Collapsible container

Abstract: A container (1) for fluids, in particular fluids containing gas, comprises an outer casing (2) of flexible, pressure resistant material, at least a gas and/or fluid tight inner casing (3) of flexible material lying inside the outer casing and being separated therefrom, and at least a filling connection (4) for filling the inner casing. As a result, the container (1) is collapsible so that filling the container may take place from the collapsed condition and filling is therefore possible without pressure difference while the fluid does not enter an empty space. The egress of gas from the fluid is substantially reduced thereby. When fluid is discharged from the container (1), the volume of the container can also decrease by collapsing so that also during use of the fluid gas is prevented from egressing. Consequently, the quality of the fluid is maintained, both during filling of the inner casing with fluid and during discharge of fluid from the inner casing. When the container (1) is completely empty, it is collapsible in a flat manner and occupies only little room, which is very favorable for transport and storage.

Description: The invention relates to a container for fluids according to the preamble of claim 1, as well as to use of such container. Containers for liquids are known in various embodiments. The prior art containers have the disadvantage, in particular when they are used for fluids containing gas, such as for example beer or other carbonated fluids, that during filling of the container there must be a difference in pressure between the interior of the container and the fluid supply reservoir. Moreover, at the start of the filling procedure, the fluid enters a substantially empty volume. As a result thereof, a part of the gas contained in the fluid may easily egress which causes a degradation of quality. Furthermore, the prior art container has the drawback that also during discharge of a quantity of fluid gas may easily egress in the empty space within the container which progressively increases in volume. The prior art containers, such as for example a beer cask, also have the drawback that the empty container occupies a lot of space. US-A-5,301,838 discloses a multilayer bottle having an integral body with an inner layer which readily separates from an outer layer and collapses to dispense a product from the container. The container comprises a cap with a dispensing hose and a bottom aperture for injecting air to separate the inner layer from the outer layer. GB-A-1,043,850 reflects the preamble of claim 1 and discloses a flexible tank for liquids under super-atmospheric pressure. This tank may be used for the bulk storage of beer. The tank comprises an envelope containing a liquid retaining lining and a flexible pressurizable bladder envelope to exert pressure on the lining. Inlet/outlet ports for the lining and bladder are provided by adaptors which pass through mating holes in the lining, bladder and envelope walls. The object of the invention is to provide a container as mentioned in the preamble, in which these drawbacks are removed in a simple but effective manner. For this purpose, the container according to the invention is characterized by the features of the characterizing portion of claim 1. Preferably, the inner casing is removably arranged in the outer casing. As a result, the inner casing may easily be replaced. Furthermore, it is made possible to place inner casings which are suited for different fluids into the same outer casing. It is an advantage if the outer casing is of circular shaped cross-section and comprises coupling means for coupling the container with an accessory for rolling transport of the container, in which the axis of the coupling means coincide with the center line of the circular shaped cross-section. This makes the transport of full containers relatively easy. The invention will hereafter be further explained with reference to the drawing very schematically showing an embodiment of the container according to the invention by way of example. Fig. 1 shows in a perspective view some stacked and collapsed containers according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 shows in a perspective and partially exploded view a container of Fig. 1 in filled condition. Fig. 3 illustrates in perspective view the use of a container according to the invention together with an accessory for the rolling transport thereof. Fig. 1 shows three containers 1 for fluids, in particular fluids containing gas in collapsed and stacked condition. Each container 1 comprises an outer casing 2 of flexible, pressure resistant material and a gas and/or fluid tight inner casing 3 of flexible material, said inner casing 3 being arranged within the outer casing 2 in a loose manner (see Fig. 2). The outer casing 2 may for example be made of fiber reinforced elastomeric material. As a result, the outer casing is deformable but hardly elastic. A casing made in this manner is described for example in EP-A-0 626 338 and reference is made to this document for further explanations. In the examplary embodiment as shown, the container 1 comprises a filling/tapping connection 4 which may be constructed in any suited manner. This filling connection provides entry to the interior of the inner casing 3. If required, it is possible to provide more than one inner casing 3 within the outer casing 2, so that several compartments are present in the container 1. In this case, one filling connection is provided for each inner casing 3, said filling connections may be integrated into a single connection element. In the examplary embodiment shown, the container 1 is of an elliptical longitudinal section and in circular cross-section, when in filled condition. Due to this shape the container is easily collapsible in a flat manner in a direction parallel to the short axis of the ellipse, but not in a direction parallel to the long axis. In the pole positions of the outer casing 2 there are openings which are closed by a closure insert 5 only one of which is visible in the drawing. This closure insert 5 includes a passage opening for the filling connection 4. It is, of course, possible to construct the outer casing in another way. The inner casing 3 may be inserted into and removed from the outer casing 2 through one of the openings in the outer casing 2. As a result, the inner casing 3 can easily be demounted, for example for cleaning purposes or in case of a defect. It is also possible to use different types of inner casings for different uses. In an alternative embodiment, the outer casing may be completely gas and/or fluid tight, the closure inserts 5 may be sealingly connected to the outer casing and the filling connection 4 may be sealingly mounted within the closure insert 5. In such an embodiment, a second filling connection (not shown in the drawing) may preferably be provided in a closure insert 5, said second filling connection providing an entry into the space between the inner casing 3 and the outer casing 2. Both filling connections may be integrated into one connecting element. In such an embodiment, a second fluid may be contained in the space between the inner casing 3 and the outer casing 2. Such an embodiment of the container as described is very suited for the transport of dangerous fluids, for example hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is then contained in the inner casing 3, for example, wherein the space 6 between the inner casing 3 and the outer casing 2 is filled with helium. In case of a calamity in which the inner casing 3 becomes defective the hydrogen gas will mix with the helium thereby yielding a harmless mixture. In this embodiment of the container it is further possible to fill the inner casing 3 of the container under pressure, that is the inner casing 3 is empty and consequently collapsed and the space between the inner casing 3 and the outer casing 2 is filled/under pressure. The container 1 as described offers the important advantage that it is not required to have a pressure difference between the interior of the container 1 and the supply reservoir of the fluid during the filling operation and the fluid does not enter a big empty space. As a result gas will not egress from the fluid containing gas during the filling operation so that the quality of the fluid does not deteriorate. Moreover, when the fluid is used and discharged from the container, the volume of the container 1 can be adapted to the remaining amount of fluid so that also during this use gas cannot egress from the fluid. As a result, the storage life of the fluid keeping its constant quality is substantially extended. The container as described is hence very suited as a beer cask. The quality of the beer remains at a constant high level both during filling and during tapping of the beer from the container. For filling the container 1 and discharging liquid or gas from the container 1, respectively, one may use accessories which are known per se or which are specially adapted. Fig. 3 shows that the outer casing 2 of the container 1 is provided in one of its pole positions with coupling means 7 for coupling the container 1 to a coupling member 8 of an accessory 9 for the rolling transport of the container. The coupling should be such that the axis thereof coincides with the center line of the circular cross-section of the container, so that the coupling may serve as a rotary axis of the container 1. In this case, the accessory 9 is provided with a pulling or pushing rod 10 at the free end of which there is formed a handgrip 11. In order to transport a full container 1, it is positioned upright like a wheel with the accessory coupled thereto, whereafter a user may pull or push the container through the handgrip 11 to the desired location. The transport of the container is thus relatively easy. It is also possible to have it towed, for example behind a vehicle, by means of a suitable accessory including a connection member in the position of the handgrip. In this manner and in particular situations a vehicle may carry containers which contain fuel for example. It is furthermore conceivable to couple several containers 1 with each other by means of suitable coupling means, so that an assembly of containers is obtained which is transportable in the manner as described. The coupling means 7 as described may also be used to couple the container 1 with for example a conveyor in a brewery where the container 1 is filled (again). Also on the site of use, the coupling means may be utilized for attachment to the tap installation. It is further possible to stack containers one on top of the other by using suitable stacking accessories. These stacking accessories may be coupled to a container, for example by means of said coupling means. It is noted that within the scope of this application the term "fluid" includes a pressurized gas as well. It will further be clear that each filling connection 4 comprises suitable closure means in a usual way. The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described hereinbefore which may be varied in different manners within the scope of the invention.

