CA2741398A1

CA2741398A1 - Bottle label with pouch

Info

Publication number: CA2741398A1
Application number: CA2741398A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Nader Nowzari
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-11-29
Filing date: 2011-05-26
Publication date: 2012-05-29
Also published as: US20120132557A1

Abstract

A combination package consisting of container for a product and secondary item packaged with it , and having a container; a label on the container; a secondary item compartment integrally formed with the label, an access opening for the compartment, and , a closure integrally formed with the label for closing the secondary item compartment, the closure being releasable to remove the item.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The Invention relates to a combination container such as a beverage or food container for a primary product and having a label provided with a compartment for storing a secondary item such as a novelty or the like, or consumeables such as cookies, or candy, and in particular to such a container in which the label of the container incorporates a secondary compartment, outside the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At various sporting events, and other public events, venues and vacation locations containers, usually containing beverages or food products , are provided to consumers and to spectators, In many such occasions or events, these persons may wish to be provided with a secondary item or a novelty item or some memento of the occasion or event. They may also wish to have the convenience of a paper towel or so called "wet wipe". In many cases such an item may for example be a pennant, or a picture of a participant or some article such as a badge, these being merely a few typical examples of such secondary items novelties or mementos, or consumables such as cookies, candy , breath mints or the like, collectively herein "secondary items ". It is considered desirable to provide a combination container, for example a beverage container for a primary product and which incorporates a secondary compartment for carrying such a secondary item . In this way, when the person uses such a beverage or food container, the secondary item can be withdrawn from the compartment and either used as part of the persons activity or can be retained as a memento, or in the case of a paper towel can allow the person to clean up.

Companies may wish to advertise new products or services, and may cross-promote with other companies selling the food or beverage item.

It has been known in the past to provide adhesive shipping labels, with various forms of compartments for containing letters, invoices, instructions, and address information.
Examples of such earlier labels are shown in US. Patent 4928874, Granted May 29, 1990, Title: Mailer Like Business Form with Transparent Front, Inventor:
P.T.Henriette et al.; US Patent 5226710, Granted July 13, 1993, Title: Vented Flexible Thin Chemi-Luminescent Device, Inventor: RD Giglin et al.; U. S Letters Patent 4932529 Granted June 12,1990, Title: Display and Storage Container with a liner having a spacer flap for photographic prints, Inventor: H.M. Levine; U.S. Letters Patent 6589623 Granted July 8, 2003, Title: Duplex Label Pocket, Inventor: JD Roth; US Letters Patent 6234673 Granted May 22, 2001, Title: Total Value Package, Inventor: B.M. Tonoff,; U.S.
Letters Patent 5531325 Granted July 2, 1996 Title: Storing and Dispensing System for products packaged in a sealed pouch, Inventor: J.F. Deflander et al., U.S.
Letters Patent 7717620, Granted May 18, 2010, Title: Flexible Packaging Structure with a built-in opening and re-close feature and method for making same, Inventor: R.C.
Hebert et al.

All of these proposals are related to labelling devices which could be applied to a package having a flat surface, and are used simply for addressing the envelope or package.

The problem presented by the present invention is the fact that containers such as those sold at sporting events or other public occasions for example, are usually round, although in some cases can be square sided. The usual label for these containers, in many cases, is simply printed on the round container itself. In other cases, it may be that an adhesive label is applied to the container. It is desirable to provide a combination container, having a first container for a primary product , a secondary compartment for a secondary item in such an adhesive label which can be applied to a round or square sided container, and still provide sufficient space within the compartment to receive an item. It will also be appreciated that not withstanding the desirability of providing such a label with a secondary item compartment for packaging an item, on a container, the label on the container shall be clearly visible to project the primary message or identification of the primary product to the consumer . In the case where the primary label is printed directly on the container, the item compartment should be such that it does not obscure the label. In other cases, where the label is made as an adhesive sheet which is applied to the container, it is desirable that the item compartment in such a label shall not obscure the principal or primary message containing the name of the beverage.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With a view to providing an article which achieves these various objectives, the invention provides a combination container, the container carrying a primary product , and having a label bonded to the container, a secondary item compartment integrally formed with the label, and an access opening for said compartment, and a closure integrally formed with the label for closing the item compartment, the closure being releasable to remove the item.

Preferably the invention provides such a combination container in which the label is formed of thermo plastic material, and an item compartment portion is formed with the label, and a closure for the compartment, all being integrally bonded together.
Preferably, in one embodiment, the combination container will be a bottle with a cap, and the label will be bonded around the bottle, and the secondary item compartment will extend out from the label.

