GB2389098A

GB2389098A - Dispensing container

Info

Publication number: GB2389098A
Application number: GB0210418A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Craig Driver
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-05-08
Filing date: 2002-05-08
Publication date: 2003-12-03
Also published as: GB0210418D0

Abstract

A container 10 comprises a first chamber 12 and a second chamber 14. The container 10 is arranged to contain and measure volumes of fluid cement additives and in particular concentrated liquid cement additives, for example plasticizers. The second chamber 14 is in fluid communication with the first chamber 12 through the conduit 16. In use, the lid 26 is removed from the container 10 and the side walls of the first chamber 12 are squeezed to reduce the volume of the first chamber 12 in order for the concentrated liquid plasticizer to flow in to the second chamber 14. The measured amount of concentrated liquid plasticizer can then be poured into a further container and diluted ready for use. Accordingly, the container accurately measures the amount of concentrated liquid plasticizer needed and reduces any waste.

Description

J r 1 2389098 CONTAINER

Field of the Invention

5 The present invention relates to a cement additive container, a container containing a cement additive and a method of mixing a cement additive with a mixture.

Background to the Invention

Builders and bricklayers use cement additives, for example plasticizers, water proofers, rapid hardeners, weather sealants etc to change the characteristics of the cement mix. For example, plasticizers increase the 15 working life of cement. The plasticizer is added to the cement mixture and this enables the cement to be used for an extended period of time. Without a plasticizer the cement would begin to set relatively quickly which would mean that some of the cement may have set prior to use or 20 only relatively small quantities of cement could be mixed at one time. Accordingly, the use of a plasticizer is efficient. However, plasticizers and other cement additives may be relatively expensive and, it is therefore important that accurate quantities are used. At present, 25 plasticizers are generally distributed in 5 litre or 25 lithe containers. Such containers are expensive to deliver as a result of the size and weight of the containers. In addition, the size and weight of the containers results in the containers being difficult to 30 use, especially when full. This can lead to inaccurate quantities of plasticizer being used and, therefore, wastage.

r ( 2 Furthermore the size of these containers means that the plasticizer is left on site and, may therefore be stolen or misplaced.

5 It is an aim of the present invention to overcome at least one problem associated with the prior art whether

referred to herein or otherwise.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a fluid cement additive container comprising a first chamber, a second chamber and fluid communication means in order for the first chamber to be 5 in fluid communication with the second chamber wherein a predetermined volume of fluid cement additive located in the first chamber can be caused to flow through the fluid communication means to the second chamber.

20 Preferably the fluid cement additive comprises a liquid cement additive.

Preferably the fluid cement additive comprises a concentrated fluid cement additive.

The cement additive may comprise a plasticizer and preferably comprises a liquid plasticizer and more preferably comprises a concentrated liquid plasticizer.

30 The cement additive may comprise a water proofer or a rapid hardener or a water sealant or water repellent.

Preferably the second chamber has volume indicating means to indicate the volume of fluid located therein.

The indicator means may comprise a plurality of graduations provided on a wall of the second chamber.

At least a part of the second chamber may comprise a translucent material to enable fluid located therein to be visibly indicated. Preferably, the whole of the second chamber comprises a translucent material.

At least a part of the first chamber may comprise a translucent material to enable fluid located therein to be visibly indicated. Preferably the whole of the first chamber comprises a translucent material.

Preferably once the fluid cement additive has been I caused to flow from the first chamber to the second chamber the fluid cement additive is inhibited from flowing from the second chamber to the first chamber by 20 fluid flow inhibiting means. The fluid cement additive may be inhibited from flowing from the second chamber to the first chamber by an airlock.

Preferably the fluid flow inhibiting means is located 25 in the fluid communication means.

Preferably the fluid communication means comprises a conduit. The fluid flow inhibiting means may be provided by the conduit. Preferably, the fluid flow inhibiting 30 means is provided by a part of the conduit which provides a restricted fluid flow passageway. -

Preferably a first open end of the conduit locates on a wall of the first chamber. Preferably the first open end of the conduit locates on a lower position on the wall of the first chamber. Preferably the first open end 5 locates below the level of the fluid cement additive in the first chamber, in use.

Preferably a second open of the conduit locates on a wall of the second chamber. Preferably the second open lo end of the conduit locates on an upper position on the wall of the second chamber. Preferably, the second open end locates above the level of the fluid cement additive in the second chamber.! 15Preferably the conduit extends from substantially the bottom of the container to substantially the top of the container. Preferably the second chamber is located above the 20 first chamber.

