AU2004242481B2 - Container - Google Patents

Description

P/00/01I Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: CONTAINER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to containers and specifically containers for use with liquids and association with feeder tubes. 5 BACKGROUND Containers for porting liquids are well known within the art. However, problems arise when there is a need for a container to be associated with a dispenser of some means, for example, a spray nozzle, drench gun or the like. This is particularly the case where the container is filled with hazardous liquids or liquids which it is undesirable to handle. In such situations it 10 is desirable to have the container remaining in an upright position at all times. When liquid needs to be dispensed rather than inverting the container it is preferable that an internal feeder tube system is used to draw the liquid from the well at the bottom of the container. The cap to the container incorporates a valve to prevent a vacuum collapsing the pack and preventing liquid being dispensed. Such feeder tube arrangements are in relatively common 15 use. To ensure that the feeder tube reaches from its attachment underneath the container cap to the bottom of the container it is essential that the feeder tube is of a slightly greater length that the height from the cap to the bottom of the container. Where such feeder tubes are supplied with the container they have traditionally been packed 20 in an outer carton with the container. To save the cost of supplying an outer carton and ensure that the feeder tube is readily available at all times it is desirable to have some external means for holding a feeder tube to the container. This in itself poses additional difficulties. By way of example, it is necessary to configure 25 the arrangement such that, the feeder tube is located on the exterior of the container but does not protrude beyond the physical bounds of the container. If the feeder tube extends beyond the bounds of the container the packing and transport costs would significantly increase. However, the feeder tube must.be sufficiently long so that it can extend from the container 2 opening to the well at the bottom of the container so that substantially all of the liquid contained therein can be extracted. There is a need for an improved container provided with a means to attach a feeder 5 tube. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a container comprising a top and a bottom and walls linking the top to the bottom and having a sealable opening at a position between the 10 top and the bottom and wherein a wall is provided with receiving means adapted to receive a feeder tube; wherein a wall of the container is provided with a cavity adapted to receive additional material to be co-delivered or used in association with the container. 15 In a preferred embodiment the invention comprises a container defining a top and bottom and having an opening at a position intermediate between said top and bottom. Preferably, the container wall defines a recess, which is adapted to receive and hold a feeder tube. 20 Preferably, the recess for the feeder tube is arranged on the container, such that, the feeder tube when attached to the container, does not extend beyond the physical boundaries of the container. 25 Preferably, the recess is adapted to receive a feeder tube, which is longer in length than the distance between the opening and bottom of the container. Preferably, the container also provides handle means. 30 301536_1.doc 2a More preferably, the handle means comprise an aperture integrally moulded in the container. Preferably, the recess has engaging means, which engage with the feeder tube to hold it 5 within the recess. Preferably, the container also defines receivers through which, straps to hold the container in place either on a holder or directly onto a person's back may be attached. 10 More preferably, the container also defines the cavity, which is suitable for receiving said straps when not in use. 301536_1.doc -3 An important feature of the container is the position of the opening of the device intermediate between the top and bottom of the container. It is desirable that the opening sits in a position biased towards the top of the container so that the volume with liquid that may be contained may be maximised. 5 Positioning the opening at a position intermediate between the top and bottom of the container decreases the distance between the opening and the well at the bottom of the container. This means a feeder tube which is of equivalent length to the distance between the top and bottom of the container will be sufficiently long to extend from the opening of the contained and to curve into the well at the bottom of the container. 10 In most cases, the recess will be arranged perpendicular to the bottom of the container however it is envisaged that diagonal arrangements may also be usable. A diagonal arrangement would provide the requisite length to allow attachment of a feeder tube, which is greater in length than the distance between the opening and the bottom of the container. In a further variation it is envisaged that a hose which is spiral on storage may be attached 15 and stored within a cavity. The end of the hose may be weighted to ensure it sinks to the bottom of the container. The arrangement of the present invention is advantageous as it allows storage of the feeder tube of suitable length on the outside of the container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 20 Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only. Throughout the description reference we made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective of a container of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the opposite side of the container shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment. 25 Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the opposite side of the container shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 shows a similar embodiment to the shown in Figure 3.