In this case the bottle will have a curved contour and the label will fit around the curved contour, the label having a predetermined first width, and the item compartment having a predetermined second width greater than said first width.

The various features which characterize the invention are pointed out with more particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.
For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

IN THE DRAWINGS

Figure la is a perspective illustration of a combination container, in this case a bottle with a label, incorporating an integral secondary item compartment and closure, and showing a beverage container partially cut away;

Figure lb is a perspective illustration of the embodiment of Figure 1 a shown applied to an open topped cup, or container sleeve;

Figure 2a is a an exploded perspective illustration partially cut away, illustrating the embodiment of Figure 1 a or 1 b;

Figure 2b is a section along line 2b - 2b of Figure 2a;

Figure 3a is a perspective illustration of an alternate embodiment ;

Figure 3b is a perspective illustration of Figure 3a embodiment shown applied to open-topped container such as a cup or a container sleeve;

Figure 4a is a perspective illustration of a further alternate embodiment;

Figure 4b is a perspective illustration of the 4a embodiment, shown applied to an open-topped container or a sleeve;

Figure 5a is a perspective illustration of a further embodiment of the invention shown for holding, for example, an elongated item; and , Figure 5b is a perspective illustration of the Figure 5a embodiment, shown applied to an open-topped container or a sleeve.

DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

As shown in Figure 1 a and Figure 2, a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown for the purposes of illustrating the invention. In this embodiment, a primary product container (10) which in this case is in the shape of a bottle, but which may be of any material, or any other form of container or package, is shown having a label (12) , applied to the exterior. Typically the label will wrap around, or at least, three quarters of the way around the container, and is usually adhesively bonded to the container. The label is usually formed of paper, thermo plastic material or the like, such as is well known in the labelling art.

On the face of the label, there is a secondary item pocket (14), typically adhesively bonded to the label. The pocket may be adhesively bonded along three edges.
The pocket typically is made of thermo plastic material so as to be somewhat resilient and stretchable or at least capable of adopting the shape of the secondary item to be inserted into it.

Typically the pocket (14) will have a front panel portion (16) and side panel portions (18) which are bonded to the label (12) or joined around the three sides, leaving the pocket free in the main central area (20). The front portion (16) is therefore capable of being somewhat expanded and extended relative to the label (12), to accommodate a secondary item (T). A closure flap (22) may fold over the open side of the front portion. The closure may be adhesively bonded to the front portion (16) for security.
As shown in more detail in Figure 2 a and 2 b , the front portion (16) of the pouch or pocket (14) will preferably provide a pocket, into which an item (T) can be inserted. The front portion (16) of the pocket (14), may be formed with generally L-shaped end walls (24) , providing a marginal bonding area for bonding to the label (12) .

End walls (24) are gussets which are pleated so as to permit expansion of front panel portion (16) to accommodate a more bulky item, as shown in phantom.
Preferably, there will be suitable graphics (G ) printed on the front portion panel (16) .
Typically there will also be a printed or bonded rearward label (26) , so as to provide a complete wrap around the container (10).

A secondary item indicated generally as (T), is shown schematically, prior to insertion into the pocket (14), and the closure flap (22 ) would then be folded over and optionally bonded to the front portion (16) , to retain the item (T) in position. As noted the item T

may be selected from a wide group of secondary items, which would be suited to the purpose of supplying a combined package consisting of the main container (10) with its contents, whether food or drink, and the pocket containing the secondary item T, of whatever nature is deemed to be suitable for supplying as the combined with the primary product in container (10) Referring now to Figure 1 b, this illustrates a pouch or pocket (30) similar to Figure 1 a, when applied to an open-topped cup or container (C), which may contain a food item or a beverage or any other item that may be sold to a consumer. The Figure 1 b illustration also represents a sleeve (32) , typically a thermal insulation sleeve, which may be slid onto a container where the container, for example, contains a hot beverage, and some form of thermal insulation is required for comfort.

The sleeve, would thus be provided with the label and pouch (30) .

Referring now to Figures 3a, this illustrates an alternate form of label. In this case, there is a wrap around label (40) , and a front panel (42) is adhered to the label (40) down each of three edges, as shown in phantom, leaving a loose distended portion (44) between the three bonded edges. This embodiment would be substantially similar to the Figure 1 embodiment with the exception that there is no closure flap required.
Figure 3b illustrates an embodiment similar to Figure 3a but when applied to a cup, or for example, a thermal insulating sleeve for a hot beverage.

