AU2007201762A1

AU2007201762A1 - Container

Info

Publication number: AU2007201762A1
Application number: AU2007201762A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Andrew Cash; Warren Cash
Original assignee: CASH HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Mountain H2O Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-04-20
Filing date: 2007-04-20
Publication date: 2007-11-08
Anticipated expiration: 2027-04-20
Also published as: AU2007201762B2

Description

Apr. 2007 17:04 A ct ua te I P G r u No. 3734 P 4 Regulation 3.2 0 ci

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT

APPLICANT:

NUMBER:

FILING DATE: INVENTION TITLE: Cash Holdings Pty Ltd

CONTAINER

The following statement is a full description of this Invention, including the best method of performing It known to me: COMS ID No: SBMI-07080651 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:08 Date 2007-04-20 Aor. 2007 17:04 Actuate IP Group No. 3734 P. -2-

CONTAINER

0 Field of the Invention The invention relates to the area of packaging, and In particular, to a container for Cstoring and/or dispensing liquid which is adapted to utilise internal liquid pressure to provide strength for the container thus, requiring less material and avoiding the Cnecessity for external packaging.

SWhilst the invention can be applied to any liquid filled container, for convenience Cl sake it shall be described herein in terms of a self-dispensing container for liquid.

Cl Background to the Invention The use of self-dispensing water containers has become a common widely-adopted alternative to the use of water dispensing machines with bottled water. These containers are generally in the form of a semi-rigid packaging made of a synthetic material such as PET (polyethylene-terephthalate), PP (polypropylene), HDPE (highdensity polyethylene) etc. The disadvantage with these materials is that the mechanical strength provided Is fairly low relative to the amount of synthetic material required to make a container.

Accordingly, current containers or bottles are made having significantly thicker walls and/or reinforcing structures such as bulges, stiffening ridges or the like, The inability to fill a container almost completely also requires that more material is utilized in order to provide reinforcement for the bottle, Unfortunately, these features result in the increase of weight of the containers, and the amount of material required and complexity of the design increases the cost of manufacture of the containers. In addition, due to the rigidity of the container, once the container is empty, It remains bulky and is difficult to crush and dispose of the container for waste or recycling.

Due to the lack of mechanical and/or hydraulic/internal strength of current containers, the containers often require the use of additional external packing or support structures or extra materials particularly during transport or storage in supermarket shelves or within a home or building to keep the containers securely stored.

COMS ID No: SBMI-07080651 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:08 Date 2007-04-20 Aor. 2007 17:04 Actuate IP Group, No. 3734 P. 6 -3o It Is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the 0 disadvantages of the prior art by providing a stackable container for storing and/or dispensing liquid which provides a means for using less plastic and eliminating the requirement of external packaging by utilising internal liquid pressure to provide ostrength for the container, Summary of the Invention ci The present invention provides a container for storing and/or dispensing liquid O including: a body portIon having a neck portion with an opening; oat least one protrusion; and l at least one recessed portion whereby the container is adapted to utilise Internal liquid pressure to provide strength for the container thus, requiring less material and avoiding the necessity for external packaging.

It is further preferred that the container preferably has provided at least one handle.

The container Is preferably a self-dispensing container and is preferably substantially rectangular and rounded or barrel shaped to assist the internal liquid pressure to be evenly distributed throughout the container when full, in order to provide compressive strength and stability to said container.

A first handle is preferably integrally formed with the top portion of the body portion of the container and provides a first carrying means for enabling a person to lift and carry the portable container in a horizontal position, The first handle is preferably formed such that it forms a part of the top portion of the body portion. Preferably, the first handle has provided an aperture located between the underside of the handle and the body portion of the container which is adapted to enable a user to wrap their fingers around the handle and obtain a sufficient grip of the handle.

