EP1383691B1

EP1383691B1 - Packaging for liquids

Info

Publication number: EP1383691B1
Application number: EP01924019A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mario José Alegria Neves
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-04-24
Filing date: 2001-04-24
Publication date: 2008-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 2021-04-24
Also published as: EP1383691A1; ATE416134T1; US20040169043A1; DE60136860D1; WO2002085745A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a packaging for liquids (1). It consists essentially of a body (2) with a parallelepiped format whose height to width ratio is less than 1 and it has a lower inner part consisting of two planes (3) that are slightly inclined towards the central part in order to facilitate the suction of the liquid, and an upper surface with a central area (4) with an opening (5) and the respective cover (6) which, when removed, allows the inside of the packaging to be accessed, as well as its liquid through a telescopic tube (7). This packaging can also contain a gift place inside, at the bottom which is duly protected from contact with the liquid and is accessed after the liquid has been drunk by breaking the brittle area (14) of the upper surface.

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging for liquids according to the preamble of claim 1. This packaging should be used "lying down" with a parallelepiped configuration and its upper surface, which is essentially rectangular, is equipped with a device that allows the liquid to be absorbed from inside the container in a hygienic manner without any contact between the user's lips and the external parts of the packaging.
Various types of packaging are known on the beverages market, from the well-known "cans" to glass or plastic bottles and cardboard packaging, which allow all kinds of drinkable liquids to be stored.
The disadvantage of these containers or packagings is that they are unhygienic when used immediately, i.e. when the user drinks from the packaging itself. In particular, cans containing beer, carbonated drinks, fruit juice, milk, etc. are very unhygienic. In fact, from production until they reach the user, these packagings are subject to all kinds of conditions, namely during transportation and storage, though they are not subject to any special hygiene requirements.
Furthermore, the known packagings with the same height to width ratio are not very stable, since their base is generally circular. Also, by virtue of the means which they normally include for absorption of the liquid contained inside them, they do not allow the user to drink the liquid without encountering problems, since it is normal for leakages to occur from time to time, which generally cause undesired spillage of the liquid.
Additional means such as "straws" are already used to drink the liquid contained inside packagings with various formats. However, these means are not incorporated into the packaging itself (the straw is stored outside of the packaging, although it is attached thereto), or if they do form part of the packaging they are similar to a "straw".
A packaging according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from US-A-5 823 422 .
In order to resolve the inconveniences mentioned above, the present invention presents a packaging defined by appended claim 1. It has a very simple and economic design which permits hygienic use by means of a parallelepiped configuration in a "lying down" position, has improved stability and guarantees comfortable use without any type of problems.
This type of packaging also provides for the incorporation of a gift, also placed inside, which can be easily removed after the liquid has been drunk.
All these characteristics are described below in detail with the help of non-restrictive drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view in cross-section of an embodiment of the invention, with the absorption means in position for use;
Figure 2 shows a main elevation of the packaging represented in figure 1, but with the absorption means withdrawn.

