DE202019005997U1 - food containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A food or beverage container comprising:
a wall defining an interior chamber of the container, the wall having interior and exterior surfaces and being of substantially uniform thickness;
wherein the wall has a fractal profile with corresponding convex and concave fractal elements on corresponding elements of the inner and outer surfaces; and
whereby the convex and concave fractal elements form depressions and elevations in the profile of the wall.

Description

Field of invention

The present invention relates to a food container suitable for both liquid and solid foods.

State of the art

The packaging industry is well developed throughout the industrialized world and is subject to general standards and practices. Broadly speaking, food or beverage packaging must be able to maintain food or beverages in a food-safe and hygienic condition as well as withstand storage and transportation; in particular, they must provide a physical barrier to protect the contents to prevent contamination and agglomeration, provide security including tamper control and be easy to use. In recent years, increasing approaches have been developed to reduce the amount of packaging material used and to use more environmentally friendly packaging, for example by using recyclable and biodegradable materials. The reduction of packaging material is a concept that has long been widespread in the industry and aims to reduce the amount of packaging material used, its weight and also the energy required for its production.

Bottles, cans, cartons, bags and the like are commonly used in packaging for liquid or other flowable materials. Generally, such packages have either a substantially cylindrical shape, such as a beverage can or bottle, or a cuboid shape, such as milk or juice cartons of the type commonly sold under the Elopak™ or Tetra Pak™ brands. Such packaging typically consists of a smooth-walled, often multi-layered structure that minimizes the surface area and optimizes the usable volume of the packaging. The contents of the packaging are often used to maintain the shape and integrity of the packaging, especially during transport and storage. For example, in many cases a beverage container is supported by the pressure of the beverage within the container, thereby maintaining its original shape. This allows the walls of the container to be made very thin, so that after the container is opened the walls often become unstable and can easily collapse.

Food is often sold in multiple units, such as cans and bottles, although it is common to bind these together with additional packaging such as a wrapper, ring or yoke. This additional packaging also serves to prevent individual packages from coming loose during transport or storage and thus prevent damage. However, such additional packaging causes additional costs, both financially and ecologically.

The smooth-walled nature of many packages also reduces the grip during handling and it is not uncommon, particularly with large packages, for a person to have difficulty handling such packages without crushing them and spilling the contents. This is particularly the case with large plastic beverage bottles.

Description of the invention

The present invention is intended to provide an improved container for food. The invention is particularly suitable, but not limited to, containers for liquids, such as beverages, and other flowable products.

In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a food or beverage container comprising: a wall defining an interior chamber of the container, the wall having interior and exterior surfaces and being of substantially uniform thickness; wherein the wall has a fractal profile with corresponding convex and concave fractal elements on corresponding elements of the inner and outer surfaces; and wherein the convex and concave fractal elements form depressions and elevations in the profile of the wall.

The present invention therefore provides a food or beverage container which has a container wall with a shape not known in the prior art. The form taught here offers a number of practical advantages over known packaging products.

Preferably, at least some of the recesses and elevations mentioned have heads with a width that is greater than the width of their base.

The fractal profile of the wall advantageously enables a connection that can be created by the interlocking of a plurality of such containers. This feature can provide a number of practical advantages, including eliminating the need for separate and additional fasteners to hold multiple containers together, as in is necessary for the currently available packaging that relies on sleeves or yokes.

Preferably, the wall of the container is flexible and thus allows elastic deformation of the fractal profile of the container. The flexibility of the wall allows the detachment of connected containers by appropriately squeezing one or more containers to change the fractal shape of the containers at the junction.

The corresponding convex and concave fractal elements advantageously provide increased surface area of the interior and exterior surfaces of the container relative to the volume of the chamber. Increased surface area can aid heat transfer into and out of the container, for example to warm or cool the contents.

In preferred embodiments, the container is substantially cylindrical. In other embodiments, it may have other shapes, such as substantially spherical, oval, etc.

The container wall can be formed from metal, plastic, an elastomer or glass. It can also be formed from flexible or potentially flexible foods.

The fractal shape of the container wall can also contribute to better handling of the container, while known packaging with a smooth surface can be slippery, especially when wet, for example if condensation forms on the outside as a result of cold contents.

Although the focus of this disclosure is on a food or beverage container, the teachings disclosed herein should not be construed as being limited to such applications. It also includes containers that can be used for a variety of other applications.

