U.S. patent application number 10/312176 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-26 for container.
Invention is credited to Rosen, Ake.
Application Number | 20040035865 10/312176 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 20283867 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040035865 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rosen, Ake |
February 26, 2004 |
Container
Abstract
A container (1) comprising a compartment (4) which is defined by
flexible walls and whose volume depends on the relative position of
the walls, two opposite side walls (2) being joined along a common
connecting portion (5). The container is characterised in that a
first gas-filled duct means (11) is arranged in the connecting
portion (5) along at least a first side (12) of the container (1).
The invention also concerns a method of producing such a container
by forming at least one gap in said side walls (2) in connection
with the forming of the connecting portion (5) and, in connection
with the filling of the container (1), filling each gap with gas
and sealing it to form a gas-filled duct (11, 16, 18).
Inventors: |
Rosen, Ake; (Rydeback,
SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
20283867 |
Appl. No.: |
10/312176 |
Filed: |
March 10, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
April 19, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SE02/00764 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/4.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B31B 70/008 20170801;
B65D 33/02 20130101; B65D 75/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/4.01 |
International
Class: |
B65D 006/28; B65D
008/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 25, 2001 |
SE |
0101440-6 |
Claims
1. A container (1) comprising a compartment (4) which is defined by
flexible walls and whose volume depends on the relative position of
the walls, two opposite side walls (2) being joined along a common
connecting portion (5), characterised in that a first gas-filled
duct means (11) is arranged in the connecting portion (5) along at
least a first side (12) of the container (1).
2. A container (1) as claimed in claim 1, in which the first
gas-filled duct means (11) is arranged in the connecting portion
(5) also along a second side (13) of the container (1) opposite to
the first side (12).
3. A container (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the first
gas-filled duct means (11) comprises at least one gap arranged in
said connecting portion (5) and formed between said side walls (2),
said gap forming a gas-filled duct by a gaseous medium being
introduced into the same.
4. A container (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,
in which the first gas-filled duct means (11) is continuous along
its entire length along each side.
5. A container (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,
in which the connecting portion (5) on the first side (12) and/or
the second side (13) of the container (1) comprises a carrying
means (14) which accommodates a second gas-filled duct means
(16).
6. A container (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,
in which the first gas-filled duct means (11) is continuous with
the second gas-filled duct means (16).
7. A container (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,
in which the first gas-filled duct means (11) communicates with the
second gas-filled duct means (16).
8. A container (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,
in which the gas-filled duct means (11, 16, 18)) are filled with
air.
9. A container (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,
which is made of a material containing a filler of mineral material
and a binder of polyolefin material.
10. A container (1) as claimed in claim 9, in which the mineral
material is chalk (calcium carbonate).
11. A method of producing a container (1) with features as claimed
in any one of claims 1-10, characterised in that at least one gap
is formed between the side walls (2) in said connecting portion (5)
in connection with the forming thereof, and that each gap is filled
with gas and sealed to form a gas-filled duct (11, 16, 18) in
connection with the filling of the container (1).
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a container of a
collapsible type, more specifically such a container comprising a
compartment which is defined by flexible walls and whose volume
depends on the relative position of the walls, two opposite side
walls being joined along a common connecting portion, and a method
of producing the same.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A container of the type described by way of introduction is
known from e.g. WO9941155 which discloses a container of a
collapsible type comprising three wall portions, of which two form
opposite side walls and a third one forms a bottom wall. The walls
which are made of a plastic material are flexible and
interconnected to form a compartment whose volume depends on the
relative position of the walls. The container has a carrying means
which is integrated with the connecting portion and comprises
openings to form a handle.
[0003] In the transition between the upper and the lower portion of
the container, i.e. between the lower edge of the carrying means
which is slightly more stiff than the connecting portion, and the
lateral connecting portion of the container there forms a zone with
a locally somewhat lower stiffness, in which zone the wall portion
of the container may unintentionally be upset or folded. The
deformation bears great resemblance with the one occurring when a
filled bag is placed on its end. Wrinkling usually arises along the
lateral seams of the bag. For the type of container in question,
only one deep wrinkle as a rule arises in the connecting portion,
said wrinkle often spreading over part of the side wall of the
container.
[0004] The deformation may take place, for instance, during long
transports or by careless handling and is in most cases permanent.
