U.S. patent application number 11/630275 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-09 for fluid container.
Invention is credited to Yoav Weinberger.
Application Number | 20080245804 11/630275 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35510307 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080245804 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weinberger; Yoav |
October 9, 2008 |
Fluid Container
Abstract
A storage device for liquid and other substances made as a
closed body with empty space for storage, including a base and
upper part placed at a distance one opposite the other joined to
each other by means of a thin and flexible envelope connected to
the whole circumferences of them and wherein a stretching means are
located on them force in opposite directions and generates a
continuous tension on the envelope and prevent its collapsing, and
wherein removal of the stretching means enables collapsing of the
storage device envelope and reduction its volume.
Inventors: |
Weinberger; Yoav; (Haifa,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP
1500 Broadway, 12th Floor
New York
NY
10036
US
|
Family ID: |
35510307 |
Appl. No.: |
11/630275 |
Filed: |
June 21, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
June 21, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IL05/00651 |
371 Date: |
February 7, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/608 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 23/00 20130101;
B65D 33/06 20130101; B65D 31/16 20130101; B65D 57/00 20130101; B65D
1/0292 20130101; B65D 2231/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/608 |
International
Class: |
B65D 8/04 20060101
B65D008/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 21, 2004 |
IL |
162656 |
Claims
1. A storage device for liquids and other substances made as a
closed body with empty space for storage, including a base and
upper part placed at a distance one opposite the other joined to
each other by means of a thin and flexible envelope connected to
the whole circumferences of them and wherein a stretching means are
located between the upper part and the base touches both of them
and exerts on them force in opposite directions and generates a
continuous tension on the envelope and prevent it's collapsing, and
wherein removal the stretching means enables collapsing of the
storage device envelope and reduction its volume.
2. A storage device as described in claim 1, wherein the stretching
means are located inside the inner space of the storage device
3. A storage device as described in claim 1, wherein the stretching
means are located outside the storage device body.
4. A storage device as described in claim 2 includes a stable base
and a reinforced upper part.
5. A storage device as described in claim 3 includes a stable base
and a reinforced upper part.
6. A storage device as described in claim 4, wherein the upper part
of the storage device includes an aperture that can be opened and
closed with a cup.
7. A storage device as described in claim 5, wherein the upper part
of the storage device includes an aperture that can be opened and
closed with a cup.
8. A storage device as described in claim 2, wherein the stretching
means are fixed feature permanently joined to the base and to the
upper part.
9. A storage device as described in claim 3, wherein the stretching
means are fixed feature permanently joined to the base and to the
upper part.
10. A storage device as described in claim 8, wherein the
stretching mean passes through the storage device cup aperture and
part of it, especially the upper part, is hollow pipe-like sleeve
includes apertures allows emptying the contents of the device
through the stretching means.
11. A storage device as described in claim 6, wherein the
stretching means includes a hollow extractable pipe-like sleeve
which is inserted into the inner space of the storage device
through the cup's aperture and wherein the extractable sleeve
contains attachments means intended to allow it's attachment to the
inner perimeter of the cup's aperture, and wherein the hollow
pipe-like sleeve includes apertures allows emptying the contents of
the device through the extractable sleeve.
12. A storage device as described in claim 11, wherein the
attachments means of the extractable pipe-like sleeve includes
external screwing on it's upper external perimeter and suitable
opposite screwing provided on the inner perimeter of the cup's
aperture.
13. A storage device as described in claim 11, wherein the
attachments means of the extractable pipe-like sleeve includes
teeth intended to be caught in suitable grooves which are provided
around the internal perimeter of the cup's aperture.
14. A storage device as described in claim 11, wherein the
attachments means of the extractable pipe-like sleeve includes
flexible teeth or teeth intended to be caught in suitable grooves
which are produced around the internal perimeter of the cup's
aperture.
15. A storage device as described in claim 11, wherein the base of
the storage device includes a depression that is intended to
contain the inner part of the extractable pipe-like sleeve.
16. A storage device as described in claim 11, wherein the base of
the storage device includes a protrusion that is intended to
contain the inner part of the extractable pipe-like sleeve.
17. A storage device as described in claim 11, wherein the
extractable sleeve is inserted into the space of the storage device
through an opening especially produced for that purpose on the
upper part of the device which is not the cup's aperture.
18. A storage device as described in claim 11 while more than one
sleeve are provided.
19. A storage device as described in claim 11, wherein the
extractable sleeve includes protruding flexible spring ribs applied
in chosen points along the length of the sleeve, perpendicular to
the longitudinal line of the sleeve, supporting the device's
envelope.
20. A storage device as described in claim 1 wherein the envelope
of the storage device includes reinforcing ribs.
21. A storage device as described in claim 11 wherein the upper
part of the extractable sleeve adjacent and faces the device's cup
includes seizure and/or rotation means.
