IE881493L - A (fluid) container for drinkable water - Google Patents

Description

61 555 2 The present invention relates to water holders having a flexible bag body and a valve means.

Figure 6 and Figure 7 of the accompanying diagrammatic drawings show a known water holder formed of a flexible material. The water holder 5 comprises a bag body 1' formed of a synthetic resin or the like, which is provided with a valve 2. The valve 2 is formed of opposing wall portions of a thin synthetic resin film such as, for example, a polyethylene film. The valve is in a tubular form which includes a water inlet opening 21 and a valve outlet opening 22 and said valve is provided with belt-like seams 23 which 10 provides sealing around its periphery, except for at said opening.

The seams 23 may be provided by superposing the two wall portions of the valve 2 one upon another and fusing them together by the application of heat and pressure or, alternatively, superposing the two wall portions of the valve 2 one upon the other and bonding them together with the use of 15 adhesives. The valve 2 is attached to the water holder in such a manner that the water inlei 21 opens at the periphery of the bag body I and the remainder of the valve 2 is located within the bag body. It is to be noted that one (as illustrated) or a plurality of inlet openings may be provided.

A water holder as described can be widely used in an emergency or for 2 o outings etc. When the holder is not in use it can be folded up into a smaller size for storage. In use, the water holder may be filled via the valve 2, with a given amount of water. For example, a water tap may be inserted into the inlet 21 of the valve 2. When the tap is turned on, water pressure causes the side wall portions of the valve 2 to be urged apart, thereby opening the valve 25 opening 22, to allow water to flow therethrough into the bag body 1, as indicated by an arrow in Figure 6. As the bag body is filled with a given amount of water, the side wall portions of the tubular valve 2 are flattened together under water pressure 10 inhibit the backflow of water. The flat configuration of the seams 23 facilitates flattening of the valve.

To remove water from 'the bag, a user's finger may be inserted into the valve 2 to push it open. Alternatively, when the water holder is of the throw-away type, the bag body may be cut open. However, this known water holder suffers from the problem of water-quality decay, since air tends co enter the water during filling. Another problem may arise in connection with water leakage, since the aforesaid flattening of the valve may have an insufficient effect on the prevention of backflow of water.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved water holder.

According to the present invention, there is provided a water holder having a flexible bag body and a valve means, wherein said valve means is disposed within the bag body and comprises opposing wall portions of film material secured together at their edges except for portions which define an inlet opening for receiving water and outlet opening through which water received at the inlet opening passes into the bag body; such that said wall portions are normally urged together under the pressure of water within the bag body, but may be urged apart under the pressure of water introduced between them from said inlet opening; the outlet opening being of a smaller size than the inlet opening; and the outlet opening being disposed on a line which extends in the direction of extent of a respective one of said secured edges.

Preferably, said film material is of a synthetic resin. The said opposing wall portions may be secured together at elongate seams which extend along said edges and have a significant width. Preferably the width of each seam is at least ten percent of the maximum width of the valve means, measured perpendicular to the direction of extent of the seam. 4 The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference 10 the accompanying drawings, is which: Figure 1 is a sectional view illustrating one embodiment of the water holder according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged view of part of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of part of the embodiment shown in Figure I; Figure 4 and Figure 5 are perspective views showing parts of different respective embodiments of the present invention; Figure 6 is a sectional view showing the prior art water holder referred to. above.; and Figure 7 is a sectional view enlarged and taken along the line XX of Figure 6.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a water holder comprises a bag body 1 having a valve 2 at the top thereof. The valve 2 is formed of opposing wall portions of synthetic thin resin film, for example polyethylene and is of conical configuration. Flat seams 23 are formed along the inclined sides of the valve 2 to join the opposing wall portions together, for example, by a method 20 as described above with reference to Figures 6 and 7. the flat seams 23 are web-like, each having a significant width, for example at least ten percent of the maximum dimension of the valve 2, measured transversely of the respective seam 23.

The valve 2 has a water inlet 21 at the top of the bag body 1 and a 25 valve outlet opening 22 towards the bottom apex of the valve 2. the valve opening 22 is smaller in size than the water inlet 21 and is positioned on a line continuing from one of the seams 23. The wall portions of the bag are normally urged together under the pressure of water within the bag body but said wall portions may be urged apart under the pressure of water introduced between them from said inlet opening.

In use, water poured through the inlet 21 may not be able to pass immediately through the valve opening 22, since that opening is smaller in 5 size than the inlet 21. As illustrated in Figure 2, the poured water is temporarily stored within the valve 2, during which an amount of air 4 contained therein rises, to become separated from the water. As the bag body ! becomes filled with a predetermined amount of water 3 in this manner, the valve 2 is flattened together under the pressure of the water within the bag 10 body 1, as mentioned above, with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

Since the valve opening 22 is disposed on a line which is an extension of one of the seams 23, the respective seam 23 provides a force which tends to close the valve opening 22. In particular, the pressure of the water is applied in the vicinity of the portion of the seam 23 which is referenced A in 15 Figure 3, to enhance the flattening force of the valve opening 22. Also, the position of the seam 23 which is referenced A in Figure 3 resists the pressure F of water which tends to force open the valve ope ruing 22 and expel water and is especially effective in the width of the seam 23.

Figure 4 illustrates a modification of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 20 2, wherein an inclined seam 23 is provided on one side and a valve opening 22 is located on a line extending from the seam 23. Figure 5 illustrates another modification, wherein L-shaped seams 23 are provided in opposite relation to each other and a valve opening 22 is interposed therebetween. These modifications are used with the same effect and action as mentioned in 25 connection with the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 3.

It is to be appreciated that modifications may be made to the above described embodiments. For example, there may be provided a grip on the bag body 1 or an auxiliary valve structure on the valve 2. g The above described water holders may find use In applications where it is desired to preserve water over a prolonged period with less risk of water decay, since there is less risk of air entering the water during pouring. As there is less risk of the water contained in the illustrated holders leaking out, they can be used in many different applications and are particularly suitable for outdoor use. Also, it may be possible to produce the illustrated water holders at lower cost, since their valve structures are somewhat modified, compared with those of known holders. (

Claims (6)

1. A water holder having a flexible bag body and a valve means, * wherein said valve means is disposed within the bag body and comprises opposing wall portions of film material secured together at their edges except 5 for portions which define an inlet opening for receiving water and an outlet opening through which water received at the inlet opening passes into the bag body; such that said wall portions are normally urged together under the pressure of water within the bag body, but may be urged apart under the pressure of water introduced between them from said inlet opening; the outlet 10 opening being of smaller size than the inlet opening; and the outlet opening being disposed on a line which extends in the direction of extent of a respective one of said secured edges.

2. A 'water holder according to Claim 1, wherein said film material is of a synthetic resin. 15

3. A water holder according to Claim 1 or Claim 2S wherein opposing wall portions are secured together at.elongate seams which extend along said edges and have a significant width.

4. A water holder according to Claim 3, wherein the width of each seam is at least ten percent of the maximum width of the valve means, 20 measured perpendicular to the direction of extent of the seam.

5. A m'aier holder according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said valve means is of conical shape.

6. A water holder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings. F. R. KELLY & CO-, AGENTS FOR THE APPLICANTS.