Containers for Holding Materials

Abstract

The invention provides for containers that can be formed from a liquid-holding vessel, a closure, and a skeleton. The liquid-holding vessel can comprise a flexible polymer or plastic material for preventing contact between a liquid stored in or dispensed from the container and the skeleton. The liquid-holding vessel and the closure may be formed from a minimal amount of polymer or plastic.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A container comprising a hollow shell, the hollow shell defining a container body of the container, the container including a dispensing aperture, and a bag or liner provided within the hollow shell, and being secured to the hollow shell at least about the dispensing aperture, the hollow shell formed from a recycled and/or biodegradable pulp material, the shell being moulded as an open shell which is then folded to form the hollow shell or being moulded in a number of parts which are joined together to form the hollow shell. 
     
     
         2 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the pulp material is selected from the group of wood pulp and paper pulp. 
     
     
         3 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the hollow shell has an internal volume, the bag or liner having a portion provided within the hollow shell that has a maximum internal volume, wherein the internal volume of the hollow shell and the maximum internal volume of the bag or liner are sized so that the load of the bag or liner when filled is carried by the hollow shell rather than the load being supported by a portion of the bag or liner that is secured about the dispensing aperture of the container. 
     
     
         4 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the hollow shell has an internal volume, and a portion of the bag or liner provided within the hollow shell has a maximum internal volume, the maximal internal volume of the portion of the bag or liner provided within the shell being greater than the internal volume of the hollow shell. 
     
     
         5 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the bag or liner is attached by an adhesive, by tape, or by shrink wrapping. 
     
     
         6 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the bag or liner is provided loosely within the hollow shell. 
     
     
         7 . A container according to  claim 6 , in which the bag or liner is connected to the inside of the hollow shell at discrete positions. 
     
     
         8 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the bag or liner is formed of a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         9 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the hollow shell includes at least one an extension portion, tab or similar feature arranged to extend over and attach to another portion of the hollow shell to assemble the hollow shell. 
     
     
         10 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the hollow shell includes one or more flanges that are joined together to join one or more parts of the hollow shell. 
     
     
         11 . A container according to  claim 1 , in which the connection between the bag or liner and the outer surface of the hollow shell is rupturable so that the bag or liner can be separated from the outer surface of the hollow shell and removed from the interior of the hollow shell.