GB2590931A - Storage and dispensing container - Google Patents

Abstract

A container 10 comprising a hollow body 11 enclosed within three mutually perpendicular pairs of spaced-apart planes and which has a maximum first dimension A corresponding with the spacing of the planes of a first pair, a maximum second dimension B corresponding with the spacing of the planes of a second pair and smaller than the first dimension, and a maximum third dimension C corresponding with the spacing of the planes of the third pair and usually smaller than the second dimension. The container is provided with inlet means 16 for introduction of a substance to be stored in the container, valve-controlled outlet means 15 for discharge of the substance and ventilating means 17 to allow ingress of air during discharge of the container content. The inlet means 16, outlet means 15 and ventilating means 17 are positioned or positionable to lie substantially within the volume bounded by the three pairs of planes. The container may comprise a pair of handles 26 on adjacent sides and may also comprise an identification signal emitting means in the form of radio frequency identification (RFID).

Description

STORAGE AND DISPENSING CONTAINER

The present invention relates to a storage and dispensing container, particularly for a flowable substance such as liquid or particulates.

It is widespread practice to package and market many commonplace consumables such as foodstuffs, beverages, cleaning and washing products of all kinds and care-care products, to mention just a few, in single-use containers or at least containers which are not specifically intended to be reused for the original purpose. Purchase of a replacement product invariably entails purchase of replacement packaging even in the case of, for example, moulded plastics material containers capable of reuse. Reusable containers intended to be refilled exist in some fields, for example petrol, some beverages and other specific liquids, but such containers are generally designed to dispense the content simply by pouring the stored substance from the filling opening. Containers used or reused in that way are thus usually very basic in design. Growing concern over wastage of plastics material containers and the environmental issues connected with disposal or recycling has led to the concept of refilling reusable containers, which was commonplace in earlier decades in relation to containers of stoneware, glass and other ceramics, being revisited and with it the provision of container refilling stations at retail outlets where products are conventionally purchased in single-use packaging. However, at present most of the containers available for refilling are simply preserved containers which were not intended for repeated reuse and which consequently do not represent a dedicated vehicle for longer-term product storage and dispensing.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a container optimised for refilling and for dispensing, particularly controllable dispensing, other than by way of inconvenient manipulation of a filled container to pour from a filling opening.

A further object is to provide a refillable container specifically dimensioned so as to be able to be used, in particular for dispensing, in the same way in alternative orientations dictated by space availability.

Yet another object is creation of a basis for a storage and dispensing system employing multiple containers storing different consumables of kinds required not only in domestic environments, but also in commercial and industrial facilities.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a refillable storage and dispensing container comprising a hollow substantially straight-sided volumetric body which is enclosed within three mutually perpendicular pairs of spaced-apart planes and which has a maximum first dimension corresponding with the spacing of the planes of a first pair, a maximum second dimension corresponding with the spacing of the planes of a second pair and smaller than the first dimension and a maximum third dimension corresponding with the spacing of the planes of the third pair and smaller than the first dimension, the container body being supportable in either one of two mutually orthogonal use orientations in one of which the first dimension is substantially vertical and the second and third dimensions are substantially horizontal and in the other one of which the first and third dimensions are substantially horizontal and the second dimension is substantially vertical and the container being provided with inlet means for introduction of a flowable substance to be stored in the container as content, controllable outlet means for selectable discharge of the container content and ventilating means to allow ingress of air during discharge of the container content, the outlet means being arranged to allow discharge of the container content under gravity when the container is in either one of the two orientations and the inlet means, outlet means and ventilating means being positioned or posifionable to lie substantially within the volume bounded by the three pairs of planes.

A container embodying the invention is optimised in design for use as, especially, a removable and refillable or replaceable refilled element of a storage and dispensing installation composed of a plurality of containers, particularly an installation in which the containers have a common size and shape, can be arranged in either one of two alternative use orientations compatible with storage space conditions, in effect standing up or lying down, and can to be lined up so that the outlet means of the containers have a common position. The two different use orientations with the container standing up or lying down result from the block-like form of the straight-sided container body having a larger first dimension and a smaller second dimension and from construction of the outlet means to be controllable, thus to initiate and terminate discharge of content under the control of a user, as well as arrangement of the outlet means specifically to permit content discharge under gravity regardless of the selected one of the two orientations. An important factor in optimal utilisation of installation space, which in domestic and other circumstances may at times be at a premium, by the container is arrangement of the inlet, outlet and ventilating means to be positioned or at least positionable within the notional volume bounded by the three pairs of mutually perpendicular spaced-apart planes enclosing, more specifically bounding, the container body. The three-dimensional shape of the entire container is thus constrained to lie within that notional volume so as to avoid the potentially obstructive protrusions represented by inlets, outlets and vents in typical container formats where this issue is commonly left out of consideration. Such a container can be relatively straightforward to manufacture from relatively inexpensive materials, including use, if desired, of proprietary items for elements in the inlet, outlet and ventilating means, and can be light in weight to facilitate handling and carriage. In addition, the form of the container allows secure and stable stacking of filled or unfilled containers. This combination of advantageous features makes the container particularly suitable for use in, for example, domestic environments as part of a storage and dispensing facility for domestic consumables, especially a facility in which the container serves as a repeatedly reusable storage unit capable of refilling by transport of the container to a refilling location or by delivery of replenishing content to or substitution of a replacement refilled container at the place of installation. The benefits of reuse of a refillable container, in terms of reduction in environmental loading due to the standard practice of discard of conventional containers once emptied, are self-evident.

