Flexible liner for fibc or bag-in-box container systems

Abstract

The present invention is a collapsible liner for use in a bulk container. The liner comprises a first flexible panel, a second flexible panel, a first seal, a second seal, and a tab. The first flexible panel includes a first longitudinal edge. The second flexible panel includes a second longitudinal edge. The first seal joins the first and second panels near the first and second longitudinal edges and runs generally parallel to the first and second edges. The second seal joins the first and second panels and is generally oblique to the first seal. At least one of the panels extends across at least one of the seals to form the tab, which includes an attachment feature. The attachment feature may be a piece of tape affixed to the tab. The attachment feature may be a strip of fabric or other reinforcement material melted into the tab, sealed within the tab or affixed to the tab via an adhesive. The attachment feature may be a hole with sealed or unsealed edges. The attachment feature may be a grommet or a loop for receiving a hook.

1 - 96 . (canceled) 
     
     
         97 . A liner for use in a bulk container and for containing a substance, the liner comprising:
 a first multi-ply flexible panel including a first lateral edge and a first longitudinal edge;   a second multi-ply flexible panel adjacent to the first flexible panel and including a second lateral edge and a second longitudinal edge;   a lateral seal joining the first and second panels proximate to the first and second lateral edges;   a longitudinal seal joining the first and second panels proximate to the first and second longitudinal edges;   an oblique seal joining the first panel to the second panel and extending from the longitudinal seal to the lateral seal in an orientation that is oblique to the lateral and longitudinal seal, the oblique seal bending from said orientation to extend in another orientation towards the lateral seal, wherein the oblique seal is a liquid tight seal.   
     
     
         98 . The liner of  claim 97 , wherein the oblique seal extends beyond the lateral seal. 
     
     
         99 . The liner of  claim 97 , wherein the oblique seal comprises a curved arc. 
     
     
         100 . The liner of  claim 97 , wherein the oblique seal bends to meet the lateral seal substantially perpendicularly thereto. 
     
     
         101 . The liner of  claim 97 , wherein the multi-ply panels comprise a plurality of sheets of material that are secured to one another at the lateral, longitudinal, and oblique seals, and that are detached from one another in areas between the lateral, longitudinal, and oblique seals. 
     
     
         102 . The liner of  claim 97 , wherein the multi-ply material comprises individual sheets of two or more different materials. 
     
     
         103 . The liner of  claim 97 , further comprising a fitment arranged on the first panel for at least one of filling or draining the liner through the first panel. 
     
     
         104 . The liner of  claim 97 , wherein the second panel is a first portion of a larger panel that has a fold forming a gusset, the larger panel having a second portion that is folded back onto the first portion and that is connected from the first portion by the fold. 
     
     
         105 . A liner for use in a bulk container and for containing a substance, the liner comprising:
 a first flexible panel including a first lateral edge and a first longitudinal edge;   a second flexible panel adjacent to the first flexible panel and including a second lateral edge and a second longitudinal edge;   a lateral seal joining the first and second panels proximate to the first and second lateral edges;   a longitudinal seal joining the first and second panels proximate to the first and second longitudinal edges; and   an oblique seal joining the first panel to the second panel and extending from the longitudinal seal to the lateral seal in an orientation that is oblique to the lateral and longitudinal seal, the oblique seal bending from said orientation to extend in another orientation towards the lateral seal, wherein the oblique seal is a liquid tight between the longitudinal and lateral seals.   
     
     
         106 . The liner of  claim 105  wherein the oblique seal comprises a curved arc. 
     
     
         107 . The liner of  claim 105 , wherein the oblique seal bends to meet the lateral seal substantially perpendicularly thereto. 
     
     
         108 . The liner of  claim 105 , further comprising a fitment arranged on the first panel for at least one of filling or draining the liner through the first panel. 
     
     
         109 . The liner of  claim 105 , wherein the first and second flexible panels are each made of multiple plies of material that are sealed together at said seals. 
     
     
         110 . The liner of  claim 105 , wherein the first and second flexible panels are each made of single-ply material. 
     
     
         111 . The liner of  claim 105 , wherein the oblique seal continues free from any perforation or cut lines from the longitudinal seal to the lateral seal. 
     
     
         112 . The liner of  claim 105 , wherein the second panel is a first portion of a larger panel that has a fold forming a gusset, the larger panel having a second portion that is folded back onto the first portion and that is connected from the first portion by the fold. 
     
     
         113 . A liner for use in a bulk container and for containing a substance, the liner comprising:
 a first flexible panel including a first lateral edge and a first longitudinal edge;   a second flexible panel adjacent to the first flexible panel and including a second lateral edge and a second longitudinal edge;   a lateral seal joining the first and second panels proximate to the first and second lateral edges;   a longitudinal seal joining the first and second panels proximate to the first and second longitudinal edges; and   an oblique seal joining the first panel to the second panel and extending from the longitudinal seal to the lateral seal in an orientation that is oblique to the lateral and longitudinal seal, the oblique seal bending from said orientation to extend in another orientation towards the lateral seal; and   a fitment arranged on the first panel for one of filling or draining the liner through the first panel.   
     
     
         114 . The liner of  claim 113 , wherein the oblique seal comprises a curved arc. 
     
     
         115 . The liner of  claim 113 , wherein the first and second flexible panels are each made of multi-ply material. 
     
     
         116 . The liner of  claim 113 , wherein the second panel is a first portion of a larger panel that has a fold forming a gusset, the larger panel having a second portion that is folded back onto the first portion and that is connected from the first portion by the fold.