The wrinkle affects the shape and appearance of the container in a
negative fashion and, if the worst comes to the worst, causes wear
on the side walls and a notch with a risk of leakage.
[0005] In such a container, it is known to arrange a gas-filled
duct in the space between the openings of the carrying means and
the periphery of the carrying means for the purpose of providing a
good handle. Such a duct certainly provides a good,
three-dimensional handle but does not contribute to the stiffness
or stability of the container. The gas-filled duct rather causes an
increased risk of wrinkling.
[0006] In addition it is also known, e.g. by U.S. Pat. No.
3,742,994, to improve the rigidity of a container by using a double
walled structure enclosing together with the connecting portion a
circumferential cavity. This cavity is intended to be filled with
e.g. air by the consumer when the container is to be used. Thereby
a self-supporting container in the open standing position is
achieved.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an
improved container of the known type to impart to the container
inherent strength that counteracts upsetting or folding of its
connecting portion and side walls.
[0008] Another object of the invention is to achieve these
properties without adding a further amount of material or a
material of another type.
[0009] One more object of the invention is that it should be
possible to make the container in existing manufacturing equipment
after only minor modifications thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] These and other objects, which will be evident from the
following description, are now achieved by a container comprising a
compartment which is defined by flexible walls and whose volume
depends on the relative position of the walls, two opposite side
walls being joined along a common connecting portion, characterised
in that a first gas-filled duct means is arranged in the connecting
portion along at least a first side of the container.
[0011] As a result, the first gas-filled duct means forms a kind of
backbone in the container which gives stiffness and stability in
each side of the container in which the gas-filled duct means is
arranged. This counteracts the container losing shape and
appearance during transport or careless handling. Moreover, the
risk of notches by wrinkle-related wear is reduced. By arranging
the stiffening in the form of a gas-filled duct means, no new type
of material or no further amount of material is added. The
inventive container can thus be introduced into existing
manufacturing processes with only minor modifications of the
manufacturing equipment. Furthermore, the environmental aspects of
the container in the form of e.g. environmental influence, recovery
or decomposition capability are not affected.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the first gas-filled duct means
is arranged in the connecting portion also along a second side of
the container opposite to the first side. As a result, the
container will be stiff on two opposite sides, which prevents the
problem of upsetting and wrinkling from only being moved to another
area of the container.
[0013] In another preferred embodiment, the first gas-filled duct
means comprises at least one gap which is arranged in said
connecting portion and formed along said side walls and which by
introducing a gaseous medium into the same forms a gas-filled duct.
The gas-filled duct means is in its simplest form a duct which is
formed by a gap which is filled with gas and then sealed. By
arranging the first duct means in the form of a gap in the
connecting portion, no new or additional material is added to the
container. Moreover, the gap can be formed in connection with the
forming of the connecting portion, and therefore modifications of
existing manufacturing equipment, if any, will be limited to
essentially comprising the tool which is used for the forming of
the connecting portion.
[0014] Arranging the first duct means in the form of a gap further
means that the container will be completely flat until the gap is
filled with gas. This is advantageous in the cases where the
container is made at a central location and delivered to local
producers which on their own take care of filling the container.
This saves space during transport and storage.
[0015] It is also preferred for the first gas-filled duct means to
be continuous along its entire length. This facilitates the filling
of the duct arranged in the connecting portion since filling with
gas can take place from one direction and by means of one nozzle.
Making the first duct means continuous along each side in
combination with the arrangement thereof on both sides of the
container additionally ensures that any problems with upsetting and
folding are not merely moved to another area of the container.
[0016] It is also preferred for the connecting portion on the first
and/or the second side of the container to comprise a carrying
means, which accommodates a second gas-filled duct means.
[0017] By arranging a carrying means, the handling of the container
will be significantly facilitated since the user does not have to
grip the flexible side walls of the container. A second gas-filled
duct means in the carrying means also implies that a handle which
is easy to grasp is formed.
[0018] In another preferred embodiment, the first gas-filled duct
means is continuous with the second gas-filled duct means and
communicates with the same. This means that when the carrying means
is grasped, air is pressed out of the second duct means and into
the first duct means, which increases the pressure and, thus, the
stiffness along the side of the container in which the carrying
means is arranged. Consequently, stiffness and stability of the
container increase temporarily while being handled, which is most
advantageous.
