GB2324782A

GB2324782A - Containers

Info

Publication number: GB2324782A
Application number: GB9808748A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Mallinder; Andrew Rennison
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-04-28
Filing date: 1998-04-27
Publication date: 1998-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 2018-04-27
Also published as: GB9708458D0; GB2324782B; GB9808748D0

Abstract

A container for use in the transportation and storage of a fluid for example beer, ale and the like comprises an inner vessel with means such as an aperture (7) whereby the vessel (1) can be charged with fluid and thereafter sealed. A segmented and rigid casing (2) encloses the inner vessel and a releasable securement means such as scissile bands (21) retains the casing (2) in position around the vessel (1). After release, for example by severence of the bands (21) with a knife or sharp implement, the casing (2) can be detached in at least two segments (4,5) from the vessel (1). The casing (2) therefore protects the vessel (1) during transit but can be removed from the vessel (1) on delivery and returned to the brewery for re-use on another vessel (1) whilst the original vessel (1) is on stillage.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO CONTAINERS The present invention relates to a container for use in the transportation and storage of fluids and in particular beverages such as beer and the like.

Beverages such as beer, ale, and the like for sale on tap are currently stored in casks, kegs and barrels which typically comprise large sealed metal containers robust enough to withstand relatively rough treatment during transportation.

Such containers are, however, expensive to produce and breweries require large numbers of them as whilst some of them are being cleaned and filled at the brewery, others are retained at point of sale outlets either whilst their contents is on sale or as "empties" for return to the brewery. At any given time, a large number of such containers are also in transit between the brewery and the point of sale outlets.

As a result of the foregoing, the containers that a brewery owns represent a considerable asset, which is disadvantageous economically for the brewery.

The object of the present invention is to overcome or substantially mitigate the aforementioned disadvantage.

According to the present invention there is provided a container for use in the transportation and storage of a fluid comprising an inner vessel defining means whereby the vessel can be charged with fluid and thereafter sealed; a segmented and rigid casing which encloses the inner vessel, and a releasable securement means which retains the casing in position around the inner vessel and which after release enables the casing to be detached in at least two segments from the inner vessel.

Thus in the present invention, the rigid casing protects the inner vessel during transit but can be removed from the vessel on delivery and returned to the brewery for re-use on another vessel whilst the contents of first vessel is retained at a point of sale outlet. As the inner vessel does not have to protect the fluid contents during transportation and delivery, it can be made of a flimsier or lower cost material, for example a plastics material, than that hitherto employed.

Preferably, the inner vessel comprises a barrel and the outer casing comprises two segments which intimately enclose the barrel and which join together along edges located substantially longitudinally with respect to the barrel.

Preferably also, the vessel comprises a translucent plastics barrel permitting visual inspection of the fluid therein once the outer casing has been detached therefrom.

Preferably, the casing is provided with means permitting fluid to be withdrawn from the inner vessel whilst it encloses the vessel.

Preferably also, the outer surface of the inner vessel and the inner surface of the casing are respectively provided with at least one of a depression and a complementarily shaped protrusion which nest together when the casing encloses the inner vessel.

Preferably also, the inner surface of each segment of the casing is provided with at least one protrusion which will nest in a complementarily shaped depression formed in the outer surface of the vessel in order to ensure the correct rotational alignment of the casing with the vessel.

Preferably also, the securement means comprises a scissile band. Advantageously, the band comprises a strip of a plastics webbing which is wrapped around the casing and secured in position by a spot heat treatment.

Preferably also, the casing defines at least one channel for retention of the band in position around the casing. Advantageously, the channel comprises an enclosed conduit which conceals the band and which is provided with at least one opening through which the band can be threaded around the casing and secured in position.

Preferably, the enclosed conduit is defined by an annular rollbar located around the periphery of the casing.

Preferably also, the inner vessel comprises feet which project through apertures formed in the casing and on which the container can stand. Advantageously the inner vessel comprises three feet and at least two of the apertures formed in the casing are defined by adjoining edges of two of the segments of the casing.

Preferably also, adjoining edges of each segment of the casing are bevelled in order to impart radial strength to the container.

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-section of the container shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a transverse section along the line III-III in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a view from below of the container; and Fig. 5 is a view to an enlarged scale of that part of Fig. 3 enclosed in the dashed circle V.

With reference to the drawings, a container for use in the transportation and storage of fluids and in particular beverages such as beer and the like comprises an inner vessel 1 which is enclosed by a segmented, rigid casing 2 that is held in place by a releasable securement means 3. After release of the securement means 3, as described below, the casing 2 can be detached in at least two segments 4, 5 from the inner vessel 1, to enable the fluid in the vessel 1 to be withdrawn therefrom and to free the casing 2 for use in transportation of another similar vessel 1. However, it is possible for the casing 2 to be adapted, as described below, to enable the fluid to be withdrawn from the vessel 1 whilst the casing 2 remains in position around it.

The inner vessel 1 comprises a barrel which preferably made from a plastics or other lightweight material. It may be useful in certain applications to make the vessel 1 from a translucent material in order that its contents can be visually inspected once the casing 2 has been detached therefrom. Such a material would enable the volume of fluid contained within the vessel 1 at any time to be gauged or measured.