Character description

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines axialen Querschnitts eines Behälters gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung zeigt;
• 2 und 3 schematische axiale Teilquerschnitte einer Ausführungsform von zwei fraktalen Behältern darstellen, die miteinander verbunden werden;
• 4 und 5 schematische axiale Teilperspektiven der beiden fraktalen Behälter zeigen, die in den 2 und 3 gezeigt sind und miteinander verbunden werden;
• 6 verschiedene Ansichten einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines fraktalen Behälters darstellt;
• 7 bis 9 das An- und Abkuppeln von zwei Behältern nach der Ausführungsform der 6 veranschaulichen; und
• 10 und 11 die Verbindung zweier weiterer Ausführungsformen eines fraktalen Behälters darstellen.

Embodiments of the present invention are described below using a few examples, where:

• 1 shows a schematic representation of an axial cross section of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• 2 and 3 illustrate schematic partial axial cross sections of an embodiment of two fractal containers being connected together;
• 4 and 5 Show schematic partial axial perspectives of the two fractal containers in the 2 and 3 are shown and connected to each other;
• 6 illustrates various views of another embodiment of a fractal container;
• 7 until 9 the coupling and uncoupling of two containers according to the embodiment of 6 illustrate; and
• 10 and 11 represent the connection of two further embodiments of a fractal container.

Description of preferred embodiments

The following description and accompanying figures broadly represent the teachings contained herein. Elements familiar to one skilled in the art are omitted for clarity, such as, but not limited to, the specific materials from which the container may be made, typical volumes for the container, and so on. Additionally, the drawings are not to scale.

The concept proposed here is based on a fractal profile for the wall of a container. Such a profile has a number of advantageous properties for the application of a container, in particular for food and drinks. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the profile of the wall cannot have a pure fractal shape across all size scales, but rather has a shape that is determined by practical considerations such as the minimum practical or desirable size of its fractal components. Nevertheless, the relationship of the elements of the proposed profile is called fractal. In practical exemplary embodiments, the fractal connection between the elements of a fractal container can extend over two or more size scales.

1 shows schematically a cross section of an embodiment of the container 10, which can be used for drinks, for example. The container has a wall 12 with an outer surface 14 and an inner surface 16. The wall 12 has a substantially uniform thickness.

As with already known containers, especially for food, the wall 12 is preferably made of a food-safe material or otherwise provided with a food-safe inner lining. For this purpose, the wall can, as is known in the art, be made from a single-layer material or from a composite of different materials. The wall can be made of a plastic, a metal or a metal alloy, an elastomer or even made of glass or comprising such a material. It is also possible, in some embodiments, for the wall to be made from flexible or potentially flexible foods (e.g., pasta, dough, licorice, etc.).

The wall 12 has a fractal profile that includes a series of fractal elements 18-28 on the interior and exterior surfaces 14, 16. With regard to the practical implementation, the fractal elements 18-28 only have fractal properties to the extent that is within the scope of, for example, the selected manufacturing/forming process, the selected material for the wall, the wall thickness, etc. This means that the fractal elements 18-28 are limited in practice by minimum dimensions that are specified by the aforementioned framework conditions.

The fractal elements 18-28 of the wall, as a result of the substantially uniform thickness of the wall 12, create a series of depressions 40 and elevations 42 in the profile of the wall, with a depression 40 extending from one of the external or internal surfaces 12, 14 seen, forms a corresponding elevation 42 seen from the other side of the outer or inner surfaces 12, 14 and vice versa. This property is evident both on large scales, for example using the depressions 40 and elevations 42, which have corresponding reference numbers in 1 are provided, as well as on smaller scales of the fractal elements 18-28. The depressions 40 and elevations 42 could be described as opposing images on the outer 14 and inner 16 sides of the walls 12. Repeating features (e.g. depressions and bumps) across different scales creates the fractal shape or profile on the container surfaces. The fractal profile can extend over the entire area of the container surfaces or only over selected areas or parts of the area. Thus, in some embodiments, the fractal profile may extend across the entire container, while in other embodiments, the majority of the container may be smooth, with only the contact surfaces between the containers having fractal structures.

1 represents only an axial cross section. The fractal elements 18-28 can in some embodiments extend linearly over the length of the wall 12, in other embodiments the elements 18-28 can have a pure fractal shape, which is, so to speak, related to cauliflower or broccoli florets , so that a series of clear nodules arise in both the circumferential and longitudinal directions of the wall 12.

