GB2249775A

GB2249775A - Flexible liquid container

Info

Publication number: GB2249775A
Application number: GB9024656A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Ronald Tripp
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-11-13
Filing date: 1990-11-13
Publication date: 1992-05-20
Also published as: GB9024656D0

Abstract

A flexible liquid container (10) includes a drip bag-type liquid containment means (12) of flexible sheet material. An elongate flexible tubular element (20) extends from the containment means (12). Liquid can be charged into and discharged from the containment means through the tubular element (20). The liquid containment means can be used as a package for drinks as well as an infant feeding device (60) by providing a one-way valve (52) and a nipple (62) at the free-end of the tubular element (20). The containment means can be enclosed in a pouch (25) for attaching to an article or a person, flow through tubular element (20) being controlled by a clamp (34). <IMAGE>

Description

BACGROUND OF THE INVENTION THIS INVENTION relates to a flexible liquid container.

Particularly, this invention relates to a flexible liquid container which is portable and can be used by a person needing to drink liquids therefrom or store liquids on himself for intermittent use.

Various devices are nown to facilitate the drinking of liquids from containers such as canteens and infants7 feeding bottles.

Further. various packaging devices are also in existence for the packaging of potable liquids Most liquid dispensers such as flasks or canteens are constructed of rigid materials and define specific shapes. These dispensers are cumbersome to carry.

Further, these dispenser also force the user to gulp quantities of air alonq with the liquid being consumed.

For instance, US Patent No. 3,843,032 discloses a canteen which can be secured to a belt. When the user wants to drink, he is required to detach the canteen from the belt. Again, US Patent No. 103,2or discloses a container provided with a drinking tube mechanically fitted to the container in a removable manner.

Drinking is not possible from this container during movement.

Still further, US. Patent No. 2,01,358 provides a knapsack water bag having a discharge hose connected to the container through a closable valve.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The invention has the following objects singularly or in combinaticln: to provide a flexible liquid container which can be folded up so as to occupy minimal space; to provide a flexible liquid container which can supply sterile potable liquids for extended periods of time, the sterility being maintained even during intermittent consumption; to provide a flexible liquid container suitable for mass production and which can be made of plastic material avoiding the use of metals; to provide a flexible liquid container which can be attached to the body of a person permitting consumption of liquid during the performance of vigorous activity; to provide a flexible liquid container that can be dropped form a reasonable height and can remain intact and usable;; to provide a flexible liquid container that can be cached away without being interfered with by rodents; to provide a flexible liquid container which can store, alternatively, air or oxygen and thus can be used as a pillow, for under water operations or for flotation of men or equipment; to provide a package for potable liquids which can permit a user to consume the liquid intermittently directly from the package, the sterility of the liquid being maintained during consumption; and to provide an infant feeding device in which a suitable liquid can be pre-packed, which can be heated just prior to use and can be consumed by the infant directly from the device.

These and other objects will become apparent from time to time throughout the specification as described hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the first aspect of this invention, there is provided a flexible liquid container which includes a drip bag-type liquid containment means of a flexible sheet material which permits collapse thereof; an elongate flexible tubular element extending from the said liquid containment means for drawing liquid from the said liquid containment means; and valve means for permitting the controlled drawing of liquid from the liquid containment means through the said tubular element.

Typically, the liquid containment means is of a non-toxic polymeric sheet material, preferably laminated.

The bag defining the liquid containment means may be of non-toxic synthetic polymeric material and, as such, may be of first grade polyvinyl chloride or polyouopylene. Particularly, the bag may be formed by seam welding elements of a flexible sheet material.

The elongate tubular element may be o-f a non-toxic material.

Typically, the element is of a flexible material that can be constricted by the clamping means for inhibiting the passage of liquid therethrouqh.

The valve means may be provided at the free end of the tubular element and may be controllable to permit drawing of a potable liquid from the liquid containment means. The valve means may form part of the tubular element or may be attached thereto.

Particularly, the valve means may be desiqned to permit unidirectional flow of liquid through the tubular element via the valve means.

The valve means may be clamping means provided near the free end of te tubular element. Alsor te clamping means may be of the type that can constrict the tubular element and thereby inhibit flow of liquid through the elongate tubular element.

The liquid containment means may include an auxiliary opening for charying thereof.

The liquid containment means may define an exposed outer surface on which information in the form of printed matter can be applied.

