ES2362046T3 - CONTAINER FOR A DRINK. - Google Patents

Abstract

An assembly (1), comprising: a container (2), comprising a profiled closure (4), such as a thread or an accessory of the bayonet type, whereby the part of the closure (4) of the container (2) it is arranged inside it, and a lid (3), which has a counterpart consisting of a closure (7) that coincides with that of the container, to provide a tight seal, whereby the part of the closure (7) of The lid (3) is arranged on the outside thereof, to open and close the assembly (1) by rotating the lid with respect to the container (2), in which the container (2) is provided with a sealed surface (5,5A), as provided by an edge, edge or facet, and the cover (3) is provided with a coincident sealed surface (8A, 8B, 9, 9A), providing a liquid tight seal (5, 5; 8, 8B, 9, 9), so that in the closed state of the assembly (1), at least the part of the closure (7) and the watertight surface (8A, 8B, 9, 9A) ,the lid (3) are located inside the container (2) and below the edge (6) thereof, characterized in that the seal (5, 5th; 8th, 8B, 9, 9th) is arranged below the closure part (7).

Description

The present description refers to an assembly, which comprises: a container, comprising a profiled closure, such as a thread or accessory of the bayonet type, by which the portion of the container closure is disposed therein; and a lid, which has a counterpart consisting of a closure, coinciding with that of the container, to provide a tight seal, whereby the closure portion of the lid is disposed on the outside thereof. The description also refers to a container and a lid.

What is generally known is an assembly consisting of a container for a drink and a lid, which provides a seal for it, preferably, in the form of a closure that can be opened and closed more than once - for example, in shape of a bottle To drink from said container, the consumer has to remove the lid and drink directly from the bottle - a gesture that many consider uncivilized - or pour the drink into a separate container for this purpose, which forces the consumer to obtain or carry a container additional, such as a cup, a glass or a jug, etc.

In addition, when you drink directly from a container, the consumer's mouth usually touches the closure of the container. In particular, when the closure comprises a profiled part, such as a thread, it can confer an unpleasant sensation and cause the liquid to gather in the profile and / or drip through it. This can cause objects and clothing to be stained with the liquid and / or cause the unhygienic development of microbes in the accumulated liquid.

Solutions to the above problems in the art have been presented. For example, the patent document with the number WO 2005/077774 describes a container with a part constituted by a closure, which defines a central axis; said portion of the closure has an outer side and an inner side; said inner side has a thread; the base of the groove of said thread is located on a rotating surface, where the thread is divided into a series of segments, along the helical path of said thread; said thread segments are separated by a series of gaps; each of said recesses extends, as far as their depth, at least to said rotating surface. In this way, a container that is comfortable for the mouth of a person who drinks directly from the container is provided. In addition, a container is provided that has a low flow resistance and helps prevent liquid from accumulating in the thread. Patent document WO 2005/077774 then describes a bottle to drink directly from it.

In addition, the US patent document. UU. with the number 2005/0092760 describes a container for a drink, which can be converted into a cup and a method of manufacturing it. The convertible wine bottle comprises four main elements, which are assembled and filled with wine in a bottling process. The wine bottle has basically four components integrated with an auxiliary structure. These four integrated components are manipulated by the consumer to transform the wine bottle into a glass, with an appropriate portion of the drink in it. Said convertible beverage container offers users the pleasure of drinking their drinks from a glass. Once complete, the structure can be rearmed and recycled.

The patent document with the number GB 468.161 refers to a paper container, with a closure consisting of a screw cap. The closing lid consists of an edge with outward flaps, adapted to be compressed against the upper sharp edge of the container, when the lid is in the hermetic closing position. During operation, the finned edge of the lid charges against the upper edge of the container, as the lid is screwed into the container, whereby an effective closure is achieved.

Other containers with internal closures and lids that are tightly closed on the upper edge of the container are described in the patent document under the number DE 20 2004 015 220 U1 and in the patent document with the number DE 20 2004 0L1 7BB U1.

