HK1089736B - Flexible liquid container - Google Patents

Description

Flexible container for liquids

Technical Field

[01] The invention relates to a liquid soft container with a self-sealing pouring sleeve.

Background

[02] Soft containers for containing a beverage or other liquid have several advantages over rigid containers, in particular: low manufacturing cost, minimal use of materials, and small volume after use. However, without a separate pouring spout welded or glued to the flexible flap of the container, such flexible containers cannot be easily reclosed once opened, and therefore tend to allow the liquid to flow out. Thus, once the container is opened, the user must grasp the container and cannot place the container on a table or other surface until the container is completely emptied to avoid unwanted leakage.

[03] To address this problem, various types of flexible containers with self-sealing sockets have been proposed. It is generally proposed either to create a resistance to the passage of liquid by providing the container with an elongate channel communicating with the socket, which channel creates a strong resistance to flow, as described for example in patents GB 769810 and US 4,988,016, or to provide a constriction or other obstruction in the vicinity of the socket which creates a strong resistance to the passage of liquid, as described in patent US 5,411,178.

[04] In patents US 4,988,016 and GB 769810, the self-closing action depends mainly on the elastic characteristics of the material constituting the container, the dimensions of the socket and the characteristics of the liquid. In systems that rely on locally strong resistance, such as the one described in patent US 5,411,178, the self-sealing effect depends to a large extent on the dimensions of the channel and on the characteristics of the liquid, in particular the surface tension of the liquid. In all these old methods, the self-sealing action is largely dependent on the characteristics of the liquid and/or the properties of the bladder material, and a given geometry of the socket is often used for only one particular liquid, since the self-sealing action is sensitive to dimensional changes of the pipe or constriction. Another important drawback is that in these systems, in order to obtain a reliable self-sealing action, a great resistance is required in the outlet duct which strongly limits the flow rate, thus requiring the user to apply a great squeezing force in order to empty the container. In particular, after the first use of the container, the self-sealing action tends to diminish, thus leading to unintentional leakage.

[05] The same is true of the container described in patent application WO 98/01361, which provides sockets of different shapes depending on the liquid to be preserved.

[06] Other known methods of closure suggest that the user create a fold after use, as described in US patents US 3,278,085, US 5,228,782 and US 6,244,468. These methods have the disadvantage of not being self-sealing and require manipulation by the user.

Disclosure of Invention

[07] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bladder for liquids with an improved self-closing socket over known bladders.

[08] The invention is advantageous in that the self-sealing action is less dependent on the nature of the liquid contained in the container and is therefore reliable and the liquid can be dispensed without the need for the user to exert excessive pressure.

[09] The advantages of the present invention are that the pour sleeve of the container is simple in shape and therefore easy to manufacture, uses minimal material, and is cost effective.

[10] To achieve the object of the invention, a flexible container is proposed having the features of claim 1, particular embodiments being described in the accompanying claims.

Drawings

[11] A particular embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[12] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a container according to the present invention;

[13] FIG. 2 is a front view of the container of the previous figures positioned on a planar surface;

[14] FIG. 3 is an external view of the same container placed on a planar surface;

[15] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a container according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[16] fig. 5 is a perspective view of the second embodiment.

Detailed Description

[17] The container 1 shown in the figures is made up of two blades 10, 11 of soft material of identical shape and size, which are connected to each other by a welding or gluing assembly 12 which forms the outline of the container 1. In addition to the contour of the container itself, the assembly line 12 in the shape of a weld forms a projecting spigot 13 on a part of the contour of the container. The socket 13 and the container 1 are thus formed from the same soft material blades and therefore comprise a projecting socket portion 130 leading into the interior of the soft container 1. Ferrule 13 may additionally include a tear-away port 131 that allows a portion to be detached from ferrule 13, thereby opening ferrule 13 and raised ferrule portion 130.