The pacae may include closure means for blocking the flow of liquid through the tubular element.

According to the second aspect of this invention, there is provided an infant feeding device which includes: a collapsible drip bag-type liquid containment means of a flexible sheet material; an elongate tubular flexible element extending from the flexible liquid containment means for drawing liquid from the liquid containment means; valve means for permitting the drawing of liquid from the liquid containment means through the said tubular element; and nipple means cooperating with the valve means for permitting the infant to draw liquid through the valve means by suckling.

Particularly, the valve means may be designed t permit unidirectional flow of liquid through the tubular element via the valve means.

The nipple means may be either part of the valve means or may be secured thereto and the valve means may be adapted to fit into the hollow portion of a conventional nipple means, in which the nipple means may be removably attachable onto te valve means.

It is envisaged that the container and the feeding device in accordance with the first and second aspects of this invention, will be throwaway-type devices. Therefore, the container and the infant feeding device will contain prepackaged liquids.

According to the third aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable flexible liquid container which includes a drip bag-type liquid containment means of a flexible sheet material which permits collapse thereof; an elonqate flexible tubular element extending from the said liquid containment means for drawing liquid from the said liquid containment means; valve means for permitting the controlled drawing of liquid from the liquid containment means through the said tubular element; and a flexible pouch of liquid impervious textile material for holding the liquid containment means therein.

Further, according to this invention the said drip bag-type bag and the pouch may be provided with attachment means for releasably holdinq the said baq in the pouch. The attachment means may include a lace or the like secured inside the pouch, which can be attached to the said drip ba-type bag via an aperture in the bag.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the elongate flexible tubular element may extend from the drip bag-type bag at one end thereof and the aperture may be defined near the opposite end thereof. As such, the drip ba-type bag may be held in a suspended configuration in the pouch, liquid being discharged from the bag under gravitational force.

The pouch may include a holding portion, within which the bag can be held, and an extended region extending from the holding portion. The pouch may include tying means for tying around the extended region of the pouch thereby enabling the tubular element to be retained in a folded up configuration within the pouch.

The pouch may further include attaching means permitting attachment thereof to an article or person for carrying purposes. The attaching means, typically, may include aperture formations defined near the edges of the pouch or loop formations extending from the edges of the pouch. Further, the attachment means may include straps, laces or other flexible tying means, permitting tying of the pouch and therefore' the portable flexible liquid container on the body or clothing of a person or to an article.

The portable flexible liquid container may further include at least one insulation layer of an insulating material disposed between the pouch and the baq for providing insulation to liquid contained in the bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fire 1 is a front view of a flexible liquid container in accordance with the first aspect of this invention; Figure 6e is a front view of an infant feeding device in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.

Figure 3 is a cutaway front view of a portable flexible liquid container in accordance with the third aspect of this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION AS ILLUSTRATED IN THE DRAWINGS AS ILLUSTRATED IN THE DRAWINGS In Figure 1 of the drawings, a flexible liquid container, in accordance with the invention. is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. The container 10 comprises a bag 12. The bag 12 is of a food grade synthetic polymeric sheet material which is non-toxic and, as such, the bag 12 is typically of first grade polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene. The bag 12 is formed by seam welding two sheet elements of a sheet material to form a body portion 14 extending into a neck 16.

An elongate tubular element 20 is secured to and extends from the neck 16 of the bag 12. The tubular element 20 is of ncn-toxic synthetic polymeric material.

The tubular element 20 includes a valve 52 near its free end 54. Liquid can be drawn from the bag 19 through the tubular element -'0 by the valve 5. The bag 12 can be used for packing a variety of potable liquids. The configuration of the bag 12 facilitates sterilization of liquids paced in the bag 12 by gamma radiation or any other suitable sterilization means.

Drawing of liquid from the bag 12 by manipulation of the valve 5 causes the walls of the bag 12 to collapse. Consequently, air is not drawn into the bag to replace the liquid drawn. The valve 52 can be a one-way valve and will therefore ensure that air is not permitted to enter the bag 12.

The container 10, in accordance with the invention, is particularly suitable for direct use and does not require the consumer dispense the contents into a amass or other container for the purpose of consumption. Nor will the container 10 require the use of a "straw". It is believed by the applicant that such direct use of the contents of the container will ensure the sterility of the contents of the container 10.

