GB2464776A

GB2464776A - Packaging and mixing system

Info

Publication number: GB2464776A
Application number: GB0821436A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Barlow
Original assignee: Norcros Group Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Norcros Group Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2008-11-24
Filing date: 2008-11-24
Publication date: 2010-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2028-11-24
Also published as: GB0821436D0; GB2464776B; ZA200908292B

Abstract

An adhesive, glue, cement, screed or other paste material storage, and mixing system comprises a heavy duty sealed plastic bucket container 201 featuring a translucent or transparent vertical wall portion 209. The wall portion 209 provides a scale for both volume and/or weight. Predetermined quantities of powdered adhesive are contained within heavy duty paper or polythene sacks or bags 202, 203 within the bucket. The bucket provides a combined use as a measuring and mixing vessel to ensure a correct volume of water is used with pre-defined quantities of the powder adhesive. A handle 206 and lid 207 may be provided.

Description

ADHESIVE PACKAGING SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a packaging system for a dry particulate material and particularly although not exclusively to a packaging system, which provides both storage means and provision for mixing.

Background to the Invention

Traditional adhesive particulate materials are stored within heavy duty paper or polythene sacks due to the availability of these packaging materials. They provide simple functionality for maintaining the materials within the sacks however, they are susceptible to damage in the form of rips or tears; Warehouses are now equipped with highly automated components, such as automated storage handling and retrieval systems which minimize the amount of human interaction within the packaging system. However, automated mechanisms can cause damage to some types of packaging. In the case of dry adhesive materials in paper or polythene sacks or bags, automated handling systems are not well suited to handling these, and may cause rips, tears and droppages of packs. Any spillages may result in downtime of the warehouse equipment as the picking equipment and/or conveying system may not function correctly.

Referring to figure 1 herein, known packaging is available whereby materials are pre-packed in an opaque container. An example is the Wickes� Rapid Set Cement container. The Wickes system provides a container, with a lid and handle, prepared with loose dried cement contained therein. In order to produce cement the product requires the addition of a predetermined volume of water with suitable agitation in order to provide the correct final consistency. A drawback of this system is that it does not provide means to mix varying volumes of the desired product without emptying loose materials from the container as the dried material is loosely contained within the container. To mix a part-quantity requires tipping loose powdered material out of the container, which is messy.

P1935 Spec Another problem is that the preferred method of mixing for many cement or adhesive types requires that the dried material is added to the liquid and not vice versa. Generally this means containing water in a mixing vessel, and gradually adding cement or adhesive powder to the water, judging by eye the correct amount of particulate material to add, and estimating the amount of mixed adhesive or cement paste which needs to be made. Current packaging systems generally provide written instructions on the quantities to add together, but do not assist the end user any further, leaving it to them to estimate the actual quantities being mixed, usually without weighing the ingredients. TypicaDy users will make rule of thumb measurements such as half a shovel" or" a trowel full" or the like, which obviously vary randomly depending on which particular shovel is immediately to hand. Once the shovel has been used for mixing and is clogged with cement or adhesive, the next "half a shovel" is unlikely to be the same is quantity of material as the first one.

An object of the present invention is to provide a packaging system for particulate materials, such as building materials, that is robust enough to allow for successful manipulation of particulate materials in an automated warehouse and/or supply and distribution chain.

A further objective is to provide a packaging system for particulate materials whereby accurate measurement of the adhesive components can be performed in a mixing vessel, to ensure that the correct volume of water and powdered material is used.

A further object is to provide a packaging system which does not require that all of the packaged material is used at one time, and allows for retention and storage of unused materials in a dry condition.

A further object is to provide an adhesive or cement packaging system which ensures that powder is added to water, in that order, rather than adding water to powder, to obtain a correct consistency and mix of adhesive or cement.

Summary of the Invention

The invention may achieve some or all of the above objectives by providing a closeable container for storage and transportation of one or more flexible bags each bag containing a pre-measured quantity of dry particulate material.

According to a first aspect there is provided a packaging and mixing system for a dry particulate material, said system comprising: at least one flexible bag container, for containing a measured quantity of said dry particulate material; a closeable container for storage and transportation of said dry particulate material in said at least one flexible bag, said closeable container comprising: a vessel having an upright wall and a base portion extending across a lower part of the vessel, said container vessel capable of containing water without leakage; a handle attached to an upper part of said vessel; and a closely fitting lid arranged to engage with an upper rim of said vessel; wherein said vessel wall comprises a substantially translucent or transparent wall portion, said substantially transparent or translucent wall portion being provided with a plurality of markings indicating a fill level of said container.

