WO2004103855A1

WO2004103855A1 - Container for a liquid or semi-liquid material, method for manufacturing the container and use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2004103855A1
Application number: PCT/DK2004/000357
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erik Langelund; Peter William Nash; Lasse Kjeldsen
Original assignee: Erik Langelund; Peter William Nash; Lasse Kjeldsen
Priority date: 2003-05-20
Filing date: 2004-05-19
Publication date: 2004-12-02

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1) for a liquid or semi-liquid material (21). The container comprises a cover (11), a dispensing member (5) including an opening (5a) and connected to the cover member (11), said members defining the outer surface of the container (1), and an inner bag (6) connected to the cover member (11) in a connection (4) and defining a separation between a first (9) and second space (10) within the container. Further, it comprises a first valve (7) connecting the first space with the exterior, and a second valve (8) positioned in the cover member (11) connecting the second space with the exterior. The cover (11) is made of at least two tubular sections (12a, 12b) and said inner bag (6) has a connection to one of said sections. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a container for a liquid or semi-liquid material and use hereof.

Description

CONTAINER FOR A LIQUID OR SEMI-LIQUID MATERIAL , METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE CONTAINER AND USE THEREOF

Background of the invention The invention relates to a container for a liquid or semi-liquid material as specified in the preamble of claim 1, a method for manufacturing a container and use hereof.

Flexible containers for liquid or semi-liquid material, such as containers for ketchup, mustard or salad dressings, have been known for decades. The container is usually made in a plastic material and may dispense the content when the user presses on the container side. When the container is close to empty it is not possible to dispense the remaining content as the user cannot press the space inside the container any further together. Consequently, a significant part of the content remains in the container when it is thrown into the garbage can.

In order to force the content out of the container it has previously been suggested that the user may pump the content out of the container. An example of a container with a user activated pump mechanism is illustrated in US patent no. US-A 4,909,416. The container comprises an internal bag that divides the container into a first and second space. A first valve connects the first space with the exterior, and a second valve connecting the second space with the exterior. The first space comprises the content of the container and is dispended through the first valve when the user presses on the side of the container. The first valve does not allow air to enter the first space as the user relaxes the pressure on the side. However, the second valve allows air to enter the second space but not subsequently to escape. The pressure in the second space will increase as the content is dispensed from the first space. Consequently, the air pressure in the second space will apply more force to the one side of the bag and thus successively diminish the size of the first space. Hereby is achieved a more efficient emptying of the content in the container. A problem with the previously suggested containers including pump mechanisms has been their complex construction with a number of separate parts and connections. In order to make the containers leak-tight the manufacturing has required high precision manufacturing machines to each of the parts. Further, the manufacture of the containers has required a number of working persons in order to put the containers together.

Consequently, the containers have been quite expensive to manufacture which in the nature of the use has resulted in little commercial success for this type of containers.

An object of the invention is to establish a container with a pump mechanism which is simple in its construction and consequently is price efficient to manufacture.

The invention The invention relates to a container comprising a cover member and a bag where said cover member comprises at least two tubular sections and said inner bag has a connection to one of said sections. Hereby it is possible to establish a container without the abovementioned disadvantages.

With a container including the features of the characterizing part of the claim it is further possible to simplify and automate the manufacturing process and consequently obtain price efficient containers.

In an aspect of the invention, said tubular sections and said inner bag are made in a plastic material e.g. a moldable plastic material. By using precision mould tools such as plastic injection mould machines it is further possible to quickly manufacture price efficient containers in large numbers.

In an aspect of the invention, said tubular sections comprise a material thickness larger than that of the inner bag e.g. more than 2 times such as between 5 and 10 and preferably circa 6 times. The preferred ratios ensure that the lower and upper tubular sections are thick enough and have the necessary structural strength in protecting the liquid or semi-liquid material without losing the equally necessary flexibility. The thickness of the inner bag ensures that the chambers are separated and kept separate regardless of the pressure applied to the container and thus the bag. Further, the thickness of the inner bag ensures that the connection is durable regardless of the use.

In an aspect of the invention, the connection between said section and said inner bag is established on the inner side of the section e.g. close to the edge of the section. The connection to the inner surface is advantageous as the further connection between the sections may be established without interfering with the connection to the inner surface.

