Outer container housing a collapsible inner container

Abstract

In at least one embodiment, a device is provided comprising a rigid or semi-rigid outer container, said outer container at least partially housing a removable and reusable at least partially collapsible inner container, said inner container having a sealable outlet therein. A process is also provided for the refilling, transport and storage of products, wherein the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container is transported to a point of sale or dispense, filled or refilled with product, and transported to a point of use. Optionally, the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container is housed in a rigid or semi-rigid outer container for subsequent use.

1 . A device comprising a rigid or semi-rigid outer container, said outer container at least partially housing a removable and reusable at least partially collapsible inner container, said inner container having a sealable outlet therein.  
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container comprises a collapsible bag or sachet.  
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container comprises pleated, fluted or folded peripheral side walls.  
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container comprises an expandable elastomeric material.  
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container comprises a rigid or semi-rigid upper portion.  
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container comprises a rigid or semi-rigid upper portion.  
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the upper portion is attached to peripheral collapsible side walls of the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container by heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing or the use of adhesives.  
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container is at least partially housed securely in the outer container by means on the upper portion of the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container engageable with means on the outer container.  
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container is at least partially housed securely in the outer container by means on the upper portion of the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container engageable with means on the outer container.  
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container is at least partially housed securely in the outer container by means on the upper portion of the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container engageable with means on the outer container.  
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container is at least partially housed securely in the outer container by means on the upper portion of the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container engageable with means on the outer container.  
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container is at least partially housed securely in the outer container by means on the upper portion of the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container engageable with means on the outer container.  
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container comprises one or more fill apertures and one or more dispense apertures, said fill apertures being remotely positioned on the container in relation to the dispense aperture.  
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container comprises one or more fill apertures and one or more dispense apertures, said fill apertures being remotely positioned on the container in relation to the dispense aperture.  
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container comprises one or more fill apertures and one or more dispense apertures, said fill apertures being remotely positioned on the container in relation to the dispense aperture.  
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the reusable at least partially collapsible inner container comprises one or more fill apertures and one or more dispense apertures, said fill apertures being remotely positioned on the container in relation to the dispense aperture.  
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is adapted to store and transport foodstuffs, beverages, household products, automotive products, or combination thereof.  
     
     
         18 . A process for the refilling, transport and storage of products, comprising: 
 (a) removing a reusable at least partially collapsible inner container from a rigid or semi-rigid outer container, said inner container either has not previously contained any product or has been at least partially emptied of product;    (b) transporting said reusable at least partially collapsible inner container to a point of sale or dispense;    (c) filling said reusable at least partially collapsible inner container with one or more products;    (d) transporting said reusable at least partially collapsible inner container to a point of use; and optionally    (e) housing said reusable at least partially collapsible inner container in a rigid or semi-rigid outer container for subsequent use.    
     
     
         19 . The process according to  claim 18 , wherein filling said inner container comprises filling one or more fill apertures that are remote from a dispense aperture.