Integrally blow-moulded bag-in-container having a bag anchoring point; process for the production thereof; and tool therefor

Abstract

The invention is an integrally blow-moulded bag-in-container ( 2 ) obtainable by blow-moulding an injection moulded multi-layer preform ( 1 ). The bag-in-container ( 2 ) includes an inner layer ( 21 ) forming the bag and an outer layer ( 22 ) forming the container, and a single opening ( 5 ), the mouth, fluidly connecting the volume defined by the bag ( 21 ) to the atmosphere. The container further includes at least one interface vent ( 3 ) fluidly connecting the interface between inner and outer layers to the atmosphere, wherein the bag ( 21 ) is anchored to the outer layer ( 22 ) at least one point ( 7 ) remote from the single opening ( 5 ) and interface vent ( 3 ).

1 . An integrally blow-moulded bag-in-container obtainable by blow-moulding an injection moulded multi-layer preform, said bag-in-container comprising:
 an inner layer forming the bag and an outer layer forming the container;   a single opening, the mouth, fluidly connecting the volume defined by the bag to the atmosphere; and   at least one interface vent fluidly connecting the interface between inner and outer layers to the atmosphere, wherein   the bag is anchored to the outer layer at least one point remote from said single opening and interface vent.   
   
   
       2 . The bag-in-container according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring point is obtained by locally enhanced chemical or physical adhesion between the inner and outer layers. 
   
   
       3 . The bag-in-container according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring point is obtained by locally enhanced mechanical adhesion between the inner and outer layers. 
   
   
       4 . The bag-in-container according to  claim 3 , wherein mechanical adhesion is locally enhanced by a protrusion formed by both inner and outer layers. 
   
   
       5 . The bag-in-container according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner and outer layers are different materials. 
   
   
       6 . The bag-in-container according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner and outer layers are the same material. 
   
   
       7 . The bag-in-container according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner and outer layer are a material selected from PET, PEN, PTT, PA, PP, PE, HDPE, EVOH, PGAc, PLA, and copolymers or blends thereof. 
   
   
       8 . The bag-in-container according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one vent is in the shape of a wedge with the broad side at the level of the opening thereof and getting thinner as it penetrates deeper into the vessel, until the inner and outer layers meet to form an interface. 
   
   
       9 . The bag-in-container according to  claim 1 , wherein more than one vent is distributed around the lip of the bag-in-container's mouth. 
   
   
       10 . A process for producing a bag-in-container according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps:
 providing an injection moulded polymer preform comprising two layers;   bringing said preform to blow-moulding temperature; and   blow-moulding the heated preform to form a bag-in-container;   
     wherein, during the process, the bag is anchored to the outer layer at least one point remote from said single opening. 
   
   
       11 . The process according to  claim 10 , wherein the anchoring point is obtained by local thermal control of the layers in order to enhance chemical or physical adhesion between the inner and outer layers. 
   
   
       12 . The process according to  claim 10 , wherein the anchoring point is obtained by locally enhanced mechanical adhesion between the inner and outer layers. 
   
   
       13 . The process according to  claim 12 , wherein mechanical adhesion is locally enhanced by a protrusion formed by both inner and outer layers engaging in a sump formed in the tool. 
   
   
       14 . A mould for the production of a blow-moulded bag-in-container having
 an inner layer forming the bag and an outer layer forming the container;   a single opening, the mouth, fluidly connecting the volume defined by the bag to the atmosphere; and   at least one interface vent fluidly connecting the interface between inner and outer layers to the atmosphere, wherein   the bag is anchored to the outer layer at least one point remote from said single opening and interface vent.   
     said mould comprises:
 at least one point means suitable for creating an anchoring point between the inner and outer layers upon blow-moulding of said container, said point being remotely located from the container's opening mouth. 
 
   
   
       15 . The mould according to  claim 14  wherein said means is suitable for creating mechanical adhesion between the inner and outer layers and includes a sump. 
   
   
       16 . The mould according to  claim 14  wherein said means is suitable for enhancing physical or chemical adhesion between the inner and outer layers and includes specific heating means located at the desired anchoring area.