Liquid container and double container
A ring-like reinforcement part 2 is secured to an upper end face of a bottomed cylindrical container main body 1. The container main body 1 is formed of a flexible film-like member which is composed of polyethylene, polypropylene or the like. The reinforcement part 2 has strength enough to prevent the container main body 1 from greatly deformed and to prevent liquid, such as adhesive agent, coating material or the like stored in the container main body 1 from overflowing when the container main body 1 is lifted up through the reinforcement part 2.
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This invention relates to a liquid container suited for storing an adhesive agent, a coating material and the like, and a double container using the liquid container as its inner container.
In general, a metal-made pail, a metal-made drum, and a bucket formed of a hard plastic are used in case a necessity arises for storing an adhesive agent, a coating material or the like. However, since those containers are high in strength, waste disposal for those containers is difficult.
Recently, there has been often used a double container, as a container for storing adhesive agent or the like, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,878. The double container comprises an outer container and an inner container. The outer container is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom part at its lower end part and an opening at its upper end. The outer container is formed of metal or plastic with a predetermined strength so that it can retain a constant shape. On the other hand, the inner container is likewise formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape as in the outer container but it is formed of a thin film-like member having flexibility which is composed of synthetic resin. An inverted U-shaped engagement part is formed on an upper end part of the inner container. The inner container inserted into the outer container through the upper end opening part until its engagement part is engaged with the upper end part of the outer container.
In the double container thus constructed, an adhesive agent or the like is stored in the inner container. Therefore, when the adhesive agent or the like is used up, only the inner container may be subjected to waste disposal. Since the inner container is composed of a thin film-like member having flexibility, it can be crushed into a reduced size. Therefore, it can easily be subjected to waste disposal.
Since the inner container used for the double container is entirely composed of a film-like member having flexibility, it has the above-mentioned advantage but is has such a disadvantage that the inner container hardly has a shape retainability for retaining its own shape constant. Thus, it is encountered with such a problem that the inner container storing adhesive agent, etc. cannot be used alone at all. For example, it is practically impossible that the inner container is removed from the outer container and shifted into other outer container.
Moreover, when coating material or adhesive agent having a high viscosity is agitated, the inner container is twisted by viscous resistance of the coating material or the like. Then, since the inner container is slightly reduced in height, the engagement part is disengaged from an upper end of the outer container. Furthermore, in case the height of the inner container is smaller than the depth of the outer container and the bottom part of the inner container is separated upward from the bottom part of the outer container, the engagement part is disengaged from the upper end part of the outer container by weight of the adhesive agent or the like stored in the inner container and the inner container is brought into the outer container. Therefore, in case there are various types of outer containers having different heights, it is necessary to prepare various types of inner containers which are in match with the various outer containers having different heights, thus resulting in high manufacturing costs and high maintenance fees.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn order to solve the above problems, a liquid container according to the present invention comprises a bottomed cylindrical container main body having a bottom part at a lower end part thereof and opening at an upper end thereof, and an annular reinforcement part disposed at an upper end part of the container main body, the container main body being entirely formed of a flexible thin film-like member, and the reinforcement part having strength enough to retain a constant shape in section.
It is preferable that the container main body and the reinforcement part are formed of a resin, and the reinforcement part is fused to an upper end part of the container main body.
The reinforcement part preferably has a protrusion formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof and protruding radially outward with respect to an outer periphery of the container main body. The protrusion is preferably annularly formed on the reinforcement part over an entire periphery thereof and the protrusion is preferably disposed at an upper end part of an outer peripheral surface of the reinforcement member.
In order to solve the above problems, a double container according to the present invention comprises a cylindrical outer container which is open at least at an upper end part thereof, and a bottomed cylindrical inner container having a bottom part at a lower end part thereof and opening at an upper end thereof, the inner container including a bottomed cylindrical container main body having a bottom part at a lower end part thereof and opening at an upper end thereof, and an annular reinforcement part disposed at an upper end part of the container main body, the container main body being entirely formed of a flexible thin film-like member, the reinforcement part having strength enough to retain a constant shape in section, and the reinforcement part having a protrusion formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof and protruding radially outward with respect to an outer periphery of the container main body, the inner container being inserted into the outer container through the upper end opening part of the outer container, and the protrusion being placed on an upper end face of the outer container.
It is preferable that the container main body and the reinforcement part are formed of a resin, and the reinforcement part is fused to an upper end part of the container main body.
The reinforcement part preferably has a protrusion formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof and protruding radially outward with respect to an outer periphery of the container main body, and the protrusion is preferably annularly formed on the reinforcement part over an entire periphery thereof. Moreover, the protrusion is preferably disposed on an upper end part of an outer peripheral surface of the reinforcement part.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings.