22. A storage device as described in claim 21 wherein the seizure
and/or the rotation means includes inner walls that traverse the
internal space of the extractable sleeve.
23. A storage device as described in claim 21 including a cup
provided with opposite suitable clutching means on it upper
external surface for cooperation with the seizure and/or rotation
means of the extractable sleeve.
24. A storage device as described in claim 23 wherein the clutching
means of the cup includes shaped protrusions.
25. A storage device as described in claim 3 wherein the base and
the upper part of the storage device includes external linking or
connection means for mounting the storage device on external
stretching and stabilizing device.
26. A storage device as described in claim 25 made as an elongated
sleeve-like plastic bag.
27. A storage device as described in claim 26 wherein the linking
or connection means are made as hollow sleeves.
28. A storage device as described in claim 26 wherein the linking
or connection means are made as protruding bars.
29. A storage device as described in claim 26 wherein the linking
or connection means are made as shaped holes.
30. A storage device as described in claim 29 wherein the shaped
holes includes reinforcement means.
31. A storage device as described in claim 26 wherein the linking
or connection means are made as protruding shaped buttons.
32. A storage device as described in claim 26 wherein the linking
or connection means provided on the base and the upper part
includes additional external Shaped accessories partially protrude
outside the linking or connection means.
33. A storage device as described in claim 32 wherein the
additional external accessories are hook shaped.
34. A storage device as described in claim 32 wherein the
additional external accessories are closed ring shaped.
35. A storage device as described in claim 32 wherein the
additional external accessories are open ring shaped.
36. A storage device as described in claim 25 wherein the external
stretching and stabilizing device is provided as flexible bar
including stable base and wherein the upper and the bottom parts of
the flexible bar includes joining means allows joining of the
storage device to the stretching and stabilizing device.
37. A storage device as described in claim 36 wherein the flexible
bar includes a handle.
38. A storage device as described in claim 36 wherein the joining
means are provided as two fingers-like pins standing perpendicular
to the flexible bar.
39. A storage device as described in claim 38 wherein the
fingers-like pins provided as hollow pipe or sleeve.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to storage device generally
and more particularly to a storage device for liquids, i.e., a
bottle or bag.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] One of the most severe ever-growing problems in recent years
has been related to garbage and waste. The world literally fills up
and becomes congested with mounds of waste.
[0003] Part of the waste, primarily organic waste, disintegrates
and adversely affects the environment by polluting it; however, its
effect is only temporary. On the other hand, a large amount of the
waste includes non-degradable and non-disintegrating substances,
mainly plastics and its by-products. These non-disintegrating
substances take up a great deal of space and volume, thus
constituting a real serious problem.
[0004] The use of the disposable products made of plastics,
aluminum, cardboard, etc., has been greatly accelerated in recent
years, due to the cheap price of raw materials as well as the
convenience of using plastics and their easy workability, and also
the inexpensive final price of the products.
[0005] Accelerating the use of disposable packing has greatly
increased the waste accumulation problem, and in the future will
become one of the largest problems with which the world will have
to deal.
[0006] The use of disposable products constitutes a real ecological
crime, in general, especially wherever disposable packing is
concerned.
[0007] A disposable bottle of plastics, which had served as
beverage storage for a short period of time until it was consumed,
will roll around and be in the way till the end of days, or almost
that long, unless it is collected and recycled.
[0008] In recent years a great deal of effort has been invested in
raising the matter of recycling to the public awareness, including
charging a deposit for the packing. It may take years before
recycling is a success, if at all. Even if it yields partial
success, still, the problem of the products that have already been
dispersed will remain.
[0009] Many plastic products, especially bottles, take up large
volume, although they are hollow, and despite the fact that their
physical material is minimal. A plastic bottle of 2000 cc does not
consist of more than 8-10 cc of material.
[0010] Once there is no longer any use for the bottle's contents,
its packing becomes a continuous nuisance. Even at home the bottle
is discarded in the dustbin and occupies a significant part of its
volume, which requires frequent emptying. Moreover, the local
refuse container fills up with many empty bottles and requires
frequent emptying as well. The waste truck also fills up much
faster due to the empty bottles, thus more drives to the local dump
sites are needed. At the end of the process the mounds of wastes
that are accumulated in the local dump site are higher and of a
larger volume.
[0011] Even in areas of high recycling awareness the bottles
constitute a continuous problem, since their large volume already
poses a problem at the domestic stage, subsequently in the bottle
collecting containers and finally in the carrying truck.
[0012] If it were possible to melt or crush the bottles already at
the domestic stage, a great deal of the problems described above
could be solved and avoided. However, domestic melting or crushing
devices are only dreams that are far from reality.