The specific dimensional measurements of the container may be largely a matter of choice, subject to the consideration that a target minimum volume for the content may be desired, for example five litres of flowable substance. However, in order to achieve desirable proportions of the container body, particularly so that the two use orientations represent two alternatives for utilisation of space offering height on the one hand and depth on the other hand, the second dimension is preferably half to two-thirds the first dimension. Similarly, the third dimension is for preference smaller than the second dimension, especially less than half the latter, so that in a storage and dispensing facility a number of containers storing substances of different kinds can be arranged in a row in the direction of their third dimensions without resulting in an excessive overall length in that direction. A container body with proportions governed by these dimensional relationships may thus have generally the form of a cuboid of a somewhat brick-shaped appearance.

The utility of the container may be significantly enhanced if the outlet means is arranged in a corner region of the container body, which allows scope for a design in which the outlet means can be located at the bottom of the container body regardless of whether the body is supported in the first use orientation or the second use orientation. Consequently, the outlet means can be of unified form, thus with a single outlet point, able to function in either use orientation chosen by a user. This represents a more economic construction by comparison with the equally possible, but more complicated, alternative of multiple outlet points individually associated with the two use orientations. In the case of the preferred corner location of such a unified outlet means, it is advantageous if the container body has in the corner region an area of reduced cross-section in the sense of the third dimension, in effect a narrowing of the container body. This provides sufficient space to comfortably accommodate the outlet means without infringing the boundaries represented by the three pairs of planes.

In a preferred realisation of the outlet means this has a single outlet and is movable to position the outlet in different discharge positions relative to the body depending on a selected one of the two use orientations of the container body. The feature of a capability of movement of the outlet means allows the outlet to be positioned in a location which is optimal for each use orientation of the container body, in particular in each orientation a lowest point with respect to content outflow or drainage under the influence of gravity. With advantage, the discharge positions are outside the volume bounded by the three pairs of planes so that a cup, beaker or other recipient vessel offered up to the outlet means to receive a portion or dose of the substance stored in the container has clearance in relation to the container and a dispensing operation can be carried out by a user with greater freedom of hand movement.

For preference, apart from the discharge positions the outlet of the outlet means is additionally positionable in an orientation precluding dripping from the outlet in either one of the two use orientations, specifically dripping or residual running-on of the flowable substance after the outlet means has been controlled to terminate dispensing. This additional positioning can be achieved by a capability of the outlet means to move the outlet into an orientation in which gravity opposes dripping, thus positioning an opening of the outlet to face generally upwards.

In an advantageous embodiment of the container the outlet means comprises a duct with the outlet at a free end thereof, such a duct being conveniently present in a pipe which can include, for example, an elbow providing a right-angle bend to space the outlet from walls of the container body and thus afford space for presentation of a vessel for receiving discharged content. Movability of the outlet means is preferably achieved by construction of the outlet means to be rotationally movable at least in part, in particular pivotable in desired directions to locate the outlet in the desired outlet position. If the outlet means includes an elbow, the elbow can be rotatably mounted on the container body to provide the desired capability of movement. In an alternative construction, the outlet means at least in part is bendable, in which case it may comprise a flexible pipe which is resiliently deflectable and which can remain, for example through being held by a clip, stop or other such restraining device, in a deflected setting. Also conceivable is a retractable and extensible pipe of telescopic form or bellows construction.

Controllability of the outlet means is achievable in a simple manner if the outlet means comprises a manually operable valve for controlled discharge of container content via the outlet means. Such a valve is preferably a tap, which can be operable by a turning or pressing action and which can be economically realised, if desired, by way of a proprietary component.

In an alternative realisation, the outlet means has two outlets at two spaced-apart locations of the container body, each outlet being arranged for discharge of container content in a respective one of the two use orientations of the container body. Further, in the case of an intended container content consisting of a dry particulate material, for example soap powder or salt granules, the outlet means could be in the form of a positive displacement device such as a compartmented rotary wheel or drum, a spring-loaded push extractor or the like.

The inlet means may be of any suitable kind, including a conventional screw cap or push-fit plug on a stub pipe or, especially when the container is intended for a dry flowable substance, an openable flap. However, the process of filling the container may be simplified and accelerated if the inlet means comprises sealing valve means openable by insertion of a nozzle for introduction of the flowable substance into the container and automatically closable and sealable on withdrawal of the nozzle. In that case, filling can be carried out, for example at a vending station for the respective flowable substance, by simply offering the inlet means to a nozzle at the station. It may also be advantageous to provide a protective cover, for example a hinged or clipped flap, to cover the screw cap, plug or other inlet closure so as to keep the inlet region free of contaminants. This prevents unintended entrainment of detritus during filling of the container with a poured flowable substance such as liquid or particulate material.

