EP3789307A1

EP3789307A1 - Fluid container assembly

Info

Publication number: EP3789307A1
Application number: EP20194270.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Veijo Aikio
Original assignee: Inno Vai Oy
Current assignee: Inno Vai Oy
Priority date: 2019-09-04
Filing date: 2020-09-03
Publication date: 2021-03-10
Also published as: FI128997B; FI20195732A1

Abstract

A fluid container assembly comprising a plurality of walls and support means which have a basic surface (42). The plurality of walls define a fluid container and comprise a first wall (11), second wall (12), third wall (13), and fourth wall (14). The first wall (11) is provided with a container mouth (2). The fluid container assembly has a basic position in which the fluid container assembly is in a stable balance. The support means have a rocking surface (44) so that the fluid container assembly has an emptying position in which the fluid container assembly is adapted to be in contact with the container base (77) by means of an emptying portion (448) of the rocking surface (44), and the fluid container assembly seeks to move to the basic position from the emptying position by way of gravity.

Description

Background of the invention

The invention relates to a fluid container assembly.
A problem with many of the known fluid container assemblies is that pouring fluid from the fluid container assembly is difficult. In particular in cases where the mass of a fluid container assembly is moderately high, such as 5 kg or more, precise dosing of a fluid out of a fluid container assembly typically means that the fluid container assembly has to be tilted by two hands.

