MXPA97006444A - Containers of volume varia - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container of variable volume comprising an internal flexible member substantially enclosed in a number of external interconnecting sleeves because the volume of the internal member can be varied by moving at least one outer sleeve relative to another external sleeve, and where the adjacent external sleeves are inseparable, only separable by the release of an interconnection mechanism such that it allows the container while remaining integral with the container.

Description

VARIABLE VOLUME CONTAINERS BACKGROUND The present invention relates to a container in which the volume of the container can be varied to minimize the amount of air inside the container. The containers are generally of fixed volume. It is usually necessary to have a number of containers of different sizes since it is well known that the food will last longer if its contact with air is minimized. Also having larger containers than you sometimes need presents a problem, especially when space is in high demand. Another problem often found is that aerated beverages are tasteless "or lose" carbonation when stored. This is a result of the gas escaping from the drink into the nearby air. It is an object of this invention to provide a container having a variable volume, which will attempt to overcome the above disadvantages, or which at least will provide the public with an alternate useful option. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided here a container comprising an internal flexible member substantially enclosed in a number of external interconnecting sleeves, wherein the container volume of the internal flexible member can be varied by moving at least one outer sleeve in relation to another external sleeve. The interconnection sleeves can be screwed together in such a way that, by screwing the sleeves in relation to one another, the volume of the limb can be varied.

The interconnection sleeves can be moved alternately in relation to one another by means of a ratchet. A top sleeve may include at least two series of teeth projecting externally. A handle or handle on a lower sleeve can be provided to act as a latch for each series of teeth projecting externally. To reduce the volume of the container, the upper sleeve can be pushed down towards and into the lower sleeve. To free the sleeves and thereby increase the volume of the container, handles or handles can be used, or the upper and lower sleeves can be rotated in relation to one another. The interconnection sleeves can be moved alternately in relation to one another by means of a multi-level net connection. Alternatively, the multi-level net connection is formed by providing in either an upper or lower sleeve opposing grooves, each set of grooves comprising a plurality of transverse grooves connected by a longitudinal groove. At least two pin members may extend from the lower sleeve or adjacent upper sleeve to fit one sleeve within each set of slots in the other sleeve. The rotation of the upper and lower sleeves causes the transverse pins to move within the transverse grooves towards the longitudinal groove, and consequently to vary the volume of the container in a pushing / pulling and screwing action. The internal flexible member can be fixed to the base of the lower sleeve by means of a pin. The internal flexible member can be welded to the upper sleeve. Alternatively, a lip of the inner flexible member may protrude through an opening in the container, thereby providing a seal between the inner flexible member and a lid. This allows the internal flexible member to be completely removed from the outer sleeves.

The internal flexible member can be in the form of a balloon or concertina. The container can be sealed by means of the lid, the lid including a threaded skirt with a float mounted therein. The float has a skirt mounted above or integrally formed therewith, and a button section. As the volume of the container is decreased by moving an outer sleeve in relation to another outer sleeve, air can escape through the passage between the outer edge of the skirt and the inner surface of the lid and the threaded skirt. Once the liquid or other flowable material reaches the float, the float rises, gradually stopping the escape of air when the skirt makes contact with the inner surface of the cap. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a container of variable volume comprising an outer envelope with a flexible internal bladder, the internal volume of which is adjusted by moving one end of the bladder by any suitable means in such a way that in use, the volume of the flexible bladder and the volume of its contents are substantially the same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The additional aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a vertical sectional view of the container according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a sectional view of one half of the lid according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a container according to another embodiment of the invention; and Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a container according to a further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the example seen in Figure 1, the container 10 includes an internal flexible member 1. This flexible member 1 is a concertina, and is permanently attached to the upper sleeve 14. The internal member 1 is attached by a pin 2 to the sleeve lower 3, allowing the lower sleeve and inner member 1 to rotate independently.

The lower sleeve 3 and the upper sleeve 14 have the same diameters, and both have an internal thread. The height of the lower sleeve 3 and the upper sleeve 14 is substantially one sixth of the height of the container when it is fully extended. The lower sleeve 3 interconnects with the section 4. The section 4 is threaded on both sides, to interconnect with the lower sleeve 3 and the central section. A section 4 'similar to section 4 fits between the central section 5 and the upper sleeve 14. The sections 4 and 4' are substantially one sixth of the height of the container when fully extended, and the central section 5 is substantially a third of the height of the container when it is fully extended. The upper internal thread 6 in each section of the sleeve 3 and 4 and the lowermost internal thread 6 'of each section 4' and 14, have a smaller thread contour different than the rest of the thread. Conversely, the lowermost external thread 7 in each section 4 and 5, and the upper external thread 7 'in each section 4' and 5 have larger thread contours. The combination of these contours prevents the threaded sections 3, 4, 4 ', 5 and 14 from stopping due to the frictional coupling between them.

In this way, the threaded sections and the sleeves 3, 4, 4 ', 5 and 14 can be screwed down to a third of the total height of the container.

