CA2597807A1 - Collapsible material containment vessel - Google Patents
Collapsible material containment vessel Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2597807A1 CA2597807A1 CA 2597807 CA2597807A CA2597807A1 CA 2597807 A1 CA2597807 A1 CA 2597807A1 CA 2597807 CA2597807 CA 2597807 CA 2597807 A CA2597807 A CA 2597807A CA 2597807 A1 CA2597807 A1 CA 2597807A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- containment vessel
- bladder
- chamber means
- inflation chamber
- top end
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D88/00—Large containers
- B65D88/16—Large containers flexible
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
- Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
Abstract
A collapsible containment vessel, preferably made from a suitable plastics material such as polyvinyl chloride is constructed from a bladder having a surrounding side wall, a top end and a closed bottom end. Inflation chamber means is positioned about and attached to at least one of an interior or exterior facing of the surrounding side wall and which extends from the bottom end to approximate the top end. A closable access port communicates with the inflation chamber means in order to facilitate the inflation and deflation of the chamber. When deflated, both the surrounding side walls of the bladder and inflation chamber are collapsed significantly reducing the volume of the containment vessel. When inflated, both the surrounding side wall of the bladder and the inflation means are rendered in a semi-rigid condition such that the bladder at its top end can be filled with liquid or solids material.
Description
COLLAPSIBLE MATERIAL CONTAINMENT VESSEL
This invention relates to a containment vessel for liquid and solids material and which, for storage purposes can be kept in a collapsed condition, and when needed, can readily rendered usable by inflating the coilapsed vessel.
A common problem of sizable storage containers or containment vessels is that they are made from rigid materials and have the same cubic measure empty as when filled. Further, due to their size, the handling and shipping of large barrels such as rainwater storage containers is relatively expensive given their volume to weight ratio. Additionally, in emergency situations such as where hazardous materials must be contained as quickly as possible, the fast transport of the required number of rigid storage containers to hazardous collection site may not be possible.
The collapsible containment vessels of my invention, which can include collapsible storage containers, greatly facilitate handling and shipping costs since they can be transported in a collapsed condition. In a like manner, a far greater number of collapsed containment vessels can be transported on a vehicle compared to only a limited number of empty rigid containers that can be carried on the same vehicle.
In accordance with my invention, there is provided a collapsable containment vessei which includes a central material receiving bladder having a surrounding sidewall, a top end and a closed bottom end. Inflation chamber means is positioned about and attached to at least one of an interior or exterior facing of the surrounding sidewall and which extends from the bottom end to proximate the top end. A closable access port communicates with the inflation chamber means in order to facilitate the inflation and deflation of the chamber. When deflated, both the surrounding sidewalls of the bladder and the inflation chamber means are in a collapsed condition. When inflated, both the surrounding sidewall of the bladder and the inflation chamber means are rendered in a semi-rigid condition such that the bladder at its top end can be filled with liquid or solids material.
The bladder when the containment vessel is erected by inflation can be of any suitable configuration but preferably is either tubular or conical in shape.
If conical, it is preferred that the surface area of the bottom end of the bladder is larger than that of its top end.
The inflation chamber means can take several configurations so as to semi-rigidify the vessel when in its inflated condition. For example, the chamber means can completely envelope the exterior facing of the surrounding sidewall regardless of the sidewall shape, and which as noted above and if desired, can be either tubular or conical. Alternatively, the chamber means can comprise at least 3 equally spaced apart tubular ribs positioned about and attached to the exterior face of the surrounding sidewall. Where inflatable ribs are employed, in order to maintain the top end of the bladder open when in the inflated or erected condition, the chamber means can advantageously also include an inflatable torus or ring collar about the top end and which communicates with each of the tubular ribs.
Depending upon the desired application, the top end can be open, thus rendering the erected vessel suitable for the containment of rainwater or other materials which must be charged into the vessel without immediate concern of spillage. Alternatively, the top end can be closed and be provided with a removable closure cap so as to permit the passage of liquid or solids material therethrough.
Erection of the collapsed containment vessel is achieved by passing a compressed gas, such as air or nitrogen, or a pressurized liquid, such as water through the closable access port and into the inflation chamber.
A rigid vessel built to contain 200 litres of liquids or solids material has a measure of approximately 7 cubic feet which means that the container, if it has a circular sidewall, requires 9 to 10 cubic feet of storage space. A
containment vessel of this invention which is capable of containing the same 200 litres, when in its collapsed or deflated state, take significantly less storage volume and which can be in the order of 1 cubic foot.
It will be appreciated that the size of the inflatable containment vessel and hence its central material receiving bladder can be varied to meet different circumstances or needs. Typically, where the bottom end of the bladder is circular, the ratio of the height of the surrounding sidewall to the bottom end of the bladder when the vessel is in its erected or inflated condition is 4:1 or greater and can be up to 13:1 or greater.
