CONTAINER FOR STORING FOOD

Abstract: A container (10) for alternate or simultaneous storing of different liquids without contamination comprises an outer relatively rigid housing member (12) and an inner relatively flexible housing member (14). A first inlet/outlet (16) is provided for the inner housing member and a second inlet/outlet (18) is provided for the outer housing member, both of which are situated in the outer housing member. The opening of the first inlet/outlet is larger than the opening of means for either filling the container or removing liquid from the inner housing member. Two liquids may be simultaneously stored in the container, the first liquid within the outer housing member and outside the inner housing member and the second liquid within the inner housing member.

Description: fl This invention relates to a container for storing liquids, and in particular a container for alternate or simultaneous storing of different liquids. Present containers v;hen used to store certain 5 liquids, are often not then usable to store another different liquid since the container is contaminated with the first stored liquid. In accordance with the invention, a container capable of alternate or simultaneous storing of different 10 liquids without contamination comprises an outer relatively rigid housing member and an ipner relatively flexible housing member, wherein a _:irst inlet/outlet is provided for the inner housing member and a second inlet/ outlet is provided for the outer housing member, both inlets/ 15 outlets being situated in the outer -housing member, and where the opening of the first inlet/outlet has a relatively larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the opening of means for either filling the container with liquid or removing liquid from the inner housing member. Such a container can store two different 20 liquids alternately or simultaneously without contaminatio since a first liquid can be stored within the outer housing member and outside the inner housing member, while a second liquid can be stored within the inner 25 housing member. Moreover, when the inner housing of such a container is to be used to store a large amount of liquid, there is no excess pressure build-up within the container during either the filling operation or the removal of liquid from the inner housing since air is able to exit/enter the inner housing between the first inlet/outlet and the opening of the means for either filli the container with liquid or removing liquid from the inne housing member. Preferably, the opening of the second inlet/ outlet has a relatively larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of 'the opening of means for either filling the container witΛ liquid or removing the liquid from the outer housing member. This prevents excess pressure build-up during filling or emptying of the outer housing member. Suitably, a vent is provided on the outer housing member, on the other side of the first inlet/ outlet from the second inlet/outlet. The vent allows liquid to be stored in the outer housing member outside the inner housing member without a pressure build-up occurring in the container on the other side of the first inlet/outlet from the second inlet/outlet during the filling or emptying of the container. The extremity of the inner housing member when fully inflated is preferably substantially the same size and shape as the extremity of the outer housing member, while the inner housing member fully deflated is suitably positioned adjacent -either the base, top or one side of the outer housing member. In order to store a combination of two liquids, the inner housing member may be only partly inflated within the outer housing member. For convenience, the inner housing member is suitably filled with one liquid as the other liquid in the outer housing member is removed therefrom (and clearly . vice versa) . The inner housing member is preferably joined to the outer housing member to ensure a good seal at at the first inlet/outlet. Such containers are particularly suitable for use in road tankers or sea vessels. The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a container in accordance with the invention, with an inner housing member fully inflated. Figure 2 is a side view of the container of Figure 1 with the inner housing member fully deflated, and Figure 3 is a side view of the container of Figure 1 with the inner housing member partly inflated/ de lated. In Figures 1 to 3/ a -container 10 is shown for storing two different liquids either alternately or simultaneously. The container' 10 comprises an outer relatively rigid housing member 12 and an inner relative flexible housing member 14 connected at. the point 15 to the outer housing member 12. The inner member 14 has an inlet/outlet 16, via which a first liquid is filled/ removed, and the outer member 12 has an inlet/outlet 18, via which a second liquid is filled/removed. T e inlet/ outlet 16 and the inlet/outlet 18 are designed to have relatively larger cross-sectional areas than the cross- sectional area of the opening of the means which will be used to either fill or remove liquid from the container (not shown) . An air vent 19 is provided on the outer housing member on the other side of the inlet/outlet 16 for the inner housing member 14 from the inlet/outlet 18 for the outer housing member 12. In Figure 1, the container 10 is shown with the inner housing member 14 fully inflated and with the extremity thereof substantially the same size and shape as the extremity of the outer housing member 12. Preferably the extremity of the inner member 14 is slightly larger in size and shape than the extremity of the outer member 12, in order to reduce stress on the inner member 14. In this particular arrangement, a first liquid A can be stored within the inner member 14.. 