EP0290356B1 - Foldable goblet with a tamper-proof device - Google Patents

Abstract

Foldable goblet formed from two thin walls, of which the lower part comprises, once unfolded, a concave base (11) making it possible to keep the lateral walls (12) apart, of which the upper part comprises two tongues (22) which can be folded back and which are pressed on the lateral walls (12), and of which the ends (21) form a support polygon for the goblet. This goblet may be obtained from a tamper-proof closed bag, comprising a preliminary cutout enabling the bag to be opened whilst forming the tongue (22), capable of containing the ingredients and utensils whose implementation requires the use of the goblet. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a collapsible container for liquid provided with a tamper-evident device.

The use of disposable cups has grown rapidly in recent years, particularly with vending machines and fast food. The disposable cups, generally frustoconical in shape, are delivered stacked one inside the other to save space. They are made of thermoformed or injected plastic, or waxed cardboard. They are, most often, stacked empty and they are taken one by one to fill them with liquid. There are also cups that contain a freeze-dried product in their bottoms; just add cold or hot water, as the case may be, to obtain a specific drink. The freeze-dried product is protected either by the upper cup or by a tamper-evident device produced by a peelable film fixed in the vicinity of the bottom of the cup. If these products are perfectly suited in distributors where the storage conditions are ideal and accessories such as sugar or teaspoon are available; it is not the same as soon as the packaging becomes ambulatory. The stacked cups form a bulky and fragile cylinder which fears shocks and stresses. Their protection against soiling is not easy and it is not possible to have it in your pocket. Their use implies having sugar and spoons apart, because it is not easy to integrate them into the cup.

The container, object of the invention, which we will describe below, provides a solution to these problems, while remaining very economical for the user, because it uses continuous processes for its manufacture.

Before unfolding, it comes in the form of a rectangular bag, closed on all four sides. We will show later how to get the bag closed. We suppose that the sachet is empty, for the explanations, but in fact it could contain the ingredients necessary for the confection of a drink or any other product such only toothpaste and toothbrush, which will be introduced before closing.

Figure 1 shows the bag before closing with its creases and its precuts.

Figure 2 shows the same bag after closing.

FIG. 3 represents the concave bottom 11 of the cup and its connections with the side walls 12.

Figure 4 shows the same bag after tearing the pre-cut part, to form the tongues of the cup. This figure also shows the cup ready to be unfolded.

Figure 5 shows the cup with the folded tabs, before forming the cavity.

Figure 6 shows the same cup after forming the cavity, in use.

FIG. 7 represents a bag with the grooves corresponding to a convex curve 34 at the bottom, the curvature of which comprises discontinuities.

Figure 8 shows an open cup corresponding to the previous bag provided, for information, with a handling handle.

Figure 10 shows the open cup with the locking system in place seen from below.

Figure 11 shows the cup being opened with the bottom not positioned.

Figure 12 shows the sachet-cup before opening the sachet.

The bag is therefore composed of two walls 1 and 2 in FIG. 1, of symmetrical shape with respect to plane 6, preferably rectangular, semi-rigid, superimposed, interconnected by their edge along the four sides of FIG. 2. The connection is made so that it is liquid tight. This can be achieved by using, for example, one of the many techniques available on the market for the manufacture of flexible bags. For example, we have shown the bottom link 9 Figures 1 and 2 as being obtained by folding from the starting sheet. Depending on the technique of forming the bags, up to two connections can be obtained by folding. In the present case, we have a preference for this solution with regard to the bottom 9 because this facilitates its forming. For the rest of the presentation we will call the bond "welding" whether it is composed of a folding, a welding or even a bonding. These two walls have grooves 3 in FIGS. 1 and 4 and pre-cuts 5 which are perfectly symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry 6 of the walls 1 and 2.

The lower part 7 in FIG. 2, has a groove 3, formed mainly of a convex curve with respect to the upper part of the bag, starting from one of the corners 8 of the base 9 of the bag, to go to the other corner 10 of the same base 9. The corners 8 and 10 are at the meeting point of the base 9 and the internal edge of the welds. This creasing 3 creates by folding a concave bottom 11 in Figure 3 which, when formed, gives a convex shape to the side walls 12 and keeps them apart.

The angle 13 in figure 2, made by the tangent 14 to the convex curve 3 at its starting point 8 with the base 9 of the bag, is an angle between 25 and 45 degrees, while the tangent 15 to the convex curve 3 parallel to the base 9 is located at a distance between 0.23 and 0.40 times the width 16 of the bag without welding; the contact point 17 of the tangent 15 is also the point furthest from the base 9. In a preferred version of the invention, the convex curve 3 is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis 23.

