EP0960057B1 - Containers for receiving a certain volume of liquid and case constituting same - Google Patents

Abstract

This container is designed for receiving a liquid through a filler neck (1), then for delivering this liquid under pressure via a nozzle (3), said container being formed by a case (5) with extensible capacity subjected to transforming means which displaces it, in opposition to elastic means, from an inoperative position to a storing position. The invention is characterised in that these means comprise a mechanical member (6) having a structure with linear development comprising a seat (7) and a head (8) and capable of taking up, by control means external to the case, either an expanded position, or a retracted position in which the seat (7) and the head (8) are brought closer and for which the case (5) is urged in its inoperative state by the effect of the elastic means.

Description

The present invention relates to tanks according to the preamble of claim 1 intended to receive a certain volume of liquid, such as for example a drink, through a filler neck fitted with a cap, and then deliver the liquid under pressure via an outlet nozzle fitted with a valve provided with a control member which can be easily operated by a user.

The invention relates, more particularly, to tanks formed by an envelope with expandable capacity subjected to a means of transformation which makes it pass, against an elastic means, a state of rest for which its volume is practically zero towards a state storage for which its volume is maximum.

In the application of such reservoirs to the delivery of drinks, we know, for example, the patent US-5,062,591 in which the envelope exhibiting in situ the elastic means is capable of practically expelling the drink which has been introduced under pressure by a pump manual.

But, this type of tank not only presents, the major drawback of using, as a means of transformation, an independent pump requiring valves multi-way for sampling and pressurizing the desired drink, but also a significant bulk due to the round shape of the balloon obtained and inconvenience especially when transferring the liquid source towards the reservoir, and even an impossibility for the filling under a tap. Furthermore, as will be understood, the expansion of the envelope against the means elastic is a direct function of the liquid introduced under pressure, and therefore the power of the pump.

So if you want the drink to be delivered under pressure for as long as possible, it is necessary to have a high power pump, which is incompatible with size and independence of use and therefore the realization of an autonomous tank.

In the application of tanks, as described above, to aerosol sprays, the casing expandable is usually called back to its resting state by a propellant which is difficult to replace by simple or at least accessible means to the public.

The present invention therefore aims to achieve a liquid tank without the disadvantages described above and allowing its use of most convenient way for various applications.

According to the invention, the transformation means comprises a mechanical organ, with a developing structure linear, which has a base and a head respectively engaging with two opposite regions of the envelope and which is likely to occupy, by a control means external to the envelope, i.e. a position in which the base and the head maintain remotely the two opposite regions of the envelope against the elastic means and for which the envelope occupies its storage state, i.e. a retracted position in which the base and the head are brought together and for which the envelope tends to come in its state of rest under the effect of elastic means.

So, thanks to this mechanical organ which acts on two opposite regions of the envelope, we get an expansion easy, safely controlled, always equal to that defined by the manufacturer and corresponding to maximum storage state.

On the other hand, when the mechanical organ is recalled in its retracted position, the envelope subjected to elastic means immediately pressurizes the liquid which can then be taken at will until let her come and occupy her state of rest. It is also interesting to note that the retracted position reached by the mechanical organ guarantees a minimum space when the tank is brought into sound resting state.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the external control means comprises a device blocking device adapted to retain the mechanical member in its positions expanded and retracted.

So, since the envelope is kept in its storage state against the elastic means, we understand it is easy for the user to fill it in its neck from any liquid, to all kinds of sources tap, bottle, etc.

In addition, in this storage state, it is understood easy to wash, rinse, and then dry completely inside the envelope to avoid any microbial growth.

According to another interesting characteristic of the invention, the mechanical member being arranged inside of the envelope, and the base being integral with the neck filling, the external control means of the organ mechanical consists of the plug which can take, for this purpose, an open position for which the mechanical organ occupies its expanded position and in which the filling of the tank is authorized, and a closed position for which the mechanical member occupies its retracted position and in which the envelope is called back to its resting state by the means elastic, thus putting the liquid under pressure.

This arrangement provides in particular great convenience for the user and a simplification of manufacturing by grouping the various mechanical parts into one only place of the envelope, while satisfying the aesthetics of the tank.

In order to make the invention particularly economical and compact, and according to another characteristic particularly advantageous, the envelope and the means elastic consist of at least one piece produced in an elastic material and preferably, the envelope is formed by two flat parts made of elastic material which are practically joined and fixed only by their peripheral edge, constituting thus in its state of rest a flat pocket, the neck of filling being mounted on one of said parts.