Advantageously, and if desired, a closable material discharge port can be located in the surrounding sidewall of the bladder proximate its bottom end for the purpose of emptying material from the bladder.
While the collapsible containment vessel can be made out of any suitable material depending upon the substance to be contained or stored within the bladder, for general application purposes, it is preferred that the bladder and inflation chamber means be constructed from polyvinyl chloride.
If the inflation chamber means is to be charged with a gas, an outside supply source of same can be connected to the closable access port for inflation purposes. If the vessel is to be inflated employing a source of pressurized liquid, such as water, the closable access port can be connected to a water supply using a suitable connector hose. If desired, collapsed containment vessels can have physically attached to their access ports, charged canisters of a pressurized gas which can be manually opened so as to readily and quickly inflate the inflation chambers making up the inflation means.
This invention relates to a containment vessel for liquid and solids material and which, for storage purposes can be kept in a collapsed condition, and when needed, can readily rendered usable by inflating the coilapsed vessel.
A common problem of sizable storage containers or containment vessels is that they are made from rigid materials and have the same cubic measure empty as when filled. Further, due to their size, the handling and shipping of large barrels such as rainwater storage containers is relatively expensive given their volume to weight ratio. Additionally, in emergency situations such as where hazardous materials must be contained as quickly as possible, the fast transport of the required number of rigid storage containers to hazardous collection site may not be possible.
The collapsible containment vessels of my invention, which can include collapsible storage containers, greatly facilitate handling and shipping costs since they can be transported in a collapsed condition. In a like manner, a far greater number of collapsed containment vessels can be transported on a vehicle compared to only a limited number of empty rigid containers that can be carried on the same vehicle.
In accordance with my invention, there is provided a collapsable containment vessei which includes a central material receiving bladder having a surrounding sidewall, a top end and a closed bottom end. Inflation chamber means is positioned about and attached to at least one of an interior or exterior facing of the surrounding sidewall and which extends from the bottom end to proximate the top end. A closable access port communicates with the inflation chamber means in order to facilitate the inflation and deflation of the chamber. When deflated, both the surrounding sidewalls of the bladder and the inflation chamber means are in a collapsed condition. When inflated, both the surrounding sidewall of the bladder and the inflation chamber means are rendered in a semi-rigid condition such that the bladder at its top end can be filled with liquid or solids material.
The bladder when the containment vessel is erected by inflation can be of any suitable configuration but preferably is either tubular or conical in shape.
If conical, it is preferred that the surface area of the bottom end of the bladder is larger than that of its top end.
The inflation chamber means can take several configurations so as to semi-rigidify the vessel when in its inflated condition. For example, the chamber means can completely envelope the exterior facing of the surrounding sidewall regardless of the sidewall shape, and which as noted above and if desired, can be either tubular or conical. Alternatively, the chamber means can comprise at least 3 equally spaced apart tubular ribs positioned about and attached to the exterior face of the surrounding sidewall. Where inflatable ribs are employed, in order to maintain the top end of the bladder open when in the inflated or erected condition, the chamber means can advantageously also include an inflatable torus or ring collar about the top end and which communicates with each of the tubular ribs.
Depending upon the desired application, the top end can be open, thus rendering the erected vessel suitable for the containment of rainwater or other materials which must be charged into the vessel without immediate concern of spillage. Alternatively, the top end can be closed and be provided with a removable closure cap so as to permit the passage of liquid or solids material therethrough.
Erection of the collapsed containment vessel is achieved by passing a compressed gas, such as air or nitrogen, or a pressurized liquid, such as water through the closable access port and into the inflation chamber.
A rigid vessel built to contain 200 litres of liquids or solids material has a measure of approximately 7 cubic feet which means that the container, if it has a circular sidewall, requires 9 to 10 cubic feet of storage space. A
containment vessel of this invention which is capable of containing the same 200 litres, when in its collapsed or deflated state, take significantly less storage volume and which can be in the order of 1 cubic foot.
It will be appreciated that the size of the inflatable containment vessel and hence its central material receiving bladder can be varied to meet different circumstances or needs. Typically, where the bottom end of the bladder is circular, the ratio of the height of the surrounding sidewall to the bottom end of the bladder when the vessel is in its erected or inflated condition is 4:1 or greater and can be up to 13:1 or greater.
Advantageously, and if desired, a closable material discharge port can be located in the surrounding sidewall of the bladder proximate its bottom end for the purpose of emptying material from the bladder.
While the collapsible containment vessel can be made out of any suitable material depending upon the substance to be contained or stored within the bladder, for general application purposes, it is preferred that the bladder and inflation chamber means be constructed from polyvinyl chloride.
