GB2250259A

GB2250259A - Variable volume container

Info

Publication number: GB2250259A
Application number: GB9022139A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Allan Inskip
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-10-11
Filing date: 1990-10-11
Publication date: 1992-06-03
Also published as: GB9022139D0

Abstract

A variable volume plastic container consisting of a series of angled walls which form rings in circular or other shapes, (ie square, hexagonal, octagonal). The resultant rigid container can be altered in volume by the application of force on the angled rings, causing them to distort and to pass through a central resistance point (fig 2) on a horizontal line. This horizontal line is mid-way between the original line of the inclined wall and the new inclined line. In taking up its new line the vertical distance between rings is reduced, causing a reduction in volume. <IMAGE>

Description

VARIABLE VOLUME PLASTIC CONTAINER 1. This invention relates to a variable volume plastic container to be formed by the blow moulding or other process.

2. Plastic containers are used to contain a variety of substances such as powders and liquids. In the majority of cases the form of the container remains static, even though the quantity of the substance contained is reduced through usage. The quantity of the substance used is replaced by air. This can affect the quality of the substance remaining, by pollution from the air, by oxidisation or decarbonation. A reduction in volume of the container assists in preserving the quality of the contents.

3. The utilisation of the variable volume container allows the volume of the container to be reduced by applying force in a vertical direction on one side of the container.

The container is formed with angled walls which form rings in a circular or other shape which can be distorted to take up a new location. In doing so the angled wall passes through a critical point of resistance which itself prevents the wall from returning to its original mode unless force is applied in the reverse direction.

In its normal mode the strength of the vessel lies in the horizontal or angled rings, circular or other shape created by the walls being at angles to the vertical. These rings resist equal vertical and lateral force.

The angle of the inclined wall and the dimensions can be varied to cater for different volumes, heights, diameters and shapes of the containers, and to accommodate the properties of various plastics and their thickness.

The greater the angle of the inclined wall, the greater the force will be required to overcome the critical diameter or other dimension when conformations other than circular are utilised through which the inclined wall must pass.

The conformation of the base and head of the container can be designed to accommodate pressure from carbonated liquids as opposed to inert substances.

The horizontal and vertical section of the vessel can be circular, square, hexagonal, octagonal or variations and combinations of these.

When the container is fully reduced the container takes up less space for storage or disposal.

The specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings 1/2 and 2/2, by which 1/2 shows the elevation and plan of a typical container.

2/2 shows a section of a typical detail of the angled wall forming the rings.

Referring to drawing no 2/2.

Where force is applied, vertically upward or downwards the one side of the container ring, the inclined wall AB will be forced into any elliptical or similar mode, until the whole wall takes up a downward rather than an upward mode, on the inclined line of AC passing through D.

In doing so the inner edge of the inclined wall at point B passes through a critical diameter or similar dimensions at E which in itself forms a barrier to the inclined wall resuming its original upward mode unless unequal force is applied vertically upwards.

The container will assume its original shape if the forces are reversed.

Claims

A variable volume plastic container, the volume of which is varied by the application of force to an angled rigid element of the wall of the container causing the angled wall to distort, allowing it to pass through a central point of resistance and to take up a new rigid position.