Containers for holding materials

Abstract

A liquid container comprises a liquid holding bag, a drain-back pour spout in fluid communication with the liquid holding bag, and a skeleton shell for supporting the liquid holding bag, the skeleton shell formed of a low-embodied energy material, such as a molded fiber or pulp-formed material. The liquid container can be configured for holding and dispensing a detergent.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A liquid container, comprising:
 a liquid holding bag;   a drain-back pour spout in fluid communication with the liquid holding bag; and   a skeleton shell for supporting the liquid holding bag, the skeleton shell formed of a molded fiber or pulp-formed material.   
     
     
         2 . The liquid container of  claim 1 , wherein the skeleton shell comprises a first side member and second side member. 
     
     
         3 . The liquid container of  claim 1 , wherein the drain-back pour spout is formed from a polymeric material. 
     
     
         4 . The liquid container of  claim 1 , wherein the drain-back pour spout is disposed at a top portion of the liquid holding bag. 
     
     
         5 . The liquid container of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid holding bag is formed from a polymeric material. 
     
     
         6 . The liquid container of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid container has a thickness between about 0.001 inches and 0.025 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The liquid container of  claim 1 , wherein the drain-back pour spout comprises a removable sealing member at an opening of the drain-back pour spout. 
     
     
         8 . A low embodied energy liquid container, comprising:
 a liquid holding bag;   a drain-back pour spout in fluid communication with the liquid holding bag; and   a skeleton shell for supporting the liquid holding bag, the skeleton shell formed from a low embodied energy material.   
     
     
         9 . The low embodied energy container of  claim 8 , wherein the low embodied energy material comprises molded fiber or a pulp-formed material. 
     
     
         10 . The low embodied energy container of  claim 8 , wherein the low embodied energy material comprises 25-100% pulp by weight of the skeleton shell. 
     
     
         11 . The low embodied energy container of  claim 8 , wherein the drain-back pour spout comprises a removable sealing member at an opening of the drain-back pour spout. 
     
     
         12 . A detergent bottle comprising a fitment welded to a detergent holding bag, the detergent holding bag having a thickness between about 0.001 inches and 0.025 inches. 
     
     
         13 . A detergent bottle comprising a spout attached to a detergent holding bag, the detergent holding bag having a thickness between about 0.001 inches and 0.025 inches. 
     
     
         14 . The detergent bottle of  claim 13 , wherein the spout comprises a removable sealing member at an opening of the drain-back pour spout. 
     
     
         15 . A method for assembling a liquid holding container, comprising:
 enclosing a liquid holding bag in a low embodied energy skeleton shell, the liquid holding bag comprising a drain-back pour spout.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the liquid holding bag has a thickness between about 0.001 inches and 0.025 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the drain-back pour spout is disposed at a top portion of the liquid holding bag. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the drain-back pour spout comprises a removable sealing member at an opening of the drain-back pour spout. 
     
     
         19 . A container, comprising:
 a pour spout; and   a skeleton shell attached to the pour spout, the skeleton shell formed of a low embodied energy material.   
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein the low embodied energy material comprises molded fiber or a pulp-formed material. 
     
     
         21 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein the pour spout includes a drain-back pour spout. 
     
     
         22 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein the pour spout includes registration members for locking the pour spout to one or more surfaces of the pour spout. 
     
     
         23 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein the pour spout is for dispensing an edible or inedible liquid. 
     
     
         24 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein the pour spout is for dispensing an edible or inedible solid. 
     
     
         25 . The container of  claim 19 , further comprising a fitment for attachment to the skeleton shell. 
     
     
         26 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein the pour spout comprises a removable sealing member at an opening of the pour spout. 
     
     
         27 . A container, comprising:
 a skeleton shell formed of a molded fiber or pulp-formed material; and   a drain-back pour spout at an opening of the skeleton shell.   
     
     
         28 . The container of  claim 27 , wherein the drain-back pour spout comprises a removable sealing member at an opening of the drain-back pour spout.