WO2008087616A2

WO2008087616A2 - A multisection storage container and a method of using it

Info

Publication number: WO2008087616A2
Application number: PCT/IL2007/000055
Authority: WO
Inventors: Asaf Alfasi; Amos Alfasi
Original assignee: Asaf Alfasi; Amos Alfasi
Priority date: 2007-01-15
Filing date: 2007-01-15
Publication date: 2008-07-24
Also published as: WO2008087616A3

Abstract

A container for storage and dispensing of substances that comprises a plurality of individual sections, with each section having a neck and a bottom and wherein each of the neck and bottom sections have fastening means and a cap. The sections are assembled into one elongated container by fastening the neck of one section to the bottom of another section.

Description

A MULTISECTION STORAGE CONTAINER AND A METHOD OF USING IT.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001 ] The present container relates to the field of storage, transportation, and dispensing of fluids, as well as granulated and powder like materials.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, there is a proliferation of different storage containers and, in particular, bottles having different shape and volume. In many cases, the cost of smaller containers containing a certain substance is disproportionately higher than the cost of a larger volume container containing the same substance. The term "substance" in the present disclosure means fluids, granulated and powder materials. A number of smaller containers that are equal in volume of substance to that of a larger container usually occupy a larger space than a single large container. In many cases, however, partial consumption of a substance from a larger container leaves it half empty and inconvenient for handling.

[0003] For example, a tracker that consumed half of the bottle has to carry with him the whole bottle occupying space in his kitbag. A family that has purchased a large container of flour and consumed only half has a half empty container occupying the same space on the shelf that could be used for other purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0004] The container and the method of using it are described and claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. However, the container both as far as organization and operation, may be best understood by reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where the reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the container and method of using it. [0005] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a frontal view of an exemplary embodiment of the present container.

[0006] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a frontal view of another exemplary embodiment of the present container.

[0007] Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a frontal view of yet another exemplary embodiment of the present container.

[0008] Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a frontal view of an additional exemplary embodiment of the present container.

[0009] Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a method of using the present container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00010] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof. This illustrates specific embodiments in which the container may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as "top," "bottom," "base," "neck," "front," "back," etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments of the present method can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting.

[00011] Reference is made to Figure 1, which is a schematic illustration of a frontal view of an exemplary embodiment of the present container. Container 100 represents a plurality of individual sections 104 assembled into an elongated container 100, with each section having a neck portion 108 typically located at the top of the section and a base or bottom portion 112. Neck 108 may have fastening means in form of threads 116 or bayonet locks 172 (Figure 4). Typically, the base portion of container sections would have an opening 120 for receiving the neck portion of another section with which it is adjoining. Opening 120 would have fastening means matching those of the neck portion 108. The lowest section 124 may have a similar opening 120 with threads or a continuous base or bottom plate

128. If the bottom section 124 has an opening 120, for substance storage, opening 120 may be closed by plug 132.

[00012] Individual sections 104 are assembled into one elongated container 100 by fastening the neck of one section to the bottom of another section. For storage of similar or identical substances, sections 104 communicate with each other. Where the sections are intended for storage and later dispensing or mixing of dissimilar substances each of the sections may be sealed at the neck or base. When container 100 is filled with a substance the most upper section of it may be closed by a cap 136.

[00013] In one embodiment, shown in Figure 1 each section 104 of container 100 has corrugated walls 140. In other embodiment, shown in Figure 2 container 100 is assembled from sections 144 having straight walls 148. The sections may be of any geometrical shape such as cylinder, square, rectangular or pyramidal shape. Sections 104 and 144 may be of similar size to those in Figures 1 and 2 or of dissimilar size as shown in Figure 3, which is another exemplary embodiment of the present container 160. In this embodiment, section 152 has volume larger than sections 104. The volume and number of sections define the total volume of stored substance.

[00014] Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a frontal view of an additional exemplary embodiment of the present container. Container 160 is assembled from dissimilar sections 164 and 168 having on their necks 170 and, if necessary, on the base instead of threads bayonet locks 172.

