U.S. patent application number 10/294725 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-20 for container for pressurized liquids.
This patent application is currently assigned to Eureka Technologies Innovation Engineering (1987) Ltd.. Invention is credited to Rubinstein, Zvi.
Application Number | 20040094572 10/294725 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32297032 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040094572 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rubinstein, Zvi |
May 20, 2004 |
Container for pressurized liquids
Abstract
A disposable container for a pressurized fluid, comprises a
fluid resistant bag, and a reinforcing network applied about the
bag. A rigid drum structure preferably surrounds the bag. The
container is useful for storing fluids to a pressure of around 6
bar and provides a disposable container for transporting beer.
Inventors: |
Rubinstein, Zvi; (Timrat,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
G.H. EHRLICH (1995) LTD.
c/o ANTHONY CASTORINA
SUITE 207
2001 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Assignee: |
Eureka Technologies Innovation
Engineering (1987) Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
32297032 |
Appl. No.: |
10/294725 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/95 ;
222/389 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/5866 20130101;
B65D 33/02 20130101; F17C 1/00 20130101; B65D 77/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/095 ;
222/389 |
International
Class: |
B65D 035/28 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A container for a pressurized fluid, comprising a fluid
resistant bag, and a reinforcing network applied about said
bag.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein said bag is a flexible
bag.
3. The container of claim 1, further comprising a rigid cylindrical
body located externally of said bag and of said reinforcing
network.
4. The container of claim 1, further comprising a nozzle for
pressure sealing said bag.
5. The container of claim 3, wherein said fluid resistant bag, said
reinforcing network and said rigid cylindrical body are configured
together to withstand up to 6 bar of fluid pressure from within
said bag.
6. The container of claim 3, wherein there is a gap between said
bag and said rigid cylindrical body, the container comprising a
nozzle for pressure sealing said bag and an inserter for inserting
fluid into said gap to pump fluid out of said bag.
7. The container of claim 1, wherein said pressurized fluid is a
carbonated drink.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein said pressurized fluid is
beer.
9. The container of claim 1, comprising plastics material.
10. The container of claim 3, wherein each of said bag, said
network body and said rigid body separately comprise a plastics
material.
11. The container of claim 3, wherein each of said rigid body and
said network body comprise plastics material and said bag comprises
a metallic foil.
12. The container of claim 3, wherein said bag comprises at least
two bag layers.
13. The container of claim 12, wherein said network body is located
between said at least two bag layers.
Description
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a container for pressurized
liquids.
[0002] Draught lager type beer is a pressurized liquid and is
generally stored at pressures that typically reach five or six bar.
Thus, containers for transporting and storing beer are required to
be able to withstand up to six bar of pressure. Six bar requires
substantial mechanical containment strength and thus barrels for
containing such draught lager type beers are generally made of
metal and are of relatively substantial construction. The
containers are expensive and thus reused many times, and this
requires drinks manufacturers to have to arrange for the containers
to be collected after use and washed out for reuse.
[0003] Other requirements generally recognized for beer containers
include an ability to withstand a fall of a meter and a half onto a
metal surface at an ambient temperature of 4.degree. C., the
ability to maintain a pressure seal following a temperature drop
from 38.degree. c. to 0.degree. c. over a time period of one hour,
maximal leakage of CO.sub.2 of 5% over 180 days of storage at an
ambient temperature of 20.degree. c., maximal leakage of N.sub.2 of
5% over 180 days of storage at an ambient temperature of 20.degree.
c., a change of 1.5 ppm O.sub.2 over 180 days of storage at an
ambient temperature of 20.degree. c., maximal infiltration of 3 ppm
of aluminum over 180 days of storage at an ambient temperature of
20.degree. c., ability to withstand up to 200 kg when stacked,
ability to withstand up to 1.5 bar of external pressure, and
external dimensions of 500 mm height and 180 mm diameter.
[0004] It is not currently possible to make a container that is
both able to withstand six bar of pressure and to meet the various
other requirements and also to be sufficiently cheap to manufacture
as to be disposable. The current reusable containers have to be
collected after use at considerable expense and cleaned for reuse,
again at considerable expense.
[0005] There is thus a need for, and it would be highly
advantageous to have, a container that does not need to be
collected and cleaned and is at the same time able to meet the
above-mentioned requirements for beer containment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention there is
provided a container for a pressurized fluid, comprising a fluid
resistant bag, and a reinforcing network applied about said
bag.
