HK1209091B - Container for liquids - Google Patents

Description

Liquid container

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a container assembly for liquids such as beverages and oils, comprising a container, a chime (chime), and a valve assembly for injecting a propellant (propellant) into the container and dispensing the liquid in the container. The invention also relates to a set of container assemblies stacked, for example, on a pallet.

Background

WO2011/134949 relates to a container for liquids such as beverages and oils comprising a blow moulded polyester shell, a valve for dispensing the liquid within the container, and an inlet for injecting a propellant. The shell is surrounded by a stretched, blow-molded polyester shell. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the top and bottom of the housing are formed such that the containers can be placed in a stack, as shown in figure 4 of WO 2011/134949.

It is known from WO2011/134949 that the containers have a high length to width ratio (L/D) and/or a long barrel to facilitate logistics, e.g. more containers can be placed on a pallet and cooling is facilitated, e.g. four containers are mounted in a standard size condensation unit.

The problem of providing stacking aids for kegs, in particular kegs made of synthetic material such as PET, PP or PEN, is solved in DE 102009044314, so that the kegs can be stacked safely and economically on pallets.

For this purpose, DE 102009044314 provides a stacking aid for containers having a first dome-shaped region (top 7 in fig. 1 of DE 102009044314) and a second dome-shaped region (bottom 9). The stacking aid includes a first member releasably disposed in the first dome-shaped region and a second member releasably disposed in the second dome-shaped region.

On pallets, container assemblies such as kegs are subject to large forces, especially during transport.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container assembly which enables palletized shipping to be achieved relatively directly and stably.

To this end, the container assembly according to the invention is characterized in that a portion of the container assembly has a polygonal cross-section, which cross-section at least partially, more preferably substantially fully circumscribes (circumscript) the cross-section of the remainder of the container assembly, when seen from above.

In one embodiment, the polygonal cross-section comprises at least two pairs of parallel sides, which preferably extend at right angles (square, octagonal) or at an angle of about 120 degrees (hexagonal) with respect to each other.

The polygonal cross-section, for example a square, hexagonal or octagonal cross-section containing straight or curved sides, provides an abutting structure, particularly between faces or lines (not just dots) of adjacent container assemblies, and provides a degree of uniformity (coherence) for the various layers stacked on the pallet. Preferably, adjacent polygons, at least by increased friction, limit the rotation and translation (displacement) of the container assemblies with respect to each other, especially during transport.

Furthermore, the polygonal cross-section hinders the container assembly from rolling onto the ground and helps to prevent any damage due to such rolling.

In another embodiment, at least two sides, and more preferably four sides, of the polygonal cross-section comprise self-complementary interlocking structures, i.e. structures that are isomorphic (isomorphic) with their complementary structures, which further enhances stability in the layers of the container assemblies, for example when stacked on the same pallet.

In one embodiment at least one chime, preferably the top chime, has a polygonal cross section, i.e. forms part of the container assembly.

In another embodiment the at least one chime is a separate part that is fixedly mounted to the container, e.g. by screwing or snapping, more preferably around the valve, providing protection and more preferably being removable so that it can be removed when the mounted container is to be used and discarded.

In one embodiment, the receptacle or at least one of the chimes comprises one or more notches or at least one chime bifurcation (divide), thus forming a recess for accommodating the tightening member. Thus, the container assemblies stacked in a layer on the pallet can be pulled together, further enhancing the uniformity within each layer.

In another embodiment, one chime of the container assembly contains an annular rim and the other chime contains an annular step or groove adapted to receive the same annular rim, thereby enhancing stackability and consistency between different layers stacked on the pallet.

In one embodiment, the rigidity of the annular rim is enhanced by adding a wave-like structure to the rim, more preferably locally beyond the periphery of the container body portion, and/or by providing an embossed structure on the container bottom chime, near or on the rim.

In addition to facilitating stackability and palletization, in one embodiment the chime is provided with at least one gripping member for lifting and handling the container assembly.

The invention also relates to a set of container assemblies. In one embodiment, the container assemblies are stacked in layers on a pallet, such as a euro pallet or a partition pallet, and the container assemblies are juxtaposed on one layer, preferably all layers, with their polygonal cross sections abutting, or interlocking, connections.

In another embodiment, the container assemblies on at least one, and preferably all, of the layers in the stack are pushed together by elongated tensioning members, such as with tensioned straps or strings wrapped around the chime of the peripheral container assemblies on that layer.

In one embodiment, a sheet of flexible and/or plastically deformable material, in particular a polymeric film or a hollow plate, is placed between the layers. By placing the next layer of container assemblies on the flexible sheet, the sheet is deformed, i.e. confined between the top and bottom chimes of the respective stacked layers of container assemblies, and pulls the container assemblies together in each layer.

