Flexible container liner

Abstract

A liner ( 10 ) is disclosed for use with a container. The liner has a liner body ( 11 ) with a bottom wall ( 13 ), a top wall ( 14 ) and peripheral side walls ( 15 ). The liner also includes a ween plate ( 21 ). The weep plate includes a radial array of protrusions ( 22 ) extending inwardly and downwardly from a generally planar base plate ( 23 ). The base also includes a centrally located circular fitment mounting opening ( 25 ). A hose fitment ( 29 ) extends through the liner top wall and weep plate fitment mounting opening and is sealed thereto so that a vacuum hose coupled to the fitment is in fluid communication with the interior space of the liner. The weep plate has a select width and length smaller that the select width and length of the liner to define a margin or marginal space ( 32 ) therebetween.

1 . A liner for use with a container, said liner comprising,
 a main body having a bottom wall, a top wall, and side walls extending between said bottom wall and said top wall, said bottom wall, said top wall, and said side walls having an interior surface and an exterior surface;   a weep plate mounted to said top wall interior surface, said weep plate having a fitment mounting opening therethrough and a field of protrusions depending downwardly from a base plate, said field of protrusions defining content flow channels therebetween which are oriented in a direction toward said fitment mounting opening, and   a hose fitment coupled to said weep plate fitment mounting opening,   whereby the protrusions direct the flow of contents within the liner through the flow channels and towards the fitment mounting opening during evacuation.   
     
     
         2 . The liner of  claim 1  wherein said protrusion are arranged in a radial array. 
     
     
         3 . The liner of  claim 2  wherein said fitment mounting opening is located centrally within said radial array of protrusions. 
     
     
         4 . The liner of  claim 1  wherein said liner has a select width and length and wherein said weep plate has a select width and length substantially smaller than said liner select width and length so as to define a marginal space therebetween. 
     
     
         5 . The liner of  claim 1  further comprising a separate press plate positioned upon said liner top wall. 
     
     
         6 . The liner of  claim 5  wherein said press plate includes a fitment opening and a recess configured to receive said weep plate. 
     
     
         7 . The liner of  claim 6  wherein said press plate includes a radial array of downwardly extending protrusions positioned between the periphery of said press plate and said recess. 
     
     
         8 . The liner of  claim 5  wherein said press plate includes a peripheral sidewall. 
     
     
         9 . The liner of  claim 8  wherein said press plate sidewall include a handle. 
     
     
         10 . The liner of  claim 1  further comprising an ancillary, flexible top wall layer positioned below said weep plate. 
     
     
         11 . The liner of  claim 1  further comprising a bottom plate coupled to said bottom wall. 
     
     
         12 . The liner of  claim 1  wherein said protrusions are truncated cones. 
     
     
         13 . A liner for use with a container, said liner comprising,
 a main body having a bottom wall, a top wall, and side walls extending between said bottom wall and said top wall;   a weep plate coupled to said top wall, said weep plate having a fitment mounting opening therethrough and a plurality of protrusions extending from a base plate towards said bottom wall, and   a fitment coupled to said main body and in fluid communication with said weep plate fitment mounting opening to allow contents to be withdrawn from said main body through said fitment.   
     
     
         14 . The liner of  claim 13  wherein said protrusions are arranged in a pattern to form pathways towards said weep plate fitment mounting opening. 
     
     
         15 . The liner of claim in said protrusion are arranged in a radial array. 
     
     
         16 . The liner of  claim 15  wherein said fitment mounting opening is located centrally within said radial array of protrusions. 
     
     
         17 . The liner of  claim 13  wherein said liner has a select width and length and wherein said weep plate has a select width and length substantially smaller than said liner select width and length so as to define a marginal space therebetween. 
     
     
         18 . The liner of  claim 13  further comprising a separate press plate positioned upon said liner top wall. 
     
     
         19 . The liner of  claim 18  wherein said press plate includes a fitment opening and a recess configured to receive said weep plate. 
     
     
         20 . The liner of  claim 19  wherein said press plate includes a radial array of downwardly extending protrusions positioned between the periphery of said press plate and said recess. 
     
     
         21 . The liner of  claim 18  wherein said press plate includes a peripheral sidewall. 
     
     
         22 . The liner of  claim 21  wherein said press plate sidewall include a handle. 
     
     
         23 . The liner of  claim 13  further comprising a bottom plate coupled to said bottom wall.