JPS61287553A - Vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to containers for liquids, gases or solids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION An example of a container to which the present invention can be applied is a container that has a top that is normally movable downwardly in order to block a space that may arise due to the spillage of a portion of the contents of the container. be. This container can be used to contain powders, such as powdered detergents, or granular solids.

Another example is a container shown below as a "bag-in-a-cylinder" shaped liquid container.

As used herein, the term "bag-in-cylinder" liquid container refers to a liquid container in the form of a flexible plastic bag located within a rigid cylinder, the bag comprising:
It has a dispensing valve or tap projecting through the barrel wall near the base of the barrel.

Preferably, the tube is made of cardboard and the base is made of plastic material.

Such devices are known for holding a quantity of beer, usually about 5 liters of beer. Above the bag, the container is fitted with a slider, or end cap, which initially forms the top of the container but fits into the cylinder.

This end cap can be moved along the longitudinal axis of the tube, particularly in a direction towards the base of the bag, to slide the bag towards the base. The end cap is provided with means for locking or fixing it in a particular longitudinal position relative to the barrel.

In this way, the end cap is pushed downwards, squeezing the bladder and closing the space created by the exit of fluid through the tap. Otherwise, gas (usually carbon dioxide) will escape into the space, causing the beer or other liquid to deflate.

Thus, as the liquid flows out and is consumed, the end cap moves downwardly to retain as much liquid in the bag as possible without creating a space for gas to escape above the liquid in the bag.

In an in-cylinder bag of known construction, the end cap essentially consists of three parts including - a disk-shaped first part extending from the side and having a relatively deep circumferential flange with an integral hub; .

The first portion easily fits within the cylinder and slides longitudinally relative to the cylinder.

The second portion of the end cap has a central boss located within the hub of the first portion and has circumferentially spaced slits extending a substantial distance from the outer edge of the dish toward the center. It is a disc-shaped member. The radius of this second portion is slightly larger than the radius of the first portion, so that this second portion fits relatively snugly within the cylinder.

The third portion of the end cap is a handle that is provided with a threaded groove that engages an internal threaded groove formed in the boss of the second portion.

When assembled, the handle and the dish-shaped second portion are structurally located on opposite sides of the first portion. With the end cap in place inside the barrel, rotate the handle in one direction to force the dish-shaped second part towards the first part to flatten the dish and more firmly engage the barrel wall. Match. The entire end cap is then "locked" against the barrel wall.

Rotating the handle in the opposite direction relieves the pressure on the dish, thus returning it to its original, more dish-like position and reducing its grip on the barrel wall. The end cap thus moves relative to the barrel towards its base and closes the space created by the outflow of liquid from the bag.

After this downward movement of the end cap, the handle is rotated again to "lock" the end cap against the barrel wall.
do.

As mentioned above, the end cap is essentially a three-part structure, and the three parts must be molded separately, making it relatively expensive to manufacture. It is advantageous if the end cap consists of fewer parts.

(Means for Solving the Problems) According to the present invention, there is provided a container having a side wall and an end wall, wherein at least one end wall has the shape of a cap consisting of a first portion and a second portion. the first portion extends in use over substantially the entirety of one end of the container within the side wall, and the second portion is disposed about the first portion;
A container is provided that cooperates with the first portion to permit movement of the end cap toward an opposite end of the container and to prevent movement of the end cap away from the opposite end.

If the container is a “bag-in-a-cylinder” liquid container,
The end cap has a "slider" shape.

In use, when a downward force is applied to the end cap, the first and second portions of the end cap move downward almost simultaneously, compressing the bag of liquid and causing an upward force due to the pressure applied within the bag. By movement, the first part of the end cap
and the second portion and the cylinder wall almost immediately lock into engagement to prevent further upward movement.

The second part is annular or partially annular, captured in the space formed by the first part and the wall of the cylinder, which space has a length of 10 = 8 - minutes to accommodate the second part. However, it is such that it does not allow significant movement of the second part relative to the first part.

The shape of the second portion, and the space, is such that initial upward movement of the end cap produces rotational movement of the second portion, resulting in the almost instantaneous locking engagement described above. It's convenient to have.

