Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02609637 2007-11-07
Title:
SELF SUPPORTING COLLAPSIBLE BOTTLE
Scope of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates to collapsible containers for fluids and,
more particularly, to
a collapsible bottle which, on collapsing, continues to provide a self
supporting structure.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Collapsible dispensers for soap and other fluids are known which are
self
supporting as when filled with material yet are provided to collapse upon
themselves.
[0003] The inventors of this application have appreciated a disadvantage of
previous
known collapsible containers that when they collapse, the collapsed container
does not
provide a self supporting structure which can be relied upon to locate the
container relative to
other elements. More particularly, previously known collapsible containers
have been
appreciated to not be capable of continuing to support themselves in a
vertical orientation
supported on a base of the container both in an uncollapsible condition and in
a collapsed
condition. Further, the present inventors have appreciated that previously
known collapsible
dispensers suffer the disadvantage that back, side or front surfaces of the
container also do
not adopt consistent configurations when collapsed which can serve to assist
in locating the
collapsed dispenser relative to other surfaces such as the housing or support
for a dispenser.
Summary of the Invention
[0004] To at least partially overcome these disadvantages of previously
known devices,
the present invention provides a collapsible container closed but for an
opening from an outlet
end and having at the other base end, a three dimensional structure formed by
a bottom wall, a
central portion and peripheral edge portions which are sufficiently strong to
resist deflection
and maintain support portions of the base end in desired positions, preferably
disposed in a
flat plane both while a container is full and while in a collapsed or
uncollapsed condition of
the container. Preferably, the base has the support portions disposed in a
flat plane normal to
a longitudinal of the container and will support the container on a horizontal
support surface
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with a longitudinal of the container to extend vertically upwardly therefrom,
preferably, in all
collapsed and uncollapsed conditions of the container.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible
container which has
an inherent structure which, whether collapsed or uncollapsed, assists in
supporting the
container against the environment in which the container may be disposed.
[0006] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a thin
walled
collapsible container preferably formed from plastic material such as
polyethylene as by
blow moulding. The container is preferably rectangular and has an outlet end,
a closed base
end, front wall, rear wall and two side walls. The container is closed but for
an opening from
the outlet end. The outlet end has a top wall with a generally rectangular
perimeter as seen in
end view. The end wall includes an annular central portion about an axially
extending neck
open to the opening and peripheral edge portions about the central portion
merging with the
front, rear and two side walls. The front, rear and two side walls extend
longitudinally of the
container from the outlet end to the base end about a longitudinal of the
container. The
container is symmetrical about a flat central plane including the longitudinal
which is
intermediate the side walls. The base end has a bottom wall with a generally
rectangular
perimeter as seen in end view. The bottom wall includes a central portion and
peripheral
edge portions about the central portion merging the central portion into the
front, rear and
two side walls. The base end preferably has support portions of the peripheral
rounded edge
portions of the base end disposed in a flat plane normal to the longitudinal
of the container
and serving to support the container on a horizontal support surface with the
longitudinal of
the container to extend upwardly. Each of the front wall and the rear wall
carry a respective
front and rear valley having left and right valley side walls extending
centrally into each front
wall and rear wall towards a respective other of the rear and front wall to a
respective front
and rear valley apex. Each valley apex extends longitudinally of the container
in a central
plane from an outlet end of the respective front and rear valley apex to a
base end of the
respective front and rear valley apex. Each of the front and rear valleys end
longitudinally at
respective front and rear valley end walls which bridge between the right and
left valley side
walls of the respective front and rear valley. Each end valley wall is located
between its
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respective valley and either the outlet end or the base end. Each end valley
wall preferably
presents a generally frusto-conical surface symmetrical about the central
plane and curving
1800 about its respective valley apex.
[0007] The base end has a three dimensional structure formed by its bottom
wall central
portion and peripheral edge portions which is sufficiently strong to resist
deflection and
preferably maintain its support portions in a flat plane on collapsing of the
container. One
preferred embodiment, the central annular portion of the bottom wall, is
inwardly convex and
the peripheral edge portions about the central portion are inwardly concave
rounded edge
portions.
[0008] On collapsing of the container in a vacuum applied to withdraw fluid
from the
outlet end, the side walls are drawn together towards the common plane with
the front and
rear walls folding about the front valley apex and the rear valley apex.
[0009] Each of the front wall and rear wall preferably have a planar
portion surrounding
their respective valley. Each left and right valley wall is preferably
disposed in a flat plane
with a perimeter of each left and right valley side wall merging along a
straight line with
such planar portion extending parallel to the longitudinal. A perimeter of
each of the valley
end walls preferably merges along a curved line with such planar portion and
joins an end of
the straight line of the right valley perimeter with an end of the straight
line at the left valley
perimeter.
[0010] Preferably, the outlet end also has a three dimensional structure
formed by its top
wall, central portion, neck and peripheral edge portions sufficiently strong
to resist deflection
and maintain its peripheral edge portion in the same positions relative the
neck on collapsing
the container.