On the side of the vessel 1 is a vent 7 through which it can be charged with fluid and which is thereafter sealed during transportation, for example by a bung 8.

Once it is desired to commence the withdrawal fluid from the vessel 1, a conventional spile can be fitted into the vent 7, which for this purpose can be fitted with a peripheral collar 9. In addition, the top of the vessel 1 can be provided with a aperture 10, which can again be sealed by a bung 11 during transit and then opened when fluid is to be withdrawn from the vessel 1 and fitted with an appropriate fluid withdrawal means such as a tap or tap connector.

The provision of the vent 7 and the aperture 10 in the vessel 1 of the present example is similar to the provision of vents and apertures provided in conventional casks for holding cask conditioned ales. However, it will be appreciated that the vessel 1 and the casing 2 can be provided with vents and apertures in any suitable location dependent on the proposed contents of the container. For example, if the container is to hold a keg beer then the aperture 12 can be dispensed with and a tap aperture can be provided in an appropriate location.

In order to enable fluid to be withdrawn from the vessel 1 whilst it is still enclosed within the casing 2, the casing 2 can be also be provided with apertures 12 and 13 which lie adjacent the positions of the vent 7 and the aperture 10 in the vessel 1.

The casing 2 is preferably made from a strong rigid material such as a resilient plastics material, rubber or metal and the two segments 4 and 5 which comprise the casing 2 join together along edges 14 located longitudinally with respect to the sides of the vessel 1.

These adjoining edges of each segment 4 and 5 are bevelled, as shown Fig. 3, in order to impart radial strength to the casing 2 and to prevent slippage of one segment out of position with respect to the other during transit. Preferably, the outer shape and appearance of the casing 2 is made such that it resembles a traditional cask or keg.

It is important that the casing 2 encloses the vessel 1 intimately in order to prevent the vessel 1 from being shaken around inside the casing 2 during transportation.

To this end the profile of the casing 2 is shaped to follow that of the vessel 1 closely and therefore in the present example is also barrel-shaped. In a modification, an insulating lining may be provided covering the inside surfaces of the segments 4 and 5. This will assist in keeping the fluid in the vessel 1 cool in hot environments.

In order to ensure a correct rotational alignment of the casing 2 with the vessel 1, thus ensuring alignment of the apertures 12 and 13 with the vent 7 and the aperture 10, the outer surface of the vessel l and the inner surface of the casing 2 are respectively provided with at least one depression 15 and a complementarily shaped protrusion 16 which nest together when the casing 2 encloses the vessel 1. If the vessel 1 is made from a plastics material, the depressions 15 can be moulded into the vessel 1 during manufacture. Similarly, the protrusions 16 can be either be moulded into the casing 2 or welded thereon. Preferably, the inner surface of each segment 4, 5 of the casing 2 is provided with at least one protrusion 15 which will nest in a complementarily shaped depression 16 formed in the vessel 1 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. It will be appreciated that the depressions 15 and protrusions 16 can be made in any complementary shapes but in their simplest forms, circular hollows and mounds respectively will suffice.

In the present example, the vessel 1 is provided with three feet 17 which project from its base and which can again be moulded into the plastics of the vessel 1 or otherwise secured thereto. Apertures 18 are provided in the casing 2 through which the feet 17 protrude to enable the vessel 1 to stand on the feet 17 regardless of whether it is enclosed by the casing 2 or not. It will be appreciated that the presence of the feet 17 and the associated apertures 18 again assists in the correct positioning of the casing 2 around the vessel 1.

In order to enable the casing 2 to be removed from the vessel 1, as will be further described below, two of the apertures 18 are defined by adjoining edges 19 of the segments 4 and 5 of the casing 2. Similarly, edges 20 of the segments 4 and 5 which run along the top of the container define the aperture 13 which aligns with the aperture 10. In this way the casing 2 can be removed from the vessel 1 after a venting means has been secured into the aperture 10.

The segments 4 and 5 of the casing 2 are secured around the vessel 1 by a releasable securement means which comprises at least one and preferably two scissile bands 21. Such bands 21 may advantageously comprise strips of a conventional plastics webbing which can be cut with a knife or other sharp implement and which is sufficiently rigid to enable it to be threaded unaided through an enclosed channel as described below.

Each band 21 is wrapped tightly around the casing 2 and has its ends secured together. This can be carried out by any suitable conventional means such as clips or staples but with a plastics webbing a spot heat treatment can be used. As the casing 2 is barrel-shaped, in order to prevent slippage of the bands 21 off the curved sides of the casing 2, channels 22 are provided for retention of the bands 21 in position.

In the present example, the channels 22 are defined by an enclosed conduit formed within annular rollbars 23 which are provided around the periphery of the casing 2.

It will be appreciated that each segment 4 and 5 is provided with a semicircular portion of each of the rollbars 23 and these portions align when the two segments 4 and 5 are joined to form the casing 2.