[0007] Preferably, the bag is a flexible bag.
[0008] The container may further comprise a rigid cylindrical body
located externally of said bag and of said reinforcing network.
[0009] The container may further comprise a nozzle for pressure
sealing said bag.
[0010] The, said fluid resistant bag, said reinforcing network and
said rigid cylindrical body are preferably configured together to
withstand up to 6 bar of fluid pressure from within said bag.
[0011] Preferably, there is a gap between said bag and said rigid
cylindrical body, and the container comprises a nozzle for pressure
sealing said bag and an inserter for inserting fluid into said gap
to pump fluid out of said bag.
[0012] Preferably, said pressurized fluid is a carbonated
drink.
[0013] The pressurized fluid may be beer.
[0014] The container may use plastics material.
[0015] Preferably, each of said bag, said network body and said
rigid body separately comprise a plastics material.
[0016] Preferably, each of said rigid body and said network body
comprise plastics material and said bag comprises a metallic
foil.
[0017] Preferably, said bag comprises at least two bag layers.
[0018] Preferably, said network body is located between said at
least two bag layers.
[0019] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The
materials, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative
only and not intended to be limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The invention is herein described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific
reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the
particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of
illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present
invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is
believed to be the most useful and readily understood description
of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this
regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the
invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental
understanding of the invention, the description taken with the
drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the
several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.
[0021] In the drawings:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic illustration showing a
perspective view of a flexible fluid-resistant bag, for use in a
container for a pressurized fluid according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a view from above of the bag of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the bag of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration showing a second
embodiment of a bag according to the present invention;
[0026] FIGS. 5 and 6 are a plan view and a front elevation
respectively of the embodiment of FIG. 4;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of
a network reinforcement body for the bag of FIGS. 1-6;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a front-elevation of the network body of FIG.
7;
[0029] FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the network body of FIG.
7;
[0030] FIG. 10 is a view from above of a network sheet for forming
therefrom a network body of the kind shown in FIGS. 7-9;
[0031] FIG. 11 is a simplified diagram showing a perspective view
of a rigid outer drum for use in the pressurized container of a
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the drum of FIG. 11;
[0033] FIG. 13 is a side elevation of the drum of FIG. 11;
[0034] FIG. 14 is a cutaway section of the drum of FIG. 11;
[0035] FIG. 15 is a simplified diagram showing a perspective view
of the network body in situ within the bag of FIG. 1, to form a
single reinforced bag body;
[0036] FIG. 16 is a cutaway view of the body of FIG. 15;
[0037] FIG. 17 is a front elevation of the body of FIG. 15;
[0038] FIG. 18 is a side elevation of the body of FIG. 15;
[0039] FIG. 19 is a simplified diagram showing an upper sheet of
the combined bag and network body of FIG. 15;
[0040] FIG. 20 is a simplified diagram showing a detail of a comer
region of the body of FIG. 15;
[0041] FIG. 21 is a simplified diagram showing a further detail of
the body of FIG. 15;
[0042] FIG. 22 is a detail of the cutaway view of FIG. 16;
[0043] FIG. 23 is a simplified diagram showing network elements
over a single inner layer of the bag of FIG. 1;
[0044] FIG. 24 is a simplified diagram showing the layers of the
combined bag and network body of FIG. 15; and
[0045] FIG. 25 is a simplified cross-sectional diagram showing a
pressurized fluid container according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0046] The present embodiments disclose a container that is able to
withstand the levels of pressure found in carbonated beverages
packaged for storage and transport, in particular draught lager
type beers and which container is sufficiently cheap to manufacture
as to be disposable. The container comprises an inner waterproof
bag, which may be flexible and is preferably made of plastic. The
inner waterproof bag is reinforced by a latticework or network
reinforcement body, which may also be flexible, and both are
surrounded by a preferably rigid outer drum or like cylindrical
body.
[0047] The principles and operation of a pressurized container
according to the present invention may be better understood with
reference to the drawings and accompanying descriptions.
