Receptacles – Closures – Superposed closures for common opening
Patent
1996-04-30
1997-08-19
Moy, Joseph M.
Receptacles
Closures
Superposed closures for common opening
220303, 215261, 222 95, B65D 5116
Patent
active
056578911
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a container suitable for containing and dispensing fluids which includes a sealing and venting system. The sealing and venting system enables passage of air/gas to and from the inside of the container in response to small differences which exist between the pressure inside the container and the ambient environmental pressure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The problem of container deformation in response to pressure differences existing between the inside of a container, which is sealed to prevent leakage of any fluid contents, and the ambient atmospheric pressure, is well known in the packaging industry. Such container deformation may for certain container materials, especially some plastics, be non-recoverable.
Thin-walled, partially flexible containers which are often made of plastic material are particularly subject to the problem.
If the pressure in the container is higher than that of the ambient atmospheric pressure the container will tend to bulge, and may split or in extreme circumstances explode. If the pressure in the container is lower than that of the ambient atmospheric pressure the container wild tend to sag or be subject to inward collapse, this effect sometimes being referred to as `panelling`. The problem is most noticeably visible for essentially cylindrical containers.
The existence of pressure differences between the inside of a container having fluid contents and the ambient environmental pressure may also lead to mess when dispensing the contents. Where there is a positive pressure inside the container which rapidly equilibrates with the ambient on opening of the container, the fluid contents may spurt out causing unwelcome mess, or a possible safety hazard if product is spurted into the eyes of the opener.
There are a number of possible factors which may lead to the existence of the afore-mentioned pressure differences. The liquid contents of the container may, for example, be inherently chemically unstable or may be subject to reaction with any headspace gases in the container, or alternatively, in certain specific circumstances, may react with the container material itself. Any chemical reactions involving the liquid contents may lead to either production of gases, and hence to overpressure in the container, or to the absorption of any headspace gases thereby causing underpressure in the container.
Examples of liquid products which may react such as to generate pressure inside a container would include those products containing bleach components, Examples of liquid products which may be subject to reaction with headspace gases, particularly oxygen, such as to generate negative pressure inside a container include liquid detergent products, such as light duty liquid detergents, especially those containing certain perfume components,
The problem of container deformation as a result of chemical reactions involving the contents may, where the reaction is photolytically activated, be mitigated by making the container out of an opaque material. Opaque containers are however often perceived by consumers as being less aesthetically pleasing, and do not afford the possibility of being able to see clearly how much product remains in a partially filled container.
The Applicants have discovered that it is often red light (of approximately 410-500 nm wavelength) which photolytically activates the reaction of many perfume components commonly employed in detergent products. Where this is the case these unwelcome reactions of the perfumes can be mitigated by constructing the container out of a material capable of absorbing red light.
Storage of the container and contents at a low temperature may slow any chemical reaction processes. Cold storage may however, for reasons detailed below, tend to cause container deformation.
Pressure differences between the inside container pressure and ambient atmospheric pressure may also occur due to variations between container filling and storage temperatures. For example, the contents of the container may
REFERENCES:
patent: 3315831 (1967-04-01), Scott
patent: 3315832 (1967-04-01), Scott
patent: 3351497 (1967-11-01), Lucas
patent: 3471051 (1969-10-01), Cistone
patent: 3951293 (1976-04-01), Schulz
patent: 3952902 (1976-04-01), Prouty et al.
patent: 4136796 (1979-01-01), DuBois et al.
patent: 4349122 (1982-09-01), Klar et al.
patent: 4545495 (1985-10-01), Kinsley
patent: 5305920 (1994-04-01), Reiboldt et al.
patent: 5318204 (1994-06-01), Davis et al.
patent: 5577625 (1996-11-01), Baird et al.
Bilani Nady
Declerck Johan Willy
Deflander Joseph Fernand
Hauben Luc
Maria Willy Aloysius
Kock Ronald W.
Moy Joseph M.
The Procter & Gamble & Company
LandOfFree
Container for fluids does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Container for fluids, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Container for fluids will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1098879