-4 Figure 6 shows the opposite side of the container shown in Figure 5. DESCRIPTION The following examples are given by way of illustration only and shall not be taken as being 5 in any way limiting as to the spirit or scope of the invention. Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures. Turning to Figure 1, the container of the present invention is indicated by arrow 10. The container has a lid 11, which is positioned at a height intermediate between the top of the 10 container 12 and the bottom of the container 13. The bottom of the container defines a well 14. In addition, handle means 15 are provided by an aperture formed integral with the container. A recess 16 is provided. The recess runs between the top and the bottom of the container and is positioned adjacent the opening, covered by the lid 11. As can be seen, a feeder tube 15 sits inside the recess and is located such that it runs from the bottom of the container and terminates in a position intermediate between the height of the opening and the top of the container. Engaging means are provided as protrusions 18 to ensure the feeder tube 17 is held in the recess 16 by a snap fit arrangement. 20 In addition, a cavity 19 is provided. The cavity is designed to receive any additional materials to be co-delivered with the container. Any additional material can be coiled and located in the cavity 19 and can be held in place by the label 20. Figure 2 shows the other side of the container shown in Figure 1. The lid 11 covers the opening and the handle means 15 is visible. In addition, the position of the label 20 on this 25 surface is also visible. Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of the invention. The configuration is similar to that of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the opening is covered with the lid 11 and is positioned at a height intermediate between the top of the container 12 from the bottom of the container -5 13. The container has, at its base, a well portion 14. In addition, handle means 15 are provided by an aperture integrally formed with the container. A recess 16 is biased towards one side of the container. This recess 16 runs length of the height between the bottom 12 and the top 13 of the container. The recess is configured to receive a feeder tube 17 and 5 engaging means in the form of protrusions 18 are provided to retain the feeder tube within the recess. The container provides cavities 19 and 22 to receive any additional material, which needs to be delivered with the container. The material is held within the cavities 19 and 22 by a label 20. 10 In addition, receivers 21 in the form of apertures are shown. The receivers 21 are configured to receive straps to attach the container to another item or to a user. Figure 4 shows the opposite surface of the container. The opening covered by a lid 11 is visible together with the aperture 15, the label position 20 and the receivers 21. Figure 5 is a smaller version of the embodiment shown in Figure 3. The same features are 15 visible. The opposite side of the embodiment shown in Figure 5. Positioning the opening in a position intermediate between the top and bottom of the container increases the distance between the top and bottom of the container while decreasing the relative distance between the opening and the bottom of the container. This enables the feeder tube of a height up to the distance between the top and bottom of the 20 container to be attached to the container without extending beyond the physical boundaries defined by the container. At the same time the feeder tube will be of sufficient length to reach from the opening of the container to the well defined at the bottom portion of the container. Accordingly, the feeder tube while being retained on the outside of the container will be of sufficient length to allow 25 access to the complete contents of the container. It will be appreciated that various arrangements of the recess may be included to achieve the same advantage. By way of example, the recess need not run directly the length of the distance between the top and bottom of the container but may run diagonally across the 6 container surface. This arrangement would provide the difference in height required between the opening and the base of the container and the top and bottom of the container. 5 In addition, the cavity may be enlarged to allow inclusion of a spiral feeder tube. This would allow a feeder tube of greater length in the top and bottom of the container to be incorporated without extending beyond the physical boundaries of the container. And finally it will be appreciated that various other alternatives and modifications may 10 be made to the full going without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, 15 integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of 20 these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application. 25 3015361 doc

Claims (17)

1. A container comprising a top and a bottom and walls linking the top to the bottom and having a sealable opening at a position between the top and the bottom and wherein a wall is provided with receiving means adapted to receive 5 a feeder tube; wherein a wall of the container is provided with a cavity adapted to receive additional material to be co-delivered or used in association with the container. 10

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving means is a recess within the wall that is provided with one or more feeder tube retaining members adapted to retain a feeder tube within the recess once a feeder tube is fitted within the recess. 15

3. A container as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein the receiving means is so located on the wall as to prevent a feeder tube of substantially unalterable predetermined dimensions, when correctly fitted to the container, from extending beyond the boundary defined by the periphery of the container. 20

4. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cavity is screw threaded and the equipment is contained in a complementary screw threaded container,

5. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cavity contains the material and the mouth of the cavity is sealed by a label that overlies the mouth of the cavity 25 and spans a portion of the wall of the container,

6. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cavity and the receiving means are located on the same wall of the container. 30

7. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess is open ended.

8. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container is adapted to receive one or more straps. 35 3015361 .oc 8

9. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is supplied with a feeder tube removable fitted to the receiving means of the container. 5

10. A container as claimed in claim 9, wherein the feeder tube is selected from the group comprising spiral (and thus extendible) tubes and rigid elongate liner tubes.

11. A container as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the container and the feeder 10 tube are made frorn a plastic material.

12. A container as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the feeder tube is longer in length than the shortest distance separating the bottom of the container from the top opening when the container is in a normal resting attitude. 15

13. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container contains a liquid.

14. A container substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated 20 in figures 1-6 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A container substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 1 & 2 of the accompanying drawings. 25

16. A substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 3 & 4 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 5 & 6 of the accompanying drawings. 30 301536 1.doc