US20040069740A1

US20040069740A1 - Compressible cylindrical container with integrated screw, compression nut and bellow system

Info

Publication number: US20040069740A1
Application number: US10/270,434
Authority: US
Inventors: Ravindra Athalye
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-15
Filing date: 2002-10-15
Publication date: 2004-04-15

Abstract

The invention is a container with a sealing lid and a compression nut and is composed of compressible cylindrical walls. The container volume can be adjusted to equal the volume of content minimizing content contact with air. The container can be further pressurized for preservation of contents that need pressurization. The container walls are created in the form of helical collapsible screw thread bellows. The integration of a compression nut, a screw and a collapsible bellow arrangement enables the container to be compressed precisely, effortlessly, easily while retaining structural rigidity, stability and providing a non-slip gripping surface. By adjusting the pitch of the screw threads a variety of mechanical advantage ratios can be achieved thus the effort for compressing the container can be optimized. The compression nut is detachable and transferable from one container to another enabling it's cost to be shared between multiple containers.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION.

The invention, a container with compressible cylindrical walls, has application as a storage container for products whose shelf life is affected by contact with air. The container walls height are progressively adjustable by incorporation of a system of components that integrates the properties of a compression nut and screw with a collapsible bellow. The arrangement enables the container to be compressed precisely, effortlessly, easily and at the same time enhancing the structural rigidity and anti slip property of the gripping surface. The configuration adds only one component to the conventional blow molded cylindrical containers by molding it in a shape described in the body of this document. The additional component is readily automated for assembly thereby providing a cost effective solution for storage that is capable of extending shelf life of perishable goods. An added feature of the invention is the ability of the compressible mechanism to provide a mechanical advantage to the user to pressurize the content as may be done in the case of soda where the carbonation needs to be preserved. Another advantage with the compressible container is that since the container volume decreases to match the volume of content the container can be moved to shelves with lesser head room to create shelf space. The design is versatile in it's compressibility feature and can be applied to blow molded bottles or open tubs as in the case of storage for yogurts and ice creams. In the case of viscous products like sauces and ketchups the compressed container makes the contents readily dispensable since the contents lie close to the mouth. The versatility and cost effectiveness of the design enables it to be applied to storage of milk, fruit juices, soda, ice creams, wines and other condiments that are part of domestic consumption.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

It is generally known that carbonated beverages can retain the carbonation longer under pressure. Various embodiments have been created in the pursuit of this objective. The usefulness of the embodiment are governed by the ease of use and the cost of implementation. There is prior art under the title of ‘Compressible beverage container with adjustable volume.’ The structures require interlocking mechanical components to create the compression and a separate enclosure to provide a sealed enclosure for beverage containment. The number of parts in the embodiments and difficulty in use makes it prohibitive for wide spread acceptance. The current invention addresses these constraints.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cylindrical container capable of collapsing and compression and thus being able to adjust container volume to match the volume of the content with precision, without effort and ease of use for extension of shelf life of products affected by contact with air is the basis for the invention.