In aspects of the invention, said inner bag and one of said section comprise a connection being a continuation of the inner bag from the section e.g. a straight or radial continuation with a diminishing of material thickness and/or a tubular section and said inner bag are made in the same molding process e.g. as one following the other in an injection mould machine. Hereby is achieved an advantageous container in which the steps of the manufacturing process are minimized as the connection between the tubular section and said inner bag is established at the molding process.

In one aspect of the invention, the connection between said section and said inner bag is a glue connection. In another aspect, the connection between said section and said inner bag is a plastic melded connection. The different ways of establishing connections and similar strong and liquid-tight connections are characterized by the advantageous possibility of automating the connection process.

In an aspect of the invention, said lower and upper tubular section are connected to each other in a section connection area with one section partly covers the other section. Hereby it is possible to establish a strong connection between the sections that will not split even when significant pressure is applied to the container.

In an aspect of the invention, said section connection area includes corresponding indentations in the surface of the sections. By using indentations it is possible to make a connection in which one section naturally and seamlessly continues over in the next section. Further, the indentations support each other in establishing a stronger connection and especially when pressure is applied to the container surface.

In an aspect of the invention, the connection between said sections is a plastic melded connection established by applying heat to a section connection area of said sections, a glue connection established by applying glue to surfaces in the area or a screw connection established between inner and outer threads, respectively, in the surface of the said sections. Hereby, may connections be established between the at least two tubular sections of the cover members as parts of an automated manufacturing process.

In an aspect of the invention, the first and/or the second valve comprise a dome shape with a flexible opening in part of the dome surface e.g. a dome slit. The dome shape is advantageous as the valve will easily split wide open when a pressure on the inner side of the dome is present. The opening is established by the two edges of the opening being forced away from each other as a mouth being opened. The edges of the opening will meet again when the pressure is removed as the dome will resume its normal and "relaxed" shape in which the valve is closed.

It shall be emphasized that other shapes than a dome shape may be used in which the important feature of the valve is the ability to close when pressure is removed from one side of the valve.

In another aspect of the invention, the first valve comprises a shape corresponding at least partly to the inner surface of said dispensing member for the container. Hereby, it is possible to use the inner surface in controlling and restricting the movement of the valve and thus the characteristic of the valve e.g. the size of the valve opening. Further, shape will avoid that any material discharged material stays in between the dispensing member and the valve.

In an aspect of the invention, the first and/or the second valve are made in a flexible material such as plastic or rubber e.g. silicone rubber. The choice of material is important in achieving a valve that opens easily at a lesser pressure and subsequently closes tightly.

Silicone rubber is especially advantageous due to its many favorable characteristics such as: High and low temperature stability, inertness (no taste or smell), translucent and easy to color, wide hardness range, chemical resistance, durability and sealing performance.

In an aspect of the invention, said first valve being positioned at the opening of the upper tubular section or at the opening of the said dispensing member for the container. The positions of the valve ensure different functionalities e.g. in connection with tight closing, valve size, costs and the optimal discharge of material.

In a further aspect of the invention, said at least two tubular sections define spaces of similar size being divided by said inner bag e.g. the same size. Hereby it is possible to use an inner bag that uses the defined spaces in full when the bag is substantially filled or emptied.

In an even further aspect of the invention, said inner bag at distending comprises a shape corresponding at least partly to the inner surface of at least one of the tubular sections e.g. the upper tubular section including an opening and/or a valve. Hereby it is possible to use the defined spaces even more efficiently and achieve a more complete discharge of liquid or semi-liquid material. In another aspect of the invention, at least one of said tubular sections comprises a folding pump section and a fixed holding structure for the container e.g. a folding pump section in a part of the lower tubular section. Hereby, it is possible to discharge the material from the container by applying pressure on the bottom of the fixed container e.g. by using a leverage engaging the bottom.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a container for a liquid or semi-liquid material, said method comprising the steps of:

establishing at least two tubular sections and an inner bag in which the inner bag is connected to one of the tubular sections e.g. close to or on the edge of the section, and connecting the tubular sections, where the cover member of said container comprises said at least two tubular sections.