In another embodiment, the container assembly is empty, that is, does not contain a liquid, and is placed upside down. Such orientation helps improve hygiene and facilitates filling of the container assembly because the container assembly does not have to be turned upside down on the filling apparatus.

In another embodiment, the container includes an inner shell for containing the liquid and an outer shell for surrounding the inner shell. In another embodiment, the outer shell comprises two separate parts, e.g. separated along the circumference of the outer shell, wherein at least one part, preferably the top part, is clampingly mounted on the inner shell when the inner shell is pressurized. Another part of the housing may be fixed to the bottom end of the top part, e.g. upside down, by means of e.g. clamping, gluing and/or welding, as will be further explained in the embodiments.

US 2010/0077790 relates to a plastic beer keg comprising an outer container and a liner. A removable lid is secured over the opening of the container for closing the liner. In use, the lid may be removed and ice placed in the container may be placed directly on the liner, the ice flowing into the gap between the liner and the container to rapidly cool the contents of the liner. WO 2010/123864 relates to a similar beer keg, wherein the base of the liner and the base of the container interlock, preventing relative rotation therebetween.

US 3,683,549 relates to a pot having raised and recessed means on each of the angular, upper edge portions, the raised and recessed means on each edge being mirror images of a vertical centre line for the edges to engage with the raised and recessed means of an adjacent pot. From the upper edge portion of flowerpot towards the base, the basin wall is the tapering downwards.

Drawings

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container assembly provided with a multifunctional chime in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 2 and 2A are cross-sectional views of the container assembly shown in FIG. 1;

3-5 are top and perspective views of the multi-functional chime of the container assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6 and 6A are perspective views of the container assembly shown in FIG. 1 in an upside down position;

FIGS. 7 and 7A are bottom views of the container assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 8 and 8A are stacked perspective views of two container assemblies according to the present invention;

figure 9 is a perspective view of a pallet carrying two tiers (4X5) of liquid-filled container assemblies in accordance with the present invention;

figure 10 is a perspective view of a pallet carrying a four-tiered (4X5) empty container assembly according to the present invention;

fig. 11 and 11A are top views of a container assembly according to the present invention.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale and details, which are not necessary for understanding the invention, have been omitted. Moreover, in the figures, elements that are at least substantially identical or that perform at least substantially the same function are referred to by the same numerals.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a container assembly 1 for a gas-containing beverage, in particular beer, which container assembly 1 comprises a container 2, in particular PET (polyethylene terephthalate), made from a stretch blow moulded polyester bottle preform, a valve assembly 3, and a top chime (chime)4 mounted around the valve assembly.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the container 2 includes an inner shell 5 for containing the liquid, and an outer shell 6 for surrounding the inner shell. The housing has a smooth profile, bounded by a cylinder 5A and upper and lower domes 5B, 5C to withstand internal pressure, a central inlet 7 in the top dome 5B formed by the undeformed portion of the preform.

The outer shell comprises two parts 6A and 6B, which are separated in the circumferential direction of the outer shell 6, i.e. in the hoop (hop) direction, relatively close to the bottom of the outer shell, so that the top of the outer shell is longer than the inner shell 5. The top part 6A of the housing comprises a central opening 7 surrounding the valve assembly 3 and is provided with an external thread 8. The bottom part 6B of the housing is provided with mountable petaloid foot members forming an annular rim in the top part of the housing when turned upside down, as will be described in more detail below.

For more details on the valve assembly and other suitable valve assemblies, reference may be made to international patent application WO 00/07902 (see in particular page 8, line 12 and below, in connection with figures 4A and 4B). In this embodiment, a standpipe (not shown) or gas-tight bag (not shown) for receiving the beverage is connected to the valve assembly and is located in the inner housing. For more detailed information on the airtight bag see WO 2011/134949.

The top chime 4 is shown in more detail in fig. 3-5. The rim 4 comprises an octagonal edge defining an octagonal boundary so as to circumscribe the annular periphery of the container 2 and is provided with four sides 10 for abutting the same rim of one or more adjacent container assemblies. The chime also includes a central cylinder 11 provided with an annular opening; and an internal thread 12 for screwing the chime onto the central opening 7 of the outer shell 6 and thereby around the valve assembly 3 of the inner shell 5. More preferably, the inner wall of the central opening 7 is also provided with one or more notches 13 which snap into corresponding projections 14 (fig. 2A) on the outer wall of the central opening of the housing, thus determining the final position of the chime on the container.