Alternatively, the second member may be in the form of a collar located between the first portion and the wall of the tube, with this collar and the first portion being aligned with the longitudinal axis of the tube. Since it has a mating surface that is inclined to the opposite side, when upward pressure is applied to the end cap from within one bag, a lock is created between the first and second parts of the end cap and the cylinder wall. Engagement occurs. On the other hand, when downward pressure is applied to the end cap, this locking engagement is released, allowing the end cap to move downward as a whole.

The end cap of the present invention is a two-part construction consisting of two separate plastic moldings.

However, the first and second portions of the end cap may be star-shaped plastic moldings, at least during manufacture in the molding process, which are of square unitary construction.

The invention also applies to containers in which the end wall does not move to close the space created by the spillage of the contents of the container.

For example, such a container is in the form of a "keg", for example for storing liquid beer under pressure or stored beer, which keg is similar to the above-mentioned "bag-in-a-cylinder" shaped liquid container. have one or both end walls of a structure similar to end caps for

However, in this case, once the end wall is in place, it is permanently held in this position.

In yet another embodiment, the container is used to store solids such as detergent powder. In this case, the end cap of the present invention is introduced onto one end of the rigid tube and "locked" permanently fixed in place to form, for example, a solid base or top for the container.

(Example) Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figures 1A to 1G, the bag within the cylindrical container is as described above, except for the end cap (1) located within the cylindrical wall (3) of the tube. (see Figure 1G).

The end cap (1) has a main part (5) and an auxiliary part (7).
It consists of two plastic structures. Main part (5)
is a hard plastic ring such as a polypropylene, polyethylene or styrene based plastic.

This main part (5) is generally flat and dish-shaped, having a generally circular base (9) and a peripheral flange or side wall (11) extending away from the base near the side wall (3) of the tube. There is.

As best seen in Figures 1A and 1C, the flange (11) first extends upwardly and inwardly from the base (9) of the end cap, and then extends radially outwardly to form the flange (11). A wedge-shaped space is formed between the outer surface of the tube and the tube wall (3). The flange extends upwardly along the rear side wall.

Referring to Figure 1B, which shows the top surface of the end cap within the cylinder, the main portion (5) of the end cap is adapted to provide longitudinal movement relative to the cylinder, as will be explained later. A handle part (1) that allows you to grasp the end cap.
3).

Within said wedge-shaped space, a ring (15
) are placed. Looking at the cross-sectional view, this rod is wedge-shaped and fits snugly into the wedge-shaped space described in Section 2.

As clearly shown in Figure 1C, the ring (1
The cross section of 5) forms a right triangle with a relatively short negative side, and has an elongated wedge shape.

The edge of the ring (15) forming the hypotenuse of the right triangle is connected to the flange (11) of the main part (5) of the end cap.
The relatively long edge, in contact with the inclined surface of, is provided with an integral longitudinal rib (17). Each rib has an upwardly directed tip, as shown in FIG. 1C.

Since the material of the ring (15) is a relatively flexible plastic, the ring is manufactured straight as shown in Figure 1D, but can be easily bent into a circular shape. , the main part of the end cap (5) and the side wall of the cylinder (3)
) can be attached between.

As shown in FIG. 1C, the ring (15) is captured and held in the space corresponding to it and fits snugly within the space so that unless the ring (15) moves, No relative movement occurs between the end cap and the barrel.

Relative movement is enabled when a downward force is applied to the end cap through the handle (13).

Once the liquid has partially drained from the bag through the tap, the end cap (1), together with the ring (15), moves downwards with relative ease, causing the end cap (1) and the side wall (3) of the tube to move downwards with relative ease.
In between, the resistance to movement is relatively small.

Typically, the end cap is moved downwardly until it fills the space created by some of the fluid exiting the bag.

When the pressure applied to the end cap through the handle is removed, a net upward pressure is exerted on the end cap from the contents of the bag. However, this pressure is insufficient to overcome the greater friction between the end cap and the side wall (3) of the barrel.

The tendency of upward movement by the splitting ring (15) is strongly resisted by the engagement of the tipped rib (17) with the tube wall (3).

