EP1421008A1

EP1421008A1 - Mug fixed to the top or to the bottom of a beverage bottle, beverage bottle designed for receiving same, and related combination

Info

Publication number: EP1421008A1
Application number: EP01960711A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Helmut Hammer
Original assignee: Zott & Co GmbH
Current assignee: Zott & Co KG GmbH
Priority date: 2001-08-27
Filing date: 2001-08-27
Publication date: 2004-05-26
Anticipated expiration: 2021-08-27
Also published as: US20040262252A1; WO2003018419A1; ATE308463T1; DE50107939D1; EP1421008B1; JP2005500952A

Abstract

The invention concerns a beverage bottle provided with a mug acting as closure, a bottle whereon fixing an upturned mug is realized with little effort. Consequently, the invention concerns a combination of a beverage bottle and a mug, characterized in that it comprises a beverage bottle and a mug capable of being pressed on at least one end of the bottle and thereby be fixed to said end. The mug and/or the beverage bottle comprise, in the fixing zone, a profiled shape enabling, when the mug is upturned and pressed, a gas exchange between the inside of the mug and outside environment.

Description

Mug for putting over or under a beverage bottle / beverage bottle for holding a removable mug and

Combination of the same

Technical field

The invention relates to a cup for putting over or under a drink bottle, a drink bottle for receiving a slip-on cup and a combination thereof.

State of the art

It is known from the prior art to provide beverage bottles with a mug which can be used for drinking and which is placed at the bottom end of the beverage bottle. For example, US-A-5,499, 738, US-A-4, 505, 390, FR-A-26 46 071 and JP-A-90 20 342 disclose beverage bottles with cups attached to the bottom and usable for drinking. Furthermore, the utility model DE 299 22 619 Ul discloses one

Beverage bottle with a detachably attached cup, in which the bottle end is adapted to the cup so that the outer diameter of the bottle corresponds approximately to that of the cup. In the known beverage bottles, however, the placing of the cup on the beverage bottle is made more difficult by the fact that an excess pressure (plugging) or negative pressure (pulling off) is formed in the interior of the cup due to the largely airtight contact zones between the rim of the cup and the wall of the beverage bottle. This effect is particularly pronounced if the contact zone, as in DE 299 22 619 U1, is designed as a tight press fit or circumferential bead. As a result, pressure and suction forces occur inside the cup, and it is only possible to pull the cup over with a relatively high amount of force or by tilting or shaking the cup. This obstruction of the cuff has an unfavorable effect on the

Comfortable use of the bottle or mug. In addition, the automated flip of the cup is also over or under the beverage bottle, in which possible misalignment or shaking of the cup lead to an undesirable additional effort in the production process.

Presentation of the invention

The present invention is based on the technical problem of providing a beverage bottle with a slip-on cup, in which the pull-on takes place with little effort.

This technical problem is solved by a cup for putting over or under a beverage bottle with the features of claim 1, a beverage bottle for receiving a cup that can be slipped on or under with the features of claim 2, and by a combination thereof with the features of claim 3 , Advantageous further developments are specified in the subclaims.

The present invention is based on the idea that

To put the cup over or under the beverage bottle to facilitate the fact that a gas exchange between the inside of the cup and the environment is made possible. For this purpose, a mug for putting over or under a beverage bottle, a beverage bottle for receiving an over- or under-pourable mug or a combination of mug and beverage bottle are provided, in which the contact area between the rim of the mug and the beverage bottle wall has a profile on one or both sides, which allows gas to pass through.

Thanks to the profiled contact area between the rim of the cup and the wall of the beverage bottle, the cup is much easier to put over. The use of the beverage bottle with a cup that can be pulled up becomes considerably more convenient because the cup can be attached and removed with little effort and without possible misalignments or Shaking movements of the cup can take place. As a result, the automated attachment of the cup, for. B. rationalized during the production process.

According to a first further development of the present invention, the profiling of the cup or the beverage bottle has knobs or similar point-like elevations. The beverage bottle can also have notches in the direction of the interior of the beverage bottle. As a result, a gas flow can occur in the free spaces between the knobs or in an area which is not provided with knobs, which facilitates the insertion and removal of the cup.