The design combines properties of a bellow and a screw. The structure can be best described as a compressible screw With the addition of a nut around the screw the combination can contract the threads of the screw like a bellow and contain the collapsed bellow threads within the nut as described in the detailed description that follows. The screw and nut combination enables the compression to be conducted with a mechanical advantage which is the ratio of the circumference of the screw thread to the pitch of the screw threads. (Distance moved by effort to the distance moved by the load). The nut moves a length of one circumference (effort) of the screw along the threads to compress (load) the threads by a distance of one pitch axially. The ratio can be controlled to reduce effort required to compress the container. The result is a compressible container that can be adjusted in volume by turning a band that encircles the container. The band enables control, precision and effortless application of force.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is the perspective of a freestanding cylindrical container with surface molded to form threads of a screw placed just below a single ring bellow also molded into the surface. [0006]
FIG. 2 is a view of the nut formed in the form of two C shaped halves of a nut with a hinge on one end and a latch on the other end. This fig shows the two halves latched together. [0007]
FIG. 3 is a magnified view of the latch circled in FIG. 2 as viewed along direction of [0008] arrow 3 transverse to the section 3-3.
FIG. 4 is a view of the nut with the two halves opened around the [0009] hinge 6. The latch is unlatched with the male member 10 unlatched from the female 12. When latched the male/female are press fit to secure the ends of the nut.
FIG. 5 is the view of the nut along the [0010] arrow 5 and transverse to the section 5-5 in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is the elevation of the half section of the nut, FIG. 5 when the nut fully contains the restraint [0011] circular bellow 1 and the spiral bellows 2. This occurs when the container is contracted to the minimum volume as shown in FIG. 7
FIG. 7 is the elevation of the bottle with the nut fully screwed along the threads. The bottle is contracted to the least contracted height and the volume is at a minimum. [0012]
FIG. 8 is the elevation of the container at maximum volume with the nut affixed around the restraint single bellow. [0013]
FIG. 9 is the plan of FIG. 7. The nut shown in FIG. 2 is seen with the dispositions of [0014] latch 8 and the hinge 6 marked in the figure.
The techniques for manufacturing this embodiment is the same as the ones used for the conventional containers namely blow mold and injection molding and differences if any are well within the skills of one trained in these processes. The container is blow molded while the nut is injection molded. [0015]
[0016] Embodiment 2
This embodiment shows the application of the concept to an open tub. It is identical to [0017] embodiment 1 except the structure has no constricted neck and therefore has a lid that has the same cross section as that of the container for closure.
FIG. 10 is the perspective of freestanding cylindrical container with surface molded to form threads of a screw placed just below a single ring bellow also molded into the surface. [0018]
FIG. 11 is the side elevation of a circular lid that is used to seal the [0019] tub 3
FIG. 12 is a view of the nut formed in the form of two C shaped halves of a nut with a hinge on one end and a latch on the other end. This fig shows the two halves latched together. [0020]
FIG. 13 is a magnified view of the latch, a section of FIG. 12, as viewed along direction of [0021] arrow 3 transverse to the section 3-3. The section is shown is circled in FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 is a view of the nut with the two halves separated around the [0022] hinge 6. The latch is unlatched with the male member 10 unlatched from the female 12.
FIG. 15 is the view of the nut along the [0023] arrow 15 and transverse to section 15-15 in FIG. 14. The strip hatched in the figure is the common connection between the two sections of the nut. The hatched portion is the hinge interface area.
FIG. 16 is the elevation of the nut FIG. 15 when the nut fully contains the restraint [0024] circular bellow 1 and the spiral bellows 3. This occurs when the tub is contracted to the minimum volume as shown in FIG. 17.
FIG. 17 is the elevation of the tub with the nut fully screwed along the threads. The tub is contracted to the least contracted height at minimum volume. [0025]
FIG. 18 is the elevation of the tub when at maximum volume with the nut affixed around the restraint single bellow. [0026]
FIG. 19 is the plan of FIG. 17 with 6 being the hinge and [0027] 8 being the latch of the nut shown in FIG. 12.
The [0028] embodiment 2 can be vacuum formed. The nut is injection molded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Embodiment 1
The cylindrical walls of the container are shaped to have threads running clockwise from the top of the container wall to the seat of the container. The container is made of elastic material like high density polymer that has ability to flex without cracking and capable of being blow molded. The cylinder has a single bellow ring molded around the cylinder just above the start of the screw thread. (If the threads run anti clockwise the bellow ring is placed below the threads.) A plastic nut that has cavity length (distance between [0030] edges 20 and 18 in FIG. 5) equal to the sum of thickness of the single bellow and the thickness of the spiral threads in fully collapsed mode and the nut hole diameter equal to the container diameter is affixed around the container forming a screw/nut combination. One end of the nut is captured by the single bellow ring. As the nut is turned around the container screw the bellow action gets combined with the screwing action. The single bellow ring prevents the nut from progressing down the screw threads. The result is that the walls of the containers are pulled into the nut cavity where they transform to bellows and get compressed. The process continues until the entire screw threads are compressed into the nut cavity thus causing the container volume to shrink as the walls contract.
The number of threads and pitch determine the mechanical advantage derived by the screw nut combination. The mechanical advantage along with the rigidity of the walls determines the degree of pressure that can be generated inside the container after the container is sealed. [0031]
The end of the nut capturing the single circular bellow lies planar with the plane of the single circular bellow. The end of the nut riding the spiral bellow lies in a plane of the spiral bellow. [0032]
Various shapes of containers are possible wherein a portion of the container is cylindrical and can be collapsed in the manner described in this invention. [0033]
FIG. 1 is the elevation of the compressible container with the [0034] single bellow ring 1 and the compressible threads 2 along the length of the container 3.
FIG. 2 is the plan of the nut assembly completely assembled with [0035] hinge 6 on one end and a latch 8 on the other end.
FIG. 3 is the magnified view of the latch mechanism viewed along [0036] direction 3 transverse to 3-3 in FIG. 2. 10 is male side of latch and 12 is the female side of the latch. 10 & 12 have an interference press fit to latch the two ends.
FIG. 4 is the view of the nut with two [0037] sections 14, 16 opened in the unlatched position.
FIG. 5 is the view along [0038] 5, transverse to the 5-5 section in FIG. 4. 18 is the edge of the hole of the nut that captures the bellow ring 1 when the nut is assembled with the container. 20 is the edge of the hole of the nut that rides the threads 2 of the container. The threads when collapsed are held between the bellow ring 1 that is inside the nut and the edge 20 of the nut. The bellow ring is captured by the nut end 18.