Claims: Container (1) for fluids containing gas, comprising: a gas and fluid tight outer casing (2) of pressure resistant flexible material, the outer casing having an opening, said opening being closed by a closure insert (5), at least one gas and fluid tight collapsible inner casing (3) of flexible material lying inside the outer casing, said inner casing (3) being separated from the outer casing (2) and being connected to the closure insert (5), at least a first filling connection (4) provided in the closure insert and adapted to communicate with the inner casing (3) for filling and emptying the inner casing; characterized in that a second filling connection adapted to communicate with the space between the inner casing (3) and the outer casing (2) for emptying and filling it is provided in the closure insert. Container according to claim 1, wherein the inner casing (3) is removably arranged in the outer casing (2). Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer casing (2) is made from a fiber reinforced elastomeric material. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer casing (2) has a circular shaped cross-section and/or comprises coupling means (7) in two aligned positions, for example for coupling the container with an accessory for the rolling transport of the container, the axis of the coupling means coinciding with the center line of the circular shaped cross-section. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer casing (2) is made of a substantially inelastic material. Use of a container according to one of the preceding claims as beer cask. Use of a container according to one of claims 1 - 5 for transporting dangerous fluids, in which the inner casing is filled with the dangerous fluid and the space between the inner casing and the outer casing is filled with a fluid yielding a harmless mixture when it is mixed with the dangerous fluid.

Inventors: BRAMBACH JOHAN ARIE, BRAMBACH, JOHAN ARIE
Applicants: EURO MAINTENANCE LEASE PROD BV, EURO MAINTENANCE LEASE PRODUKTIE B.V.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B65D88
IPC codes: B65D88