In order to ensure a low-germ and splash-proof sealing of the inside of the cup as soon as the cup is put on the beverage bottle, according to a development of the invention, the profiling of the cup or the beverage bottle has a labyrinth seal, which preferably has ribs arranged in the circumferential direction of the cup and

Free spaces between the ribs included. In this way, the penetration of splash water into the inside of the cup, which can occur, for example, when cleaning the outside of the beverage bottle, can be avoided, so that the visual impression and the hygienic condition of the inside of the cup are improved. In addition, the labyrinth seal prevents the penetration of germs into the inside of the cup, so that overall a hygienic, low-germ state of the inside of the cup is ensured. At the same time, the labyrinth seal also has the property that it enables gas exchange between the inside of the cup and the surroundings when it is put over, so that the cup can still be put over or under the beverage bottle with little effort. The ribs can be arranged in one or more, preferably two, parallel rows. According to a further preferred embodiment, the beverage bottle and / or the cup are made of plastic, particularly preferably the bottle made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and the cup made of polypropylene (PP). The plastic can also be colored to protect the contents of the bottle or cup from environmental influences or to improve the visual impression. At the same time, the weight of the bottle and / or cup is reduced relative to the usual fillers (beverages), which causes the entire center of gravity to be shifted downwards and thus achieves increased stability. In addition, objects made of PET or PP can be produced inexpensively.

The cup can have a recess for receiving food, advertising or other aids, which is preferably closed by a seal. Corresponding objects can also be arranged inside the cup. Overall, this can significantly increase the attractiveness and utility of the combination. Market acceptance is increased considerably because only one packaging unit is required to pack several items, even in different aggregate states.

According to a further development of the invention, the cup has a lower and an upper cone-shaped area, which have different cone angles, the lower area being more inclined with respect to the cup axis than the upper area. In addition, the cup has a transition between the upper and the lower area, which is stepped. This design enables cups of the same type to be stacked one inside the other, which saves a considerable amount of space in the manufacture or during filling when the cups are delivered.

According to a development of the invention, the

Inner diameter of the profiling of the cup in the area of contact with the beverage bottle the outer diameter of the outer beverage bottle jacket. In this way, the cup can be slipped over or under the beverage bottle without constraint. A contact pressure between the profiling of the cup and the 'outer beverage bottle jacket only arises as soon as the

Beverage bottle is filled with a drink and closed and has expanded as a result. As a result, the cup is held on to this when the beverage bottle is closed. As soon as the beverage bottle is opened, however, the contact pressure between the profiling of the cup and the outer beverage bottle jacket is at least partially reduced, so that the cup can be removed without problems.

According to a development of the invention, the

Beverage bottle in the area of the inverted cup has a smaller outside diameter than in the adjacent area. The difference in the outer diameter is preferably designed such that the outer diameter of the inverted cup is flush with the adjacent outer diameter of the

Locks the beverage bottle. This gives the combination an attractive appearance, as the beverage bottle and cup are perceived as a single unit. This applies in particular if the transition between the mug and the beverage bottle is advantageously covered with a label. Furthermore, the risk that the cup is unintentionally pulled from the beverage bottle due to a protrusion over the bottle is reduced, and the step provides further protection against the ingress of splashing water or particles into the inside of the cup. The combination can also be easily achieved by conventional filling systems to run.

The combination of beverage bottle and mug according to the invention is particularly well suited for the mobile presentation of drinks at any location, for. B. when traveling. It is therefore particularly advantageous to use the beverage bottle relatively small dimensions, preferably for filling quantities of 200, 250, 330 and 500 ml.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention is explained and described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a cup according to the invention, an inventive

Beverage bottle and a combination thereof;

Fig. 2 is a schematic partial representation of a vertical

Half section through a cup according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of another beverage bottle according to the invention.

Detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention

1 schematically shows a mug, a beverage bottle and a combination thereof according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 shows a schematic partial illustration of a vertical section through the mug from FIG. 1.

The cup 1 consists of a lower conical area 27, an upper conical area 29, a step-shaped transition area 31 lying between these areas and a cup bottom 24, which together enclose the cup interior 7. The inclination of the lower conical area 27 with respect to the cup axis is steeper than that of the upper conical area, so that the cup 1 can be stacked with cups of the same type.