For preference, at least one of the inlet means, the outlet means and the ventilating means is recessed or recessible in the container body, for example by shaping the body with a recess or rebate accommodating the inlet, outlet or ventilating means. By virtue of this shaping, the container body and all associated fittings can be conveniently contained within the notional volume bounded by the three pairs of planes. It is also possible, however, for the inlet means or and outlet means to be retractable, thus recessible, into the container body and extended from the body only when filling or dispensing is carried out.

In a preferred embodiment the container body can be provided with a least one grip to assist carrying the container and movement of the container into and out of a use position when the container body is supported in a respective one of the two use orientations, the or each grip being positioned or positionable to lie substantially within the volume bounded by the three pairs of planes. The grip or grips facilitate both carriage of the container to and from, for example, a filling point and manoeuvring of the container for insertion into and removable from a storage and dispensing installation for multiple containers. In that connection, expediently the container body has two handles respectively at one of the sides thereof bounded by the first pair of planes and one of the sides bounded by the second pair of planes and two grip indentations respectively at the other one of the sides bounded by the first pair of planes and the other one of the sides bounded by the second pair of planes. The total of four handles and grip indentations respectively at four sides thus eases movement of the container in two opposite directions associated with the first use orientation and a further two opposite directions associated with the second use orientation. In an advantageous configuration allowing firm gripping and manipulation of the container, particularly gripping for the purpose of carriage, each handle is formed by an aperture in the body and an adjoining grip bar able to be grasped by a hand of a user.

Discharge of flowable substance from the container to the extent of near exhaustion of the content is advantageously promoted if the side of the container which is lowermost in each of the use orientations has in the respective orientation a drop in the direction of the outlet means, as a result of which and assuming a low position of the intake of the outlet means only a very small amount of content may remain collected at the bottom of the container. The drop is preferably provided by sloping internal surfaces of the container body, but can also be provided by small steps in those surfaces in the vicinity of the outlet means.

As a further feature, the container can comprise coupling means for coupling to another such container when placed alongside in the same use orientation, particularly when containers are lined up alongside one another in a storage and dispensing installation. Containers intercoupled by way of their coupling means, for example detent nubs and recesses, sliding dovetails and dovetail guides or any other suitable mating devices, can thus form a stable assembly independently of any external supporting and locating arrangement. As yet another feature, the container body can be provided with a least one inspection window arranged to allow inspection of the level of container content in the use orientations, for example a single window in the vicinity of the outlet means or two windows each aligned to be vertical in a respective one of the two use orientations. If so desired, the container body can be made at least in part of translucent or transparent material so that the level of the container content is directly determinable by reference to the walls of the container body.

It is particularly advantageous if the container includes identification signal emitting means for emitting a signal identifying at least one of a parameter of the container and a predetermined flowable substance to be stored in and dispensed from the container. In the case of use in a storage and dispensing installation, suitable recognition means can be present in the installation to recognise the kind of substance stored in the container and/or another aspect of the container. Recognition means of that kind can also be present at a refilling station for a container equipped with such identification signal emitting means. The signal emitting means can comprise a radio frequency identification integrated circuit, which can be an inexpensive proprietary component attached, for example in the form of a label or sticker, to the container body. It is also possible for the container to be furnished with communication means, for example a local-area wireless network communicating device ('Wi-Fi'; Registered Trade Mark), for communication with an external station and to include power supply means for supply of operating power to the communication means. Further, the container may include weight recording means for recording the weight of the container inclusive of content if any.

With respect to use of the container, in accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a container according to the first aspect of the invention in combination with a support for supporting the container body in a selectable one of the two use orientations thereof, the support comprising locating means engageable with the container body in either one of the orientations to locate the container body relative to the support. Such a support, which can be, for example, a moulded part of plastics material, may be adapted to the specific container shape so as to provide precise positioning of the container on a shelf, worktop or other surface. With advantage, the support imparts resistance to displacement of the container when, for example, the controllable outlet means is operated or another force is applied, unintentionally or otherwise, to the container. In that connection, the locating means is preferably engageable with the container body to resist sliding displacement of the body relative to the support in the direction of the second dimension in the use orientation in which the first dimension is substantially vertical and in the direction of the first dimension in the use orientation in which the second dimension is substantially vertical. The interengagement of the locating means and container body consequently resists accidental pulling of the container out of a desired position. In a preferred construction, the locating means comprises abutment means co-operable with the container body to resist the sliding displacement, the container body being disengageable from the locating means by lifting the body relative to the support to clear the abutment means. Thus, a simple raising or tipping movement is sufficient to release the container from retention by the support.

