Liquid container

Abstract

A shipping container for liquids is described. This consists of an outer corrugated paperboard container containing an inner corrugated liner forming corner posts. A flexible or semi-flexible bladder or jug generally conforming in cross section to the inside of the corrugated container contains the liquid. It is desirable for the inner corrugated liner to be bonded to the outer container, especially along the margins of the corner posts. It has been found to be critical that the ratio of the length of the outside face of the outer container to the corner post length should be no greater than about 8:1. This is essential to prevent face bulging, especially when the inner plastic container is filled with a high density material such as a paint. Where the inner plastic container has an upstanding handle or spout it is useful to have filler pieces that bear between the plastic container and upper flaps of the outer corrugated container. This prevents any up and down motion of the inner container during normal handling or under the severe stresses that might be imposed on a paint shaker.

1 . A container for liquid materials which comprises an inner flexible liquid-tight plastic container and an outer corrugated paperboard container, the outer container being generally rectangular in cross section and having top, bottom and sidewall portions; 
 an octagonal secondary sidewall having face and corner sections snugly inserted within the outer container so as to form vertically oriented corner posts;    the inner plastic container as seen in cross section being of an octagonal cross section so as to fit conformingly within the secondary sidewall, the plastic container having a spout and an optional handle on an upper surface and being accessible through the top portion of the outer corrugated container.    
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  in which the ratio of length of any face of the outer container to the length of the corner sections of the secondary sidewall is no greater than about 8:1.  
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2  in which the ratio of length of any face of the outer container to the length of the corner sections of the secondary sidewall is within the range of about 3.3:1 to about 8:1.  
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1  in which the secondary sidewall is adhesively bonded to the outer corrugated container.  
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1  in which there is a space between the top of the outer corrugated container and the inner plastic container, the space being sufficient to accommodate the spout and a handle, if one is present.  
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5  in which there is at least one filler piece between the top of the inner plastic container and top of the corrugated outer container to restrain relative motion between the two.  
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6  in which the spout is centrally located adjacent an edge of the inner container and the filler piece comprises two sections, one section being located on each side of the spout.  
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7  in which the filler piece sections are of separate construction from the top of the outer corrugated container.  
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 7  in which the filler piece sections are integral with the top flaps of the outer corrugated container.  
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1  in which the inner plastic container has an upper surface and an upstanding handle, an inner plastic container rotation control means being located above the upper surface, the rotation control means being formed from corrugated paperboard and sized to bear against the walls of the outer container, the paperboard having apertures permitting passage of the spout and the handle of the inner plastic container.  
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10  in which the inner plastic container handle is generally in the form of an inverted U with upstanding legs and a connecting cross piece, the rotation control means having apertures permitting passage of the legs of the handle, the apertures being connected by a slit to permit the cross piece of the handle to be pushed through for access.  
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 6  in which the inner plastic container has an upper surface and an inner plastic container rotation control means located between the upper surface and the filler piece or pieces.  
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12  in which the inner plastic container has an upstanding handle and the rotation control means is formed from corrugated paperboard sized to bear against the walls of the outer container, the paperboard having apertures permitting passage of the spout and the handle of the inner plastic container.  
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13  in which the inner plastic container handle is in the form of an inverted U with upstanding legs and a connecting cross piece, the rotation control means having apertures permitting passage of the legs of the handle, the apertures being connected by a slit to permit the cross piece of the handle to be pushed through for access.  
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 1  in which the spout and optional handle may be formed or telescoped within the top of the inner plastic container and the top of the inner plastic container is flush with and contacts the top flaps of the outer corrugated container.