Prevention of liner choke-off in liner-based pressure dispensation system

Abstract

To avoid problems associated with choke-off of a collapsible liner (e.g., disposed within a rigid overpack) during pressure dispensing of fluid therefrom, a pressure dispense package includes a choke prevention element comprising any of a perforated flange within the liner, a channel-defining flange within the liner, a film defining at least one liquid channel along an inner surface of the liner, a radial stiffening element coupled to the liner, an orifice-defining hollow internal support disposed within the liner, one or more magnetic and complementary magnetically responsive elements associated with the liner and surrounding container, or differential collapse characteristics between liner panels. Methods for preventing choke-off of a collapsible liner adapted for pressure dispensing are also provided.

1 - 41 . (canceled) 
   
   
       42 . A pressure dispense package comprising:
 a collapsible liner adapted to hold a fluid; and   at least one choke prevention element comprising any of:
 (a) at least one channel-defining element suspended within the liner and arranged to provide at least one fluid flow path within the liner, the channel-defining element being distinct from any dip tube or dispensing probe optionally present within the liner; 
 (b) a film defining at least one fluid flow pathway disposed along an internal surface of the liner, 
 (c) at least one perforated flange disposed within the liner; 
 (d) a radial stiffening element coupled to the liner, the radial stiffening element being arranged along an intermediate portion of the liner, 
 (e) a hollow internal support disposed within and operatively coupled to a side wall of the liner, the hollow internal support having a first orifice disposed in a lower portion of the liner, and having a second orifice disposed in an upper portion of the liner, 
 (f) at least one first magnetic or magnetically interactive material coupled to the liner, said at least one first magnetic or magnetically interactive material being adapted to interact with a corresponding at least one second magnetic or magnetically interactive material coupled to an overpack container surrounding the liner, and 
 (g) a first panel of the liner having collapse characteristics differing from a second panel of the liner that is peripherally bonded to the first panel. 
   
   
   
       43 . The pressure dispense package of  claim 42 , being devoid of a dip tube or dispensing probe. 
   
   
       44 . The pressure dispense package of  claim 42 , further comprising an overpack container formed of a material that is substantially more rigid than the liner, wherein the liner is disposed within the overpack container. 
   
   
       45 . The pressure dispense package of  claim 44 , comprising a gas inlet port adapted to receive pressurized gas from a pressurized gas source and deliver pressurized gas to a space between the overpack container and the liner. 
   
   
       46 . The pressure dispense package of  claim 44 , wherein the liner comprises an aperture-defining fitment, the overpack container defines an opening, and the fitment is adapted for coupling to the overpack container with the fitment registered with opening. 
   
   
       47 . The pressure dispense package of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one choke prevention element comprises at least one channel-defining element suspended within the liner and arranged to provide at least one fluid flow path within the liner, the channel-defining element being distinct from any dip tube or dispensing probe optionally present within the liner. 
   
   
       48 . The pressure dispense package of  claim 47 , wherein the at least one channel-defining element comprises a plurality of flanges, wherein the plurality of flanges is arranged to provide a plurality of fluid flow paths from a lower portion of the liner to an upper portion of the liner. 
   
   
       49 . The pressure dispense package of  claim 42 , wherein the liner comprises an aperture-containing fitment, and the at least one choke prevention element comprises at least one of (a) perforated flange disposed within the liner and (b) a channel-defining element, suspended within the liner by a support element extending through the aperture-containing fitment, wherein any channel-defining element is distinct from any dip tube or dispensing probe optionally present within the liner. 
   
   
       50 . The pressure dispense package of  claim 47 , wherein the liner comprises an aperture-containing fitment, and the at least one channel-defining element extends through or is inserted through the aperture-containing fitment. 
   
   
       51 . The pressure dispense package of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one choke prevention element comprises any of a plurality of perforated flanges and a plurality of channel-defining flanges disposed within the liner. 
   
   
       52 . The pressure dispense package of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one choke prevention element comprises a film defining at least one fluid flow pathway disposed along an internal surface of the liner. 
   
   
       53 . The pressure dispense package of  claim 52 , wherein the at least one fluid flow pathway is formed by embossing. 
   
   
       54 . The pressure dispense package of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one choke prevention element comprises a radial stiffening element coupled to the liner, the radial stiffening element being arranged along an intermediate portion of the liner. 
   
   
       55 . The pressure dispense package of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one choke prevention element comprises a hollow internal support disposed within and coupled to a side wall of the liner, the hollow internal support having a first orifice disposed in a lower portion of the liner, and having a second orifice disposed in an upper portion of the liner. 
   
   
       56 . The pressure dispense package of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one choke prevention element comprises at least one first magnetic or magnetically interactive material coupled to the liner, said at least one first magnetic or magnetically interactive material being adapted to interact with a corresponding at least one second magnetic or magnetically interactive material coupled to an overpack container surrounding the liner. 
   
   
       57 . The pressure dispense package of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one choke prevention element comprises a first panel of the liner having collapse characteristics differing from a second panel of the liner that is peripherally bonded to the first panel. 
   
   
       58 . The pressure dispense package of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one choke prevention elements comprises at least two of elements (a) to (g). 
   
   
       59 . The pressure dispense package of  claim 42 , connected in feed relationship to a fluid-utilizing process tool. 
   
   
       60 . A microelectronic device manufacturing facility comprising a microelectronic device processing tool connected to receive liquid from the pressure dispense package of  claim 42 . 
   
   
       61 . A method for preventing choke-off of a collapsible liner adapted for pressure dispensing of a fluid when the liner is disposed within an overpack container, the method comprising:
 adding at least one choke prevention element to said liner, the at least one choke prevention element comprising any of:
 (a) at least one channel-defining element suspended within the liner and arranged to provide at least one fluid flow path within the liner, the channel-defining element being distinct from any dip tube or dispensing probe optionally present within the liner; 
 (b) a film defining at least one fluid flow pathway disposed along an internal surface of the liner, 
 (c) at least one perforated flange disposed within the liner; 
 (d) a radial stiffening element coupled to the liner, the radial stiffening element being arranged along an intermediate portion of the liner, 
 (e) a hollow internal support disposed within and operatively coupled to a side wall of the liner, the hollow internal support having a first orifice disposed in a lower portion of the liner, and having a second orifice disposed in an upper portion of the liner, 
 (f) at least one first magnetic or magnetically interactive material coupled to the liner, said at least one first magnetic or magnetically interactive material being adapted to interact with a corresponding at least one second magnetic or magnetically interactive material coupled to an overpack container surrounding the liner, and 
 (g) a first panel of the liner having collapse characteristics differing from a second panel of the liner that is peripherally bonded to the first panel; and 
   inserting the liner into an overpack container, wherein the overpack container comprises a material that is substantially more rigid than the liner.   
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the at least one choke prevention element comprises at least one channel-defining element suspended within the liner and arranged to provide at least one fluid flow path within the liner, the channel-defining element being distinct from any dip tube or dispensing probe optionally present within the liner. 
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the at least one choke prevention element comprises a film defining at least one fluid flow pathway disposed along an internal surface of the liner. 
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising pressurizing a space between the liner and the overpack container to dispense fluid from the liner, and utilizing the choke prevention element to prevent liner choke-off during said fluid dispensation.