The flat and flexible pocket thus formed is revealed very interesting, not only, during storage after manufacturing, but also especially when the tank is used as a beverage container and brought to the state empty by the user at the end of its use. In effect, the pressurized envelope not taking the bulky round shape of a balloon, the tank has at equal volume a domed and nevertheless flattened shape very convenient in its use and its storage in a bag or pocket of clothing.

In addition, as the waterproof envelope in its state of rest offers the lowest possible internal volume, volume linked to the proximity of the two flat parts, we guarantee practically complete expulsion of the liquid contained except in the end for a film of stored liquid sheltered from air and which therefore prevents air from entering between rooms as well as the introduction of materials foreign in the envelope and therefore annihilates the formation and / or proliferation of molds.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe verticale d'un réservoir selon l'invention et représentée avec son enveloppe en état de repos ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en élévation du réservoir de la figure 1 représentant l'enveloppe en état de stockage et une structure à developpement linéaire en position expansée ;
• la figure 3 est une vue éclatée à plus petite échelle d'un détail de réalisation d'un moyen de transformation des états de l'enveloppe selon l'invention et illustrée en coupe partielle selon un plan transversal à la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en élévation représentant un exemple d'enveloppe lorsque la structure linéaire est en position escamotée.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, taken by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a tank according to the invention and shown with its envelope in the rest state;
• Figure 2 is an elevational view of the tank of Figure 1 showing the envelope in the storage state and a linear development structure in the expanded position;
• Figure 3 is an exploded view on a smaller scale of a detail of an embodiment of a means for transforming the states of the envelope according to the invention and illustrated in partial section along a transverse plane in Figure 1;
• Figure 4 is an elevational view showing an example of an envelope when the linear structure is in the retracted position.

The reservoir shown in Figure 1 is intended for receive a certain volume of liquid through a neck of filling 1 fitted with a plug 2 and then to be delivered pressurized liquid via an outlet nozzle 3 fitted a valve 4 provided with a control member. The word liquid used in the present invention relates to preference over a drink but can also define everything fluid for example gasoline, oil, blood ... which one wishes deliver in small volumes.

The tank is formed by an envelope 5 with capacity extensible subject to a means of transformation which brings about, against an elastic means, a state rest (Figure 1) for which its internal volume is practically zero towards a storage state (Figures 2 and 4) for which its volume is maximum.

According to the invention, the transformation means comprises a mechanical member 6, having a structure with linear development, which includes a base 7 and a head 8 engaging with two opposite regions 9-10 of envelope 5 and which is likely to occupy, by a control means external to the envelope, i.e. a position expanded in which the base 7 and the head 8 maintain remotely the two opposite regions 9-10 from the envelope 5 against the elastic means and for which the envelope occupies its storage state, i.e. retracted position in which the base 7 and the head 8 are close together and for which the envelope 5 tends to come into its rest state under the effect of the elastic means.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the envelope 5 and the elastic means are constituted by at least one part made of an elastic material. Preferably, the elastic material, having given satisfaction during multiple tests, is an elastomer having elastic deformation characteristics, lengthening and remanence of the resting state suitable for filling and pressurizing a drink. Such an elastomer is for example an elastomer thermoplastic type KRATON SBS and food grade. This elastomer also has the advantage of being mold and weld tightly on the elements rigid forming the base 7 and the head 8.

Of course, without departing from the scope of the invention, the envelope 5 could be made of a deformable material but not elastic, and the elastic means would be then formed by an independent part engaged with a structure adapted to expand and return under the medium elastic in a rest position for which it also brings the envelope to its rest position. A such a structure could for example be of the pantograph type with spring deployment.

In a practical embodiment of the invention, the mechanical member 6 being arranged inside the casing 5, the base 7 and the head 8 are fixed respectively on the two opposite regions 9-10 of the wall internal envelope. This attachment can be produced for example by gluing, welding or overmolding of the base 7 and of the head 8 on the casing.

So when the tank is filled with liquid and by fixing the head 8 to the region 10 of the envelope, the two are brought together by the control means opposite regions 9 and 10 thus increasing the pressure in the envelope by compression of its volume due to the elasticity of the elastomer shell (see the figure 4).

According to another embodiment not shown, the mechanical member 6 also being arranged inside of the casing 5, the base 7 is fixed in a region of the inner wall of the envelope, while the head 8 is free mounting in said envelope 5.

Therefore, when the tank is filled with liquid the mechanical member 6 is returned to its position retracted effortlessly at the control means external but does not induce any additional pressure in the envelope.

In order to optimize the convenience of the tank, the base 7 of the mechanical member 6 is integral with the neck filling 1. So the developing structure linear develops along a longitudinal axis XX ' at the filler neck.