A second handle is Integrally formed with a first side of the container and provides a second carrying means for enabling a person to lift and carry the portable container in a vertical position. The second handle preferably has an inverted u-shape whereby the open ends of the u-shape, are adapted to be integrally formed with the surface of a first side of the container so that the handle extends outwardly from the side of the container. Preferably, the second handle has provided an aperture located between COMS ID No: SBMI-07080651 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:08 Date 2007-04-20 Apr. 2007 17:05 A c t u a t e I F G r o u r No. 3734 P. 7 -4o the handle and the side of the body portion of the container which is adapted to 0enable a user to wrap their fingers around the handle and obtain a sufficient grip of the handle.

oIt is preferred that the second handle is adapted to extend outwardly from the container to a point which is the same or more than the protrusion of a dispensing means.

cO A base of the neck portion is adapted to be integrally formed with a first side of the O body portion of the container. The neck portion is preferably circular in shape and is 17 adapted to have provided a threaded portion provided on the outer surface of the neck portion which is adapted to receive, and be engageable with, a dispensing C means connected thereto.

It is preferred that the container has a dispensing means preferably in the form of a spigot which Is adapted to not only provide a seal for the container when in a closed position, but also provide a means for dispensing the liquid from the container when in an open position. The spigot preferably has a connection portion which is adapted to be connected to the neck portion of the container, a fluid passageway for dispensing the liquid from the container and a valve which is adapted to control the rate of liquid flow through the conduit and dispensing means.

Preferably, the container has provided two protrusions which are adapted to extending outwardly from the edge of the top portion of the body portion of the container. The protrusions are preferably adapted to be integrally formed with the top portion such that they form part of the top portion of the body portion of the container and liquid is able to be received therein to provide internal liquid pressure and strength to the protrusions.

It is further preferred that the container has provided two recessed portions which are adapted to be integrally formed with the bottom portion of the body portion of the container and extend inwardly toward the centre of the container, The two recessed portions are preferably adapted to be positioned such that they correspond to the positioning of the protrusions, and are complimentary in shape to the protrusions, so that the protrusions can be received within the recessed portions.

COMS ID No: SBMI-07080651 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:08 Date 2007-04-20 Apr. 2007 17:05 Actuate IF Groui: No. 3734 P. 8 o In order that the Invention may be more readily understood we will describe by way of 0^ non-limiting example of a specific embodiment thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawing Figures C Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the container according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

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Figure 2 shows a side view of the container according to a preferred Sembodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 shows a top plan view of the container according to a preferred Cl embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a side view of a first side of the container according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention In this preferred embodiment, the invention provides a container I for storing and/or dispensing liquid which is adapted to utilise internal liquid pressure to provide strength for the container 1 thus, requiring less material and avoiding the necessity for external packaging. In a preferred embodiment, the container 1 Is preferably a self-dispensing container 1 which is adapted to store and/or dispense a liquid from inside the container 1, It is envisaged that the shape, style and dimensions of the container 1 may be varied as desired to suit different liquids, quantities and/or applications.

The container 1 has provided a body portion 2 which is preferably made of a lightweight plastics material such that, when the container Is completely full, the container 1 will be relatively light in weight and easy to handle depending on the capacity of the container 1, Similarly, it is envisaged that a synthetic material and/or any other suitable material may also be adopted as desired, It is envisaged that the grade of material may also be varied depending on the strength required by the container 1.

COMS ID No: SBMI-07080651 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:08 Date 2007-04-20 Apr. 2007 17:05 Actuate IP Group No. 3734 P. 9 -6o The body portion 2 of the container I Is preferably substantially rectangular in shape.

OThe shape may also be rounded or barrel shaped so that it is adapted to assist the Internal liquid pressure to be evenly distributed throughout the body 2 of the container 1 when full, in order to provide compressive strength and stability to the ocontainer 1. The rectangular rounded or barrel shape also provides a convenient K shape for enabling two or more containers I to be stacked on top of one another and/or adjacent to one another. It is envisaged that the container 1 could also be in the form of any other suitable shape, size or dimensions provided that the functionality and requirements prescribed by the invention are met.