[0013] One of the main objects of the present invention is to
minimize, as much as possible, the volume of the empty bottles
avoiding the need for the expensive devices that are intended for
this purpose only, without any costs to the consumer. The French
patents 2668732, 2550102, 2780912 as well as patent EP0554646
offers methods and empty bottle crushing devices when no longer in
use. The ideas are tempting, but the thought that the consumer will
purchase a device, install it in his home and invest real efforts
in decreasing the volume of the empty bottles is unrealistic, as
far as most consumers are concerned.
[0014] Another problem associated with the bottles and other
storage devices is related to the thickness and strength of the
material from which the bottles are made. For the purpose of liquid
storage of a small quantity, such as a few liters only, a bag or a
bottle with a similar thickness of a plastic bag could suffice.
Indeed, there are drinks such as milk and cacao etc., which are
sold when they are packed in bags and take up far less space in the
waste disposal system. However, the use of bags for liquid storage
is not convenient, since we expect the storage device to be placed
firmly after opening it without collapsing, and spilling its
contents, and without the need for accessories that will hold the
bags and prevent their collapsing and spilling. In order to
attribute more rigidity and convenience of pouring and use to the
disposable storage device, the strength of the bottle material has
been increased by enlarging the wall thickness, though for the
purpose of storage only a significantly smaller wall thickness
would have been sufficient. In other words, the desire to produce a
disposable packing that would be convenient for use has forced the
manufacturers to increase the strength of the bottle material,
consequently creating the chain of problems as already described,
associated with disposing the waste accumulation.
[0015] Therefore, another object of the present invention, which is
no less important, is to allow the production of bottles and
devices of a significantly thinner wall than the existing bottles
that will not affect their external strength and the ease of their
use and stability after opening them.
[0016] another object of the present invention is to provide a
device that will give the bag-like packing, such as the milk bag
etc., strength and stability while using it. A milk bag or a liquid
soap bag, after being opened, cannot "stand on its own", since
without an accessory that will hold it and prevent it from
collapsing, the whole contents will spill. An accessory device for
a milk bag, or any other bag, has many drawbacks, as the storage
device tends to accumulate fluids that can condense on the external
side of the cold milk bag and slide to the bottom of the device,
thus becoming a nursery of bacteria accumulation, etc. it should
also be noted that the accumulated fluids at the bottom of the bag
storage device tend to mix with the milk of the bag contents while
diverting the storage device with the bag in it, beyond the
horizontal line, and by that "enrich it" with bacteria and
dirt.
[0017] another object of the present invention is a solution to the
intensity of crushing or folding bottles storing devices, many
inventions have been developed in an attempt to handle the serious
problems as described, especially to reduce the volume of the empty
bottles. Many hundreds of inventions suggested producing crushing
or folding bottles and storing devices whose volume would be
reduced, or such that would be folded or crushed when no longer in
use. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,224,613, 4,898,306, 5,392,941
offer bottles or storage devices upon which termination of use, by
pushing or squeezing them, they will crush, fold or collapse, thus
reducing their volume. The main disadvantage of those inventions
lies in the fact that the crushable devices are not stable and they
tend to collapse or fold involuntarily; furthermore, their
production is too costly and complex. Finally, they were not able
to penetrate the market, and the disposable strong, comfortable and
stable bottles could not be replaced.
[0018] This invention enables a voluntary crushing or collapsing
operation by the user, thus reducing the volume, and so involuntary
crushing or collapsing is prevented.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] There is thus provided in accordance with some preferred
embodiments of the present invention, an internal "stretching"
device is offered. In a bottle, related to the present invention,
the thickness of the bottle's envelope was reduced to the most
feasible minimum, the base of the bottle and its upper part, which
includes the neck and cup, are made of a thicker and more solid
material, the result of such a structure is a type of bag being
solid at its base as well as at its upper part, In order to make
the walls of the bottle strong and stable enough, a hollow
pipe-like sleeve is inserted through the bottle neck, reaching its
base, joins the base of the bottle and its upper part and exerts a
strong stretching force between the base of the bottle and its
upper part, creates a continuous tension of the bottle's envelope
and prevents its collapsing, and also offers stability and
convenience of use, The hollow sleeve has bores along its length,
especially in the part closest to the bottle neck, thus allowing
passage of the bottle contents into the sleeve, from where it
proceeds outside the bottle, when the bottle or the storage device
is no longer in use, all the consumer needs to do is a simple
operation of separating the sleeve from the bottle, Once the sleeve
has been extracted from the bottle, the tension ceases to exist in
the envelope, and the bottle can be crushed or folded, thus its
volume can significantly be reduced.
[0020] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the stretching means are fixed feature
permanently joined to the base and to the upper part of the storage
device.
[0021] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the extractable hollow pipe-like sleeve is
provided with attachments means intended to allow it's attachment
to the inner perimeter of the cup's aperture.
[0022] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the storage device's base includes a
depression or protrusion that is intended to contain the inner part
of the extractable pipe-like sleeve.