Thanks to this arrangement and according to another characteristic important of the invention, the control means external of the mechanical member 6 is constituted by plug 2 which can take a position for this purpose for which the mechanical organ occupies its expanded position (Figure 2) and in which the filling of the tank is authorized after removal of the cap 2 of the filler neck 1, and a position of closure for which the mechanical organ has returned its retracted position (Figure 4) and in which the envelope is called back to its resting state by the means elastic, thus putting the liquid under pressure.

As best seen in Figure 3, the organ mechanical has a telescopic linear structure made up of several tubular elements, namely in the illustrated but nonlimiting example, four elements referenced respectively by 14,15,16 and 17, nested in each other along the common axis XX 'and of which the first 14, said pilot, is mounted in rotation in the filling neck 1 secured to the base 7, is operated by the plug 2 mounted for this purpose also rotating in the neck and causing development linear of said structure while the last element 17 carries at its end the head 8 fixed to the envelope wall.

Each tubular element comprises, on the one hand, except for pilot element 14 a series of grooves helical, in this case a pair of grooves referenced respectively by 18,19 and 20 presenting lower ends, 18a, 19a, 20a and ends 18b, 19b, 20b, as well as except the last element 17 a series of pawns drive, in this case a pair referenced respectively by 22, 23 and 24 intended to come into engagement respectively in the grooves. In order to ensure more economical, and optimize functionality said grooves are formed by lights which thus constitute liquid flow passages in the envelope during filling and rinsing.

The helix angle α (Figure 1) of each helical groove 18,19,20 is chosen in the range from 35 ° to 50 ° and preferably equal to 45 °, so as to promote the extension of the telescopic structure under a torque suitable for the user's hand. The arrangement of the grooves on the three tubular elements makes it possible to obtain the complete development of the structure by only three-quarters of a turn of the pilot element 14.

In order to rotate the pilot element 14, provision has been made to make two studs 30.31 on the plug 2 diametrically opposed intended to engage two notches 32.33 diametrically opposite and formed in a flange 34 located in the upper part of the pilot element 14.

With particular reference to the figure 3, the pilot element comes to rest by its collar 34 on an internal annular bearing 35 of the neck 1 and is held axially in said neck by means of a annular key 36 which comes to bear on the face upper of the collar 34, the collar 34 being of course freely mounted in rotation between the bearing 35 and the key 36. In the embodiment, the key 36 is fixed by welding to the internal wall of the neck 1, but any other means of attachment could be considered. In addition this key has two notches 38 diametrically opposite and intended to pass the pins 30 and 31 of the plug 2.

As will be understood, to ensure sealing between the pilot tubular element 14 and the internal wall the filling neck 1, the two parts are fitted with a tight nozzle. Also, we realize a sealing between the pilot tubular element 14 and the plug rotary 2 by interposition of an annular seal 37 housed in the inner wall of the collar 34 and intended coming into contact with the side wall of the plug 2. This reduces the tightening torque during the opening or closing of the tank and we ensure simultaneously sealing and locking the studs 30 and 31 under the key.

According to yet another important characteristic of the invention and as shown in Figure 1, the envelope 5 is formed by two flat parts 40 and 41 produced made of elastic material which are practically joined and fixed only by their peripheral edge 42 and 43 thus constituting in its rest state a pocket flat, the filling neck integral with the base 7 therefore being mounted on one 40 of said parts, while the head 8 is fixed on the other part 41. By way of example, the base 7 and the head 8 are overmolded in the thickness of said parts. As we can see better on FIG. 3 and according to a more advantageous embodiment and ergonomic, the base 7 and the head 8 each have an elliptical shape, the base 7 being of a surface equal to that of head 8. In order to improve the gripping of the tank especially during handling of the plug, the base 7 has several notches 39 serving as a grip for the user's fingers to through the envelope 5.

This preferential elliptical shape of the base, of the head and the envelope is the result of several tests and allows to obtain a good and equal distribution stresses exerted on the casing 5 during passages from the rest state to the storage state and vice versa. This distribution of constraints is very interesting in the presence of a thin-walled envelope of so as to avoid tears at the peripheral junction of the head and the base on the casing. Else hand, the elliptical shape given to the head helps maintain a rather ogival rather than spherical volume in storage condition.

In the example shown in Figure 1 and so to guarantee a flat and curved shape of the tank under pressure, the casing 5 includes a stiffening frame formed by a peripheral bead 45 of which the thickness is greater than that of all two flat parts 40 and 41 joined in the rest position.

