CONTAINERS WITH ADHESIVELY ATTACHED CHIMES
A keg includes a container 1 and a chime 3 fixed to each other by means of an adhesive. The container has a peripheral side wall 4, and a top wall formed with a central neck containing a valve fitting provided with a dip tube which extends into the container. A bottom wall 9 is formed with a central projection 10 defining an internal well inside the container which receives the lower end of the dip tube. The chime 3 has an inner hub 12 with a central opening 13, legs 14 which extend outwardly from the inner hub, and an outer skirt 15 joined to outer ends of the legs 14. The central opening 13 of the inner hub 12 receives the central projection 10, without fixation, to locate the inner hub against lateral movement. The central opening 13 may have the same internal profile as the outer profile of the central projection 10. In a modification the central opening 13 incorporates a plurality of slots which radiate outwardly to define a plurality of flexible inwardly-directed fingers which locate the inner hub and accommodate variations in the relative axial position of the central projection 10 and the inner hub 12.
This invention relates to containers, particularly kegs, which are suitable for holding beverages such as beer or fruit juices as well as other liquids.
BACKGROUNDKegs for holding beverages such as beer are increasingly being manufactured of plastics. They are cheaper to manufacture and transport compared with traditional metal kegs, and they can be recycled without having to be returned over long distances for re-filling. Such kegs include a main container which is formed by blow moulding, and at least one injection moulded chime secured to the top end, or both the top and bottom ends, of the container.
In a known form of container a bottom chime is secured to the container using a hot melt adhesive as the primary means of attachment. This fixing method is quick and inexpensive, and the points of attachment can be distributed over a substantial area rather than being concentrated in a small region of the bottom wall. As a result, the kegs are better able to withstand rough handling without detachment of the chimes. The use of a hot melt adhesive is also compatible with current re-cycling methods.
It has been found that in a small number of cases, when the kegs have been stored under certain conditions, the container can become tilted over within the bottom chime so that the container no longer stands upright. This means that the dip tube which is used to withdraw the contents of the keg is no longer at the lowest part of the container and a small residual volume of liquid may remain in the keg.
The present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive form of attachment which retains the advantages of adhesive fixing but which enables a larger quantity of liquid to be withdrawn under a wider range of conditions leaving a smaller residual volume.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention proposes a container assembly including a container and a chime fixed to each other by means of an adhesive;
the container having:
-
- a peripheral side wall,
- a top wall formed with a central neck containing a valve fitting provided with a dip tube which extends into the container, and
- a bottom wall formed with a central projection, said central projection defining an internal well inside the container;
and
the chime having: - an inner hub with a central opening,
- a plurality of legs extending outwardly from the inner hub, and
- an outer skirt joined to outer ends of the plurality of legs; in which the central opening of the inner hub receives the central projection to locate the inner hub against lateral movement without fixation between the inner hub and the central projection, and a bottom end of the dip tube extends into the internal well of the central projection.
The invention also provides a container assembly including a container and a chime fixed to each other by means of an adhesive, in which an end of the container has a central projection and the chime has an inner hub with a central opening having the same internal profile as the outer profile of the central projection to locate the inner hub against lateral movement without fixation between the inner hub and the central projection.
The invention also provides a container assembly including a container and a chime fixed to each other by means of an adhesive, in which an end of the container has a central projection and the chime has an inner hub with a central opening having a plurality of slots which radiate outwardly from the central projection and the plurality of slots define a plurality of flexible inwardly-directed fingers which locate the inner hub against lateral movement without fixation between the inner hub and the central projection.
The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings:
Referring firstly to
Sometimes, for example if the kegs are stored at elevated temperatures when the kegs are tightly wrapped on a pallet, the adhesive can soften. The container 1 can then become tilted over within the bottom chime 3, as shown in
In the modified keg shown in
Due to manufacturing tolerances, or variations in pressure within the container, there may be axial variations between the positions of the central projection 10 and the inner hub 12. In order to accommodate these variations and ensure that the central projection 10 is always fully located within the inner hub, the central opening 13 may be modified as shown in
It will be appreciated that the modified container retains the advantages of adhesive fixation whilst ensuring that the keg remains stable and upright under all conditions. The modification also enables a greater volume of liquid to be withdrawn under a wider range of conditions leaving a smaller residual volume.
Whilst the above description places emphasis on the areas which are believed to be new and addresses specific problems which have been identified, it is intended that the features disclosed herein may be used in any combination which is capable of providing a new and useful advance in the art.
Claims
1. A container assembly including a container (1) and a chime (2) fixed to each other by means of an adhesive; the container having: and the chime having: in which the central opening (13) of the inner hub (12) receives the central projection (10) to locate the inner hub against lateral movement without fixation between the inner hub and the central projection, and a bottom end of the dip tube (8) extends into the internal well (11) of the central projection.
- a peripheral side wall (4),
- a top wall (5) formed with a central neck (6) containing a valve fitting (7) provided with a dip tube (8) which extends into the container, and
- a bottom wall formed with a central projection (10), said central projection defining an internal well (11) inside the container;
- an inner hub (12) with a central opening (13),
- a plurality of legs (14) extending outwardly from the inner hub, and
- an outer skirt (15) joined to outer ends of the plurality of legs;
2. A container assembly according to claim 1 in which the central opening (13) of the inner hub has the same internal profile as the outer profile of the central projection (10) to locate the inner hub against lateral movement without fixation between the inner hub and the central projection.
3. A container assembly according to claim 1 in which the central opening (13) of the inner hub incorporates a plurality of slots (21) which radiate outwardly from the central projection (10) and the plurality of slots define a plurality of flexible inwardly-directed fingers (22) which locate the inner hub against lateral movement without fixation between the inner hub and the central projection.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 2, 2017
Publication Date: Jun 13, 2019
Inventor: Philip Andrew WALTON (Durham)
Application Number: 16/323,064