Patent document number EP 0.931.729 describes a closure assembly of a container, in which the container has an access opening, covered by a central portion, which has a weakened portion. A piece consisting of a removable closure is provided on the container, covering the internal closure, plus the edge of the container and, preferably, at least a portion of the neck of the container. By rotating the removable closure, by action of the thread movement on the internal closure, the weakened portion of the central portion is broken and the container is opened.

The patent document with the number EP 1,120,091 describes a receptacle for infectious wastes, with an opening and a closing lid. The opening and the closing cover are of a truncated conical section and have a shape that creates a tight seal against each other when closed. The cover is locked in place by means of helical lugs or cams. The hermetic seal is provided by a flexible skirt on the lid, which is coupled with a groove, with an elastic seal around the internal surface of the opening. When the lid is locked in place, the container is permanently closed.

Lock mounts are known. For example, the US patent document, with the number US 2.026.304 describes a container that has a neck, where the neck walls have an internal thread, from its upper end, covering a certain part of its length. Underneath, the neck has no thread and narrows down; and, separated with respect to the lower end of the threaded portion, an inner portion of the shoulder is disposed, which extends circumferentially. A flat disc of rigid material is placed on the neck, which rests on said shoulder, where its margins contact the neck walls. A separate stop of the disc is formed, of a resilient and compressible material, which is screwed into the neck, with its lower portion compressed by the narrowing portion of the neck walls and its lower end face, in flat contact with the coupling of the disk.

The patent document with the number GB 1,236,637 describes the construction of a closure, comprising a molded flange of plastic material, which receives a plug, a metal fixing ring, which has an internal portion and a molded closure plug of plastic material. The closure plug, when coupled by means of a thread with the receiving flange, pushes a portion of the wall against the metal fixing ring. The ring of the receiving flange ends at its lower end in a weakened section, with a removable strip. A pocket receives a traction piece, when the cap is attached to the receiving flange. The upper surface of the cap has four cavities to engage the user's fingers.

The assemblies described in these prior art documents still denote disadvantages, such as the nature of drinking from a bottle and / or the complexity, the use of the materials and the size of the containers and lids described, which limit their practical use. Therefore, it is desired to provide an improved assembly of a container, such as a cup, glass or jug and a matching lid.

For this purpose, the assembly is characterized in that the container is provided with a sealed surface, such as that provided by an edge, an edge or a facet, and the lid consists of a coincident sealed surface, such that when the assembly is closed, at least the part of the closure and the sealed surface of the lid, preferably, all functional elements, such as the closure portions and airtight seal and a portion of the lid that blocks the opening of the container to be closed by the lid, they are located inside the container and below the edge thereof, the seal being liquid-tight and disposed below the part of the closure. This allows less material to be used, compared to a lid or cover according to the prior art, since the cover of the assembly of the invention overlooks the need to make a skirt that fits over the edge of the container and makes a closure on (at least) the upper edge of the container, as taught in the prior art.

The seal is liquid tight, so that the assembly is suitable for containing and transporting liquids.

The assembly of the invention can be sized such that the lid approaches or even touches the liquid level of a full container in the natural vertical position, so that the empty volume of the container between the liquid level is minimized - in particular , the liquid level— and the lower inner surface of the lid. Thus, the amount of trapped air is smaller, and the contents of the container can be preserved for a longer time, compared to the containers in which more volume remains; at the same time, no more material is needed to provide a skirt or to resize the cover in another way.

In comparison, to reduce the empty volume in the prior art containers, the size of the lid has to be increased to reach down into the container, and / or the liquid level has to be raised so that it is in the neck of the container, which causes an increase in the proportion of the material of the container / content, compared to the assembly of the invention. Raising the fluid level in a narrow neck of a container results in greater sensitivity for the filling process, since a small variation - for example, only a few milliliters - of the filling amount can cause a variation at the fluid level at appreciable distances. This can cause the container to overflow during filling, causing spillage, or that full containers appear to hold variable and possibly too scarce contents, which will result in customer dissatisfaction.

According to the description, preferably, the closure of a beverage container is located approximately more than 0.5 cm, preferably, more than approximately 1 cm or even more, from the top of the container, conveniently, between about a twentieth and a fifth of the inside height of the container, to minimize the possibility of a consumer touching the closure - for example, a thread - with the mouth and that the usual feeling of drinking from a container is not affected , such as a cup, glass or jug.