Preferably the container comprises a removable lid to enable fluid to be selectively contained or removed therefrom. Preferably the lid comprises a safety lid. I 25 Preferably the lid opening is located on the second chamber. Preferably the walls of the first chamber are resilient. Preferably the walls of the first chamber are 30 deformable.

Preferably the walls of the second chamber are substantially rigid.

Preferably fluid cement additive is caused to flow through the first fluid communication means due to a decrease in volume of the first chamber. Preferably the 5 decrease in volume of the first chamber is caused by deformation of the walls of the first chamber.

Preferably the volume of the first chamber is substantially greater than the volume of the second lo chamber. The volume of the first chamber may be greater than 0.5 litre and preferably is greater than 0.75 lithe.

The volume of the first chamber may be less than 2 litres and preferably is less than 1.5 litre. Preferably the volume of the first chamber may be in the region of 1 15 litre.

The volume of the second chamber may be greater than lOml and preferably is greater than 15ml. The volume of the second chamber may be less than 0. 2 litre and 20 preferably is less than 0.1 litre. Preferably the volume of the second chamber is substantially in the region of 25ml to 50ml.

Preferably the chamber comprises filling means for 2s enabling fluid cement additive to be introduced into the first chamber. Preferably the filling means is sealed by sealing means once a predetermined volume of fluid cement additive is located within the first chamber. Preferably once sealed, fluid is prevented from being introduced into 30 the first chamber through the filling means.

Preferably the container comprises second fluid communication means in order for the first chamber to be

in fluid communication with the second chamber Preferably the second fluid communication means enables fluid to flow from the second chamber to the first chamber. Preferably the container comprises sealing means s to prevent fluid flowing through the second fluid communication means. Preferably the sealing means comprises a sealing element which locates within a housing to prevent fluid flowing through the second fluid communication means. Preferably the sealing element is lo located within the housing by a push fit. Preferably the second fluid communication means comprises the filling means. The container may comprise support means for securing 5 the container to a surface. The support means may enable the container to be supported by a support member. The support member may comprise a hook. The support means may comprise an aperture. Accordingly, the container may be supported to a wall through engagement of a hook through 20 an aperture provided by the container.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a container in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, the container comprising 25 fluid cement additive located therein. I Preferably the fluid cement additive comprises a liquid cement additive. I 30 Preferably the fluid cement additive comprises a concentrated fluid cement additive.

( 7 The cement additive may comprise a plasticizer and preferably comprises a liquid plasticizer and more preferably a concentrated liquid plasticizer.

5 The cement additive may comprise a water proofer or a rapid hardener or a water sealant or water repellent.

The fluid cement additive may be solely located within the first chamber.

The concentrated liquid plasticizer may be located in the first chamber and the second chamber.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of mixing a fluid cement additive with a mixture comprising causing a predetermined volume of fluid cement additive to flow from a first chamber of a container to a second chamber of the container and subsequently adding the predetermined volume 20 of fluid cement additive from the second chamber to the mixture. Preferably the fluid cement additive comprises a liquid cement additive.

25 1 Preferably the fluid cement additive comprises a concentrated fluid cement additive.

The cement additive may comprise a plasticizer and JO preferably comprises a liquid plasticizer and more preferably a concentrated liquid plasticizer.

The cement additive may comprise a water proofer or a rapid hardener or a water sealant or water repellent.

Preferably the mixture comprises a cement mixture.

Preferably the method comprising diluting the fluid cement additive. The method may comprise diluting the fluid cement additive prior to adding the fluid cement additive to the mixture.

The method may comprise decreasing the volume of the first chamber of the container in order to cause a predetermined volume of fluid cement additive to flow from the first chamber to the second chamber.

Preferably the method comprises inhibiting the fluid cement additive from flowing from the second chamber to the first chamber.

20 The method may comprise initially introducing fluid cement additive into the first chamber. Preferably the method comprises initially introducing fluid cement additive into the first chamber through filling means and then sealing the filling means to prevent the fluid cement 25 additive flowing through the filling means. Preferably the filling means is sealed by pushing a sealing element into a sealing housing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which:

( 9 Figure 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a container. Figure 2 is a side view of an embodiment of a 5 container.

Figure 3 is another side view of an embodiment of a container. 0Figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container. Figure 5 is a front view of part of an embodiment of a container, in use.

Figure 6 is a front view of an embodiment of a container, in use.