The container 10 can be substantially cylindrical, so that the in 1 Cross section shown protrudes into and/or out of the plane of the figure. In such embodiments, the container 10 includes a lid and a base, and typically any lid or base configuration known in the art can be used. In other embodiments, container 10 may also have any suitable non-cylindrical shape that one skilled in the art would use to design a container.

The container 10 of this embodiment and the other embodiments described and contemplated herein provides a number of practical advantages. One of these advantages is based on the 2 until 5 illustrated embodiment can be seen.

These are initially axial cross sections of two containers 100, 110 similar to the illustration in 1 , in which, however, only part of the circumference of the wall of each container is shown (see 2 and 3 ). Each container 100, 110 has, as in the embodiment in 1 , a wall 12 with outer 14 and inner surfaces 16 and fractal elements 18-28 which are formed into the wall and are present on both the outer and inner surfaces 14, 16.

The containers 100, 110 have the same shapes and fractal profiles and - as shown in the figures - have the same symmetries. Due to the conformity of the shapes, the depressions 40 and the corresponding elevations 42 in the walls of the two containers 100, 110 can interlock and, as in particular in 3 shown, interlock with each other on part of their circumference. In this embodiment, the depressions 40 and ridges 42 have the same shapes, but are opposite one another so that they can fit closely into one another. This can be achieved in some embodiments by creating two identical sheets or plates with a fractal profile and bending them in opposite directions so that one surface of one sheet or plate faces the outer surface of one container and the same surface of the other sheet or the other plate becomes the inner surface of the other container.

In addition, the depressions 40 and the elevations 42 in the representations of 1 until 3 Areas that could be interpreted as enlarged heads with narrower neck sections. The fractal elements therefore have a smaller width or diameter d at or near their base and a larger width or size further away from their base ren diameter D. This property of the enlarged heads can be common to all depressions 40 and elevations 42, but in other embodiments it can also only include a part of the fractal structures in the wall 12.

In particular 3 illustrates how the connection of the two containers 100, 110 takes place in this exemplary embodiment, since the containers have a substantially curved or round shape, so that the containers only touch and interlock along their tangents.

In other embodiments, which have a substantially different shape, such as square or polygonal, the coupling of the fractal formations of two containers may occur over an entire sidewall or a portion of one or more sidewalls of the containers.

Due to this property, several containers can be connected to one another during assembly without the need for another connection mechanism - as is usually used in the prior art. In other words, two or more containers 100, 110 can be connected to one another simply by the interlocking of some of the fractal structures of the container walls 12. The containers do not have to have shapes that correspond to one another, since only one or more of the fractal formations of each container have to interlock in order to create a connection.

The 4 and 5 represent a further exemplary embodiment similar to the embodiment in the 2 and 3 is similar. The selected view shows that the fractal structures of the containers 100, 110 extend essentially linearly in the longitudinal direction, at least over a short distance, ie two-dimensionally and not three-dimensionally like a rose. In this embodiment, they engage in the 4 and 5 illustrated fractal elements of the containers 100, 110 into one another in the longitudinal direction. If they extend over the entire length of the containers, they also mesh evenly over the length of the containers. In three-dimensional fractal elements, the shape of which could also be described as florets, two or more containers are connected to one another along tangents of the containers, with several fractal elements interlocking along the container length.

The containers can be connected to one another by pressing the containers 100, 110 together, for example from both sides of the coupling zone, so that the latched depressions 40 and the elevations 42 deform and open. In this way, the user can separate the containers 100, 110 relatively easily.

6 shows another embodiment of a fractal container 200 that has a similar fractal profile to the embodiments shown in FIGS 1 until 5 are shown. The profile also extends linearly over the length of the container 200, as shown in particular in the perspective view of 6 can be recognized. The container 200 may have any of the characteristics described herein.

7 shows an embodiment in which depressions 240 and elevations 242 do not have the same shape or size, so that they do not fit snugly into one another, such as in the embodiments shown in FIGS 2 until 5 shown is the case. Nevertheless, the depressions 240 and the elevations 242 can still partially mesh with one another, as can be seen from the figure. The two containers can be joined together by an adhesive that can be placed in the space or pocket 244 between the partially interlocking depressions 240 and elevations 242. In this way, more than two containers can be connected to one another, completely or partially corresponding to one another, depending on the shape of the containers.