The container 1 preferably has at least one handle which is adapted to make the container 1 portable and enable a user to carry the container 1. A first handle 10 may preferably be provided on a top portion 3 of the body portion 2 of the container 1. The first handle 10 Is preferably integrally formed with the top portion 3 of the container 1 and provides a first carrying means for enabling a person to lift and carry the portable container I in a horizontal position. In a preferred embodiment, the first handle 10 is preferably formed such that it forms a part of the top portion 3 of the body portion 2.

The top portion 3 of the body portion 2 preferably has a u-shape extending toward to the centre of the body portion 2 with the handle 20 bridging across the top of the open ends of the u-shape. It Is envisaged however, that the first handle 10 may also be provided separately and be attached to the container 1 via any other suitable securing or fastening means. The first handle 10 preferably has provided an aperture 11 located between the underside of the handle 10 and the body portion 2 of the container I which is adapted to enable a user to wrap their fingers around the handle and obtain a sufficient grip of the handle. The width of the handle 10 may vary depending on the capacity of the container I and the strength/support required by the handle 10. The handle 10 is preferably positioned centrally on the top portion 3 of the body portion 2 of the container 1 such that the weight of the container I is distributed evenly about the handle 10, and is positioned such that the top of the handle 10 is in line with, or slightly lower than, the top edge of the container 1 to provide stability for the container 1 when two or more containers 1 are stacked on top of one another.

A second handle 20 is preferably provided on a first side of the body portion 2 of the container 1. The second handle 20 is preferably integrally formed with the container and provides a second carrying means for enabling a person to lift and carry the portable container in a vertical position. It is envisaged however, that the second handle 20 may also be attached to the container 1 via any other suitable securing COMS ID No: SBMI-07080651 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:08 Date 2007-04-20 Apr. 2007 17:05 A c t u a t e I F G r o u P ,No. 3734 P -7- Sand/or fastening means. In a preferred embodiment, the handle 20 has an Inverted u- O shape whereby the open ends of the u-shape, are adapted to be integrally formed with the surface of the side of the container 1 so that the handle 20 extends outwardly from the side of the container 1, The handle 10 is preferably substantially flat. However, the thickness and/or material should be such that it is able to suit the Scapacity of, and provide the appropriate degree of strength required by, the container 1. The second handle 20 preferably has provided an aperture 21 located between the Ci handle 21 and the side of the body portion 2 of the container 1 which is adapted to enable a user to wrap their fingers around the handle 20 and obtain a sufficient grip of the handle 20. The handle 20 is preferably positioned on the side of the top portion S3 of the body portion 2 of the container 1 to allow for a dispensing means 30 to be O located on the bottom portion 4 of the side of the body portion 2 of the container 1 Sadjacent to the second handle 20. The handle 20 is preferably adapted to extend outwardly from the container 1 to a point which is the same or more than the protrusion of the dispensing means 30 so that, when the container 1 is kept on its bottom surface, the second handle 20 will provide protection for the dispensing means 30 from being accidentally knocked and/or damaged. The second handle is preferably adapted to fit and lie within a complimentary ridge provided on a second opposing side of the body portion 2 of the container 1 to provide stability during stacking and/or support when the container 1 is empty. In an alternate embodiment it is envisaged that a handle may not be provided.

Provided on the bottom portion 4 of the first side of the body portion 2 of the container 1, adjacent to the second handle 20, is preferably a hollow neck portion 31 which is adapted to provide a conduit for enabling liquid to enter or exit the container.

