GB2221443A

GB2221443A - Container with internal membrane

Info

Publication number: GB2221443A
Application number: GB8917655A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stewart Aiton Howat
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-08-02
Filing date: 1989-08-02
Publication date: 1990-02-07
Also published as: GB8917655D0

Abstract

A container 1 comprises a substantially non-flexible body 3 with a hollow interior which has an opening 9 for the egress of fluid, and a fluid-tight membrane which is adapted to accommodate changes in volume in the non-flexible body 3 in response to fluid egress and so prevent contact between the fluid and the surrounding air. The membrane may be in the form of a bag 5 which is attached midway in the container's interior or an inflatable balloon (51, Figure 3) or an elastic and distensible divider. The membrane divides the container interior into a first fluid filled compartment 7 and a second air filled compartment 8, the air filled compartment having a valved opening 10 for the ingress of air. The container may be of metal, glass, wood, or plastics and the membrane of plastics. The container may be of any cross sectional shape with either a central or asymmetrical valved neck or spout. The lower half of the body may be removed, fluid egress drawing the bag or membrane internal of the compartment 7. <IMAGE>

Description

"Container" This invention relates to a container, particularly a bottle or flask for carrying a fluid or fluid-like substance, wherein it is an object to avoid contact between the fluid in the container and the surrounding air. This is particularly useful for the carrying of air-hardening adhesives or for air-degradable fluids.

According to the present invention there is provided a container for fluid which comprises a substantially nonflexible body having a hollow interior which has an opening for the egress of fluid, and an fluid-tight membrane which is adapted to accommodate changes in volume in the hollow interior of the non-flexible body in response to fluid egress.

Preferably, the opening for fluid egress has a one-way airtight valve.

The membrane may seal ably separate the hollow interior into a first fluid-filled compartment and a second air-filled compartment, said second air-filled compartment having an opening for the ingress of air.

To accommodate changes in volume in the non-flexible portion in response to fluid egress, the membrane may deflate or move or implode into the non-flexible first portion.

Preferably, the opening for the ingress of air has a pressure-operated valve, most preferably, in the form of a flap valve actuated by membrane implosion or the like, or a one way valve.

Preferably, the membrane is in the form of a partcylindrical bag with the rim of its open end being sealably attached to the internal periphery of the body, when attached partway being so as to mimic a part-lining. The position of the bag is determined by the volume of fluid in the bag, the volume of the air-filled second compartment being reciprocally determined. Preferably, at maximum fluid capacity, the bag part-lines the the container and the quantity of air in the second compartment is negligible.

Preferably, at minimum fluid capacity, the bag is everted and part-lines the the container, being held in place by vacuum pressure and/or the surface tension of the remaining fluid.

In a second embodiment, the membrane is in the form of an inflatable balloon, the interior of which is the air-filled space of the second compartment and which is sealably attached to the opening for the ingress of air, the opening preferably being a valve, the balloon being sealably attached to the rim thereof. The inflation of the balloon is preferably determined by the volume of fluid in the container, the volume of air in the balloon being reciprocally determined. Preferably, at maximum fluid capacity, the balloon is deflated and, at minimum capacity, is inflated fully to line the interior of the container, being held in place by suction pressure and/or surface tension.

Preferably, the container is an upright bottle with the opening for fluid egress at the neck of the bottle and the opening for the ingress of air on the side or bottom.

The container may be of metal, plastics, wood or glass and the bag may be of plastics, rubber or rubberised material.

The bottle may be refillable with fluid and a portion screwably detachable to allow refill.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a sectional side view of a first embodiment of a container according to the present invention with a bag in the position of maximum fluid capacity; Fig. 2 is a sectional side view of the container of Fig. 1 with the bag in the everted position of minimum fluid capacity; Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of a second embodiment of a container, in the semi-filled condition; and Fig. 4 the container of Fig. 3 in the maximum fluid capacity condition.

