US3172570A

US3172570A - Novel electrolyte package

Info

Publication number: US3172570A
Application number: US223643A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lipschutz Sidney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-09-14
Filing date: 1962-09-14
Publication date: 1965-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 1982-03-09

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 14, 1962 INVENTOR SIDNEY LIPSCHUTZ A TTOR/VEYS.

March 9, 1965 s. LIPSCHUTZ 3,172,570

NOVEL ELECTROLYTE PACKAGE Filed Sept. 14, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 86 82 I J h 80 INVENTOR SIDNEY LIPSCHUTZ A T TORNE Y5.

United States Patent C) 3,172,570 NOVEL ELECTROLYTE PACKAGE Sidney Lipschutz, 4001 Main St., Philadelphia, Pa. Filed Sept. 14, 1962, Ser. No. 223,643 8 Claims. (Cl. 222105) This invention relates to containers for corrosive liquids and, more particularly, it relates to containers of the multiple unit type.

It has been the prior practice in the industry to package corrosive liquids such as acids or alkaline materials in containers consisting of a relatively rigid outer unit made of fiberboard enclosing a flexible inner unit of noncorrosive material such as polyethylene, cellulose acetate and the like.

One of the flexible inner units heretofore used has consisted of a tubular member sealed completely along its bottom edge and also sealed along its top edge except for a spout member extending therefrom which is not sealed until the bag has been filled.

Another flexible unit heretofore used has consisted of an outer bag and inner bag positioned therein, the two bags being secured together with a common seal along the bottom edge thereof. The seals in the foregoing bags have generally comprised two closely spaced parallel seals separated by a small air space rather than a single line of sealing.

In other applications, the spout has been eliminated and instead, the flexible inner container was initially sealed along its entire top and bottom edges. Thereafter, an upper corner was cut off to permit the corrosive liquid to be dispensed into the package and, finally, a seal was formed adjacent the upper corner.

Corrosive liquids packaged in the foregoing manner are dispensed by means of a probe of the nature of the device disclosed and claimed in copending application Serial No. 845,851 filed October 12, 1959. The probe is thrust directly through the wall of the relatively rigid outer container (fiberboard box) and then continues to penetrate through the flexible wall or walls of the inner container. The plastic memory of the material comprising the flexible bag causes the material to tightly adhere about the probe, and the corrosive liquid contained in the flexible bag may flow only through the probe and then through a hose secured to the probe to be dispensed as desired. Clamping means are positioned about the hose at a desired point to control the dispensing of the corrosive liquid.

The foregoing probe constitutes a very simple and highly effective means of great safety for dispensing corrosive liquids. However, as previously stated, the inner container or containers are necessarily flexible. Thus, it has been found in actual practice that when the probe is inserted through the wall of the rigid container and plunges still further against the outer wall of the flexible inner container, the flexible inner container has a tendency to slide away from the pressure of the probe. Hence, the insertion of the probe may be rendered more difficult and, also, the piercing of the inner bag may be such that the probe enters the bag at a relatively small acute angle rather than the prefered right angle entry. Hence, insertion of the probe may be a faulty one so that leakage around the probe will occur.

' The foregoing problem was elfectively solved in prior copending application Serial No. 9,898 filed February 19, 1960, now patent No. 3,065,894, wherein the inner bag was provided with a foldable spout which was fastened to an inside portion of an outer flap of the rigid container. The flap was then folded in a conventional manner upon previously folded inner flaps ot complete the packaging. Thus the spout was interposed between the inner and outer flaps of the rigid container in the fully "ice assembled package and the probe was thrust into the relatively rigid container at a point closely adjacent to the folded and interposed flap. Hence, the flexible container adjacent the entry point of the probe is held fast in position, and penetration of the probe is accomplished at a substantial right angle.

However, the foregoing device necessitated a filling spout. Moreover, where the flexible inner container comprised outer and inner flexible bags, the problem of the inner flexible bag sliding away from the outer flexible bag under the pressure of the probe existed to a substantial degree.

The foregoing problems were effectively solved in copending application Serial No. 43,532 filed July 18, 1960, now Patent No. 3,112,057 wherein an adhesive surface was interposed along a limited area between the inner and outer bags so that the inner bag would not slide away from the pressure of the inserted probe. In addition, adhesive tape means were fastened to the outer surface of the flexible container and then led between the folded inner flaps of the relatively rigid outer container and, finally, over the outer surface of one of the inner flaps to be secured against the external surface of the relatively rigid outer container. The probe was accordingly thrust into the relatively rigid outer container at a point adjacent the emergence of the tape therefrom.

