GB2333504A

GB2333504A - Container

Info

Publication number: GB2333504A
Application number: GB9801157A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward Charles Timothy Glover; Martyn Stuart Glover; Henry Harper Adam
Original assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
Current assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
Priority date: 1998-01-21
Filing date: 1998-01-21
Publication date: 1999-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 2018-01-21
Also published as: GB2333504B; GB9801157D0

Abstract

A container 40 for photoprocessing chemicals has a ramp 44 that extends from a filling opening to the lowermost point therewithin. A delivery tube introduced into the container is thus automatically guided to a position whereby the minimum amount of the contents is wasted. The ramp can be formed by one or more indentations 42 moulded into the bottle. The indentations can be one sided or two sided (Fig 3) or two spaced to form a funnel (14, Fig 2). Alternatively, an insert (56, Fig 5) can extend from the container inlet (54) to form a funnel-like guide for a delivery tube (62).

Description

Field of the nvention this invention relates to a container.

Background of the Invention In many manufacturing processes, liquid is provided in a container, such as a bottle, that is fixedly mounted upright such that it cannot be inverted for emptying. It is known to pressurise the air in the bottle to eject its contents, or alternatively to suck the contents out through a tube.

In the latter case, unless the innermost end of the tube is located at the lowermost point of the bottle, some of the contents remain in the bottle and are wasted as air is drawn up the tube. This can be avoided by manually correctly positioning the tube end, but, in addition requiring operator intervention, this necessitates a transparent bottle and some dexterity. This solution is not possible with an automated system.

This problem arises, for example, with bottles of chemicals used in minilabs for processing photographic materials.

Problem to be Solved by the Invention It is one object of the present invention to provide a container whereby substantially complete removal of its liquid contents is facilitated.

Summary of the Invention In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container having a filling opening and means for guiding a delivery tube when introduced into the container through the opening to a predetermined location within the container.

The opening may be in an upper surface of the container, and the predetermined location may be at or adjacent the botton of the container.

The container may be of substantially rectangular configuration and the predetermined location may then be at or adjacent a lower edge of the container.

The guide means may comprise a ramp, or an open-sided channel or a closed channel and may extend into the container from the opening thereof or from a location adjacent the opening. The guide means may be formed integrally with a wall of the container, or alternatively, may be provided as a separate insert that, for example, is retained in position by engagement with the container at the opening thereof.

Advantageously, the container is provided with a delivery tube that is positioned with its innermost end at the predetermined location, that is secured at the opening of the container, and that extends outwardly therefrom. Preferably, the delivery tube passes as a push-fit through a closure of the container opening and is provided with a flange that abuts the outer surface of the closure. The abutment is arranged to determine the extent to which the tube projects into the container. Advantageously, drippreventing O-rings are provided in the closure around the tube.

In one embodiment, the container comprises a bottle of photographic processing chemicals.

The container, including the guide means and the delivery tube, may be formed of a polymeric material.

The container may be mounted on a support, wherein the support disposes the container with its base inclined to the horizontal, and wherein the predetermined location for the innermost end of the delivery tube is at or adjacent the lowermost edge of the container.

Advantageous Effect of the Invention The guide means of the container of the invention can be arranged to ensure that the delivery tube is positioned with its innermost end at the location within the container where the remnant of its contents will reside, thereby minimising the amount wasted by inability to withdraw it up through the tube. This can be achieved either with a specially-designed container, or by providing a standard container, for example a 5 litre "Eurostacker" bottle used for photographic processing chemicals, with a suitablyshaped insert.

Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of container, each in accordance with the present invention, will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a photographic processing bottle; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the bottle of Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 show second and third embodiments respectively of photographic bottles; and Figure 5 shows a section through a fourth bottle.

Detailed Description of the Invention Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a blow-moulded polymeric bottle 2 containing photographic processing chemicals is of generally rectangular configuration. The upper surface of the bottle 2 has a handle 4 and a filling opening 6 that is closed by a cap 8 having a central aperture 10. The bottle 2 has a pair of indentations 12 in its side walls on each side of the opening 6.

The indentations 12 define an open-sided channel 14 within the bottel 2, that extends in a curve from the opening 6 to terminate adjacent a lower edge 16 of the bottle 2.

A polymeric delivery tube 18 of circular section is located as a push-fit through drip-preventing 0-rings (not shown) in the aperture 10 of the bottle cap 8.

The tube 18 is guided downwards along the ramp provided by the lower surface of the channel 14 until a flange 20 secured to the tube 18 abuts the cap 8.

The length of the tube 18 beyond the flange 20 is such that upon abutment, the innermost tube end 22 lies adjacent the bottom edge 16 of the bottle 2, so that the maximum quantity of the chemicals can be sucked up through the tube 18 by an external pump (not shown).

The remnant of the chemicals can be minimised by supporting the bottle 2 at an inclination to the horizontal with the edge 16 lowermost.

Figure 3 shows a modified bottle 30 in which a delivery tube (not shown) is guided by a ramp formed from a single pair of indentations 32 in opposing sides of the bottle 30.

It will be appreciated that the transverse dimension of the delivery tube used with the bottles 2 and 30 is such that it cannot pass through, or become lodged in, the gap between the side indentations.

Figure 4 shows a bottle 40 that has an indentation 42 in only one side wall that extends across a major portion of the width thereof. Thus, a single ramp surface 44 is provided for guiding the delivery tube (not shown). The gap between the ramp 44 and the opposing side wall is arranged to be too small to receive the tube.

The embodiments of Figures 1 to 4 depict bottles in which the guide for the delivery tube is formed integrally therewith. Figure 5 shows an embodiment in which the guide is provided as a separateinsert. It will be appreciated, however, that the construction may be an integral one.

Referring to Figure 5, a bottle 50, which may be a standard "Eurostacker" photochemical bottle, is of generally rectangular configuration and has a handle 52 and a filling opening 54 in its upper surface. A curved, tapered, tubular guide 56 is supporte don the opening 54 and terminates at the lowermost edge 58 within the bottle 50, which is mounte dat an angle α to the horizontal. The guide 56 is retained by a cap 60 that receives a delivery tube 62 sealingly therethrough.

It will be appreciated that the required guiding of the delivery tube within the container may be effected by means other than those specifically shown.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. a container having a filling opeing and means for guiding a delivery tube when introduced into the container through the opening to a predetermined location within the container.
2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the opening is in an upper surface of the container, and wherein the predetermined location is at or adjacent the bottom of the container.
3. A container according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the container is of substantially rectangular configuration and wherein the predetermined location is at or adjacent a lower edge of the container.
4. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide means comprises a ramp, or an open-sided channel or a closed channel.
5. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide means extends into the container from the opening thereof or from a location adjacent the opening.
6. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide means is formed integrally with a wall of the container.
7. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide means is provided as a separate insert that is retained in position by engagement with the container at the opening thereof.
8. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a delivery tube that is positioned with its innermost end at the predetermined location, that is secured at the opening of the container, and that extends outwardly therefrom.
9. a container according to claim 8, wherein the delivery tube passes as a push-fit through a closure of the container opening and is provided with a flange that abuts the outer surface of the closure.
10. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a bottle of photographic processing chemicals.
11. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, formed of a polymeric material.
12. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
13. A mounting arrangement comprising a container accordinag to any one of the preceding claims, and a support, wherein the support disposes the container with its base inclined to the horizontal, and wherein the predetermined location for the innermost end of the delivery tue is at or adjacent the lowermost edge of the container.