Preferably, the lid comprises means such as projections and / or cavities, to open and / or close the container manually with the lid, so that no tools are needed and a convenient container is provided.

In a preferred embodiment, the container and / or the lid are provided with a portion having a conical and / or stepped shape, so that they can be stacked on, or inside, other containers or lids that have a similar shape and that they are possibly closed. Therefore, it is possible to stack a quantity of containers and / or lids saving space. The conical and / or stepped portion may comprise the entire container.

In a more preferred embodiment, the container and the lid are provided with cooperative elements, for example, one or more coincident crests or projections and cavities, to provide a stable and stackable arrangement of the container on the lid and / or the container on a closed container assembly, with a similar shape. In this way, efficiency and safety in stacking and storage can be increased, so that there is less chance of a full stack of containers being laid down. Such elements are especially useful for exhibition purposes, where additional packaging materials - such as cardboard boxes surrounding the containers - would detract from the attractiveness of the exhibition. The aforementioned elements (also) can be arranged inside the lid, so that an inverted lid, which possibly shows a different color or image of the non-inverted lid, can serve as a stable and / or attractive support or plate for the container.

For advertising purposes, the container and / or the lid may be partially - preferably, completely - covered with a printed or printable packaging material, which may have transparent or translucent parts, especially when the container and / or The lid are transparent or translucent in themselves. The container, the lid and / or the packaging material may comprise a fragile portion and / or a removable region, for example, a removable tongue, to provide a security seal package. The packaging that covers the edge of the container can also improve the hygienic aspects of the assembly, since the drinking part of the container is protected so that dust, germs, etc. do not accumulate. during storage and handling.

The invention will be explained in detail below, with reference to the drawings showing exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 1A shows a top view of an assembly of a container for a beverage and a lid, according with the present description, in its closed state. Fig. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of the assembly of Fig. 1A, taken along the D-D line. Fig. 1C shows a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the assembly of Fig. 1A, as shown indicated in Fig. 1B. Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of two stacked containers and stacked lids of an assembly, according to Figs. 1A-1C. Fig. 3A shows a top view of a second embodiment of a container assembly and a lid. Fig. 3B shows a cross-sectional view of the assembly of Fig. 3A, taken along line B-B. Fig. 3C shows the detail C of Fig. 3A, in enlarged scale. Fig. 3D shows a cross-sectional view of the assembly of Fig. 3A, taken along the P-P line. Figs. 4A and 4B show cross-sectional views of two stacked containers and stacked mounting lids of Figs. 3A to 3D, where Fig. 4A corresponds to the view of Fig. 3B and Fig. 4B corresponds to the view of Fig. 3D.

Figures 1A to 2 show an assembly 1, comprising a container for a beverage 2, in the form of a generally round glass 2 and a matching lid 3. The vessel 2 is provided with a threaded profile 4 and a sealed ridge 5 in its inner wall, both located under the edge 6 of the vessel. The cover 3 is provided with a matching threaded profile 7 on its outer wall and three crests 8A, 8B, 9 on its lower side, below the closure part. The lid 3, moreover, is provided with an edge 10 and three projections 11, arranged as a star, which provides a space for the consumer to place their fingers and thus open and close the container 2 with the lid 3.

A tight, liquid-tight seal is provided and - according to the materials used - substantially gas-tight, between the container 2 and the lid 3, by the ridges 8A and 8B of the lid 3, which fit around the waterproof crest 5 of the container 2, when the lid 3 is screwed into the container 2. The ridges 8A, 8B can generally be elastic or flexible to a certain extent, to be tightly coupled with the sealed ridge 5. It is possible to intensify the tight contact with the outer ridge 9 and / or the edge 10 of the lid 3, with the inner wall of the vessel 2. Thus, a reliable and reproducible, liquid tight seal can be provided, which can be opened and / or closed, to a certain extent, with a predetermined amount of force.

