US2426195A - Collapsible container provided with fluid control means - Google Patents

Description

F. R. GERACI 2,426,195 COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER PROVIDED WITH FLUID CONTROL MEANS Aug. '26, 1947.

Filed June 22, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

FRANCIS R. GERACI Qw LLW He. 2 .---v

Aug. 26, 1947." F.R.GERACZ 2,426,195

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER PROVIDED WITH FLUID CONTROL MEANS Filed June 22, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet' 2 l ll 3e 2o 48 n 29 a1 as 52 z 3s as as FIG 5 FRANCIS R. GERAGI MLWkM t Patented Aug. 26, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER PROVIDED WITH FLUID CONTROL MEANS 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a storage unit within which liquid may be placed and transported, and, in particular, to a self-supporting collapsible unit of a pyramidical form adapted to be filled readily and sealed, and from which liquid may be withdrawn as desired.

Heretofore, many and varied types of containers for transporting and storing water or other fluids have been employed, but by reason either of their bulk or inability to maintain themselves in an upright position when filled or partially filled without external supporting means, have been most objectionable, particularly under conditions such as those which may be encountered by troops in combat or under extreme emergencies.

It is one object of this invention to provide a practical means of storing fluids, which is adapted to be carried from place to place by any available transporting facility.

A further object of this invention is to provide a fluid container of such a construction which, when it is filled, or partially filled, is entirely self-supporting and adapted to be placed most anywhere on the ground whether it be sloping or level, or whether the terrain be smooth or rough, without upsetting or collapsing.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a container for fluids from which liquid may be dispensed simultaneously at a plurality of points, thus avoiding loss in time usually encountered when canteens or the like are to be filled from conventional fluid containers of the rigid or semirigid types.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container which, when not in use, may be folded into a very small compact form so that by means of straps attached thereto it may be carried in a fashion similar to that used in transporting a knapsack or the like.

These as well as the various other novel features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a reading of the specification and accompanying drawings of which:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view illustrating the container in its expanded form;

Fig. 2 is an isometric view illustrating the cont ainer in its collapsed form and showing the flexible cover for enveloping the unit when it is to be carried empty;

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the container;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view taken through the pipe connection to the container;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken at 55 of Fig. 1; and

amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) Fig. 6 is a view of a spout through which liquid may be introduced to the container.

With reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the unit comprises a bottom portion ll made of canvas or other suitable strong flexible material, inwardly converging side panels l2 of similar material suitably stitched to bottom It and to the edges of each other at water-tight seams l3 and I4 respectively, opening spout [5 through which fluid is introduced for filling the container, and a discharge pipe I6, secured to one of the panels, havin a plurality of faucets I! through which liquid may be drained.

The opening spout or funnel l5 formed in the shape of an elongated flexible tube, is made up of material similar to that of the container and is secured to the apex thereof by suitable stitches I8; Two pairs of panels [9 stitched respectively to the top of the container and to the bottom portion of opening spout l5 are provided with two male portions 2| of a snap fastener which, after the container has been filled with liquid and the opening spout I5 collapsed and rolled as shown in Fig. 1, are placed in locked engagement with the snap fastener female portions 22. Thus, the top is completely closed preventing introduction of foreign matter to the water supply or loss of liquid therefrom when the filled container is being used or transported to a new location.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, a truncated cone 23 made of a semi-rigid material, communicates with an opening 46 in one of the panels I2 of the container, being cemented and stitched at the edges of its base 24 to an inner surface of the panel I2, and at its opposite end 25 cemented and stitched to the end of discharge pipe l6.

For rigidity, each pair of faucets I1 is secured to the discharge pipe It, being secured to one another, through openings provided on diametrically opposite sides thereof, by means of a reducer 25 threaded at one end for attachment to a short length of pipe 21 having openings 28 in the side thereof, and threaded at the opposite end for attachment to the main body portion 29 of the faucets ll.

Faucets H, for controlling the flow of fluid from the container, comprise a push button valve arrangement consisting of a stem 3! having at one end thereof a disc 32, provided with a beveled valve seat surface 33, and at the opposite end a push button 34. Intermediate the ring 35, which ring is formed integral with the main body portion 29, and push button 34, is a compression spring 45 adapted to maintain the valve in the closed position by forcing valve seat surface 33 into closing contact with beveled flange 36, thus preventing leakage of fluid from the pipe l6 through chamber 31 and outlet 38 of the discharge valve.

As shown in Fig. 2, the container when empty and folded for transporting to: a new: location, is enclosed in a cover comprising a plurality of panels 39 and 4! stitched to the edges of base H, the panels 4! having a plurality of snap fasteners at the edges thereof comprising male and female portions 42 and 43 respectively for securing the edges together. The compact unit is readily carried by means of loopedstraps 44 extending across and secured to base II.

It will be understood that the above description and accompanying drawings comprehend only the general and preferred embodiment of the invention and that various changes in construction, proportion and arrangement of the parts may be made within the scope of the appended claims without sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

The invention herein described and claimed may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

I claim:

1. A collapsible self-supporting flexible container and collapsed container enclosure for fluids, comprising a base, inwardly converging flexible side panels each of'which is secured to said base and at the edges thereof to the edges of the next adjacent side panels, an outlet tube secured to said container, a second set of flexible panels each of which is also secured to said base along its edges, the panels of said second set being smaller than said first mentionedpanels, and cooperative fastening means on at least two of said panels of said second set, whereby said second set of panels provides an enclosure for the collapsed container of said first mentioned panels.

2. A collapsible self-supporting flexible container and collapsed container enclosure for fluids, comprising a flexible base, inwardly converging flexible side panels each of which is secured to said base and at the edges thereof to the edges of the next adjacent side panels and an outlet tube secured to said container and a flexible inlet spout provided with closure means secured to said side panels at the apex thereof, a second set of flexible panels each of which is also secured to said; base along its edges, the panels of said secondset being smaller than said first mentioned panels, and cooperative fastening means on at least two of said panels of said second set, whereby said second set of panels provides an enclosure for the collapsed container of said first mentioned panels.

3'. A. collapsible self-supporting flexible container and collapsed container knapsack pack for fluids; comprising a flexible base, inwardly converging side walls secured to said base and terminating in an apex, fluid inlet means secured to said container, an outlet tube secured to the lower portion of said container, a plurality of faucets secured to said outlet tube for controlling the flow of fluid from said outlet tube, a set of flexible panels each. of which is also secured with said side Walls to saidbase alongits edges, said flexible panels being smaller than said side walls, looped strap means secured. along the bottom of said flexible base, and cooperative fastening means on at least twoof said flexible panels whereby said flexible panels and strap means provide a knapsack. pack for the collapsed container.

FRANCIS R. GERACI.

REFERENCES CITED The following reiierences are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 446,518" Hesser Feb. 17, 1891 643,099 Ayasse Feb. 13, 1900 736 ,089 Gray Aug. 11, 1903 994,287 Thorning June 6, 1911 1,652,457 Reach Dec. 13, 1927 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 117,765 Australia Nov. 12, 1943

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