WO2016093697A1

WO2016093697A1 - Foldable can

Info

Publication number: WO2016093697A1
Application number: PCT/NL2015/050853
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark ANGENENT
Original assignee: Denank Beheer B.V.
Priority date: 2014-12-11
Filing date: 2015-12-10
Publication date: 2016-06-16
Also published as: NL2013954B1; WO2016093697A4

Abstract

The present invention is in the field of a foldable can (1) for receiving and releasing a liquid comprising at least one wall (2) made of a flexible and/or elastic material; means (3) for increasing and decreasing a volume of the can, therewith providing an under pressure for intake of the liquid or over pressure for outlet of the liquid respectively; means (4) for keeping a lower part of the can in place and an opening (5) for receiving a flexible hose (6), wherein said volume in collapsed condition is minimized.

Description

Title Foldable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of foldable cans for receiving and releasing a liquid, such as a fuel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Foldable cans are used for storing liquids, such as a fuel. A foldable can may be kept in an expanded state holding a liquid or in a collapsed state holding a minimum of liquid.

A foldable can may be used for transferring a fuel from one car to another car. This is especially meaningful in case one car runs out of fuel. The following documents represent prior art developments.

NL8102763A shows a siphon device for siphoning fuel from one container to another. A disadvantage of NL8102763A is that for siphoning both containers have to be next to each other. In case of transferring fuel from one car to another, the fill openings of both cars have to be next to each other.

FR2585678 shows a foldable carrier for holding a liquid comprising two handles. A disadvantage of FR2585678 is that a volume of the bag is not increased by pulling on the two handles of the bag. The volume of the bag can only be increased by the liquid pressure.

US 5,862,940 A recites a method for adding gasoline to a gasoline tank of a motor vehicle. The method employs expandable hollow gasoline container having a top and a base. Accordion pleaded walls are coupled to the top and to the base. The expandable gasoline container also includes an expandable orifice member; a cylindrical conduit connected to the top where through gasoline is added to fill the gasoline container; and a handle assembly engaged to the cylindrical conduit.

FR 1 410 771 A recites in particular a container for the transport of liquids or non-coherent materials such as powders, grains and the like, which comprises an annular side wall and at least a bottom closing the side wall, characterized in that the side wall comprises a plurality of coaxial ring segments joined to each other by means of sealed joints, whose axes are parallel to the lines of juncture between the ring segments .

US 3,434,589 A recites a throw away personal use container of resilient plastic.

The above disclosures still have various disadvantages. Therefore there still is a need for improved foldable cans, which overcome one or more of the above disadvantages, without jeopardizing functionality and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improvement over the prior art foldable cans. The foldable can according to claim 1 provides such improvements.

In a first aspect of the invention the foldable can for receiving and releasing a liquid comprises at least one wall made of a flexible and/or elastic material, means for increasing and decreasing a volume of the can, therewith providing an under pressure for intake of the liquid or over pressure for outlet of the liquid, respectively, means for keeping a lower part of the can in place and an opening for receiving a flexible hose, wherein said volume in collapsed condition is minimized to less than 200 ml, preferably to less than 100 ml, such as less than 20 ml.

The means adapted for increasing and decreasing the volume comprise at least one handle located at a top side of the can. The handle at the top side provides a grip for easing the increasing and decreasing of the volume of the can.

The present can provides an easy to use method for respec- tively creating an under- and overpressure for siphoning a liquid, wherein no leakage occurs.

In an example in use the volume of the can is an enclosed space with the opening for receiving a flexible hose as the only opening. The under pressure is generated by increasing the volume of the can. The under pressure is compensated by a liquid flowing through the opening and into the volume. The action of filling the volume with a liquid is referred to as receiving. The over pressure is generated by decreasing the volume of the can. The over pressure is compensated by a liq- uid flowing out of the volume and through the opening. The action of emptying the volume of a liquid is referred to as releasing. The set of operations of receiving and releasing a liquid is referred to as siphoning a liquid.

The ability of the can to change its volume is mainly pro- vided by the flexible wall at least partly enclosing the vol- ume. The outer surface of the can is preferably not changed. In an example the flexible wall provides a means of creating folds. The folds provide a means of changing the surface- area-to-volume ratio thereby creating an under or over pres- sure.

A less preferred embodiment of the flexible wall comprises an elastic wall.

The means for keeping a lower part in place provides a stable working platform for applying a force to the can for increasing or decreasing the volume of the can, respectively.

The collapsed condition minimizes dripping/spoiling of liquid from the can after use. A further effect of minimizing the volume in collapsed condition is to minimize the amount of liquid lost during a transfer.

Thereby the present invention provides a solution to one or more of the above mentioned problems.

Advantages of the present description are detailed

throughout the description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In an exemplary embodiment the means for increasing/decreasing the volume comprise a rigid top and bottom part. In this embodiment the rigid parts sandwich the volume. This embodiment provides an advantage in case of a decreasing volume of two rigid parts moving to each other and thereby decreasing the volume. This embodiment provides a further ad^¬ vantage in case of an increasing volume of two rigid parts moving away from each other and thereby increasing the volume .