[0048] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and the
arrangement of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out
in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology
and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0049] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a simplified
schematic illustration showing a perspective view of a flexible
fluid-resistant bag, for use in a container for a pressurized fluid
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Bag
10 comprises an outer skin 12 of fluid resistant material, arranged
into front 14 and rear 16 panels of flexible material and an upper
section 18 which is designed to retain its shape so as to hold the
bag open. The outer skin is preferably a multi-layer skin. A
pressure resistant nozzle 20 is preferably located in the upper
section 18 for insertion and withdrawal of fluid. A seam 22 holds
together the panels 22 of the bag.
[0050] Suitable materials for the fluid resistant bag include the
following:
[0051] a. LLDPE, metallocene-PE, and various PE copolymers: EVA,
EBA, EMA, EAA, etc., provided either in pure form or as blends.
[0052] b. Ionomer (ethylene acid copolymers, in which the acid
groups are partially neutralized with either zinc or sodium
ions).
[0053] c. Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), as minor components in
blends, or as a thin layer in the multilayer film.
[0054] d. Polypropylene, homopolymer, block or random copolymers,
formed into non-oriented (CPP) or bi-axially oriented films.
[0055] e. Tyvek: very fine high-density polyethylene fibers (film
and fabric together to form a single integrated material, the
integration giving superior puncture-, tear- and
abrasion-resistance).
[0056] f. Polyamide: PA-6, PA-6 blends, in the form of various
copolyamides, amorphous polyamide, or aromatic polyamide. These may
be manufactured as non-oriented or bi-axially oriented film.
[0057] g. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), and biaxially oriented
film formed therefrom.
[0058] h. Ethylene-vinyl-alcohol (EVOH) copolymer, with different
ethylene content: 29-44 mol %, and non-oriented or bi-axially
oriented films formed therefrom.
[0059] i. monoaxially oriented coextruded film, particularly
nylon-6/EVOH/nylon-6.
[0060] j. Oxygen scavenging polyamide/nanocomposite, formulated for
films where a very high oxygen barrier is required.
[0061] k. Aluminum-foil. The bag of FIG. 1 is fused together on
three sides.
[0062] FIG. 2 is a view from above of the bag of FIG. 1. Parts that
are the same as those in previous figures are given the same
reference numerals and are not referred to again. FIG. 3 shows a
front elevation of the bag of FIG. 1.
[0063] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration showing a second
embodiment of a bag according to the present invention. The bag of
FIG. 4 differs from that of FIG. 1 in that it does not include a
semi-rigid top section 18, and is fused on four sides. FIGS. 5 and
6 are a plan view and a front elevation respectively of the
embodiment of FIG. 4.
[0064] Any one of a number of preferred processes may be used for
manufacture of the bag. These include a multiplayer cast film
process, a double bubble process for forming bi-axially oriented
film, a tenter-frame process for bi-axially oriented film, and use
of a roll station device for producing mono-axially oriented film.
Alternative processing methods may be used such as lamination, and
lamination may involve solvents, such as glue, or may be
solventless, for example using thermo-lamination and the like.
[0065] Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which is a schematic
diagram showing a first embodiment of a network reinforcement body
for the bag described above. The body 40 is made of a net of yarns
or strings or fibers as preferred. Suitable materials for the
production of yarns may include
[0066] High Density PE, LLDPE, metallocene-PE, and various PE
copolymers, including EVA, EBA, EMA, EAA, etc., either pure or in
blends.
[0067] Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), as minor components in
blends.
[0068] Polypropylene, homopolymer, block or random copolymers.
[0069] Polyamide: PA-6.6, PA-6, PA blends, various Copolyamides and
aromatic Polyamides.
[0070] Aramid resin (Kevlar).
[0071] Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET).
[0072] Poly-vinylidene Fluoride (PVF).
[0073] Poly-vinylidene chloride and copolyamides based on
vinylidene chloride units.
[0074] Various types of yarns may be used, such as tapes,
monofilaments, multifilament, and combinations thereof.
[0075] The network body 40 may be manufactured by knitting,
weaving, directly from a non-woven textile and by any combination
thereof.
[0076] Preferably, and depending on the manufacturing method used,
two sheets of network are produced and then connected together
along a seam region 42, as will be illustrated in greater detail in
FIG. 10. The connection along the seam region 42 may be carried out
using any method appropriate to the materials being used in the
network body.
[0077] The network body may be reinforced with stronger materials
at critical points such as the seam region 42.
[0078] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the network body is
not superimposed upon the bag but rather is embedded within the
bag. Embedding may be carried out by inserting the network body
during the multi-layer manufacture of the bag.