The designations "top * and" bottom * for the cup and the beverage bottle refer to the normal orientation, ie when the cup with the drinking opening up and the bottle with the cap up are placed on a lower surface. As is readily apparent from FIG. 1, these directions can at least be reversed in the dosage form for the cup. The direction designations therefore only serve to simplify the illustration. This does not limit the invention.

In addition, the cup 1 has a recess 23 below the cup base 24, which is closed with a seal 25 and can be used to hold food, advertising or other aids.

On the inside of the upper conical area 29 (FIG. 2) the cup has a profiling which has three rows 19 each with 24 knobs 11 arranged offset from the adjacent row. The knobs 11 each have an apex 21 which is spaced from an adjacent apex by an opening angle of 15 °, i. H. the knobs are even along the inside

The circumference of the cup 1 is arranged. The clear opening angle WL between the individual knobs 11 is 12 °, the height H of the knobs is approximately 0.2 mm. The nub height and this nub spacing has proven to be particularly preferred. However, it has also been found that deviations in the knob height of ± 15% still guarantee satisfactory results. The spacing of the knobs can also be changed slightly without giving up the advantages of the present invention. Also is a circular geometry, as shown in the attached

Figures is not essential for achieving the desired technical effect of the knobs.

The profiling of the cup 1 also has a labyrinth seal 13 with ribs 15 arranged in the circumferential direction in two rows, which are arranged within the area provided with knobs on the inside of the cup is. In each row there are 12 ribs of the same type and evenly distributed, which preferably together comprise a sealing length of 2/3 of the inner circumference of the cup. The ribs have gaps 16 between them, in which knobs 11 come to rest, and are arranged so that they each cover the gap 16 of the adjacent row of ribs. The height of the ribs H2 is approximately 0.2 mm, the clear rectangular distance AL between two adjacent rows of ribs 33 is 0.24 mm. For the height of the ribs, too, it was found that a deviation of ± 15% achieves the desired effect. Just as the spacing of the knobs 11 from one another in the circumferential direction of the cup can be changed, changes to the clear rectangular distance AL between two adjacent rows of ribs 33 and the clear wide WL of two adjacent ribs are also possible while achieving the advantages of the present invention.

The beverage bottle 2 (FIG. 1) consists of a middle bottle jacket 43, which is connected on both sides by an encircling step-shaped transition 44, each with an outer bottle jacket 45. One of the outer bottle jackets is connected via a further circumferential step-shaped transition 46 to a bottle neck 39 which narrows to a mouth opening 41. The opposite outer bottle jacket 45 is connected to a bottle bottom 47 via a further circumferential step-shaped transition 46. In addition, the bottle jacket 43 has circumferential grooves 37, the function of which will be explained later. The outer bottle jackets 45 are arranged symmetrically to the middle bottle jacket 43 and have notches 17 in the direction of the bottle interior 35.

The beverage bottle 3 encloses the bottle interior 35, which is used, for example, to hold a beverage filling. Beverage bottle 3 and cup 1 are made of clear or colored plastic, preferably the bottle made of PET and the cup made of PP.

The cup 1 can be placed on the bottle bottle 47 on the beverage bottle 3 (not shown) or on

Bottle neck 39 to be slipped onto the beverage bottle 39 (FIG. 1) to form the combination 5. Placing the cup 1 over the bottle neck 39 has the advantage that the combinations 5 can be stacked one above the other without the need for separate intermediate shelves.

In the upturned state, the upper edge of the cup 1 lies against the circumferential step-shaped transition 44 and the knobs 11 and the ribs 15 of the labyrinth seal 13 rest against the outer bottle jacket 45. In addition, the cup base 24 can be centered on the bottle base 47 or the mouth opening 41, but an intermediate space can be provided.

When the cup 1 is placed over or under the

Beverage bottle 3 slides the knobs 11 and ribs 15 along the outer bottle shell 45 so that there are cavities between the outer bottle shell 45 and the cup 1, which allow gas exchange between the cup interior 7 and the environment. Thanks to the gas exchange, the cup is much easier to put over. At the same time, the labyrinth seal 13 of the cup 1 ensures a splash-proof and low-germ sealing of the inside of the cup 7. Experiments show that this double function of the labyrinth seal is best achieved if the sealing length of the ribs 15 of each row 33 is between 1/2 and 3/4, is preferably 2/3 of the circumference to be sealed.