As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 1F, the end cap moves slightly upwardly relative to the splitting ring (15), but such upward movement
very limited by the slope characteristics of the contact surfaces of the parts (first
Also, a slight "three-way movement" (as shown at X and Y in Figure C) only makes the engagement of the rib (17) with the side wall of the tip tube stronger.

In practice, the upward movement that occurs before the end cap is securely "locked" in place against the side wall (3) of the barrel is very small and negligible.

Although not shown in FIG.
It is also possible to provide reinforcing ribs extending radially up to

A second embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2D, is similar to the first embodiment described above. However, in this embodiment, the end cap (31)
It has a main part (33) with a lower part provided with serrated notches (35) on its outer surface as shown in Figures 2C and 2C.

As clearly shown in Figure 2C, there is still a wedge-shaped space between the main part (33) of the end cap (31) and the side wall (37) of the tube, but within this space: A splitting ring having a star-shaped cross section with four to eight tips is housed. As a result, the cross section of the ring is
It has a substantially complementary shape to the lower notch (35) of the end camp (33).

Above the splitting ring (39), the end cap forms the short edge of a generally right triangular wedge-shaped space, gently curved and concave with respect to the ring (39).

When downward pressure is applied to the end cap (33), the ring (39) is in the 20th illustrated position and there is little friction between the end cap (33) and the tube wall (37). do not have.

However, when upward pressure is applied to the end cap (33), the ring (39) rotates and the toothed edge (35)
) so that it engages with the tube wall (37).

As a result, there is a large resistance to upward movement of the end cap relative to the tube, causing the "teeth" of the ring (39) to bite into the tube wall (37) and the ring (39)
It is also compressed between the beveled toothed edge (35) and the tube wall (37).

16- In a variation of this embodiment of the invention, the surface of the tooth (35) itself is segmented as shown in Figure 2A.

In yet another embodiment, the ring (39) has a generally smooth cross-section and is integrally molded with the body of the end cap (33), similar to that described above with respect to the second embodiment of the invention. ing.

Referring to Figures 3A-3D, the bag within the tubular container is the same as described above with respect to the first embodiment.

The container has an end cap (123) with reinforcing ribs (123).
121). A handle (not shown) may also be provided.

The end cap is generally dish-shaped and has an integral circular peripheral wall (125). When the end cap is installed within a container, one end of this peripheral wall (125) extends downwardly toward the end of the container. The outer diameter of the end cap is such that it fits snugly within the wall of the barrel of the container.

The peripheral wall (125) of the central dish portion of the end cap (121)
), a circular flange (127) extends upwardly.

The flange is located somewhat inwardly from the outer edge of the end cap so that when the end cap is installed within the container, an annular space is created between the flange and the container wall.

Extending within this annular space are segments (129) integrally molded with the end cap, each segment (129) being integrally molded with the end cap.
129) extends partially around the end cap.

Four segments (129) are provided, and in total cover the entire circumference with an interval of about 0.5 mm between adjacent segments.

With particular reference to Figure 3D, the segment (129) is generally triangular in shape and is connected to the body of the end cap by a thin piece of material (+31).

The material of the end cap is such that the segment (129) is easily rotatable about this lamina (131).

However, the extent of this rotation, particularly in the clockwise direction as shown in FIG.
9) and a shoulder (133) formed between the central dish of the end cap and the wall (125). The distance between this shoulder (133) and the segment (129) in the rest position ranges from a minimum value of about IIIM close to the joint part (131) to a maximum value of 2.5M at the periphery of the shoulder (123). Increases to 5m+++.

The joint (131) forms the apex of the triangular cross section of the segment (129). In the cross section, teeth are carved on the opposite side from this apex.

Typical dimensions of the segment (129) are approximately 5+u+ (measured along the outer edge) on the toothed edge, approximately 6III11 on the longest side, and approximately 5n+m on the opposing side.
It is.

The outer diameter of the entire end cap is 180.5 mm,
Said annular space has a radial width of approximately 4.7 mm.

In use, the end cap (12]) is pushed downwards against the bag within the tube. During such movement, the segment (129) is forced into the annular space above the attachment point (131).

However, when the end cap is pushed upward by the bag,
Segment (129) rotates in a clockwise direction as shown in Figure 3D to prevent further 3-way movement of the entire end cap.