[0011] Preferably, the front and rear valley apexes are spaced from each
other providing
a channelway therebetween along their length from the base towards the outlet
end in all
collapsed and uncollapsed conditions of the container, preferably, at least
adjacent each
valley apex.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
[0012] Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent
from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings
in which:
[0013] Figure 1 is a pictorial view of a collapsible bottle in
combination with a pump
mechanism in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] Figure 2 is a front view of the bottle shown in Figure 1;
[0015] Figure 3 is a side view of the bottle shown in Figure 2;
[0016] Figure 4 is a bottom view of the bottle shown in Figure 2;
[0017] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along section line 5-5' in
Figure 2;
[0018] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional side view along section line 6-6'
in Figure 2;
[0019] Figure 7 is a front view similar to Figure 2 but showing the
bottle of Figure 1
without the pump assembly and in a substantially fully collapsed condition;
[0020] Figure 8 is a side view of the collapsed container of Figure 7;
[0021] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional side view along section line 9-9'
in Figure 7;
[0022] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional side view along section line 1-1'
in Figure 7;
[0023] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional side view along either of the two
section lines 2-2'
in Figure 7;
[0024] Figure 12 is a pictorial view of the collapsible bottle similar
to that shown in
Figure 1 as mounted to a wall plate;
[0025] Figure 13 is a partially exploded view of the bottle and wall
plate shown in Figure
12;
[0026] Figure 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the
cap for the bottle
shown in Figures 12 and 13 in vertical cross-section through key member;
[0027] Figures 15 and 16 are alternate embodiments of key members for
securing a bottle
to a wall plate as shown in Figure 13;
[0028] Figure 17 is a schematic pictorial view showing an embodiment
similar to the
embodiment of Figure 12 with a bottle in a partially collapsed condition; and
[0029] Figure 18 is a partial side view of the embodiment of Figure 17
but additionally
showing the use of a suction cup.
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r 1
,
Detailed Description of the Drawings
[0030] Reference is made to Figure 1 which shows a bottle 10 in
accordance with the
present invention having a piston pump assembly 100 sealably secured to its
outlet end 12.
The pump mechanism 100 is a piston pump mechanism which when manually actuated
by
urging the pump downwardly dispenses an allotment of soap out of a nozzle 102
of the pump.
The pump piston when returned to its extended position is ready to pump
additional allotments
of fluid from the bottle 10. The pump mechanism 100 sealably engages the
outlet end 12 of
the bottle such that on dispensing fluid by use of the pump mechanism 100, the
bottle 10
becomes collapsed and moves to a collapsed condition as is illustrated in
Figures 7 to 11.
[0031] In a preferred manner of use of the bottle as illustrated in
Figure 1, the outlet end 12
is considered to be an upper end of the bottle and a base end 14 as a lower
end of the bottle.
This is not necessary and the bottle can be used in any position such as
inverted or on its side
or the like since dispensing by use of the pump draws fluid out of the bottle
with collapse of
the bottle.
[0032] Preferably, with the bottle entirely filled with fluid to be
dispensed and containing
no gas, pumping the fluid from the bottle will occur irrespective of the up or
down orientation
of the bottle. Nevertheless, in this disclosure, when referred to as up or as
down, this is
intended to refer to a configuration with the outlet end 12 being an upper end
and the base end
14 a lower end.
[0033] The bottle has a generally rectangular cross-section and, as best
seen in Figure 4,
includes a front wall 16, a rear wall 18 and two side walls 20 and 22. The
bottle 10 is closed
but for an opening 24 from the outlet end 12. The outlet end has a top wall 26
with a generally
rectangular perimeter if seen in an end view similar to that shown in Figure
4. The top wall 26
includes an annular central portion 28 about an axially extending neck 30. The
neck 30 is open
to the opening 24. The top wall 26 includes peripheral edge portions 32 about
the central
portion 28 which central edge portions 32 merge with the front wall 16, rear
wall 18 and two
side walls 20 and 22.
[0034] In the preferred embodiment, the neck 30 has an axis extending
coaxially
therethrough which axis is coincident with a longitudinal 34 through the
bottle 10. The bottle
CA 02609637 2007-11-07
is symmetrical about a flat central plane 35 intermediate the side walls 20
and 22 which flat
central plane includes the longitudinal 34.
[0035] The base end 14 has a bottom wall 36 with a generally rectangular
perimeter as seen
in end view in Figure 4. The bottom wall 36 includes a central portion 38 and
peripheral side
portions about the central portion 38. Peripheral edge portions merge the
central portion 38
into the front wall 16, rear wall 18 and two side walls 20 and 22. The base
end 14 preferably
has support portions 42 and 43 disposed in a flat plane normal to the
longitudinal 34 of the
bottle 10 and serving to support the container on a horizontal support surface
44, schematically
illustrated in Figure 6, with the bottle in a position with the longitudinal
34 of the bottle to
extend vertically upwardly normal to the horizontal support surface 44. The
support portions
in the preferred embodiment comprise the two portions 42 and 43 of the bottom
wall 36.
