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WO2006123099A1 - A beverage container - Google Patents

A beverage container Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2006123099A1
WO2006123099A1 PCT/GB2006/001681 GB2006001681W WO2006123099A1 WO 2006123099 A1 WO2006123099 A1 WO 2006123099A1 GB 2006001681 W GB2006001681 W GB 2006001681W WO 2006123099 A1 WO2006123099 A1 WO 2006123099A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
shape
beverage container
container
chambers
fastening means
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2006/001681
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Leigh David Carter
Original Assignee
Diageo Ireland
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Diageo Ireland filed Critical Diageo Ireland
Publication of WO2006123099A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006123099A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D1/00Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material or by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
    • B65D1/02Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents
    • B65D1/0223Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents characterised by shape
    • B65D1/0292Foldable bottles
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/28Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by associating or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks
    • B65D75/30Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
    • B65D75/32Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
    • B65D75/34Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents and having several recesses to accommodate a series of articles or quantities of material
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/32Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging two or more different materials which must be maintained separate prior to use in admixture
    • B65D81/3261Flexible containers having several compartments
    • B65D81/3266Flexible containers having several compartments separated by a common rupturable seal, a clip or other removable fastening device

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a beverage container, more specifically a beverage container that features improved refrigeration attributes.
  • Beverage containers e.g. bottles (made from plastic, glass or metal), are well known. Also well known are devices to keep bottles cool when they have been refrigerated, such as "chilly bins" that provide an insulated box within which to place many unitised containers. Chilly bins can be further filled with ice so the interior itself provides a temporary refrigeration function.
  • chilly bins that provide an insulated box within which to place many unitised containers. Chilly bins can be further filled with ice so the interior itself provides a temporary refrigeration function.
  • Chilly bins can be further filled with ice so the interior itself provides a temporary refrigeration function.
  • a common observation is that the contents of a (normally cylindrical) bottle can take some time to cool .
  • a solution is to reduce the wall thickness (and hence its insulation properties) or to change the materials of a bottle.
  • a beverage container transformable between a first and second shape wherein the first shape presents an exposed surface and the second shape at least partially conceals that exposed surface.
  • the beverage container includes an insulated surface opposed to the exposed surface, whereby, when the container is transformed into its second shape the insulated surface becomes an outer wall.
  • the container includes a spout means providing access to the contents of the container.
  • the container includes a fastening means to hold said container in its second shape.
  • a beverage container including a plurality of chambers, the container being transformable between a first shape or open position where the chambers are arranged in series and a second shape or closed position where the chambers are packed together.
  • a fastening means is provided to join adjacent chambers when the container is in a closed position.
  • Figure 1 is a general view of a beverage container according to the present invention in a first "open" position
  • Figure 2 is a general view of the beverage container in a second "closed" position
  • Figure 3 is a side detail view of the embodiment from Figure 1
  • Figure 4 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the beverage container according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 A general view of a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by Figure 1.