The upper part has a precut 5 extending substantially from the middle 18 on one lateral side 19 to go to the other lateral side 20 by describing a curve 5 constituting a tongue 22 of generally substantially trapezoidal shape, but whose end 21 comprises a rectilinear part parallel to the lower side 9. The tongue 22 is preferably symmetrical relative to the longitudinal axis 23.

A rectilinear central groove 4 joins the starting point 18 and arrival point 24 of the precut; it is parallel to the rectilinear end part 21 of the tongue 22 and at a distance 25 equal to or greater than the distance 26 from the creasing at the angles 8 and 10 of the base from which the convex creasing 3 starts, possibly increased by the width of the bottom weld 9 when it is not obtained by folding.

Starting from a bag comprising the precut 5 and the grooves 3 and 4 described, it can be unfolded as follows:
The sachet is opened by separating the precut parts according to the precut 5 in FIG. 2, which constitutes inviolability. Having opened the bag in FIG. 4, the two tongues 22 are folded outwards, according to the arrows 27, making a folding along the middle grooves 4.

The extreme rectilinear part 21 in FIG. 5 of the tongues 22 is located substantially at height and parallel to the lower side 9, when the tongues 22 are completely folded down. The two walls 30 and 31 are then moved aside, along the arrows 28, in line with the folding formed by the central grooving 4 and the arrows 29 are pressed simultaneously on the base 9. The walls 30 and 31 curve, FIG. 6, taking a set convex shape resembling a tile-channel on which are pressed the tabs 22 which take the same shape.

When you press on the base 9, you gradually get a concave shape 11, Figure 3, which contributes to the spacing of the side walls 30, Figure 5, and 31 in the same manner as described above, until reaching position locking by obtaining a concave adjusted surface, the lines of intersection with the convex adjusted lateral faces are the grooves 3 of convex shape joining the angles of the base 8 and 10. When the concave bottom 32, FIG. 6 , is locked, the corners 8 and 10 of the base are protruding and may constitute two support points, which is not sufficient to ensure balance on their side, the lateral tabs 22, in the form of tiles, constitute, by their end 21, two support lines, perpendicular to the generatrices of the adjusted surface, located in the same plane 33 substantially perpendicular to the axis of symmetry 44 of the container. The support lines define a stable support polygon for the container. The two support points formed by the base angles 8 and 10 may be in this plane 33, but it is preferable that they be slightly above so as not to disturb the support of the tongues 22.

All of these supports, by their arrangement, constitute a stable base for the container. Given their number, it is obvious that the totality of the support points cannot bear simultaneously; on the other hand, when the container is full, the load causes deformations which make the supports effective.

It can be noted that the shape of the convex line 34, FIG. 7, of the creasing serving to delimit the bottom 35 may have a curvature varying continuously or discontinuously 36. These discontinuities 36 cause discontinuities in the curvature of the side walls which it should be favored by appropriate grooves 37, parallel to the lateral sides 19 and 20. Grooves 40 should also appear on the tongues 39. They have the advantage of forming on the side walls 43, Figure 8, edges 41 on which come bear the edges 42 of the tabs 39, when they are folded down, which increases the buckling resistance under load of the assembly.

It goes without saying that, when the line is discontinuous, a creasing 38 of the bottom is also necessary to promote its concave shaping.

We have shown a convex curve 34 with two discontinuities, but it is possible, and in some cases desirable, to do more.

The sachet is preferably made from a sheet of a complex comprising in particular a layer of paper and one or more layers of plastic. The paper layer provides rigidity, while the plastic layer (s) seal through the wall and the welds. A layer of plastic is generally used which lines the inside of the bag; it is generally polyethylene or polypropylene. In certain configurations, it is possible to have a central layer of paper and a layer of plastic material on each side, making it possible to make longitudinal welds of leather against flesh, of the type of those made on milk bricks.

In some cases, more elaborate complexes can be used depending on the content and climatic distribution conditions, and the composition is not limiting. It is thus possible to use a complex comprising an ice-polished metallic sheet to limit heat loss by radiation. It will be noted that the fact of starting from a sheet for the production of the cup opens very wide possibilities for achieving the adequacy of the performances with the needs.

To make the sachet, we start by making the precuts, creasing and printing on the sheet which is in the form of sheets or a reel. We thus obtain blanks from which we are spoiled for choice to make the sachet from the machines on the market. It is obvious that the creases and the precut are to be adjusted according to the machine selected.

