Collapsible container

Abstract

A collapsible portion-type container ( 1 ) for liquid contents, comprising a compartment ( 4 ) which is defined by flexible walls ( 2, 3 ) and whose volume depends on the relative position of the walls ( 2, 3 ). The walls ( 2, 3 ) are joined with each other along a connecting portion ( 5 ). A duct means ( 11 ), which is formed integrally with two side walls ( 2 ) of said walls ( 2, 3 ), forms a connection between the compartment ( 4 ) and the surroundings. The container ( 1 ) is characterised in that the duct means ( 11 ) in the filled and unopened state of the container ( 1 ) has an end which faces away from the compartment ( 4 ) and which is sealed and openable by manual separation of an end portion ( 14 ) arranged at said end. Moreover stiffeners ( 17 ) are arranged along said connecting portion ( 5 ) to give the container ( 1 ) stability in two manually perpendicular planes ( 18, 20 ) which in turn are parallel with a longitudinal axis ( 19 ) of the container ( 1 ).

1 . A collapsible portion-type container ( 1 ) for liquid contents, comprising 
 a compartment ( 4 ) which is defined by flexible walls ( 2 ,  3 ) and whose volume is dependent on the relative position of the walls ( 2 ,  3 ),    said walls ( 2 ,  3 ) being joined along a connecting portion ( 5 ), and    a duct means ( 11 ) which is formed integrally with two side walls ( 2 ) of said walls ( 2 ,  3 ) and which forms a connection between the compartment ( 4 ) and the surroundings,    characterised in that    the duct means ( 11 ) in the filled and unopened state of the container ( 1 ) has an end which faces away from the compartment ( 4 ) and which is sealed and openable by manual separation of an end portion ( 14 ) arranged at said end, and    stiffeners ( 17 ) are arranged along said connecting portion ( 5 ), which stiffeners ( 17 ) give the container ( 1 ) stability in two mutually perpendicular planes ( 18 ,  20 ) which in turn are parallel with a longitudinal axis ( 19 ) of the container ( 1 ).    
     
     
         2 . A container ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the end portion ( 14 ) is removed by being torn off.  
     
     
         3 . A container ( 1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the end portion ( 14 ) forms a tab ( 15 ).  
     
     
         4 . A container ( 1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the end portion ( 14 ) comprises an initiation ( 16 ).  
     
     
         5 . A container ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the initiation ( 16 ) comprises a locally heat-affected zone.  
     
     
         6 . A container ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 4  or  5 , in which the initiation ( 16 ) comprises a local reduction of the wall thickness.  
     
     
         7 . A container ( 1 ) as claimed in any one of claims  1 - 3 , in which the end portion ( 14 ) comprises an opening means arranged in the side wall ( 2 ).  
     
     
         8 . A container ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the duct means ( 11 ) is arranged concentrically round the longitudinal axis ( 19 ) of the container.  
     
     
         9 . A container ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the stiffeners ( 17 ) are arranged on both sides of the compartment ( 4 ).  
     
     
         10 . A container ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 9 , in which the stiffeners ( 17 ) are formed integrally with the connecting portion ( 5 ).  
     
     
         11 . A container ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 9  or  10 , in which the stiffeners ( 17 ) comprise embossments.  
     
     
         12 . A container ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 10  or  11 , in which the stiffeners ( 17 ). comprise an external reinforcement.  
     
     
         13 . A container ( 1 ) as claimed in any one of claim  10 - 12 , in which the stiffeners ( 17 ) are provided with throughgoing openings.  
     
     
         14 . A container ( 1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is made of a material containing a filler of mineral material and a binder of polyolefin material.  
     
     
         15 . A container ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 14 , in which the mineral material consists of chalk (calcium carbonate).