Referring to Figs 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a container 1 is in the form of an upright bottle 2 with a short neck 4 and a hollow, substantially non-flexible cylindrical body 3. The body 3 is sealably partitioned into two compartments 7,8 by a membraneous, flexible bag 5 of a plastics material and of half-cylindrical form, which is attached at its free end midway down the bottle 1. The first compartment 7 is air-tight, adapted for liquid in particular, and has access to the bottle neck 4 wherein a one-way valve 9 prevents air entry. The second compartment 8 is air-filled and has access to an air inlet valve 10 in the side of the bottle 2 near its base. The air inlet valve 10 is in the form of a pressure operated flap.

The position of the bag 5 is determined by the volume of fluid in the first compartment 7 and the volume of the air in the second compartment, the volume or air being reciprocally determined by the implosion or eversion or deflation of the bag 5 in response to the vacuum pressure created on fluid exit from the first compartment 7.

At maximum fluid capacity, the bag 5 lines the lower half of the body 3 as the volume of the first compartment 7, now fluid-filled, substantially fills the bottle interior 6 leaving a negligible quantity of air in the second compartment 8. As fluid is poured from the bottle 1, through the one-way valve 9 in the bottle neck 4, the volume of the first compartment 7 decreases; the volume of the second compartment 8 increases reciprocally with the suction pressure consequent of fluid egress causing the air inlet valve 10 to open and admit air.

At minimum fluid capacity, the bag 5 is fully everted lining the upper half of the body 3, adhered closely by the vacuum pressure of the first compartment 7 and the surface tension of any remaining fluid therein.

In another embodiment, the bag is replaced by an elastic and distensible divider. In a further embodiment, the lower half of the body 3 is removed and the second compartment is only formed on fluid egress from the first compartment 7 drawing the bag or membrane internal of the first compartment 7.

Referring to Figs 3 and 4, there is shown another embodiment of the invention, wherein a membraneous bag 51 is sealably attached as its free end to a valve 10, preferably a one-way valve, in the base of the container 1. The inflation of the bag 51 is determined by fluid egress from the first compartment 7 of the container 1, the inflation being in response to the vacuum pressure created thereby and/or the entry of air through the basal valve 10. At maximum fluid capacity (Fig. 4), the bag 51 is collapsed and at minimum fluid capacity the bag 51 is fully inflated and adheres to the interior surface of the container 1 by virtue of the suction pressure and surface tension of the remaining fluid.

In other embodiments, the bottle is flask-shaped, squarebodied, or one of number of selected shapes, and may have an asymmetrical neck or fluid exit, for example, a spout to one side, but whichever embodiment is used, the provision of the invention will ensure a steady even flow of fluid from the bottle when poured and will prevent air contact of the retained fluid.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A container for fluid which comprises a substantially non-flexible body having a hollow interior which has an opening for the egress of fluid, and a fluid-tight membrane which is adapted to accommodate changes in volume in the hollow interior of the non-flexible body in response to fluid egress.

2. A container according to Claim 1, wherein the opening has a one-way air-tight valve.

3. A container according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein the membrane sealably separates the hollow interior into a first fluid-filled compartment and a second air-filled compartment the air-filled compartment having an opening for the ingress of air.

4. A container according to Claim 3, wherein the opening for the ingress of air has a pressure-operated valve.

5. A container according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the membrane is in the form of a part-cylindrical bag with the rim of its open end being sealably attached to the internal periphery of the body, the position of the bag being determined by the volume of fluid in the first compartment, the volume of the air-filled second compartment being reciprocally determined.

6. A container according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the membrane is in the form of an inflatable balloon, the interior of which is the air-filled space of the second compartment and which is sealably attached to the opening for the ingress of air, the inflation of the balloon being determined by the volume of fluid in the first compartment, the volume of air in the ballon being reciprocally determined.

7. A container according to any of the Claims 3 to 6 comprising an upright bottle with the opening for the egress of fluid at the neck of the bottle and the opening for the ingress of air on the side or bottom.

8. A container according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the container is refillable with fluid and a portion screwably detachable to allow refill.

9. A container for fluid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs 1 and 2.

10. A container for fluid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs 3 and 4.