With the method it is possible to simplify and automate the manufacturing process and consequently obtain price efficient containers.

In an aspect of the invention, the steps of holding a first tubular section, deliver said inner bag in proximity of said section connection area e.g. from above or below the tubular section, establishing a connection between the tubular section and the inner bag, deliver a second tubular section in proximity of said section connection area e.g. from above or below the first tubular section, and establishing a connection between the tubular sections.

In another aspect of the invention, said steps is automated by using machinery such as injection mould machines, welding machines, robots and/or conveyors.

The container may preferably be used in connection with liquid or semi-liquid food material such as ketchup, mustard, tartare sauce, mayonnaise or salad dressing. However, the container may also be used in connection other (non-food) areas in which it is preferred to empty the container to a higher extent or faster for a liquid or semi-liquid material such as cosmetics, toothpaste, glue or engine grease/oil sold in flexible containers.

Figures The invention will be described in the following with reference to the figures in which

fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a flexible container for a liquid or semi-liquid material according to the invention with an inner bag in a first position,

fig. 2 shows the flexible container with the inner bag in a second position,

fig. 3 shows an exploded view of a first preferred embodiment of the flexible container including enlarged views of different elements in the container,

fig. 4 shows an exploded view of a second preferred embodiment of the flexible container including enlarged views of different elements in the container,

fig. 5 shows the flexible container filled with liquid or semi-liquid material,

fig. 6 shows the flexible container including liquid or semi-liquid material in different use situations, and

fig. 7 shows a further embodiment of the flexible container.

Detailed description

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a flexible container 1 according to the invention in an exploded view illustrating the different means of the container. The container may hold a liquid or semi-liquid material (illustrated in fig. 5 and 6) with an inner bag 6 in which the inner bag 6 is illustrated a first position in which it is (initially) hanging freely inside the container.

The unified container comprises a cover 11 and a dispensing member 5 defining the outer surface of the flexible container. The cover comprises a lower and upper tubular section 12a, 12b with enclosed areas 2, 3 for the upper and lower tubular section, respectively. The two enclosed areas are linked and B^HM by a very flexible inner bag 6 in which the inner bag comprises a connection 4 to one of the tubular sections. The inner bag connects to the tubular section on the inner surface of the section forming an unbroken line i.e. a liquid tight connection.

The inner bag 6 defines a first chamber above the bag and another below the bag in the container. The first chamber is a chamber 9 for holding a liquid or semi-liquid material and the second chamber is an air chamber 10. The inner bag may move inside the container restricted only by the connection 4 and the pressure from the two chambers 9, 10.

The two chambers 9, 10 comprise a first and second valve in order to control the pressure in the chambers.

The first valve is a valve 7 intended for allowing the discharge of liquid or semi- liquid material to the exterior from the chamber 9 when pressure is applied to the surface of the container. The valve 7 further avoids that air is drawn into the chamber and replaces the discharged material. The valve is positioned on top of the discharging opening la of the container 1 and held in place by the dispensing member 5 screwed onto the container.

The second valve is a valve 8 intended for taking air in from the exterior to the air chamber in order to remove any partial vacuum in the air chamber due to the discharging of material from the chamber 9. Further, the valve 8 ensures that the air is not forced out of the air chamber 10 when pressure is applied to the container but instead is transformed to a pressure on the lower side of the inner bag 6 and thus helps discharge the liquid or semi-liquid material to the exterior.

The dispensing member 5 includes an opening 5 a and a closing member 5b in which the opening 5 a and the valve 7 establish the intermediary part of the connection from the chamber 9 to the exterior when a pressure is applied to the container. The liquid or semi-liquid material may in this situation freely be discharged from the chamber 9 to the exterior.

Fig. 2 shows the flexible container with the inner bag in a second position. The position illustrates that air has been taken in from the exterior to the air chamber 10 whereby the inner bag is (finally) positioned next to the valve 7 after pressure has been applied to the container and subsequently removed.

Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of a first preferred embodiment of the flexible container 1 including enlarged views of different elements in the container.