Another suitable seal arrangement consists of a simple, substantially flat surface, in the inner wall of the container 2, which is coupled, by a concordant surface of the lid 3. All the sealed surfaces may be provided with a soft and / or soft coating. generally resilient, to increase the sealing properties of the contact, if desired.

Arranging a seal under the closure, on the inner side of the container, can substantially prevent the contents of the container from entering the closure, possibly soiling it and / or impeding its operation, for example, in the case of sticky liquids and / or that they harden, such as honey or paint.

The rotational movement necessary to open and / or close the container can be subtly dosed, with the fingers of most consumers. In addition, the main force components are directed essentially parallel to the surface of the liquid. Thus, the container can remain substantially horizontal during opening and closing. This minimizes the agitation of the contents and reduces the chances of spilling the contents of the container.

The vessel 2 has a conical shape, generally of a single wall, showing a slight step in the position of the closure, so that a quantity of empty and open vessels 2 can be stacked 2 (Fig. 2). Similarly, the covers 3 are stackable (Fig. 2). A glass 2 can also be stacked on the lid 3 of a closed glass 2 (not shown). The stackable arrangement of a glass 2 on a lid 3 can be made more stable, by providing finger handles on the lid, in the form of cavities, on an upper surface that would otherwise be flat or by providing the parts 2,3 with matching profiles .

In Figs. 3A-4B, another embodiment is shown. In these figures, the parts and elements corresponding to those of Figs. 1A-2 are indicated with the same reference numbers.

In this embodiment, the lid 3 is provided with a single crest 9, on its lower side, providing a tight edge to fit tightly to the inner wall of the container 2. In addition, the vessel 2 consists of a substantially flat waterproof shoulder 5A, and the cover 3 is provided with a coincident sealing surface 9A, which provides an additional seal.

In this embodiment, the cover 3 is substantially symmetrical and is provided with a crest for gripping with the finger 12, formed by a raised portion with respect to the base of the cover 3. Or, to put it differently, the crest 12 is formed by the cavities 13 in the lid 3. On the upper surface of the lid 3, four projections 14 are provided, among which the base of a container 2 can fit, improving the stability of the stack of containers and lids . The cover 3 is provided with an edge 14A, on whose edge 9A of another cover 3 it can rest, to increase the stability and the possibility of separation of the stacked covers 3.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 3D, the inner surface 15 of the lid 3 is provided with a portion 16, which extends relatively further into the container 2 than the other portions of the surface. When assembly 1 is placed in an upright position, as shown in the figures, it is feasible that the liquid that adheres to (the surface 15 of) the lid 3 - for example, condensate or liquid stirred against the lid - run through the interior surfaces and accumulate (locally) in the lower portion 16. Thus, the formation of droplets that are large enough to fall from the lid is promoted, thereby reducing the risk of liquid spillage spilling and / or drip out of the container, when the lid is removed, compared to a flat surface, for example, horizontal.

In this embodiment, the surface 15 that is below the cavities 13 descends down a slope, towards the collection points 16, in a direction that is opposite to the direction of rotation of the lid 3, with respect to the container 2, to open assembly 1, as can be seen in Figs. 3A and 3D. When the assembly 1 is opened, turning the lid 3 and holding the container 2 essentially in a stationary form, the liquid that adheres to the surface 15, will turn towards the collection points 16. Thus, the formation of drops that is further promoted is promoted. they are large enough to fall inside the container and the risk of loss or spillage outside the container is further reduced.

The edge 9 forms a vertical edge when the lid is turned upside down. Thus, the liquid that is still adhering to the inner surfaces of the lid 3 will accumulate inside the edge and spills are further prevented.

Said collection points or runoff points 16 and / or sloping surface 15 can also be used with a known lid, for example, with a lid that is fitted on the edge of a container and sealed tightly on the upper edge of a container or on the outside of it, to reduce spills outside the container.

Again, the container 2 and the lid 3 of the embodiment of Figs. 3A-48 are stackable (see Figs. 4A and 48). The container 2 of this embodiment is provided with ridges 17 at its base, for reinforcement and to increase the stability and possibility of separation of a stacked series of containers, as indicated in Figs. 4A and 4B.

