KR19980702202A - Container with variable volume - Google Patents

Abstract

A container (10) of variable volume comprises an inner flexible member (1) substantially enclosed in a number of interlocking outer sleeves (3, 14). The volume of the container (10) can be varied by moving at least one outer sleeve (3, 14) relative to another outer sleeve (3, 14). Means for moving the outer sleeves (14, 3) to vary the volume of the container (10) include rotating screw-threaded outer sleeves (3, 14), moving an outer sleeve relative to another by means of a ratchet, or by using multi-level bayonet type connection. <IMAGE>

Description

Container with variable volume

The present invention relates to a container capable of changing the volume of the container to minimize the amount of air in the container.

Generally, the container has a fixed volume. As it is well known that less contact with air leads to longer food life, it is necessary to have a number of containers of different sizes. Also, containers that are larger than necessary sometimes cause problems, especially when the free space is too large.

Another problem that often occurs is that the container of carbonated beverage is either carbonated or flattened during storage. This is because the air in the beverage escapes into the atmosphere.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container having a variable volume in order to solve the above problems or at least to make it useful for the general public.

One aspect of the present invention provides a container including one inner flexible member generally enclosed in a plurality of overlapping outer sleeves, wherein the volume of the inner flexible member container includes at least one outer sleeve as another outer sleeve. By moving to the side, it can be varied.

Since the overlapping sleeves can be screwed together, the volume of the inner member can be varied by turning these sleeves together.

The overlapping sleeves can also move with each other by means of ratchets, as opposed to the above. One upper sleeve may include at least two rows of teeth teeth. The handle of one lower sleeve can be made to act as a pawl of the externally protruding vehicle of each row. To reduce the volume of the container, the upper sleeve can be pushed down into the lower sleeve. In order to loosen the sleeves and consequently increase the volume of the container, the handles can be used or the upper and lower sleeves can be turned against each other.

The nested sleeves can be moved relative to the opposing by a multi-level bayonet cennection, unlike the above. The multi-layered clasp connection may be formed in the upper or lower sleeve opposing recesses, each recess set comprising a plurality of transverse recesses connected by longitudinal recesses. At least two pin members may extend from adjacent lower sleeves or lower sleeves and engage a set of grooves in another sleeve. Rotation of the upper and lower sleeves causes the transverse pins to move in the longitudinal grooves into the longitudinal grooves to change the volume of the vessel in push / pull and twist motions.

The inner flexible member may be fixed to the base of the lower sleeve by one pin. The inner flexible member can be welded to the upper sleeve.

Unlike the above, the lip of the inner flexible member may protrude through the opening of the container to seal between the inner flexible member and the cap. By doing so, the inner flexible member is completely separated from the outer sleeves.

The internal flexible member may be accordion or balloon type.

The container may be sealed by a cap that includes a threaded skirt with a float. The float has a skirt and a button section attached to or integral with it. As the volume of the container decreases as one outer sleeve is moved toward the other outer sleeve, air can escape through the passage between the outer end of the skirt and the inner surface of the cap and spiral skirt. When liquid or other flowable substances come into contact with the float, the float rises and gradually blocks the outflow of air when the skirt contacts the inner surface of the cap.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a variable volume container including one outer casing having one inner flexible bladder, the inner volume of which is controlled by moving one end of the inner pocket by a suitable means, thereby providing flexibility in use. The volume of the bag and the volume of its contents are about the same.

Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the accompanying drawings which illustrate embodiments thereof.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the container of one embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a half sectional view of the cap of the container of one embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a cross-sectional view of a container according to another embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a cross-sectional view of a container according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the container 10 includes one inner flexible member 1. The inner member 1 is fixed to the upper sleeve 14 as an accordion type. The inner member 1 is connected to the lower sleeve 3 by one pin 2, whereby the inner member 1 and the lower sleeve 3 can be rotated separately from each other. The lower sleeve 3 and the upper sleeve 14 have the same diameter with each other, and both have internal threaded portions. The height of the lower sleeve 3 and the upper sleeve 14, when fully expanded, is generally one sixth of the overall vessel height.

The lower sleeve 3 is in engagement with the unit 4. The unit body 4 is threaded in and out so that the unit body 4 meshes with the lower sleeve 3 and the intermediate body 5 simultaneously. Another unit 4 ′ similar to the unit 4 is sandwiched between the intermediate body 15 and the upper sleeve 14. The units 4 and 4 ', when fully expanded, are generally 1/6 of the vessel height, while the intermediate body 5 is 1/3 of the vessel height in the same state.

The upper inner thread 6 of each section of the sleeves 3 and 4 and the lower inner thread 6 'of each of the units 4' and 4 have a smaller dimension than the remaining threads. On the contrary, the lower external thread 7 of each of the units 4 and 5 and the upper external thread 7 of the units 4 'and 5 are formed with larger screw contours. This shape combination prevents the screwed units 3, 4, 4 ′, 5 and 14 from being separated from each other due to the frictional engagement therebetween.

As a result, the unit 3, 4, 4 ′, 5 and the sleeve 14 can be tightened to one third lower than the height of the entire container. In addition, when the units 3, 4, 4 ', 5 and 14 are released upwards, a maximum container height is formed, whereby each unit 3, 4, 4', due to the size of the threads 6, 7 5) and the sleeve 14 are prevented from being separated from each other.