The outer diameter DG 'of the middle bottle shell 43 corresponds to the maximum outer diameter DB' of the upper conical region 29 of the cup 1. In this way a smooth transition from the middle bottle jacket 43 to the cup 1 is ensured.

The outer diameter DG of the outer bottle shell 45 corresponds to the inner diameter DB of the profiling, i. H. the knobs 11 and the ribs 15 of the cup 1. In this way, the cup 1 can be slipped over or under the beverage bottle 3 without constraint.

A contact pressure between the knobs 11 or ribs 15 of the cup 1 and the outer bottle jacket 45 arises only as soon as the beverage bottle 3 is filled and closed with a beverage and has expanded in the radial direction as a result of the liquid pressure and, if appropriate, an additional gas pressure. As a result, the cup 1 is held in place when the beverage bottle 1 is closed. As soon as the beverage bottle 3 is opened, however, the contact pressure between the knobs 11 or ribs 15 of the cup 1 and the outer bottle jacket 45 is at least partially reduced, so that the cup still adheres but can be removed without problems.

A limitation of the radial expansion of the bottle and thus the contact pressure between the knobs 11 or ribs 15 of the cup 1 and the outer bottle jacket 45 can be achieved by providing circumferential grooves 37 in the middle bottle jacket 43. These grooves reduce the rigidity of the beverage bottle 3 in the longitudinal direction of the bottle, so that the expansion of the beverage bottle 3 with increasing number of grooves 37 on the

Longitudinal direction of the bottle concentrated.

The combination 5 is particularly suitable for the mobile presentation of drinks at any location, e.g. B. when traveling. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous that

Beverage bottle 3 with relatively small dimensions to be carried out, preferably for filling quantities of 200, 250, 330 and 500 ml.

FIG. 3 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the beverage bottle 103 has a compact shape and compact dimensions and is particularly suitable for small filling quantities, preferably for a filling quantity of 200 ml. The beverage bottle 103 basically corresponds to the beverage bottle 3 according to FIG. 1, is, however, only for putting a mug on the

Bottle bottom 147 provided. Accordingly, the beverage bottle 103 has an outer bottle jacket 145 on only one side, which is connected to the middle bottle jacket 143 via a circumferential step-shaped transition 144. The outer bottle jacket 145, as in FIG. 1, has notches 117 towards the bottle interior 135, which, when fitted, together with the profiling of a cup, which essentially corresponds to that shown in FIG. 2, enable gas exchange between the cup interior and the surroundings. In this way, turning the cup over is considerably simplified.

On the opposite side of the beverage bottle 103, the middle bottle jacket 143 merges directly into a bottle neck 139 and finally a mouth opening 141, which corresponds to the usual embodiment of beverage bottles. As a result, the manufacturing process of the beverage bottle 103 can be simplified, which leads to time and cost savings.

Claims

claims

Cup (1) for putting over or under a beverage bottle (3), characterized in that at least that area (9) of the cup that bears against the beverage bottle (3) when being put over has a profile (11, 13, 15), which enables a gas exchange between the inner cup (7) and the surrounding area when put over.

2. Beverage bottle (3) for receiving a cup (1) that can be slipped on or slipped on, characterized in that at least that area of the beverage bottle (9 ') that bears against the cup (1) when it is slipped has a profile (17), which enables a gas exchange between the inside of the cup (7) and the environment when put over.

3. Combination (5) of a beverage bottle (3) and a cup (1) that can be put over at least one end of the beverage bottle and thus abuts against this end, characterized in that the cup (1) and / or the beverage bottle (3) in the In the area of the contact (9, 9 ') have a profile (11, 13, 15, 17), which enables a gas exchange between the inside of the cup (7) and the environment when the cover is turned over.

4. Cup (1) according to claim 1, beverage bottle (3) according to claim 2 or combination (5) according to claim 3, characterized in that in the area of the contact (9, 9 ') the inner diameter of the profiling of the cup (DB) Outer diameter (DG) of the outer beverage bottle jacket (45) corresponds.