[0036] The front wall 16 carries a front valley 50 defined by left valley
wall 51 and right
valley wall 52 which extend centrally into the front wall 16 to a front valley
apex 53 extending
longitudinally of the bottle 10 in the central plane 35 from an outlet end 54
of the front valley
apex to a base end 55 of the front valley apex. The front valley 50 ends
longitudinally
proximate the outlet end as an outlet end valley end wall 56 which bridges
between the left
valley side wall 51 and the right valley side wall 52 of the front valley 50.
The front valley 50
ends longitudinally proximate the base end as a base end valley end wall 57
which bridges
between the left valley side wall 51 and the right valley side wall 52 of the
front valley 50.
[0037] In each of Figures 2 to 6, dashed lines are shown which indicate the
location of a
change of plane in the surface of the bottle 10. For example, referring to
Figure 3, on the side
wall 20, a rectangular central portion 60 is defined between lines 302, 303,
304 and 305 with
the central portion 60 preferably being a flat planar surface disposed in a
plane parallel to the
longitudinal 34 and the central plane 35. Referring to Figure 2, a central
portion 62 is shown
on the front wall 16 defined within dashed lines 202, 203, 204 and 205. The
central portion 62
is a flat planar surface normal to central plane 35.
[0038] Referring to Figure 4, corner portions 64, 65, 66 and 67 are shown.
Referring to
Figure 5, corner portion 64 is disposed between dashed lines 409 and 406. In
Figures 2 and 3,
comer portion 64 is disposed between dashed lines 202 and 203 and between
dashed lines 303
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CA 02609637 2014-05-30
and 304, respectively. The corner portions 65, 66 and 67 are thus similar and
disposed
between similarly disposed dashed lines.
[0039] Referring further to Figure 4, the central portion 38 of the
bottom wall 36 is defined
between dashed lines 405, 406, 407 and 408. As seen in Figure 3, the central
portion 38 is
inwardly concave. Bridging between the central portion 38 and the central
portion 62 on the
front wall 16 is a front peripheral rounded edge portion 68 defined between
dashed lines 409,
203, 406 and 408. A similar rounded rear edge portion 69 mirrors the front
edge portion 68.
Referring to Figure 4, a side edge portion 70 is defined between a dashed line
406 and line 303
between lines 405 and 407. A similar side edge portion 71 is defined on the
other side outward
=
of dashed line 408. Figure 4 shows on the base end the support surface 42 as a
panel disposed
between lines 406, 409 408 and 407 and the support surface 43 as a similar
panel between lines
406, 405, 408 and 410. As best seen in Figure 3, these support portions 42 and
43 serve to join
the front and rear edge portions 68 and 69 with the concave central portion
38. Corner edge
portions 72 and 73 near the front and rounded corner edge portions 74 and 75
near the rear end
serve to bridge between one of the curved side edge portions and one of the
curved end edge
portions.
100401 Referring to Figure 2, the front valley 50 has an outer perimeter
generally indicated
by lines 220, 221, 222 and 223 forming the boundary between the flat central
portion 62 and
the front valley 50. The left valley side wall 51 merges with the central
portion 62 as the
straight line 221. The right valley side wall 52 merges with the central
portion 62 at the
straight line 222. The outlet end valley end wall 56 merges with the flat
central portion 62 as
the curved line 220 with the ends of line 223 joining an outlet end of line
221 and an outlet end
of line 222. The front valley 50 has a base end valley end wall 57 which
bridges between the
right valley side wall 52 and the left valley side wall 51. The base end
valley end wall 57
merges with the central portion 62 at the curved line 223 which extends from a
base end of the
line 221 to a base end of the line 222. The line 220 effectively extends 180
about the outlet
end 54 of the valley apex 53. The line 223 effectively extends and curves
about 180 about the
base end 55 of the end valley apex 53.
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[0041] The outlet end valley end wall 56 is formed from two different
portions including
an outer portion 76 and an inner portion 77 with the outer portion 76 defined
between the line
220 and intermediate line 227 and the inner portion 77 defined interior of
line 227. Similarly,
the base end valley end wall 57 is defined as an outer portion 78 and interior
portion 79 with
the outer portion 78 defined between line 223 and an intermediate line 230 and
the interior
portion 79 defined inside line 230. Each of the valley end walls 56 and 57 are
symmetrical
about the central plane 35.
[0042] Each end valley wall 56 and 57 effectively present a generally
frusto-conical
surface symmetrical about the central plane 35 and curving 180 about its
respective apex end
54 or 55. This is best seen in Figure 6, in any plane normal to the central
plane 35 and passing
through the apex end 54 or 55, the valley end wall 56 or 57 will be at a
greater depth from the
central portion 62 with distance from the central portion 62.