  • the beverage container is generally denoted 10 and is comprised of a series of chambers or segments 11 lying adjacent to one another. In the illustrated embodiment there are five segments 11a to lie, however, the design may be adjusted as desired to have more or less chambers 11.
  • Segments 11 in the illustrated embodiment are generally elongate prisms with a triangular cross section as illustrated by Figure 3. This enables the segments to come together and form a more familiar bottle shape as illustrated by Figure 2.
  • a spout 12 extends from at least one of the segments to permit access to the contents C (liquid as shown in Figure 3) .
  • a fastening means 13 in the form of a clip/clasp is provided to hold the container 10 in its second "bottle” shape.
  • the fastening means 13 may be in many forms, from an appended clasp as illustrated to a separate component such as a moulded or elastic band around the outer circumference of the "bottle” to hold segments 11 together.
  • the walls of sections 11 can be especially thin/flexible to improve heat transfer on the "exposed surface area" visible in Figure 1. It will be appreciated that this exposed surface is substantially hidden when container 10 is rolled up into the bottle shape of Figure 2.
  • the fastening means may include an eyelet or hook (not illustrated) to facilitate hanging the "flat" beverage container in a refrigerator or freezer. Multiple flat packs may hang together during their cooling stage. Eyelets of other means to enable hanging could be appended to any appropriate part of the package.
  • Wall 14 may be a thicker plastic or special composite to insulate the contents C within.
  • the triangular ends of sections 11 may also be made of a similar insulated material. In a practical, mass produced, example wall 14 will probably include printed or embossed advertising/information connected with the beverage contents.
  • spout 12 includes a generally conventional cap 15 which the user removes for drinking.
  • Cap 15 may also be of a "sipper" type with a pop-up closure means .
  • the container 10 has a novelty value to the consumer, but also practical features such as the ability to stack in the first "open" shape (for storage/transport) that may be more efficient than a conventional bottle (cylindrical) shape.
  • the container may also have application in broader fields of packaging, such as chemicals/pharmaceuticals etc.
  • FIG. 3 shows fluid communication between sections 11 at points 16 where the adjacent sections join at a corner of the triangular prism, therefore, in this example it is supposed that container 10 will have a single content type C.
  • container 10 will have a single content type C.
  • advanced embodiments either with access by a separate spout (12) to each section 11 or with a rupturable membrane at point 16 to mix the contents of the container on demand, may be developed.
  • each of segments 11a to lie could contain a liquid of different colour and/or flavour. Keeping flavours in separate compartments has the added advantage of staying fresh for longer.
  • the broadest interpretation of the invention involves the container being transformable between two shapes, one with a large surface area for increased heat transfer (most likely to cool the contents but also conceivably for heating), and a second compact shape.
  • the general shape of segments 11 may vary and be flexible so they "squash" together.
  • the concept of the invention can be applied to a single flat chamber that is rolled up, having a spiral end view as illustrated by Figure 4.
  • Figure 4 otherwise includes similar features like a fastening means 13 to hold the "second" shape together and, optionally, insulated outer wall 14, and a spout position 12.
  • Insulated wall 14 may extend only about the externally visible surface (between fastening points) or to the centre of the spiral.
  • the present invention can be implemented by available manufacturing techniques. It will most likely be moulded from a flexible thermoplastic with an insulating wall integrally molded therewith. Design considerations may be taken into account in the filling process. For example, beverages (being made substantially of water) will tend to expand upon freezing. It may be desirable to deliberately under fill the chambers or even provide a concave surface to the triangular prism shape of the chambers 11 to accommodate expansion .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Composite Materials (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Abstract