In the embodiments described above, the tube itself is typically made of cardboard material and the end cap is made of plastic.

However, other materials can also be used. For example, the tube can be made of metal or plastic. Moreover, the tube can be of any suitable shape, such as round, square, rectangular or hexagonal.

In all of the embodiments described above, the upward pressure applied to the end cap creates an immediate or near-immediate and very large resistance to movement.

Since there is no delay before such resistance to movement becomes significant, the formation of gaseous spaces above the liquid in the bag can be avoided.

With reference to Figures 4A and 4B, another container according to the invention is in the form of a beer keg (1,51), for example of 20.30 or 50 liter capacity.

The barrel (151) has a generally cylindrical shape with a cardboard side wall (153) lined internally with a suitable liquid-impermeable material, such as, for example, plastic material.

The top and bottom of the tube (153) having side walls (153) are formed by a top member (155) and a base member (157), respectively.
) is closed. Each member consists of a dish-shaped plastic member having a thickened periphery in which an annular outwardly facing depression (159) is formed.

Mounted within the recess (159) is a complete or segmented locking member (161) similar in shape to the corresponding member of the end cap of any of the above-described embodiments of the invention.

The thickened peripheries of the top member (155) and base member (157) are each provided with a pair of annular flanges extending from the concave surface of the members to form a recess (165).

The barrel (153) consists of a plastic ring shaped as shown in the accompanying drawings, and in the recess (+50) of the tube (153) is fitted an end cap according to one of the embodiments of the present invention. A complete or segmented locking member (16]) is fitted, similar in shape to the corresponding member.

The two thickened peripheral edges of the top member (155) and the base member (157) are each provided with a pair of annular flanges extending from the concave surface of the member to form a recess (165). It is being

The barrel (153) consists of a plastic ring shaped as shown in the accompanying drawing, which is attached to the end of the tube (+53) and has a closure member (155) (157
) to more firmly hold it in place and protect the end of the tube, i.e. a flange (+67)
(169) is provided.

These protrusions a ([7) (+69) are made of plastic material and have a groove cross-section that fits the end of the tube (153). The inner arm of this groove is formed with an inwardly stepped end (171) for engagement with a corresponding end closure member (+55) (157).

The flange (] +67 (] +69 is sewn in place around at least a portion of the flange by a single stitch line (172) extending through both arms of the flange and through the tube (153). The ridge (167) is
It is attached to the top closure member (155) and includes a carrying handle (173).

A spear (175) is attached to the top member (155). This spear is common in known barrels, and serves as an opening for injecting and dispensing fluid within the barrel, as well as for applying gas pressure.

To assemble the barrel (151), the end closure member (1
55) Push (157) into each end of the tube the appropriate distance and then parallelize these members to "lock" them against the wall of the tube (153).

Then, attach the flange (167) (169) to the tube (153).
The inward step (171) of the flange (167) (169) is placed on the end of the closure member (165).
).

The flange is sewn in place and the barrel is filled with e.g. beer or stored beer with a spear.

=23- The pressure inside the barrel tries to force the closing member (155) (157) out of the barrel, but this causes the locking member (+6
This is prevented by the "locking" action of 1) and the engagement of the closure member with the flange.

The barrels described in - are relatively inexpensive to manufacture and are at least as easy to use and handle as known beer or storage beer kegs. It can be manufactured into reusable forms or for one-time use.

Referring to FIG. 5, a cylindrical tube (
203), an end cap (201) is used.

In this case, the end cap (201) is generally similar to that described above with respect to Figures 3A and 3D.

This end cap (201) is attached to one end of the tube (203).
is introduced and pulled back to just below the end of the tube (203),
It is then pushed into the locked position shown on the right-hand side of FIG. 5 (the left-hand side shows the end cap in the unlocked position).

Once in the locked position, an annular ring (205) of plastic or other material having a generally L-shaped cross section is introduced as shown in FIG. 5 to prevent upward movement of the end cap.

The ring (205) is secured in place within the tube (203) by sewing or riveting.