[0023] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the extractable sleeve is inserted into
the space of the storage device through an opening especially
produced for that purpose on the upper part of the device which is
not the cup's aperture.
[0024] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the storage device is provided with more
than one internal sleeve.
[0025] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the extractable sleeve includes protruding
flexible spring ribs applied in chosen points along the length of
the sleeve perpendicular to the longitudinal line of the sleeve,
supporting the device's envelope.
[0026] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the envelope of the storage device
includes reinforcing ribs.
[0027] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the upper part of the extractable sleeve
adjacent and faces the device's cup includes seizure and/or
rotation means.
[0028] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the cup provided with opposite suitable
clutching means on it upper external surface for cooperation with
the seizure and/or rotation means of the extractable sleeve.
[0029] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the base and the upper part of the storage
device includes external linking or connection means for mounting
the storage device on external stretching and stabilizing
device.
[0030] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the storage device has the shape of
elongated sleeve-like plastic bag.
[0031] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the linking or connection means of the
elongated sleeve-like plastic bag are made as hollow sleeves.
[0032] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the linking or connection means of the
elongated sleeve-like plastic bag are made as protruding bars.
[0033] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the linking or connection means of the
elongated sleeve-like plastic bag are made as shaped holes.
[0034] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the shaped holes of the plastic bag
include reinforcement means.
[0035] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the linking or connection means are made
as protruding shaped buttons.
[0036] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the linking or connection means provided
on the base and the upper part includes additional external Shaped
accessories partially protrude outside the linking or connection
means.
[0037] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the additional external accessories are
closed ring shaped.
[0038] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the additional external accessories are
open ring shaped.
[0039] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the additional external accessories are
hooked shaped.
[0040] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the external stretching and stabilizing
device is provided as flexible bar includes stable base and wherein
the upper and the bottom parts of the flexible bar includes joining
means allows joining of the storage device to the stretching and
stabilizing device.
[0041] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the flexible bar includes a handle.
[0042] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the joining means are provided as two
fingers-like pins standing perpendicular to the flexible bar.
[0043] Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments
of the present invention the fingers-like joining pins provided as
hollow pipe or sleeve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0044] FIG. 1 is a section view of a bottle-like storage device as
exists today.
[0045] FIG. 2 is a section view of s a bottle-like storage device
which includes a thin envelope and a fixed hollow sleeve which
joins the base of the bottle to its upper part.
[0046] FIG. 3 is a section view of a bottle-like storage device
with screwing at the bottle's neck area and an extractable hollow
sleeve with screwing on it upper part.
[0047] FIG. 4 is a section view of the bottle like storage device
illustrates in FIG. 3 when a simple operation of threading the
sleeve in the opening direction it separate and extracted from the
bottle.
[0048] FIG. 5 is a section view of the bottle like storage device
illustrates in FIG. 4 illustrates how, when the sleeve has been
extracted from the bottle the tension in the bottle's envelope no
longer exists, and so the bottle can be crushed or folded, thus its
volume can significantly be reduced.
[0049] FIG. 6a is a front section view of a bottle-like storage
device which includes attachments means of the extractable
pipe-like sleeve includes teeth intended to be caught in suitable
grooves which are provided around the internal perimeter of the
cup's aperture.
[0050] FIG. 6b is a top elevation section view of the storage
device illustrates in FIG. 6a
[0051] FIG. 7 is a section view of a bottle-like storage device, in
which the sleeves constitutes a fixed feature of the bottle and are
non-extractable.
[0052] FIG. 8 is a front section view of a bottle-like storage
device which includes attachments means of the extractable
pipe-like sleeve includes flexible teeth intended to be caught in
suitable grooves provided below the internal perimeter of the cup's
aperture or in other chosen point along the cup's aperture.
[0053] FIG. 9 is a section view of a bottle-like storage device
with a thin envelope that includes reinforcing ribs.
[0054] FIG. 10 is a front section view of a bottle-like storage
device in which the extractable sleeve includes reinforcing ribs
intended to add strength to the envelope.
[0055] FIG. 11a is a top view of the upper part of the extractable
screwing sleeve includes internal wall that traverse it and are
intended to allow gripping of the sleeve and rotating it in order
to release its attachment to the bottle's neck and its subsequent
extraction.
[0056] FIG. 11b is a front section view of the extractable screwing
sleeve illustrates in FIG. 11a.
[0057] FIG. 12a is a front section view of a bottle's cup according
to the present invention including shaped nodes which are adapted
for insertion into the sleeve's internal walls and allow the
seizure of the sleeve and its rotation.
[0058] FIG. 12b is a top view of the bottle's cup illustrates in
FIG. 12a.
[0059] FIG. 13 is a front view of a plastic bag structure which
serves, for example, for the storage of milk.
[0060] FIG. 14a is a front view of an improved storage bag
illustrates in FIG. 13 includes additional hollow sleeves on the
base and on the upper part.