The figure illustrates a preferred embodiment of the valves 7, 8 including enlarged views of the valves seen from above. Each of the valves includes a rim that acts as a valve contact surface 13, 15. In the illustrated embodiment the valve is in contact with the opening la at the top of the container and a hole (not illustrated) in the bottom of the container into the air chamber 10. The rim surrounds a dome shaped part with a valve opening 14, 16 in the form of a slit. The slit penetrates the dome material and starts and ends at some distance from the rim. Preferably the opening stretches over the dome top from the start to the end as a straight line. In alternative embodiments the opening may stretch differently over the dome e.g. as a curve, not over the top or as more than one line e.g. two perpendicular lines stretching over the top. Further, the figure illustrates how the inner bag 6 as an initially free element is prepared and ready to be connected either to the inner surface at edge of the lower or upper tubular section 12a, 12b, or to the rim of the lower or upper tabular section 12a, 12b. The connection between the tubular section 12a, 12b and the inner bag 6 is in one embodiment a glue connection and in another a plastic melded connection.

Even further, the figure illustrates the lower and/or upper tubular section 12a, 12b as half parts in the outer cover 11 of the container 1 with a circular cross sectional shape. The connection between the sections is obtained by one section 12b partly covering the other section 12a e.g. the sections comprising an outer and inner indentation, respectively, at the edges of the sections in which the two indentations 17, 20 correspond and connect seamlessly. Also the tubular sections may comprise threads and the other section 12a may thus be screwed onto the first section 12b.

The manufacturing of the container comprises the steps of connecting the inner bag to one of the tubular sections in which the connecting involves lifting the inner bag to a position in proximity of the edge of the section. In this position is applied fastening means to the connection area 19 of the inner bag and to the section e.g. glue to establish the connection 4. In a different step the fastening means may be heat that partly melts the connection area 19 and the corresponding area of the section and thus allows the two to meet and be firmly connected after removing the source of heat.

The other tubular section is brought in contact with the section including the inner bag e.g. by using corresponding indentations in the surface of the sections as mentioned above.

Subsequently, the valves 7, 8 as well as the dispensing member 5 are applied to the container 1 in which the member is screwed on the thread 18 of the container, hereby keeping the valve 7 firmly in place. The air valve 8 may be kept in place in the container by applying glue or heat to the contact surface 15 of the valve. The manufacturing process may be performed as a number of automated steps e.g. as steps directly after the sections and the inner bag have left an injection mould machine.

Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of a second preferred embodiment of the flexible container including enlarged views of different elements in the container.

The connection between the tubular section 12a, 12b and the inner bag is established in the same molding process e.g. as one following the other in the injection mould machine but preferably with different wall thicknesses.

The wall of the lower and/or upper tubular section 12a, 12b may comprise a thickness of circa 0.6 to 4 millimeters such as 1 millimeter. The functionality of the inner bag 6 requires that the bag is very flexible e.g. in a material with a thickness of less than 0.3 millimeters such as between 10 and 200 my and preferably between 150 and 200 my. Consequently the ratio between the thicknesses is at least 2 and preferably in the range of 5 and 40 such as 10.

Fig. 5 shows a flexible container fully filled with liquid or semi-liquid material 21 in an initial situation i.e. before any material has been discharged. The weight of the material 21 and the upright position of the container 1 results in an inner bag 6 being forced down in such a way that the size of the air chamber 10 is at a minimum.

Fig. 6 shows the flexible container of fig. 5 in different use situations in which the use situations illustrate the functionality of the flexible container.

The first figure illustrates the initial discharge of liquid or semi-liquid material from the container 1 by orientating the opening of the container downwards. A user may squeeze at the center area of the container when the container is orientated and positioned as preferred. The applied pressure to the container diminishes the size of the chambers 9, 10 for the liquid or semi-liquid material and air and ensures that the material is forced against the valve 7 for discharging liquid or semi-liquid material. The pressure from the material forces the valve to open and the material may flow through to the exterior. When the applied pressure disappears will the pressure on the valve also disappear and the valve 7 closes.

