Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
  • B65D77/10—Container closures formed after filling
  • B65D77/20—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers
  • B65D77/2024—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers the cover being welded or adhered to the container
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
  • A47G19/00—Table service
  • A47G19/22—Drinking vessels or saucers used for table service
  • A47G19/2205—Drinking glasses or vessels
  • A47G19/2255—Details related to the connection between the liquid containing part and the supporting part
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D25/20—External fittings
  • B65D25/24—External fittings for spacing bases of containers from supporting surfaces, e.g. legs
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
  • B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
  • B65D81/20—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
  • B65D81/2069—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere
  • B65D81/2076—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere in an at least partially rigid container

Definitions

• the present invention relates to beverage containers particularly sealed containers but more particularly relates to a sealed ready to use alcoholic beverage container and a method of production of a wine filled container and packaging thereof
• Containers for liquid beverages have in the past been manufactured in a wide variety of forms whereby greater use has been made of soft packaging formed from plastics or fibre materials as an alternative to use of glass
• One such package is manufactured from cardboard including a layer of plastics material and a metallic layer and comprises a box like receptacle with a small opening through which a straw passes to gain access to the beverage The opening has a frangible sealing membrane across it which keeps the contents airtight and which must be invaded to gain access to the inside of the container
• This class of containers is generally used for soft drinks and although they have previously been used for holding alcoholic beverages, as consumers of the latter are discerning in their acceptance of containers from which they partake of alcohol, such containers have not gained market acceptance There is consumer resistance to alcoholic beverages dispensed from such containers
• Another known sealed airtight container for liquid beverages comprises a receptacle, formed from a plastics material and having a heat sealed membrane or cover which ensures the package is air tight
• the membrane generally comprises a sheet of aluminium foil which engage
• bottles or glasses are the preferred containers with the former providing multiple serves and the latter providing a single serve.
• alcoholic beverages are in single serve demand such as in bars or restaurants or in flight. In these circumstances, it can be inconvenient and time consuming for an attendant to fill consumers' glasses.
• self contained sealed containers of soft drinks and juices it is very common for self contained sealed containers of soft drinks and juices to be served quickly in these situations due to the availability of single serve sealed packages for these products.
• this is not the case with alcoholic beverages particularly wine and particularly where a single serve only is required, as these beverages have not hitherto previously been packaged in plastics in a self contained sealed convenient ready to use form.
• Packaging alcohol in plastic containers has traditionally been considered undesirable by suppliers of alcohol products.
• Consumable liquids such as soft drinks previously and presently packaged in plastics containers have a short shelf life and must be used soon after packaging.
• plastics are known to allow gas transmissibility therethrough, the. contents of a plastics container are prone to oxidation soon after packaging, i.e. within days or over a few weeks.
• the present invention has overcome the problem to the extent that the shelf life of an alcoholic beverage stored in a plastics container may be prolonged for at least six months without compromise to the integrity of the alcoholic contents.
• a suitable plastics receptacle for holding alcohol may comprise a single layer or multiple layers of plastics.
• the inside surface of the receptacle is biocompatible as is the inner surface of the membrane which seals the receptacle.
• the present invention provides an alternative plastics container for use in the service of alcoholic beverages and also provides a method enabling the container to be used for the service of alcohol and resulting in a longer shelf life than liquid products traditionally served in plastics.
• the present invention comprises; a sealed plastics container for holding an alcoholic beverage such as wine; the container comprising, a receptacle for containing the alcoholic beverage therein and which includes a peripheral flange about the mouth of the receptacle, a biocompatible inner surface and a wall having low gas transmissibility; a sealing membrane detachably fixed to said flange and including a biocompatible inner surface, a headspace between the alcohol and the biocompatible inner surface of the sealing membrane and containing a biocompatible gas other than oxygen, wherein the membrane seals the alcoholic beverage from contact with air
• the invention comprises a self contained sealed container for containing a single serve of wine, wherein the container comprises, a plastics receptacle having the appearance of a carafe, drinking glass or the like and a membrane sealing the contents therein
• a headspace is formed between the beverage and the biocompatible inner surface of the membrane which headspace contains a biocompatible gas such as but not limited to Nitrogen or Carbon Dioxide
• the receptacle is produced in a mould and formed from a transparent or opaque plastics material such as but not limited to polypropylene Other materials which could be used are polystyrene and polyethylene.