[0061] FIG. 14b is a side view of the storage bag illustrates in
FIG. 14a.
[0062] FIG. 15A is a front view illustrates an external stretching
and stabilizing device intended to attribute stability to the
storage bag illustrates in FIGS. 14a & 14b.
[0063] FIG. 15B is a side section cut view illustrates the cross
section of the two fingers-like pins used as joining means for the
storage bag.
[0064] FIG. 15c is a front section view illustrates improved
storage bag as illustrates in FIG. 14 mounted on the external
stretching and stabilizing device illustrates in FIGS. 15a
&15b
[0065] FIG. 16a is a side view illustrates an improved storage bag
with fixed gripping means intended to allow its attachment and
stretching to the external stretching and stabilizing device. A
side cross section of the stretching and stabilizing device
illustrates in FIG. 16b also appears in this figure.
[0066] FIG. 16b is a front view of the stretching and stabilizing
device suitable to the storage bag illustrates in FIG. 16a.
[0067] FIG. 17a is a side section view illustrates an improved
storage bag with protruded fixed linking or connecting means,
intended to allow the attachment and stretching of the bag to the
external stretching and stabilizing device. A side cross section of
the stretching and stabilizing device illustrates in FIG. 17b also
appears in this figure.
[0068] FIG. 17b is a front view of the stretching and stabilizing
device suitable to the storage bag illustrates in FIG. 17a.
[0069] FIG. 18 is a front view of an improved bottle-like storage
device which includes fixed gripping means intended to allow the
attachment and stretching of the bottle-like storage device to the
external stretching and stabilizing device.
[0070] FIGS. 19a&19b are front and side views of improved
storage bag includes holes as linking or connecting means on it's
base and on the upper part
[0071] FIGS. 20a&20b are front and side views of improved
storage bag includes reinforced holes as linking or connecting
means on it's base and on the upper part.
[0072] FIGS. 21a&21b are front and side views of improved
storage bag includes upper shaped reinforced hole and base holes as
linking or connecting means.
[0073] FIG. 22 is a front view of additional external connection
accessories in close ring shaped.
[0074] FIG. 23 is a front view of additional external connection
accessories in open ring shaped.
[0075] FIG. 24 is a front view of additional external connection
accessories hook shaped.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0076] FIG. 1 illustrates the structure of an ordinary bottle 1
which already exists today. The bottle includes base 2, envelope 3,
an upper part 4 with a neck 5, threading 6 and a cup 7.
[0077] FIG. 2 is a section view of s a bottle-like storage device
1, includes a thin envelope 3, a fixed hollow sleeve 8 which joins
the base of the bottle 2 and its upper part 4. The sleeve 8
includes bores 9 along its length, mainly at the part that is
closer to the bottle's neck 4, thus allowing the passage of the
bottle's contents into sleeve 8 and subsequently outside the
bottle. In bottle 1 the thickness of bottle's envelope 3 has been
reduced to a feasible minimum, similar to the thickness of a milk
bag. The bottle base 2 and the upper part 4, which includes neck 5
and cup 7, are made of a thicker and more solid substance. The
result of such a structure is a kind of bag having a stable base
and a stable upper part. In order to give strength and stability to
the bottle's wall, i.e. envelope 3, a hollow pipe-like sleeve 8 has
been added, joins the bottle base 2 and its upper part 4, and
exerts a strong stretching force between the bottle base 2 and its
upper part 4. This strong stretching force creates a continuous
tension of the bottle's envelope 3 and prevents its collapse, thus
attributing stability and convenience of use to the bottle. Hollow
sleeve 8 contains bores 9 along its length, mainly at the part
closer to the bottle's neck 5 which allow passage of the bottle's
contents to the sleeve 8 and subsequently outside the bottle. Such
a bottle structure saves material by decreasing the envelope's wall
thickness and reduces the weight of the empty bottle.
[0078] FIG. 3 is a section view of the bottle like storage device
illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention. in a
bottle 1 the thickness of its envelope 3 has been reduced to the
feasible minimum, similarly for example to the thickness of a milk
bag. The bottle base 2 and its upper part 4, which includes neck 5
and cup 7 are made of a more thick and solid material. The result
of this structure is a kind of a developed bag with a solid base
and solid upper part. In order to attribute strength and stability
to the bottle's wall, i.e., to envelope 3, a hollow extractable
pipe-like sleeve 10 is inserted through the bottle's neck 5 and
reaches the bottle's base 2. This hollow sleeve 10, includes on its
external circumference on it's upper part an external threading 11,
which is intended to be threaded to the internal threading 12,
created inside the bottle's neck 5. The hollow sleeve 10 with its
threading 11 is inserted into the bottle's neck until its internal
end 13, arrives nearer to the bottle's base 2. In this situation
the beginning of the external threading 11 of sleeve 10 comes in
contact with the beginning of the internal threading 12 in the
bottle's neck 5. Rotation of the hollow sleeve 10 drives the
external threading 11 with it external circumference of the upper
part of the hollow sleeve 10 into the internal threading 12 in the
bottle's neck. Threading of the hollow sleeve 10 causes the
internal part 13 to get closer to the bottle base 2 and further
come in contact with it and enter the suitable depression 14 which
is created in base 2. The continuation of the hollow sleeve 10
threading into bottle neck 5 causes exertion of strong tension
force between the bottle's base 2 and its upper part 4. This strong
tension force creates continuous tension of the bottles' envelope 3
and prevents its collapse and attributes stability and convenience
of use to the bottle. In the hollow sleeve 10 there are bores 9
along its length, primarily at the part adjacent to the bottle's
neck 5 which allow the passage of the bottle's contents into sleeve
10, and subsequently outside the bottle.