[18] Within the bladder 1, near where the raised socket portion 130 opens into the bladder, two soft leaves 10, 11 of polymer or other soft material are welded or glued together to form a barrier 14 opposite the raised socket portion. The welding barrier 14 is elongated in shape and extends between the ends 15 of the profile weld 12 across the outlet channel, leaving two channels 140, 141 in the direction of the raised socket portion 130. The length L spanned is less than the total length of the profile weld 12, preferably less than 10%. The elongated obstacles are preferably substantially parallel to the portions of the profile weld 12 on either side of the outlet pipe.

[19] When the container 1 is filled through a not shown socket and the container 1 is permanently closed after filling, most of the central parts of the two walls 10 and 11 forming the container 1 separate and expand, as can be seen in fig. 2 and 3.

[20] During filling of the container 1 and during expansion of the walls 10, 11, two folds are produced in each wall 10, 11 through the narrow passages 140, 141 approximately along the axes 142, 143 shown in fig. 1. The deformation action of walls 10 and 11 in the vicinity of the end of obstacle 14, which is the portion of narrow channel 140 and 141 on either side, close to each wall 10 and 11, respectively, is such as to create a crease approximately along axes 142, 143, which are prevented from separating.

[21] The folds 142, 143 and the generally elongated barrier 15 approximately along the dashed pincer line 144 shown in fig. 1 and the portion 12a of the assembly line extending between the fold lines 142, 143 form a surface portion having a tendency to curve (bow) inwardly, as shown in fig. 2 and 3. The arcuate region 145 of the sleeve, including between the folds 142, 143, has the effect of causing the two flexible leaves to abut one another in this region, thereby forming a valve that prevents the flow of liquid through the channels 140, 141 and the apertures of the projecting sleeve portion 130.

[22]When the bladder is placed on a flat surface, as shown in figures 2 and 3, a vertical force F_vThe arching effect of the folds 142, 143 and the arching region 145 tends to be accentuated, applied approximately over a large part of the central portion of the upper wall 10, thus increasing the effectiveness of the valve action.

[23]This accentuation of the folds 142, 143 in the vicinity of the channels 140, 141 and the arcuate zone 143 following the application of a force F substantially perpendicular to the plane of the flexible blades_vThe weighting is particularly advantageous because they effectively prevent liquid leakage when the bladder is in its natural position on a substantially planar surface, even when another object that increases the pressure within the container is placed over the container.

[24] It is noted that the arcuate region 145 is symmetrical in that the region 145 is bowed to one side or the other of the container. The arcuate curvature is a result of the relative positions and specific geometries of the welded or adhered barrier 15 and the raised socket portion 130 and adhesive tape portion 12a, which together form the shape of the creases 142, 143. In particular, the folds 142 and 143 and the obstacle 15 form a pincer line 144, which brings the two leaves into abutment against each other, which line is not a straight line, but instead has the overall shape of a curve, the ends of which intersect the outer assembly line. This non-linear pincer line around the raised ferrule may act to bow the ferrule region 145.

[25]In order to allow the liquid to flow out through the sleeve 13, the user only has to exert a certain pressure on the container, in particular in a direction F substantially perpendicular to the plane of the obstacle 14_nThe container is at least partially squeezed, thus opening the lips that block the narrow channels 140, 141. Releasing this squeezing action re-closes the narrow passage, thus closing the container.

[26]In a direction F substantially perpendicular to the welding plane of the obstacle_nSqueezing the container has the effect of reducing the bow as the pressure of the liquid in the container increases and reducing the folds 142, 143, which act to open the lips of the soft vanes at the entrance to the channels 141, 140 to allow the liquid to exit. In fact, when a pressing force F_nApproximately at the side portion 12b of the assembly line, there is a tensile force F as the pressure in the container increases_TAnd a rotational moment F_RThe action assembly line acts on the portion near the ferrule with a tendency to flatten out, i.e., reduce the bow of the ferrule region 145.

[27] Since the length of the narrow channels 140, 141 is very short and the geometry is very simple, the blocking function does not depend to a great extent on the nature of the liquid and the elasticity of the material constituting the package as in known flexible containers. On the other hand, since no special shape of the projecting ferrule 13 is required, the ferrule 13 can be very compact and simple, for example rectilinear like the example shown in the figures, which facilitates manufacture and use of the ferrule and reduces the use of material. Another advantage is that the shape of the weld created for the creation of the obstacle is very simple, so that the welding for the creation of the obstacle can be performed quickly and economically by means of industrial packaging machines in the same operation for the creation of the outer weld.