The support can advantageously serve as a housing for accommodating functional units intended to interact with the container and optionally also remote stations or equipment. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the support comprises weighing means for weighing a container when supported by the support and providing a weight signal indicative of the weight of a weighed container. Although weighing means might be able to be included in the container itself, location of weighing means in the support is advantageous in terms of functionality, protection from damage, container cost minimisation and power supply.

With respect to creation of a storage and dispensing installation accepting multiple containers and consequently provided with multiple supports it is advantageous if the support provided in the second aspect of the invention comprises fixing means for fixing the support to another such support. The fixing means of such supports can thus interact to couple supports together in a row and thereby provide a rigid assembly of modular format with a selectable or variable length in the direction of the row depending on the number of modules as represented by the supports and associated containers. If containers of different size, in particular volumetric capacity as a result of different lengths of the third dimension of the container body, and correspondingly differently sized supports are provided it is possible to structure a row with different container capacities appropriate to different rates of consumption of stored substances. The fixing means, which can be in the form of detents or other coupling devices such as might be provided to couple together the containers themselves, can advantageously include signal transmission means to relay signals from the support or supports to a receiving and processing station and optionally also current transmission means for conducting current from a power supply, particularly a supply mains, to power consumers or loads of the supports.

For preference, the support comprises identification signal receiving means for receiving a signal identifying at least one of the container and a predetermined flowable substance to be stored in and dispensed from that container, particularly an RFID or other such short-range signal emitted by identification signal emitting means when provided at the container as described further above. A communication path between support and container can thus be established when, in particular, the latter is supported by the former, so that the content and/or the container is or are recognised, for example by way of a unique code assigned to the container. By way of example, data pertaining to the recognition can be processed by an associated or remote processor to determine, especially in conjunction with a weight signal from the container weighing means at the support, the filling state of the container, the proximity to or attainment of a time for replenishment and the specific substance to be replenished.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided a storage and dispensing installation comprising a plurality of combinations of containers and supports according to the second aspect of the invention, the supports being so arranged alongside one another in the same orientation that the outlet means of the containers when supported by the supports are arranged in a row. Such a row, of compact form, allows economic use of space through accommodation of the installation in, for example, a cupboard, wall unit or rack or placement on a worktop, bench, table or shelf. Use of the installation for dispensing stored substances is particularly convenient by virtue of the uniform disposition of the outlet means of the containers. If the supports include fixing means as described further above, the supports can be fixed together so that the row becomes a relatively rigid assembly in which the containers can be kept in position by the supports. Extended arrangements of the supports and containers in the installation are possible, including, in locations where there is greater available depth than length, juxtaposition of two rows with the outlet means in the rows face-to-face. The supports can be configured to allow transmission of data signals and operating current serially along the containers in a row, in which case a support at an end of a row can be connected with, for example, a mains power supply.

If each support comprises weighing means for weighing an associated container when supported and providing a weight signal indicative of the weight of the weighed container it may be advantageous if the installation then comprises evaluating means for determining the amount of content of each weighed container from the associated weight signal. A measurement value indicative of the determined amount of content can then be processed, as indicated above, to trigger a response to recognition of imminent exhaustion of the container content, for example an optical indication by way of a warning light, display of a message in an associated domestic equipment monitoring and control system, notification to a communications device with an appropriate stored application, notification to a resupply service for container refilling or replacement, or other form of response assisting a user to maintain a reserve of a consumable product undergoing depletion.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a container embodying the invention, with the container in a standing position (dimension A in Fig. 1 vertical); Fig. 2 is a schematic end view of the container of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side view of the container in correspondence with the view if Fig. 1, but showing, to enlarged scale, a detail construction of the container and with detachable parts (not shown) detached; Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the container in the construction of Fig. 3, but with the container in lying position (dimension B in Fig. 1 vertical) and with illustration of detached parts; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a detached outlet elbow as shown in Fig. 4, but to enlarged scale and in an orientation turned through 90 degrees; Fig. 6 is an end view, in the direction VI of Fig. 5, of the outlet elbow; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a detached outlet adapter as shown in Fig. 4, but to enlarged scale: Fig. 8 is an end view, in the direction VIII of Fig. 7, of the outlet adapter; Fig. 9 is a schematic side view of the container in the lying position and in combination with a support; and Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view, to enlarged scale, of the support of Fig. 9.

Referring now to the drawings there is shown a refillable storage and dispensing container 10 capable of use on a stand-alone basis, but primarily intended to form a removable component of a storage and dispensing installation composed of a number of the containers, each container being filled or fillable with a flowable liquid or dry particulate substance. Such an installation and hence an individual container is especially suitable for, but not limited to use in, a domestic environment to store and dispense consumables of the kind commonly kept in reserve in a household, such as cleaning products, beverages, foodstuffs, etc. In other circumstances such an installation may be used in, for example, a service, maintenance or other utility location to store fuels, oils, lubricants, commercial cleaning and washing agents, etc. The container 10 comprises a hollow straight-sided volumetric body 11 which is enclosed within, thus substantially bounded by, three mutually perpendicular pairs of planes 12, 13 and 14. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the container body 11 has a maximum dimension A corresponding with the spacing of planes 12 of a first pair, a maximum second dimension B corresponding with the spacing of planes 13 of a second pair, the dimension B being smaller than the dimension A, and a maximum third dimension corresponding with the spacing of planes 14 of a third pair, the dimension B in turn being smaller than the dimension B. These yield a generally cuboid form of the container body 11, which, however, departs from strict description as a cuboid by the presence of various recesses and waistings as described further below. To that extent, the resulting three mutually perpendicular pairs of straight sides of the body 11 are those of a volume bounded by the pairs of planes and only in places are actual wall surfaces of the body.