[0079] FIG. 4 is a section view of the bottle like storage device
illustrates in FIG. 3 illustrates how upon termination of use of
the bottle or the storage device, in simple operation of threading
sleeve 10 in the direction of the opening, it is possible to
separate sleeve 10 from the bottle and extract it out.
[0080] FIG. 5 is a section view of the bottle like storage device
illustrates how once sleeve 10 has been extracted from bottle 1,
the tension of the bottle's envelope 3 no longer exists, and it is
possible to crush or fold it thus considerably reduce its
volume.
[0081] FIGS. 6a & 6b are section view and top view illustrates
another preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the
bottle-like storage device is similar to the one described in FIG.
3, which includes a thin envelope 3 and an extractable hollow
sleeve 15 with grip teeth 16 to the bottle's neck 5. Instead of
internal threading in the bottle's neck 5 and external threading on
the upper part of the sleeve, two protruding teeth 16 or more are
provided on the external circumference on the upper part of sleeve
15. At the bottle's neck 5, commencing the upper open part through
the bottle's neck up to a chosen point in its depth, a conveyor
groove 17 or grooves are created, as their shape is compatible with
the shape of the teeth 16 on the perimeter of sleeve 15. These
conveyor grooves 17 can be created as they continue parallel to the
longitudinal line of the bottle, and include at their end point, at
the depth of the bottle's neck 5, locking grooves 18, which
continue perpendicular to the conveyor grooves, so inserting sleeve
15 to the bottle's neck 5 forces teeth 16 into the conveyor grooves
17 Forcefully pushing sleeve 15 into the bottle's body against the
bottle base 2 renders deeper penetration of sleeve 15 into the
bottle's neck 5 and the proximity of teeth 16 on the external
perimeter of sleeve 15 towards the locking grooves 18. Once teeth
16 are located against the locking grooves 18, sleeve 15 is rotated
so that teeth 16 penetrate the locking grooves 18 and are latched
in them. In this situation sleeve 15 is secured in its place and
exerts a strong tension force between the bottle base 2 and its
upper part 4. This strong stretching force creates a continuous
tension of the bottle's envelope 3, prevents its collapse, and
attributes stability and convenience of use to the bottle. There
are bores 9 along the length of the hollow sleeve 15, especially at
the part adjacent to the bottle's neck 5, which allow passage of
the bottle's contents into sleeve 15 and subsequently outside the
bottle. Obviously, instead of creating longitudinal conveyor
grooves and vertical locking grooves for the conveyor grooves,
threading-like diagonal grooves can be created, when their first
part will lead and the rest will create locking teeth 16 in them,
thus preventing extraction of sleeve 15 from the bottle. Upon
termination of use of the bottle or the storage device, with a
simple operation of rotating sleeve 15 in the opening direction,
teeth 16 can be made to be extracted from locking grooves 18, and
sleeve 15 can be separated from bottle 1, and then crush it or fold
it, thus significantly reduce its volume.
[0082] FIG. 7 is a section view of the bottle like storage device,
in which the stretching and stabilizing means constitute a fixed
part of the bottle and are non-extractable, but placed in other
chosen location, rather than in the bottle's neck. This option of
the invention allows maximum flexibility in choosing the location
of the storage device's aperture and neutralizes the link between
the location of the aperture and the stabilizing means. Such a
structure of a bottle saves material by minimizing the envelope
wall, thus reducing the weight of the empty bottle.