[28] A given flexible package can also contain any type of liquid, regardless of the chemical compatibility of the liquid with the material comprising the container.

[29] A substantially circular container 1 is shown, but the container may be of any shape suitable for its use. In the case where the shape of the container comprises a straight edge, the container may be formed by a single blade of soft material folded onto itself on this straight edge, the other edges being welded to each other to form the container.

[30] Also, the illustrated and described embodiment includes a barrier 14 that forms two narrow passages 140 and 141. It is also possible to have one end of the obstacle 14 in contact with the part closest to the weld 12, thus leaving only a narrow passage, so that only one fold is formed in the walls 10 and 11 when filling the container.

[31] In another embodiment, such as that shown in figures 4 and 5, the overall shape of the container is rectangular and the sockets 13 are located at one corner of the rectangle, projecting in a direction approximately along the inclined axis of the median line between the adjacent rectangular edges. In this embodiment, a barrier 14' is opposite the ferrule as in the previous embodiment, but differs in that the barrier is provided with a central passage 146. In this embodiment, the arcuate bending action of the socketed region 145 created by the pincer-like wires 144 is substantially the same as in the previously described embodiments. However, due to the rectangular shape of the container and the location of the socket in one corner of the rectangle, the user squeezing the central portion of the opposite edge 12b of the container creates a lower tension and rotational moment in the area of the socket 145 than in the previously described embodiments.

[32] For such elongated shapes where the squeeze on the container is relatively far from the ferrule or where the position of the ferrule of the container is not symmetrical to the squeeze on the container, a central channel 146 in the welding barrier may be provided to facilitate the flow of liquid in the channel of the ferrule.

Claims (11)

1. Soft-filled container (1) for containing a liquid, comprising two walls (10, 11) made of a soft material, the overlapping free edges of said walls being assembled together by means of a welded or glued assembly line (12) so as to form a sealed inner volume of said container, said walls further forming a socket (13) projecting outwards over a portion of the rim of said container and a projecting socket portion (130) connecting said socket and said inner volume of said container,

said container is characterised in that one or more obstacles (14, 14') formed by welding or gluing of said two walls are provided in said inner volume, substantially opposite to the socket portion (130) leading to said projection and close to said projection socket portion (130), so as to limit the section of passage of the liquid between said inner volume and said socket portion (130), while leaving at least one narrow passage (140, 141, 146), and by causing an arched curvature of a surface portion comprising said socket, this surface portion being substantially delimited by said obstacles and by folds (142, 143) substantially transverse to said obstacles.

2. A filling container according to claim 1, wherein the obstacle (14) is formed by welding assembly of two opposite portions of each flexible wall (10, 11).

3. Filling vessel according to claim 1, wherein the obstacle (14) forms two narrow channels (140, 141) on both sides of the protruding socket tube part (130).

4. A filling vessel according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein the socket (13) is of an overall rectilinear shape extending perpendicularly to the vessel profile section where the socket (13) meets.

5. A filling vessel according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein the socket (13) comprises a tear-off opening (131).

6. Filling container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said container is constituted by a leaf of soft material folded on itself so as to constitute said two walls (10, 11).

7. Filling container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the container is constituted by two leaves of soft material so as to constitute the two walls (10, 11).

8. A filling container according to any of the preceding claims 1-3, wherein the obstacle (14) is in the form of a long line extending between the two ends (15) of the assembly line overlapping the sides of the pipe socket.

9. A refill container according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said barrier overlaps the assembly line on both sides of said sleeve by less than 5% of the total length of said assembly line.

10. Filling vessel according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein the obstacle (14) extends partly substantially parallel to the assembly line (12) arranged on both sides of the socket (13).

11. A filling vessel according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein the vessel comprises at least two obstacles (14 '), the at least two obstacles (14') being separated by a narrow channel (146) opposite the protruding socket tube portion (130).