A beverage container (10) including a plurality of chambers or segments (11). The container is transformable between a first, flat or open shape and a second, closed shape where the chambers are packed together to resemble a bottle. A fastening means (13) holds the container in its closed bottle shape. Contents are accessed by a spout (12) in the usual way.

Description

A BEVERAGE CONTAINER
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a beverage container, more specifically a beverage container that features improved refrigeration attributes.
BACKGROUND ART
Beverage containers, e.g. bottles (made from plastic, glass or metal), are well known. Also well known are devices to keep bottles cool when they have been refrigerated, such as "chilly bins" that provide an insulated box within which to place many unitised containers. Chilly bins can be further filled with ice so the interior itself provides a temporary refrigeration function. However, a common observation is that the contents of a (normally cylindrical) bottle can take some time to cool .
A solution is to reduce the wall thickness (and hence its insulation properties) or to change the materials of a bottle.
However, at the same time as content cooling time is decreased, so is the time that it takes for the contents to warm up again once outside a refrigerated environment.
To our knowledge there exists no beverage container that provides a function to reduce cooling time while also making provision for the contents to stay cooler longer. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a beverage container transformable between a first and second shape wherein the first shape presents an exposed surface and the second shape at least partially conceals that exposed surface.
In a preferred form the beverage container includes an insulated surface opposed to the exposed surface, whereby, when the container is transformed into its second shape the insulated surface becomes an outer wall.
Preferably the container includes a spout means providing access to the contents of the container.
Preferably the container includes a fastening means to hold said container in its second shape.
In a second broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a beverage container including a plurality of chambers, the container being transformable between a first shape or open position where the chambers are arranged in series and a second shape or closed position where the chambers are packed together.
In a preferred form a fastening means is provided to join adjacent chambers when the container is in a closed position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a general view of a beverage container according to the present invention in a first "open" position,
Figure 2 is a general view of the beverage container in a second "closed" position, Figure 3 is a side detail view of the embodiment from Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the beverage container according to the present invention.
MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A general view of a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by Figure 1. The beverage container is generally denoted 10 and is comprised of a series of chambers or segments 11 lying adjacent to one another. In the illustrated embodiment there are five segments 11a to lie, however, the design may be adjusted as desired to have more or less chambers 11.
Segments 11 in the illustrated embodiment are generally elongate prisms with a triangular cross section as illustrated by Figure 3. This enables the segments to come together and form a more familiar bottle shape as illustrated by Figure 2. A spout 12 extends from at least one of the segments to permit access to the contents C (liquid as shown in Figure 3) .
In Figure 2 a fastening means 13 in the form of a clip/clasp is provided to hold the container 10 in its second "bottle" shape. The fastening means 13 may be in many forms, from an appended clasp as illustrated to a separate component such as a moulded or elastic band around the outer circumference of the "bottle" to hold segments 11 together.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that when container 10 is in its first "flat" shape, heat transfer between the surrounding atmosphere and contents C will be increased because of the greater surface area.
In fact, the walls of sections 11 can be especially thin/flexible to improve heat transfer on the "exposed surface area" visible in Figure 1. It will be appreciated that this exposed surface is substantially hidden when container 10 is rolled up into the bottle shape of Figure 2.
The fastening means may include an eyelet or hook (not illustrated) to facilitate hanging the "flat" beverage container in a refrigerator or freezer. Multiple flat packs may hang together during their cooling stage. Eyelets of other means to enable hanging could be appended to any appropriate part of the package.
The action of rolling container 10 into a bottle immediately reduces its heat transfer efficiency because the to'tal surface area reduces to less than half of the first shape. In typical use it is intended that the "flat" first shape of Figure 1 will be placed in a refrigerator or freezer until it cools down or freezes, then taken out and rolled up into a bottle that will retain its temperature for longer. In the preferred embodiment, to further reduce heat transfer (i.e. to slow the contents C warming up), the underneath surface (as viewed in Figure 1) , that is opposing the exposed surface exhibits increased insulating properties. This insulated surface becomes the outer wall 14 shown by Figure 2, which also has the fastening means 13 moulded therewith.
Wall 14 may be a thicker plastic or special composite to insulate the contents C within. The triangular ends of sections 11 may also be made of a similar insulated material. In a practical, mass produced, example wall 14 will probably include printed or embossed advertising/information connected with the beverage contents.
In the illustrated example, spout 12 includes a generally conventional cap 15 which the user removes for drinking. Cap 15 may also be of a "sipper" type with a pop-up closure means .
The container 10 according to the present invention has a novelty value to the consumer, but also practical features such as the ability to stack in the first "open" shape (for storage/transport) that may be more efficient than a conventional bottle (cylindrical) shape. The container may also have application in broader fields of packaging, such as chemicals/pharmaceuticals etc.
The embodiment illustrated by Figure 3 shows fluid communication between sections 11 at points 16 where the adjacent sections join at a corner of the triangular prism, therefore, in this example it is supposed that container 10 will have a single content type C. However, advanced embodiments, either with access by a separate spout (12) to each section 11 or with a rupturable membrane at point 16 to mix the contents of the container on demand, may be developed. For novelty value, each of segments 11a to lie could contain a liquid of different colour and/or flavour. Keeping flavours in separate compartments has the added advantage of staying fresh for longer.
The broadest interpretation of the invention involves the container being transformable between two shapes, one with a large surface area for increased heat transfer (most likely to cool the contents but also conceivably for heating), and a second compact shape. The general shape of segments 11 may vary and be flexible so they "squash" together. However, the concept of the invention can be applied to a single flat chamber that is rolled up, having a spiral end view as illustrated by Figure 4.
Figure 4 otherwise includes similar features like a fastening means 13 to hold the "second" shape together and, optionally, insulated outer wall 14, and a spout position 12.
Insulated wall 14 may extend only about the externally visible surface (between fastening points) or to the centre of the spiral.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The present invention can be implemented by available manufacturing techniques. It will most likely be moulded from a flexible thermoplastic with an insulating wall integrally molded therewith. Design considerations may be taken into account in the filling process. For example, beverages (being made substantially of water) will tend to expand upon freezing. It may be desirable to deliberately under fill the chambers or even provide a concave surface to the triangular prism shape of the chambers 11 to accommodate expansion .