In a preferred embodiment, the bead 45 is formed by an elastomer of the same type as that of flat parts and because of its configuration acquires a higher hardness than flat parts 40.41. As we will understand, this peripheral bead ensures balance elastic between the two parts 40 and 41 during their deformation to storage state in order to contribute to obtaining a volume that takes up as little space as possible. This bead serves as a dimensional reference frame and of recall to the elastic flat parts 40 and 41.

Now let's describe how it works and the use of the tank by a hiker in the including a liquid storage such as a drink. For convenience, the tank is inserted into a suitable fabric pocket, allowing the neck to protrude filling 1, and likely to be attached by a user belt. In another exemplary embodiment, the tank is fitted directly with a device carrying 47 such as a shoulder strap.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, we note that the outlet nozzle 3 comprises a flexible tube 48 of which the free end carries the valve 4 provided with its member control. This valve 4 is for example of a type well known not shown in detail and having a tube flexible and a movable ball valve whose position by report to a fixed seat is changed by partial overwrite of the tube under the effect of a pinch exerted by the user's mouth. The tube 48 can be a tube spiral of the expandable type and the reservoir has a housing 49 (shown in dashed lines) of reception of the flexible tube in the storage position. The spiral tube 48 reduces bulk but must satisfy both the flexibility and rigidity to contain the pressure of the liquid without cause its untimely extension.

Starting from the state of rest of the envelope, and therefore of the nesting of the various elements 14 to 17 between them, the plug 2 is rotated according to the arrow F of Figure 3 (counterclockwise). The two studs 30.31 engaged with the notches 32.33 therefore result in rotation of the pilot element 14.

As all the pawns 22, 23 and 24 are located in the lower ends 18a, 19a and 20a of the grooves, pawns 22 leave the lower ends first 18a and slide on the grooves 18 causing jointly a rotation and a translation of the element 15 along the common axis XX 'until the pins 22 abuts on the upper ends 18b thus making the element 15 integral in rotation with the pilot element 14. It follows that the pins 23 of this pilot element in turn come out of the lower ends 19a and slide on the grooves 19 causing jointly a rotation and a translation of the element 16 until the pins 23 come into abutment on the ends 19b thus giving the linear structure a first important extension. As for the last element 17 secured to the head 8 immobilized in the pocket in fabric, it will be understood that the pins 24 of the element 16 cause only a translation of element 17 for bring the linear structure to its expanded position and therefore the envelope 5 in its storage state.

As can be seen in Figure 3 each groove has respectively, in its end sections adjoining the ends 18a-20a; 18b-20b, a transverse range p with a helical pitch so as to maintain the structure in the expanded position without risk of abrupt folding and in the retracted position to maintain the pressurization by the elasticity of the envelope.

In this expanded position, the user removes the cap 2 of filler neck 1 and flows the drink through the grooves in the envelope 5. A Once the tank is filled, the user replaces the cap 2, locks it under the key 36 by means of two studs 30 and 31 which engage with the notches 32, 33 and prints a reverse rotation to it that of arrow F resulting in an ordered succession 22,23,24 respectively upper ends 18b, 19b, 20b towards the ends lower 18a, 19a, 20a successively causing rotational and translational movements of the elements 15.16 and 17 reversed from the movements described above for expansion.

As the head 8 is integral with the casing 5, the transition of the structure from its expanded position to its position retracted following the joining of the head 8, at base 7, brings said envelope (see Figure 4) to provide a generally toroidal volume thus contributing with the intrinsic elasticity of the envelope 5 to increase the pressure on the drink. Said envelope therefore passes from its storage state of the storage tank type (Figure 2) in another storage state ( Figure 4) different in its final toric shape.

The beverage tank being thus under pressure, the user wishing to drink brings by deployment of the tube 48 the nozzle 3 to its mouth, and acts on the organ of valve 4 control thus releasing the drink under pressure. The envelope 5 stretched in the center of the elliptical bead device propels by elasticity so regular drink out of the envelope until reconciliation final of the two flat parts 40 and 41 corresponding at minimum internal volume.

The invention provides inter alia to equip the tank a second valve which allows the escape of the air at the end of filling so as not to get into the envelope that the liquid storage, ensuring thus the delivery of this liquid without water hammer and whatever the external atmospheric pressure. Of course, as a cost saving measure, this venting can be transferred to valve 4.

