Apparatus and method for filling void in an outer container having a liquid-containing flexible package held therein

Abstract

Apparatus for holding a flexible package filled with a liquid. The apparatus includes an inflatable void-filling device and a rigid outer container having a lid and a hollow interior in which the flexible package is located. The lid is arranged to be located over the filled package, whereupon some void results therebetween. The inflatable device is located within the hollow interior over the flexible package and arranged to be filled with compressed gas to cause it to completely fill the void. The compressed gas within the inflatable member automatically expands it to fill the void, irrespective of changes in the volume taken up by the filled package within the outer container.

1 . A device for use with a flexible package filled with a liquid, the filled flexible package being located with a hollow interior chamber of a rigid, outer container, the outer container having a lid arranged to be located over the filled package, whereupon some void results therebetween, said device being arranged to completely fill the void, said device comprising an inflatable chamber and a compressed gas located within said inflatable chamber, whereupon the volume of said inflatable chamber automatically expands to fill the void, irrespective of changes in the volume taken up by the filled package within the hollow interior chamber.  
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said inflatable chamber comprises a bladder formed of a resilient material.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said gas is introduced within the inflatable chamber at a pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 2  wherein said gas is introduced within the inflatable chamber at a pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  additionally comprising a gas port and an associated tube through which said compressed gas can be introduced into said inflatable chamber.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5  additionally comprising a valve for controlling the flow of gas into said container.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein said valve is also arranged for controlling the flow of gas out of said inflatable chamber.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 2  additionally comprising a gas port and an associated tube through which said compressed gas can be introduced into said inflatable chamber.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8  additionally comprising a valve for controlling the flow of gas into said container.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein said valve is also arranged for controlling the flow of gas out of said inflatable chamber.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus for holding a flexible package filled with a liquid, said apparatus comprising a rigid outer container and a void-filling device, said rigid container being arranged said container having a hollow interior chamber and a lid, the filled package being located within said hollow interior chamber, with said lid being arranged to be located over the filled package, whereupon some void results therebetween, said void-filling device being arranged to completely fill the void and comprising an inflatable chamber and a compressed gas located within said inflatable chamber, whereupon the volume of the inflatable chamber automatically expands to fill the void, irrespective of changes in the volume taken up by the filled package within the hollow interior chamber.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said inflatable chamber comprises a bladder formed of a resilient material.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said gas is introduced within the inflatable chamber at a pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said gas is introduced within the inflatable chamber at a pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 11  additionally comprising a gas port and an associated tube through which said compressed gas can be introduced into said inflatable chamber.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  additionally comprising a valve for controlling the flow of gas into said container.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said valve is also arranged for controlling the flow of gas out of said inflatable chamber.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 12  additionally comprising a gas port and an associated tube through which said compressed gas can be introduced into said inflatable chamber.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  additionally comprising a valve for controlling the flow of gas into said container.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said valve is also arranged for controlling the flow of gas out of said inflatable chamber.