If the inflation chamber means is to be charged with a gas, an outside supply source of same can be connected to the closable access port for inflation purposes. If the vessel is to be inflated employing a source of pressurized liquid, such as water, the closable access port can be connected to a water supply using a suitable connector hose. If desired, collapsed containment vessels can have physically attached to their access ports, charged canisters of a pressurized gas which can be manually opened so as to readily and quickly inflate the inflation chambers making up the inflation means.
In the accompanying photographs which illustrate working embodiments of my invention wherein the inflation chamber means comprises a number of tubular ribs and an annular collar surrounding the top end of the bladder:
Figure 1 illustrates the containment vessel when the inflation chamber means has been inflated but the bladder portion of the vessel is empty;
Figure 2 is similar to that of Figure 1 but wherein the bladder has been filled with water.
Figure 3 illustrates a water-filled bladder similar to that of Figure 2, but where the tubular ribs are physically attached along their length to exterior wall of the bladder.
As seen in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the containment vessel includes a material receiving bladder I which has a surrounding sidewall 2, a top end 3 and a closed bottom end 4.
The inflation chamber means is made up of four equally spaced apart tubular ribs with only two ribs 10a. and 10b. being shown in Figure 1 and three ribs 10a., 10b. and 10c. being illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 and which are in communication with annular collar or torus 11 located about the top end 3 of the bladder.
Figure 1 illustrates the containment vessel when the inflation chamber means has been inflated but the bladder portion of the vessel is empty;
Figure 2 is similar to that of Figure 1 but wherein the bladder has been filled with water.
Figure 3 illustrates a water-filled bladder similar to that of Figure 2, but where the tubular ribs are physically attached along their length to exterior wall of the bladder.
As seen in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the containment vessel includes a material receiving bladder I which has a surrounding sidewall 2, a top end 3 and a closed bottom end 4.
The inflation chamber means is made up of four equally spaced apart tubular ribs with only two ribs 10a. and 10b. being shown in Figure 1 and three ribs 10a., 10b. and 10c. being illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 and which are in communication with annular collar or torus 11 located about the top end 3 of the bladder.
As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the lower portion of the four inflatable ribs (only three ribs 10a, 10b, and 10c, being shown) are connected to the exterior face of the surrounding sidewall proximate its bottom end by loop connectors 12. In the Figure 3 embodiment, inflatable ribs 10a, 10b, and 10c, are physically attached along their length to the exterior face of sidewall 2 forming part of bladder 1.
The top end 3 of the containment vessels as illustrated include opening 30 which, as noted previously, is surrounded by annular collar or torus 11 forming part of the inflation chamber which is made up of the collar and tubular ribs. Opening 30, if desired, can be closed employing suitable means, such as a cap, as is well known in the art. Provided in the annular collar 11 is a closable access port, not shown but which is well known in the art and which when opened, permits the inflation chamber means to be charged with a gas or liquid for erection purposes and which, conversely, also permits the discharge of the inflation gas or liquid when the containment vessel is to be collapsed. When the inflation chamber means is inflated, the access port is closed in order to maintain the vessel in its semi-rigid and usable condition.
As also seen in the figures, the exterior face 5 of the surrounding sidewall of the bladder is provided with a closable spigot or tap 6 which permits liquid contained in the bladder to be drained therefrom.
The top end 3 of the containment vessels as illustrated include opening 30 which, as noted previously, is surrounded by annular collar or torus 11 forming part of the inflation chamber which is made up of the collar and tubular ribs. Opening 30, if desired, can be closed employing suitable means, such as a cap, as is well known in the art. Provided in the annular collar 11 is a closable access port, not shown but which is well known in the art and which when opened, permits the inflation chamber means to be charged with a gas or liquid for erection purposes and which, conversely, also permits the discharge of the inflation gas or liquid when the containment vessel is to be collapsed. When the inflation chamber means is inflated, the access port is closed in order to maintain the vessel in its semi-rigid and usable condition.
As also seen in the figures, the exterior face 5 of the surrounding sidewall of the bladder is provided with a closable spigot or tap 6 which permits liquid contained in the bladder to be drained therefrom.
While the figures iliustrate only two working embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that variations in design as discussed earlier are possibfe without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention.
Claims (13)
1. A collapsible material containment vessel comprising:
(a) a central material receiving bladder having a surrounding sidewall, a top end and a closed bottom end;
(b) inflation chamber means positioned about and attached to at least one of an interior or exterior facing of said surrounding sidewall and which extends from proximate said bottom end to proximate said top end;
(c) a closable access port communicating with said inflation chamber means facilitating the inflation and deflation of said inflation chamber means whereby when deflated, both said surrounding sidewall of said bladder and said inflation chamber means are in a collapsed condition, and when inflated, both said surrounding sidewall of said bladder and said inflation chamber means are not collapsed and are in a semi-rigid condition.