In an exemplary embodiment the means for increasing and decreasing the volume comprise a pressure spring, preferably wherein the spring is integrated or incorporated in said at least one wall.

The advantage of the pressure spring is to provide a force for increasing the volume of the can thereby providing a pressure difference to siphon a liquid into the volume of the ca .

A person changing the volume of the foldable can has generally more difficulty increasing the volume than decreasing the volume. A further advantage is that the spring supports the person operating the can with the more difficult part of siphoning .

In an exemplary embodiment the means for increasing and decreasing said volume comprise two handles. Two handles provide the advantage of using both hands. The handles are pref- erably placed some distance a part. This provides the further advantage of stability of the force applied by a person on the can.

In an exemplary embodiment the maximum volume of the can is from 2-20 litres. A can in this range provides the ad- vantage that the can may be carried around by a person when filled with liquid. A further advantage is that the can is sized such that the can may be held high by a person draining the last part of liquid from the volume of the can.

In an exemplary embodiment the hose has a length of 80-300 cm, and comprises a distal end, wherein said distal end has a diameter smaller than a fill opening for petrol and/or die- sel .

The length of the hose provides the advantage that the can may be placed adjacent to a tank for siphoning and not in contact with the tank.

That the diameter of the distal end of the hose is smaller than the fill opening for petrol and/or diesel provides the advantage that the hose can be inserted directly in a tank holding petrol or diesel. In the context of this application this diameter should be read to be adapted to any liquid with a standardized fill opening and not limited only to petrol or diesel or even car fuels.

In an exemplary embodiment the means for keeping a lower part of the can in place comprises at least one foot support, the foot support preferably being located at a bottom side of the can.

A foot support provides the advantage of placing the full body weight of a person on the foot support for preventing slipping and sliding of the can. A further advantage is if the foot support is placed on the bottom side optimising the prevention of slipping and sliding. If the foot support is placed on a top side of the can, the foot support can advantageously be used for compressing the foldable can.

In an exemplary embodiment the can comprises two foot sup- ports, providing the advantage of using both feet. If the two foot supports are placed at some distance a further advantage is the provided stability to the can.

In an exemplary embodiment the opening comprises a spout, providing the advantage of pouring or forcing out of a liquid from the volume of the can minimizing spills.

In an exemplary embodiment a top part comprises a window, providing the advantage of visually monitoring the volume of the can. A further advantage is that the presence of gas and/or liquid in the volume can be determined.

In an exemplary embodiment the can comprises a removable light source, such as a LED. Providing the advantage of having a light readily available in case of siphoning in dusk, night or dawn conditions or inside without the presence of light. The light source can be attached to a means for re- ceiving the light source, such as a clamp, a strap, a Velcro element, and the like.

In an exemplary embodiment the can has a cross-sectional shape selected from circular, ellipsoidal, triangular, rectangle, square, multigonal, such as pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, and nonagonal. In case the can has a cross-sectional shape of a circle with a diameter of the rim of a car tyre this foldable can has the advantage of being storable inside the spare tyre of a car. In case the can has a cross-sectional shape of a rectangle, preferably this fold- able can has the advantage of being easily storable in the back of the car or under a seat in the car.

In an exemplary embodiment the can comprises a vent opening. A vent opening provides the advantage of venting surplus gas and/or liquid from the volume of the can. The vent open- ing is typically closed during siphoning.

In an exemplary embodiment the flexible hose comprises a stiffer curved part, wherein said curved part provides an increased friction, which is curved more than 90 degrees, preferably 120 degrees. A hose without a curved or preformed part might slip from a tank opening like a fuel tank opening when siphoning. The curved part provides the advantage that the hose can be placed in a fuel tank opening of a car, without the need for additional measures to keep the hose in the opening while siphoning. The increased friction is mainly due to the clamping action of the curved part. The present invention relates in a second aspect to a package comprising a foldable can according to the current invention, and at least one of a light source, such as a LED, gloves and/or other items likely to be used along a foldable can and a bag for storing items of the package. The package provides the advantage of combining materials which are like to be used in combination with each other.

The invention is further detailed by the accompanying figures and examples, which are exemplary and explanatory of na- ture and are not limiting the scope of the invention. To the person skilled in the art it may be clear that many variants, being obvious or not, may be conceivable falling within the scope of protection, defined by the present claims.

SUMMARY OF FIGURES

Figure 1 shows a foldable can in perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The figures are further detailed in the description of the experiments below.

Figure 1 shows a foldable can 1 in perspective view. The foldable can comprises means for increasing and decreasing a volume 3, 3^f and a wall of flexible and/or elastic material 2 located between the means for increasing and decreasing. The means for increasing and decreasing a volume comprise a rigid top and bottom part in the embodiment of this figure.