As can be seen in the figures attached hereto, the packaging 1 has a body 2 with a rectangular parallelepiped configuration, both the lower and the upper surfaces having a rim, 12 and 13 respectively, the function of which will be explained later on. The rectangular base is formed by the totally flat outer lower surface 8 in order to ensure good stability and by an internal bottom formed by two planes inclined towards the centre of the lower surface, which allows all the liquid to be used when absorbed by the absorption means 7. The upper surface 10 has a central area 4 with a circular opening 5, which is surrounded by a brittle area 14. This opening is duly closed off by the cover 6 before use. The packaging is opened by removing the cover 6, by activating a ring 11 which is set in the upper surface of the cover. Attached using appropriate means to the inner surface of the cover 6 are the means for absorbing the liquid consisting of a telescopic tube 7.
When the user removes the cover 6 from the opening 5, he also activates the absorption means, i.e. the telescopic tube 7, which is duly attached to the cover 6, is removed from the inside of the packaging, thus allowing the user, after separating it from the cover 6, to chose the appropriate height of the absorption means and calmly drink the liquid as hygienically as possible. This tube can be made of a flexible or rigid plastic material.
The side surfaces contain ergonomic recesses 17 in order to make it easier to hold the packaging.
As may be observed, the dimensions of the telescopic tube 7 are appropriate for the type of packaging, thus guaranteeing the complete drainage of the liquid by virtue of its suitable height, with its lower end in the central area of the packaging formed by the two inclined planes 3. The aforementioned absorption means 7 consist of telescopic tubular sections 15, 16, which have a diameter appropriate to the opening. In order to guarantee the height necessary in order to completely drain the liquid, the telescopic tube 7, through the first section 15, must necessarily be close to the bottom of the packaging.
This packaging can also contain a gift 18 which the user will remove after drinking all the liquid. This gift can be placed at the bottom of the packaging, as shown in the figures. This gift, which is duly stored and protected from contact with the liquid and is placed at the bottom of the packaging, can also be partially placed outside the actual base formed by the two planes 3, i.e. slightly protruding in relation to the lower outer surface 8, but in any case below the height of the rim 13. Thus, the rim 13 always guarantees improved stability. The gift can be accessed by breaking the brittle area 14.
In turn, the rim 12 guarantees that the cover 6 of the opening 5 for gaining access to the liquid does not go beyond the total height of the packaging.
As can be understood from the description given above, this packaging has improved stability as it has a good supporting base. Furthermore, the fact that it includes means for absorbing the liquid which are incorporated inside the actual packaging guarantees total hygiene when it is used.
The format chosen for this new packaging, a parallelepiped, has enormous advantages in terms of storage. Indeed, a considerable amount of space can be saved in relation to traditional cylindrical packagings. In fact, parallelepiped packagings do not waste any space when they are duly stacked against each other, contrary to cylindrical packages. In this way it is possible to stack a greater number of packagings on pallets, saving a considerable amount of space and thus considerably reducing logistic costs.
As will be obvious to persons skilled in the art, various alterations to the embodiment described above are possible. Therefore, any other parallelepiped configuration as defined by appended claim 1 can be used without losing the abovementioned fundamental characteristics. Also, as previously mentioned, the absorption means can consist of one, two or more sections, depending on the height intended for the absorption tube, thus guaranteeing a length adequate for its functions. The gifts can also be placed in a different position to the one which is described, for example at the bottom but resting against one of the side walls. Various types of materials can also be used, from traditional materials such as cardboard and metal to others such as plastic and glass, obviously with the necessary alterations.
Finally, it is interesting to note the relevance of including a gift inside the packaging which can only be removed after the liquid has been drunk. In terms of marketing, this is an important bonus which, if duly devised, can give added value to the product.

Claims

Packaging (1) for liquids having a body (2) with a rectangular parallelepiped configuration, both the upper (10) and the flat outer lower (8) surfaces of the body (2) having a shallow peripheral rim (12, 13), the ratio between the height of the body (2) and the length of the rectangle of the flat lower outer surface (8) being less than 1, wherein a circular opening (5) in the central area (4) of the upper surface (10) is surrounded by a brittle area (14), the circular opening (5) being closed by a cover (6), wherein means for drinking the liquid are placed inside the packaging and can be made available to the user when he removes the cover (6) from said opening (5), which packaging can contain a gift (18), characterized in that the internal bottom consists of two planes (3) inclined toward the centre of the packaging.
Packaging (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for drinking the liquid consist of telescopic tubular tubes (7) formed from one or more telescopic sections, being either flexible or rigid, with dimensions suitable for the height of the packaging, first section having a diameter identical to that of the opening (5) of the packaging.
Packaging (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the gift (18) can be placed either at the internal bottom of the package, partially protruding from the flat outer lower surface (8) but below the height of the rim, or next to the opening (5) of the upper surface (10) and being accessible by breaking the brittle area (14).
Packaging (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening (5) of the upper surface (10) is closed off until it is used for the first time, by the cover (6) which the user removes by means of a ring (11) that is set in the upper surface (10), and in that attached to the inside of the cover (6) are means for drinking the liquid, which are presented to the user as soon as the cover (6) is removed and can be pulled up to the appropriate height.
Packaging (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the side surfaces of the body (2) have recesses (17) which make it possible to hold the packaging in an ergonomic way.