WO2012069080A1

WO2012069080A1 - Collapsible container

Info

Publication number: WO2012069080A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/068054
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marcel In Het Veld; Edward Hendrik Debski
Original assignee: Savon B.V.
Priority date: 2010-11-23
Filing date: 2010-11-23
Publication date: 2012-05-31

Abstract

A collapsible container, suitable for use in a reduced pressure dosing system, the container comprising first and second substantially planar side walls sections (2,3); at least two zigzag arranged curved wall sections; a zigzag arranged curved bottom section (16-19); wherein the first and second substantially planar wall sections (2,3) are connected to each other by means the at least two zigzag arranged curved wall sections and the zigzag arranged bottom section such that when evacuated, the first and second substantially planar side walls (2,3) move towards each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second side walls and the zigzag curved wall sections and the zigzag arranged bottom section each fold together.

Description

Title: COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER The invention relates to a container.

More specifically, the invention relates to a collapsible container, suitable for a reduced pressure dosing system.

In the art, a number of containers are described. The United States patent US4079111 discloses a collapsible bottle, of which two of the four side walls are arranged to fold inward. This bottle is squeezed into a folded state, after being formed and sufficiently cooled, such that the outside of the material does no longer stick, but the interior is still malleable. Thus the bottle has a shape memory and from its inner tension tends to move back in its folded state. A problem of this bottles is that they are les stable when put upright and that the form memory of the material will squeeze out most, though a substantial amount can remain within the bottle.

The Argentine patent AR246476 discloses a

collapsible bottle, of which two of the side walls are provided with folds in order to provide a controlled

collapsing. This bottle is however quite unstable due to the rounded bottom side.

Accordingly it is an object of the invention to mitigate or solve the above described and/or other problems of caps and cap receiving structures for dosing systems in the art, while maintaining and/or improving the advantages thereof.

More specifically the object of the invention can be seen in providing a container with a stable and stackable shape, which, when used in a reduced pressure dosing system folds in a predefined manner, leaving substantially no fluid product behind, when the bottle is fully evacuated.

These and/or other objects are reached by a collapsible container, suitable for use in a reduced

pressure dosing system, the container comprising first and second substantially planar side wall sections; at least two zigzag arranged curved wall sections; a zigzag arranged curved bottom section; wherein the first and second

substantially planar wall sections are connected to each other by means of the at least two zigzag arranged curved wall sections and the zigzag arranged bottom section such that when evacuated, the first and second substantially planar side walls move towards each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second side walls and the zigzag curved wall sections and the zigzag arranged bottom section each fold together like a harmonica bladder .

By this arrangement, a stable container is provided that can stand stable, which can be nested in a staggered way side to side when stacked. Furthermore by the arrangement of the walls a very small volume of the

container will remain after it is exposed to a reduced pressure draining by for example a dosage system. By the arrangement no or substantially no pockets or dead volumes will remain after draining of the container.

When the container is closed after use, such that the reduced inside pressure remains, it will have a

relatively small volume, such that a reduced volume of reject is generated.

At least two zigzag arranged wall curved wall sections can each comprise at least four portions, of which each can be at least partially surrounded by folding lines or seams . When four wall portions are applied, the container can be compressed relatively symmetrically with respect to the neck and/or its central axis. This can further reduce the occurrence of pockets or dead volumes.

The folding lines or seams between the side wall can comprise a curvature. This can further strengthen the container, such that reduced material needs to be applied for its manufacture. Further, the curvature of the seams or folding lines will reduce the likelihood of collapsing of the seam or folding line and can improve a uniform and complete emptying of the container.

The curvature of the seams or folding lines can comprise at least a concave and at least a convex portion such that it forms at least one shallow S-shape.

The S shape can further strengthen the container, such that even less material is needed for the container with the same or similar properties.

The bottom section can comprise at least three bottom portions, connected to each other and to the first and second substantially planar wall sections by

substantially concave folding lines or seams. Thus the bottom section can collapse and fold together in a way similar to that of the zigzag wall sections. Thus an even more controlled and reproducible way of collapsing can be provided. By the concave shape, furthermore the bottom is provided with a stable support, such that it can be placed upright without tipping over.

The container can comprise a conically shaped section. This section can connect the walls to the neck of the container.

The neck can be provided with outer screw thread and the neck can be provided with at least one protrusion 7 at the screw thread end. This protrusion 7 can be used as a ratchet pawl in order to only allow tightening of a cap, and substantially prevent releasing of the tightened cap. Thus a secure and tight closure can be provided.

In order to further elucidate the invention, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the drawing. In the drawing:

Figure 1 depicts a schematic front view of a container according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 depicts a schematic side view of the container according to figure 1 ;

Figure 3 depicts a schematic top view of the container as depicted in figure 1 ;

Figure 4 depicts a schematic detailed view of the container according to figure 1 ;

Figure 5 depicts a schematic detailed view of the container according to figure 3;

Figure 6 depicts a schematic perspective view of the container according to figures 1-5.

The figures represent a specific exemplary embodiment of the inventions and should not be considered limiting the invention in any way or form. Throughout the description and the figures the same or corresponding reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding elements .