Figure is a perspective view of mixing means.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

As shown in Figure 1, the container 10 comprises a first chamber 12 and a second chamber 14. The container 25 10 is arranged to contain and measure volumes of fluid cement additives and in particular concentrated fluid (especially liquid) cement additives for example concentrated liquid plasticizer or water proofers or rapid hardeners or water sealants or water repellents (for 30 example silicone water repellents) etc. However, the preferred embodiment relates to a concentrated liquid plasticizer container. The second chamber 14 is in fluid communication with the first chamber 12 through fluid

communication means in the form of a conduit 16. A first end 18 of the conduit 16 locates at a lower position on a wall of the first chamber 12 and a second end 20 of the conduit 16 locates at an upper position on a wall of the 5 second chamber 14.

The container 10 comprises an opening 24 which is located at an upper position of the second chamber 14.

The container 10 has a lid 26 in order to selectively seal 0 or open the container 10. The lid 26 requires pushing down whilst being rotated in order to be removed from the container 10. This prevents the lid 26 from inadvertently working loose and thereby prevents concentrated liquid plasticizer located in the container 10 from escaping from 15 the container.

Since the liquid plasticizer is concentrated only a small volume of the plasticizer is required, for example 15 to 25ml may be mixed with 20 litres of water for use 20 with 50kg of cement. Accordingly, the second chamber 14 is provided with indicator means in the form of graduation marks 28 which are defined on a side wall of the second chamber 14. At least a part of the second chamber 14 is translucent or transparent such that the height of the 25 concentrated liquid plasticizer, and hence the volume of the concentrated liquid plasticizer, in the second chamber 14 can be determined. The volume of the first chamber 12 is substantially in the region of 0.75 litre to 1 litre.

The volume of the second chamber is substantially in the 30 region of 25ml to 50ml. The graduation 28 may indicate volumes in the region of 15ml to 25ml. The container 10 may be constructed from a single material which enables

( 11 the concentrated liquid plasticizer in the first chamber 12, second chamber 14 and conduit 14 to be seen.

The container 10 comprises filling means to enable 5 concentrated liquid plasticizer to be introduced into the first chamber 12. The filling means may comprise second fluid communication means in the form of a second conduit 34 in order for the concentrated liquid plasticizer to flow into the container 10, through the second chamber 14, 10 through the second conduit 34 and into the first chamber 12. It is appreciated that a small volume of concentrated liquid plasticizer may also flow through the first conduit 16 during filling.

5 Once the required volume of concentrated liquid plasticizer is located within the first chamber 12 sealing means is provided to prevent further liquid flow through the second conduit 34. The sealing means comprises a sealing element 38 comprising a substantially spherical JO element having curved outer walls provided by the sealing housing. The seal is created by pushing the sealing element 38 into the sealing house 40, In use, the lid 26 is removed from the container 10 25 and the side walls of the first chamber 12 of the container 10 are squeezed to reduce the volume of the first chamber 12, a stem in Figure 4 and 5. This causes the concentrated liquid plasticizer to flow out of the first chamber 12 through the conduit 16 into the second 30 chamber 14. The walls of the first chamber comprise a resilient material. Once a predetermined volume of concentrated liquid plasticizer is located in the second chamber 14 the side walls of the first chamber 12 can be

( 12 released to prevent further flow of the concentrated liquid plasticizer into the second chamber 14. The lid 26 can be replaced if the container 10 needs to be transported prior to use. As the volume of concentrated 5 liquid plasticizer in the first chamber 12 decreases, the same action will still cause the concentrated liquid plasticizer to flow through the conduit 16 since the first end 18 of the conduit 16 is located at a lower region on the wall of the first chamber 10 than the height of the lo concentrated liquid plasticizer. Similarly, once the walls of the first chamber 12 are released, air and not the concentrated liquid plasticizer will flow through the conduit 16 since the second end 20 of the conduit 16 is located above the height of the concentrated liquid 15 plasticizer in the second chamber 14.

- Alternatively, the lid 26 may simply be loosened from the container 10 in order to enable air to flow therein.

In this method the concentrated liquid plasticizer will 20 again flow from the first chamber 12 through the conduit 16 and into the second chamber 14 when the volume of the first chamber 12 is decreased. When the side walls of the first chamber 12 are released, air located within the upper section of the second chamber 14 will be caused to 25 flow through the conduit 16 and into the first chamber 12 in order for the first chamber 12 to regain substantially the original volume and shape.

The conduit 16 provides fluid flow inhibiting means 30 for inhibiting flow of the concentrated liquid plasticizer from the second chamber 14 to the first chamber 12. The fluid flow inhibiting means is provided by an air lock.