10 In Figure 2, the container 10 is shown with the inner housing member 14 fully deflated and stored adjacent the top bf the container 10. In this particular arrangement, a. second liquid B can be stored within the outer member 12 but outside the inner member 14. ■ j _5 The container 10 can thus store alternately two different liquids without contamination. In Figure 3, the container 10 is shown with, the inner housing member 14 partly inflated/deflated whereby a combination of two liquids A and B can be stored 0 simultaneously-without contaminating each other. When the outer member 12 is filled via the inlet/outlet 18 air may be trapped between the inner housing member 14 and the wall of the container distant from the inlet/outlet 18 and be unable to exit the container between the inlet/ 5 outlet 18 and the opening of the means used to fill the container. The vent 19 releases any trapped air and thus prevents a pressure build-up occurring during the filling operation. The inner member 14 of the container 10 is conveniently filled with liquid A through the inlet 16 at the same time as liquid B is removed- from the outer member 12 of the container via outlet 18 (and vice vers The inner housing member 14 is preferably formed from a highly flexible material which has a high breaking strength. This ensures not only that it readily deflates and occupies only a small volume adjacent the top of r container 10 when the outer member alone is used to store liquid but also that it is capable of supporting large volumes of liquid without risk of failure. If some liquid is left in the inner housing membe 14 when the outer housing member 12 is to be used alone a better seal of the inlet/outlet 16 will be effected. However, pressure filling via inlet/outlet 18 will ten d to empty inlet/outlet 16 (and vice-versa) .. A number of the containers 10 could be used for example as compartments in an oil tanker to transport oil on an outward journey and say water or liquid fertilizer on the return journey. In such an application, the flexible inner housing member 14 would have to be made from a petroleum product resistant material. The container 10 may also be used in ro d • tankers to transport either two liquids without contamina¬ tion or carry one liquid on the outward journey and another on the return journey.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. A container capable of alternate or simultaneous storing of different liquids without contamination comprising an outer relatively rigid housing member and an inner relatively flexible housing member, wherein a first inlet/ outlet is provided for the inner housing member and a second inlet/outlet is provided for the outer housing member, both inlets/outlets being situated in the outer housing member, and wherein the opening of the first inlet/outlet has a relatively larger cross-sectional area than the cross- sectional area of the opening of means for either filling the container with liquid or removing liquid from, the inner housing member. 2. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein a first liquid is stored within the outer housing member and outside the inner housing member, and wherein a second liquid is- stored within the inner housing member. 3. A container as claimed in either claim 1 or 2 wherein the opening of the second inlet/outlet has a substantially larger cross-sectional area than the eross- sectional area of the opening of means for either filling the container with liquid or removing the liquid from the outer housing member. 4. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one vent is provided in the outer housing member. 5. A container as claimed in claim 4 wherein one vent is provided on the other- side of the first inlet/outlet from the second inlet/outlet. 6. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the extremity of the inner housing member when fully inflated is substantially the same size and shape as the extremity of the outer housing member. 7. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the inner housing member when fully deflated is positioned adjacent either the base, top or one side of the outer housing member. 8. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the inner housing member is capable of being only partly inflated within the outer housing member. 9. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein means are provided whereby the inner housing member is filled with one liquid as the other liquid in the outer housing member is removed therefrom (and vice versa) . 10. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the inner housing member is joined to the outer housing member. 11. A. road tanker having at least- one container as claimed in any preceding claim. 12. A sea vessel having at least one container as claimed in any preceding claim. 13. A container substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 14. A combination of a container as claimed in any preceeding claim, a reservoir for supplying liquid to or receiving liquid from the inner housing member, and conduit means extending from the reservoir to the first inlet/outlet, the outside dimensions of the conduit means being smaller than the opening of the first inlet/outlet to allow passage of gas from the inner housing member, between the opening of the first inlet/outlet and the conduit means, during transfer of liquid to or from the inner housing member via the conduit.

Inventors: BENTINCK VAN SCHOONHETEN STEVE, BENTINCK VAN SCHOONHETEN, STEVEN, CARL
Applicants: LEGION INTERNATIONAL
Application year: 1987
Main classification: B67D1
IPC codes: B65D77, B65D88, B67D1