WO2006047795A1

WO2006047795A1 - Sealable container for drinking and temporarily sealing bottles

Info

Publication number: WO2006047795A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2005/000161
Authority: WO
Inventors: Geoffrey Charles Wolf
Original assignee: Geoffrey Charles Wolf
Priority date: 2004-10-27
Filing date: 2005-10-27
Publication date: 2006-05-04

Abstract

A combination drinking cup and closure comprising a cup having a base and sidewall and a closure extending from the base into the cup. The closure is in the form of a cone (24) that tapers inwardly in a direction away from the base and can be fitted over the mouth ( 14) of a bottle ( 12) to form a temporary closure for the bottle and be readily removed therefrom by lifting upwardly off the bottle (12) . Also the sidewall has a substantially planer flange (26) for effecting a heat seal with a suitable lid (30) .

Description

SEALABLE CONTAINER FOR DRINKING AND TEMPORARILY SEALING BOTTLES

TECHNICAL FIELD:

This invention relates to containers for liquids and closures and is concerned with a replaceable closure for mineral water, cooldrink, beer, wine and the like bottles that can also be used as a drinking cup or glass.

BACKGROUND ART:

Many forms of the combination of a drinking or measuring cup and a closure are disclosed in the patent literature, these fall broadly into two categories. One type is a cup that has a formation inside the cup for engaging and sealing the top of a bottle, such as shown in US patents 3,159,298, 4,150,761 and 4,273,247. The cup can be used either for drinking from or for closing the bottle, because it is upside down when it closes the bottle. The other type has a formation on the outside of the bottom of the cup for sealing the bottle, such as shown in US patents 4,416,381 , 3,381 ,838 and 2,284,625. This type can hold liquid and simultaneously seal the bottle. The sealing formation is one of a stopper that fits into the mouth of the bottle, a hollow screw cap formation or a resilient undercut mouth, see US 4,693,410 which also discloses both types, that engages the rim of the bottle. Variations of the second type, such as US 2,577,030, are intended to provide a closable compartment for a novelty or trinket and are not intended for use with a bottle. Some of the combinations are intended for use with cans rather than bottles, but the broad principles are the same. The prime purpose of all the disclosed combinations is to seal the bottle in use and as such are not readily and single handedly disengageable from the bottle for use as a cup.

US 4,416,381 discloses a combination drinking cup and closure comprising a cup having a base and sidewall and a closure extending from the base into the cup.

This invention seeks to provide a sealable plastics container for liquid, such as an alcoholic spirit, that can also function as a cup and as a measure, that can be used temporarily to close a bottle, such as a fizzy drink or water bottle, and that can be readily removed from the bottle when required. In other words the invention seeks to provide an innovative consumption solution in the form of a container for alcoholic spirits and the like that functions as a temporary closure while the spirits are being consumed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION:

The invention provides a combination drinking cup and closure comprising a cup having a base and sidewall and a closure extending from the base into the cup, characterised in that the closure is in the form of a cone that tapers inwardly in a direction away from the base and can be fitted over the mouth of a bottle to form a temporary closure for the bottle and be readily removed therefrom by lifting upwardly and that the sidewall has a radially outwardly extending flange at the end remote from the base to engage a seal.

Preferably the flange is substantially flat and parallel to the base for being heat sealed to a sheet of appropriate material.

An elastomeric sealing ring, such as an O-ring, may be provided to engage in the cup or over the mouth of the bottle to enhance the seal between the cup and bottle.

Further features, variants and/or advantages of the invention will emerge from the following non-limiting description of an example of the invention made with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

Figure 1 shows a side view of a combination cup/closure of the invention fitted to a bottle; Figure 2 shows a side view of the combination that is sealed and almost filled will a liquid;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the combination; Figure 4 shows a plan view of the combination; and Figure 5 shows an underplan view of the combination.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS:

Figure 1 shows a combination cup/closure container 10, hereinafter "cup", of the invention fitted to a bottle 12 as would occur in use. The bottle 12 is a typical glass cooldrink bottle of the type normally sealed with a crown cap, not shown. The mouth region of the bottle has a rounded rim or lip 14 and a rounded groove 16 adjacent the rim and spaced from the mouth.

The cup 10 has a base 20, a side wall 22, a recess or cone formation 24 formed in the base, and a radially outwardly extending substantially planer flange or lip 26. The cone 24 extends into the container and has a tapered side wall 28 dimensioned to fit vertically over the mouth of the bottle.

Figure 2 shows the cup filled with liquid and heat sealed by a foil lid 30 in a known manner. Figures 3 to 5 show further views of the cup.

In practice, the cup would be filled with a measured amount of an alcoholic spirit, such as two metric tots or 50 me of whiskey, gin, vodka and the like and be sealed for sale. When required for use, a consumer would tear off the foil, open a bottle of cooldrink, water and the like, pour the contents of the container into the bottle, and then swirl or invert the bottle a few times to mix the two liquids. He would then pour some of the mixture into the container for drinking purposes.

While drinking, the cup can be kept together with the bottle by placing it over the top of the bottle. In a bar or entertainment centre this would inhibit either cup or the bottle being taken by someone else. It would also permit the consumer conveniently to carry his drink and cup around. Also a temporary and weak seal is formed between the cone and bottle that inhibits the gas of cooldrinks from escaping and preserves the mixed drink for a longer period. Beer or wine could be sealed and sold in the bottle, with an open cup fitted to the bottle for use when the bottle is opened.

The invention is not limited to the precise details described above and shown in the drawings. Modifications may be made and other embodiments developed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. For example, an optional O-ring 18, shown in Figure 1 , may be fitted to the bottle in the groove 16 to effect a better seal between cone and bottle if required. The cup can be equally well be used with bottles with screw on lids.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A combination drinking cup and closure comprising a cup having a base and sidewall and a closure extending from the base into the cup, characterised in that the closure is in the form of a cone (24) that tapers inwardly in a direction away from the base and can be fitted over the mouth (14) of a bottle (12) to form a temporary closure for the bottle and be readily removed therefrom by lifting upwardly and that the sidewall has a radially outwardly extending flange (26) at the end remote from the base to effect a seal with a suitable lid (30) .

2. The combination of claim 1 , characterised in that the flange (26) is substantially flat and parallel to the base (20) for being heat sealed to a sheet of appropriate material.

3. The combination of claim 1 , characterised in that an elastomeric sealing ring (18), is provided to engage in the cone (24) or over the mouth (14) of the bottle to enhance the seal between the cup and bottle.

4. A combination drinking cup and closure comprising a cup having a base and sidewall and a closure extending from the base into the cup, characterised in that: the closure is in the form of a cone (24) that tapers inwardly in a direction away from the base and can be fitted over the mouth (14) of a bottle (12) to form a temporary closure for the bottle and be readily removed therefrom by lifting upwardly; the sidewall has a radially outwardly extending flange (26) at the end remote from the base to effect; the cup is filled with a measured quantity of a desired liquid; and - a suitable lid (30) is heat sealed to the flange (26).