The figure also illustrates how the valve 7 fills the space within the dispensing member 5 for the container 1, ensuring that the material is delivered at the opening of dispensing member. The inner shape of the dispensing member may be such that it substantially corresponds to the shape of the valve 7 when it is open. Further, the valve 7 may be positioned at the opening of the dispensing member of the container e.g. on top of the opening or in the neck of the dispensing member.

The second figure illustrates how the discharged material is replaced by air drawn into the air chamber 10 through the air valve 8. The valve opens due to the pressure difference between the normal exterior pressure and the partial vacuum in the air chamber and closes again when the difference has been leveled.

Fig. 7 shows a further embodiment of the flexible container 1 wherein at least one of said tubular sections 12a, 12b comprises a folding pump section 23 and a fixed holding structure for the container 22 e.g. a folding pump section 23 in a part of the lower tubular section 12a. The enclosed area for the lower tubular section is squeezed by applying a downward force to the bottom of the lower tubular section

12a as the folding pump section 23 folds together. The increase in the internal pressure of the lower tubular section 12a also applies on the lower surface of the inner bag 6 and forces the inner bag further up in the enclosed area for the upper tubular section. Consequently, the lower tubular section 12a including the folding pump section 23 functions as a bellows that replaces the need of applying force to the sides of the container in order to discharge material. The figure further shows an embodiment in which the first valve 7 is positioned at the opening of the dispensing member 5. The valve may for example be glued to the dispensing member 5 in order to hold it in place.

The invention has been exemplified above with reference to specific examples. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular examples described above but may be used in connection with a wide variety of applications. Further, it should be understood that especially the tubular sections according to the invention may be designed in a multitude of varieties within the scope of the invention as specified in the claims e.g. in other cross sectional shapes such as triangular or rectangular shapes. Even further, the valves may be replaced with more complicated types of valves e.g. types that will be well-known by the skilled person. The air valve may also be replaced by two or more valves and be placed anywhere in the container that allows access to the air chamber.

List

1. Flexible container la. Discharging opening of the container

2. Enclosed area for the upper tabular section

3. Enclosed area for the lower tabular section

4. Connection for the inner bag at the tubular sections

4a. Section connection area

5. Dispensing member for the container

5a. Opening in the dispensing member

5b. Closing member for the dispensing member

6. Inner bag

7. Naive for discharging a liquid or semi-liquid material

8. Naive for taking air in from the exterior

9. Chamber for a liquid or semi-liquid material

10 Air chamber

11 Cover of the flexible container

12a 12b. Lower and upper tabular sections in the cover

13 Naive contact surface

14 Naive opening

15 Naive contact surface

16 Naive opening

17 Indentation in the surface of a first tabular section

18 Thread

19 Connection area of the inner bag

20 Indentation in the surface of a second tabular section

21 Liquid or semi-liquid material

22 Holding structure for the container

23 Folding pump section

Claims

1. Container (1) for a liquid or semi-liquid material (21), said container comprising

a cover (11),

a dispensing member (5) including an opening (5a) and connected to the cover member (11), said members defining the outer surface of the container (1),

an inner bag (6) coimected to the cover member (11) in a connection (4) and defining a separation between a first (9) and second space (10) within the container,

a first valve (7) connecting the first space with the exterior through the opening (5 a), and

a second valve (8) positioned in the cover member (11) connecting the second space with the exterior,

characterized by

said cover (11) comprises at least two tabular sections (12a, 12b) and said inner bag (6) has a connection to one of said sections.

2. Container (1) according to claim 1, characterized by said tubular sections (12a, 12b) and said inner bag (6) are made in a plastic material e.g. a moldable plastic material.

3. Container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by said tubular sections (12a, 12b) comprise a material thickness larger than that of the inner bag (6) e.g. more than 2 times such as between 5 and 10 and preferably circa 6 times.

4. Container (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized by said inner bag (6) and one of said section (12a, 12b) comprise a connection (4) being a continuation of the inner bag (6) from the section (12a, 12b) e.g. a straight or radial continuation with a diminishing of material thickness.

5. Container (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized by a tubular section (12a, 12b) and said inner bag (6) are made in the same molding process e.g. as one following the other in an injection mould machine.

6. Container (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the connection (4) between said section (12a, 12b) and said inner bag (6) is established on the inner side of the section (12a, 12b) e.g. close to the edge of the section.

