Fluid injection pouch and dispensing system incorporating the same

Claim 1

A fluid injection pouch comprising a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a hollow and generally cylindrical docking adaptor having a drain opening therein disposed away from each end thereof loosely disposed within said pouch, said locking adaptor being symmetrical about a plane normal to the axis thereof at the midpoint thereof and including an outer generally cylindrical wall and an inner generally cylindrical wall, said flexible encompassing wall being foldable about said docking adaptor to permit a user to grasp said docking adaptor to press one end thereof and an area of said flexible encompassing wall into a piercing docking adaptor device on a dispenser for connecting the interior of said fluid injection pouch with a dispenser for the contents thereof.

Claim 10

A system for dispensing fluid, said system comprising a closed wall structure defining a vessel, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid therefrom, said wall structure having a recessed portion forming a refill well including a side wall portion extending inwardly of said container and an inner wall portion closing the inner end of said side wall portion, a piercing member carried by said inner wall portion and projecting therefrom outwardly into said refill well, said inner wall portion having a refill aperture therethrough and providing direct communication with the interior of said vessel, a fluid injection pouch including a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a hollow and generally cylindrical docking adaptor having a drain opening therein disposed away from each end thereof loosely disposed within said pouch and including an outer wall having an outer size slightly less than the inner size of said side wall portion of said refill well so as to fit thereinto with the flexible wall of said pouch disposed between the inner surface of said wall portion of said refill well and the outer surface of said outer wall to form a seal therebetween, said docking adaptor being symmetrical about a plane normal to the axis thereof at the midpoint thereof and including an inner wall having an inner size slightly greater than the lateral extent of said piercing member so that said docking adaptor can be pushed into said well and over said piercing member, a portion of said flexible wall overlying the end of said docking adaptor as it is inserted into said refill well receiving said piercing member in piercing relationship therethrough, whereby fluid may flow from said injection pouch through said refill aperture while being prevented from flowing around said docking adaptor disposed within said refill well and out of said refill well by the seal provided by the portion of said flexible wall disposed between the inner surface of said side wall portion and the outer surface of said outer well.

Claim 11

A system for dispensing fluid, said system comprising a closed wall structure defining a vessel, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid therefrom, said wall structure having a recessed portion forming a refill well including a side wall portion extending inwardly of said container and an inner wall portion closing the inner end of said side wall portion, a piercing member carried by said inner wall portion and projecting therefrom outwardly into said refill well, said inner wall portion having a refill aperture therethrough and providing direct communication with the interior of said vessel, a fluid injection pouch including a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a hollow and generally cylindrical docking adaptor having a drain opening therein disposed away from each end thereof loosely disposed within said pouch and including an outer wall having an outer size slightly less than the inner size of said side wall portion of said refill well so as to fit thereinto with the flexible wall of said pouch disposed between the inner surface of said wall portion of said refill well and the outer surface of said outer wall to form a seal therebetween, said docking adaptor being symmetrical about a plane normal to the axis thereof at the midpoint thereof and including an inner wall having an inner size slightly greater than the lateral extent of said piercing member so that said docking adaptor can be pushed into said well and over said piercing member, a portion of said flexible wall overlying the end of said docking adaptor as it is inserted into said refill well receiving said piercing member in piercing relationship therethrough, whereby fluid may flow from said injection pouch through said refill aperture while being prevented from flowing around said docking adaptor disposed within said refill well and out of said refill well by the seal provided by the portion of said flexible wall disposed between the inner surface of said side wall portion and the outer surface of said outer well.

Claim 18

A system for dispensing fluid, said system comprising a closed wall structure defining a vessel, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid therefrom, said wall structure having a recessed portion forming a refill well including a side wall portion extending inwardly of said container and an inner wall portion closing the inner end of said side wall portion, a piercing member carried by said inner wall portion and projecting therefrom outwardly into said refill well, said inner wall portion having a refill aperture therethrough providing unobstructed direct communication with the interior of said vessel, a fluid injection pouch including a flexible encompassing wall hermetically sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a docking adaptor disposed within said pouch and including an essentially smooth outer wall having an outer size slightly less than the inner size of said side wall portion of said refill well so as to fit thereinto with the flexible wall of said pouch disposed between the inner surface of said side wall portion of said refill well and the outer surface of said outer wall to form a seal therebetween, said docking adaptor including an inner wall having an inner size slightly greater than the lateral extent of said piercing member so that said docking adaptor can be pushed into said well and over said piercing member, said docking adaptor having a drain opening disposed adjacent to each end thereof, a portion of said flexible wall overlying the end of said docking adaptor as it is inserted into said refill well receiving said piercing relationship therethrough, whereby fluid may flow from said injection pouch through said refill aperture while being prevented from flowing around said docking adaptor disposed within said refill well and out of said refill well by the seal provided by the portion of said flexible wall disposed between the inner surface of said side wall portion and the outer surface of said outer wall.