The base of the neck portion 31 is preferably adapted to be integrally formed with the side of the body portion 2 of the container 1 and is located adjacent to the second handle 20 of the container 1. The neck portion 31 is preferably circular in shape and is adapted to have provided a threaded portion 32 provided on the outer surface of the neck portion 31 which Is adapted to receive, and be engageable with, a dispensing means 30 connected thereto. In an alternate embodiment, the threaded portion 33 may be provided on the inner wall of the neck portion to suit a different dispensing means 30. Accordingly, it is envisaged that the size and style of the neck portion may be varied to suit a different dispensing means 30 that can be used in conjunction with the container.

COMS ID No: SBMI-07080651 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:08 Date 2007-04-20 Apr. 2007 17:06 Actuate IP Group No. 3734 11 The invention preferably has provided a dispensing means 30. The dispensing Smeans 30 is preferably in the form of a spigot which is adapted to not only provide a seal for the container when in a closed position, but also provide a means for dispensing the liquid from the container I when in an open position. The spigot preferably has provided a connection portion 34 which is adapted to be connected to Sthe neck portion 31 of the container 1 and allow liquid to flow through the neck portion 31 and outwardly from the spigot 30. The connection portion 34 preferably Cl has a complimentary shape to the neck portion 31 and may preferably have provided

VO

an aperture and a threaded portion (not shown) which is complimentary in shape to Sthe threaded portion (not shown) provided on the neck portion 31 of the container 1 such that it is adapted to be received and engageable with the neck portion 31 of the O container 1. The spigot 30 preferably includes a fluid passageway 35 for dispensing 0 the liquid from the container 1. The spigot 30 preferably has provided a valve 36 or any other suitable means which is adapted to control the rate of water flow through the conduit and dispensing means 30 of the container 1. The dispensing means can preferably be removed for filling of the container 1. In a further embodiment of the invention, it is envisaged that a cap for filling the container with liquid may be provided separately to the dispensing means 30 of the invention. It Is further envisaged that any other suitable dispensing means may be provided for the container or be eliminated for non-dispensing containers.

The container 1 of the Invention preferably has provided at least one protrusion and at least one recessed portion 50 which are adapted to provide a means for enabling the container to be stackable and connected with another same container which is positioned adjacently. In a preferred embodiment, the container 1 has two protrusions 40 which are adapted to extend outwardly from the edge of the top portion 3 of the body portion 2 of the container 1. The two protrusions 40 are preferably positioned on either side of the handle 10. The protrusions are preferably adapted to be integrally formed with the top portion such that they form part of the top portion 3 of the body portion 2 of the container and liquid is able to be received therein to provide internal liquid pressure and strength to the protrusions 40. In an alternate embodiment, the protrusions 40 may be in the form of any other suitable connection means which may be Integrally formed with or separately secured to the container 1. In an alternate embodiment, It Is envisaged that the water may not pass through the protrusions.

COMS ID No: SBMI-07080651 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:08 Date 2007-04-20 Apr. 2007 17:06 A c t u a t e I P G r o u r lNo. 3734 P. 12 -9- In a preferred embodiment, the container 1 has two recessed portions 50. The Srecessed portions 50 are adapted to be integrally formed with the bottom portion 4 of the body portion 2 of the container 1 and extend inwardly toward the centre of the container 1. The two recessed portions 50 are preferably adapted to be positioned Ssuch that they correspond to the positioning of the protrusions 40 provided on the top Sportion 3 of the body portion 2 of the container 1. The recessed portions 50 are preferably adapted to be complimentary in shape to the protrusions 40 so that the protrusions 40 can be received within the recessed portions 50. When the containers 1 are horizontally stacked, the outwardly extending portions of a first container are Sreceived and connected within the recessed portions 50 provided on a second container (not shown) placed on top of the first container to provide stability for the O stacked containers.