Said fill level indicator may take the form of a plurality of gradations on said wall, said gradations indicating a fill level in terms of: a weight of combined particulate material and fluid materials; and a volume of combined particulate material and fluid material.

Preferably, said at least one flexible bag is of a size and shape suitable to be enclosed within said closeable container. More than one bag may be stored in the closeable container, Preferably, said particulate material, said flexible bag container is removable from said closeable container.

In use water may be filled to a first fill level indicated by a fill level indicator which indicates a measured quantity of water; and said particulate material may comprise an adhesive powder, which can be added to said vessel up to a second fill level as indicated by said fill level indicator, such that said particulate material can be added to said water in said vessel for mixing of an adhesive paste comprising said measured quantity of particulate material and said measured quantity of water in a predetermined ratio.

Preferably, said vessel comprises a substantially cylindrical or frusto-conical upright wall.

Said at least one flexible bag container may comprise a single skin material capable of being easily openable by tearing by a human user without the need for a cutting tool.

Said markings may indicate a fill level of said container in terms of a quantity selected from: a number of packs of a product; an adhesive coverage area of mixed adhesive paste.

The closeable container may comprise a substantially translucent or transparent window portion, bordered by a visibly opaque region.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a closeable container for storage and transportation of a dry particulate material, said container comprising: a container vessel having a substantially tubular upright wall and a base portion extending across and closing off a lower part of the upright wall; a handle attached to an upper part of said container vessel; and a closely fitting lid arranged to engage with an upper rim of said container vessel.

wherein said vessel wall comprises a substantially translucent or transparent wall portion, said substantially transparent or translucent wall portion being provided with a plurality of markings indicating a fill level of said container; wherein said plurality of markings indicate a fill level in terms of: a fill level of water; and a fill level of combined water and said particulate material.

Said markings may indicate: a weight of said combined particulate material and fluid materials; and a volume of said combined particulate material and fluid material.

Said markings may indicate a fill level of said container in terms of a quantity selected from: a number of packs of product; and an adhesive coverage area of mixed adhesive paste.

Preferably, said container comprises a substantially cylindrical or frusto-con ical upright wall.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of mixing a paste material from a dry particulate material and water in a container, said container vessel having an upright wall and a base portion extending across the lower part of the vessel, said container vessel capable of containing water without leakage, wherein said vessel side wall comprises a substantially translucent or transparent wall portion, said substantially transparent or translucent wall portion being provided with a plurality of markings indicating a fill level of said container; said method comprising: opening at least one flexible bag container, containing a measured quantity of said dry particulate material; filling said container with water, up to a predetermined mark indicating a predetermined quantity of water, io adding said particulate material to said water in said container up to a second fill level as indicated by said fill level indicator, such that said particulate material is added to said water in said container in a predetermined ratio; and stirring said water and said particulate material in said container to create a paste until a desired consistency of said paste is achieved.

Said fill level indicator may take the form of a plurality of gradations on said side wall, said gradations indicating a fill level in terms of: a weight of combined particulate material and fluid; and a volume of combined particulate material and fluid.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of storing and transporting a dry particulate material, said method comprising: filling a flexible bag with a predetermined quantity of dry particulate material; sealing said particulate material inside said flexible bag; placing said at least one said flexible bag in a rigid bucket type container, such that said bucket type container protects said flexible bag from incidental damage; and s closing off an upper end of said bucket like container using a closeable lid.

Said flexible bag may comprise a material which is tear able by the human hand without the need for a tool.

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a storage and transport system for storing and transporting a dry particulate material, said system corn prisi ng: at least one flexible bag fillable with a predetermined quantity of dry particulate material, wherein said bag is capable of being sealed with said particulate material inside; a rigid bucket type container capable of containing one or a plurality of said filled flexible bags, such that said bucket type container protects said flexible bag(s) from accidental damage; and closing off an upper end of said bucket like container using a closely fitting lid.

Other aspects are as set out in the claims herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an example of a prior art adhesive container.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an adhesive packaging system disclosed herein; Figure 3 is a schematic view from one side of a container component of the first embodiment adhesive packaging system of Figure 2 herein; Figure 4 is a schematic view of the container components of Figure 3 herein in view from the back; and Figure 5 is a schematic view of the container of Figures 2 to 4 herein in view from the front.

Detailed Description

There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the inventors. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to

unnecessarily obscure the description.