Another solution to the foregoing problems is disclosed in copending application Serial No. 105,486 filed April 25, 1961, now Patent No. 3,065,895, wherein a bracing member is interposed between the flexible inner bag and the outer rigid container, and beneath the flexible inner bag. The inner bag is secured to the bracing member adjacent the point of insertion of the probe, and the bracing member is maintained in place. Thus, the securement of the bag and bracing member prohibits any movement of the bag when the probe is thrust therein.

The electrolyte package of this invention also overcomes any problem of movement of the inner bag relative to the probe during the insertion of the probe therein. Additionally, the package of this invention overcomes another problemwhich has existed in the prior art in the probe dispensing of liquid from packages of this type. It has been found to be extremely diflicult, if not impossible, to remove all of the acid from the bottom of the package by the probe dispensing of said acid. This is because the probe is inserted near the bottom of the package but slightly raised therefrom. Since the bottom of all prior packages was horizontal, all the acid below the probe over the large area of the bottom of the package was wasted. The tilting of the acid package aided somewhat, but still a substantial amount of the corrosive acid remained in the package.

Using the bracing member of this invention in combination with the inner flexible bag a sump is provided in which all of the remaining acid in the package is collected. Thus, rather than having approximately a 4 inch depth of acid across the entire area of the entire bottom of the package, this depth will exist only in the area of the sump, thereby leaving a far smaller amount of acid in the package than heretofore possible.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a novel electrolyte package including an outer rigid container and an inner flexible container, wherein the inner flexible container is provided with a sump for the collection of acid in the bottom thereof.

It is another object of this invention to provide a multiple unit container including an inner flexible container which will not slide away under the force of the insertion of a probe therein.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel electrolyte package from which the electrolyte will be probe dispensed, and which results in a minimum of 3 loss of electrolyte due to an accumulation of acid below the probe.

The foregoing, as well as other objects of this invention, are achieved by providing a multiple unit container com prising a relatively rigid outer container and a relatively flexible inner container, said inner container adapted to be filled with a liquid which is subsequently sealed therein. and which is adapted to be probe dispensed therefrom,. means associated with said inner container to provide a. sump at the bottom thereof, said sump extending over" only a small portion of the width of said inner contarner, whereby the liquid remaining in said inner container after a substantial portion thereof has been dispensed will collect in said sump.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same: becomes better understood by reference to the following. detailed description when considered in connection with. the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the inner flexible bag and bracing member of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the bracing member with the inner flexible bag secured thereto, immediately prior to insertion in the outer rigid container;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the inner flexible bag secured to the lower bracing member and the outer rigid container;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the entire package in use with the probe inserted;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a section view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a modified form of the bracing member; and

FIG. 8 is another modified form of the bracing member.

Referring now in greater detail to the various figures of the drawings wherein similar reference characters re:- for to similar parts, a novel electrolyte package embodying the present invention is generally shown at 10 in FIG. 3.

Package 10 basically comprises outer rigid container 12 and flexible inner container 14 adapted to hold the electrolyte or other liquid and be positioned within outer rigid container 12. r

The outer rigidcontainer 12 is of corrugated cardboard construction and basically comprises a pair of lateral sides 16 and a pair of lateral ends 18. The bottom of container 12 includes side flaps 20 and end flaps 22 (FIG. 6). The top of rigid container 12 is similarly provided with a pair of side flaps 24 and end flaps 26.

The bottom of the outer rigid container is closed by first folding end flaps 22 inwardly. A layer of adhesive is then applied on the outer surfaces thereof. Side flaps 20 are then folded on top of the end flaps and held in place by the adhesive. If desired, external adhesive tape 28 can be positioned along the bottom line of flaps 34 to additionally secure them in place.

Flexible inner container 14 is formed from a piece of tubular plastic 28, such as polyethylene, cellulose acetate or the like. The bottom edge of tube 28 is heat sealed by first wrapping a strip of thermoplastic material 30 around the lower edge and subsequently heat sealing the strip to the edge. A pair of ends 32 extend to both sides of bag 28. A plastic patch 34 is secured to bag 28 by any suitable means such as adhesive coated tape 36. The purpose of the pacth 34 is to provide a tight gasket around the probe which is subsequently inserted, as more fully described in my copending application Serial No. 215,343 filed August 7, 1962.

Prior to filling, inner flexible container 14 is secured to a bracing member shown generally at 38 in FIG. 1. Bracing member 38 is formed from a rigid material such as corrugated cardboard. The lower surface of bracing member 38 is provided with a score line 40 which ex- 4 tends transversely across the entire width thereof. A pair of blocks 42 are secured to the outer ends of bracing member 38 to elevate the edges thereof. These blocks may be made of any suitable material such as inexpensive wood or cardboard, and may be secured by any suitable means, such as adhesive or adhesive tape.