In a preferred version of the invention, the connection 9, FIG. 2, is obtained by folding while the connections 19, 20 and 49 are flesh-to-flesh welds. This procedure makes it possible to eliminate the excess thicknesses linked to the middle welds, situated at the level of the axis 23 in order to obtain the connections 19 and 20 by folding, but often lead to leaks, and allows to have a sachet bottom 9 without welding, which facilitates the shaping of the bottom. The lateral welds can be widened to make handles. Indeed, if the transverse weld 51, FIG. 8, is widened, it is possible to obtain, at the level of the lateral welds of the bag, a flat zone comprising a double thickness of complex which can be cut to form a handle which will allow the container to be grasped burn if it contains a hot liquid. It is necessary to note that the tongues 22, FIG. 6, constitute gripping zones thermally insulated by the presence of a double wall separated by an air space with the possibility of adding metallized components to it as indicated above, and that these areas are perfectly placed to naturally grasp the cup to drink its contents. The tongue 22 serves to guarantee the cleanliness of the edge of the container, since it is, before opening and folding, protected inside the bag. Finally, the edge being obtained by folding, it cannot be sharp for the lips and its regular profile makes it pleasant to use.

The lateral welds 19 and 20, FIG. 6, have, when the container is unfolded, an upper edge 52 and 53 relatively rigid, obtained by detaching the pre-cut part external to the tongues. These edges 52 and 53 can serve as a guide for the container when it is presented under a source of liquid to fill it, in order to guarantee the correct positioning of the cup and make it possible to trigger the filling by action on one or more micro-contacts while the filling spout, projecting inside the cup in alignment with the micro-contacts, forms an obstacle to their accidental actuation, for example by a simple sheet of cardboard.

The advantage of delivering the container in the form of a fully closed sachet lies in the fact that it can be stored there, either directly lyophilized products to the extent that the precuts are sufficiently tight, or sachets containing them; for example, you can simultaneously put a sachet of freeze-dried coffee, a sachet of sugar, a sachet of powdered or concentrated milk and a small spoon. Thus, the user can, as desired, use all or part of these sachets. In another case, you can put a dose of toothpaste in a bag and a toothbrush or toothpaste. As we have already specified, the closed sachet can be kept individually sterile, which is a decisive advantage compared to the cup whose sterility can only be guaranteed at the grouping level.

The advantages which have just been described, do not prevent the manufacture of cups delivered flat, in which the tongue 22 is already cut out, as indicated in FIG. 4. The upper part comprises the folding tabs 22, the lower half comprises the grooves 3 and 4, two lateral welds 45 and 46 connecting the two walls and a bottom weld 9 which is a simple folding in one of the preferred versions of the invention. They are easier to implement since there is no inviolability to remove and we can in some cases prefer this solution.

In use, we see that the edge 78, Figure 6, used for drinking which is formed by the folded tab 22, is located so that naturally we try to wear the cup to the lips by grasping it in line with the tabs 22 This way of grasping the cup is not reassuring for the user because it tends to bring its walls 12, FIG. 3, which we had moved apart thanks to the concave bottom 11. Thus, if we tighten too much the cup in his fingers, there is a risk of seeing the bottom 11 unlock, the edges approach, the volume decrease, and the liquid overflow. So we prefer to grasp the cup by resting on the lateral edges 52 and 53, Figure 6, located on either side of the tongues 22, which has the advantage of causing, when the fingers are tightened too much volume. But then the cup does not present itself, with a natural gesture, correctly to the lips because it presents itself opposite the lateral edges 52 and 53 which does not allow drinking. You have to turn your wrist ninety degrees to bring its edge 78, Figure 6, in the correct position, which is not very comfortable.

It is possible to provide a simple solution to the problem of locking the bottom of the cup so as to be able to grasp the cup naturally, without taking the risk of seeing it close.

When the tongues 54, FIG. 10, are folded back into position to serve as a stabilizer for the cup, they are pressed against the wall 55 of the cup. The concave bottom 56 being formed, the lower zone 57 of the tongues 54, when it passes below the convex curve 58 which delineates the side wall 55 from that constituting the concave bottom 56, is no longer supported on the wall 55 and delimits a free zone which can be used to set up a locking mechanism for the bottom of the cup.