[0043] It is to be seen that the lines 220 and 223 define, in effect, an
ovaloid shape as seen
in Figure 2 and the lines 227 and 230 similarly define a relatively ovaloid
shape. In this
description, the contours of the outer portion 76 and the interior portion 77
of the outlet end
valley end wall 56 are referred to as being frusto-conical in the sense of
curving about 180
about the apex end 54 and angling away from the end 54 and outwardly towards
the central
portion 62. Each forms a somewhat conical surface in the sense of tapering
upwardly and
outwardly albeit the conical surfaces in the embodiment illustrated in Figure
2 are not coaxially
about the apex end 54.
[0044] Longitudinally about the front valley apex 53, an apex channel
member 80 is
provided having, as seen in side view in Figure 2, to have an elongate oval
configuration and
having as seen in cross-sectional view in Figure 5, a generally U-shape which
is inwardly
concave and outwardly convex. As seen in Figure 2, three side channel members
82 extend
from the apex channel member 80 normal to the longitudinal 34. As best seen in
side view in
Figure 6, each side channel member 82 is U-shaped and inwardly concave and
outwardly
convex. Each of the side channel members 82 have an inner end 83 in the apex
channel
member 80 and an outer end 84 which terminates within the left valley side
wall 51 or right
valley side wall 52. As shown in Figure 2, three side wall members 82 are
provided, one in the
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middle of the apex channel member 80 on the left valley side wall 51 and two
side channel
members 82 on the right valley side wall 52 equally spaced about the side
channel member 82
on the left valley side wall 51. While merely three side channel members 82
are shown in each
valley in the preferred embodiment, an increased number of the side channel
members 62 may
be provided. While in Figure 2 the side channel members 82 are shown as being
offset from
each other on the left and right valley side walls, this is not necessary and
they could be
provided at the same longitudinal locations along the side walls.
[0045] The left valley side wall 51 comprises a generally rectangular outer
portion 86
defined between lines 221, 235, 236 and 237. The left valley side wall 51 also
includes a
generally triangular inner portion 87 defined between the lines 237, 227 and
230. The side
channel member 82 is formed so as to extend from the apex channel member 80 as
a U-shaped
inwardly directed channel on the left valley side wall 51.
[0046] Similarly, the right valley side wall 52 has a generally rectangular
outer portion 88
defined within the lines 222, 243, 244 and 245 and a generally triangular
inner portion 89
defined between the lines 245, 227 and 230.
[0047] Each of the apex channel member 80 and the side channel members 82
provide
stiffening reinforcements to the front valley 50 and, as well, serve in a
collapsed bottle as non-
collapsible portions which assist in maintaining communication longitudinally
and laterally
within the interior of the bottle when collapsed.
[0048] The description has been made principally with reference to the
front wall 16 and
its front valley 50 and the side wall 20. With the bottle symmetrical about
the central plane 35,
it is to be appreciated that the rear wall 18 and its rear valley 50 and the
side wall 22 will have
the same identical configuration to that described albeit as a mirror image in
respect of the side
channel member 82.
[0049] Reference is made to Figures 7 to 11 which illustrate the bottle 10
in a substantially
fully collapsed condition. Figure 7 shows a side view of the collapsed bottle
10.
[0050] In collapse of the bottle, the side walls 20 and 22 are drawn
together. The front
wall 16 folds within its front valley 50 along the front valley apex 53 such
that the left valley
side wall 51 and right valley side wall 52 come to extend generally parallel
to the central plane
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35 in opposition to each other spaced by the channel member 80. In effect, the
opposing
portions 86 and 88 of the valley side walls come to be disposed substantially
parallel to the
central plane in opposition to each other as folded about the apex 53. As
seen, for example, in
the cross-section of Figures 10 and 11, the front wall 16 becomes folded upon
itself, about a
central fold 90 and two edge folds 92 and 94. Similarly, the rear wall 18
becomes folded upon
itself about a central fold 91 and two edge folds 93 and 95.
[0051] In collapse of the bottle, the overall longitudinal dimension of the
bottle becomes
reduced as can be seen by a comparison of the uncollapsed bottle in Figures 2,
3 and 6 with the
collapsed bottle in corresponding Figures 7, 8 and 9. In collapse of the
bottle, the front wall 16
and rear wall 18 are drawn together while folded about their center as about
the central folds 90
and 91. A base end front wall portion 501 and a base end rear wall portion 502
become folded
at folds 503 and 504 to overlie the bottom wall 36 reducing the bottle length.
Similarly, outlet
end front wall portion 505 and outlet end rear wall portion 506 become folded
at folds 507 and
508 to underlie the top wall 26 reducing the bottle length.
