Flexible container for liquids

Abstract

A flexible container for liquids including an outer shell, an inner liner and an intermediate structure in which the intermediate liner is coupled to the outer shell to maintain a cross-sectional profile and the volume of the inner liner is greater than the enclosed volume of the intermediate structure. Liquids are loaded into a flexible container wherein the container is lifted by straps so that the container hangs freely, the container is filled with the liquid, the filling tube is sealed, the sealed tube is placed between the outer shell and stabilizing straps on the outside surface of the outer shell and the flexible container is then rested on a surface, trapping the filling tube between the outside surface and strap so that the container is securely sealed.

1 . A flexible container for liquids, comprising a pliable, non-rigid outer shell; a pliable, non-rigid inner liner; a non-rigid intermediate structure, the intermediate structure being coupled to the outer shell to form a cross-sectional profile, the intermediate structure having an enclosed volume; and the inner liner having an enclosed volumetric capacity and a feed opening.  
     
     
         2 . The flexible container of  claim 1  wherein the intermediate structure is a tube open at both ends.  
     
     
         3 . The flexible container of  claim 1  wherein side surfaces of the outer shell are generally formed as a quadrilateral and the intermediate structure is coupled to the outer shell proximate the centers of each of the side surfaces of the outer shell.  
     
     
         4 . The flexible container of  claim 1  wherein the inner liner has at least one outlet.  
     
     
         5 . The flexible container of  claim 4  wherein the at least one outlet is a tube extending outwardly from the top surface of the inner liner.  
     
     
         6 . The flexible container of  claim 5  wherein the end of the tube is reversibly sealable with straps.