Figure 4a is a further embodiment. In this case, it is assumed that the item (not shown) would be relatively thin and not require a distended pouch. Such an item might, for example, be a souvenir player card, or for example, a ticket to some other event, or a ticket for another product, or a discount offer, (not shown).

In this case, the pouch will consist of a single panel label (50 ) which is wrapped around the container (10). The panel (50) is provided with a single transverse slit (52).
The bonding of the panel (50) will be restricted by the phantom lines (54) .

In this way a front portion of the panel (50) is left free of bonding to the container. A

thin item can then be slid into the slit, (52) and hidden behind the un-bonded portion of the panel (50).

A similar embodiment is shown in Figure 4b, in which case, the label (50) is shown applied either to an open-topped cup or a thermal insulating sleeve.

A further embodiment is shown is Figure 5a. In this case the label consists of a rearward panel 60 ) which is bonded to the container (10). A front pocket panel (62) is in the form a strip with side edges and bonded as shown in phantom, along each side edge (64). Along the top and bottom edges (66) of the front panel (62) , generally U-' shaped indents (68) are formed. This embodiment will be particularly suitable for the use of the insertion of items of slim but elongated nature. Such items may include, simply, a straw, or a flag or some other item which may be rolled tightly up.
Such an elongated item is slid under the front panel (62) , and the U-shaped indents (68) facilitate the insertion of the item into the front panel (62) .

Figure 5b illustrates an embodiment similar to 5a but shown applied to an open-topped cup, or for example, a thermal insulating sleeve.

The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is given here by way of example only. The invention is not to be taken as limited to any of the specific features as described, but comprehends all such variations thereof as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A combination package having a primary product container and secondary item compartment as a single package and comprising;

a container, for containing a primary product within its interior ;

a label bonded to the container, the label have a front and a reverse face , with the reverse face juxtaposed to the container ;

a pocket panel forming a secondary item compartment on the front face of the label;
primary product graphics displayed on said pocket panel;

two gusset strips , each strip being folded double along its length and forming a fold between said pocket panel and said label, and said gusset strips bonded along opposite edges of said pocket panel and bonded to said label, whereby said pocket panel can be expanded away from said label to receive an item in said secondary compartment;

an access opening for said compartment; and , a closure for closing the secondary item compartment, the closure being releasable to remove the item.

2. A combination package as claimed in claim 1 wherein the container is formed of material selected from the group comprising glass, metal, ceramic, paper, and thermo plastic material, and the secondary item compartment is formed with the label, and a closure for the compartment, all being integrally bonded together on the exterior of the container .

3. A combination package as claimed in claim 2 wherein the container is a bottle with a cap, and wherein the label is bonded around the bottle, and wherein the secondary item compartment extends out from the label.

4. A combination package as claimed in claim 3 wherein the bottle has a curved contour and wherein the label fits around the curved contour, the label having a predetermined first width, and the item compartment having a predetermined second width less than said first width.

5. A combination package as claimed in claim 4 wherein the bottle has a curved contour and wherein the label fits around the curved contour, the label having a predetermined first width, and the item compartment having a predetermined second width less than said first width, and gussets formed on opposite sides of said compartment permitting expansion of said compartment.

6.. A combination package having a primary product container and secondary item compartment as a single package and comprising;

a container, having an interior and an exterior, for containing a primary product within its interior ;

a label on the exterior of said container, the label have a front and a reverse face , with the reverse face, a bonded portion of said reverse face being bonded to the container ;

a secondary item compartment formed by a compartment portion of said label;
adhesive bonding the bonded portion of said label to the exterior of the container, the compartment portion of said label being free of adhesive and being separable from said container, whereby said compartment portion of said label can be expanded away from said label to receive an item ;and, an access opening slit in said label for accessing said compartment.

7. A combination package consisting of container for a primary product and secondary item packaged with it in a separate compartment , and comprising;
a container, for containing a primary product within its interior ;

a label on the exterior of the container, having a front and a rear surface ;

a pocket strip forming a secondary item compartment attached to the front surface of said label, and defining two side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge;

adhesive bonding said side edges of said strip to said label;
a top access opening along the top edge of said strip ; and, a bottom access opening along said bottom edge of said strip, whereby an item can be inserted under said strip and can extend above and below said top and bottom edges.

8. A combination package as claimed in Claim 7 and including arcuate indentations formed in said top edge and said bottom edge of said strip.