• the receptacle has properties which minimise oxygen transmissibility carbon dioxide transmissibility and render the receptacle alcohol tolerant
• the receptacle may be formed of multiple layers with at least the inner layer comprising a biocompatible plastics material such as virgin (i.e. not recycled) polypropylene and has the appearance of a glass or the like suitable for drinking wine in single serves.
• the inner layer may be polyethylene.
• the receptacle is formed from a plurality of layers of material having low gas transmissibility from the external environment and low leeching capability from the internal environment to the outside of the receptacle such that gas entrained in the wine or other alcoholic beverage or in the headspace of the receptacle will be prevented from escaping
• the present invention comprises, a method of production of a sealed container for holding an alcoholic beverage as hereinbefore described, comprising the steps of.
• the present invention comprises; a method for producing a sealed plastics container for an alcoholic beverage such as wine comprising the steps of; a) taking a plastics receptacle formed from a plastics material, b) introducing an alcoholic beverage into the receptacle, c) displacing residual oxygen from the receptacle by introducing gaseous Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen or a mixture of both in predetermined proportions or other suitable food grade gas into the receptacle, d) applying a membrane to the open mouth of the receptacle so that the membrane adheres by heat sealing to a peripheral flange formed around the open mouth of the receptacle to thereby provide an airtight seal.
• the present invention comprises: a method for packaging an alcoholic beverage in a container as hereinbefore described comprising the steps of; a) taking a plastics receptacle suitable for holding an alcoholic beverage and having an open mouth with a peripheral flange thereabout and also having a biocompatible inner surface and a wall with a low gas transmissibility coefficient; b) introducing into the receptacle an alcoholic beverage such as wine modified for use in a plastics container, leaving a headspace between the surface of the beverage and the mouth, c) introducing the receptacle into a controlled environment pressurised to enable evacuation of air from the headspace of the receptacle and the surrounding space within the controlled environment; d) substituting displaced air with a biocompatible gas introduced under positive pressure within the controlled environment; e) applying a sealing membrane to the peripheral flange of the receptacle to trap said biocompatible gas in the headspace formed therein and whilst the surrounding environment is under positive pressure; f)
• the container comprises a transparent or opaque plastics receptacle which has high resistance to transmission of gases such as oxygen and which has a membrane of aluminium placed across the open mouth to create a seal.
• the adhesive is applied to the membrane either as a coating formed from the biologically, electrically and/or chemically inert or non reactive substance or in addition to that substance as an additional layer about the periphery of the membrane.
• the sealing membrane is attached by heat sealing.
• the wine is modified to ensure that it comprises constituents within predetermined ranges, namely;
• the container may be completed by the additional steps of adding a plastic lid over the membrane for re-use of the container once the membrane is removed
• the metallic membrane may be pre-heated prior to fixing to the flange of the container with the pre- heating melting a glue or glue like substance either on the flange or on the inner surface of the sealing membrane.
• the present invention comprises: a method of packaging sealed containers for holding an alcoholic beverage as hereinbefore described comprising the steps of; a) taking a carton of a predetermined size; b) introducing into the container an air tight liner material which may substantially conform to the internal contour of said carton and which forms a packaging envelope; c) placing in the envelope a predetermined number of the sealed packing containers containing an alcoholic beverage therein; d) evacuating residual air within the envelope and substituting a biocompatible gas within the envelope; e) sealing the envelope to trap the biocompatible gas therein; and f) sealing the carton.
• Figure 1 shows a container for holding an alcoholic beverage according to a preferred embodiment of the invention
• Figure 2 shows the container of figure 1 with the sealing membrane peeled away from the peripheral flange around the open mouth of the receptacle
• Figure 3 shows the container of figure 1 with a sealing cover
• Figure 4 shows a schematic view of a multi layer arrangement for the receptacle according to a preferred embodiment
• Figure 5 shows an exploded view of a beverage container according to an alternative embodiment of the invention
• Figure 6 shows the container of figure 5 with the receptacle located in its base
• Figure 7 shows a table of properties of various plastics materials.
