GB2521641A - Single use non-return collapsible container - Google Patents

Abstract

Containers come in varying shapes and sizes and contain a wide range of substances. Simple bottles and cartons are used to contain liquids that are bought and used in everyday life. When these containers are emptied or partially emptied they then still take up the same amount of space as they did when they were full and allow air to mix with the contents. This can cause the contents to spoil more rapidly than they would without the introduction of air.  To overcome these problems the present invention proposes a single use collapsible container that can prevent the contents mixing with air and collapses as the contents are used. The container comprises an interlocking mechanism(s) 1, such as a barbed cylinder 2 which makes the container stay in either a partially collapsed of fully collapsed shape once it has dispensed either some or all of its contents. This is especially useful when considering space saving in either storage or refuse. The container may contain different substances, which may be contained in different compartments separated by breakable seals and/or one-way valves. The container may also include a temperature indicator, photo exposure indicator, time indicator or an air exposure indicator.

Description

Single use non-return collapsible container Containers come in varying shapes and sizes and contain a wide range of substances. Simple bottles and cartons are used to contain liquids that are bought and used in everyday life. When these containers are emptied or partially emptied they then still take up the same amount of space as they did when they were full and allow air to mix with the contents. This can cause the contents to spoil more rapidly than they would without the introduction of air.

To overcome these problems the present invention proposes a single use collapsible container that can prevent the contents mixing with air and collapses as the contents are used.

Collapsible containers do exist already but the addition of an interlocking mechanism(s) makes the container stay in either a partially collapsed of fully collapsed shape once it has dispensed either some or all of its contents.

This is especially useful when considering space saving in either storage or refuse.

The ability to prevent the container refilling can be used in applications as a safety feature.

The collapsible container can have either single or multiple compartments that could be separated by one way valves and/or breakable seals and the contents could be contained under pressure.

With the addition of separated compartments the container can have many uses. Two part mixtures such as epoxy resins could be contained or any other combination of substances that need to be mixed at point of use.

The container could be used to dispense a series of different substances one after the other.

The collapsible container could be in a variety of shapes and sizes and be specifically designed to deliver a predetermined volume of its contents. This would be useful where measured doses are required.

When cooking, a person often needs a set volume of an ingredient such as a liquid or paste to add to a recipe. The collapsible container could deliver the required amount(s) and also preserve the unused contents by limiting exposure to contaminants and air.

The collapsible container could be manufactured as a replaceable cartridge and dueto its space saving properties it would be advantageous when compared to a non-collapsible cartridge.

The single use non-return collapsible container is prevented from refilling once fully collapsed by an interlocking mechanism(s) and even though it may be actually be used to dispense multiple times once it is fully collapsed it cannot be re-used at point of use. This does not however mean the container cannot be cleaned and refilled in the same way a milk bottle is re-used it just prevents the user from doing so. The interlocking mechanism(s) could be manufactured so that they can be disengaged so thatthe container can be re-used.

Pasteurised products would be ideally suited to this type of container as would any substance where sterility is needed and non-return is a desired feature. Products such as milk or juice would keep fresh longer and as the contents are used the container will take up less space in the fridge and once used, less space in refuse or in collection. This is an advantageous feature of the proposed invention as space in both refrigerators and waste bins could be better utilised rather than being taken up by the empty space of containers.

The container could also be manufactured with specific nozzles or fittings to cater for a large range of applications. These fittings could include screw threads or tappers to match specific connectors. It is also possible to have interchangeable nozzles or fittings. This could be useful when using the container to dispense substances like icing for cakes where different effects are required.

This would mean this type of container would be very versatile.

The container could have different indicators added to it that would also further its range of uses. A temperature indicator such as pigments that change colour(s) with heat or other types of thermometers could be used where specific temperatures are required before dispensing. This would be ideally suited when* feeding babies with warm milk or food for example.

A photo exposure indicator could be used where photosensitive substances are contained. A use by or time indicator could also be utilized to indicate the viability of contents but could also be used as timer where the dispensed contents need to be timed; this would be especially useful in materials that cure such as glues, paints or resins.

As air exposure may be undesirable; as a safety feature the container may have an indicator that reacts with oxygen and then indicates that the contents are unsafe to use. This combined with the interlocking mechanism(s) that prevent refilling would make a very useful container where sterility and single use are needed such as catering or medical industries. Where sterility is desirable the container can be produced with a nozzle guard that keeps the nozzle sterile until the seal is broken and the guard removed before use.