[0079] FIG. 8 is a front-elevation of the network body of FIG.
7.
[0080] FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the network body of FIG.
7.
[0081] FIG. 10 is a view from above of a network sheet 44 for
forming therefrom a network body of the kind shown in FIGS. 7-9. An
upper sheet and a lower sheet are joined together around their
edges, in particular about seam region 42.
[0082] Reference is now made to FIG. 11, which is a simplified
diagram showing a perspective view of a rigid outer drum 50 for use
in the pressurized container of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention. The rigid outer drum 50 preferably comprises
polypropylene or polypropylene reinforced with fiberglass. It may
be manufactured by injection molding or blow molding, and contains
a surrounding section 52 and upper or cover and lower or base
sections 54 and 56 respectively.
[0083] FIG. 12 is plan view of the drum of FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is
a side elevation thereof. FIG. 14 is a cutaway section of the drum
50.
[0084] Reference is now made to FIG. 15, which is a simplified
diagram showing a perspective view of the network body in-situ
within the bag 10, therewith to provide a flexible but reinforced
body 60 for containing pressurized fluid. FIG. 16 is a cutaway view
of the body 60 showing netting elements 62 of the network body 40
embedded within the bag 10. FIG. 17 is a front elevation of body
60, and FIG. 18 is a side elevation of body 60. FIG. 19 shows an
upper sheet of the combined bag and network body 60, two of which
may be fused together to form the body 60. FIG. 20 shows a detail
of a corner region of body 60, and illustrates netting elements 62
emerging from the seam region 42.
[0085] Reference is now made to FIG. 21, which is a simplified
diagram showing a further detail of the body 60. FIG. 21
illustrates the emergence of nozzle 20 from the combined network
body and bag. Nozzle 20 is preferably manufactured as a
continuation of seam region 42, and network elements 62 which would
have emerged from the seam region 42 in the region of the nozzle,
in fact emerge from the nozzle itself.
[0086] Reference is made to FIG. 22, which is a detail of the
cutaway view of FIG. 16. In FIG. 22, network elements 62 are shown
embedded between inner layer 70 and outer layer 72 of bag 10. FIG.
23 is a simplified diagram showing network elements 62 over a
single inner layer 70 of the bag 10.
[0087] Reference is now made to FIG. 24, which is a simplified
diagram showing the layers of combined bag and network body 60.
Seam region 42 develops into network layer 80, which is surrounded
by inner bag layer 70 and outer bag layer 72.
[0088] Reference is now made to FIG. 25, which is a simplified
cross-sectional diagram showing a pressurized fluid container 90
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Parts
that are the same as those in previous figures are given the same
reference numerals and are not referred to again except as
necessary for an understanding of the present embodiment. Rigid
drum 50 forms an outer layer, within which lies the combined bag
and network body 60. Space 92, which is included between the outer
layer and the body 60, may be used to inject fluid in order to
pressurize body 60 from the outside. Injection of fluid into space
92 thus provides a means of pumping fluid out of the body 60 when
required.
[0089] In use, fluid is pumped into body 60 to the required
pressured, and nozzle 20 is sealed. The container 90 is transported
as required. The rigid drum 50 preferably provides the container
with the necessary stacking strength. Subsequently, upon arrival at
the destination, the container is unloaded and placed in position,
and the container is tapped. The nozzle 20 is released, preferably
by insertion of a tube connector 96 having an end 98 appropriately
shaped for the nozzle, and the pressurized liquid is pumped out as
required. Pumping may be achieved by forcing fluid into space 92
via an auxiliary nozzle. After pumping, the entire container may
then be disposed of. Alternatively the body 60 may be disposed of
and the rigid cylinder retained for reuse. Because the rigid
cylinder never comes into contact with the fluid being stored it
need not be washed prior to reuse, thus removing one of the major
costs of reuse.
[0090] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention,
which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate
embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single
embodiment Conversely, various features of the invention, which
are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment,
may also be provided separately or in any suitable
subcombination.
[0091] Although the invention has been described in conjunction
with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace
all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall
within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. All
publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this
specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by
reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each
individual publication, patent or patent application was
specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein
by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any
reference in this application shall not be construed as an
admission that such reference is available as prior art to the
present invention.
* * * * *