The container main body 1 is composed of a film-like member having flexibility and comprises a cylindrical part 11 having a circular shape in section with its axis directing vertically and a bottom part 12 integrally disposed at a lower end part of this cylindrical part 11 and adapted to close a lower end part of the cylindrical part 11. One example of the film-like member composing the container main body 1 includes a thin film composed of resin such as, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene or the like. The thickness of the film-like member may optionally be selected from the range which satisfies the condition capable of easily crushing the container main body 1. It is preferable, however, that the thickness of the film-like member is large enough for the container main body 1 to retain generally its constant shape when the container A is placed on a flat floor or the like with the container main body 1 located under and with the reinforcement part 2 located above in case the container A is in an empty state with no adhesive agent or the like stored therein. From that view point, the thickness of the film-like member composing the container main body 1 is set to, for example, 300 to 1000 μm.
The reinforcement part 2 is composed of resin such as hard polyethylene, polypropylene or the like so that it can have a predetermined strength. The reinforcement part 2 is formed in a circular annular shape in a plan view. The strength of the reinforcement part 2 is set such that the reinforcement part 2 can not only retain its own shape constant but also the shape of the container body 1 even when the container main body 1 storing therein adhesive agent, coating material or the like is placed on a flat floor or the like or even when the container main body 1 is horizontally lifted up through the reinforcement part 2. The inside diameter of the reinforcement part 2 may be set smaller than the inside diameter of the container main body 1. It is preferable, however, that the inside diameter of the reinforcement part 2 is set to be generally equal to the inside diameter of the container main body 1 (cylindrical part 11) as in this embodiment. The outside diameter of the reinforcement part 2 is extensively larger than the outside diameter of the container main body 1 so that the thickness of the reinforcement part 2 is increased, and shape retainability of the reinforcement part 2 is equal to or more than a predetermined level. An annular flange part (protrusion) 21 projecting radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the reinforcement part 2 is integrally formed on an upper end part of the reinforcement part 2. A pair of grip parts 22, 22 are integrally formed on the flange part 21. The pair of grip parts 22, 22 are arranged in such a manner as to be away by 180 degrees from each other in the peripheral direction of the flange part 21.
A lower surface of the reinforcement part 2 is secured to an upper surface of the container main body 1 by suitable means such as bonding, fusing or the like. The container main body 1 and the reinforcement part 2 are secured to each other and aligned to each other in axis. Therefore, an inner peripheral surface of the reinforcement part 2 forms a same circular cylindrical surface together with an inner peripheral surface of the container main body 1. On the other hand, an outer peripheral surface of the reinforcement part 2 is protruded radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the container main body 1. Particularly, the flange part 21 is greatly protruded from the outer peripheral surface of the container main body 1.
The container A thus constructed can be manufactured in the manner as mentioned hereinafter, for example. That is, the container main body 1 can be molded by cavity forming or the like, and the reinforcement part 2 can be molded by extrusion molding. The container main body 1 is preliminarily molded before the reinforcement part 2 is molded. At the time of molding of the reinforcement part 2, the container main body 1 is arranged such that the upper end face of the container main body 1 contacts an inner surface of the cavity for molding the lower end face of the reinforcement part 2. When a molten resin for molding the reinforcement part 2 is filled in the cavity in that condition, the upper end part of the container main body 1 is melted. Thereafter, when the resin filled in the cavity is hardened to mold the reinforcement part 2, the upper end part of the container main body 1 is fused to the lower surface of the reinforcement part 1. In case the container main body 1 and the reinforcement part 2 are fused together in the manner as mentioned above, the resin composing the container main body 1 is preferably selected from the same type as the resin composing the reinforcement part 2 so that easy and reliable fusing can be obtained.
In the liquid container A constructed in the manner as mentioned above, the container A can be reduced in capacity by press-crushing the container main body 1 in its axial direction. Therefore, the container A can easily be subjected to waste disposal. Since the reinforcement part 2 retains the shape of the container main body 1, particularly, the cylindrical part 11 so that the cylindrical part 11 is prevented from deforming heavily, the container main body 1 is not greatly deformed even if the container A storing therein adhesive agent or the like is placed on a horizontal floor surface or the like, or lifted up through the grip part 22. Therefore, the container A can be used alone. Moreover, since the reinforcement part 2 has a sufficient strength and shape retainability, a cap member can be fitted, either internally or externally, to the upper end opening part or upper end outer peripheral part (outer peripheral part of the flange part 21 in this embodiment) of the reinforcement part 2. By this, the upper end opening part of the container A can be tightly closed.
Other embodiments of the present invention will now be described. In the embodiments to be described hereinafter, only the construction which is different from the above embodiment is described, and identical components are denoted by identical reference numerals and description thereof are omitted.
In the container E thus constructed, by gripping the handle 3, the container E can easily be carried. Moreover, since the shaft part 23a is turnably fitted to the circular hole 31, at that time of taking out the adhesive agent, or the like stored in the container E, the adhesive agent or the like can easily be taken out by slanting the handle 5 in such a manner as indicated by an imaginary line of
The container A as the inner container is inserted in the outer container 5 through its upper end opening part. A part of the reinforcement part 2 at a lower side of the flange part 21 is removably fitted an upper end inner peripheral surface of an outer tube 5, and the flange part 21 is placed on the annular support part 51a over its entire periphery. A liquid such as adhesive agent, coating material or the like is stored in the container A.
