WO2009095504A1

WO2009095504A1 - Thermal container

Info

Publication number: WO2009095504A1
Application number: PCT/ES2008/000051
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tello Carmen Tristancho
Original assignee: Tello Carmen Tristancho
Priority date: 2008-01-31
Filing date: 2008-01-31
Publication date: 2009-08-06
Also published as: KR20100134573A; EP2251273A4; JP2011510875A; EP2251273A1; US20110042388A1; BRPI0821623A2; CN101983161A

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal container which can be used to store drinks and food, characterised in that the walls thereof comprise three layers, namely: an intermediate layer (3) made from propylene, polyurethane foam or expanded polystyrene; an outer layer (2); and an inner layer (4), said outer and inner layers also comprising three panels in the form of an outer cardboard panel, an intermediate aluminium panel and an inner polyethylene panel. The container is intended primarily to retain the properties of wines under any circumstances and, more specifically, during transport from wine shops to the end user.

Description

THERMAL PACKAGE OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, as expressed in the statement of this specification, refers to a thermal package that is generally intended to maintain the temperature of beverages and foods, and more particularly has been designed to maintain the temperature of the wines in any situation and more specifically when transporting from the warehouses to the distribution stores to the user, so that they do not lose most of the properties that were obtained in the warehouse.

'BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the state of the art it is known to use bottle-coolers that are intended to keep the wines at the right temperature, so that they are properly preserved, preventing them from losing their properties.

However, in the wine sector there is no device that allows to maintain the temperature of the wine during the transport to which it must be submitted to move it from the wineries to the shops or places of consumption, so that during said transport the wines are damaged, losing its qualities, since its temperature fluctuates considerably, especially in the periods in which the transport is carried out with a high ambient temperature or on the contrary.

Therefore, although the merchant and / or user, who acquires the wine, keep it at the right temperature, its tasting is worse than if the wine is consumed directly in the cellar. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet and achieve the aforementioned objectives, the invention has developed a new thermal container, which is of preferred application to preserve the temperature of the wine in any circumstance, and preferably when transporting it, but which can also be applied to maintain the temperature of any type of drink and food. The package of the invention is characterized in that its walls are constituted by three layers, so that the outer and inner layer are constituted, in turn, by three sheets, an outer sheet of cardboard, an intermediate of aluminum, and an interior of polyethylene, that is to say they have a configuration that is conventionally known as tetrabrik.

In addition, the walls of the package include an intermediate layer consisting of expanded polystyrene, propylene, or polyurethane foam, so that a simple structure with high thermal insulation properties is obtained.

In this way, the product to be preserved, such as wine bottles, are arranged inside the thermal container for transport, which allows maintaining the proper temperature of the product.

To complement the properties of the structure of the package of the invention, it is envisioned that it is provided with a hermetic seal, which preferably consists of an adhesive strip, which is tear-off to allow opening.

In addition, the container of the invention is provided with adhesive closure strips to allow closure of the container after the breakage of the hermetic closure, so that it can be used on successive occasions, even without the hermetic closure, maintaining adequate insulation that allows to conserve the properties of the packaged product.

An embodiment of the invention provides that the package is constituted by a rectangular prismatic body, whose walls are longer along their greater sides according to extensions by way of flaps in which fold lines are included to form longitudinal bottle housings. Therefore, this structure is specially designed for the conservation of bottled beverages and more specifically for wine. The fold lines of the lower flaps define three sections that are folded according to a "C" configuration to determine two lower longitudinal lateral housings that are separated by a central longitudinal housing. On the other hand, the fold lines of one of the upper flaps define two sections that fold in "L" to form a superior longitudinal lateral housing, while the fold lines of the other upper flap establish three sections that fold according to an "S" shaped configuration, to form an upper longitudinal lateral housing and other upper central longitudinal housing.

The described package comprises a handle that is constituted by a band that is fixed to the lower wall, side walls and upper wall to obtain a solid and durable configuration. The band that constitutes the handle, is separated from the upper wall in its central area to allow the grip. In addition, the package of the invention provides for the incorporation, in at least one of the walls, of small support extensions by way of legs, which also serve as insulation of the container from possible humidity and of direct contact with surfaces that may vary in temperature.

