Closure/connectors for liner-based shipping and dispensing containers and methods for filling liner-based shipping and dispensing containers

Abstract

A method for removing headspace gas from a liner-based assembly. The liner-based assembly may generally include an overpack, a liner positioned within the overpack and containing a material and headspace gas, and a closure for sealing the liner. The method may include providing a one-way valve in fluid communication with the interior of the liner and permitting flow in a direction out of the interior of the liner, and applying a vacuum to the one-way valve to evacuate headspace gas from the interior of the liner. In some embodiments, The liner-based assembly may also include a port in fluid communication with an annular space between the overpack and liner, and the method may include capping the port, for example, during application of the vacuum to the one-way valve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for removing headspace gas from a liner-based assembly comprising an overpack, a liner positioned within the overpack and containing a material and headspace gas, and a closure for sealing the liner, the method comprising:
 providing a one-way valve in fluid communication with the interior of the liner and permitting flow in a direction out of the interior of the liner;   applying a vacuum to the one-way valve to evacuate headspace gas from the interior of the liner.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liner-based assembly further comprises a port in fluid communication with an annular space between the overpack and liner, and further comprising capping the port. 
     
     
         3 . A liner-based assembly configured for headspace gas removal, the liner-based assembly comprising:
 an overpack;   a liner positioned within the overpack;   a closure configured for removable coupling with the liner for sealing the liner; and   a one-way valve in fluid communication with the interior of the liner permitting flow in a direction out of the interior of the liner.   
     
     
         4 . The liner-based assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the one-way valve is coupled with the closure. 
     
     
         5 . The liner-based assembly of  claim 4 , further comprising a port in fluid communication with an annular space between the overpack and liner. 
     
     
         6 . The liner-based assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the port is temporarily capped for headspace gas removal. 
     
     
         7 . A method for filling a container assembly, the method comprising:
 heating a material to a predetermined temperature and filling the container with the material at the predetermined temperature;   sealing the container; and   subsequent sealing the container, permitting the material in the container to cool.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the predetermined temperature is between about 40-60° C. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the material is permitted to cool to generally ambient room temperature of a room in which the container is located. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising filling the container with the material substantially to the top, such that substantially no excess space is provided for headspace gas. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising, subsequent sealing of the container, removing headspace gas. 
     
     
         12 . A liner-based assembly for use with pressure dispense comprising:
 an overpack;   a liner disposed within the overpack; and   a closure assembly securable to at least one of the overpack and the liner, the closure assembly including a headspace vent and a reservoir, the reservoir configured to collect an overflow of material stored within the interior of the liner;   wherein the closure assembly is configured to form a seal to the liner by curing the overflow of material in the reservoir.   
     
     
         13 . The liner-based assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the material is an adhesive. 
     
     
         14 . The liner-based assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising a cap configured for removably sealing the reservoir. 
     
     
         15 . A method for filing and sealing a container comprising:
 filling the container with an adhesive;   operably coupling a closure assembly to the container, the closure assembly comprising a reservoir configured to collect an overflow of the adhesive;   at least one of permitting or causing a portion of the adhesive in the container to flow into the reservoir of the closure assembly; and   curing the overflow of adhesive in the reservoir to form a seal for the container.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising capping the closure assembly to removably seal the reservoir. 
     
     
         17 . A liner-based assembly for use with pressure dispense comprising:
 an overpack;   a liner disposed within the overpack; and   a cap assembly securable to at least one of the overpack and the liner, the cap assembly comprising a closure and a plug member, wherein the closure includes a mouth configured to detachably couple to a dispense connector and to also detachably couple to the plug member, wherein the plug is configured to substantially completely fill the mouth of the closure.   
     
     
         18 . The liner-based assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the liner contains an edible food substance, and the dispense connector is configured for dispensing food substances. 
     
     
         19 . A method for dispensing the contents of a liner-based assembly, the method comprising:
 providing a liner having a desired substance stored therein, the liner being disposed within an overpack and comprising a liner neck with a seal secured thereto;   securing a dispense connector to the liner neck, such that a probe on the dispense connector is initially positioned adjacent to, but not piercing, the seal in the liner neck, but is positioned such that when the substance is dispensed by pressure dispense, the seal flexes upward against the probe, and the probe pierces the seal to permit dispense of the substance.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the substance is dispensed by indirect pressure dispense, wherein a pressure is applied to the annular space between the liner and overpack.