• Container 1 comprises a plastics receptacle 2 which may assume the general shape of a wine glass for holding an alcoholic beverage
• the receptacle may have the appearance of a conventional glass receptacle such as a tumbler or other glass shaped receptacles used for serving alcoholic beverages and also including carafes and the like
• a base 3 which is connected to the underside 4 of receptacle 2 via stem 5
• a membrane 6 covers the open mouth 7 of receptacle 2
• a peripheral flange 8 (see figure 2) is moulded into the receptacle
• the upper surface 9 of flange 8 provides a surface which receives and enables bonding thereto of the membrane 6
• Membrane 6 also has a second layer comprising a biocompatible coating which isolates the contents of the receptacle 2 from the primary membrane material
• the membrane material is thin aluminium sheet coated on the inside face with a layer of chemically, electrically and biologically inert material and preferably a selected polymer such as polypropylene
• Figure 4 shows one possible embodiment of the constituents of a multi layer plastics walled container
• receptacle 2 may be of multi layer construction formed from an inner layer 12 of virgin polypropylene
• the receptacle may be formed from a single layer of plastics material such as but not limited to modified nylon Layer 13 comprises scrap polypropylene as this will not come in contact with the alcoholic beverage Scrap polypropylene layer 13 is in apposition with adhesive layer 14 which in turn is in apposition with EVOH core layer 15
• An adhesive layer 16 overlies layer 15 and is itself overlain by layer 17 which comprises scrap polypropylene
• the layered receptacle 2 must be impermeable to oxygen absorption and to carbon dioxide leeching to ensure that the alcoholic beverage does not undergo oxidation or other form of degradation This is achieved by careful selection of the plastics material used in the multi layered or single layer receptacle wall According to one embodiment, layer 17 of receptacle 2 is mixed with a preselected colourant In use, sealing membrane 6 is simply peeled away from flange 8 to gain access to the contents of the receptacle as shown in figure 2.
• FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus aspect of the invention.
• the container shown comprises receptacle 20 which seats in preformed support member 21.
• Receptacle 20 comprises an internal peripheral rib 22 which engages a corresponding rib 23 in support member 21. This enables receptacle 20 to click in and click out of support member 21 (see figure 6).
• receptacle 20 may be glued to support member 21 in which case corresponding ribs 22 and 23 provide a key securing receptacle 20 to support member 21.
• Support member 21 comprises stem 24, base 25 and recess 26.
• Figure 6 shows receptacle 20 seated in recess 26. The lower portion of the receptacle 20 is contoured to conform to the shape of the contour of recess 26.
• container 1 is produced according to the following regime.
• the first step is to produce the receptacle 2 and this is effected by moulding polypropylene (or other suitable material through which oxygen cannot penetrate) to ensure that the integrity of the sealing of the contents is maintained and thus to ensure that oxidisation of the liquid beverage does not take place.
• receptacle 2 is moulded into the shape of a glass.
• Each receptacle 2 is set in position on a production line where it is filled via dispensers with the selected alcoholic beverage which may be white or red wine, beer or any other alcoholic beverage.
• the selected alcoholic beverage which may be white or red wine, beer or any other alcoholic beverage.
• a biocompatible lacquer layer or layer formed from a material which performs the roles of isolating the contents of the receptacle 2 from the aluminium, and providing a sealing material which melts under the sealing process.
• any residual oxygen is evacuated from the receptacle by injection of gaseous nitrogen or other suitable food grade gas into the void above the contents
• the membrane is presented to the peripheral flange 8 immediately the evacuation has been completed thereby effecting sealing of the contents
• the receptacles are sealed in a controlled environment.
• FIG 3 shows a cover 1 1 detached from the container of figure 1 Receptacle 2 can be resealed where necessary by the removable cover 11 which engages the peripheral flange 8 Cover 11 can also be used to cover and protect membrane 6 prior to use

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)
• Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=3781906

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (15)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 1994
  • 1994-08-10 AU AUPM7384A patent/AUPM738494A0/en not_active Abandoned
• 1995
  • 1995-08-10 EP EP95927572A patent/EP0784580A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1995-08-10 WO PCT/AU1995/000483 patent/WO1996005123A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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