WO2001058779A1

WO2001058779A1 - Tubular container

Info

Publication number: WO2001058779A1
Application number: PCT/DE2001/000495
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mike Hannemann
Original assignee: Mike Hannemann
Priority date: 2000-02-09
Filing date: 2001-02-09
Publication date: 2001-08-16
Also published as: AU3916901A; DE20121304U1; DE10190402B4; DE20002235U1; DE10190402D2; DE10037312A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a tubular container for accommodating flowable material, especially liquids, whose tube ends are each provided with a closing device. The invention is essentially characterized in that the tubular container is comprised of a tube (1) which is perpendicularly cut on both ends thereof, is dimensionally stable, and which is elastically flexible in the length thereof, and is characterized in that the removable closing device (2, 7, 15) engages like a plug inside the tube while sealing the same.

Description

tube container

description

The invention relates to a hose container for holding flowable material, in particular liquids, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Hose containers or hose-like containers for holding liquids such as water and wine have been known since time immemorial. These mostly bag-like containers were or are made of relatively soft, flexible material and have a closable opening at one end. In the filled state, these containers are inflated, while they hang or lie limply in the empty state or the container walls lie flat on top of each other without content.

However, tubular containers are also known, each of which has a closable opening at its two opposite ends.

Thus, DE-PS 737 966 shows a fuel bladder for motor vehicles, which is arranged in a rigid container or body part of a vehicle instead of a fuel tank. The lashing hanging bladder in the empty state is provided at both ends with connecting nipples, which serve on the one hand to seal this container and on the other hand to support it axially in the fuselage part of the vehicle. The two bladder closures are designed differently, since one serves for the fuel supply and the other for the fuel discharge. In addition, these closures at the same time have relatively large support flanges, so that the containers designed in this way, for example as relatively small, handy drinking containers that can easily be carried in a filled state at any time, e.g. in a handbag or jacket pocket, are not suitable, even with a pressure drive out Container contents are not possible. Furthermore, from FR-PS 1 201 771 a container made of textile and / or metal-reinforced rubber, preferably in the manner of a vehicle tire, is known, which is fundamentally tubular in shape and folded flat at both ends and sealed tightly by strips and screws. In this case, a threaded connection is passed diagonally opposite through the plate closures, which are used for filling or emptying the container and which can apparently be closed using screw caps. These containers, designed for the storage and transport of relatively large quantities of liquids, powders or gases, are neither usable as drinking vessels nor as containers, the contents of which have to be introduced into a pipeline, for example a heater, under the pressure of a further medium such as water or gas. In the latter case in particular, the flattened ends with opening sockets attached on one side and the variable-volume hose cause a large pressure loss and turbulence when the contents containing, for example, anticorrosive agent are applied, causing blistering and undesirable foaming.

Finally, a tubular bag for two-component compositions is known from DE 298 09 514 U1, the two ends of which are closed with the aid of a clip. When the contents of the tubular bag are removed, either the bag itself has to be destroyed or at least one of the clips has to be opened so that it cannot be easily closed again by hand. These tubular bags are also not suitable for absorbing liquids.

The object of the invention is to provide a hose container of the type mentioned above, which is of simple construction, can be filled easily and without problems and can be emptied, has a precisely definable filling volume and is very versatile.

This object is achieved by a hose container with the features of claim 1. Further advantageous refinements are characterized in the subclaims. Accordingly, the hose container consists of a flexible, resilient, dimensionally stable hose which is cut or cut vertically at its two ends and which can be closed by means of closure devices in the manner of a stopper which engages in the hose interior in a sealing manner. Because the container hose is relatively dimensionally stable, ie does not expand even under pressure, the volume of the flowable material to be accommodated is also constant with the same hose dimensions. The container hose can thus be designed for exact contents and thus take up, for example, one or two cl of liquid, i.e. approx. The content of a liqueur mug or half a liter, depending on the need or use. Due to the relatively flexible tube shape, a longer tube container can also be folded in a spiral shape and carried easily and easily, or, for example, curved when carried in a handbag, without affecting the respective content or its volume. In addition, the easy opening of both hose ends means that its contents can be emptied very quickly, for example when used to hold beverages or technical liquids.

Depending on the design of the closure device, the hose container according to the invention can serve a wide variety of purposes.

Thus, the closure device can be designed as a stopper which can be inserted with its plug part into the inside of the tube, while its flange-like cap part serves as an axial stop and for easier re-opening, for which the diameter should be somewhat larger than the outside diameter of the tube. The simplest version of the hose container according to the invention can thus be optimally used as a beverage container which also serves as a drinking vessel. However, it can also be used to store powder or granulate material that serves as a basis or as an additive to beverages or meals. Due to the double-sided opening possibility, a particularly good, complete removal of the medium from the container is possible. In an advantageous development, the closure device can be designed in the manner of a valve, for example as a rotary valve, as is customary in the case of taps, or as a ball valve. As a result, the closure part introduced into the interior of the hose in the manner of a plug with its hose nozzle side, which is essentially tubular, can be opened to different extents, so that the liquid content can be metered in and / or out, for example. It is possible to dispense the contents of the container drop by drop or in one swing.