The sizes of the dimensions A, B and C are freely selectable within the specified relationships, with B preferably half to two-thirds A and with C preferably less than half of B. Exemplifying sizes for a domestic container of about 5.7 litres are Ax BxC equal to approximately 400 millimetres x 250 millimetres x 100 millimetres. Similarly, the material of the container body 11 can be a suitable stiff, non-porous material such as high-density polyethylene, which can be economically blow-moulded to achieve desired detail features of shape of the body.

In terms of shape and size, the container body 11 is specifically designed to be supported in two mutually orthogonal use orientations, in one of which the largest dimension A of the three dimensions A to C is substantially vertical and the container may be regarded as standing and in the other one of which the intermediate dimension B is substantially vertical and the container may be regarded as lying down. These two use orientations can be selected depending on space considerations in relation to a storage and dispensing installation equipped with a single container 10 or multiple examples of the container. Those considerations are, in particular, available height and available depth referred to, respectively, the dimension A in the standing position or lying down position of the container body.

An important feature of the container 10 is the provision of inlet, outlet and ventilating or venting capabilities able to function in either one of the selected use orientations of the container body 11. Accordingly, the container has outlet means 15 one corner region of the body 11 and inlet means 16 and ventilating means 17 in a diagonally opposite corner region, the outlet, inlet and ventilating means 15 to 17 being substantially contained or containable within the notional volume bounded by the three pairs of planes 12 to 14 so that the three-dimensional space occupied by the container body 11 within the planes is not increased. None of the outlet means 15, inlet means 16 and ventilating means 17 constitutes a protrusion infringing or exceeding that notional volume except for the outlet means when in a selectable use configuration. In the case of the illustrated embodiment the confinement of the components 15 to 17 to the volume bounded by the planes 12 to 14 is achieved by special shaping of the container body so that all of the outlet means 15, inlet means 16 and ventilating means 17 are accommodated in recessed regions of the body 11. Accordingly, the corner region of the body 11 with the outlet means 15 is waisted in the sense of the dimension C to provide, in effect, an area of reduced body thickness in which the outlet means can be housed and operated as described in more detail further below. For similar purposes, the opposite corner region of the body 11 has a recess receiving the inlet means 16 and a rebated and chamfered corner tip at which the ventilating means 17 is arranged.

The outlet means 15 comprises a small-diameter stub pipe 18 integrally formed at the body 11, i.e. injection-moulded therewith, in the waisted corner region of the body adjacent to the apex of the corner, a right-angle elbow 19 plugged onto and rotatably retained at the stub pipe 18 together with an interposed resilient sealing 0-ring 20, a rotary adapter 21 plugged onto and rotatably retained at the elbow 19 together with an interposed resilient sealing 0-ring 22, and a pushbutton tap 23 -which can be a proprietary fitting -screw-fitted on the adapter 21. The tap 23 has an operating pushbutton 24 and an outlet 25 at a side opposite the pushbutton and provides valve control of the outlet means for selectable discharge in response to manual depression of the pushbutton, the pushbutton haying a spring return so that discharge is terminated when the button is released. Other forms of valve control, such as a rotary stop cock, are possible. Details of the components of the outlet means 15 are evident from Figs. 4 to 8. To assist flow of the container content, in particular a liquid content, towards the outlet means 15 in the two use orientations of the container body 11 the inner surfaces of the two walls of the body meeting in the vicinity of the outlet means are preferably formed at least in part with inclinations (not illustrated) which, as considered in the respective use orientations, are oriented downwardly in direction towards the relevant corner of the body and thus an intake of the outlet means.

For assembly and subsequent use of the outlet means 15 the tap 23 is screwed onto the adapter 21 and the sub-assembly of tap and adapter then plugged onto the elbow 19, in which case four mutually spaced spring arms 21a, which are formed in the adapter by slots in a projecting sleeve thereof and which have inwardly directed hooks 21b at their free ends, of the adapter slide over a shank 19a of the elbow under resilient deflection of the arms until the hooks snap into place behind a collar 19b of the shank. The tap 23 and adapter 21 are thereby mounted on the elbow 19 to be rotatable relative thereto through 360 degrees, rotation being facilitated by provision of mutually opposite wings 21c on the slotted sleeve of the adapter. Finally, the complete unit of tap 23, adapter 21 and elbow 19 is pushed onto the stub pipe 18, which is possible only in a unique orientation in which the elbow, adapter and tap are directed towards the diagonally opposite coroner of the container body 11, thus an orientation in which the sleeve of the adapter and shank of the elbow are aligned with the bisector of the associated corner of the container body. The elbow 19 and stub pipe 18 have co-operating detent means (not shown) so that the stub pipe is rotatably retained at the stub pipe when pushed onto the latter, rotation through 360 degrees also being possible at the point of elbow and stub pipe connection. Removal of the elbow from the stub pipe is possible only in the mentioned unique orientation and with exertion of sufficient pulling force to overcome the detent action of the co-operating detent means. As will be self-evident, the 0-rings 20 and 22 are fitted on the relevant components of the outlet means 15 before the assembly procedure, in particular retained in grooves in the stub pipe 18 and elbow 19, and seal against escape of liquid both in the static state of the elbow and adapter and during rotation of those components.