Brief description of the invention

It is an object of the invention to develop a fluid container assembly so that the aforementioned problem may be solved. The object of the invention is achieved by a fluid container assembly which is characterised by what is disclosed in the independent claim. Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.
The invention is based on providing a fluid container assembly with support means that provide a basic position and an emptying position for the fluid container assembly where, in the emptying position, a mouth of the container is lower than in the basic position, and the fluid container assembly seeks to move to the basic position from the emptying position by way of gravity.
An advantage of the fluid container assembly of the invention is that it is simple to pour fluid from the fluid container assembly by deviating the position of the fluid container from the basic position towards the emptying position while the fluid container assembly is supported to a container base, such as a surface of a table, with its support means. When fluid is being poured, a user need not support the entire weight of the fluid container assembly, because the container base applies support forces to the fluid container assembly by means of the support means.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described in more detail in connection with preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a fluid container assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 shows the fluid container assembly of Figure 1 in a storage position;
Figure 3 shows an unopened fluid container assembly of Figure 1 in the basic position;
Figure 4 shows the fluid container assembly of Figure 1 in an intermediate position in which some fluid has been poured out of the fluid container; and
Figure 5 shows the fluid container assembly of Figure 1 in the emptying position in which more fluid has been poured out of the fluid container than in Figure 4.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 shows a fluid container assembly which comprises a fluid container defined by a plurality of walls, support means having a basic surface 42 and a rocking surface 44, as well as fluid inside the fluid container. The plurality of walls comprise a first wall 11, second wall 12, third wall 13, fourth wall 14, fifth wall 15, and a sixth wall 16. In the first wall 11, a container mouth 2 is provided, which is adapted to provide a fluid connection between the inner space of the fluid container and the surroundings.
Each of the plurality of walls 11 to 16 is a substantially planar wall. The second wall 12 is located in a first direction at a distance from the first wall 11, the first direction being a vertical direction in Figure 2. The first wall 11 defines a first plane, and the second wall 12 defines a second plane so that a first angle α1 between the first plane and second plane is 12°. In an alternative embodiment, the first angle between the first plane and second plane is 7 to 25°.
The third wall 13 and fourth wall 14 are mutually almost parallel and located at a distance from each other in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. In Figure 2, the second direction is a direction perpendicular to the plane of the figure. The third wall 13 and fourth wall 14 connect the first wall 11 and second wall 12 to each other.
The fifth wall 15 and sixth wall 16 are mutually parallel and located at a distance from each other in a third direction which is perpendicular to the first direction and second direction. In Figure 2, the third direction is a horizontal direction. The fifth wall and sixth wall 16 connect the first wall 11 and second wall 12 to each other. In addition, the fifth wall 15 and sixth wall 16 connect the third wall 13 and fourth wall 14 to each other. The fifth wall 15 and sixth wall 16 are perpendicular to the second wall 12.
The fluid container assembly is adapted to be piled in such a manner that in a pile the fifth wall 15 of the fluid container assembly is supported to the sixth wall 16 of another fluid container assembly. In a pile, the fifth wall and sixth wall 16 are parallel. To establish a piling ability, the third wall 13 and fourth wall 14 are not entirely mutually parallel, but the planes they define are at a small, less than 2° angle in relation to each other.
Figures 2 to 5 show the fluid container assembly partly in cross section so that the first wall 11 and sixth wall 16 are presented by dashed lines. In addition, the fluid surface is shown in Figures 3 to 5 by a dashed line 66.
In Figure 2, the fluid container assembly is in its storage position in which the normal of the outer surface of the second wall 12 is directed straight down, and the first wall 11 forms the top surface of the fluid container. The second wall 12 is in contact with the container base 77 which is a planar, horizontal surface.
In Figure 3, a full fluid container assembly is in its basic position in which the fluid container assembly is in a stable balance, the normal of the outer surface of the second wall 12 is at a basic angle β in relation to the vertical, and the fluid container assembly is in contact with the container base 77 by means of the basic surface 42. The basic angle β is 65°. In alternative embodiments, the basic angle is within the range 50 to 75°. When the fluid container assembly is in the basic position, the normal of the outer surface of the first wall 11 is pointed slightly upward.
The container mouth 2 is located at an edge area of the first surface 11 so that when the fluid container assembly is in the basic position the container mouth 2 is higher than the centre point of the first wall 11. When the fluid container assembly is in its storage position, the container mouth 2 is also higher than the centre point of the first wall 11. The container mouth 2 is additionally so placed that when the fluid container assembly is in the basic position there is, inside the fluid container and above the upper edge of the container mouth 2, an upper space 33 which is adapted to prevent gurgling when fluid is being poured out of the fluid container. In various embodiments, the ratio of the upper space volume to the total volume of the fluid container is in the range 2 to 10%.
The volume of the fluid in the fluid container is smaller than the total volume of the fluid container so that when an unopened fluid container assembly is in its basic position the fluid level 66 is flush with the bottom edge of the container mouth 2. This way, no fluid will pour out of the fluid container even if the container mouth 2 were open. In alternative embodiments, the volume of the fluid in an unopened fluid container is smaller than the total volume of the fluid container so that when a fluid container assembly is in its basic position, the fluid surface is lower than the container mouth.
In the embodiment of Figure 1, the container mouth 2 is closed with a screw cap 92. In an alternative embodiment, the container mouth is closed with a tap, and the container mouth is located below the fluid surface in the basic position of the fluid container assembly.
In Figure 5, the fluid container assembly is in its emptying position in which the fluid container assembly is in contact with the container base 77 by means of an emptying portion 448 of the rocking surface 44, the container mouth 2 is located lower than in the basic position, and the container mouth 2 is located on the opposite side of an emptying position plane 108 than the centre of gravity of the fluid container assembly so that the fluid container assembly seeks to move to the basic position from the emptying position by way of gravity. The emptying position plane 108 is a vertical plane passing through the emptying portion 448. In Figure 5, fluid has been poured out of the fluid container to the extent that the fluid surface 66 is flush with the bottom edge of the container mouth 2.
The fluid container assembly is adapted to be tilted to the emptying position from the basic position, resting on the rocking surface 44. At one end, the rocking surface 44 borders on the basic surface 42.
The rocking surface 44 is a curved surface. In an alternative embodiment, the rocking surface is another type of non-linear surface.
All the positions of the fluid container assembly between the basic position and emptying position are intermediate positions in which the fluid container assembly is adapted to be in contact with the container base by means of a respective intermediate portion 444 of the rocking surface 44, and the container mouth 2 is located on the opposite side of an intermediate position plane 104 than the centre of gravity of the fluid container assembly so that the fluid container assembly seeks to move to the basic position from the intermediate position by way of gravity. The intermediate position plane 104 is a vertical plane passing through the intermediate portion 444. Figure 4 shows an intermediate position of the fluid container assembly. In Figure 4, fluid has been poured out of the fluid container to the extent that the fluid surface 66 is flush with the bottom edge of the container mouth 2.
When the fluid container assembly is in the emptying position of Figure 5, the first portion of the volume of the fluid container is located over the bottom edge of the container mouth 2, the first portion being 80%. In alternative embodiments, the first portion is in the range 80 to 100%.
The rocking surface 44 is located at a distance from the fluid container so that when the fluid container assembly is in the emptying position, the fluid container is in its entirety located at a distance from the container base, the distance in question being larger than the wall thickness of the fluid container. The rocking surface 44 comprises a first rocking surface portion 471 and a second rocking surface portion 472, which are located at a distance from each other in the second direction. The first rocking surface portion 471 is formed by the third wall 13, and the second rocking surface portion 472 is formed by the fourth wall 14. In other words, the first rocking surface portion 471 and the second rocking surface portion 472 are formed by extensions of the third wall 13 and fourth wall 14, which do not take part in defining the fluid container.
The basic surface 42 is located at a distance from the fluid container. The basic surface 42 comprises a first basic surface portion 491 and a second basic surface portion 492, which are located at a distance from each other in the second direction. The first basic surface portion 491 is formed by the third wall 13, and the second basic surface portion 492 is formed by the fourth wall 14. The first basic surface portion 491 and the second basic surface portion 492 are formed by extensions of the third wall 13 and fourth wall 14, which do not take part in defining the fluid container. In alternative embodiments, at least the largest part of the basic surface is located at a distance from the fluid container, the distance in question being larger than the wall thickness of the fluid container.
The fluid container assembly is adapted to move between the positions shown in Figures 2 to 5 by turning around a tilt axis. The tilt axis in parallel with the second direction, that is, the tilt axis is in Figures 2 to 5 perpendicular to the plane of the figures.
In the embodiment of Figure 1, the plurality of walls are made of fluid packaging board, and all the gluing between the walls is located outside the fluid container. The gluing is located in the extensions of the third wall 13 and fourth wall 14, which do not take part in defining the fluid container. In an alternative embodiment, the walls are made of paperboard, with the inner parts of the fluid container being covered by a plastic bag.
In some embodiments, the volume of the fluid container is within the range 3 to 30 litres. If the volume of the fluid containers falls within the range 5 to 10 litres, the fluid container may be made by using typical packaging machines in use in Finland.
It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the basic idea of the invention may be implemented in many different ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not restricted to the above-described examples but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

