GB2387589A

GB2387589A - Compressible / collapsible container

Info

Publication number: GB2387589A
Application number: GB0209090A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Douglas Andrew Springer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-04-20
Filing date: 2002-04-20
Publication date: 2003-10-22
Also published as: GB0209090D0

Abstract

A compressible liquid container has flexible convolutions 2 which allow it to be compressed in stages to enable the level of the liquid in the container to be maintained at or near the exit duct and sealing cap 1 from which the liquid is extracted, to improve the state of the liquid therein when it is used in spaced apart periods. The container can be retained in a complementary cup 3 in which it can be retained by elements 4 so as to provide beneficial environmental disposal.

Description

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COMPRESSIBLE CONTAINERS

This invention relates to compressible containers, ire particular containers used to contain liquids. Such containers presently in use allow the level of the liquid in the container to fall as its liquid content is used, ea. milk in carton and drinks, tizzy or still, in plastic bottles. This allows the empty space above the remaining liquid level to increase. This empty space allows certain detrimental events to occur to the liquid. For instance, milk in a container is exposed to more air space as it is used allowing greater number of bacteria to come into contact with the surface ofthe milk and so increase the rate in which the milk will become contaminated and unusable. Also, in the case of recreational fiery drinks, as the empty air space increases a loss of fizz occurs at a.greater rate. There is therefore a need during the use of the liquid at space apart periods of time, to keep the liquid level higher in the container at or near to the narrow sealable neck of the container from which the liquid is extracted.

In addition to the above considerations, for environmental reason relating to refine disposal, there is a need to ensure that items of refuse be compressed as far as possible to exclude empty air spaces. This compressible container will meet that requirement.

According to the present invention there is provided a compressible container for containing liquids comprising walls which are formed with flexible convolutions so that as the liquid in the container is used up in stages the container can be compressed in stages to allow the liquid level to remain at or near to the opening in the container alter each extraction of the liquid.

The invention also provides a compressible container as mentioned above wherein on completion of the use of the contained liquid the flexible convolutions allow the container to be compressed to reduce its overall size to provide beneficial environmental disposal of the container.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I shows a bottle having an opening which is covered by a sealing cap, which bottle is formed with flexible compressible convolutions along its body length.

Figure 2 shows the bottle according to Figure I has been compressed to its maximum extent. Figure 3 shows the bottle according to Figure I which has [;een partly compressed and which has its lower end contained within a complementary cup shaped item having retaining elements to hold the bottle in its semi-compressed state.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 shows a compressible bottle having a removable sealing cap l screwed onto an exit duct from which the liquid can be extracted. The flexible compressible convolutions 2 are also shown. The bottle can be formed from plastics material or treated cardboard or paper material or other suitable material capable of containing liquids and being formed with the flexible convolutions. In use, when some liquid is extracted from the bottle it can be compressed sufficiently to raise the liquid level up to the exit duct whereupon the cap 1 can be replaced tightly to seal the exit duct from the ingress of air which will prevent the flexible convolutions from returning to their original shape. Figure 2 shows the bottle fully compressed and kept in that condition by the sealing cap 1.

Figure 3 shows the bottle partly compressed and sitting in a complementary cup shaped item 3 having flexible retaining elements 4. The cup shaped item 3 enables the compressed lower convolutions to be retained within the cup 3 after a portion of liquid is extracted by removing the cap 1. The protruding elements 4 may be formed by individual tongues or by an internal circular rim or ridge. When the bottle is fully compressed as shown in Figure 2 its overall length will be trapped within the cup shaped item 3 with the retaining elements 4 bearing on the top end of the bottle. The bottle will then be retained in its environmentally friendly shortened shape even if the cap 1 is removed, thus making a contribution to reducing the size of discarded refuse.

Although described by reference to the bottle in the drawings, this is not to be considered a limitation on the scope of this invention. The invention can apply to containers which are round, square, rectangular or oval in cross-section, or any container which is capable of being formed from suitable materials which allow the formation of the convolutions.

This will allow the liquid level to be raised up to and into the region of the exit duct of the bottle by means of compressing the said convolutions.

as.

Claims

1. A compressible container for containing liquids comprising walls which are formed with flexible convolutions so that as the liquid in the container is extracted for use in stages the container can be compressed in stages to allow the liquid level to remain at or near to the opening in the container after each extraction of the liquid.

2. A compressible container as claimed in Claim 1 wherein on completion of the use

of the contained liquid the flexible convolutions allow the container to be compressed to reduce its overall size to provide beneficial environmental disposal of the container.

3.

3. A compressible container as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 having an exit duct for extracting the liquid and a cap for sealing said exit duct, wherein there is provided a complementary cup shaped item having retaining elements which receives and surrounds the base of the container which, as the container in use is successively compressed, is retained therein to prevent extending of the container when the cap is removed to obtain use of the liquid.

4. A compressible container as claimed in claim 3 wherein the complementary cup shaped item receives and retains the whole length of the convolutions when fillly compressed to provide beneficial environmental disposal even if the cap is removed. 5. A compressible container as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the complementary cup shaped item retains therein the lower convolutions of the container by means of protruding elements engaging with the compressed convolutions.

6. A compressible container as claimed in Claim3 wherein the complementary cup retains therein the base of the container by means of an internal rim or ridge engaging with the compressed convolutions.

7. A compressible container as substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 - 3 of the drawings.