In the assembled and mounted state of the outlet means 15, the elbow 19 is rotationally movable between a parked position range within the boundaries imposed by the three pairs of planes 12 to 14, for example as schematically depicted in Fig. 2, and a selectable one of two discharge positions in which, in particular, the outlet 25 lies outside those boundaries, specifically two positions respectively associated with the two use orientations of the container body 11. Referring to Fig. 3, which shows the container body 11 standing so that the dimension A of Fig. 1 is vertical, the elbow 19 is pivoted on the stub pipe 18 so that the adapter 21 and tap 23 lie to the right of the body beyond the righthand one of the planes 12 of Fig. 1. The adapter 21 is turned, by way of the wings 21c, on the elbow 19 to orientate the tap 23 so that the pushbutton 24 faces upwardly and the outlet 25 downwardly. Correspondingly and referring to Fig. 4, which shows the container body 11 lying down so that the dimension B of Fig. 1 is vertical, the elbow 19 is pivoted on the stub pipe 18 so that the adapter 21 and tap 23 lie beyond the lower one of the planes 13 of Fig. 1; this is the alignment of the outlet means shown in Fig. 4, albeit in exploded form. The adapter 21 is again turned, by way of the wings 21c, on the elbow 19 to orientate the tap 23 so that the pushbutton 24 faces upwardly and the outlet 24 downwardly, thus as shown in Fig. 4. As evident from the drawings, the rotational settings of the adapter 21 and tap 23 in relation to the elbow 19 for downward orientation of the outlet 25 in the two described use positions differ by 180 degrees. Apart from the use positions, the elbow 19 and the parts it carries can be pivoted into a parked position with the outlet raised or facing generally upwards so as prevent dripping. The parked position is also appropriate for carriage of the container, so that the outlet means does not project and is thereby protected from impact damage.

By contrast to the outlet means 15, the inlet means 16 and ventilating means 17 can each be of simple construction. In the illustrated embodiment the inlet means consists of a large-diameter externally threaded stub pipe 16a closed by a removable screw cap 16b preferably with a sealing gasket and the ventilating means consists of a smaller-diameter threaded stub pipe 17a on which, for example, a venting valve unit 17b allowing at least ingress of air to replace discharged content is threadedly mounted. Instead of a valve unit use can be made of screw cap structured or simply loosenable to allow both ingress and egress of air. In either case, the ventilating means 17 is designed to prevent or at least resist content spillage when the container is full and is carried.

The container body 11 is, in addition, provided at each of its four narrowest sides with grips to assist carrying the container and movement of the container into and out of a use position when the container body 11 is supported in a respective one of the two use orientations, each grip being positioned to lie within the volume bounded by the three pairs of planes 12 to 14. With reference, for convenience, to the container body orientation -thus standing orientation -of Figs. 1 to 3 the container body has two such handles 26 respectively at two mutually adjacent sides of the body and two moulded grip indentations 27 respectively at two further mutually adjacent sides of the body. Each handle 26 is formed by an aperture in the body 11 and an adjoining grip bar which bounds the aperture and can be held by a user to push, pull, lift or carry the container and each indentation 26 by a body portion which is narrowed in the sense of the dimension C, but includes an edge ridge able to grasped for pulling or pushing the container. Accordingly, all four grips are effectively formed by recesses or recessing in the body 11.

Further, the container body 11 has in each of its principal faces, thus the sides bounded by the third pair of planes 14, a central rectangular depression 28 which stiffens the wall forming the respective side and defines a recessed field for reception of a product information label, instruction or user guide label or similar. Such a label can be applied or alternatively formed by printing or marking directly on the material of the container body. On one of the same sides, specifically in the part located in the waisted region with the outlet means 15, the container body 11 has a smaller rectangular depression 29 defining a recessed field for reception of a self-adhesive carrier carrying a radio frequency identification integrated circuit, commonly called an RFID tag, which electronically stores an identification code for data relating to the container content and optionally also to the container itself, such as rated capacity, and which is energisable by radio waves of an interrogating reader to emit an identification signal communicating the stored code. The location of the carrier in the waisted region of the container body with the outlet means 15 means that in either of the intended use positions the carrier will be near the container support zone, where an external reader can be conveniently provided, so as to minimise the radio transmission path.

