figure 6 is a plan view of an article in accordance with the invention using the tap of Figures 1 to 5.</li><li>Figure 7 is a plan view of a second article in accordance with the invention using the tap of Figures 1 to 5.</li></ul>

Referring first to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the tap consists generally of a body (10) and a spindle (11). The body, which will be formed from a thermoplastics material consists of two concentric circular flanges (12,13), separated one from the other by a spacer (14) and adapted to retain a layer of cardboard from the container into which the tap is intended to be inserted. Integrally formed with the flanges is a barrel member (15) which is circular in cross-section as is shown in Figure 3. The barrel member is provided with an air-vent (16).

Referring now to Figures 2, 3 and 4, two inlet tubes, one of which (17) is offset from the diameter of the flange (12) communicate through flanges (12, 13) and spacer.(14) with the barrel member (15).

Referring to Figure 5 the spindle (11) of the tap is hollow and is formed with two apertures (22,23) in one side only communicating with the hollow centre and corresponding with the inlet tubes (17,18) of the body. It is capped with a circular flange which abuts against the top of barrel member (15) of Figure 1, and which carries a key-end (20). The lower end of the spindle (21) is tapered to assist dispensing.

Two articles using the tap of Figures 1 to 5 are shown in Figures 6 and 7. In these figures a substantially rigid, protective container in the form of a cardboard box (24) is provided with a cut-out to take the tap assembly (10,11). In Figure 6 the cardboard box contains two separate flexible, liquid-impermeable envelopes in the form of plastics bags (25,26). Each bag terminates in a feed tube (27,28) each of which is connected to one of the inlet tubes (17,18) of the tap assembly.

In Figure 7 the box contains a single plastics bag (29) containing an internal web (30), dividing the bag into two separate compartments. Each compartment is provided with separate feed tubes (31,32) individually connected to the inlet tubes (17,18) of the tap assembly.

The plastics bags contain different liquids, A and B, and on opening the tap by rotation of key end (20) both liquids flow by both the pressure exerted by the atmosphere and by gravity through the inlet tubes (17,18) of the tap assembly and into the hollow spindle where they mix and are dispensed. When the tap is turned off again, the air vent (16) is in communication with the upper aperture (22) of the tap spindle, which helps to drain the spindle completely.