The upper end of the upper sleeve 14 is provided with an opening 15 having an external thread, which is capped with a cap 9. The cap 9 comprises a threaded skirt 8, a skirt 13 and a float 11. The threaded skirt 8 is engaged with the opening 15.

2 shows a part of the cap 9. When the unit 3, 4, 4 ′, 5 and the sleeve 14 are tightened down to reduce the volume of the container 10, the passage 12 between the threaded skirt 8 and the skirt 13 is closed. Internal air can escape. When the cap 9 is turned down, the float 11 comes into contact with and floats on the liquid or other flowable material in the member 1. The gradual floating of the float 11 followed by the rise of the skirt 13 closes the passage 12 and seals the container 10. Further interior resulting from further reduction of internal volume or from exhaust from the liquid The pressure will increase the sealing effect of the cap 9.

If the skirt 13 is tightly fitted to the cap 8 and does not move, pressing the bottom portion 16 with a finger opens the cap to allow the air to escape slightly.

Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention, where the volume of the vessel is changed to a ratchet and a reverse rotation prevention device. Upper sleeve 14 has two sets of outwardly protruding teeth 16. It is more preferable if two or more sets are provided. The reversal prevention knob 17 is mounted on the lower sleeve 3. In order to reduce the volume of the container, the upper sleeve may be pressed toward the lower sleeve. An inner end of the latch of the reversal prevention handle 17 is caught by the tooth 16 to maintain a predetermined volume of the container. If the container volume is to be increased, the ratchet mechanism can be released by moving the handle 17. Alternatively, the ratchet may be released by rotating the upper and lower sleeves 14 and 3, again to increase the container volume.

4 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein the volume of the container is varied by means of a multi-layer clasp (or push) connection.

The connecting structure has a lower sleeve 3 having two sets of grooves, each set consisting of a plurality of horizontal grooves 19 connected to each other by one longitudinal groove 30. The upper sleeve 14 has a pin member 21 inserted into the grooves 19 and 20. By operating the upper sleeve 14 relative to the lower sleeve 3 (push / pull and rotate), or vice versa, the pin member can move between the cross grooves 19 by the longitudinal grooves, thereby You can change the volume.

It will be appreciated that the present invention provides a container capable of varying its volume to minimize the amount of air in the container.

In the preceding detailed description, equivalent articles have been described for known finished articles or parts, and such equivalent articles are just as included in this detailed description.

While the invention has been described by way of example by way of example, it is obvious that modifications and variations will be possible without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention and the appended claims.

Claims (24)

A container having one inner flexible member generally wrapped in a plurality of overlapping outer sleeves, wherein the volume of the inner flexible member can be varied by moving at least one outer sleeve relative to another outer sleeve. The container of claim 1 comprising one upper outer sleeve and one lower outer sleeve. The container according to claim 2, wherein the upper outer sleeve has one opening with a threaded outer side thereof. 4. A container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the inner flexible member is fixed to the base of the lower outer sleeve. The container according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the inner flexible member is fixed to an upper outer sleeve. The container according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a spout of the inner flexible member protrudes through an opening having a threaded outer portion to seal the gap between the inner flexible member and the cap. 7. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the outer sleeves are screwed together. The container according to claim 2, wherein the outer sleeves move relative to each other by ratchets. The container of claim 8, wherein the upper sleeves comprise at least two sets of outgoing teeth. 10. The container according to claim 9, wherein the anti-rotation knob of the lower sleeve is provided in the outer protrusion type of each row. 11. The container of claim 10 wherein movement of the handle between the teeth releases a ratchet connection and thereby increases its volume. 10. The container of claim 9, wherein the volume is changed by rotation of the upper and lower sleeves. 7. A container according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the outer sleeves move relative to each other by means of a multilayer clasp connection. 14. The container of claim 13, wherein the multi-layered clasp connection is formed in a lower or upper sleeve having at least two sets of grooves, each groove set comprising a plurality of transverse grooves connected by one longitudinal groove. 15. The container of claim 14, wherein at least two pin members protrude from the lower or upper sleeve and each pin member is coupled to a set of grooves in the other sleeve. 16. A container according to claim 15, wherein the rotation of the upper and lower sleeves causes the pin member to move between the cross grooves by the longitudinal grooves by a rotation or push / pull action and thus change its volume. The container according to claim 1, which is sealed by one cap. 18. The container of claim 17, wherein the cap comprises one stopper having one skirt. 19. The container of claim 18, wherein the skirt has one float and one button portion. 20. The container of claim 19, wherein air escapes through a passage between the outer end of the skirt and the inner surface of the closure as the volume decreases. 21. The container of claim 20, wherein when the fluid touches the float, the float rises to gradually close the passageway between the outer end of the skirt and the inner surface of the closure. A container substantially the same as described above by the accompanying drawings. A container comprising an outer casing having an inner flexible bag, the inner volume of which is controlled by moving one end of the bag by appropriate means, such that the volume of the flexible bag and its contents are substantially the same in use. A container having a variable volume substantially the same as that described above by the accompanying drawings.