5. Cup (1) according to claim 1 or 4, beverage bottle (3) according to claim 2 or 4 or combination (5) after Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the profiling has knobs (11).

6. Cup (1), beverage bottle '(3) or combination (5) according to claim 5, characterized in that the knobs

(11) have a height (H) of 0.2 mm ± 15%.

7. Cup (1), beverage bottle (3) or combination (5) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the knobs (11) are arranged in at least one row (19) and each have an apex (21) is spaced from an adjacent apex by an opening angle of 15 °, the clear opening angle (WL) between the knobs preferably being 12 °.

8. cup (1), beverage bottle (3) or combination (5) according to claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that the knobs (11) are arranged offset in several, preferably three parallel rows (19).

9. Cup (1) according to one of claims 1 or 4 to 8, beverage bottle (3) according to one of claims 2 or 4 to 8 or combination (5) according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the profiling is a labyrinth seal (13) with ribs (15) arranged along the circumferential direction.

10. Cup (1), beverage bottle (3) or combination (5) according to claim 9, characterized in that the ribs

(15) have a height (H2) of 0.2 mm + 15%.

11. Cup (1), beverage bottle (3) or combination (5) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the ribs (15) are arranged spaced apart from one another in at least one row (33) and within a row (33) total sealing length, which is between 1/2 and 3/4, preferably 2/3 of the circumference to be sealed.

12. cup (1), beverage bottle "(3) or combination (5) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the ribs (15) are arranged offset in several, preferably two parallel rows (33).

13. Cup (1), beverage bottle (3) or combination (5) according to claim 12, characterized in that the clear distance (AL) of the ribs perpendicular to the parallel rows (33) is 0.24 mm.

14. Cup (1), beverage bottle (3) or combination (5) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the areas lying against the labyrinth seal (13) in the upturned state have a smooth surface.

15. Cup (1) according to one of claims 1 or 4 to 14, beverage bottle (3) according to one of claims 2 or 4 to 14 or combination (5) according to one of claims 3 to 14, characterized in that the beverage bottle (3 ) and / or the cup (1) consist of plastic, preferably the bottle made of PET and the cup made of PP.

16. Cup (1) according to one of claims 1 or 4 to 15 or combination (5) according to one of claims 3 to 15, characterized in that the cup (1) for receiving food, advertising or other aids a recess (23), which is preferably closed by a seal (25).

17. Cup (1) according to one of claims 1 or 4 to 16 or combination (5) according to one of claims 3 to 16, characterized in that the cup (1) one has lower conical region (27) and an upper conical region (29), and the lower and upper conical region have different cone angles.

18. cup (1) or combination (5) according to claim 17, characterized in that the transition (31) between the lower (27) and upper (29) conical region is stepped, preferably the height of the step of the wall thickness of the Mug corresponds.

19. Beverage bottle (3) according to one of claims 2 or 4 to 14 or combination (5) according to one of claims 3 to 18, characterized in that the profiling of the beverage bottle (3) notches (17) in the direction of the interior of the beverage bottle (35) having.

20. Beverage bottle (3) according to one of claims 2, 4 to 14 or 19 or combination (5) according to one of claims 3 to 19, characterized in that the outer diameter (DG) of the outer

Beverage bottle jacket (45) in the area of the upturned cup (1) is smaller than the outer diameter (DG ¹ ) of the middle beverage bottle jacket (43) in the adjacent area.

21. beverage bottle (3) or combination (5) according to claim 20, characterized in that the outer diameter (DG) of the outer beverage bottle shell (45) is so much smaller than the outer diameter (DG ') of the middle beverage bottle shell (43) that the outer diameter (DB ¹ ) of the inverted cup is flush with the adjacent outer diameter (DG ¹ ) of the middle beverage bottle jacket (43).

22. drink bottle (3) according to one of claims 2, 4 to 14 or 19 to 21 or combination (5) according to one of the Claims 3 to 21, characterized in that the beverage bottle (3) has a label which at least in sections covers the area of contact between the mug and the beverage bottle.

23. Use of a combination (5) according to any one of claims 3 to 22 for presenting a liquid volume (V) of 200, 250, 330 or 500 ml.