Abstract
A container (10) for a liquid product (14) comprises a container body (11) comprising a rigid portion (17) and a flexible portion (19) arranged as integral parts of the container body (11) and together defining a product space (21) inside of the container body (11); and a cap (13) connecting to an opening (12) of the container body (11), characterized in that the cap (13) comprises at least one side opening (29) arranged on a distal end of the cap. The flexible portion (19) is able to flex, for example, collapse as liquid exits the container (10).
Claims
1. A container (10) for a liquid product (14) comprising: a container body (11) comprising a rigid portion (17) and a flexible portion (19) arranged as integral parts of the container body (11) and together defining a product space (21) inside of the container body (11); and a cap (13) connecting to an opening (12) of the container body (11); characterized in that the cap (13) comprises at least one side opening (29) arranged on a distal end of the cap.
2. The container (10) according to claim 1, wherein the flexible portion (19) is configured to deform in order to change a volume of the product space (21) upon discharging an amount of the liquid product (14) from the container (10).
3. The container (10) according to claim 1, wherein the container opening (12) is connected to the rigid portion (17) of the container body (11).
4. The container (10) according to claim 1, wherein the rigid portion (17) and the flexible portion (19) comprise the same material and wherein, a thickness of the rigid portion dr is larger than a thickness of the flexible portion df.
5. The container (10) according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the rigid portion dr is at least twice that of the thickness of the flexible portion df.
6. The container (10) according to claim 1, wherein the container body (11) comprises plastic material, preferably one or more of the following: a polypropylene (PP), a high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and a polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
7. The container (10) according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the rigid portion dr is more than 1 mm.
8. The container (10) according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the flexible portion df is less than 0.5 mm.
9. The container (10) according to claim 1, wherein the rigid portion (17) comprises a plurality of surfaces arranged next to each other such that at least one central surface (33) is surrounded by side surfaces (31) and the flexible portion (19) extends from peripheral edges of the side surfaces (31).
10. The container (10) according to claim 1, wherein a surface area of the rigid portion (17) is approximately the same as a surface area of the flexible portion (19).
11. The container (10) according to claim 1, wherein the rigid portion (17) and the flexible portion (19) are separated by a plane (P) extending through the container body (11).
12. The container (10) according to claim 1, wherein the container body (11) comprises a distal end (34) and a proximal end (36), and wherein the proximal end (36) coincides with the rigid portion (17) and the distal end (34) coincides with the flexible portion (19).
13. The container (10) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one side opening (29) is arranged along side walls (39) of the cap (13) and/or radially around the cap side walls (39).
14. The container (10) according to claim 1, wherein the cap (13) comprises plurality of side openings (29) arranged radially around the cap side walls (39).
15. The container (10) according to claim 1, wherein the container (10) comprises coupling means (25) to couple the container (10) to a cleaning appliance and the container body (11) is configured to fit within a cleaning agent dispensing unit of the cleaning appliance.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0046] FIG. 1A depicts a side view of a container according to the invention;
[0047] FIG. 1B depicts a front view of the container of FIG. 1A;
[0048] FIG. 2A depicts a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1A prior to its use;
[0049] FIG. 2B depicts a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1A when the container is in use;
[0050] FIG. 2C depicts a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1A prior to end of its use;
[0051] FIG. 3 depicts a prospective view of the container according to the invention;
[0052] FIG. 4A depicts a prospective view of another embodiment of the container according to the invention;
[0053] FIG. 4B depicts the container of FIG. 4A during three different working stages;
[0054] FIG. 5A depicts a zoomed area from FIG. 4A around a cap of the container prior to end of use of the container;
[0055] FIG. 5B depicts a front view of a cap of the container according to the invention.
EXAMPLES
[0056] FIGS. 1A and 1B show a side and a front view of a container 10 according to the present invention. The container 10 comprises a container body 11 having an opening 12 and a cap 13. The cap 13 is placed over the container opening 12. A direction along a length L of the container 10 is a longitudinal direction X. Directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X are a transversal direction Y which defines a width W of the container 10 and a vertical direction Z defining a height H of the container 10. The height H is not constant and changes as a liquid product is discharged from the container 10 and the container collapses (see FIGS. 2A-2B). The cap 13 has a cap opening with a valve 15 placed over it to allow for a controllable flow of the liquid product from inside of the container 10 to an outer environment.
[0057] FIG. 2A depicts a cross-section of the container 10 in a XZ-plane through a mid-point along the width W of the container 10 prior to use of the container. The container body 11 includes a rigid portion 17 and a flexible portion 19. The container body 11 encloses a product space 21 comprising an amount of liquid product 14. The rigid portion 17 extends along the full length L of the container 10 in the longitudinal direction X. A thickness of the rigid portion d.sub.r is substantially uniform. In the vertical direction Z, the rigid portion 17 extends only partially along the height H, up to a transition level Z.sub.0. Around the transition level Z.sub.0 the thickness of the rigid portion d.sub.r is gradually decreased to form the flexible portion 19 having a smaller thickness d.sub.f wherein, the thickness of the flexible portion d.sub.f is a third of the value of the thickness of the rigid portion d.sub.r. The cap 13 is located within the rigid portion 17. The cap 13 is fastened to the container body 11 by a series of threads 23. The cap 13 has a cap opening 16 that allows discharge of the liquid product through the cap 13. Over the cap opening 16 there is a valve 15. The cap 13 further has a coupling slot 25 for coupling the container to a negative pressure device of the cleaning appliance (not shown).