[0052] As seen in Figure 7, a base end front wall portion 510 and a base
end rear wall
portion 511 become folded at folds 512 and 513 to overlie the bottom wall 36
reducing the
length of the bottle. Similarly, an outlet end front wall portion 514 and an
outlet end rear wall
portion 515 become folded at folds 516 and 518 to underlie the top wall 26
reducing the bottle
length. As seen in Figure 7, the folds 512 and 513 overlie the front fold 503,
and the folds 516
and 518 overlie the fold front 507 by reason that the front wall 16 becomes
drawn first in a
gusseted type manner. Similarly, while not shown, the folds 512 and 513 will
overlie the rear
fold 504 and the folds 516 and 518 will overlie the rear fold 508.
[0053] Referring to Figures 7, 10 and 11, the central fold 90 of the front
wall extends from
each end of the channel member 80, that is, from the base end 55 of the front
valley apex 55 to
the base end and from the outlet end 54 of the front valley apex 55 to the
outlet end.
[0054] In collapse of the bottle, the opposed front and rear channel
members come to be
moved inwardly towards each other. This can be seen firstly by a comparison of
the cross-
sectional views of Figure 5 when uncollapsed and Figure 10 when collapsed,
with the channel
members 80 spaced a significantly greater distance in Figure 5 than in Figure
10. This can also
CA 02609637 2007-11-07
be seen secondly by a comparison of the cross-sectional views of Figure 6 when
uncollapsed
and Figure 9 when collapsed with the channel members spaced a significantly
greater distance
in Figure 6 than in Figure 9.
[0055] Referring to Figure 10, it can be seen that the side wall 20 has
become collapsed
about fold lines 92 and 93 at each end onto a respective half of the front
wall 16 and the rear
wall 18, forming a collapsed front arm 601 and a collapsed rear arm 602.
Similarly, the side
wall 22 has become collapsed about fold lines 94 and 95 at each end onto a
respective half of
the front wall 16 and the rear wall 18, forming a collapsed front arm 603 and
a collapsed rear
arm 604. The arms 601, 602, 603 and 604 extend generally parallel the central
plane 35 spaced
the width of the channel members 80 and form together with the channel members
an I-shaped
beam member providing strength and resisting deflection.
[0056] As seen in Figure 7, over a longitudinal portion 520 of the side
walls 20 and 22, the
folds 92 and 94 of the arms 601 and 603 extend substantially parallel to each
other
symmetrically about the central plane 35. Below the portion 520, the folds 92
and 94 diverse
outwardly forming a triangulated truss like structure, providing strength and
resistance to
deformation and assisting to rigidly support the bottom wall 36 substantial
normal to the
central plane. Similarly, above the portion 520 the folds 32 and 94 diverse
outwardly forming
a triangulated truss like structure, assisting to rigidly support the top wall
26 substantially
normal to the central plane.
[0057] The longitudinal portion 520 of the side wall 16 is indicated by the
cross-hatched
label area 550 on Figure 13. This area 550 and a corresponding area on the
rear wall 18 is each
a preferred area to carry labelling information about the material in the
bottle to be dispensed
since the area 550 is effectively always disposed to be substantially parallel
to the central plane
35 in all uncollapsed and collapsed positions of the bottle.
[0058] As seen in Figures 9 and 10, a central channelway 556 is provided
longitudinally of
the bottle between the channel members 80. As seen in Figure 11, two apex
channelways 557
and 558 are provided inward of the central folds 90 and 91 where the tension
in the side walls
20 and 22 of the bottle effectively keeps the side walls apart. The channelway
556 will
continue to some extent from each end of the each channel member 80 towards
the base end or
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outlet end. The apex channelways 557 and 558 will extend to provide
communication with the
channelway 556 at one end and the base end or outlet end at the other. Thus
the channelway
556 and the apex channelways 557 and 558 provide for communication
longitudinal through
the entire length of the bottle in all collapsed and uncollapsed positions as
is advantageous to
ensure that substantially all fluid in the bottle may be withdrawn in a manner
as taught in the
applicant's U.S. patent publication US 2006/0032865, published February 16,
2006. Each
side channel members 82 provides a shunt channelway therein extending from the
channelway
556 laterally. These side channel members 82 together with the channel 556
provide lateral
shunt passages towards ensuring that compartment portions of the bottle on
each side of the
central plane 35 maintain in communication laterally to assist in ensuring
that all fluids in the
bottle may be withdrawn.
[0059] The side channel members 82 assist with the channel members 80 in
stiffening the
front wall 16 and rear wall 18, particularly when fully collapsed in which the
side channel
members 82 will assume positions as seen in Figure 7 in solid lines and
schematically
illustrated in Figure 9 in dashed lines.
[0060] On advantageous use of a bottle in accordance with the present
invention is as a
collapsible dispenser which is self-supporting by having its base end engaged
on a support
surface 44 as seen in Figure 6 whether uncollapsed as seen in Figure 6 or when
collapsed as
seen in Figures 7 to 9.