Further, because air is not drawn into the bag 12 during intermittent consumption of liquid from the bag 12 the chances of contamination of liquid in the bag 12 during such intermittent use is considerably minimized It is also believed by the applicant that because the contents of the container 10 will not be contaminated by air, the life thereof will be prclonged.

The container 10 is suitable for bulk handling of liquid and its cenfiguration is suitable for permitting repackaging of liquids from bulk-sized containers having a configuration of the container 10 in accordance with the invention, into similar smaller containers, without fear of contamination.

Figure 2 illustrates the use of the container 10 in the form of an infant feeding device, generally indicated by the reference numeral 60. The feeding device 60 is a throwaway-type feeding device and it is envisaged that the liquid in the device 60 is a prepackaqed formula for an infant As can be clearly understood from the foregoing description, the design of the infant feeding device 60 in accordance with the invention does not permit any air to flow back into the device 60 and, therefore, liquid contained in the infant feedinq device 60'will remain sterile even until the last drsp. As can also be easily understood from the foregoing description, the resilient walls of the device 60 exert a positive pressure on the liquid contained therein and drawing of the liquid is achieved by sucking at the free end provided with a nipple 62. The nipple 62 can be secured at the free end or may be removably securable t the valve 52 fitted at the end of the tubular element 0. It is envisaged that the nipple 62 can be integral with the valve In use, the device 60 can hold a variety of liquids7 the device 60 being precharged with suitable infant formula. A thermal strip (not shown) which changes color on heating can be located on the device 60. This will enable the device 60 to be heated to a desired temperature either in a bottle warmer or in a conventional microwave oven. The device 60 can be hung from a hook or other support means conveniently located near the infant with the tube 50 dangling therefrom and the infant can draw liquid as and when desired by sucking at the nipple 62. As can be easily understood, the infant can draw liquid irrespective of the infants position. The valve being a non-return valve will not permit air to flow into the device 60. The liquid in the device s0 will therefore remain in the device free of contamination over extended periods of time in a reasonably sterile condition. Because the liquid in the device 60 is free of air, the infant will also suck in less air during feeding, thereby reducing colic problems in infants caused by swallowing air along with the feed.

Further, because the device 60 is free of air, the device 60 as well as the container 10 illustrated in Figure 2 can be placed in low pressure situations such as an aircraft where the pressure drop is below atmospheric level without fear of bursting of the device 6 or the container 10.

The container 10 can be used for many different applications.

The container 10 is particularly resistant to damage and therefore is suitable for use in conditions where known liquid containers will be damaged or destroyed. The flexibility of the container 10 clearly accommodates such applications. The materials used for making the container 10 is of a type that permits it to resist impact damage. A distinct advantage of the package 10 is that in its empty state it can be folded up to occupy a minimum volume.

Figure 3 illustrates the use of the flexible liquid container 10 as a portable container generally indicated by the reference numeral 70. The portable container 70 comprises the bag 12 and a pouch 28 that can releasably hold the bag 12 therein.

The bag 12 defines an aperture 18 near the end thereof remote from its neck 16. A lace 26 is secured within the pouch 28.

The bag 12 is releasably held within the pouch 8, as shown in Figure 3, by tying the lace 9.3 through the aperture 18.

The pouch 28 is of a tear-resistant textile material and defines a holding portion 22 and an extended region 24 extending from the holding portion 22. The elongate tubular element 0 is secured to and extends from the neck 16. A latex tubular attachment piece 32 is fitted at the free end of the tubular element 20. A clamp 34 is provided on the attachment piece 32.

The clamp 34 can constrict the attachment piece 32. The clamp 34 and attachment piece 32, therefore, act as a valve for inhibiting the passage of liquid through the tubular element 2.0.

With the bag 12 tied within the pouch 28 and suspended therefrom, the configuration of the portable container 70 is such that the tubular element t0 can extend from the extended region 24 of the pouch 8, thereby permitting liquid to be charged into the bag 1 or discharged therefrom. Liquid can be discharged from the bag 12 by holding the portable container 70 in an inverted position so that the bag 12 is suspended within the pouch 28 and releasing the clamp 34.

The elongate tubular element 0 can be made compact by folding up. In this configuration, the tubular element 20 can be pushed into the extended region 24 of the pouch 28. Further, laces 40 and 42 are secured to the extended region 24 of the pouch 2.8 and these laces 40 and 2 can be used for typing the extended region 4, thereby preventing any access into the pouch 28. Many different arrangements can be provided to enable the above and this arrangement is not described in any further detail.