Referring to figure 2 herein, there is illustrated schematically in perspective view the first embodiment of the adhesive packaging system (200). The adhesive packaging system comprises a closeable bucket container (201) and one of a plurality of flexible bags (202, 203) containing dry particulate material. The closeable bucket container (201) comprises a substantially cylindrical or frusto-conical upright wall (204) and a base portion (205) extending across the lower part of the container so as to form a sealed vessel capable of containing water without leakage; a handle (206) attached to an upper part of the vessel, a closely fitting lid (207) arranged to engage with an upper rim (208) of the vessel. The bucket container also features a substantially translucent or transparent wall portion (209) which further comprises a plurality of markings (211) indicating a fill level and further graduations (212) indicating a fill level in terms of weight and/or volume.

For storage and transportation, the one or more flexible bags (202, 203) are stored within the closeable bucket, and the lid (207) is closed, thereby sealing the container (201) from the ingress of moisture or damp, as well as physically protecting the relatively fragile material of the bags (202, 203) from damage by mechanical handling apparatus, sharp edges or knocks.

At a point of use, the adhesive packaging system (200) is separated in to its two main constituents upon use whereby all flexible bags (202, 203) are removed from the closeable bucket container (201). The closeable bucket container (201) is then filled with water until the water fill level marking (211) has been reached as indicated on the translucent wall portion (209). Once the correct volume of water has been added to the bucket the dry particulate material contained within the flexible bag (202, 203) is added gradually and the resulting mixture is agitated until a homogenous mixture is formed. The process of adding and mixing the dry particulate material to the water is continued until the correct volume of water and particulate material has been achieved. Once the resultant mixture has been formed, the close fitting lid (207) may be placed upon the upper rim (208) in order to maintain the consistency of the adhesive mix and to locally carry the mixed adhesive a short distance, for example up some stairs, up a ladder or between rooms. A handle (206) is attached to the upper portion of the closeable bucket container in order to provide suitable means for carrying the adhesive container.

The closeable bucket container (201) may be formed from a hard wearing and heavy duty plastic such as low density polyethylene. The base of the bucket container and the upright walls form a rounded out internal surface to prevent the material being mixed becoming trapped and remaining in its dry form. This also allows for the bucket container to be easily cleaned out after use so as to provide a clean surface for any future use.

The handle (206), and its corresponding locating mounts on the bucket (201) are made robust enough so that the handle does not detach from the bucket during storage or transport, so that the handle can carry the weight of the complete packaging system filled with adhesive in unmixed form, and can caryr the container when full of mixed adhesive.

The handle (206) is attached to the upper portion of the bucket container and fixed within a reinforced section. The handle may be formed of either metal or plastic and be able to withstand the full weight of the bucket container when it is full of the mixed adhesive. Preferably, the handle is formed of metal whereby it features a plastic moulded rotatable hand grip which is laterally moveable along the metal handle.

The portion of the upright wall (209) that features the graduated markings may be either translucent or transparent in order to allow the user to see into the bucket container. The graduations are shown by lines along the transparent or translucent wall portion at regular intervals showing predetermined weights and/or volumes of water, mixed adhesive and/or powdered or particulate dry adhesive material. These markings clearly allow the user to determine either the volume of liquid added or the weight of the particulate material that has been added.

Furthermore, the markings on the translucentltransparent wall portion clearly show the user the correct ratios for mixing different volumes of adhesive to their preferred corresponding volumes of water.

The bags (202, 203) are designed to be disposable, and the dry particulate material is encapsulated within a sealed flexible bag in order to maintain its dry state. The flexible bags may be formed or either heavy duty paper or polythene sacks which clearly state the weight and/or volume of the material contained therein. There may be a plurality of flexible bags contained within the adhesive packaging system (100) dependent on the size of the pack in use, and the size of the container.

By providing one or more dry powder adhesive containing bags within a relatively more robust outer container (201), the material of the bags can be made relatively less robust and tear resistant than otherwise may be the case, since the bags do not directly come into contact with mechanical handling equipment in the storage and distribution chain.

The flexible bag containers are made of a material such as paper or relatively thin plastics material which can either be cut by a knife, or which can be opened by tearing using a human hand, without the need for any tools.

Referring to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings, the is illustrated 2 0 schematically in view from one side, the container (201). Preferably, the container is manufactured of a transparent or translucent durable plastics material, which is capable of being overprinted with an opaque ink coating. In the pre-overprinted condition as shown in Figure 3, the separate translucentitransparent window (209) does not yet have its perimeter defined by an overprinted opaque layer but the printed or moulded fill level indicators (210, 211) shown as a fill level indicator gradation (210), and a volume/weight fill level indicator (211) are either moulded into the side wall of the container, or are overprinted onto the container side wall. Although the handle (206) is shown in Figure 3 as being connected to an upper rim of the container (201) as a position above the fill level indicator and the transparentltranslucent window (209), the position of the window and fill level indicators need not correspond with the position of attachment of the handle, and the window and fill level indicator may be positioned anywhere around a circumference of the container wall.

