AU2005242173B2 - Anti-Glug Container - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a liquid storage container (10) including a storage volume (12), a cap closure (31) for pouring liquid from the storage volume (12), and a generally horizontal handle means (20) located on an upper surface of said container (10) for supporting or carrying the container (10), wherein the handle means (20) further includes an air passage (65) therethrough connecting between said cap closure (31) and said storage volume (12), said air passage (65) being self draining when contents are poured from said container (10).

Description

ANTI-GLUG CONTAINER Field of the invention [001] The present invention relates to an anti-glug container and in particular to a container having an improved air flow path for pouring contents from the container. Background of the invention [002] Containers for storing liquids are made in a variety of shapes. Pouring liquid from a container may be difficult at speed in that air must replace the escaping liquid in order for a partial vacuum not to develop in the container. A variety of alternatives have been proposed in the past to provide such features for a container. [003] Any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, at the priority date of this application. Summary of the invention [004] The present invention provides A liquid storage container for liquid including a storage volume, a cap closure for pouring liquid from the storage volume, and a generally horizontal handle means located on an upper surface of said container for supporting or carrying the container, wherein the handle means further includes an air passage therethrough connecting between said cap closure and said storage volume, said air passage being self draining when contents are poured from said container. [005] The cap closure can have a height and an internal diameter, whereby the ratio of said height of said cap closure to said diameter of said cap closure is a ratio of 1:2.2 to 1:3.5. This ratio can also be in the range of 1: 2.7 to 1:3.5. [006] The air passage can have a vent opening near to or in said cap closure. The opening can have a cross sectional area in the range of between 2% to 8% of the cross sectional area of said cap closure. [007] The cap closure can include a screw thread to receive a cap. [008] Around the cap closure and adjacent the base thereof, the can be located a system to lock said cap onto said cap closure. [009] The system to lock can include one or more ratchet formations.

2 [010] The ratchet formations can be located intermittently around said closure. [011] The storage container can be made by a moulding process using a plastics material. [012] The container can be made from high molecular weight high density polyethylene. [013] The handle can further include web means which connects said handle means to a top of said container adjoining said cap closure. [014] The container can have a scalloped or depression formation formed in the top thereof, in the vicinity of said web means. [015] The scalloped or depression formation can extend from a location near to said web means and extends outwardly to a side of said container. [016] The scalloped or depression formation can extend from a location near to said web means and can extend downwardly to a side of said container. [017] The air passage can have a passage angle as defined herein and said cap closure has a cap closure angle as defined herein, whereby said air passage angle is greater than said cap closure angle. [018] The handle has a main body and includes a connection portion connecting the main body and the cap closure, wherein the air passage forms a shallow dip in the connection portion to facilitate said self draining. [019] A tangent of the terminus on the air passage side can also be a tangent to a spaced apart point on the upper surface of the air passage towards the storage volume, and wherein the angular relationship between the tangent and the angle at which liquid pours from the storage volume through the cap closure is such that the air passage is self draining when contents are poured from the container. [020] The tangent can form an angle to the horizontal when the liquid storage container is on its base surface equal to the angle to the horizontal at which liquid pours out of the cap closure from the storage volume when the storage volume is full to the base of the cap closure so that the air passage is self draining when contents are poured from the container. Brief description of the drawings [021] An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 3 [022] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a liquid storage container according to the invention; [023] Figure 2 shows a top plan view of the storage container of Figure 1; [024] Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the storage container of Figure 1; [025] Figure 4 shows a side elevation of the storage container of Figure 1; and [026] Figure 5 shows a cross section of a part of the container of Figure 1. Detailed description of the embodiment or embodiments [027] Referring to Figure 1, the storage container 10 is of a cuboid shape having approximately equal dimensions of length, width and height. The storage container 10 includes a storage volume 12 and rests on front and rear base feet 16 and 14 respectively, moulded integrally with the storage container 10. As can be seen from figure 3 the under side of the container 10 includes the front and rear base feet 16, 14, which are separated by a passage 15. [028] The container 10 has a generally horizontal handle 20, which extends from the centre of rear side wall 26 and terminates near to a cap closure 31 having an exit orifice 22. The cap closure 31 is located in a central position on one side of the container 10, which side is opposite to the rear side wall 26. [029] The passage 15, in the base of the container 10, permits a like shaped container to be positioned or nested on top of the container 10, as the passage 15 will receive the handle 20 and cap closure 31 therein. [030] The storage container 10 is provided with indented corners 18 which allow the top of the container 10 to carry the weight of several like containers to be stacked on top, one above the other. The corners 18 assist in the partial or controlled collapse of the upper part of the container when under a load. By controlling the collapse, breakage or rupture can be prevented. [031] The storage container 10 can be made by a blow moulding process, for example using a plastics material such as high molecular weight high density polyethylene. [032] A web 54, as illustrated in figure 4, attaches or joins the hollow handle 20 to the top 28 of the storage container in the region adjacent to the exit orifice 22. On either side of the handle 20, and behind the exit orifice 22, are scalloped portions 50, 52 which are of a indented or depressed shape, sloping laterally downwardly away from the handle 20 towards the sides. These scalloped portions 50 and 52 provide ease of moulding to form web 54 (see Figure 4) and to assist in separation of the mould and moulded part after forming the storage container.

