Container with flexible inner body

Abstract

A container ( 10 ) comprises a rigid outer body ( 12 ), a flexible inner body ( 14 ) at least partially inside the outer body ( 12 ), the inner body ( 14 ) defining a cleaning product space ( 16 ) configured to accommodate an amount of a cleaning product ( 42 ), and a coupler ( 50 ) for coupling the container to a cleaning appliance ( 200 ). The inner body is connected to the outer body by connection means ( 22 ) to form a liquid conduit ( 24 ) configured to cooperate with the coupler ( 50 ) and enable liquid flow from the container ( 10 ) to the cleaning appliance ( 200 ).

1 . A container ( 10 ) comprising:
 a rigid outer body ( 12 ),   a flexible inner body ( 14 ) at least partially inside the outer body ( 12 ), the inner body ( 14 ) defining a cleaning product space ( 16 ) configured to accommodate an amount of a cleaning product ( 42 ), and   a coupler ( 50 ) for coupling the container to a cleaning appliance ( 200 );   the inner body ( 14 ) being connected to the outer body ( 12 ) by connection means ( 22 ) to form a liquid conduit ( 24 ) configured to cooperate with the coupler ( 50 ) and enable liquid flow from the container ( 10 ) to the cleaning appliance ( 200 ).   
     
     
         2 . The container ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer body ( 12 ) comprises a base ( 11 ) and a plurality of side faces ( 15 ) and an outer body opening ( 36 ). 
     
     
         3 . The container ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection means ( 22 ) further comprises one or more linear connections ( 26 ) between an outside surface of the inner body ( 28 ) and an inside surface of the outer body ( 32 ). 
     
     
         4 . The container ( 10 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein the inner body ( 14 ) is connected to the outer body ( 12 ) on each side of the outer body ( 12 ). 
     
     
         5 . The container ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection means ( 22 ) comprises one or more of: adhesive, welding, and mechanical connectors. 
     
     
         6 . The container ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner body ( 14 ) comprises an inner body opening ( 34 ), the outer body ( 12 ) comprises an outer body opening ( 36 ) and the inner body opening ( 34 ) and the outer body opening ( 36 ) align. 
     
     
         7 . The container ( 10 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein the coupler ( 50 ) aligns with the inner body opening ( 34 ) and the outer body openings ( 36 ). 
     
     
         8 . The container ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer body ( 12 ) comprises plastic material. 
     
     
         9 . The container ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner body ( 14 ) comprises plastic material. 
     
     
         10 . The container ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein a volume encompassed by the outer body ( 12 ) substantially corresponds to the volume of the inner body ( 14 ) when the cleaning product space ( 16 ) is completely filled. 
     
     
         11 . The container ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible inner body ( 14 ) of the container ( 10 ) has a maximal volume between 50 ml and 2000 ml. 
     
     
         12 . The container ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning appliance ( 200 ) is one or more of a washing machine, a dish washer, a carpet cleaning machine, or an electric soap dispenser. 
     
     
         13 . The container ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupler ( 50 ) comprises means for controlling the flow through the coupler. 
     
     
         14 . The container ( 10 ) according to  claim 13 , wherein the means is a valve ( 60 ), preferably a cross-valve ( 70 ), duckbill valve ( 80 ) or ball valve ( 90 ). 
     
     
         15 . A method for preparing a packaged cleaning product comprising:
 connecting a flexible inner body ( 14 ) at least partially inside a rigid outer body ( 12 ) to obtain the container ( 10 ) according to claims; and   filling the flexible inner body ( 14 ) with a cleaning product ( 42 ).