[0019] In another preferred embodiment, the gas-filled duct means
are filled with air.
[0020] Moreover, it is preferred for the container to be made of a
material containing a filler of mineral material and a binder of
polyolefin material. The mineral material should consist of chalk
(calcium carbonate). Such a choice of material is advantageous
since the raw materials are inexpensive and the completed product
is harmless to the environment and easy to recover.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The invention will now be described in more detail by way of
example with reference to the accompanying drawings which
illustrate a currently preferred embodiment.
[0022] FIGS. 1a and 1b are perspective views of a preferred
embodiment of an inventive container in a filled, non-opened
state.
[0023] FIG. 2a is a top plan view of the container shown in FIGS.
1a and 1b, some parts being removed to illustrate the construction
of the container.
[0024] FIG. 2b is a section III-III through the container according
to FIG. 2.
[0025] FIGS. 3a-3c show preferred embodiments of a gas-filled duct
means.
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
[0026] With reference to FIGS. 1a and 1b, an embodiment of a
container 1 according to the invention is shown in an unopened
state, filled with liquid contents. The container 1 is particularly
intended for liquid food products such as milk, water, juice or
wine.
[0027] The container 1 is of a collapsible type, i.e. compressible
or foldable, and comprises three flexible walls, two of which
constitute opposite side walls 2 and the third constitutes a bottom
wall 3. The walls 2, 3 are interconnected to form a compartment 4
whose volume depends on the relative position of the walls 2,
3.
[0028] With reference to FIG. 2a, a top plan view of the container
1 shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b is shown with one side wall 2 removed.
The walls 2, 3 included in the container 1 are interconnected along
a continuous connecting portion 5 which, to facilitate the
description, can be divided into partial portions as described
below.
[0029] The two side walls 2 are along the upright sides of the
container 1 interconnected along a lateral connecting portion 6. In
the bottom area 7 of the container 1, the side walls 2 are also
connected with the bottom wall 3 via on the one hand a bottom
connecting portion 8 along which each side wall 2 is connected with
the bottom wall 3 and, on the other hand, via the lower connecting
portion 9 along which all three walls 2, 3 are interconnected (in a
common joint). With reference to FIG. 2b, a section of the bottom
area 7 of the container 1 is illustrated to show how the bottom
wall 3 can be arranged relative to the side walls 2. The
compartment 4 of the container 1 is thus defined by the side walls
2 and the bottom wall 3. The connecting portion 5 forms boundary
lines 10 facing the compartment 4. The joining of the connecting
portion 5 preferably takes place by welding.
[0030] With reference to FIG. 3a, the connecting portion 5
comprises along the sides of the container 1, i.e. the lateral
connecting portion 6, a first gas-filled duct means 11. The first
gas-filled duct means 11 is arranged in at least a first side 12 of
the container 1, but preferably also in the second side 13 of the
container 1, opposite to the first side 12. The duct means 11 is in
its simplest form a duct. The duct is arranged to follow the
boundary line 10 between the compartment 4 and the connecting
portion 5 and should be continuous along the entire container side
in which it is arranged.
[0031] In a first side 12 of the container 1, a carrying means 14
is arranged in the connecting portion 5. The carrying means 14 is
preferably arranged in the upper portion of the container 1 and
should constitute part of the connecting portion 5.
[0032] The carrying means 14 should in prior art manner comprise a
first, essentially round opening 15, and a second, essentially
elongate opening 15. As a result, the carrying means 14 forms a
handle which gives the user the possibility of lifting the
container 1 using four fingers while at the same time a
force-absorbing portion is formed between the openings 15 so that
the handle is not wrinkled or deformed in another way. The two
openings 15 have an extent which makes an angle of about 25 degrees
to a vertical line through the container. Various tests have shown
that an angle in the range 20-30 degrees results in good user
friendliness.
[0033] With reference to FIGS. 3b-3c, further embodiments of the
duct means 11 are shown. Supplementing the first gas-filled duct
means 11, a second gas-filled duct means 16 can according to FIG.
3b be arranged in the outer part of the carrying means 14, i.e.
between the openings 15 of the carrying means 14 and the
circumference of the carrying means 14. The main purpose of this
second duct means 16 is to form a three-dimensional, user-friendly
handle.