Referring to Figure 4 herein, there is illustrated schematically the pre-painted/pre-printed container of Figures 2 and 3 in view from the back.

Referring to Figure 5 herein, there is illustrated schematically the pre-painted/pre-printed container of Figures 2 to 4 in view from the front.

It will be appreciated by the skilled person that the over printing of the transparent/translucent plastics material of the container can leave various windows for viewing the contents of the container either at the point of purchase or during storage.

In an alternative embodiment, the container may be formed of an opaque material, having a separate transparent or translucent window (209), which may be a component moulded in to the container.

There will now be described method of use of the packaging system by an end user for mixing adhesive.

The end user receives the adhesive contained within the bags (202, 203) within the container (201). In this condition, the container can be carried around using the handle, for example loaded into a van, or carried along whilst walking.

The adhesive bags are protected from external knocks and damage by the container (201), which also protects the bags from being exposed to moisture or damp, since the container is sealed by the closeable lid (207).

The user detaches the lid (207), which may require some manipulation of the lid, to open the container and takes out all of the bags containing adhesive.

The user then fills the base of the container with water up to a pre-determined fill level, corresponding to the amount of adhesive material which the user wishes to mix. The user can see the fill level of the water by viewing the water level through the transparent/translucent container wall, or a window portion of the container wall as described herein before, and comparing the water fill level with the printed or moulded gradations (210), and volume/weight markings (211).

The user then opens a bag of adhesive, for example either by hand, or by cutting with a knife or by ripping the bag, and adds the dry powdered adhesive to the water already in the container, and may mix the powder to the water as it is added. The user may monitor the volume or weight of adhesive powder added to the water by viewing the fill level through transparent/translucent window or side of the container and comparing the fill level with the gradations (210) and volume/weight markings (211), so as to mix the correct amount of powder to the correct amount of water, in that order, to obtain the correct consistency of adhesive material.

The user can either gradually add the powder to the water, mixing by stirring with a stick, screwdriver or other implement as the powder is added. Alternatively, the user can add the whole of a bag of powder to the premeasured amount of water in the container at once and then mix the particulate material and the water.

To provide some mixing of the powder and water, the user may place the closeable lid over the top of the rigid container vessel, and roll the vessel around, to provide course mixing of the particulate material and the water, both in predetermined measured quantities.

The user can then carry the mixed adhesive ready to use in the container, either with the lid refitted, or left open, using the handle (206). Typically, the mixed adhesive would only be carried relatively short distances, for example within rooms of a building, upstairs, or up a ladder. To avoid the risk of splashes or spillage, whilst carrying the mixed adhesive even over short distances, the closeable lid may be placed over the container.

Once a first quantity of mixed adhesive is used, it may be that the user has not used all of the powder, and has one or more opened bags. The container can be washed out and dried with a cloth or the like and the remaining powder in the opened bag can be replaced back into the container and the lid closed tight, so that the part used adhesive powder can be stored in a dry environment protected from damp and moisture for an indeterminate period within the closed container, and available for reuse at a later time.

The markings (211) on the side wall of the container can be denoted in various measurements. For example: -Volume of material up to the fill level -Weight of material up to the fill level (in metric weight measurements such as kilogram) -Volume of material measured in arbitrary measurements such as bags, for example one bag, two bag, half bag etc. -Area of coverage of a mixed material, e.g. adhesive paste Where the adhesive packaging and mixing system is sold in conjunction with other products, for example a pre-determined quantity or area of tiles or other components to be fixed, the markings (211) can be graded to give the correct level or mixed adhesive, for example grade as "one tile pack", "two tile packs", etc. In that case, there may be sub-markings or sub-gradations denoted water fill one pack" and "powder fill, one pack", to allow the correct mixing of amounts of water and adhesive powder to make enough adhesive to install one pack of tiles for example. Markings and fill level indicators can therefore be used to avoid wastage of adhesive material and to match the amount of adhesive mixed to a pre-determined quantity of materials to be fixed with the adhesive, for example tiles which can be sold separately, or as part of a packaged tiling system.

In this specification, the mixing of a powdered particulate material such as dry tile adhesive powder with water has been described. However, it will be appreciated that the dry particulate material could be a glue, cement, screed, or other paste material produced from mixing a dry particulate material with a fluid such as water.