100611 Another advantageous use of a bottle in accordance with the present
invention is
with its outlet end 12 secured as in a dispenser or to a wall and with the
base end 14, in
collapsing of the bottle on dispensing fluid, being drawn upwardly.
[0062] Preferably one of the side walls 20 or 22 will be directed towards a
user, as for
example, away from a wall and labelling 550 carried on the portion 520 over
the exposed side
will be visible for reading in all collapsed and uncollapsed conditions.
[0063] The bottle in accordance with the present invention substantially
does not increase
its cross-sectional area normal to the longitudinal as it collapses and the
bottle may be used
inside dispensers having an interior cavity designed to receive a rigid non-
collapsible bottle of
similar cross-sectional shape and size as a bottle in accordance with the
present invention.
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[0064] Preferably the bottle may be suspended by its outlet end 12 in a
dispenser. More
preferably when the bottle is suspended by its outlet end 12, one of the sides
20 and 22 will be
directed towards a use to carry labelling on the portion 500 and the other of
the sides 20 and 22
will be adjacent a vertical support surface or wall for engagement by such
other side 20 or 22
where uncollapsed and/or by the ends of the fold lines 512 or 513 and 516 or
518 seen in
Figure 7 towards assisting in keeping the bottle disposed vertically and any
labelling vertical
and visible.
[0065] An advantage of the bottle in accordance with the present invention
is that the bottle
is substantially rectangular in shape and has but minimal inward protrusion of
the front and
rear valleys, such that the volume of the fluid retained inside the bottle is
a large proportion of
the overall volume represented by the overall width, depth and length of the
bottle.
[0066] The bottle in accordance with the present invention is preferably
disposable for one
time use and made to have the pump assembly 100 secured to the bottle against
removal to
prevent unauthorized tampering or refilling which could result in
contamination.
[0067] The bottle is preferably to be used in a manner to collapse the
bottle with a vacuum
developed inside the bottle on dispensing, however the bottle may also be used
as a non-
collapsible bottle by permitting air to replenish fluid dispensed.
[0068] The base end 14 has a three dimensional structure formed by its
bottom wall 36
having the central portion 38 and the peripheral edge portions 40 to be
sufficiently strong to
resist deflection when collapsed. As seen in Figure 9, the distance of the
central fold 90 of the
front wall 16 and the center fold 91 of the rear wall 18 to the longitudinal
34 varies increasing
toward the base end and increasing toward the outlet end. As seen in Figures
10 and 11, the
front wall 16 is folded where it merges with the side wall 20 at a fold 92 and
is folded where it
merges with the side wall 22 at fold 94. Similarly, the rear wall 18 is folded
at fold 93 where it
merges with the side wall 20 and is folded at fold 95 where it merges with the
side wall 22.
The fold lines 90, 92 and 94 and the set of fold lines 91, 93 and 95
effectively represent a
forced deformation of the valley end walls 56 and 57 represented by the curved
portions 76,
77, 78 and 79 as shown in Figure 4. As seen in Figures 7, 10 and 11, as the
folds 92,94 and
93,95 become closer to the base end 14, the folds diverge from the central
plane 35 so as to
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join with the corners of the rectangular base end 14. As seen in Figure 9, the
center folds 90
and 91 diverge outwardly towards the base end 14. This divergence in the
double layers
forming at the folds 92,94 and 93,95 provide effectively a triangular truss
structure which
assists to form on the side of the bottle as seen in Figure 7, a relatively
rigid three dimensional
structural triangle which tends to provide rigidity to the collapsed bottle. A
similar three
dimensional triangular truss structure is formed on the other side with the
collapsed rear wall
18.
[0069] The outlet end 12 has a three dimensional structure formed by its
top wall 26
including its central portion 28, axially extending neck 30 and peripheral
edge portions 32.
This three dimensional structure is provided to be sufficiently strong to
substantially resist
deformation and maintain its peripheral edge portions 32 substantially in the
same positions
relative to the neck 30 on collapsing of the container. In an analogous manner
to that described
with reference to the folding of the front wall 16 to form a triangular
reinforcing truss with the
base end 14, the front wall 16 similarly adopts an imaged folded structure
forming a
reinforcing triangular truss structure with the outlet end 12 as seen in
Figure 8.
[0070] In respect of the base end 14 having a three dimensional structure
to resist
deformation, it is preferred that the central portion 38 of the bottom wall 36
is inwardly convex
and the peripheral edge portions 72, 68, 73, 71, 74, 69, 75 and 70 about the
central portion 38
are inwardly concave rounded edge portions as shown. As best seen in Figures 3
and 9, the
central portion 38 of the base end bottom wall 36 is concave as seen in side
view perpendicular
to the central plane 35.