4 [033] The scalloped portions 50 and 52 can also provide added strength to the top section 28 of the container 10. It will be noted that the scalloped portions 50 and 52 from figure 4 are contoured such that they dip downwardly, then generally horizontal and then downwardly again, and then finally upwardly to the base of the cap closure 31 in the direction from rear to front of the container 10. The downward then generally horizontal section assists by strengthening the scalloped portions 50 and 52. [034] As described above, the cap closure 31 includes the exit orifice 22. The cap closure is formed with a generally cylindrical wall 30 having an external screw thread 32 therearound. [035] Around the outside of the cap closure 31 is a ratchet 34 having separate forward, side and rear components 35, 36, 37, 38 whereby a cap or closure member (not shown) can engage the threads and the ratchet to close the cap closure 31 and lock same thereby. [036] The cap closure 31 and exit orifice 22 rest upon a raised portion 29 of the top section 28 of the storage container 10 and thereby provides a suitable pouring spout for the contents of the container 10. [037] Pouring from the container 10 is improved if the ratio of the height X (see figure 1) of the cap closure to the diameter of cap closure is a ratio of less than 1:2.2 to 1:2.5. In the illustrated embodiment, the ratio is approximately 1: 2.7, that is the orifice is 63 mm in diameter and the height X is approx. 23 mm. A lesser ratio of 1: 3 or 1:3.5 will be more preferable, with the minimum ratio being limited to the amount of thread required for a safe closure. [038] A further orifice 56 can be provided in the base of the container 10 allowing the container 10 to be drained from that point while also enabling the container 10 to be flushed out. [039] Referring to Figure 2, the handle 20 has a hollow interior or passage 65 which connects the exit orifice 22 to the storage volume of the storage container at 64. As shown more clearly in Figure 2, the passage 65 joins to the exit orifice 22 through an opening 68 towards the rear top section of the circular exit orifice 22. When the container is tipped forward, the contents of the storage volume are forced out of the exit orifice 22 while leaving the opening sufficiently free for air to flow along the passage 65 within the handle 20 to replace the displaced fluid being poured from the storage container. [040] By the provision of the web 54 the air passage 65 can, in the region between the handle 20 and the cap closure 31, be of a smaller top to bottom height, than if the web 54 were not present. In so doing, the air passage 65 provides only a relatively shallow dip as it proceeds from the handle 20 to the vent 68 in the cap closure 31. Such a relatively shallow air passage is 5 less likely to be clogged by liquid moving in to this air passage during use or transport of the storage container 10, whether with a cap is applied or during or after pouring contents from the container 10. In other prior art anti-glug containers, the air passage 65 is often obstructed by fluid at some stage of the pouring process resulting in the pouring operation being interrupted or unreliable requiring the air passage to be cleared which is often difficult to do. [041] Illustrated in figure 5 is an aspect of the geometry of the cap closure 31 and the passage 65. If a tangent B is drawn to the passage 65 at the opening 68, that tangent B will make an angle 0 to the horizontal. The angle 0, being the air passage angle, is defined as being the angle at which the passage 65 would project liquid if the container 10 were positioned at 900 to a vertical orientation. [042] The cap closure angle is defined as that angle whereby if the container 10 were full of liquid to the same level as the opening 68 being also the base of the cap closure 31, then at less than this angle the contents of the container will not pour out of the cap closure 31. The cap closure angle is indicated by the line C which makes an angle (D to the horizontal. By transposing a line parallel to this line C, being the line A, is the angle at which the vent or air passage 65 will retain liquid in the passage 65. The line A is a tangent to the upper curved portion 65.1 and the inside edge 68.1 of the opening 68. This line A also makes an angle (D to the horizontal. [043] By the value of (D being less than the value of 0, the geometry of the cap closure 31 and the pair passage 65 and its outlet opening 68 are such that a self draining vent is produced, in that the passage 65 will drain once the container is rotated out of the vertical past the value of 1, when simultaneously the liquid will move out of the cap closure 31. [044] If the container 10 is tilted so that the container is at an angle to the horizontal such that the horizontal would be a line angularly located between the line A and B, then any liquid in the vent or passage 65 will drain out as contents are poured from the container. If the container were to be up-ended ( that is not rotated from the vertical whereby the rear side is made to rotate above the front side adjacent the cap closure 31) then the liquid contents would 'glug' out of the container 10, in view of any liquid retained in the passage 6 not being able to exit the handle portion. However, under any controlled tilting of the container 10 (that is rotated from the vertical whereby the rear side is made to rotate above the front side adjacent the cap closure 31) will result in the self draining of the passage 65, providing an anti-glug configuration. [045] The opening 68 is approximately 25mm long by 6 millimetres wide (being an average allowing for the curvature of the wall 31) which provides a vent of approximately 150 square millimetres.