In another embodiment of the invention it is envisaged that the package is constituted by an upper cylindrical body that is open at its lower part, in whose mouth it comprises an outer perimeter step, and in whose upper part it presents a narrowing defining the shape of a bottle for allow the accommodation of it. In addition, the container comprises a lower cylindrical body open at its upper part, at the mouth of which includes a lower perimeter step that engages in the outer perimeter step of the upper body to form a removable lid that allows the introduction and removal of a bottle easily. And simple.

In the event that food preservation is required, the package also provides for the incorporation of injection means for modifying elements of the interior atmosphere of the container to achieve better preservation of the product included therein.

Next, in order to facilitate a better understanding of this descriptive report and forming an integral part thereof, a series of figures are attached in which the object of the invention has been represented by way of illustration and not limitation. BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1.- Shows a perspective view of a possible embodiment of the invention in which the package is open and prepared to insert six bottles inside.

Figure 2. - Shows a view equivalent to the previous figure, in which the folding of three of the flaps that define housings for the bottles has been made.

Figure 3.- Shows a perspective view equivalent to the previous figures, in which the folding of all the flaps has been carried out to define the six compartments for holding bottles.

Figure 4.- Shows a perspective view of the container represented in the previous figures, but closed to carry the transport of the bottles contained therein.

Figures 5 and 6.- They show views in perspectives equivalent to the previous figure, in two of whose walls small extensions are included as support legs and insulation of the box.

Figure 7.- Shows another possible embodiment of the invention in which it presents a configuration intended to carry out the transport of a bottle. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Below is a description of the invention based on the figures mentioned above.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the package is constituted by a rectangular prismatic body 1 whose walls are constituted by three layers; an outer layer 2, an intermediate layer 3 and an inner layer 4. Both the outer layer 2 and the inner layer 4 are constituted by a material that is conventionally known as tetrabrik, and which is constituted by an outer sheet of cardboard, an intermediate of aluminum and an interior of polyethylene. These layers have not been represented, as they are well known in the state of the art, as well as their properties.

The outer cardboard sheet of the outer layer 2 can be screen printed with the desired motifs. The intermediate layer 3 is made of polyurethane foam, the density of which will vary depending on the required insulation needs. This layer has a high thermal insulation against temperature variations, since it has a cell structure in which air is at rest, so that approximately 98% of intermediate layer 3 is air, and 2% matter. In addition, expanded polystyrene has the advantage that no expansion gases of the HCFCs and HFCs family are used for its manufacture, so that its manufacture does not damage the ozone layer, while being 100% recyclable.

The package 1 has the peculiarity that its side walls of greater length 7 extend along its larger sides according to extensions as flaps. Thus, the major lower sides of the side walls 7 of greater length are extended according to extensions 8 and the upper major sides are extended according to extensions 9 and 10.

Both the lower extensions 8 and upper 9 and 10, are provided with fold lines 11 to form longitudinal bottle housings, as described below. The fold lines 11 of the lower extensions 8 define three sections 8a that are folded according to a "C" configuration, so that two lower lateral longitudinal housings and a lower central housing are obtained.

The fold lines 11 of one of the upper extensions 9, define two sections that are folded according to an "L" configuration, so that an upper longitudinal lateral housing is obtained. On the other hand, the fold lines 11 of the other upper extension 10, determine three sections 10a that are folded according to an "S" configuration, to define a lateral upper housing, as well as the bottom of a central upper housing. Said bottom is materialized by the upper section 10a of the extreme extension 10.

Therefore, the described configuration allows six bottles to be housed inside, which, apart from being perfectly thermally insulated, are also protected against possible shocks, achieving a perfect preservation of the product stored in the bottle, which, as previously mentioned It is mainly wine.

Once the bottles are arranged inside the container 1, the hermetic seal thereof is produced, for example, by a tear-off adhesive strip through a thread or tape, which performs the opening of the container.