[0071] The configuration of the base end valley end walls are
advantageously selected so
as in collapse of the bottle, the relative stresses applied to the front wall
16 and the rear wall 18
will come to be distributed relatively evenly about the center longitudinal
plane on each of
their folds 92/94 and 93/95 and the portions of the side walls and front or
rear wall involved in
these folds. Preferably, the walls of the bottle are formed to be of a
material having a thickness
which is uniform or at least uniformly symmetrical about the central plane 35
so that the valley
side walls 51 and 52 and the base end valley end wall 58 as well as the outlet
end valley end
wall 56 will serve to develop stresses uniformly, notably, on each of the
folds 91 and 93 on the
14
CA 02609637 2007-11-07
front wall and similarly on folds 92 and 94 on the rear wall. With such
uniform tensioning and
deformation of the front wall 16 and rear wall 18 and with the base end 12
having a relatively
uniform resistance to deformation, at least symmetrically about the
longitudinal central plane
35, with withdrawal of fluid from the bottle, the bottle has an inherent
tendency to collapse in a
symmetrical manner and develop on collapsing a reinforced triangular truss-
like structures
which serves to maintain the collapsed bottle generally symmetrical about the
central plane 35
and maintain the base end 14 and notably its support portions 42 and 43 in a
flat plane which is
perpendicular to the central plane 35.
[0072] Similarly, the outlet end 12, particularly by reason of being
reinforced by its coaxial
generally cylindrically extending neck 30, resist deformation and with
symmetrically directed
stresses being developed with triangular folding collapse of the outlet end
portions of the front
wall 16 and rear wall 18, in the collapsed bottles, the folds developed in the
front wall 16 and
rear wall 18 provide for maintaining the outlet end 12 disposed normal to the
central
longitudinal plane and supported by the collapsed folded front wall 16 and
rear wall 18 with its
peripheral edge portions in substantially the same positions relative to the
neck 30 on
collapsing of the bottle.
[0073] Through the middle of the collapsed bottle as seen in Figure 8, the
apex channel
member 80 in each of the front valley 50 and the opposed rear valley in being
inwardly
concave provide a longitudinal support member resisting deflection of the
folded front wall 16
and folded rear wall 18 out of a configuration in which they are aligned about
the center plane
35. In addition, each of the side channel members 82 serve a stiffening
purpose tending to
resist folding of the left and right valley side walls upon themselves
assisting in distributing
forces tending to fold the front wall 16 and rear wall 17 over broad areas so
as to resist
localized folding or deformation which might tend to cause one area of the
front wall 16 or rear
wall 18 to collapse in a non-symmetrical manner relative to the central plane
35.
[0074] The fact that each valley end wall presents a generally frusto-
conical surface
symmetrical about the central plane 35 and curving approximately 180 provides
a structure
which assists in uniformly distributing the forces in collapse of the bottle
in a manner
distributing the forces uniformly onto the opposed folds such as 93 and 95 or
92 and 94.
CA 02609637 2014-05-30
[00751 The particular shape of the curve formed by the valley end walls at
least where they
intersect with the central portions of the front wall and rear wall is to be
selected by a person
skilled in the art bearing in mind the relative proportion of the bottle, that
is, the length and
width of each of the front and rear panels and the length and width of each of
the side walls.
For example, insofar as the bottle had a reduced longitudinal extent but the
same width and
depth, then the lines 220 and 223 may preferably be reduced in dimension along
the
longitudinal.
100761 Each valley end wall is shown as comprising two portions, for
example, in respect
of the base end valley end wall 57, an outer portion 78 and an inner portion
79. This is not
necessary, however, it is preferred to provide these two separate portions 78
and 79 disposed in
different planes and at different angles as seen in Figure 6 as another
feature which assists to
ensure that there is a three dimensional structure to the valley end wall
which resists localized
folding other than uniformly at the desired fold lines 91, 93 and 95 as
discussed.
[00771 Reference is made to Figures 12 to 14 which illustrate a bottle
substantially shown
in Figure 1 as coupled to a wall plate system of the type described in the
applicant's U.K.
patent application GB 2,427,120 published December 20, 2006. Figure 12 shows
the wall
plate 710 as having an upper edge 720, lower edge 721 and side edges 722 and
723. The wall
plate 710 illustrated is formed from a unitary sheet of metal. The wall plate
710 has a plate
portion 726 which extends between side edges 722 and 723 from the lower edge
721 to a first
fold line 727. The wall plate 710 has a securement portion 728 which
compromises the wall
plate 710 from the first fold line 727 between the side edges 722 and 723 to
the upper edge
720. The wall plate extends from the first fold line 727 forwardly and
upwardly at a diagonal
to a plane in which the plate portion 726 lies to a second fold line 729 and
hence from the
second fold line 729 rearwardly and upwardly at an angle to the upper edge
720. The upper
edge 720 is disposed in the same plane as a plane through a rear surface of
the plate portion
726.
100781 The securement portion 728 is in the form of a channelway member
extending
longitudinally along the upper edge 720 of the wall plate open at its rear
enclosed at its front by
a lower flange 730 between the first fold line 727 and the second fold line
729 and an upper
16
CA 02609637 2007-11-07
. ,
flange 732 between the second fold line 729 and the upper edge 720. The
securement portion
finds a channelway 34 therein.