A fluid container assembly comprising:
a plurality of walls which define a fluid container, the plurality of walls comprising a first wall (11), second wall (12), third wall (13), and fourth wall (14), of which the first wall (11) is provided with a container mouth (2) which is adapted to provide a fluid connection between an inner space of the fluid container and the surroundings, the second wall (12) being located in a first direction at a distance from the first wall (11);

support means having a basic surface (42); and

fluid inside the fluid container so that the fluid container assembly has a basic position in which the fluid container assembly is in a stable balance, the normal of the outer surface of the second wall (12) is at a basic angle (β) in relation to the vertical, and the fluid container assembly is adapted to be in contact with a container base (77) by means of the basic surface (42), the container base (77) being a planar horizontal surface, and

the support means have a rocking surface (44) so that the fluid container assembly has an emptying position in which the fluid container assembly is adapted to be in contact with the container base (77) by means of an emptying portion (448) of the rocking surface (44), the container mouth (2) is located lower than in the basic position, and the container mouth (2) is located on the opposite side of an emptying position plane (108) than the centre of gravity of the fluid container assembly so that the fluid container assembly seeks to move to the basic position from the emptying position by way of gravity, the emptying position plane (108) being a vertical plane passing through the emptying portion (448),

characterized in that all the plurality of walls (11 to 16) are substantially planar walls, and the rocking surface (44) comprises a first rocking surface portion (471) and a second rocking surface portion (472), which are located at a distance from each other in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction, the first rocking surface portion (471) being formed by the third wall (13) and the second rocking surface portion (472) being formed by the fourth wall (14).
A fluid container assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that all the positions of the fluid container assembly between the basic position and emptying position are intermediate positions in which the fluid container assembly is adapted to be in contact with the container base (77) by means of a respective intermediate portion (444) of the rocking surface (44), and the container mouth (2) is located on the opposite side of an intermediate position plane (104) than the centre of gravity of the fluid container assembly so that the fluid container assembly seeks to move to the basic position from the intermediate position by way of gravity, the intermediate position plane (104) being a vertical plane passing through the intermediate portion (444).
A fluid container assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the fluid container assembly is in the emptying position, a first portion of the volume of the fluid container is located above the bottom edge of the container mouth (2), the first portion being in the range 80 to 100%.
A fluid container assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rocking surface (44) is located at a distance from the fluid container so that when the fluid container assembly is in the emptying position, the fluid container is in its entirety located higher than the container base (77).
A fluid container assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least most of the basic surface (42) is located at a distance from the fluid container.
A fluid container assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first angle (α1) between a first plane defined by the first wall (11) and a second plane defined by the second wall (12) is between 7 and 25°.
A fluid container assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container mouth (2) is so placed that when the fluid container assembly is in the basic position there is, inside the fluid container and over the upper edge of the container mouth (2), an upper space (33).
A fluid container assembly as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the ratio of the upper space (33) volume to the total volume of the fluid container is in the range 2 to 10%.
A fluid container assembly as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the volume of the fluid in the fluid container is smaller than the total volume of the fluid container so that when the fluid container assembly is in its basic position the fluid level is flush with or lower than the bottom edge of the container mouth (2).
A fluid container assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container mouth (2) is located at an edge area of the first surface (11) so that when the fluid container assembly is in the basic position the container mouth (2) is higher than the centre point of the first wall (11).
A fluid container assembly as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the container mouth (2) is closed with a screw cap.
A fluid container assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid container assembly has a storage position in which the normal of the outer surface of the second wall (12) is directed straight down, and the first wall (11) forms the top surface of the fluid container.
A fluid container assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plurality of walls (11 to 16) are made of fluid packaging board.