Storage Apparatus With A Breachable Flow Conduit For Discharging A Fluid Stored Therein

Abstract

Apparatus 10 has breachable flow conduit 12 for discharging stored fluid 12 F contained in storage chamber 10 C out to the ambient. Chamber access region 10 R is positioned proximate perimeter 10 P of the apparatus. The breachable flow conduit is within the access region, and has an inner end 12 C proximate the storage chamber and an outer end 12 P proximate the perimeter of the apparatus. The flow conduit has outer pressed seal 14 P between the outer end of the flow conduit and the perimeter of the apparatus. The flow conduit also has inner pressed seal 14 C between the inner end of the flow conduit and the edge of the storage chamber. The flow conduit expands towards the perimeter of the apparatus under external pressure, typically applied by the consumer. The pressure causes the flow conduit to breach at the perimeter of the apparatus. The flow conduit also expands towards the storage chamber. The pressure causes the flow conduit to breach at the edge of the storage chamber. Breached flow conduit 13 B establishes fluid communication between the storage chamber and the ambient for discharge of the stored fluid.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A storage apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of storage chambers formed by opposed laminae pressed into sealing engagement;   a chamber access region proximate the perimeter of the apparatus;   a breachable flow conduit within the access region having an inner end proximate at least one storage chamber and an outer end proximate the perimeter of the apparatus;   an outer pressed seal within the access region between the outer end of the flow conduit and the perimeter of the apparatus, formed by the opposed laminae;   an inner pressed seal within the access region between the inner end of the flow conduit and the edge of at least one storage chamber, formed by the opposed laminae;   the flow conduit is expandable towards the perimeter of the apparatus by applied pressure, which separates the opposed laminae of the outer pressed seal until the flow conduit breaches at the perimeter of the apparatus creating a perimeter breach from the flow conduit out to the ambient through the outer pressed seal;   the flow conduit is expandable towards at least one storage chamber by applied pressure, which separates the opposed laminae until the flow conduit breaches at the edge of the storage chamber creating a chamber breach from the flow conduit into the storage chamber through the inner seal; and   the flow conduit breached at both ends establishes fluid communication between at least one storage chamber and the ambient.   
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the flow conduit is elongated extending across the access region from the perimeter of the apparatus to the edge of at least one storage chamber. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 an out-only flow valve positioned in the flow conduit for preventing the entry of ambient atmosphere.   
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 a barricade across the flow conduit dividing the flow conduit into an inner conduit section and an outer conduit section;   the barricade having an inner barrier wall facing the inner conduit section and an outer barrier wall facing the outer conduit section;   the inner conduit section is expandable outward toward the inner barrier wall and inward toward at least one storage chamber;   the outer conduit section is expandable inward toward the outer barrier wall and outward toward the ambient;   until the conduit sections breach at the edge of the perimeter of the apparatus and at the edge of at least one storage chamber and at the barricade.   
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the outer pressed seal is resealable after perimeter breaching for resealing the apparatus. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 multiple breachable flow conduits for establishing multiple fluid communications between the storage chambers and the ambient.   
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the multiple breachable flow conduits have different flow cross-sections for providing multiple fluid communications having different flow capacities from the storage chambers out to the ambient. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein each storage chamber is associated with at least one breachable flow conduit. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the breachable flow conduits have a common outer seal to the ambient. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the storage apparatus comprises only one breachable flow conduit, and wherein the plurality of storage chambers are associated with the only one breachable flow conduit. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the storage chamber and the access region are formed by opposed laminae pressed into sealing engagement. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the opposed-laminae forming the storage chambers are flexible. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the storage chambers are formed by a rigid material. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , further comprising an air intake conduit between the rigid storage chambers and the ambient, for permitting the intake of ambient air to replace the volume discharged out through the breached flow conduit. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , further comprising an in-only air intake valve positioned in the air intake conduit. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the apparatus has at least one corner, and the flow conduit is positioned proximate that corner. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the apparatus has at least two corners, and the flow conduit is positioned between the two corners. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 a discharge spout having a conduit end and a discharge end, which spout projects from the flow conduit at the conduit end.   
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the discharge spout is an open chute. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the discharge spout is formed by opposed lamina pressed together.