In this embodiment, the rim is interconnected with the central cylinder 11 by a plurality of spokes 15, for example 4, between which spokes the same number of clamping members 16 are defined. Both the rim and the spokes are substantially hollow and reinforced by generally radially extending partitions 17.

As shown in fig. 8 and 8A, the upper surface of the chime is provided with an annular groove, which in this embodiment is formed by providing a groove 18 in the upper edge of the partition at the annular edge for receiving the bottom edge of the same container assembly. The bottom wall of the spokes is provided with openings 19 to allow the liquid falling into the chime to drain. The side walls are provided with flat portions 20 or recesses for receiving tensioning members such as flexible straps.

In top view, the four sides of the polygonal chime, which are intended to abut the same chime of an adjacent container assembly, are tangential to the circumference of the container, and these sides should have corner cut members (cutaways) 21 for receiving the coinciding portions of the lower edges 2A of the containers 2.

The bottom shape of the spokes corresponds to the upper shape of the housing, which can support the chime, for example when another container assembly is stacked on top of the container assembly, etc.

Fig. 6-7A show the bottom chime of the container assembly. The bottom part 6B of the housing is petaloid and when turned upside down the lower end of the top part of the housing is pressed and fixed in place by gluing or ultrasonic welding or the like. To further enhance stability, it is preferred that the wall, represented by line 22 (in fig. 7A), on the edge 2A is undulated to increase its effective thickness and rigidity and/or to make the wall substantially thicker, preferably at least 2 times the wall thickness of the cylindrical section of the shell. In the embodiment shown, the rigidity of the annular edge 2A can be further enhanced by the circumferential embossing structure 23.

In this example, the vessel has a net capacity of 20 liters, a total length of about 57cm and a width of about 24cm, giving an aspect ratio (L/D) of 2.4. Thus, on a standard euro pallet (800 x 1200mm), multiple layers of 4x5 container assemblies per layer can be loaded.

Figure 9 shows such a pallet 25 carrying an assembly of two juxtaposed levels of containers filled with a beverage such as beer. The container assemblies in each layer are pushed together by tightening the strap 26 around the chime 4 of the outer ring container assembly in that layer.

Figure 10 shows a pallet 25 carrying four layers of container assemblies placed side by side. In this embodiment, the container assembly is empty and placed upside down. A sheet of flexible material (not shown), in particular a polymer film, is placed between the layers. By placing the next layer of container assemblies on the flexible sheet, the flexible sheet deforms, thereby drawing the container assemblies together in each layer.

Fig. 11 and 11A show another embodiment of a container assembly according to the invention in which adjacent sides of the chime contain self-complementary interlocking structures, in this embodiment a protrusion 30 and a corresponding groove 31 on each side.

The top chime provides an abutment and mutual support function between the containers of the same layer and inhibits rotation and translation (displacement) of the container assemblies relative to each other, particularly during transport.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, which can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the claims.

Claims (12)

1. A container assembly (1) for liquids, comprising: a container (2); a top chime (4); and a valve assembly (3) for injecting propellant into the container (2) and dispensing liquid from the container (2), wherein the top chime is mounted around the valve assembly and is provided with at least one gripping means for lifting and manipulating the container assembly, and wherein the top chime (4) has a polygonal cross section which at least partially circumscribes a cross section of the container assembly (1) and has a flat portion which is tangential to the circumference of the container.

2. Container assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the polygonal cross-section comprises at least two pairs of parallel sides extending at right angles to each other.

3. A container assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least two sides of the polygonal cross-section comprise self-complementary interlocking structures (30, 31).

4. Container assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the top chime (4) is a separate part mounted to the container (2) around the valve assembly (3).

5. Container assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container (2) or the top chime (4) comprises one or more notches or the top chime is bifurcated, thus defining a recess for accommodating the tightening member (26).

6. Container assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bottom chime (6B) of the container assembly comprises an annular rim (2A) and the top chime (4) comprises an annular step or groove (18) adapted to receive the same annular rim (2A).

7. Container assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein said annular rim (2A) is undulated.

8. Container assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein the bottom chime (6B) of the container assembly (1) is provided with an embossing structure (23) near or on the annular rim (2A).

9. A group of container assemblies (1) according to claim 1, wherein the container assemblies (1) are stacked in layers on a pallet (25) and container assemblies (1) juxtaposed in the same layer are adjoined by their polygonal cross-sections.

10. Group of container assemblies (1) according to claim 9, wherein the container assemblies (1) in at least one layer in the stack are pushed together by means of elongated tensioning members (26).

11. Group of container assemblies (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein a sheet of flexible material and/or a sheet of plastically deformable material is placed between the layers.

12. Group of container assemblies (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the container assemblies (1) are empty and placed upside down.