[0034] It is also possible, according to FIG. 3c, to join the first
duct means 11 with the second duct means 16 to form a common duct
means 18. Consequently one and the same duct means can constitute
both handle reinforcement and reinforcement along the first side 12
of the container 1. The latter variant is advantageous by the first
side 12 of the container being temporarily reinforced when the user
grasps the handle of the container 1 since the air in the second
duct means 16 is pressed into the first duct means 11. The
stiffness of the container 1 thus increases temporarily while the
container 1 is being handled.
[0035] All gas-filled duct means 11, 16, 18 arranged in the
container 1 should be filled with air.
[0036] With reference to FIG. 2a, it should be pointed out that the
inventive container 1, like prior art containers, may comprise an
outlet means 17. The outlet means 17 should be arranged at a
distance from the bottom area 7 and preferably opposite the same.
The outlet means 17 can be used to fill the container 1 with the
intended product, after which it is sealed to be opened again by
the consumer. The outlet means 17 may comprise a sealing mechanism,
for instance a screw stopper.
[0037] In the cases where the container 1 has an outlet means 17,
at least the first duct means 11 should extend up along the
same.
[0038] An outlet area 19, if any, can be arranged in the connecting
portion 5 in the upper portion of the container 1, opposite to the
carrying means 14. The purpose of the outlet area 19 is to form a
spout through which the contents of the container 1 can be
portioned. The outlet area 19 is opened by, for example, separating
its outer portion.
[0039] The duct means 11, 16, 18 are preferably made by forming, in
connection with the forming and joining of the connecting portion 5
and the carrying means 14, gaps 20 in the positions where the duct
means are desired. This can take place, for example, by arranging
recesses, conforming with the shape of the gaps 20, in the
forming/joining tool (not shown) which is used for the connecting
portion 5 and the carrying means 14. The material of this recess
will thus remain unaffected, and therefore gaps 20 are formed
between the wall portions 2 included in the connecting portion 5
and the carrying means 14. The gaps 20 should be open or be made
openable at one end to allow, at a later stage, filling with gas.
The gap opening (not shown) preferably opens in connection with the
mouth of the outlet means 17. The filling with gas can take place
in connection with the container 1 being filled with the intended
product. After filling with gas, the gap 20 is sealed and thus
forms a gas-filled duct.
[0040] By arranging the gap opening in connection with the mouth of
the outlet means 17, it is possible to integrate a nozzle for
filling with gas with a nozzle (not shown) for the product intended
for the container.
[0041] Arranging the duct means 11, 16, 18 as gaps 20 and filling
them with gas only in connection with the filling of the container
means that the container 1 is completely flat until being filled.
The inventive container 1 thus occupies no extra space in the cases
where the container 1 is made at a central location and is then
transported to local producers which carry out the actual filling
with the intended product.
[0042] Forming the gaps 20 by means of recesses in the forming tool
and arranging the filling of the formed gaps 20 with gas in
connection with the filling operation means that a modification to
existing manufacturing equipment is limited to comprise only the
filling nozzle and the forming/joining tool. These two machine
modules can easily and rapidly be replaced, which means that the
same manufacturing equipment can be used for manufacturing both
conventional and inventive containers.
[0043] The present invention thus relates to an improved variant of
prior art containers 1, in which the connecting portion 5 on at
least one side of the container 1 comprises a first gas-filled duct
means 11 which extends along the side of the container 1. This
first gas-filled duct means 11 counteracts that the container 1 is
upset or folded in careless or extensive handling. As a result, the
shape and appearance of the container 1 is retained while at the
same time the risk of wear-related leakage is reduced.
[0044] The first gas-filled duct means 11 can be combined with a
second gas-filled duct means 16 arranged in the carrying means 14.
The two duct means 11, 16 can be continuous and communicate with
each other.
[0045] Providing reinforcement by means of gas-filled ducts is
advantageous since a new type of material or a further amount of
material need not be added to the container 1. This saves weight as
well as cost of material. The possibility of recovering the
container 1 is not affected. Moreover, existing manufacturing
equipment can be used with only minor modifications.
[0046] It will be appreciated that the present invention is not
restricted to the shown embodiment of the inventive container.
Several modifications and variants are thus feasible, and the
invention is consequently defined exclusively by the appended
claims.
* * * * *