When the threaded sections 3, 4, 4 ', 5 and 14 are screwed upwards, the height of the total container is achieved and the dimensions of the threads 6 and 7 prevent the sections and sleeves 3, 4, 4' from being divided. , 5 and 14. In the upper part of the upper sleeve 14, there is an external threaded opening 15, on which a cover 9 is fitted. The cover 9 includes a threaded skirt 8, the skirt 13 and a float 11. The threaded skirt 8 interconnects with the threaded opening 15. Figure 2 shows part of the lid 9. When the sections and sleeves 3, 4, 4 ', 5 and 14 are screwed down to reduce the volume of the container 10, the air can escape from the container. container 10 by means of passage 12 between threaded skirt 8 and skirt -13. The lower part of the cover 9 causes the float to come into contact with and float on any liquid or other flowable material in the member 1. This gradual raising of the float 11, and consequently the skirt 13, cause the passage 12 to be blocked and the container 10 is sealed. Any additional internal pressure, either of additional volume reduction or internal gases escaping from the liquid will increase the sealing effect of the lid 9. If the skirt always bumps up against the closure 8, the pressure of the finger on the button section 16 will open the layer and allow more air to escape. Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the invention wherein the volume of the container is varied by means of a ratchet and lock mechanism. The upper sleeve 14 has two sets of teeth 16 projecting externally. This will be appreciated that more than two games can be provided. A safety handle 17 is provided in the lower sleeve 3. To decrease or reduce the volume of the container, the upper ve is pushed down towards the lower ve. The inner end of the latch of the latch handle 17 engages the teeth 16 to maintain a particular volume of the container. The movement of the handle 17 can release the ratchet mechanism for the purpose of increasing the volume of the containers. Alternatively rotating the upper and lower ve 14, 3 can be used to release the ratchet, to increase the volume of the container. Figure 4 shows still another embodiment of the invention, wherein the volume of the container is varied by means of bayonet connections of multiple levels. The connection in the example has the lower ve 3 with two sets of grooves formed, each set comprising a plurality of transverse grooves 19 connected by means of a longitudinal groove 20. The upper ve 14 has a pin member 21 which fits into the grooves 19, 20. By moving (screwing and pushing / pulling) the upper ve 14 relative to the lower ve 3, or vice versa, the member 21 can move between the transverse grooves 19 by means of the longitudinal groove, and consequently vary the volume of the container. In this way it will be seen that the present invention provides a container in which the volume of the container can be varied to minimize the amount of air inside the container. Where in the above description, reference has been made to components or / and integers having known equivalents, then said equivalents incorporate herein as being individually established. Although this invention has been described by way of example, and with reference to its possible modalities, it will be appreciated that improvements and / or modifications can be made to it without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, and from the appended claims.

Claims (24)

1. - A container comprising an internal flexible member substantially enclosed in a number of external interconnecting sleeves, wherein the volume of the internal flexible member can be varied by moving at least one outer sleeve relative to another outer sleeve.

2. A container according to claim 1, including an upper external sleeve and a lower external sleeve.

3. A container according to claim 2, wherein the upper outer sleeve has an externally threaded opening.

4. A container according to any of claims 2 or 3, wherein the internal flexible member is fixed to the base of the lower external member.

5. A container according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the internal flexible member is permanently secured to the upper outer sleeve.

6. A container according to any of claims 3 or 4 wherein a lip of the internal flexible member protrudes through the externally threaded opening, to provide a seal between the internal flexible member and a cap.

7. A container according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the outer sleeves are screwed together.

8. A container in accordance with any of claims 2 to 6 wherein the outer sleeves move in relation to each other by means of a ratchet.

9. A container according to claim 8, wherein the upper sleeve includes at least two sets of teeth projecting externally.

10. A container according to claim 9, wherein a lock handle is provided on the lower sleeve for each series of teeth projecting externally.

11. A container according to claim 10, wherein the movement of the handle between the teeth causes the ratchet connection to be released, and consequently the volume of the container is increased.

12. A container according to claim 9, wherein the rotation of the upper and lower sleeves cause the volume of the container to vary.

13. A container according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the outer sleeves move in relation to each other by means of a bayonet connection of multiple levels.

14. A container according to claim 13, wherein the bayonet-type connection is formed in any of the upper lower sleeve with at least two sets of grooves formed, each set comprising a plurality of transverse grooves connected by a longitudinal slot.

15. A container according to claim 14, wherein at least two pin members extend from either the lower or upper sleeve, and each pin member fits into a set of slots formed in the other sleeve.

16. - A container according to claim 15, wherein the rotation of the upper and lower sleeves cause the pin member to move in a threaded or push / pull action of between the transverse grooves by means of the longitudinal groove and by consequence vary the volume of the container.

17. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container is sealed by means of a lid.

18. A container according to claim 17, wherein the lid includes a closure with a skirt.

19. A container according to claim 18, wherein the skirt has a float and a button section.

20. A container according to claim 19, wherein as s reduces the volume of the container, the air escapes through a passage between the outer edge of the skirt and the internal surface of the closure.

21. A container according to claim 20, wherein when a flowable material reaches the float, the float rises, gradually obstructing the passage of the outer edge of the skirt of the inner surface of the closure.

22. A container substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

23. A container of variable volume comprising an outer envelope with a flexible internal bladder, the internal volume of which is adjusted by moving one end of the bladder by any suitable means, such that in use, the volume of the flexible bladder and the volume of their content are substantially the same.

24. A container of variable volume substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.