In a particularly advantageous manner, a hose container provided with valve closure devices can have fastening means on these closure devices, which are used for tight, coaxial coupling to further pipes, hoses or containers. For example, the outlet connector of the valve closure device can be provided with an external thread, which can be connected by means of union nuts or connecting screw sleeves or also with the aid of a hose quick connection, as is known for garden hoses (Gardena company). However, the outlet connection can itself be designed in the manner of a hose quick-release fastener with a union nut, for attachment to a pipe end provided with an external thread.

Of course, any screw connection, plug-in connection, bayonet connection, etc. can also be provided as fastening means on the closure device, depending on the type of further pipe socket or fastening means already provided on it to cooperate in a sealing manner. This has the particular advantage that the hose container equipped with valve closure devices with fasteners can be quickly and easily coupled to a further pipe, after which by opening the opposite end or valve located there, the hose content into the further pipe or the pipe socket of a container , can be emptied. If the contents of the pipe or container to be filled are under pressure, as is the case with heating water pipes, for example, the contents of the hose container can only be introduced under pressure. If, for example, the hose container contains an rosive agent and / or sealant for the heating circuit, then one end of the hose is to be connected to it, while the other end of the hose can be connected to the water pipe. After the hose container has been coupled and the corresponding taps or valves have been opened, the hose content is pressed into the heating circuit by the water flowing in under pressure from the water line and completely flushed in, which is only a matter of a few moments. The hose container can then be easily removed and refilled by appropriately closing all valves and uncoupling the quick-release fasteners. This enables a clean, quick filling of, for example, corrosion protection agents into a heating water circuit, but also of other chemical products into a corresponding material line, which can even be carried out safely by non-specialists.

It is particularly advantageous if the hose of the hose container is made of transparent or at least partially transparent material. As a result, the filling status can always be checked quickly and, if necessary, conclusions can also be drawn about the hose content, in particular if this is colored differently depending on the application or composition. The hose can preferably be completely transparent, or have a slightly milky cloudiness, or can also be streaked longitudinally, using a milky or colored material in which at least one transparent longitudinal strip is present and through which the inside of the hose can be viewed over its entire length can be. In this way, the emptying status can also be checked and, e.g. When introducing corrosion protection agents into the heating circuit after the (colored) corrosion protection agent has been completely discharged through (colorless) tap water, the valves are closed at an optimal time and the hose container, which then only contains clean water, is disconnected.

The hose can also be designed differently with respect to its cross-sectional profile. A round hose can be used with cylindrical, smooth inner and outer jacket surfaces. The outer surface can but also be longitudinally profiled as desired and have variously configured longitudinal grooves or be polygonal in shape and have, for example, a hexagon or octagon circumference. These edges can be used for lateral stiffening and in particular to achieve special aesthetic effects.

Depending on the application, different plastics can also be used as hose material. It is a prerequisite to use food-grade plastic material when using the hose container as a drinking and beverage container, while for storing and transporting chemicals, e.g. Corrosion protection agents that are discharged from the hose container under a certain pressure, correspondingly reinforced plastic, such as fiber-reinforced plastic is to be used.

It is understandable that, depending on the application or application, the dimensions of the hose, in particular its inner diameter and length, are designed or matched to one another in accordance with the volume of material to be transported or taken up. The inner volume can be designed to hold 1 cl or 2 cl, which corresponds to a smaller or larger schnapps or liqueur cup.

Of course, the closure devices can also be designed in the manner of drop counter plugs, as are present on corresponding medicine bottles. The outer profiling of the hose can also be provided in such a way that there is at least one contact surface which allows it to rest securely without the risk of rolling away.

Finally, it is advantageous if a ball piston is arranged in the interior of the hose, which is dimensionally matched to the inner diameter of the hose so that it reliably seals the hose, but under pressure of the application agent, for example the water supply water, axially along the entire length Can push hose. This prevents the dispensing agent from being dispensed with the material content of the hose should be mixed. Of course, the hose can also be less flexible, even have the strength and straightness of a tube, in which case a cylindrical piston can be used. But also with the flexible hose, a cylindrical piston can be used, which, however, is built into the inner jacket of the hose with greater play, while the cylindrical piston should then have at least one sealing ring on its outer surface to seal the hose.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings.

Show it:

Fig. 1: a side view with partial section of a hose container in the first embodiment, with stopper closure devices;

Fig. 2: a side view of one end of a hose container in execution with valve closure device and threaded connector attachment, and smoother

Grommet;

3: an embodiment similar to that in FIG. 2, with quick coupling

Nut.