[0083] FIG. 8 is a section view of the bottle like storage device,
in which sleeve 19 includes spring attachment means 20 to the
bottle's neck. In FIGS. 3 and 6 extractable sleeves with threading
or fixed teeth were described. In this embodiment of the invention,
sleeve 19 includes spring attachment means 20, which allow locking
the sleeve to the bottle's neck, or at any other chosen point, by
inserting sleeve 19 into the bottle's neck or to another bore that
is created at the upper part of the bottle. The spring means are
designed in such a way that while inserting sleeve 19 into the
bottle's neck or into any other bore, they withdrawn into matching
grooves provided under then in the sleeve's body and allow the
penetration of the sleeve into the intended bore. As soon as the
spring facilities have passed through the bottle's wall, they
expand again and penetrate into the intended bore, and so prevent
the extraction of the sleeve from the bottle. In this situation
sleeve 19 is secured in its place and exerts a strong stretching
force between the bottle base 2 and the upper part 4. This strong
stretching force creates a continuous tension of the bottle's
envelope 3 and prevents its collapse and attributes stability and
convenience of use to the bottle. In the hollow sleeve 19 bores 9
exist along its length, especially at the part adjacent to the
bottle's neck 5 which allow passage of the bottle's contents into
sleeve 19, and from there outside the bottle. Of course, during use
of the sleeve with the spring attachment facilities, in the bore
which is not the bottle's neck, it is possible to waive bores 9,
since emptying the bottle is not performed through them.
[0084] FIG. 9 is a section view of the bottle like storage device,
in which reinforcing ribs 47 have been added to the thin envelope 3
for the purpose of enhancing the durability of the device; for
example, for the purpose of using it for carbonated beverages, in
which the internal pressure inside the bottle, is large. The
reinforcing ribs can be found throughout the whole length of the
envelope from the device's base up to its upper part, and may
include instead or in addition ribs on the circumference of the
envelope.
[0085] FIG. 10 is a section view of the bottle like storage device,
in which sleeve 21 includes reinforcing ribs 22 that are intended
to add strength to the bottle's envelope 3. Sleeve 21 includes
flexible spring ribs 22 which are created in chosen points along
the length of sleeve 21. These flexible spring ribs are made in
such a way that in their natural state, they are more or less
perpendicular to the longitudinal line of the sleeve and protrude
from its body towards the bottle's envelope. While inserting the
sleeve into the bottle, the same flexible spring ribs bend and
attach to the sleeve body, thus allowing penetration to the
bottle's space. Once these ribs passed the bottle's neck, they
spring and expand and resume their original state and are in
contact with the bottle's envelope, and so prevent the collapse of
the envelope inwardly into the bottle. Upon termination of use of
the bottle, while extracting the sleeve, the reinforcing ribs bend
again and allow extraction of the sleeve from the bottle.
[0086] FIGS. 11a & b are section view and top view illustrates
another preferred embodiment of the present invention in which
sleeve 23, in its upper part adjacent to the bottle's cup, includes
internal walls 24 which traverse it and are intended to seize the
sleeve and rotate it for the purpose of closing it and releasing
its attachment to the bottle's neck and its extraction.
[0087] FIGS. 12a & b are section view and top view illustrates
cup 25 of the bottle, which is related to another preferred
embodiment of the present invention and includes in its upper part
shaped protrusions 26, which are suitable to be inserted into
sleeve 23, as described in FIG. 11, and allow the seizure of the
sleeve and its rotation for the purpose of closing it or releasing
it from its attachment to the bottle's neck and its extraction.
[0088] FIG. 13 is a section view illustrates the structure of an
ordinary plastic bag 27 which serves for storage of liquids, e.g.,
for storage of milk. The bag is build like an elongated sleeve
sealed by soldering 28 on both ends. Puncturing a hole in the bag
enables the use of its contents. After puncturing a hole in the bag
it is necessary to use its contents immediately, or use a storage
device to hold the open bag. The disadvantages of the existing
storage devices have already been discussed in the
introduction.
[0089] FIGS. 14a & b are section view and side view illustrates
an improved storage bag 29. bag 27 that was illustrates on FIG. 13
has gained by extending the bag and adding of two more soldering
strips 30 on both sides of the bag near the two original edges of
the bag. The result of this stricture is a bag with two open
sleeves 31 at both ends at the bottom part of the bag and its upper
opposite side used as linking or connection means. These open
sleeves 31 are intended to allow mounting the storage bag on top of
a suitable storage device with finger-like protruding pins.
[0090] FIGS. 15a & b are section view and partially side cut
view illustrate an external stretching and stabilizing device 32
The stretching and stabilizing device 32 includes on its bottom par
a base 34 which is intended to allow stable and secured placing of
the stretching and stabilizing device. The storage device includes
on its bottom part and upper part two finger-like upright pins 35,
protruding from bar 33, more or less perpendicular to it, and more
or less perpendicular to base 34 of the storage device used for
mounting the storage bag. For the purpose of easy grip of the
storage device, the flexible bar 33 includes a handle 36, which
allows the device maximum convenience during use. The device base
can include a special depression which is intended to collect the
fluids that are condensed on the walls of the storage bag.