Apart from kind of content, the level of content or residual stored quantity of flowable substance may be determinable by way of a viewing feature of the container body 11. In a simplest form, this feature can be provided by manufacture of the body from, especially, translucent material. Alternatively, a viewing window (not shown) can be provided by, for example, a transparent zone forming part of the wall of the waisted region of the body with the outlet means 15. This zone can be of strip-like form in the waisted region at the base of the transition step -and following the path of the step -to the full dimension C of the body. A window provided in that area permits monitoring of a last portion of the content in either use orientation of the container body.

Finally, the perimeter of the container body 11 as viewed in profile in, in particular, Fig. 3 is contoured on the sides meeting at the corner region with the outlet means 15, thus the two sides at which the container body is supported in the two use orientations, so as to provide support zones and abutments co-operable with corresponding mating features on an underlying support 40, which is shown in Figs. 9 and 10 and which is a component separate from the container 10, but specifically adapted thereto. The container 10 and support 40 may be supplied at the outset as a combination to enable creation of a storage and dispensing installation with a selected number of containers and supports as indicated further above.

The general construction of a preferred embodiment of the support 40 is evident from Figs. 9 and 10. As shown in these figures, the support comprises an elongate pedestal 41 with a contoured top support surface for supporting the container body 11 in an slightly elevated position (cf. Fig. 9), specifically a surface with -referred to the longitudinal direction of the support -a transversely extending ledge 42 with chamfered edges and at a spacing therefrom two shoulders 43 respectively extending along sections of two opposite longitudinal edges of the pedestal and forming a cradle. A further transversely extending ledge 44 is present between the shoulders 43 in the vicinity of the end of the pedestal furthest from the ledge 42.

In the lying-down use orientation of the container body 11 depicted in Fig. 9 the body is variously supported at the appropriate one of its longer sides on the ledges 42 and 44, against the shoulders 43 of the cradle, and on the valley surface between the ledge 42 and cradle. Protruding portions at that side of the body abut the edge of the ledge 42 facing the shoulders 43 and also the ends of the shoulders remote from the ledge. Consequently, the container 10 is located by the support 40 both laterally and longitudinally relative thereto and sufficiently stably to resist displacement by the comparatively low levels of force likely to be exerted to operate the outlet means 15, i.e. to rotate the elbow 19 on the stub pipe 18, turn the adapter 21 on the elbow to rotate the tap 23 and depress the pushbutton 24 of the tap. However, the container 10 can be released from the support 40 simply by pulling over the ledge 42 and shoulders 43 so that the container body is free to slide forwardly, i.e. towards a user pulling the container, on the support 40.

In the standing use orientation of the container body 11 as shown in Fig. 3, but not in conjunction with the support 40, the body is supported at the appropriate one of its shorter sides on the ledge 42, against the shoulders 43, on the floor of the cradle 43 and again on the valley surface between the ledge 42 and cradle. A protruding portion at the shorter side of the body abuts the edge of the ledge 42 facing the shoulders. Consequently, in this use orientation as well the container 10 is located by the support 40 in both lateral and longitudinal senses and with sufficient stability to resist displacement by the mentioned forces involved in operating the outlet means 15. As in the case of the lying-down orientation, the container 10 in the standing orientation can be disengaged from the support 40 by pulling over the ledge 42 so that the container body is free to slide forwardly towards a user pulling the container.

The support 40 can similarly be a moulded article of hard plastics material. It houses a reader (not shown) for detecting data signals from the RFID circuit provided at the container and weighing means (also not shown) for weighing the container inclusive of content and providing an output indicative of a measured gross weight. The support 40 or an associated control unit can include evaluating means for comparison of the measured gross weight with a container empty weight, which may be a stored predetermined value or included in transmitted RFID data, to derive an instantaneous weight of the residual content of the container. The weight of the residual content can be compared with a reference value for the weight of a minimum quantity of the relevant flowable substance so as detect readiness for replenishment, which can be indicated by way of, for example, an optical indication or direct communication with a mobile supply service, such as a service delivering ordered goods to installation locations. The support 40 also includes a fixing device (not shown) to enable fixing of the support to another such support in order to create a row of supports for a multi-container storage and dispensing installation in which the containers can be lined up in standing or lying-down orientations with the respective outlet means aligned in a row.

The various aspects of use of the container 10 and support 40 will be evident from the foregoing description. The container body 11 can be filled via the inlet means 16 with a flowable substance, for example a low-viscosity liquid or fine particulate substance in the case of design of the outlet means specifically for an easy-flowing substance, and placed in the selected one of the two use orientations on the support 40 or, if preferred, on any other form of available support surface. The outlet means 15 can then be configured, in the way already described, for discharge in the selected use orientation and the tap 23 operated whenever required to discharge a desired amount of the substance into a cup, jug or other recipient for transport to a point of consumption or use. The aspects of monitoring depletion of the stored content and replenishing by one or other method including replacement of an emptied container by a refilled container have already been outlined. A container and support embodying the invention offer the possibility of maintaining a stock of a consumable product in a convenient manner without wastage of packaging, especially single-use containers, by discard after exhausting the content. Consequently, significant economic advantages with respect to the overall cost of packaging manufacture and product supply may be achieved.