6 [046] It is envisaged that an opening 68 being between 100 and 200 square millimetres will provide adequate venting for the viscosity of liquids which would b generally used with the container 10. [047] The container 10 is sized to hold approximately 20 litres. By simply decreasing or increasing the height of the surrounding wall 25, the manufacturer can produce other sizes of container 10, such as 15 or 25 litre sizes respectively. [048] Although a preferred embodiment of the invention is described above, other variations thereof are contemplated. For example, the second or further exit orifice can be provided with a tap whereby the contents of the storage volume can be emptied. Further a suitable air bypass can be provided in the tap to allow air to enter the storage container. [049] By having the container of a cuboid shape a number of containers can be stacked in the same area. It is also contemplated that the containers can be stacked vertically as well as horizontally. [050] Where ever it is used, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its "open" sense, that is, in the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense of "consisting only of'. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise", "comprised" and "comprises" where they appear. [051] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention. [052] While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims (20)

1. A liquid storage container including a storage volume, a cap closure for pouring liquid from the storage volume, and a generally horizontal handle means located on an upper surface of said container for supporting or carrying the container, wherein the handle means further includes an air passage therethrough connecting between said cap closure and said storage volume, wherein said air passage has a terminus in communication with the cap closure, and wherein said air passage is self draining when contents are poured from said container wherein said cap closure has a height and an internal diameter, whereby the ratio of said height to the said diameter of said cap closure is in the range of about 1: 2.2 to 1:3.5.

2. A liquid storage container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ratio is in the range of about 1: 2.7 to 1:3.5.

3. A liquid storage container as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said air passage has a vent opening near to or in said cap closure.

4. A liquid storage container as claimed in claim 3, wherein said vent opening has a cross sectional area in the range of between 2% to 8% of the cross sectional area of said cap closure.

5. A liquid storage container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cap closure includes a screw thread to receive a cap.

6. A liquid storage container as claimed in claim 5, wherein around said cap closure is a system to lock said cap onto said cap closure

7. A liquid storage container as claimed in claim 6, wherein said lock system is located adjacent the base of said cap closure.

8. A liquid storage container as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein said lock system includes one or more ratchet formations.

9. A liquid storage container as claimed in claim 8, wherein said ratchet formations are located intermittently around said closure.

10. A liquid storage container as claimed any one of the preceding claims, wherein said storage container is made by a moulding process using a plastics material.

11. A liquid storage container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said container is made from high molecular weight high density polyethylene.

12. A liquid storage container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said handle further includes web means which connects said handle means to a top of said container adjoining said cap closure. 8

13. A liquid storage container as claimed claim 12, wherein said container has a scalloped or depression formation formed in the top thereof, in the vicinity of said web means.

14. A liquid storage container as claimed in claim 13, wherein said scalloped or depression formation extends from a location near to said web means and extends outwardly to a side of said container.

15. A liquid storage container as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein said scalloped or depression formation extends from a location near to said web means and extends downwardly to a side of said container.

16. A liquid storage container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said air passage has a passage angle as defined herein and said cap closure has a cap closure angle as defined herein, whereby said air passage angle is greater than said cap closure angle.

17. A liquid storage container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle has a main body and includes a connection portion connecting the main body and the cap closure, wherein the air passage forms a shallow dip in the connection portion to facilitate said self draining.

18. A liquid storage container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said tangent forms an angle to the horizontal when the liquid storage container is on its base surface equal to the angle to the horizontal at which liquid pours out of the cap closure from the storage volume when said storage volume is full to the base of the cap closure so that the air passage is self draining when contents are poured from the container.

19. The liquid storage container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a tangent of said terminus on the air passage side is also a tangent to a spaced apart point on the upper surface of the air passage towards the storage volume; and wherein the angular relationship between said tangent and the angle at which liquid pours from said storage volume through said cap closure is such that said air passage is self draining when contents are poured from said container.

20. A liquid storage container, being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.