Claims

CLAIMS :
1. A beverage container (10) transformable between a first and second shape wherein the first shape presents an exposed surface (11) and the second shape at least partially conceals that exposed surface .
2. A beverage container including a plurality of chambers (Ha, lib, Hc, Hd, He) , the container being transformable between a first shape or open position where the chambers (H) are arranged in series and a second shape or closed position where the chambers are packed together.
3. The beverage container of claim 2 wherein the chambers (H) are each a substantially elongate triangular prism.
4. The beverage container of any one of the preceding claims wherein the second shape (closed position) resembles a bottle.
5. The beverage container of any one of the preceding claims including an insulated surface (14) opposed to the exposed surface (11) , whereby, when the container is transformed into its second shape the insulated (14) surface becomes an outer wall.
6. The beverage container of any one of the preceding claims including a spout means (12) .
7. The beverage container of any one of the preceding claims including a fastening means (13) to hold said container in its second shape.
8. The beverage container of claim 7 wherein the fastening means is a clip.
9. The beverage container of claim 7 wherein the fastening means is a band surrounding said container in its second shape.
10. The beverage container of claim 2 wherein there is fluid communication (16) between adjacent chambers
(H) •
11. The beverage container of claim 2 wherein there in a rupturable membrane between adjacent chambers.
PCT/GB2006/001681 2005-05-17 2006-05-05 A beverage container WO2006123099A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0510056.5 2005-05-17
GB0510056A GB2426235B (en) 2005-05-17 2005-05-17 A beverage container

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006123099A1 true WO2006123099A1 (en) 2006-11-23

Family

ID=34708310

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2006/001681 WO2006123099A1 (en) 2005-05-17 2006-05-05 A beverage container

Country Status (2)

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GB (1) GB2426235B (en)
WO (1) WO2006123099A1 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5562221A (en) * 1992-11-24 1996-10-08 Beniacar; Giacomo Foldable bottle with fastening element
US6422753B1 (en) * 2000-11-03 2002-07-23 Peggy L. Thomas Separable beverage receptacle packaging with integral drinking spout
FR2833244A1 (en) * 2001-12-12 2003-06-13 Claude Triquere Deformable bottle containing gaseous liquid comprises several deformable blisters in its surface directed towards outside of bottle which on compressing inwards reduce bottle volume and decrease loss of dissolved bubbles
US20040045842A1 (en) * 1998-05-29 2004-03-11 Naoto Matsuda Pouch having a branched chamber

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB854485A (en) * 1956-02-25 1960-11-16 Fritz Reinhardt Series packs and production thereof
US2917216A (en) * 1957-09-25 1959-12-15 Keyes Fibre Co Individual serving pack
GB865037A (en) * 1959-10-09 1961-04-12 Clarence Wedekind Vogt Packages and packaging
EP0263211A1 (en) * 1986-10-08 1988-04-13 Shao Hang Hung Double-unit beverage package container
US4799590A (en) * 1987-02-02 1989-01-24 Furman Theodore J Package and method of packaging
GB2305162B (en) * 1995-09-13 1999-01-13 Thomas & Betts Corp Improvements in or relative to packaging

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5562221A (en) * 1992-11-24 1996-10-08 Beniacar; Giacomo Foldable bottle with fastening element
US20040045842A1 (en) * 1998-05-29 2004-03-11 Naoto Matsuda Pouch having a branched chamber
US6422753B1 (en) * 2000-11-03 2002-07-23 Peggy L. Thomas Separable beverage receptacle packaging with integral drinking spout
FR2833244A1 (en) * 2001-12-12 2003-06-13 Claude Triquere Deformable bottle containing gaseous liquid comprises several deformable blisters in its surface directed towards outside of bottle which on compressing inwards reduce bottle volume and decrease loss of dissolved bubbles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2426235B (en) 2008-08-27
GB0510056D0 (en) 2005-06-22
GB2426235A (en) 2006-11-22

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