(a) a central material receiving bladder having a surrounding sidewall, a top end and a closed bottom end;
(b) inflation chamber means positioned about and attached to at least one of an interior or exterior facing of said surrounding sidewall and which extends from proximate said bottom end to proximate said top end;
(c) a closable access port communicating with said inflation chamber means facilitating the inflation and deflation of said inflation chamber means whereby when deflated, both said surrounding sidewall of said bladder and said inflation chamber means are in a collapsed condition, and when inflated, both said surrounding sidewall of said bladder and said inflation chamber means are not collapsed and are in a semi-rigid condition.
2. The collapsible containment vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said surrounding sidewall of said bladder is tubular in shape.
3. The collapsible containment vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said surrounding sidewall of said bladder is conical in shape and the surface area of said bottom end is larger than that of said top end.
4. The collapsible containment vessel as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein said inflation chamber means surrounds the exterior facing of said surrounding sidewall.
5. The collapsible containment vessel as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein said inflation chamber means comprises at least three equally spaced apart tubular ribs positioned about and attached to the exterior face of said surrounding sidewall.
6. The collapsible containment vessel as claimed in claim 5, wherein said inflation chamber means further includes an annular ring about said top end and which is in communication with each of said tubular ribs.
7. The collapsible containment vessel as claimed in claims 1 to 6, wherein said top end is open.
8, The collapsible containment vessel as claimed in claims 1 to 6, wherein said top end is closed and includes a removable closure cap which permits the passage of said material therethrough.
9 9. The collapsible containment vessel as claimed in claims 1 to 7, wherein said inflation chamber means is inflated through said closable access port by a compressed gas or a pressurized liquid.
10. The collapsible containment vessel as claimed in claims 1 to 9, wherein said bottom end is circular, and when said containment vessel is inflated, the ratio of said bottom end to a height of said surrounding said wall is 4:1 or greater.
11. The collapsible containment vessel as claimed in claims 1 to 9, wherein said ratio is 13:1 or greater.
12. The collapsible containment vessel as claimed in claims 1 to 10, wherein said surrounding sidewall proximate said bottom end includes a closable material discharge port.
13. The collapsible containment vessel as claimed in claims 1 to 11, wherein said bladder and said inflation chamber means are constructed from polyvinyl chloride.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2597807 CA2597807A1 (en) | 2007-08-14 | 2007-08-14 | Collapsible material containment vessel |
| PCT/CA2008/001460 WO2009021329A1 (en) | 2007-08-14 | 2008-08-13 | Collapsible material containment vessel |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2597807 CA2597807A1 (en) | 2007-08-14 | 2007-08-14 | Collapsible material containment vessel |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2597807A1 true CA2597807A1 (en) | 2009-02-14 |
Family
ID=40348364
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2597807 Abandoned CA2597807A1 (en) | 2007-08-14 | 2007-08-14 | Collapsible material containment vessel |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2597807A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2009021329A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2646332B1 (en) | 2010-11-29 | 2015-08-26 | Ian Darby | Container and container blank |
| KR101825273B1 (en) * | 2012-08-06 | 2018-02-02 | 더 프록터 앤드 갬블 캄파니 | Methods of making flexible containers |
| CA2926528A1 (en) * | 2013-11-06 | 2015-05-14 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Flexible containers and methods of making the same |
| WO2017042905A1 (en) | 2015-09-09 | 2017-03-16 | 花王株式会社 | Sheet material container |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4164970A (en) * | 1977-05-25 | 1979-08-21 | Jordan Charles P | Inflatable bag |
| US4858755A (en) * | 1988-01-22 | 1989-08-22 | Kuivanen Lawrence J | Inflatable display container |
| US5314250A (en) * | 1993-05-18 | 1994-05-24 | Lee Ung L | Inflatable container |
| GB2333085B (en) * | 1998-01-07 | 2002-04-03 | Dorothy Jones | Portable container |
| US7225841B2 (en) * | 2004-11-01 | 2007-06-05 | Randall W. Folk | Collapsible container for containing liquid, such as spent motor oil, and method of using same |
| SE527592C2 (en) * | 2005-09-07 | 2006-04-18 | Sven Arvidsson | Container for collecting spilt oil or chemicals, comprises inflatable wall and chemical resistant inner vessel |
-
2007
- 2007-08-14 CA CA 2597807 patent/CA2597807A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2008
- 2008-08-13 WO PCT/CA2008/001460 patent/WO2009021329A1/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2009021329A1 (en) | 2009-02-19 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |