Container

Abstract

A container of a collapsible type for liquid contents, comprising a compartment ( 4 ) which is defined by two opposite side walls ( 2 ) and a bottom wall ( 3 ) and whose volume depends on the relative position of the walls ( 2, 3 ). The container comprises a product-enclosing portion ( 19 ) which is formed by said walls ( 2, 3 ) and which in a filled state of the container extends from said bottom wall ( 3 ) to a surface level ( 20 ) of the contents held in the container. The product-enclosing portion ( 19 ) is arranged to be expanded by said contents to essentially assume the shape of a truncated cone ( 21 ) with its narrow end facing away from said bottom wall ( 3 ).

1 . A container of a collapsible type for liquid contents, comprising a compartment ( 4 ) which is defined by two opposite side walls ( 2 ) and a bottom wall ( 3 ) and whose volume depends on the relative position of the walls ( 2 , 3 ), characterised by a product-enclosing portion which is formed by said walls ( 2 , 3 ) and which in a filled state of the container extends from said bottom wall ( 3 ) to a surface level ( 20 ) of the contents held in the container, the product-enclosing portion ( 19 ) being arranged to be expanded by said contents to essentially assume the shape of a truncated cone ( 21 ) with its narrow end facing away from said bottom wall ( 3 ). 
   
   
       2 . A container as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said product-enclosing portion ( 19 ) in the expanded state is essentially elliptic in cross-section. 
   
   
       3 . A container as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , in which said side walls ( 2 ) are joined along an upper connecting portion ( 5 ), which in the area of said product-enclosing portion ( 19 ) has opposite boundary lines ( 22 ), which are facing the compartment and which in an empty and flat state of the container taper away from the bottom wall ( 3 ) of the container. 
   
   
       4 . A container as claimed in  claim 3 , in which said boundary lines ( 22 ) taper towards the compartment ( 4 ) in a curved manner. 
   
   
       5 . A container as claimed in claim  1 , in which the ratio of the width of said bottom wall ( 3 ) to the length thereof does not exceed 1/2. 
   
   
       6 . A container as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the side walls ( 2 ) are joined to the bottom wall ( 3 ) along a lower connecting portion ( 15 ) each, each connecting portion comprising end portions ( 16 ) facing away from each other and connecting, at an obtuse angle (α), to the upper connecting portion ( 5 ) on the associated side ( 6 , 12 ) of the container in a flat and empty state thereof, in which state said bottom wall ( 3 ) is folded in two. 
   
   
       7 . A container as claimed in  claim 6 , in which said end portions ( 16 ) are designed so as to connect, in the expanded state of the product-enclosing portion ( 19 ), to the upper connecting portion ( 5 ) at angle (α) not exceeding 180°. 
   
   
       8 . A container as claimed in  claim 6  or  7 , in which said end portions ( 16 ) are designed so as to be arranged, in the expanded state of the product-enclosing portion ( 19 ), along the circumferential surface of the thus formed frustoconical shape of said product-enclosing portion ( 19 ).