Claims

Claims 1. A packaging and mixing system for a dry particulate material, said system comprising: at least one flexible bag container, for containing a measured quantity of said dry particulate material; a closeable container for storage and transportation of said dry particulate material in said at least one flexible bag, said closeable container comprising: a vessel having an upright wall and a base portion extending across a lower part of the vessel, said container vessel capable of containing water without leakage; a handle attached to an upper part of said vessel; and a closely fitting lid arranged to engage with an upper rim of said vessel; wherein said vessel wall comprises a substantially translucent or transparent wall portion, said substantially transparent or translucent wall portion being provided with a plurality of markings indicating a fill level of said container.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fill level indicator takes the form of a plurality of gradations on said wall, said gradations indicating a fill level in terms of: (a) a weight of combined particulate material and fluid materials; and (b) a volume of combined particulate material and fluid material.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein, for transportation and storage, said at least one flexible bag is of a size and shape suitable to be enclosed within said closeable container.
4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein for mixing and deployment of said particulate material, said flexible bag container is removable from said closeable container.
5. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in use: water is filled to a first fill level indicated by said fill level indicator said first fill level indicating a measured quantity of water; and said particulate material comprises an adhesive powder, which is added to said vessel up to a second fill level as indicated by said fill level indicator, such that said particulate material can be added to said water in said vessel for mixing of an adhesive paste comprising said measured quantity of particulate material and said measured quantity of water in a predetermined ratio.
6. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said vessel comprises a substantially cylindrical or frusto-conical upright wall.
7. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one flexible bag container comprises a single skin material capable of being torn by a human user without the need for a cutting tool.
8. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said markings indicate a fill level of said container in terms of a quantity selected from: a number of packs of a product; an adhesive coverage area of mixed adhesive paste.
9. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a substantially translucent or transparent window portion, bordered by an opaque region.
10. A closeable container for storage and transportation of a dry particulate material, said container comprising: a container vessel having a substantially tubular upright wall and a base portion extending across and closing off a lower part of the upright wall; a handle attached to an upper part of said container vessel; and a closely fitting lid arranged to engage with an upper rim of said container vessel.wherein said vessel wall comprises a substantially translucent or transparent wall portion, said substantially transparent or translucent wall portion being provided with a plurality of markings indicating a fill level of said container; wherein said plurality of markings indicate a fill level in terms of: a fill level of water; and a fill level of combined water and said particulate material.
11. The container as claimed in claim 11, wherein said markings indicate: a weight of said combined particulate material and fluid materials; and a volume of said combined particulate material and fluid material.
12. The container as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein said container comprises a substantially cylindrical or frusto-conical upright wall.
13. The container as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein said markings indicate a fill level of said container in terms of a quantity selected from: a number of packs of product; and an adhesive coverage area of mixed adhesive paste.
14. The container as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13, comprising a substantially translucent or transparent window portion, bordered by a visibly opaque region.
15. A method of mixing a paste material from a dry particulate material and water, said method comprising the steps of: opening at least one flexible bag container, containing a measured quantity of said dry particulate material; -21 -filling said container with water, up to a predetermined mark indicating a predetermined quantity of water, said container vessel having an upright wall and a base portion extending across the lower part of the vessel, said container vessel capable of containing water without leakage; wherein said vessel side wall comprises a substantially translucent or transparent wall portion, said substantially transparent or translucent wall portion being provided with a plurality of markings indicating a fill level of said container; adding said particulate material to said water in said container up to a second fill level as indicated by said fill level indicator, such that said particulate material is added to said water in said container in a predetermined ratio; and stirring said water and said particulate material in said container to create a paste until a desired consistency of said paste is achieved.
16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said fill level indicator takes the form of a plurality of gradations on said side wall, said gradations indicating a fill level in terms of: (a) a weight of combined particulate material and fluid; and (b) a volume of combined particulate material and fluid.
17. A method of storing and transporting a dry particulate material, comprising: filling a flexible bag with a predetermined quantity of dry particulate material; sealing said particulate material inside said flexible bag; placing said at least one flexible bag in a rigid bucket type container, such that said bucket type container protects said flexible bag from accidental damage; and io closing off an upper end of said bucket like container using a closely fitting lid.
18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said flexible bag comprises a material which is tear able by the human hand without the need for a tool.
19. A storage and transport system for storing and transporting a dry particulate material, comprising: at least one flexible bag suitable for filling with a predetermined quantity of a dry particulate material, said particulate material being sealable inside said flexible bag; a rigid bucket type container, capable of containing one or a plurality of said fillable bags such that said bucket type container protects said flexible bag from accidental damage; and a lid for closing off an upper end of said bucket like container.