The expression "convex" used herein is to be understood as, though not to be considered limited to a curved line or a curved surface that is relative to the inner space of the container curved with its tangent lines outside the inner space of the container.

The expression "concave" used herein is to be understood as, though not to be considered limited to a curved line or a curved surface that is relative to the inner space of the container curved with its tangent lines inside the inner space of the container.

The expression "S-shaped" used herein is to be understood as, though not to be considered limited to a line or a surface, comprising both a convex and a concave portion adjacent to each other.

In figure 1, a schematic front view of the

container 1 is presented. The container comprises a neck 5, connected to a conical section 4. The conical section is connected to two substantially planar side walls 2 and 3 and to two harmonica or zigzag arranged wall sections. These zigzag arranged wall sections can comprise a curved shape.

These sections comprise for portions, 8, 9, 10 and 11 on a first side and 12, 13, 14, 15 on a second side, as can be seen in figure 3. The portions 8-15 are connected to each other and to the first and second side wall by means of seams or folding lines 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29. The seams or folding lines 22 and 27 point inwardly with respect to the container 1, the seams or folding lines 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28 and 29 point outwardly with respect to the container.

The container is further provided with a bottom section as can be seen in figures 1 and 2, which comprises harmonica or zigzag arranged bottom portions 16, 17, 18 and 19. These bottom portions 16-19 can comprise a curvature and are interconnected and connected to side walls 2 and 3 by means of seams or folding lines 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34.

By the specific arrangement of the walls and the bottom, the container will during draining thereof under reduced pressure collapse in a specific way.

The zigzag arranged wall portions 8-15 and the zigzag arranged bottom portions 16-19 will fold together on the seams or folding lines 20-29 and 30-34 respectively. Thus the first side wall 2 and the second side wall 3 will substantially move in a direction perpendicular to their surface towards each other.

By providing the seams with a curvature, these seams are more urged against collapsing in stead of neatly folding during emptying of the container 1.

Furthermore the partly convex, partly concave structure provides the container with additional strength, such that less material is needed for the manufacturing thereof .

In figure 5 a top view of the neck 5 of the container 1 is depicted. The neck is provided with an external screw thread 6 and protrusions 7. The protrusions 7 can act as a ratchet, allowing for instance to screw on and tighten a cap, though not allowing releasing the cap. Thus a secure and save closing of the container can be obtained.

The invention is to be understood not to be limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures and described in the specification. For instance the number of wall portions and/or bottom portions can vary.

The container is more or less bottle shaped, but can be in a myriad of different shapes.

The neck is provided with a screw thread, however other connection means can be applied as well.

These and other modifications are considered to be variations that are part of the framework, the spirit and the scope of the invention outlined in the claims. List of reference signs

1. Container

2. First side wall

3. Second side wall

4. Conical portion

5. Neck

6. Screw thread

7. Protrusion

8. Curved wall portion

9. Curved wall portion

10. Curved wall portion

11. Curved wall portion

12. Curved wall portion

13. Curved wall portion

14. Curved wall portion

15. Curved wall portion

16. Curved bottom portion

17. Curved bottom portion

18. Curved bottom portion

19. Curved bottom portion

20. Seam or folding line

21. Seam or folding line

22. Seam or folding line

23. Seam or folding line

24. Seam or folding line

25. Seam or folding line

26. Seam or folding line

27. Seam or folding line

28. Seam or folding line

29. Seam or folding line

30. Seam or folding line

31. Seam or folding line Seam or folding line Seam or folding line Seam or folding line Cylindrical section Outer screw thread

Claims

1. A collapsible container, suitable for use in a reduced pressure dosing system, the container comprising:

- first and second substantially planar side walls sections ;

- at least two zigzag arranged curved wall

sections;

- a zigzag arranged curved bottom section;

wherein the first and second substantially planar wall sections are connected to each other by means of the at least two zigzag arranged curved wall sections and the zigzag arranged bottom section such that when evacuated, the first and second substantially planar side walls move towards each other in a direction substantially

perpendicular to the first and second side walls and the zigzag curved wall sections and the zigzag arranged bottom section each fold together.

2. Collapsible container according to claim 1, wherein the at least two zigzag arranged wall curved wall sections each comprises at least four portions, each of which is at least partially surrounded by folding lines or seams .

3. Collapsible container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein folding lines or seams between the side wall comprise a curvature.

4. Collapsible container according to claim 2, wherein the curvature of the seams or folding lines comprise at least a concave and at least a convex portion such that it forms at least one shallow S-shape.

5. Collapsible container according to any preceding claims, wherein the bottom section comprises at least three bottom portions, connected to each other and to the first and second substantially planar wall sections by substantially concave folding lines or seams.

6. Collapsible container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container comprises a

conically shaped section.

7. Collapsible container according to claim 6, wherein in the conical portion the neck is arranged.

8. Collapsible container according to claim 7, wherein the neck is provided with outer screw thread.

9. Collapsible container according to claim 8, wherein the neck is further provided with at least one protrusion 7 at the screw thread end.

10. Collapsible container according to claim 9 wherein the at least one protrusion acts as a ratchet pawl.