[0079] A T-shaped key way opening 738 extends through the lower flange 32
into the
slotway 34. The key way opening 38 has a generally T-shape in appearance with
an enlarged
width upper passage portion 739 and a reduced width lower catch portion 740.
[0080] The bottle 10 carries approximate upper end 12 a key member 746
generally in the
shape of a "T" as seen in front view and having an enlarged width digital tab
portion 747 sized
to pass through the upper passage portion 739 of the key way opening 738
however of a
sufficient width to not pass through the lower catch portion 740 of the key
way opening 738.
The distal tab portion 747 is connected to the bottle 10 via bridge portion
748 sized to be of a
width less than the width of the lower catch portion 740 of the key way
opening 742. To
couple the bottle 10 to the wall plate 710, the bottle 10 is manually
manipulated in positions
such that distal tab portion 747 of they key member 746 is passed through the
upper passage
portion 739 of the key way opening 738 into the channelway 734 and then moved
downwardly
inside the channelway 734 with the bridge portion 748 of the key member 746
extending
through the lower catch portion 740 of the key way opening 738 and the distal
tab portion 747
engaging the rear of the lower flange 730 in the channelway 734 on either side
of the lower
catch portion 740 of the key way opening. With the key member 736 so engaged
in the key
way opening 738, the bottle 10 may be released and will hang supported at its
upper end 12 by
the key member 746 being engaged in the key way openings 734. The bottle 10
hangs
vertically downward with its side surface 20 planar with the forward surface
725 of the plate
portion 726.
[0081] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 12 and 13, the piston pump
assembly 100
includes a cap 800 adapted to removably engage about the upper opening of the
bottle. This
cap is shown schematically in Figure 14 in a cross-section pictorial view
showing the cap as
having a cylindrical side wall 801 and the bridge portion 748 is intricately
formed therewith as
for example by injection moulding from plastic.
[0082] Figure 15 shows an alternate embodiment in which the key member 746
is provided
at one end of the bridge portion 748 with an annular securing ring 780 adapted
to be engaged
17
CA 02609637 2007-11-07
annularly about an outlet of the bottle and an annular shoulder provided on
the bottle or the cap
to be secured to the bottle. The embodiment in Figure 14 the key member 746
may be made
from relatively flexible plastic material.
[0083] Reference is made to the embodiment in Figure 16 which shows another
embodiment of a key member 746 however in which the key member may be provided
to be
rigid as for example stamped from metal. The key member has its bridge portion
748 than to
form a right angle so that the bridge member may extend vertically downwardly
adjacent the
plate portions 726 of the wall plate 710 and then horizontally outwardly.
[0084] Reference is made to Figure 17 which illustrates a bottle similar to
that shown in
Figure 13 as mounted to a similar wall plate 710 via key member 746 similar to
that shown in
Figure 16 and with the bottle being in a partially collapsed condition. The
bottle 10 is shown
partially collapsed and with the folds 516 and 512 of the side wall 20
engaging the forward
surface 725 of the plate portion 726 so as to the hold the bottle
substantially vertically. As can
be seen, labelling indicated in the area 550 on the side wall 22 is directed
forwardly and
remains visible to a user.
[0085] While not necessary, various mechanisms may be utilized to hold the
lower portion
of the side wall against the plate portion 726. For example a magnet may be
secured to the
side wall 20 approximate where the side wall forms its fold 512 which magnet
while being
attracted to metal of the wall plate would not have sufficiently great
strength to inhibit the
bottle 10 from being collapsed in length and the fold 512 moving upwardly on
the plate portion
as fluid is dispensed.
[0086] Similarly, as seen schematically in Figure 18 suction cup 900
mechanism could be
provided to secure the base end of the side wall 20 as with a flexible or
extendable connection
member 902 to permit length reduction of the bottle 10 as fluid is dispensed
accommodating
for relative movement relative the suction cup 900 secured to plate portions
726. The suction
cup 900 may alternatively be provided so as to permit sliding vertically on
the plate portion
726 without disengagement.
[0087] In use of the bottle 10 and the embodiments illustrated in Figures
12, 13 and 17 it is
to be appreciated that it is not necessary that the bottom wall 36 strictly
speaking be maintained
18
CA 02609637 2007-11-07
,
perpendicular to the central plane 35. In the embodiment for example is
illustrated in Figure
17, the fact that the bottom wall extend somewhat horizontally rearwardly from
the
substantially vertically disposed portions of the side walls 20 and 22 will
permit the bottle to be
supported at an acceptable orientations that the labelling on the side wall 22
of the bottle may
be viewed.
[0088] While the invention has been described with reference to
preferred embodiments,
many modifications and variations will now occur to persons skilled in the
art. For a definition
of the invention, reference is made to the following claims.
19