The foldable can further comprises means for keeping a lower part of the can in place 4. In this embodiment these means comprise foot supports 8, 8' on both sides of the rigid bottom part. The means are preferably foldable between a use and non-use position. The means in the non-use position pref- erably minimize the total volume. The means in the use posi^¬ tion provide a good location for placing a foot on the means for advantageously increasing and decreasing the volume of the foldable can.

The foldable can further comprises an opening 5 for re- ceiving a flexible hose and optionally a flexible hose 6.

Although the hose is necessary operating the foldable can, a hose may be a separate provided item. A hose able to fit with the opening of the foldable may have different diameters and forms on a distal end 10 of the hose. This distal end of the hose may be suitable for insertion in a fuel tank for petrol or diesel and for a fuel tank like for a car, a truck or stand-alone machine.

The foldable can further comprises handles 7, 7' on both sides of the top rigid part. These handles provide a firm grip on the top rigid part for decreasing and increasing the volume of the foldable can. These handles also provide a handle for carrying and picking up the foldable can.

The foldable can may further comprise a spring 9. This spring may be a compression spring, torsion spring. The spring may be integrated or incorporated in the wall 2 of the foldable can.

The foldable can may further comprise a window providing an operator of the foldable can a view on the volume inside of the foldable can. In case of an increasing volume the op- erator is able to monitor the siphoned liquid.

The foldable can may further comprise a lid 12 of a con^¬ tainer, wherein the lid provides access to the lid from the outside. The container may be suitable for storing accessories like a torch, jumper cables, matches, a rope, an oil can, gloves and/or additional hose or hose end adaptor.

The foldable can preferably comprises a wall folded in a predefined zig-zag shape 13. The foldable can further prefer^¬ able comprises a vent opening 14 on the top rigid part. An alternative location of the vent opening would be in the wall.

It should be appreciated that for commercial application it may be preferable to use one or more variations of the present system, which would similar be to the ones disclosed in the present application and are within the spirit of the invention.

List of reference numerals

Foldable can

Wall of flexible and/or elastic material

, 3' Means for increasing and decreasing a volume

Means for keeping a lower part of the can in place Opening for receiving a flexible hose

Hose

, V Handles

, 8' Foot supports

Pressure spring

0 Distal end hose

1 Window

2 Lid of container

3 Zig-zag shape

4 Vent opening

Claims

1. Foldable can (1) for receiving and releasing a liquid comprising:

- at least one wall (2) made of a flexible and/or elastic material ;

- means (3, 3' ) adapted for increasing and decreasing a volume of the can, therewith providing an under pressure for intake of the liquid or over pressure for outlet of the liquid, respectively;

- means (4) adapted to keep a lower part of the can in place; and

- an opening (5) for receiving a flexible hose (6), wherein said volume in collapsed condition is less than

200 ml,

characterized in that

the means for increasing and decreasing said volume comprise at least one handle (7, 1' ) located at a top side of the can.

2. Foldable can according to claim 1, wherein the means for increasing/decreasing said volume comprise a rigid top part (3' ) and rigid bottom part (3).

3. Foldable can according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the means for increasing and decreasing said volume comprise a pressure spring (9), preferably wherein the spring is integrated or incorporated in said at least one wall.

4. Foldable can according to any of the claims 1-3, wherein the means for increasing and decreasing said volume comprise two handles (7, Ί' ) .

5. Foldable can according to any of the claims 1-4, wherein the maximum volume of the can is from 2-20 litres.

6. Foldable can according to any of the claims 1-5, wherein the hose has a length of 80-200 cm, and comprises a distal end (10), wherein said distal end has a diameter smaller than a fill opening for petrol and/or diesel.

7. Foldable can according to any of the claims 1-6, wherein the means for keeping a lower part of the can in place comprises at least one foot support (8, 8'), the foot support preferably being located at a bottom side of the can, prefer- ably comprising two foot supports (8, 8').

8. Foldable can according to any of the claims 1-7, wherein the opening comprises a spout.

9. Foldable can according to any of the claims 1-8, where- in a top part comprises a window (11), and/or

comprising a means for receiving a removable light source and said light source, such as a LED.

10. Foldable can according to any of the claims 1-9, comprising a container comprising a lid (12) providing access to said container.

11. Foldable can according to any of the claims 1-10, wherein the at least one wall is made from a material selected from PP, PE, PET or combinations thereof and wherein the at least one wall has a thickness of 0.2-3 mm.

12. Foldable can according to any of the claims 1-11, wherein the at least one wall comprises a pre-formed zig-zag shape (13) .

13. Foldable can according to any of the claims 1-12, comprising a vent opening (14).

14. Foldable can according to any of the claims 1-13, wherein the flexible hose comprises a curved part, wherein said curved part provides an increased friction, which is curved more than 90 degrees, preferably 120 degrees.

15. Package comprising a foldable can according to any of the claims 1-14, and at least one of a light source, such as a LED, gloves and a bag for storing items of the package.