[0058] The container 10 from FIG. 2A is shown in FIG. 2B in use. The container 10 has been coupled to the negative pressure device 20 of the cleaning device by fitting the coupling insert 27 of the negative pressure device 20 to the coupling slot 25 of the cap 13. The liquid product 14 has been partially discharged from a container 10 resulting in a smaller volume of the product space 21. Under a negative pressure of the negative pressure device 20, the valve 15 opens and the liquid product 14 is discharged from the container 10 through the negative pressure device 20 into the cleaning appliance. The smaller volume results in collapsing of the flexible portion 19 which moves downward toward the rigid portion 17. The collapsing of the flexible portion is a result of the smaller amount of the liquid product 14 in the product space 21 but also difference in a pressure induced by the negative pressure device 20.
[0059] FIG. 2C depicts the container 10 prior to end of its use. The liquid product has been almost completely discharged from the container 10, resulting in a much smaller volume of the product space 21. The flexible portion 19 completely collapses and comes in contact with the rigid portion 17. As it collapses, the flexible portion may be in danger of blocking the cap opening 16 preventing complete discharge of the liquid product 14. To avoid this outcome, a number of side openings 29 can be added to side walls of the cap 13. Consequently, even if the main opening is blocked the liquid product can be discharged through the side openings 29 allowing use of all the liquid product within the container.
[0060] FIG. 3 shows a prospective view of the container 10. The rigid portion 17 has 5 surfaces. A central surface 33 extends in a XY-direction. Perpendicular to the central surface 33 there are four side surfaces 31(a,b,c,d) substantially perpendicular to each other to form a rectangular box shape by the rigid portion 17. In the vertical direction Z, the side surfaces 31 extend up to the transition level Z.sub.0. The transition level Z.sub.0 is approximately half of the height H of the full container 10 in this embodiment, but could be different in other embodiments. The cap 13 is placed on the side surface 31b, close to the periphery of the side surface 31b. This position can help to maximize the discharge of the liquid product from the container 10. The flexible portion 19 extends from the transition level Z.sub.0 and away from the rigid portion 17. Due to its flexibility, the flexible portion 19 does not have a defined shape.
[0061] FIG. 4A depicts another embodiment of the container 10. The container 10 has a proximal end 36 and a distal end 34. The proximal end 36 includes the container opening (not shown) over which the cap 13 is placed. The rigid portion 17 coincides with the proximal end 36 while the flexible portion 19 coincides with the distal end 34. The product space 21 is divided by a plane P into a rigid inner space 37 and a flexible inner space 35. The rigid inner space 37 is enclosed by the central surface 33 and four side surfaces 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d forming a rectangular box shape. The flexible inner space 35 is bound by flexible portion 19 and similarly to the embodiment of FIGS. 2a-3, it doesn't have a constant volume and defined shape. A volume of the flexible inner space 35 depends on the amount of the liquid product within the space. In the container shown, a volume of the rigid inner space 37 is approximately the same as a volume of the inner flexible space 35 when its fully filled with the liquid product, though could vary depending on the embodiment. The cap 13 is placed close to a peripheral edge of the central surface 33 to maximize discharge capacity of the liquid product.
[0062] FIG. 4B depicts three working stages: before use, in use, and end of use, of the container 10 from the FIG. 4A. When in use, the container 10 is connected to the negative pressure device (not shown) applying a negative pressure to facilitate discharge of the liquid product from the container 10 to the cleaning appliance. In all three stages the rigid portion 17 preserves its shape. However, the flexible portion 19 changes its shape. As the liquid product is discharged, a volume enclosed by the flexible portion 19 shrinks and the flexible portion is pulled by the negative pressure generated by the negative pressure device towards the cap 13 (and the container opening). Consequently, close to the end of use of the container 10, the flexible portion 19 may abut the rigid portion 17 and block the cap opening and further discharge of the liquid product. Such a situation is further described in FIGS. 5A and 5B.
[0063] FIG. 5A shows zoomed area VA from the FIG. 4B. Here, the container 10 is shown close to end of use when the flexible portion 19 is pulled towards the cap 13 by a negative pressure of the negative pressure device 20 and over the cap opening 16, blocking discharge of the liquid product through the cap opening 16. To facilitate further discharge, the side openings 29 are added to side walls of the cap 13.
[0064] FIG. 5B depicts a front view of the cap 13 and a configuration of the side openings 29. The cap 13 has the coupling slot 25 for coupling the cap 13 with the cleaning appliance. The valve 15 is placed in a centre of the cap 13 and over the cap opening 16. The cap opening 16 is bound by side wall 39. Four side openings 29 are inserted in a radial direction R along the side wall 39. Thus, the configuration of the cap and openings allows for discharge even if the flexible portion of the container were to block the main central opening.
[0065] While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