The containers 200 can be separated from one another by applying pressure to one or both containers, as in 8th shown. In the example shown in this figure, the pressure may be applied diametrically opposite the adhesive pocket 244 according to the arrow in the figure. This pressure results in deformation of the walls 12 of the containers and, as a result, shear stress (and typically also compression and tensile forces) on the adhesive in the pocket 244, which will thereby break or separate. The containers can also be squeezed from other directions to achieve the same result.

After loosening the adhesive connection, the containers 200 can be used as in 9 shown, separated from each other.

10 shows schematically partial wall profiles 300, 300 'of two fractal containers according to a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the wall has a profile that could be described as a fractal random walk profile, with zigzag wall elements of different lengths ℓ ₁ - ℓ _n .

The two container profiles 300, 300 'preferably have essentially identical inverted or recreated profiles so that they look like in 10B shown can be connected together in a precise nesting arrangement. The two fractal elements 300, 300' can thus be coupled to one another, typically through a combination of mechanical interlocking and friction. It should be noted that the profile of this embodiment, like the following embodiment, is that in 11 is shown, does not contain any fractal elements with elevations or depressions with enlarged heads, as in the embodiments of 1 until 9 is the case, although it is not excluded that some of these embodiments have these properties.

11 shows a further exemplary embodiment in which the profiles 400, 400 'of two containers are only partially nested within one another. It should be noted that the strength of the connection between the containers can be influenced by matching the fractal profiles of the two interlocking surfaces.

In preferred embodiments, the lengths ℓ ₁ - ℓ _n of the zigzag wall elements are advantageously determined as statistical fractals, the dimensions of which can be tuned via random walk parameters to optimize the interlocking of two or more fractal containers. The connection between the containers can be relatively strong with an increased number and size of connection points and weaker with fewer connection points.

In the embodiments of 10 and 11 The connection may be supported by the profiles themselves and optionally, as in the embodiments described above, by the use of adhesive between adjacent containers.

In addition to improving the ability to connect multiple containers together, the container shapes presented here offer a number of other advantages.

First, the fractal nature of the outer surface of the container makes the container easier to handle compared to a container with a smooth outer surface. This can be particularly advantageous for larger or heavier containers where a secure grip can be achieved with less holding pressure on the container wall.

In addition, the convex and concave fractal elements provide increased surface area of the container's interior and exterior surfaces relative to the volume of the chamber. This can increase the heat transfer properties of the container and can be used, for example, to cool or warm its contents.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the teachings presented herein may provide additional advantages and features not present in prior art containers.

Claims (13)

A food or beverage container comprising: a wall defining an interior chamber of the container, the wall having interior and exterior surfaces and being of substantially uniform thickness; wherein the wall has a fractal profile with corresponding convex and concave fractal elements on corresponding elements of the inner and outer surfaces; and whereby the convex and concave fractal elements form depressions and elevations in the profile of the wall. A food or drink container Claim 1 , wherein at least some of the depressions and ridges have heads with a width that is greater than the width of their base. A food or drink container Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the fractal profile of the wall enables a connection by interlocking a plurality of the containers. A food or drink container Claim 1 , 2 or 3 , whereby the wall of the container is flexible and thus allows elastic deformation of the associated fractal profile. A food or drink container Claim 4 , wherein the flexibility of the wall allows the release of the connection or any connection of a plurality of said containers by elastic deformation of interlocking fractal elements of connected containers. A food or beverage container according to any preceding claim, wherein at least some of the recesses and ridges have interlocking or corresponding shapes and sizes such that a ridge of one container can fit into a recess of a corresponding container to thereby connect two containers together . A food or drink container Claim 6 , whereby the depressions and elevations of the two containers fit together exactly. A food or drink container Claim 6 , with the depressions and elevations of the two containers partially matching one another. A food or beverage container according to any preceding claim, wherein the two or more containers are capable of being joined together by an adhesive disposed between opposing depressions and ridges of adjacent containers. A food or beverage container according to any preceding claim, wherein the respective convex and concave fractal elements provide increased surface area of both the interior and exterior surfaces of the container relative to a volume of the chamber. A food or beverage container according to any preceding claim, wherein the container is substantially cylindrical. A food or beverage container according to any preceding claim, wherein the wall is formed from metal, plastic, elastomer or glass. A food or beverage container according to one of the Claims 1 until 11 , whereby the wall is made of a flexible food.

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