Claim 19

A system for dispensing fluid, said system comprising a closed wall structure defining a vessel, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid therefrom, said wall structure having a recessed portion forming a refill well including a side wall portion extending inwardly of said container and an inner wall portion closing the inner end of said side wall portion, a piercing member carried by said inner wall portion and projecting therefrom outwardly into said refill well, said inner wall portion having a refill aperture therethrough providing unobstructed direct communication with the interior of said vessel, a fluid injection pouch including a flexible encompassing wall hermetically sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a docking adaptor disposed within said pouch and including an essentially smooth outer wall having an outer size slightly less than the inner size of said side wall portion of said refill well so as to fit thereinto with the flexible wall of said pouch disposed between the inner surface of said side wall portion of said refill well and the outer surface of said outer wall to form a seal therebetween, said docking adaptor including an inner wall having an inner size slightly greater than the lateral extent of said piercing member so that said docking adaptor can be pushed into said well and over said piercing member, said docking adaptor having a drain opening disposed adjacent to each end thereof, a portion of said flexible wall overlying the end of said docking adaptor as it is inserted into said refill well receiving said piercing relationship therethrough, whereby fluid may flow from said injection pouch through said refill aperture while being prevented from flowing around said docking adaptor disposed within said refill well and out of said refill well by the seal provided by the portion of said flexible wall disposed between the inner surface of said side wall portion and the outer surface of said outer wall.

Claim 23

A system for dispensing fluid, said system comprising a closed wall structure defining a vessel, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid therefrom, said wall structure having a recessed portion forming a refill well including a side wall portion extending inwardly of said container and an inner wall portion closing the inner end of said side wall portion, a piercing member carried by said inner wall portion and projecting therefrom outwardly into said refill well, said inner wall portion having a refill aperture therethrough and providing direct communication with the interior of said vessel, a fluid injection pouch including a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch and including an outer wall having an outer size slightly less than the inner size of said side wall portion of said refill well so as to fit thereinto with the flexible wall of said pouch disposed between the inner surface of said side wall portion and the outer surface of said outer wall, annular flexible sealing means projecting radially outwardly from said docking adaptor and being dimensioned and adapted to be received in said refill well in encircling relationship with said refill aperture and said piercing member and with said sealing means pressing the adjacent flexible wall into sealing engagement with said side wall portion, said docking adaptor including an inner wall having an inner size slightly greater than the lateral extent of said piercing member so that said docking adaptor can be pushed into said refill well and over said piercing member, said docking adaptor having a drain opening disposed adjacent each end thereof, a portion of said flexible wall overlying the end of said docking adaptor as it is inserted into said refill well and receiving said piercing member in piercing relationship therethrough, whereby fluid may flow from said injection pouch through said refill aperture while being prevented from flowing around said docking adaptor disposed within said refill well and out of said refill well by the seal provided by said sealing means and the portion of said flexible wall disposed against the inner surface of said side wall portion.

Claim 24

A system for dispensing fluid, said system comprising a closed wall structure defining a vessel, dispensing means carried by said vessel for dispensing fluid therefrom, said wall structure having a recessed portion forming a refill well including a side wall portion extending inwardly of said container and an inner wall portion closing the inner end of said side wall portion, a piercing member carried by said inner wall portion and projecting therefrom outwardly into said refill well, said inner wall portion having a refill aperture therethrough and providing direct communication with the interior of said vessel, a fluid injection pouch including a flexible encompassing wall sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of fluid therein, and a docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch and including an outer wall having an outer size slightly less than the inner size of said side wall portion of said refill well so as to fit thereinto with the flexible wall of said pouch disposed between the inner surface of said side wall portion and the outer surface of said outer wall, annular flexible sealing means projecting radially outwardly from said docking adaptor and being dimensioned and adapted to be received in said refill well in encircling relationship with said refill aperture and said piercing member and with said sealing means pressing the adjacent flexible wall into sealing engagement with said side wall portion, said docking adaptor including an inner wall having an inner size slightly greater than the lateral extent of said piercing member so that said docking adaptor can be pushed into said refill well and over said piercing member, said docking adaptor having a drain opening disposed adjacent each end thereof, a portion of said flexible wall overlying the end of said docking adaptor as it is inserted into said refill well and receiving said piercing member in piercing relationship therethrough, whereby fluid may flow from said injection pouch through said refill aperture while being prevented from flowing around said docking adaptor disposed within said refill well and out of said refill well by the seal provided by said sealing means and the portion of said flexible wall disposed against the inner surface of said side wall portion.