7. Container (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the connection (4) between said section (12a, 12b) and said inner bag (6) is a glue connection.

8. Container (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the connection (4) between said section (12a, 12b) and said inner bag (6) is a plastic melded connection.

9. Container (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized by said lower and upper tabular section (12a, 12b) are connected to each other in a section connection area (4a) with one section (12b) partly covers the other section (12a).

10. Container (1) according to claim 9, characterized by said section connection area (4a) includes corresponding indentations (17, 20) in the surface of the sections (12a, 12b).

11. Container (1) according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized b y the connection between said sections (12a, 12b) is a plastic melded connection established by applying heat to a section connection area (4a) of said sections or a glue connection established by applying glue to surfaces in the area.

12. Container (1) according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterized b y the connection between said sections (12a, 12b) is a screw connection established between inner and outer threads, respectively, in the surface of the said sections (12a, 12b).

13. Container (1) according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized b y said first and/or the second valve (7, 8) comprise a dome shape with a flexible opening in part of the dome surface e.g. a dome slit (14, 16).

14. Container (1) according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterized b y the first valve (7) comprises a shape corresponding at least partly to the inner surface of said dispensing member (5) for the container.

15. Container (1) according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterized by said first and/or the second valve (7, 8) are made in a flexible material such as plastic or rubber e.g. silicone rubber.

16. Container (1) according to any of claims 1 to 15, characterized b y said first valve (7) being positioned at the opening (la) of the upper tabular section (12b) or at the opening (5a) of the said dispensing member (5) for the container.

17. Container (1) according to any of claims 1 to 16, characterized b y said at least two tabular sections (12a, 12b) define spaces of similar size being divided by said inner bag (6) e.g. the same size.

18. Container (1) according to any of claims 1 to 17, characteriz ed b y said inner bag (6) at distending comprises a shape corresponding at least partly to the inner surface of at least one of the tabular sections (12a, 12b) e.g. the upper tabular section (12b) including an opening (la) and/or a valve (7).

19. Container (1) according to any of claims 1 to 18, characteri z ed b y at least one of said tabular sections (12a, 12b) comprises a folding pump section (23) and a fixed holding structure for the container (22) e.g. a folding pump section (23) in a part of the lower tubular section (12a).

20. Method of manufacturing a container for a liquid or semi-liquid material, said method comprising the steps of:

establishing at least two tabular sections (12a, 12b) and an inner bag in which the inner bag is connected to one of the tabular sections e.g. close to or on the edge of the section, and

connecting the tubular sections,

where the cover member of said container comprises said at least two tabular sections (12a, 12b)

21. Method according to claim 20, ch aracteri z ed by molding said tabular sections (12a, 12b) and said inner bag (6) in a plastic material.

22. Method according to claim 20 or 21, charac teriz e d by molding a tabular section (12a, 12b) and said inner bag (6) in the same molding process e.g. as one following the other in an injection mould machine.

23. Method according to any of claims 20 to 22, characteriz e d b y establishing said connecting of the tubular sections by applying heat to a section connection area (4a) of said tabular sections to establish a plastic melded connection between said sections (12a, 12b) or by applying glue to surfaces in the section connection area of said tabular sections to establish a glue connection between said sections (12a, 12b).

24. Method according to any of claims 20 to 23, characterized by the steps of holding a first tabular section (12a, 12b), deliver said inner bag in proximity of said section connection area e.g. from above or below the tabular section, establishing a connection between the tubular section and the inner bag, deliver a second tabular section (12a, 12b) in proximity of said section connection area e.g. from above or below the first tubular section, and establishing a connection between the tabular sections.

25. Method according to claim 24, characterized by said steps is automated by using machinery such as injection mould machines, welding machines, robots and/or conveyors.

26. Method according to any of claims 20 to 25, characterized by opening at a flexible opening in a part of the dome surface of said first and/or the second valve (7, 8) e.g. a dome slit (14, 16).

27. Use of a container according to any of claims 1 to 19 in connection with liquid or semi-liquid food material such as ketchup, mustard, tartare sauce, mayonnaise or salad dressing.