The inner bag 14 is then secured to the lower bracing member 38 by first wrapping lower corners 44 around the bracing member. These corners are secured in place by taping ends 32 of strip 30 to the under surface of bracing member 38 by adhesive tape 46. The surface of tube 28 on which patch 34 is secured is maintained adjacent one edge of bracing member 38 by a pair of strips of adhesive tape 48. Of course, it is to be understood that Wherever adhesive tape is disclosed for the purpose of oecurement, a liquid adhesive could similarly be used.

After bracing member 38 has been placed on inner container 14, the container is filled with battery electrolyte or other liquid, and subsequently heat sealed at the top. The filling and heat sealing can be carried out on the machine disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 173,962 filed February 19, 1962, now Patent No. 3,084,201.

After the inner bag 14 has been filled and sealed, it is placed in the outer rigid container 12. After the insertion thereof, the top of the outer rigid container is closed by first folding end flaps 26 inwardly, applying adhesive to the tops thereof, and folding side flaps 24 inwardly on top of the adhesive coated end flaps. If desired, adjhesive tape 50 (FIG. 4) can be used to maintain the securement. In use, an indicating mark 52 is placed on one of the side portions 16 of outer rigid container 12 (see FIG. 3). Indicating mark 52 is adjacent the area rof patch 34.

The liquid is dispensed from package 10 by the insertion of a tap or probe 54 therein (see FIG. 5). This probe pierces outer rigid container 12 through indicating mark 52 and then through patch 34 and inner flexible bag wall 28. A more detailed description of the tap and its manner of use is disclosed in my aforesaid copending application Serial No. 845,851. Basically tap 54 comprises body portion 56 which tapers to a point 58 at the front thereof. A pair of apertures 60 lead to a hollow bore of the body member 56, which bore extends from the apertures rearwardly through the end of the tap. A shoulder 62 which extends around the outer perimeter of the tap abuts the outside wall 16 of the outer rigid container 12. A pair of wings 64 project rearwardly from shoulder 62. A fragmentary thread 66 is provided forwardly of shoulder 62 and is spaced therefrom by a distance which is equal to the thickness of outer rigid container wall 16. Thus, wall 16 is wedged between thread 66 and shoulder 62, in the manner explained in my copending application Serial No. 845,851.

In use, the tap or probe 54 is thrust through both the outer and inner containers. The force of gravity causes the liquid 68 Within the inner container to exit through tap 54 by first entering apertures 60 and then the hollow bore of body member 56. A suitable pinch clamp (not shown) is used for metering the liquid flowing out of the container. One embodiment of a pinch clamp which can be used is disclosed in copending application Serial No. 86,952 filed February 3, 1961, now Patent No. 3,142,472.

It should be noted that after the probe 54 is inserted, the combination of patch 34 and bag wall 28 provides a tight gasket around the body member 56, as described in my aforementioned copending application Serial No.

The package of this invention can be made in different sizes. As seen in FIG. 5, the probe 54 is necessarily positioned a short distance above the base of the package. In view of the fact that the liquid is dispensed by gravity flow, there is no means of dispensing the liquid which remains below the tap. However, in order to minimize the amount of liquid remaining, bracing member 38 has been provided. It is seen in FIG. 6 that blocks 42 raise the outer edges of bracing member 38. Thus, when the inner bag is filled with liquid, the weight of the liquid will bear against the center score line 40 of the bracing member, thereby providing a valley or sump 72 in the area of said score line. It is thus seen that as the liquid is withdrawn from the inner container, the last few drops will be in the area of sump 72. It is further seen that the provision of bracing member 38 greatly reduces the volume of liquid which can be present beneath probe 54 after the liquid is withdrawn.

By using the bracing member of this invention, very little, if any, liquid is lost or wasted due to its failure to be dispensed through probe 54. When dispensing battery acid, which is corrosive, it is completely advantageous not to have any liquid remaining in the bag. Whatever small amounts are remaining can be readily disposed of by being flushed out with water.

It should also be noted that the dimensions in length and width of the bracing member are substantially the same as the inner dimensions in length and width of the outer rigid container. Thus, when the inner container is placed within the outer container, there is substantially no movement of the bracing member relative to the outer container. As seen in FIG. 3, the wall 28 having patch 34 thereon is secured to bracing member 33. Thus, since patch 34 and its associated Wall 28 are held securely in place adjacent the wall 16 of the outer rigid container, there is no lateral movement of the inner flexible bag when the probe 5'4 is inserted therethrough. In this manner there is no fear of leakage because of a faulty insertion.