Claims (27)

1. CLAIMS1. A refillable storage and dispensing container comprising a hollow substantially straight-sided volumetric body which is enclosed within three mutually perpendicular pairs of spaced-apart planes and which has a maximum first dimension corresponding with the spacing of the planes of a first pair, a maximum second dimension corresponding with the spacing of the planes of a second pair and smaller than the first dimension and a maximum third dimension corresponding with the spacing of the planes of the third pair and smaller than the first dimension, the container body being supportable in either one of two mutually orthogonal use orientations in one of which the first dimension is substantially vertical and the second and third dimensions are substantially horizontal and in the other one of which the first and third dimensions are substantially horizontal and the second dimension is substantially vertical and the container being provided with inlet means for introduction of a flowable substance to be stored in the container as content, controllable outlet means for selectable discharge of the container content and ventilating means to allow ingress of air during discharge of the container content, the outlet means being arranged to allow discharge of the container content under gravity when the container is in either one of the two orientations and the inlet means, outlet means and ventilating means being positioned or positionable to lie substantially within the volume bounded by the three pairs of planes.
2. 2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the second dimension is half to two-thirds the first dimension.
3. 3. A container according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the third dimension is smaller than the second dimension.
4. 4. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet means is arranged in a corner region of the container body.
5. 5. A container according to claim 4, wherein the container body has in the corner region an area of reduced cross-section in the sense of the third dimension.
6. 6. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet means has a single outlet and is movable to position the outlet in different discharge positions relative to the body depending on a selected one of the two use orientations of the container body.
7. 7. A container according to claim 6, wherein the outlet of the outlet means is additionally positionable in an orientation precluding dripping from the outlet in either of the two use orientations.
8. 8. A container according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the outlet means comprises a duct with the outlet at a free end thereof.
9. 9. A container according to any of one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the outlet means at least in part is rotationally movable.
10. 10. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet means comprises a manually operable valve for controlling discharge of container content via the outlet means.
11. 11. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet means comprises sealing valve means openable by insertion of a nozzle for introduction of such flowable substance into the container and automatically closable and sealable on withdrawal of the nozzle.
12. 12. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the inlet means, the outlet means and the ventilating means is recessed or recessible in the container body.
13. 13. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container body is provided with a least one grip to assist carrying the container and movement of the container into and out of a use position when the container body is supported in a respective one of the two use orientations, the or each grip being positioned or positionable to lie substantially within the volume bounded by the three pairs of planes.
14. 14 A container according to claim 13, wherein the container body has two such handles respectively at one of the sides thereof bounded by the first pair of planes and one of the sides bounded by the second pair of planes and two grip indentations respectively at the other one of the sides bounded by the first pair of planes and the other one of the sides bounded by the second pair of planes.
15. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side of the container which is lowermost in each of the use orientations has in the respective orientation a drop in the direction of the outlet means.
16. 16. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising coupling means for coupling to another such container when placed alongside in the same use orientation.
17. 17. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container body is provided with at least one inspection window arranged to allow inspection of the level of container content in the use orientations.
18. 18. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising identification signal emitting means for emitting a signal identifying at least one of the container and a predetermined flowable substance to be stored in and dispensed from the container.
19. 19. A container according to claim 18, wherein the identification signal emitting means comprises a radio frequency identification integrated circuit.
20. 20. A container according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with a support for supporting the container body in a selectable one of the two use orientations thereof, the support comprising locating means engageable with the container body in either one of the orientations to locate the container body relative to the support.
21. 21. A combination according to claim 20, wherein the locating means is engageable with the container body to resist sliding displacement of the body relative to the support in the direction of the second dimension in the use orientation in which the first dimension is substantially vertical and in the direction of the first dimension in the use orientation in which the second dimension is substantially vertical.
22. 22. A combination according to claim 21, wherein the locating means comprises abutment means co-operable with the container body to resist the sliding displacement, the container body being disengageable from the locating means by lifting the body relative to the support to clear the abutment means.
23. 23. A combination according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the support comprises weighing means for weighing a container when supported by the support and providing a weight signal indicative of the weight of a weighed container.
24. 24. A combination according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein the support comprises fixing means for fixing the support to another such support.
25. 25. A combination according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein the support comprises identification signal receiving means for receiving a signal identifying at least one of a parameter of the container and a predetermined flowable substance to be stored in and dispensed from the container.
26. 26. A storage and dispensing installation comprising a plurality of containers and a plurality of supports as defined in any one of claims 20 to 25, the supports being so arranged alongside one another in the same orientation that the outlet means of the containers when supported by the supports are arranged in a row.
27. 27. An installation according to claim 35 or claim 36, wherein each support is as defined in claim 23 and the installation comprises evaluating means for determining the amount of content of each weighed container from the associated weight signal.