In the double container G thus constructed, when the adhesive agent or the like stored in the container A is used up, only the container A may be subjected to waste disposal. Therefore, the container A may easily be subjected to waste disposal as mentioned above. Moreover, since the container A can be handled alone, the container A can be taken out of the outer container 5 and shifted into other outer container, for example. At that time, since the flange parts 22, 22 of the container A are protruded radially outward from the annular support part 51a of the outer container 5, shifting of the container A can easily be performed by holding the flange parts 22, 22 with hands. Moreover, since the reinforcement part 2 having rigidity is supported by the annular support part 51a, the entire container A is never brought into the outer container 5 even if the cylindrical part 11 of the container A is twisted at the time of agitating the adhesive agent or the like. For the same reason, even in case the depth of the outer container 5 is larger than the height of the container A and the bottom part 12 of the container A with the adhesive agent or the like stored therein does not contact the bottom part 52 of the outer container 5, the entire container A can be prevented from being brought into the outer container 5. Therefore, it is no more required to prepare various kinds of containers A having different heights, and the manufacturing costs and maintenance fees can be reduced to that extent.
The container A as an inner container is inserted in the outer container 5A through its upper end opening part. In that condition, a part of a reinforcement part 2 at a lower side of the flange part 21 is contacted with the central part of the inner peripheral surface of each of four sides of the outer container 5A, and the flange part 21 is placed on the central part of the upper surface of each of four sides of the outer container 5A. All the remaining construction of the double container H is same as the above-mentioned double container G and description thereof is omitted.
The container C is inserted in the outer container B through its upper end opening part. A flange part 21 of the container C is placed on an upper end face of the outer container 5B. The shaft part 23a is fitted into the circular hole part 53b through the straight groove part 53a. By this, the outer container 5B and the container C are integrated.
Claims
1. A liquid container comprising a bottomed cylindrical container main body having a bottom part at a lower end part thereof and opening at an upper end thereof, and an annular reinforcement part disposed at an upper end part of said container main body, said container main body being entirely formed of a flexible thin film-like member, and said reinforcement part having strength enough to retain a constant shape in section.
2. A liquid container according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcement part has a protrusion formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof and protruding radially outward with respect to an outer periphery of said container main body.
3. A liquid container according to claim 2, wherein said protrusion is disposed at an upper end part of an outer peripheral surface of said reinforcement member.
4. A liquid container according to claim 2, wherein said protrusion is annularly formed on said reinforcement part over an entire periphery thereof.
5. A liquid container according to claim 4, wherein said protrusion is disposed on an upper end part of an outer peripheral surface of said reinforcement part.
6. A liquid container according to claim 1, wherein said container main body and said reinforcement part are formed of a resin, and said reinforcement part is fused to an upper end part of said container main body.
7. A liquid container according to claim 6, wherein said reinforcement part has a protrusion formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof and protruding radially outward with respect to an outer periphery of said container main body.
8. A liquid container according to claim 7, wherein said protrusion is disposed at an upper end part of an outer peripheral surface of said reinforcement member.
9. A liquid container according to claim 7, wherein said protrusion is annularly formed on said reinforcement part over an entire periphery thereof.
10. A liquid container according to claim 9, wherein said protrusion is formed on an upper end part of an outer peripheral surface of said reinforcement part.
11. A double container comprising a cylindrical outer container which is open at least at an upper end part thereof, and a bottomed cylindrical inner container having a bottom part at a lower end part thereof and opening at an upper end thereof,
- said inner container including a bottomed cylindrical container main body having a bottom part at a lower end part thereof and opening at an upper end thereof, and an annular reinforcement part disposed at an upper end part of said container main body, said container main body being entirely formed of a flexible thin film-like member, said reinforcement part having strength enough to retain a constant shape in section, and said reinforcement part having a protrusion formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof and protruding radially outward with respect to an outer periphery of said container main body,
- said inner container being inserted into said outer container through the upper end opening part of said outer container, and said protrusion being placed on an upper end face of said outer container.
12. A double container according to claim 11, wherein said protrusion is disposed on an upper end part of an outer peripheral surface of said reinforcement part.
13. A double container according to claim 11, wherein said protrusion is annularly formed on said reinforcement part over an entire periphery thereof.
14. A double container according to claim 13, wherein said protrusion is disposed on an upper end part of an outer peripheral surface of said reinforcement part.
15. A double container according to claim 11, wherein said container main body and said reinforcement part are formed of a resin, and said reinforcement part is fused to an upper end part of said container main body.
16. A double container according to claim 15, wherein said protrusion is disposed on an upper end part of an outer peripheral surface of said reinforcement part.
17. A double container according to claim 15, wherein said protrusion is annularly formed on said reinforcement part over an entire periphery thereof.
18. A double container according to claim 17, wherein said protrusion is disposed on an upper end part of an outer peripheral surface of said reinforcement part.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 23, 2004
Publication Date: Mar 24, 2005
Applicants: Hosokawa Yoko Co., Ltd. (Tokyo), Polymer Systems Co., Ltd. (Yokohama-shi), CDF Corporation (Plymouth, MA)
Inventors: Toru Ichikawa (Tokyo), Kazuhiro Umenaka (Tokyo), Yoji Tanaka (Yokohama)
Application Number: 10/948,418