Although this invention has been described with respect to a particular bracing member, it is to be understood that other bracing members can be used. Thus, the only prerequisite for the bracing member is that it be elevated at its ends and lowered in the center in order to provide the necessary sump adjacent the area of insertion of the probe. In FIG. 7 there is provided another embodiment of a bracing member which is generally shown at '74. Bracing member 74 is formed from a unitary piece of cardboard which is rectangular in shape. Thus, there is provided a fiat horizontal bottom 76, sides 73 which extend perpendicularly upward from the bottom and sloping top portions 75 which have their edges abutting as at line 77. Here again there is provided a sump or valley in the area of abutting edges 77. Furthermore, the combined effect of the abutting edges 77 and the weight of the liquid will maintain sides 78 in a vertical position. thereby maintaining the necessary Vallev In FIG. 8 there is generally shown a third embodiment of the bracing member at 80. This bracing member also is made from a unitary piece of cardboard and includes a top surface 82 having a score line 84 at the center thereof. In this embodiment the outer edges of the bracing member are elevated by providing a pair of inward folds 86 at said outer edges.

The bracing members in FIGS. 7 and 8 are used in a manner which is identical to that of bracing member 38.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. For instance, rather than filling the inner flexible bag prior to insertion in the outer rigid container, the inner bag may first be placed in the outer container and subsequently filled and sealed. Although the invention has been described with the use of a single-ply bag, obviously a double-ply bag can be used, such as that disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 14,838 filed March 14, 1960, now abandoned. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. A multiple unit container comprising a relatively rigid outer container and a relatively flexible inner container, said inner container adapted to be filled with a liquid which is subsequently sealed therein and which is adapted to be probe dispensed therefrom, insert means within said outer container to provide a sump at the bottom thereof, said sump extending over only a small portion of the width of said inner container, said inner container being secured to said insert means in the area of said sump, said insert means being substantially laterally immovable relative to said outer container, whereby said probe can be inserted through one wall of said outer and inner containers in the area of said sump without the inner container substantially moving relative to the inserted probe, thereby preventing any leakage caused by faulty insertion of the probe.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said insert means comprises a bracing member which is interposed between said inner container and said outer container and is positioned beneath said inner container.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said bracing member has the outer edges thereof elevated whereby the sump will be formed in the area of the center of said bracing member.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said bracing member is formed of a relatively rigid material and the ends are elevated by blocks secured to said rigid material, said bracing member having a lateral score line across the width, whereby the weight of its liquid within the inner container will depress said bracing member along said score line.

5. The invention of claim 3 wherein said bracing member is formed from a unitary piece of relatively rigid material and the outer ends are elevated by bent portions of said rigid material at said outer ends.

6. The invention of claim 2 wherein the maintaining of said bracing member against lateral movement is accomplished by providing a bracing member which has approximately the same dimensions as an inner cross section of the outer rigid container.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said inner flexible container contains a flexible patch of sheet material, said patch being in the area of insertion of said probe, whereby a tight gasket will be formed around said probe when said probe is inserted through said patch and said inner flexible container.

8. The invention of claim 2 wherein said inner flexible container is provided with a pair of lower corners, said lower corners being wrapped around said bracing member and secured thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,704,075 Cherkin Mar. 15, 1955 2,861,718 Winzen Nov. 25, 1958 2,925,199 Brookshier Feb. 16, 1960 3,081,003 Baxter et al Mar. 12, 1963

Claims

1. A MULTIPLE UNIT CONTAINER COMPISING A RELATIVELY RIGID OUTER CONTAINER AND A RELATIVELY FLEXIBLE INNER CONTAINER, SAID INNER CONTAINER ADAPTED TO BE FILLED WITH A LIAUID WHICH IS SUBSEQUENTLY SEALED THEREIN AND WHICH IS ADAPTED TO BE PROBE DISPENSED THEREFROM, INSERT MEANS WITHIN SAID OUTER CONTAINER TO PROVIDE A SUMP AT THE BOTTOM THEREOF, SAID SUMP EXTENDING OVER ONLY A SMALL PORTION OF THE WIDTH OF SAID INNER CONTAINER, SAID INNER CONTAINER BEING SECURED TO SAID INSERT MEANS IN THE AREA OF SAID SUMP, SAID INSERT MEANS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY LATERALLY IMMOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID OUTER CONTAINER, WHEREBY SAID PROBE CAN BE INSERTED THROUGH ONE WALL OF SAID OUTER AND