In the folded up configuration described before, in which the tubular element 20 is fully contained within the pouch 28, the portable container 70 can be cached away without fear of rodents or other animals. In this inoperative configuration, the bag 12 is also resistant to impact damage and can be thrown from heights without fear of bursting.

Loops 36 are provided near the corners of the pouch 28 and straps 38 are also provided to permit attaching or tying of the portable container 70 to an article or a person. In this confiuration, the portable container 70 can be inflated and can assist in floatation. Clearly, the straps 38 permit suspension of the portable container 70 for use as an outdoor washing facility.

It is envisaged that a layer of insulating material may be provided between the bag 12 and the pouch 28.

In use, the portable fluid container 70 can hold a variety of liquids. Liquids can be charged or discharged from the bag 12 by gravitational force.

The fact that the portable container 70, as well as, the flexible liquid container 10 and the infant feeding device 50 do not have any metallic parts or components, permits these containers or devices to be used in conjunction with a microwave heating device for heating the contents of the bag 19, without warming the bag 1 or the pouch 28 as the case may be. Thus heating can be effected without exposing the contents of the bag 12.

A distinct advantage of the container in accordance with this invention is that in its empty state, it can be folded up to occupy a minimum volume.

Claims

1. A flexible liquid container, which includes a drip ba-type liquid containment means of a flexible sheet material which permits collapse thereof; an elongate flexible tubular element extending from the said liquid containment means for drawing liquid from the said liquid containment means; and valve means for permittinq the drawing of liquid from the liquid containment means through the said tubular element.

2. A flexible liquid container as claimed in Claim 1, in which the said liquid containment means is of a non-toxic synthetic polymeric material.

o. A flexible liquid container as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the liquid containment means is formed by seam weldinq elements of a flexible sheet material.

4. A flexible liquid container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the liquid containment means is of a laminated material.

5. A flexible liquid container as claimed in any one of the precedinq claims, in which the elongate tubular element can be constricted by clamping means for inhibiting the passage of liquid therethrough.

6. A flexible liquid container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the valve means is controllable to permit controlled drawing of a potable liquid from the liquid containment means.

7. A flexible liquid container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the valve means is provided near the free end of the tubular element.

5. A flexible liquid container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the valve means is of a type that can constrict the tubular element and thereby inhibit the passage of liquid therethrough.

3. A flexible liquid container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the valve means is designed to permit unidirectional flow of liquids throuqh the tubular element via the valve means.

10. A flexible liquid container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes an auxiliary opening for charging thereof.

11. A flexible liquid container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the liquid containment means defines an exposed surface on which information in the form of printed matter can be applied.

12. A flexible liquid container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a closure means for blocking the flow of liquids through the tubular element.

13. A flexible liquid container as claimed in any one of the precedinq claims which is of the throwaway-type.

14. An infant feeding device which includes a container in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 13; and nipple means cooperating with the valve means for permitting an infant to draw liquid through the valve means by sucking.

15. An infant feeding device as claimed in Claim 14 in which the nipple means is integral with the valve means.

16. An infant feedinq device as claimed in Claim 14, in which the nipple is removably securable to the valve means.

17. An infant feeding device as claimed in Claim 16, in which the valve means is adapted to fit into the hollow portion of the nipple.

18. An infant feeding device as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 17, being a thrcwaway-type infant feeding device.

19. A portable flexible liquid container which includes a drip ba-type liquid containment means of a flexible sheet material which permits collapse thereof; an elongate flexible tubular element extending from the said liquid containment means for drawing liquid from the said liquid containment means; valve means for permitting the drawing of liquid from the liquid containment means throuqh the said tubular element; and a pouch of liquid impervious textile material for holding the liquid containment means therein.

20. A portable flexible liquid container as claimed in Claim 19 which includes an insulating layer disposed between the pouch and the container.

21. A portable flexible liquid container as claimed in Claim 19 or Claim tJO, which includes attaching means for permitting attachment to an article or person for carrying.

22. A portable flexible liquid container as claimed in any one of Claims 19 to 21, in which the attaching means include loop formations extending from the edges of the pouch.

23. A flexible liquid container substantially as described herein and as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawing.

24. An infant feeding device substantially as described herein and as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawing.

25. A portable flexible liquid container substantially as described herein and as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawing.