Receptacles – Sidewall structure – Collapsible wall feature
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-16
2001-04-24
Moy, Joseph M. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Sidewall structure
Collapsible wall feature
C220S720000, C220S705000, C215S900000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220474
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to containers adapted to receive a certain volume of liquid, such as for example a beverage, through a filling neck provided with a plug, and then to deliver the liquid under pressure from an outlet nozzle provided with a valve provided with a control member which can be easily actuated by the user.
The invention relates more particularly to containers formed by envelopes with an expansible capacity subjected to transformation means which causes them to pass, under the influence of resilient means, from a rest condition in which its volume is practically nothing, to a storage condition in which its volume is maximum.
In the use of such containers for the delivery of beverages, there is known for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,591, in which the envelope having in situ the resilient means is capable of practically expelling the beverage which has been introduced under pressure by a manual pump.
But this type of container has not only the major drawback of using, as transformation means, an independent pump requiring valves with several passages to withdraw and pressurize the desired beverage, but also a large size due to the round shape of the balloon obtained and a difficulty particularly during transfer from the source of liquid to the container, and even an impossibility to refill from a faucet. Moreover, as will be understood, the expansion of the envelope by the resilient means is a function directly of the liquid introduced under pressure, and hence of the power of the pump.
Thus, if it is desired that the beverage be delivered under pressure for as long as possible, it is necessary to have a high power pump, which is incompatible with the size and independence of use and hence of the provision of a self-contained container.
In the use of containers as described above, with aerosol sprays, the expansible envelope is generally returned to its rest condition by a propulsive gas which is difficult to replace by simple means or which is accessible to the public.
The present invention thus has for its object to provide a container for liquid which does not have the drawbacks described above and which permits its use in the most convenient manner for various applications.
According to the invention, the transformation means comprises a mechanical member, having a structure of linear development, which comprises a base and a head which come respectively into engagement with two opposite regions of the envelope and which are adapted to occupy, by control means external to the envelope, either an expanded position in which the base and the head maintain at a distance the two opposite regions of the envelope thanks to the resilient means and in which the envelope occupies its storage condition, or a retracted position in which the base and the head are brought toward each other and in which the envelope tends to come to its rest position under the influence of the resilient means.
Thus, thanks to this mechanical member which acts on two opposite regions of the envelope, there is obtained an easy expansion which is controlled with complete safety, always equal to that specified by the manufacturer and corresponding to the maximum storage condition.
On the other hand, when the mechanical member is returned to its retracted position, the envelope subjected to the resilient means immediately places the liquid under pressure, which can then be withdrawn as desired until it occupies its rest position. It is also of interest to note that the retracted position reached by the mechanical member permits guaranteeing minimum size when the container is brought to its rest condition.
According to one preferred characteristic of the invention, the external control means comprises a blocking device adapted to retain the mechanical member in its expanded and retracted positions.
Thus, when the envelope is maintained in its storage condition thanks to the resilient means, it will be understood that it is easy for the user to fill it through its neck with any liquid at all, from all sorts of spigot, bottle, etc. sources.
Moreover, in this storage condition, it will be understood that it is easy to wash, rinse, then to dry completely the interior of the envelope so as to avoid any microbial proliferation.
According to another interesting characteristic of the invention, the mechanical member being arranged within the envelope, and the base being secured to the filling neck, the external control means of the mechanical member is constituted by the plug which can take, for this purpose, an open position in which the mechanical member occupies its expanded position and in which the filling of the container is permitted, and a closed position in which the mechanical member occupies its retracted position and in which the envelope is returned toward its rest position by the resilient means, thereby placing the liquid under pressure.
This arrangement results particularly in great convenience for the user and simplification of production by grouping the various mechanical members in a single position in the envelope, whilst satisfying the need for a good appearance of the container.
So as to make the invention particularly inexpensive and compact, and according to another particularly preferred characteristic, the envelope and resilient means are constituted by at least one piece made of a resilient material and preferably the envelope is formed in two flat pieces from a resilient material which are practically joined and fixed solely by their peripheral edge, thereby constituting in its rest condition a flat pocket, the filling neck being mounted on one of said pieces.
The flat and flexible pocket thus constituted is quite interesting not only for storage after production, but also particularly when the container is used as a container for beverage and carried empty by the user at the end of its use. Thus, the envelope which is placed under pressure having no round and cumbersome shape like a balloon, the container has a volume of bulbous shape and nevertheless flattened, which is very handy for its use and its storage in a bag or pocket of clothing.
Moreover, as the sealed envelope in its rest condition has the smallest possible internal volume, which volume is connected to the proximity of the two flat pieces, the practically complete expulsion of the liquid content is practically guaranteed, except at the end film of liquid stored protected from the air and which thus prevents the entry of air between the pieces as well as the introduction of foreign materials into the envelope and as a result prevents the formation and/or the proliferation of mold.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4032064 (1977-06-01), Giggard
patent: 4256150 (1981-03-01), Mockesch
patent: 4446991 (1984-05-01), Thompson
patent: 5176178 (1993-01-01), Schurter et al.
patent: 5221021 (1993-06-01), Danna
patent: 5524789 (1996-06-01), Jack Man
patent: 5802940 (1999-01-01), Chism et al.
Moy Joseph M.
Young & Thompson
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