The rollbars 23 conceal and protect the bands 21 but at least one opening 24 is provided in each rollbar 23 through which the webbing of the band 21 can be threaded around the casing 2 and secured in position. The bands 21 are also accessed to be cut via this opening 24.

In an alternative arrangement, bands 21 could be simply wrapped around the exterior of the casing 2, which could either comprise two open annular grooves externally provided for this purpose or retain the bands 21 in the "natural" channels defined between the rollbars 23 and the central outwardly curving portion of the casing 2.

However, in both these cases the bands 21 would not be concealed and thereby protected from damage.

In use the vessel 1 is charged with fluid via the vent 7 and sealed in a conventional fashion. The casing 2 is then located around the vessel 1 with the correct rotational alignment with each protrusion 16 nesting inside the appropriate depression 15. In the brewery this may be carried out whilst the vessel 1 is lying on its side rather than standing on its feet 17 and the apertures 18 of the two segments 4 and 5 can be located around the feet 17 without difficulty. In the event that the vessel 1 is standing on its feet 17, then the vessel 1 can be rocked whilst being supported to stand on two feet 17 whilst the aperture 18 of the segment 5 is located around the foot raised off the ground. The other segment 4 can then be slid into place around the other two feet.

Thereafter, once the two segments 4,5 of the casing 2 have been aligned and mated together, the casing 2 is secured by the bands 21. A length of webbing is threaded through each of the rollbars 23 via the apertures 24, pulled tight and then secured in a conventional fashion as aforesaid dependent on the nature of the webbing. The vessel 1 is now enclosed and protected by the casing 2 and the whole container is ready for transportation.

After carriage to a point of sale outlet, the container is unloaded and stood where required on its feet 17, if provided. In most cases, the casing 2 will now be removed by cutting the bands 21 via the apertures 24 using a knife or other implement. The webbing forming the bands 21 can then be discarded and the two segments 4 and 5 of the casing 2 detached from the vessel 1. It will be appreciated that the segment 4 will slide sideways off the vessel 1 but, as described above, in order to detach the segment 5 the vessel 1 must be rocked over to raise the foot 17 protruding through the aperture 18 in the segment 5 off the ground to enable the segment 5 to be detached.

These two segments 4 and 5 can now be immediately returned to the brewery for re-use with another vessel 1 whilst the first vessel 1 is placed on stillage. Once the vessel 1 has been emptied, it also can be returned to the brewery for sterilization and re-use.

In those cases where it is desired to retain a traditional appearance to the vessel 1 on tillage the casing 2 can be left in situ around the vessel 1 and the latter tapped and vented through the apertures 12 and 13 provided in the casing 2 for this purpose.

Thus, the present invention provides a means whereby the high cost of traditional barrels, kegs and cask can be significantly reduced as it will be appreciated that the production cost of a vessel 1 which is simply required to hold fluids rather than protect them during transportation can be significantly lower than would otherwise be the case. In contrast, although the segments 4 and 5 making up each casing 2 must be strong enough to protect a full vessel 1, lower numbers of them are required than the numbers of vessels 1 as they only need to be employed during the transportation and delivery of each full vessel 1.

Claims

1. A container for use in the transportation and storage of a fluid comprising an inner vessel defining means whereby the vessel can be charged with fluid and thereafter sealed, a segmented and rigid casing which encloses the inner vessel, and a releasable securement means which retains the casing in position around the inner vessel and which after release enables the casing to be detached in at least two segments from the inner vessel.

2. A container as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the inner vessel comprises a barrel and the outer casing comprises two segments which intimately enclose the barrel and which join together along edges located substantially longitudinally with respect to the barrel.

3. A container as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the vessel comprises a translucent plastics barrel permitting visual inspection of the fluid therein once the outer casing has been detached therefrom.

4. A container as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the casing is provided with means permitting fluid to be withdrawn from the inner vessel whilst it encloses the vessel.

5. A container as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer surface of the inner vessel and the inner surface of the casing are respectively provided with at least one of a depression and a complementarily shaped protrusion which nest together when the casing encloses the vessel.

6. A container as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the inner surface of each segment of the casing is provided with at least one protrusion which will nest in a complementarily shaped depression formed in the outer surface of the vessel in order to ensure the correct rotational alignment of the casing with the vessel.

7. A container as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the securement means comprises a scissile band.

8. A container as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the band comprises a strip of a plastics webbing which is wrapped around the casing and secured in position by a spot heat treatment.

9. A container as claimed in Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein the casing defines at least one channel for retention of the band in position around the casing.

10. A container as claimed in Claim 9, wherein each channel comprises an enclosed conduit which conceals the band and which is provided with at least one opening through which the band can be threaded around the casing and secured in position.

11. A container as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the enclosed conduit is defined by an annular rollbar located around the periphery of the casing.

12. A container as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the vessel comprises feet which project through apertures formed in the casing and on which the container can stand.

13. A container as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the vessel comprises three feet and at least two of the apertures formed in the casing are defined by adjoining edges of two of the segments of the casing.

14. A container as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein adjoining edges of each segment of the casing are bevelled in order to impart radial strength to the container.

15. A container for use in the transportation and storage of a fluid substantially as described herein with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.