[00015] Sections 104, 144, 152, 164, and 168 may be made of polyethylene therphtalate (PET), glass, metal, plastic, wood, or any other material of which regular containers are made.

[00016] Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a method of using the present container. Initially container 100 is filled with the desired substance. After a certain volume of substance stored, in the most upper section of container 100 is consumed, the section may be removed from the container, leaving the remaining sections still with a smaller volume of the substance. Cap 136 closes the newly unveiled (formed) most upper section of container 100. In such manner, no empty volume is left in the container. The removed section 176 of the container may be as shown in Figure 5 compressed and disposed.

[00017] As noticed above, the volume of container depends on the number and volume of sections included in the assembly. Thus, using a single identical section and fastening the neck of one section to the bottom of another section a large variety of different volume containers for storage and dispensing of different substances may be assembled. The production cost of such containers would be lower than production costs of a variety of different containers for storing the same volume of substance.

[00018] It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A container (100, 160) for storage and dispensing of substances, said container (100, 160) comprising: a) a plurality of individual sections (104, 144, 152, 164, 168), with each section having a neck (108, 170) and a bottom (112, 128) and wherein each of said neck (108, 170) and bottom (112, 128) sections have fastening means; b) at least one cap (136), and wherein said individual sections (104, 144, 152, 164, 168) are assembled into one elongated container (100, 160) by fastening said neck (108, 170) of one section to said bottom (112, 128) of another section.

2. The container (100, 160) according to claim 1, wherein said sections (104, 144, 152, 164, 168) are in communication with each other.

3. The container (100, 160) according to claims 1 and 2, wherein the stored substances are identical.

4. The container (100, 160) according to claim 1, wherein said sections (104, 144, 152, 164, 168) do not communicate with each other.

5. The container (100, 160) according to claims 1 and 4, wherein the stored substances are not the same substances.

6. The container (100, 160) according to claim 1, wherein said substance is a fluid, granulated or powder substance.

7. The container (100, 160) according to claim 1, wherein said cap (136) closes the neck (108, 170) of the outer section.

8. The container (100, 160) according to claim 1 , wherein the lowest section is one of a section having fastening means (116, 172) or a continuous bottom plate (128).

9. The Container (100, 160) according to claims 1 and 8, wherein a plug (136) closes the lowest section having fastening means (116,172).

10. The container (10O₅ 160) according to claim 1, wherein said section (104, 144, 152, 164, 168) has corrugated (140), or straight (148) walls.

11. The container (100, 160) according to claim 1, wherein said sections (104, 144, 152, 164, 168) are of similar size.

12. The container (100, 160) according to claim 1, wherein said sections (104, 144, 152, 164, 168) are of dissimilar size.

13. The container (100, 160) according to claim 1, wherein the volume and number of said sections (104, 144, 152, 164, 168) define the volume of stored substance.

14. The container (100, 160) according to claim 1, wherein said fastening means (116, 172) are one of threads (116) or bayonet locks (172).

15. A method of utilizing a container (100, 160) of claim 1 , said method comprising: a) consuming a volume of substance stored in at least the most upper section of said container; b)removing the most upper section of said container (100, 160); c)closing by a cap (136) the newly unveiled most upper section of said container, and d) compressing said removed section (176) of said container, and disposing of it.

16. A method of manufacture of containers (100, 160) having different volume for storage and dispensing of substances, said method comprising: a) providing a plurality of individual sections (104, 144, 152, 164, 168), with each section (104, 144, 152, 164, 168) having a neck (108, 170) and abase (112, 128) and wherein each of said neck (108, 170) and base (112, 128) being equipped with fastening (116, 172) means and at least one cap (136); b) assembling said individual sections (104, 144, 152, 164, 168) into one elongated container (100, 160) by fastening said neck (108, 170) of one section to said base (112, 128) of another section, and wherein said number and volume of individual section (104, 144, 152, 164, 168) define the volume of said container (100, 160).

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said sections (124, 152, 168) are the lowest sections of said container (100, 160).