The closure of the container is performed by acting on its lid 5 and effecting the subsequent sealing of the same.

The container 1 foresees the incorporation of adhesive strips 6 which allow the closure of the container 1 to be carried out after the sealing of the seal, of form that allows the reuse of the container in successive occasions, that in spite of not providing a hermetic closing, determines a good isolation of the bottles in him contained. Furthermore, on the outside of the walls, a handle 12 is provided which is constituted by a band 13 that runs along the lower wall, side walls and the upper wall to which it is attached, except for the central area of the upper wall, to allow his hold.

To facilitate the stacking and support of the boxes, it is envisaged that small extensions 14 are incorporated in its lower wall and rear wall which allow the support and isolation of the box to be made in its stacking or location on any surface, so that it can rest on any of the two surfaces on which extensions 14 are included. Obviously extensions 14 can only be included on one of the walls of the container. For the case in which the package of the invention is designed to store food, it is envisaged that they incorporate means that allow the injection of elements that modify the interior atmosphere of the container, so that a better preservation of the product it contains is achieved. In addition, a tray suitable for the location of each food to be transported is included inside.

Figure 7 shows another possible embodiment in which the package is constituted by an upper cylindrical body 15, opened at its bottom so that its mouth is provided with an outer perimeter step 16. The upper cylindrical body 15 has on top a narrowing so that it defines a bottle shape, which allows it to be introduced into the upper cylindrical body 15 through its mouth.

In this case, the package further comprises a lower cylindrical body 17 that is open at its upper part and in whose mouth it includes an inner perimeter step 18 that engages in the outer perimeter step 16 of the upper body 15, so that it constitutes the closure of the container determining a removable lid, which is also arranged by a tight seal consisting of an adhesive band provided with a thread that allows it to break.

Claims

1, - THERMAL PACKAGING, of application of drinks and food; it is characterized because its walls comprise three layers; an intermediate layer (3) consisting of a material selected from propylene, polyurethane foam and expanded polystyrene; an outer layer

(2) and an inner layer (4), both consisting of three sheets; a cardboard exterior, an aluminum intermediate and a polyethylene interior.

2. THERMAL PACKAGING, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a hermetic seal.

3. THERMAL PACKAGING, according to claim 2, characterized in that the seal is tear-off.

4. THERMAL PACKAGING, according to claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the seal comprises at least one adhesive strip.

5. THERMAL PACKAGING, according to claims 2 to 4, characterized in that it comprises adhesive strips (6) for closing the container after breaking the seal.

6. THERMAL PACKAGING, according to claim 1, characterized in that it is constituted by a rectangular prismatic body (1), whose side walls of greater surface area extend along its larger sides according to extensions (8, 9 and 10) as flaps with lines bending (11) to form longitudinal bottle housings.

7. THERMAL PACKAGING, according to claim 6, characterized in that the bending lines (11) of the lower flaps (8) define three sections (8a) that are folded according to a "C" configuration to form two separate lower longitudinal lateral housings by a central longitudinal housing; Y because the fold lines (11) of one of the upper flaps (9) define two sections (9a) that bend in "L" to form an upper longitudinal lateral housing; while the fold lines (11) of the other upper flap (10) define three sections (10a) that bend according to an "S" shaped configuration to form an upper longitudinal housing and other upper central longitudinal housing.

8, - THERMAL PACKAGING, according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a handle (12) constituted by a band (13) that is attached to the lower wall, side walls and upper wall, in whose central area at least it is separated to allow your grip

9. THERMAL PACKAGING, according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the walls of the package comprises small extensions (14) of support and insulation.

10. THERMAL PACKAGING, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises an upper cylindrical body (15) that is open at its lower part, in whose mouth it includes an outer perimeter step (16), and in whose upper part it has a narrowing defining the shape of a bottle for accommodation; and because it also comprises a lower cylindrical body (17) open at its upper part at the mouth of which includes an inner perimeter step (18) that engages in the outer perimeter step (16) of the upper body (15), to form a removable cover .

11. THERMAL PACKAGING, according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises means to allow injecting elements of modification of its interior atmosphere.