Claims (20)

1. A container intended to receive a certain volume of liquid through a filler neck (1) provided with a stopper (2), and then to deliver the liquid under pressure via a discharge nozzle (3) provided with a valve (4) which is provided with a control unit, said container being formed, for this purpose, by a casing (5) which has an expandable capacity and is subjected to a transforming means which displaces it, against an elastic means, from an quiescent state in which its volume is practically nil, to a storing state in which its volume is maximum,
   characterised in that the transforming means has a mechanical component (6) which, having a linearly expandable structure, comprises a seat (7) and a head (8), which come into contact respectively with two opposite regions (9-10) of the casing, and is capable of taking up, by a control means external to the casing, either an expanded position in which the seat (7) and the head (8) maintain at a distance the two opposite regions (9-10) of the casing (5) against the elastic means, and for which the casing takes up its storing state, or a retracted position in which the seat (7) and the head (8) are brought close to each other and for which the casing (5) tends to come to its quiescent state under the effect of the elastic means.
2. A container as claimed in claim 1,
   characterised in that the mechanical component (6) is arranged inside the casing (5), and the seat (7) and the head (8) are respectively fixed on two opposite regions (9-10) of the internal wall of the casing.
3. A container as claimed in claim 1,
   characterised in that the mechanical component (6) is arranged inside the casing (5), and the seat (7) is fixed in a region of the internal wall of the casing, while the head (8) is mounted free in said casing (5).
4. A container as claimed in claim 2 or 3,
   characterised in that the seat (7) is integrated with the filler neck (1).
5. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that the control means external to the mechanical component (6) is made up of a stopper (2) which, for this purpose, can take an open position for which the mechanical component takes up its expanded position and in which the container is allowed to be filled, and a closed position for which the mechanical component takes up its retracted position and in which the casing is brought to its quiescent state by the elastic means, thus putting the liquid under pressure.
6. A container as claimed in claim 5,
   characterised in that the mechanical component (6) has a telescopic structure made up of several tubular elements (14,15,16,17) which are nested in one another, the first (14) of which, called pilot, is rotatably mounted on the seat and driven by the stopper (2) which is also rotatably mounted and causes said structure to linearly expand, while the last element (17) carries at its end the head (8).
7. A container as claimed in claim 6,
   characterised in that, with the exception of the pilot element 14, each tubular element has, on the one hand, a series of helicoid grooves (18 to 21) having the lower ends (18a to 20a) and the upper ends (18b to 20b), and on the other, with the exception of the last element (17), a series of drive pins (2 to 24) intended to be engaged by said grooves, said grooves being formed by openings which also serve as flow paths for the liquid in the casing during filling or rinsing.
8. A container as claimed in claim 7,
   characterised in that each groove (18 to 21) has, respectively, in its terminal sections adjacent to the lower ends (18a to 20a) and upper ends (18b to 20b), an area P transversal to the helix pitch in such a manner to maintain the telescopic structure in the expanded and retracted positions.
9. A container as claimed in claim 7 or 8,
   characterised in that the helix angle α of each helicoid groove is selected in the range from 35° to 50° and preferably equals to 45° so as to facilitate the extension of the telescopic structure with a suitable rotating torque.
10. A container as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9,
    characterised in that the stopper (2) has two diametrically opposite lugs (30, 31) which are intended to be engaged by two diametrically opposite notches (32, 33) made in a shoulder (34) of the pilot element (14).
11. A container as claimed in claim 10,
    characterised in that between the tubular pilot element (14) and the stopper (2) is provided an annular gasket (37) in the internal wall of the shoulder (34).
12. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that it is intended to contain a liquid to be drunk, and the discharge nozzle (3) has a flexible tube (48) whose free end carries the valve (4) provided with its own control means.
13. A container as claimed in claim 12,
    characterised in that it has a housing (49) for receiving the flexible tube (48) which may be may be an expandable spiral tube.
14. A container as claimed in claim 12 or 13,
    characterised in that it is provided with a carrying device (47).
15. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that the casing (5) and the elastic means are made up of at least one piece of elastic material which has characteristics of deformation, elongation and remanence in the quiescent state.
16. A container as claimed in claim 15,
    characterised in that the casing (5) is made up of two flat pieces (40, 41) of elastic material which are practically fastened and fixed solely by their peripheral rim (42, 43), thus making a flat pocket in its quiescent state, the filler neck being mounted on one of said pieces.
17. A casing intended to constitute a container and having two flat pieces obtained according to claim 16,
    characterised in that the elastic material is an elastomer which has elastic characteristics of deformation, elongation and remanence in the quiescent state suitable for the process of filling and placing a liquid under pressure.
18. A casing as claimed in claim 17,
    characterised in that the casing (5) has a rigidifying frame.
19. A casing as claimed in claim 18,
    characterised in that the frame is formed by a peripheral collar (45) which has a thickness greater than that of the set of two conjoined flat pieces (40, 41).
20. A casing as claimed in claim 19,
    characterised in that the collar (45) is made of an elastomer of the same type as that making up the flat pieces.

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