Collapsible Fluid Containers

• US 20080061023A1
• Filed: 05/10/2005
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EV Baby Limited
• Original Assignee: EV Baby Limited
• Inventors: Moor, Timothy
• Granted Patent: US 8,100,276 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 215/11.3
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 11/002 by using valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 11/008 Protecting caps
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 11/045 with interlocking means, e.g. protrusions or indentations on the teat
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 9/005 Non-rigid or collapsible feeding-bottles
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 9/008 having storage compartments, e.g. for storing a teat
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/2031 the element being formed by a slit, narrow opening or constrictable spout, the size of the outlet passage being able to be varied by increasing or decreasing the pressure B65D47/2025 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0055 Containers or packages provided with a flexible bag or a deformable membrane or diaphragm for expelling the contents

Abstract

A collapsible container for fluids consists of a flexible bag or pouch hermetically attached to a cover. The container may be provided flat packed, pre-sterilised and hermetically packaged and may be a single use, disposable, container useful for drinking bottles for young children and babies.

Claims

1. A flat packed evacuated and/or folded container comprising a flexible bag or pouch hermetically attached to a cover and further provided with means to provide an opening to enable filling and a seal such as a non-return valve to seal the evacuated and/or folded container which can be used or removed to enable filling through the opening and wherein the means to provide the opening may be replaced after the filling of the container.

2. A container according to claim 1 which is sterilised prior to flat packing.

3. A container according to any of the preceding claims enclosed in hermetically sealed packaging.

4. A container according to any of the preceding claims consisting of a flexible bag or pouch and a separate cover and a band which enables the bag or pouch to be hermetically attached to the rim of the cover.

5. A container according to any of the preceding claims consisting of a flexible bag or pouch and a separate cover that are welded together.

6. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the volume of the container when in its inflated form is between 50 and 300 ml.

7. A container according to any of claims 1 to 5 in which the volume of the container when in its inflated form is at least 1 ml.

8. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the bag or pouch is made of a thermoplastic material such as a polymer film for example of polyolefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene or polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate or polybutylene terephthalate.

9. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the bag or pouch is transparent.

10. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the bag or pouch is such that the contents are visible.

11. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the bag or pouch is provided with pre-marked volume indicators.

12. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the side walls of the bag or pouch are either extruded and seamless or thin film.

13. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the side walls of the bag or pouch have a thickness of from 25 μ

m to 150 μ

m.

14. A container according to any of the preceding claims which can withstand temperatures upto 100°

C.

15. A container according to any of the preceding claims in which the cover is sufficiently rigid to provide strength and integrity to the container when it contains the particular liquid for which it is designed.

16. A container according to claim 17 in which the cover is made of polypropylene, ethylene/propylene copolymers rubbers or polyamides.

17. A container according to any of the preceding claims provided with means for attachment of a fluid delivery tube.

18. A container according to claim 17 in which the fluid delivery tube is a mouthpiece.

19. A container according to any of the preceding claims containing pre-measured ingredients.

20. A container according to claim 19 in which the pre-measured ingredients comprise powder, syrup, paste, cordial, dried food, liquid and/or granules.

21. A container according to claim 19 or claim 20 in which the pre-measured ingredients is milk powder.

22. A container according to claim 19 in which the pre-measured ingredient is liquid, oil or paint.

23. A container according to claim 22 in which the liquid is sterilised water.

24. A container according to any of the preceding claims provided with a temperature indicator.

25. A container according to any of the preceding claims containing medicines to be taken orally.

34. A package containing a plurality of flat packed containers according to any of claims 1 to 25.

35. A package according to claim 34 additionally containing one or more holders for the filled containers.

36. A package according to claim 35 wherein the holder or holders is or are collapsed.

37. The use of a container according to any of claims 1 to 33 for the preparation and/or consumption of liquids/ fluids.

38. The use of a container according to any of claims 1 to 33 in the disposal of liquids/fluids.

39. The use of a container according to claims 1 to 33 for the capture of liquid samples and/or transportation.

26. A container comprising a bag or pouch hermetically sealed to a holder said holder being adapted to releasably engage with a cap, said cap containing a delivery mechanism for the contents of the bag or pouch and said holder containing a sealing mechanism for the bag or pouch which may be exposed by removal of the cap and broken to allow materials to be introduced into the bag or pouch wherein the cap may be replaced in the holder and thereby provide the delivery mechanism.

27. A container according to claim 26 in which the delivery mechanism is a teat.

28. A container according to claim 26 or claim 27 in which a plug is provided which may be releasably engaged with the cap.

29. A container according to claim 28 in which the plug compresses the teat when applied and releases the teat for use when it is removed.

30. A container according to claim 29 in which the teat when compressed provides the sealing mechanism.

31. A container according to any of claims 26 to 28 wherein the sealing mechanism comprises a ring pull.

32. A container according to any of claims 26 to 31 wherein the cap is engageable with the holder in a manner that secures the delivery mechanism in place.

33. A container according to claim 32 in which the cap is engageable with the holder by means of a screw thread and stops are provided on the holder to control the extent to which the cap may be engaged with the holder.