At least a part of the conduit 16 is shaped to prevent

( 13 liquid from being able to flow in one direction whilst air flows in the opposite direction. Accordingly, the concentrated liquid plasticizer is prevented from returning to the first chamber 12 even if the container 10 5 is knocked over or placed horizontally. The conduit 16 may be provided with a restricted periphery 50 which may be located adjacent to the first end 18 of the conduit 16.

The restricted periphery 50 may provide or contribute or enhance the fluid flow inhibiting means.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7 the concentrated liquid plasticizer can then be poured into a further container, for example a bucket 60, through the opening 24. The bucket 60 may have water provided therein or alternatively 5 water may now be added into the bucket in order to dilute the concentrated liquid plasticizer ready for use. The liquid plasticizer can then be added to the cement mixture in the mixing means, for example the cement mixer 70.

to The container 10 may be provided with support means to enable the container to be supported in a wall. For example, as shown in Figure 1, an aperture 30 is provided in a web section 32. The aperture 30 may enable a support member, for example a hook, to locate therethrough and 25 thereby enables the container to be supported from a wall.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and

30 which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and

documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification

(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, 5 except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification

(including any accompanying claims, abstract and JO drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any

20 accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

( 15 Claims

1. A fluid cement additive container comprising a first chamber, a second chamber and fluid communication means in 5 order for the first chamber to be in fluid communication with the second chamber wherein a predetermined volume of fluid cement additive located in the first chamber can be caused to flow through the fluid communication means to the second chamber.

2. A fluid cement additive container according to claim 1 in which the fluid cement additive comprises a liquid cement additive.

3. A fluid cement additive container according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the fluid cement additive comprises a concentrated fluid cement additive.

4. A fluid cement additive container according to any 20 preceding claim in which the fluid cement additive comprises a concentrated liquid plasticizer.

5. A fluid cement additive container according to any preceding claim in which the second chamber has volume 25 indicating means to indicate the volume of fluid located therein. 6. A fluid cement additive container according to any preceding claim in which, once the fluid cement additive 30 has been caused to flow from the first chamber to the second chamber, the fluid cement additive is inhibited from flowing from the second chamber to the first chamber by fluid flow inhibiting means.

t' 7. A fluid cement additive container according to claim 6 in which the fluid cement additive is inhibited from flowing from the second chamber to the first chamber by an airlock. 8. A fluid cement additive container according to any preceding claim in which the fluid communication means comprises a conduit.

lo 9. A fluid cement additive container according to claim 8 in which the fluid flow inhibiting means is provided by a part of the conduit which provides a restricted fluid flow passageway. 5 lo. A fluid cement additive container according to claim 8 or claim 9 in which the conduit extends from substantially the bottom of the container to substantially the top of the container.

To 11. A fluid cement additive container according to any preceding claim in which the walls of the first chamber are resilient.

12. A fluid cement additive container according to any 2s preceding claim in which the walls of the second chamber are substantially rigid.

13. A fluid cement additive container according to any preceding claim in which fluid cement additive is caused 30 to flow through the first fluid communication means due to a decrease in volume of the first chamber.

( t7 14. A fluid cement additive container according to claim 13 in which the decrease in volume of the first chamber is caused by deformation of the walls of the first chamber.

5 15. A fluid cement additive container according to any preceding claim in which the chamber comprises filling means for enabling fluid cement additive to be introduced into the first chamber.

lo 16. A fluid cement additive container according to claim 15 in which the filling means is sealed by sealing means once a predetermined volume of fluid cement additive is located within the first chamber.

15 17. A fluid cement additive container according to claim 16 in which once sealed, fluid is prevented from being introduced into the first chamber through the filling means. 20 18. A fluid cement additive container in accordance with any preceding claim, the fluid cement additive container comprising fluid cement additive located therein.

19. A method of mixing a fluid cement additive with a 25 mixture comprising causing a predetermined volume of fluid cement additive to flow from a first chamber of a container to a second chamber of the container and subsequently adding the predetermined volume of fluid cement additive from the second chamber to the mixture.

20. A method according to claim 19 in which the method comprises diluting the fluid cement additive.

21. A method according to claim 20 in which the method comprises diluting the fluid cement additive prior to adding the fluid cement additive to the mixture.

5 22. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 21 in which the method comprises decreasing the volume of the first chamber of the container in order to cause a predetermined volume of fluid cement additive to flow from the first chamber to the second chamber.

23. A fluid cement additive container substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, any of the accompanying drawings.

5 24. A container comprising fluid cement additive located therein substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, any of the accompanying drawings.

25. A method of mixing a fluid cement additive with a 20 mixture substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, any of the accompanying drawings.