[0091] FIG. 15c is section view illustrate an external stretching
and stabilizing device 32 as illustrates on FIGS. 15a & b and
an improved storage bag 29 as illustrates on FIG. 14, which is
mounted on the external stretching and stabilizing device 32. The
stretching and stabilizing device 32 includes a bar 33 that crosses
from the bottom part of the storage bag up to its upper part. Bar
33 includes on its bottom part base 34 which is intended to allow
stable and secured placing of the stretching and stabilizing device
32 and the storage bag 29 which is attached to it. The storage
device includes on its bottom part and upper part two finger-like
upright pins 35, protruding from bar 33, more or less perpendicular
to it, and more or less perpendicular to base 34 of the storage
device. Mounting the storage bag on the storage device is most
simple and performed via inserting the two pins 35 into the two
sleeves 31 used as linking or connection means, which are located
on the two ends at the upper and bottom part of the storage bag.
The distance between the two finger-like pins 35 of the storage
device is a little greater than the distance between the two
sleeves 32 of the storage bag, so that in order to insert pins 35
into sleeves 31 in the bag it is necessary to bend a little bar 33,
which is built in a strong and flexible manner, so that the two
pins 35 get a bit closer to each other. After mounting the storage
bag on the storage device, and after eliminating the pressure that
caused the bending of the flexible bar 33, the flexible bar 33
straightens, and by means of the finger-like pins 35, which are
located in sleeves 31 of the storage device, exerts a permanent
stretching pressure between the base of the storage bag and its
upper part. This permanent stretching pressure consistently
stretches the walls of the storage bag on the storage device, and
allows convenient use of its contents. After the bag has been
emptied, it's removed from the stretching and stabilizing device
and is discarded.
[0092] FIGS. 16a & b are section view and side cut view
illustrates an improved storage bag 37 with a fixed linking or
connection means 38 protruding on the bottom and upper part of the
storage bag, intended to allow its attaching and stretching to the
improved storage device 39. The principle of the operation is
identical to the one described in drawing No. 15c, except the fact
that the protruding pins 40 include one long groove 41, almost
throughout their whole length.
[0093] FIGS. 17a & b are section view and partially side cut
view illustrates an improved storage bag 37 with fixed linking or
connection means 38 which protrude on the bottom and upper side of
the storage bag, intended to allow its attaching and stretching to
the improved storage device 42. The principle of the operation is
identical to that described in drawing No. 15, except the fact that
the protruding pins 43 are made as a hollow pipe that includes a
long groove 44 almost throughout their whole length. The fixed
linking or connection means 38, which protrude from storage bag 37,
are inserted inside the spaces in the protruding pins 43.
[0094] FIG. 18 is a section view illustrates an improved storage
bag 45 with an external shape similar to the bottle, with fixed
linking or connection means 46, protruding on the bottom and upper
side of the bottle-like storage device, intended to enable
attaching and stretching to the external stretching and stabilizing
device. The principle of the operation is identical to the one
described in the above mentioned Figs.
[0095] FIGS. 19a & b are section view and side view illustrates
an improved storage bag 48 includes linking or connection means 49
shaped as holes made on the bottom and upper side of the
bottle-like storage device intended to enable attaching and
stretching to matching external stretching and stabilizing device
provided based on the principles above mentioned.
[0096] FIGS. 20a & b are section view and side view illustrates
an improved storage bag 50 similar to storage bag illustrates in
FIGS. 19a & b includes reinforced holes 51 as linking or
connection means.
[0097] FIGS. 21a & b are section view and side view illustrates
an improved storage bag 52 similar to storage bag illustrates in
FIGS. 19a & b includes upper shaped reinforced hole 53 and base
holes 54 as linking or connection means.
[0098] FIG. 22 is a section view illustrates an improved storage
bag 55 similar to storage bag illustrates in FIGS. 19a & b
includes upper additional external connection accessory in close
ring shape 56 and base holes 57 as linking or connection means.
[0099] FIG. 23 is a section view illustrates an improved storage
bag 55 similar to storage bag illustrates in FIG. 22 includes upper
additional external connection accessory in open ring shape 58 and
base holes 57 as linking or connection means.
[0100] FIG. 24 is a section view illustrates an improved storage
bag 55 similar to storage bag illustrates in FIG. 22 includes upper
additional external connection accessory in hook shape 59 and base
holes 57 as linking or connection means.
[0101] It is hereby stated and clarified that in the detailed
descriptions and drawings the use of the words "bottle, storage bag
and storage device" etc., refer in general to "storage device" of
liquids and other materials which can be replaced between the
words, and in any place where a "bottle" is described, it can be
called "a bag" and vice versa, and also refer to it in a general
way as "storage device".
[0102] It is hereby stated and clarified that the descriptions and
drawings which have been used here serve for the purpose of better
understanding of the invention and do not limit the innovations
presented in this invention to those alone, but to the basic
principles of the operation, as described in the following
claims.
[0103] It is also stated and clarified that an expert in this area,
after reading this detailed description, will be able to suggest
changes and many other options which are related to the
implementation of this invention, but covered in the following
* * * * *