Thus, no upward or downward movement of the end cap (201) is possible, which end cap forms a permanent bottom or top for the solids container.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1A to 1D are views of the end cap portion in one embodiment of the present invention. Figures 2A-2D show a second embodiment of the invention. Figures 3A to 3D show a third embodiment of the invention. Figures 4A and 4B are illustrations of barrels for beer or storage beer of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a partial view of an end cap of the present invention for use in solids containers. (1) (31) (121,) (201) End cap (3) (37) Side wall (5) (33
) Main part (7) Auxiliary part (9) Base -' (11) Flange or side u (13) Handle part (15) (39) (205) Ring (17)
Rib (35) Notch (123) Rib (12
5) Peripheral wall (127) Flange (129) Segment (131) Material piece (133) Shoulder
(151) Barrel (153) Side wall (1
55) Top member (157) Base member (159)
<Indentation (161) Lock member (165) <
Indentation (167) (169) Edge (171) End (172) Stitch line (175) Spear (20
3) Tubes FIG, 2D, - FIG 3C. FIG. 3D. H2S. June 25, 1985 Michibe Uga, Commissioner of the Patent Office1, Indication of the case 1986 Original Patent No. 0291412, Name of the invention Container 3, Name of the person making the amendment Related Patent Applicant Name Splicerite Limited 4,
Agent 5. Date of amendment order: March 31, 1986 (Shipping date: April 22, 1986) 6. Subject of amendment (1) Applicant column in the application (2) Power of attorney and its translation (amended) (Contents) On page 26, line 12 of the specification, "Fig. 1A to 1D" is corrected to "Fig. 1A to 1F". (that's all)

Claims (9)

[Claims] (1) A container having a side wall and an end wall, the container having at least one
The end wall is in the form of a cap comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being configured to, in use,
a second portion extending within said side wall over substantially the entirety of one end of the container and disposed about said first portion and cooperating with said first portion to extend substantially the entire length of one end of the container of said end cap; The container is adapted to allow movement toward the end and prevent movement of the end cap away from the opposite end. (2) The container according to claim (1), wherein the container is in the shape of a bag within a cylindrical liquid container. (3) Claim (1) characterized in that the container is a solid or liquid container, and the end cap is permanently fixed in place at one end of the container. Container as described. (4) The second portion is an annular or partially annular member disposed within the space formed in the cylinder wall by the first portion, and the space accommodates the second portion. Claims (1) to (3) characterized in that the second part is sufficiently large to allow for large movements of the second part relative to the first part. A container described in any of the above. (5) Initial movement of the end cap toward one end of the container causes rotational movement of the second portion, resulting in almost immediate locking engagement of the end cap with the wall of the container. 4. The container according to claim 4, wherein the shapes of the second portion and the space are determined so that the shape of the second portion and the space are determined as follows. (6) the second portion is in the form of a collar extending between the first portion and the side wall of the container;
has a mating surface that is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the container, and when pressure is applied to the end cap in a direction that pushes the end cap out of the container,
A locking engagement occurs between the first and second portions of the end cap and the barrel wall, and when pressure is applied in the opposite direction to the end cap, the locking engagement is released and this portion of the end cap is released. 4. Container according to claim 4, characterized in that the container is adapted for movement in a direction. (7) The container according to any one of claims (1) to (6), wherein the second part is integral with the first part. (8) the second portion has a substantially triangular cross section;
characterized in that it has a side for engaging a side wall of the container which is connected to the first portion at its apex position and is shaped to include a notch or tooth opposite the apex position; The container according to claim (7). (9) A container having a side wall and an end wall, the at least one end wall being in the shape of a cap consisting of a first portion and a second portion; a portion extends in use over substantially the entirety of one end of the container within the side wall, and a second portion is disposed about the first portion and cooperates with the first portion to extend the end of the container. A container adapted to permit movement of the cap toward an opposite end of the container and to prevent movement of the end cap away from the opposite end, the end cap being adapted to allow movement of the end cap in a direction away from the opposite end of the container; a first portion extending within the wall over substantially the entirety of one end of the container, located around and cooperating with the first portion, and extending toward the opposite end of the container; a second portion that allows movement of the end cap in a direction from the opposite end, but prevents movement of the end cap in a direction away from the opposite end.