To clearly understand the mechanism, we will start from the description of the cup described in said patent application. First, a substantially horizontal slot 59 is made in the tongue 54, starting from an edge of the tongue 54 situated below the highest point of the convex curve 58 delimiting the concave bottom 56. This slot is continued until 'so that its end arrives at level 60 of said convex curve 58. Then a panel 63 delimited by the lower edge 64 of said slot 59 and the end 65 is folded, in a fold 61 substantially perpendicular to the edge 62 of the cup of the tongue 54, so that this panel 63 passes under the concave bottom 56 and allows it to serve as a support for the latter. It is thus possible to fold two panels 63 per tongue 54, that is to say four panels for the two tabs, the substantially horizontal part 64 of which serves as a support for the concave bottom 56, and prevents it from unlocking. The shape of the slot 59 and its position, depends directly the shape of the concave bottom 56, particularly the angle 66 made by the panel 63 when folded as indicated above so that it effectively serves as a support for the bottom. It is in fact important that the folded panel 63 conforms as well as possible to the shape of the bottom, and forms with it an angle as close as possible to the right angle so as to be able to bend over it when it is under pressure. , instead of sliding, which would cancel its action. It is obvious that this angle varies continuously or discontinuously depending on the shape of the concave bottom, as soon as the panel 63 once in place is not parallel to the rectilinear generators of the bottom. It suffices that there is a sufficiently large area meeting this characteristic to perform the desired locking function. For each background shape, it will be necessary to experimentally adapt the shape of the cutout of the panels 63 to obtain optimum performance. In a preferred version of the invention, the bottom is obtained from a polygonal curve 67, FIG. 11, the highest part of which is a line segment 68 parallel to the edge 69 of the cup, the slot 70 is located at height of this segment 68 when the tongue 54 is folded down, it is straight and parallel to the latter. It extends to the creasing 71 of the tongue, perpendicular to the edge 69 of the cup passing in the immediate vicinity of the end 72 of the segment 68 located on the same side as that of the slot 70. When the panel 63, FIG. 10, is folded under the concave bottom 56, it is placed at the fold of the bottom 73 passing through said end 72, FIG. 11, of segment 68, perpendicular to the surface of part 74, FIG. 10, of the bottom of the cup located between the two said segments 68 parallel to the edge 69 of the cup. When the four panels 63 are in place, they are perpendicular to the central part 57 of the tongues 54. They form, with each of the corresponding tongues 54, a trihedron coming to consolidate the support on the ground of the tongue 54, by increasing its resistance to buckling. The zone formed by these trihedrons is a very favorable zone for gripping, because when the fingers are supported in this zone 57, they tend to tilt the tongue 54 inwards, and the panels 63 tend to tilt in their turn to come to arquebouter on the part 74 of the bottom 56 which is parallel to the edge 62 of the cup thus ensuring its locking. In addition, this zone is distant from the walls 55 of the cup by a sufficient distance to be insensitive to the heat transmitted by a hot and even boiling liquid. We have described a way of obtaining a panel from a slot made in the tongue. It is obvious that there are other means of releasing these panels 63, and in particular by an appropriate cutting of the tongue 54.

When the cup is in the initial form of a sachet, this does not pose any particular problem to provide, at the time of the manufacture of the blank, the cutouts 75, FIG. 12, and the grooves 76 which will allow the panels to be put in place. 77 locking after forming the concave bottom.

Claims (6)

1. Foldable beaker formed of two semi-rigid thin walls (1,2) which in a folded state each comprise the beaker, namely one lower portion and one upper portion, both walls being interconnected at their lower portion by two lateral links (45,46) and one bottom link (9), said links being sealed and able to be obtained by folding, glueing or welding, each wall comprising one first convex grooving (3) joining the lower ends of the lateral links and able by means of folding to form a concave bottom (11), the lower portion of each wall being formed of a tongue (22) connected to the upper end of the lower portion by a second grooving (4), the upper end (21) of each tongue being rectilinear, the height (25) of the tongues being greater than or equal to the height (26) of the lower portion, the tongues being able to be folded down onto the lower portion by means of folding along the second grooving (4) so as to form a support by resting on the rectilinear ends (21) which form a support polygon.
2. Beaker according to claim 1, wherein the tangent lines (14) to the convex curve constituting the first grooving (3) passing through the lower corners (8,10) form, along with the bottom line (9), an angle (13) of between 25 and 45 degrees, the distance of the point (17) furthest from the grooving (3) at the lower edge formed by the bottom line (9) being between 0.23 and 0.40 times the width (16) of the unwelded beaker in a folded state.
3. Foldable beaker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein it is obtained from an indestructible closed bag comprising a precutting (5) enabling the tongues (22) to be formed by tearing.
4. Foldable beaker according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the link of the bottom (9) is obtained by folding and wherein the other links are welded together between the edges of the two walls.
5. Foldable beaker according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each stabilization tongue (54) has two approximately horizontal slits (64) whose position and profile are defined according to the profile of the concave bottom (56) making it possible to form panels (63) which fold under the latter, thus constituting a locking system.
6. Foldable beaker according to claim 5, wherein the convex curve is polygonal with a segment (68) parallel to the edge (69) of the beaker, the slit is rectilinear and parallel to the edge (69), and when in place, the upper portion of the panels, take support perpendicularly on the bottom at the level of the fold (73) passing through the end (72) of the segment.

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