0 In practice, the container 1 Is placed in a vertical position and a nozzle connected to a water/liquid supply is inserted into the container 1 via an open neck portion 31 of the container 1. The container 1 is then filled with water/liquid until the water/liquid fills the container 1 right up to the flat side surface and up through the neck portion 31 of the container 1 leaving only a tiny air bubble remaining, as complete eradication of such a bubble would require filling and sealing of the container under water thus, the container 1 of the invention is able to be filled up to 99.5% of the container's volume unlike current containers which are only capable of being filled up to approximately 95% of the total volume of the container 1. When the container is completely full, the water/liquid molecules will be evenly distributed throughout the container 1 and the internal pressure of water/liquid molecules inside will provide compressive strength and stability for the container 1 to maintain its shape without the need for the use of excepsive amounts of material to make the container 1, and eliminating the need for external packaging and/or support the container 1.

While we have described herein a particular embodiment of the container 1, it is further envisaged that other embodiments of the invention could exhibit any number and combination of any one of the features previously described. However, it is to be understood that any variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

COMS ID No: SBMI-07080651 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:08 Date 2007-04-20

Claims

8. A container as claimed in claim 5 wherein the first handle is formed such that it forms a part of the top portion of the body portion. 7, A container as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the first handle has provided an aperture located between the underside of the handle and the body portion of the container which is adapted to enable a user to wrap their fingers around the handle and obtain a sufficient grip of the handle. 8. A container as claimed in claim 2 wherein a second handle is integrally formed with a first side of the container and provides a second carrying means for enabling a person to lift and carry the portable container in a vertical position. COMS ID No: SBMI-07080651 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:08 Date 2007-04-20 Apr. 2C007 17: 07 Actuate IP Group No. 3734 P. 14 -11-
9. A container as claimed in claim 8 wherein the second handle has an inverted u- Sshape whereby the open ends of the u-shape, are adapted to be integrally formed with the surface of the first side of the container so that the handle Sextends outwardly from the side of the container. A container as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the second handle has provided an aperture located between the handle and the side of the body portion Cl of the container which is adapted to enable a user to wrap their fingers around Va the handle and obtain a sufficient grip of the handle, C 11. A container as claimed in any one of claim 8 to claim 10 wherein the second 0 handle is adapted to extend outwardly from the container to a point which is the Ssame or more than the protrusion of a dispensing means.
12. A container as claimed In anyone of the above claims wherein a base of the neck portion is adapted to be integrally formed with a first side of the body portion of the container.
13. A container as claimed in claim 12 wherein the neck portion Is circular in shape and is adapted to have provided a threaded portion provided on the outer surface of the neck portion which is adapted to receive, and be engageable with, a dispensing means connected thereto.
14. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which further includes a dispensing means in the form of a spigot which is adapted to not only provide a seal for the container when in a closed position, but also provide a means for dispensing the liquid from the container when in an open position. A container as claimed in claim 14 wherein the spigot has a connection portion which is adapted to be connected to the neck portion of the container and a fluid passageway for dispensing the liquid from the container.
16. A container as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 wherein the spigot has provided a valve which is adapted to control the rate of water flow through the conduit and dispensing means. COMS ID No: SBMI-07080651 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:08 Date 2007-04-20 A r, 2007 17:07 Actuate IP Group No. 3734 P. -12-
17.A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the container has Oprovided two protrusions which are adapted to extending outwardly from the edge k of the top portion of the body portion of the container,
18. A container as claimed in claim 17 where the protrusions are adapted to be Cl integrally formed with the top portion such that they form part of the top portion of the body portion of the container and liquid is able to be received therein to Cprovide internal hydraulic pressure and strength to the protrusions. S19. A container as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the container has Cl provided two recessed portions which are adapted to be Integrally formed with Sthe bottom portion of the body portion of the container and extend inwardly C0 toward the centre of the container. A container as claimed in claim 19 wherein the two recessed portions are preferably adapted to be positioned such that they correspond to the positioning of the protrusions and are complimentary in shape to the protrusions so that the protrusions can be received within the recessed portions.
21. A container as substantially described herein with reference to the above examples and drawing figures. COMS ID No: SBMI-07080651 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:08 Date 2007-04-20