FIG. 6 shows the section of the nut viewed as in FIG. 5 with the [0039] bellow ring 1 and screw threads 2 when fully contained within the body of the nut. This is the fully collapsed circular bellow and the spiral bellows of the container view as captured by the nut.
FIG. 7 is the elevation of the container with the walls fully contracted within the nut. The container is at minimum volume in this view. [0040]
FIG. 8 is the elevation of the container with the walls fully extended and at maximum volume. [0041]
FIG. 9 is the plan of FIG. 7 showing the nut assembled to the [0042] container 3. The figure shows the disposition of the latch 8 and the hinge 6 around the container.
FIG. 21 is the perspective of the compression nut with the restraining edge facing in front and the compression end behind the plane skewed to be planar to the threads of the spiral bellow. [0043]
[0044] Embodiment 2
FIGS. [0045] 10 to 19 are views of the open tub that has all the elements identical to the Embodiment 1. The open end of the tub can be sealed with a lid. The tub has application for packaging relatively viscous material like yogurt, ice creams and other material requiring larger access.
FIG. 10 is the perspective view of the compressible container with the [0046] single bellow ring 1 and the compressible threads 2 along the length of the container 3.
FIG. 11 is the side elevation of the lid used to seal the [0047] tub 3. It is press fit over the upper rim of the tub in FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 is a perspective of the nut assembled with [0048] hinge 6 on one end and a latch 8 on the other end.
FIG. 13 is the magnified view of the latch mechanism viewed along [0049] direction 3 transverse to 3-3 in FIG. 12. 10 is male side of latch and 12 is the female side of the latch. 10 & 12 have an interference press fit to latch the two ends.
FIG. 14 is the view of the nut with two [0050] sections 14, 16 opened in the unlatched position.
FIG. 15 is the view along [0051] 15, transverse to the 15-15 section in FIG. 14. 18 is the edge of the hole of the nut that captures the bellow ring 1 when the nut is assembled with the container. 20 is the edge of the hole of the nut that rides the threads 2 of the container. The threads when collapsed are held between the bellow ring 1 that is inside the nut and the edge 20 of the nut. The bellow ring is captured by the nut end 18.
FIG. 16 shows the section of the nut viewed as in FIG. 15 with the [0052] bellow ring 1 and screw threads 2 when fully contained within the body of the nut. This is the fully collapsed circular bellow and the spiral bellows of the container view as captured by the nut.
FIG. 17 is the perspective of the container with the walls fully contracted within the nut. The container is at minimum volume in this view. [0053]
FIG. 18 is the perspective of the container with the walls fully extended and at maximum volume. [0054]
FIG. 19 is the plan of FIG. 17 showing the nut assembled to the [0055] container 3. The figure shows the disposition of the latch 8 and the hinge 6 around the container.
[0056] Embodiment 3
In this embodiment the restraint ring bellow and the spiral bellows are separated by ring bellows of smaller diameter than the diameter of the opening of the nut that captures the spiral bellow. Such an arrangement enables the nut to be slid axially by an axial force to compress the container without having to turn the nut until the nut contacts the spiral bellow. Once the nut makes contact with the spiral bellow the nut can be turned in the appropriate direction to capture the spiral bellow. The nut after this point compresses the cylinder identical to [0057] embodiment 1 and embodiment 2.
FIG. 20 Shows a container with restraint bellow 1 (larger diameter) followed by smaller ring bellows 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 of diameter smaller than the diameter of the nut hole that captures the spiral bellow. A dotted skeleton of the nut is shown super imposed over the restraint bellow and part of the smaller ring bellows. [0058]
Other Variation of the Concept. [0059]
It is understood that the compression nut can be placed at the seat end of the cylindrical container to effect the compression. The compression nut can be screwed from the seat to the top. The single ring bellow shown in the above embodiments would in such a case be placed at the bottom end of container. Since there is no access to the container from this end the compression nut can be constructed with one opening; that which screws on to the spiral threads while the restraining end be sealed. The seat of the container performs the function of arresting the nut from moving along the threads. Such a combination would make the compression nut appear like a lid with threads. [0060]
Embodiments 4, 5 and 6 show the adaptation of the concept for the wine, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry. [0061]
[0062] Embodiment 4.
FIG. 22 is the elevation of the compression lid that is designed to be screwed on the [0063] seat 1 of FIG. 23
FIG. 23 is the elevation of the container in the shape of wine bottle with [0064] threads 2 that run clockwise bottom up.
FIG. 24 is the elevation of the container with the lid installed and with the container at minimum volume with the threads collapsed within the volume of the compression lid. [0065]
[0066] Embodiment 5.
The concept of compressing the container is through a compression lid. The lid performs the compression unlike a nut in [0067] embodiment 1, 2 and 3. The lid combines the compression means with the closure means. The lid has a thread identical to embodiments 1, 2 and 3 but the restraint action is performed using the edge of the container. The end has an opening with a cover that can be opened and closed. The utility for this variation is in containers for pills and tablets in the pharmaceutical industry when large jars of multi vitamins are packaged. The jars when nearly empty are deep and make it difficult to access the contents. This embodiment enables the jar to become shallow by tightening the lid while the cover enables access to the contents in each compressed position of the jar.
FIG. 25 shows the container with the [0068] lid 1 when the container is at maximum volume with the cover 2 closed.
FIG. 26 shows the container with the lid when the container is at minimum volume with the cover open. [0069]
The restraint, compression and the method of compression remains identical to [0070] embodiments 1, 2 and 3 the difference is that the restraint bellow is replaced with the restraint edge which is the edge of the container. The closure to the container is integrated into the lid. Thus the lid performs the compression and closure function.
[0071] Embodiment 6
The container is designed to dispense crèmes and lotions in the cosmetics industry. It has the ability to allow the contents to be squeezed out easily even as the contents deplete. The container depth is adjusted by the lid so that the crème is always available in close proximity of an aperture provided in the lid. The lid when pressed compresses the walls of the container and this creates high pressure inside the container causing the crème to be squeezed out of the aperture. The control on amount of crème dispensed is easier since the dispensing volume relationship with respect to the squeezing remains fairly stable for nearly all volumes. This embodiment lends itself for use in the food industry for dispensing ketchups, mayonnaise and other viscous condiments. [0072]
FIG. 27 is the elevation of the container for crèmes wherein the [0073] lid 1 has an aperture 2 at the top for dispensing the crème, the container is at maximum volume.
FIG. 28 is the elevation of the container with the container collapsed midway with part of the threads collapsed within the lid. This depicts the condition when the contents are depleted and the container adjusted to enable the content to be within operation distance of the aperture. [0074]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable-volume storage container comprising:

a) a tubular enclosure including

a first, sealed end,

a second end including an opening for allowing access to the enclosure, and

a cylindrical side wall extending between the first and second ends, the cylindrical side wall having a longitudinal axis,

an annular bead projecting radially outwardly from the cylindrical side wall, and

a plurality of helically arranged pleats formed in the side wall between the bead and one of the ends, the pleats functioning together to simultaneously form a spiral bellows and

threads of a screw, the bellows being biased to a fully extended position and being collapsible along the longitudinal axis in response to an axial compressive force; and

b) a compression member for progressively collapsing the tube and holding the tube in a succession of increasingly collapsed positions.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the compression member comprises an annular element having a first end configured to capture the annular bead and a second end including a thread configured to engage the threads formed by the pleats.

3. The container according to claim 2, wherein:

the bellows have a variable height ranging from a maximum when fully extended to a minimum when fully collapsed; and

the annular element includes a side wall extending between the first end and the second end, the first and second ends and the sidewall together defining a hollow enclosure having a length equal to the minimum height of the bellows.

4. The container according to claim 1, further comprising sealing means for sealing the opening in the second end of the container.

5. The container according to claim 1, wherein one end of the container is configured as a seat for supporting the container in an upright position.

6. The container according to claim 1, wherein the annular bead is hollow and forms a single annular bellow.

7. The container according to claim 1 when sealed capable of increasing the pressure within the container by operating the compression member.

8. A screw mechanism comprising, in combination:

a) a compressible screw including

a tube having a cylindrical side wall defining a longitudinal axis;

an annular bead projecting radially outwardly from the cylindrical side wall;

a plurality of hollow threads formed in the side wall longitudinally proximal to the bead, the threads forming a spiral bellows, the bellows being biased to a fully extended position and being collapsible along the longitudinal axis in response to an axial compressive force; and

9. The screw mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the compression member comprises a hollow nut having a first end configured to capture the annular bead and a second end including a thread configured to engage the threads of the screw.

10. The screw mechanism according to claim 9, wherein:

a) the threads of the screw have a predetermined pitch;

b) the first end of the nut defines a plane extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the tube and parallel to the annular bead; and

c) the second end of the nut defines a plane extending at an angle determined by the pitch of the threads of the screw.

11. The screw mechanism according to claim 10, wherein:

the nut includes a side wall extending between the first end and the second end, the side having a length equal to the minimum height of the bellows.

12. The screw mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the compression member includes a pair of semi-cylindrical elements mounted for pivoting movement about a hinge axis extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the screw.

13. The screw mechanism according to claim 12, wherein:

a) the semi-cylindrical elements are mounted for movement from an open position wherein the compression member is freely movable with respect to the screw, to a closed position wherein the compression member closely encircles the screw and is movable only in the axial direction with respect to the screw; and

b) the elements include a latch for locking the elements in the closed position.

14. The screw mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the annular bead is hollow and forms a single annular bellow.