The container could also be produced with one way valves and/or breakable seals for added safety when dispensing the contents and preventing return in pressurised conditions.

The invention will now de described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a single compartment single use non-return collapsible container.

Figure 2 shows a cross section of a single compartment single use non-return collapsible container with its interlocking mechanism and optional nozzle protection seal visible.

Figure 3 shows an alternative design for a single compartment single use non-return container that has a coned shape and that has interchangeable nozzles.

Figure 4 shows a multiple compartment single use non-return collapsible container.

Figure 5 shows a cross section of a multiple compartment single use non-return collapsible container in an unused and also a fully collapsed state.

Figure 6 shows a multiple compartment single use non-return collapsible èontainer in both a partially and fully collapsed state.

Figure 1 A single compartment single use non-return collapsible container comprises of a container that can be used to contain and dispense a substance. The cap to the nozzle 1) is twisted off before use and then the contents can be dispensed by squeezing the container. An ergonomic design makes it easy to use by incorporating finger 2) and thumb 3) placements and the contents label 4) can then be clearly visible at point of use. As a safety feature an identical label could be placed on the other side of the container so that it does not matter which way round the user holds the container as the label can still be clearly visible at point of use. The container is squeezed and the contents are dispensed as the container collapses. Once partially or fully collapsed an interlocking mechanism(s) prevents the container from refilling. A one way valve could also be used in this design.

Figure 2 The interlocking mechanism 1) that prevents re-filling in this particular design comprises of a barb ridged cylinder 2) that prevents re-expansion once a section 3) of the collapsible container is pushed over it. When used in sterile conditions a sterile nozzle 4) may be needed so in this case the twist off seal 5) is made to protect the sterility of the nozzle. A one way valve 6) could also be used in this design.

Figure 3 An alternative design for a single compartment single use non-return collapsible container that has a coned shaped compartment 1) and interchangeable nozzles 2). The barb ridged interlocking mechanism 3) prevents refilling as in figure 1 and is coned to match the shape of the compartment. This design would exert more pressure on the contents in its nozzle due to its coned shaped compartment and would be useful for dispensing viscous contents such as thick liquids, pastes, putty or even powders.

Figure 4 A multiple compartment single use non-return collapsible container comprises of compartments 1) that may contain different substances. When different substances are contained a breakable seal 2) and/or one way valve(s) can be used to keep the substances separate before they are used. The compartments could be made in different sizes to each other where more or less of a particular substance is needed in the same container. This would be useful in substances like epoxy resins where only a small amount of hardener is needed to make the dispensed contents cure. The compartments may contain the same substance and be designed to give a measured amount of that substance once a compartment is collapsed. Once collapsed a compartment is prevented from re-filling by an interlocking mechanism 3). This design could also be produced with a twist off seal 4) that keeps the nozzle sterile and although not illustrated in this diagram a one way valve(s) could be used in this design.

Figure $ Once the compartments are compressed from a filled state 1) to a collapsed state 2) there is still enough empty space 3) for contents from other compartments to pass through and be dispensed.

Figure 6 The compartments are collapsed 1) and 2) and the contents dispensed. The interlocking mechanisms 3) and 4) prevent re-filling and keep the empty container in a space saving collapsed state. One way valves and/or breakable seals could be used between compartments and/or at the nozzle to prevent return or air entrainment but they have not been illustrated in this diagram.

Claims (5)

1. Claims 1. A single use non-return collapsible container comprising of a flexible collapsible container of either single or multiple compartments which can contain different substances which may be contained under pressure and that are separated from the external environment and/or another compartment or compartments by breakable seals and/or one way valves and once partially or fully collapsed an interlocking mechanism prevents the container or compartments re-filling.
2. 2. A single use non-return collapsible container as described in claim 1, that can be re-processed and re-filled but not at the point of use.
3. 3. A single use non-return collapsible container as described in any preceding claim that can be used as a replaceable cartridge.
4. 4. A single use non-return collapsible container as described in any preceding claim that has interchangeable nozzles.
5. 5. A single use non-return collapsible container as described in any preceding claim that incorporates either a temperature indicator, photo exposure indicator, time indicator, air exposure indicator or any combination of the fore mentioned indicators.