Claim 29

A system for dispensing viscous liquid soap, said system comprising a closed wall structure defining a soap vessel, dispensing means carried by said soap vessel for dispensing viscous liquid soap therefrom, said wall structure having a recessed portion forming a refill well including a generally cylindrical side wall portion extending inwardly of said container and an inner wall portion closing the inner end of said cylindrical side wall portion, a piercing member carried by said inner wall portion and projecting therefrom outwardly into said refill well, said inner wall portion having a normally open refill aperture therethrough spaced laterally from said piercing member and providing unobstructed direct communication with the interior of said vessel thereby normally to equalize the pressures inside and outside of said vessel, said aperture being dimensioned readily to permit the flow of air while substantially to inhibit the flow of viscous liquid soap between the outside and the inside of said vessel at equal pressures inside and outside of said vessel, a viscous liquid soap injection pouch including a flexible encompassing wall hermetically sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of viscous liquid soap therein, and a tubular docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch and including an outer wall having an outer diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of said side wall portion of said refill well so as to fit thereinto with the flexible wall of said pouch disposed between the inner surface of said side wall portion and the outer surface of said outer wall, annular flexible sealing means projecting radially outwardly from said tubular docking adaptor and being dimensioned and adapted to be received in said refill well in encircling relationship with said refill aperture and said piercing member and with said sealing means pressing the adjacent flexible wall into sealing engagement with said cylindrical side wall portion, said tubular docking adaptor including an inner wall having an inner diameter slightly greater than the lateral extent of said piercing member so that said tubular docking adaptor can be pushed into said refill well and over said piercing member, said docking adaptor having a drain opening disposed adjacent each end thereof, a portion of said flexible wall overlying the end of said tubular docking adaptor as it is inserted into said refill well and receiving said piercing member in piercing relationship therethrough, whereby viscous liquid soap may flow from said injection pouch and around said piercing member and be forced through said refill aperture under pressure greater than that in said vessel while being prevented from flowing around said tubular docking adaptor disposed within said refill well and out of said refill well by the seal provided by said sealing means and the portion of said flexible wall disposed against the inner surface of said side wall portion.

Claim 30

A system for dispensing viscous liquid soap, said system comprising a closed wall structure defining a soap vessel, dispensing means carried by said soap vessel for dispensing viscous liquid soap therefrom, said wall structure having a recessed portion forming a refill well including a generally cylindrical side wall portion extending inwardly of said container and an inner wall portion closing the inner end of said cylindrical side wall portion, a piercing member carried by said inner wall portion and projecting therefrom outwardly into said refill well, said inner wall portion having a normally open refill aperture therethrough spaced laterally from said piercing member and providing unobstructed direct communication with the interior of said vessel thereby normally to equalize the pressures inside and outside of said vessel, said aperture being dimensioned readily to permit the flow of air while substantially to inhibit the flow of viscous liquid soap between the outside and the inside of said vessel at equal pressures inside and outside of said vessel, a viscous liquid soap injection pouch including a flexible encompassing wall hermetically sealed to form a hollow flexible container with a quantity of viscous liquid soap therein, and a tubular docking adaptor loosely disposed within said pouch and including an outer wall having an outer diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of said side wall portion of said refill well so as to fit thereinto with the flexible wall of said pouch disposed between the inner surface of said side wall portion and the outer surface of said outer wall, annular flexible sealing means projecting radially outwardly from said tubular docking adaptor and being dimensioned and adapted to be received in said refill well in encircling relationship with said refill aperture and said piercing member and with said sealing means pressing the adjacent flexible wall into sealing engagement with said cylindrical side wall portion, said tubular docking adaptor including an inner wall having an inner diameter slightly greater than the lateral extent of said piercing member so that said tubular docking adaptor can be pushed into said refill well and over said piercing member, said docking adaptor having a drain opening disposed adjacent each end thereof, a portion of said flexible wall overlying the end of said tubular docking adaptor as it is inserted into said refill well and receiving said piercing member in piercing relationship therethrough, whereby viscous liquid soap may flow from said injection pouch and around said piercing member and be forced through said refill aperture under pressure greater than that in said vessel while being prevented from flowing around said tubular docking adaptor disposed within said refill well and out of said refill well by the seal provided by said sealing means and the portion of said flexible wall disposed against the inner surface of said side wall portion.