In the basic embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the hose container consists of a relatively dimensionally stable, bend-elastic hose 1 made of transparent plastic, which is cut straight at both ends, ie perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The hose is closed at both ends by a stopper 2, which has a head part and a shaft 3 on it, which is inserted tightly into the interior of the hose 1, while the flat underside of the head 4 abuts the end face of the hose 1. The diameter of the head 4 is designed somewhat larger than the outer diameter of the hose 1, so that it engages behind and so the plug can be easily removed from the hose. In addition, on the outer head end face 5 of the stopper 2, information from which the contents of the hose container can be inferred can be provided, for example in the form of an embossing, profiling, inscription or shape, in the form of a fruit, as on the right Plug 2 based on of a corresponding object 6. This representation suggests, for example, a fruity content such as Obstler. The hose 1 is made of transparent or partially transparent plastic, so that an insight into the interior of the hose and thus its contents is provided.

In the form of illustration shown in FIG. 2, a valve plug 7 is provided as the closure device, which is constructed in a known manner, specifically with a valve body 8, which here is essentially flush with the hose 1. On this, on the one hand, the grommet 9, which extends sealingly into the interior of the hose, is provided, while on the other side there is a threaded connector 10. The valve plug 7 is provided with a through hole 11 through which the hose 1 can be filled or emptied. The valve can be opened or closed more or less via a valve 12 which has a bore, not shown, which can be rotated in the axially aligned position with the bore 11. The threaded connector 10 is used for connection to further pipes or hoses and is e.g. attachable to a tube 13 with a quick-lock union nut 14.

FIG. 3 finally shows an embodiment similar to that in FIG. 2, wherein a valve plug 15 is provided which is constructed in the manner of a ball valve. The spout 9 is, as usual with spouts for hoses, smooth or stepped, while the outer connector 16 serves as a quick coupling with union nut 17 for connection, for example, to a threaded connector 18 of an inlet or outlet pipe. It can be seen that the hose couplings can be fast and securely fastened to the inflow and outflow lines by the quick couplings and thus the content in the hose 1 in the form of a liquid, a powder or granules, by the pressure of tap water or air, in the draining Hose or the discharge pipe can be pressed, as indicated in Fig. 3 by arrows pointing from right to left. In order to prevent the reinforced plastic hose, for example textile-reinforced, reinforced plastic hose from loosening or sliding off the spout 9, a hose clamp 19 is additionally provided. Finally, a ball-and-socket piston 20 is sealed in the hose 1, but can be displaced axially in the hose by, for example, the tap water introduced under pressure arranged. As a result, the water is separated from the hose content to be dispensed and cannot mix with it.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1. Hose

2. Plug

3rd shaft

4. Head-bottom

5. Head-face

6. Object

7. Valve plug

8. Valve body

9. Spout

10. Threaded connector

11. Hole

12th cock

13. Pipe

14. Quick lock nut

15. Valve plug

16. Connector, quick coupling

17. Union nut

18. Threaded connector

19. Hose clamp

20. Ball piston

Claims

claims

1. hose container for receiving flowable material, in particular liquids, each with a closure device at the two ends, characterized in that the hose container consists of a vertically cut at its two ends, dimensionally stable along the longitudinal axis elastic-flexible hose (1) and the removable Interlock sealing devices (2, 7, 15) in the manner of a stopper in the interior of the hose.

2. Hose container according to claim 1, characterized in that plugs (2) are used as the closure device, which are provided with a head (4), the outer diameter of which is at least slightly larger than the hose outer diameter, for engaging pulling back.

3. Hose container according to claim 1, characterized in that a known valve (7, 15) is used as a closure device, e.g. a rotary valve (7) as with taps or a ball valve (15).

4. Hose container according to claim 3, characterized in that the outlet connection (10, 16) of the valve closure device (7, 15) fastening means (17) for tight coaxial coupling to further pipes or hoses to be filled are provided.

5. Hose container according to claim 4, characterized in that known fastening means screw connections (10), plug connections, bayonet connection or a quick-release fastener with a union nut (17) are provided, such as e.g. known from garden hoses.

6. Hose container according to claim 1, characterized in that the hose (1) is made of at least partially transparent material, possibly food-safe (PE) or with fiber reinforcement for high expulsion pressure, or chemicals resistant.

7. Hose container according to claim 1, characterized in that the hose is round on its inner jacket, i.e. is cylindrical, while its outer jacket can be longitudinally profiled, e.g. round, polygonal, hexagonal, grooved.

8. Hose container according to claim 1, characterized in that the dimensions of the hose, in particular inner diameter and length, are designed or matched to one another in accordance with the volume of material to be transported or to be accommodated.

9. Hose container according to claim 2 and 8, characterized in that the inner volume of the closed hose container for holding liquids of 1 cl or 2 cl, for example with an inner diameter of about 7 mm and length of about 25 mm, is designed, ie accordingly the contents of a liqueur mug.

10. Hose container according to claim 3 and 8, characterized in that the inner volume of the closed hose container is designed to hold liquids of 0.5 to 10 I, depending on the amount required, e.g. a chemical.

11. Hose container according to claim 3, characterized in that in the hose (1) a ball piston (20) is arranged sealingly, but axially displaceable.