The assembly of the invention 1, although suitable for reuse, is also very suitable for sale as a disposable container, for example, filled with a beverage, such as, for example, beverages or carbonated water, milk, fruit juices , wine, etc. For this, the container is preferably sized to contain about one liter or less - for example, a standardized quantity - of the beverage, such as 0.33; 0.25; 0.2; 0.15 or 0.1 liters approximately, although 0.5 or even 1.0 liters are equally conceivable, usually according to the type of beverage. The vessel 2 may have a mark to indicate a level of filling and / or content.

The container 2 and / or the lid 3 can be made of the same materials or of different (combinations of) materials. It can also be glass or metal, such as aluminum or steel, but is preferably made of plastic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET, polyethylene terephthalate), polyvinyl chloride or polystyrene, which allows to manufacture containers and / or lids using techniques that are widely known in the art, such as air blow molding, injection molding and / or thermoforming. Said container prevents risks due to glass breakage or sharp and / or rusty metal edges. In addition, the container and / or the lid can also be made easily disposable.

In another embodiment, the container and / or the lid are made of a relatively inexpensive material, such as paper or cardboard, coated inside with a fluid barrier type material and suitable for use with food.

Preferably, the assembly materials biodegrade relatively quickly, as is the case with corn-based plastics.

The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described above, which can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims. For example, the container may be provided with a handle and the lid may have a single crest to grab it.

In addition, the lid and / or the container may comprise one or more objects - preferably, formed integrally

or removable— such as handles, handles, ornaments, merchandising items or tokens for a contest. For this, the lid and / or the container may comprise a dedicated space, for example, in a cavity in the lid, in a double bottom of the container or (partially) hidden under the packaging of the container. The assembly should then be sized appropriately, preferably, so that (it still) allows it to be stacked. As these objects are not part of the lid itself, that is, the functional elements of the lid, such as the part of the closure, the watertight surface and the portion of the main body that blocks the opening of the container to be closed by the lid , can be projected above and / or below the edge of the container.

In addition, the lid may be provided with a system to reduce pressure or a mechanism to act as a safety measure, for example, a gas permeable membrane and / or a removable tongue that yields at a predetermined pressure that could accumulate in a closed container due to a carbonated drink and / or an increase in temperature, such as when left in the sun, in a closed car. The consumer can also remove said tongue before opening the lid, so as not to run the risk of an inadvertent splash and spillage of the contents under pressure.

In addition, the lid may comprise an arrangement for direct drinking, such as a spout or opening

or access for a bulb, which can be provided in the assembly.

The container may comprise a plurality of openings, one or more of them provided with a lid as described above or arranged for that purpose.

In general, a relatively large lid may, in turn, be provided with a smaller lid or arranged for a smaller lid, in accordance with the above descriptions. Conversely, a relatively large lid according to the above descriptions may be provided with a smaller lid or arranged for a smaller lid [SIC].

Also, the features described in conjunction with the embodiment can be conveniently combined with other features described with respect to the same or a different embodiment.

Claims (15)

1. An assembly (1), comprising: a container (2), comprising a profiled closure (4), such as a thread or an accessory of the bayonet type, whereby the part of the closure (4) of the container (2) is disposed therein, and a lid (3), which has a counterpart consisting of a closure (7) that coincides with that of the container, to provide a tight seal, whereby the portion of the closure (7) of the lid (3) is disposed on the outside it, to open and close the assembly (1) by rotating the lid with respect to the container (2), in which the container (2) is provided with a watertight surface (5.5A), as provided by an edge, an edge or a facet, and the cover (3) is provided with a coincident sealed surface (8A, 8B, 9, 9A), providing a liquid tight seal (5, 5; 8, 8, 9, 9), of such that in the closed state of the assembly (1), at least the part of the closure (7) and the watertight surface (8A, 8B, 9, 9A), the lid (3) are located inside the container (2) and below the edge (6) thereof, characterized in that the seal (5, 5th; 8th, 8B, 9, 9th) is arranged below the part of the closure (7).

2.

An assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container (2) is a container for a beverage, such as a cup, a glass or a jug.

3.

An assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (3) comprises means (11, 12, 13), such as projections (11, 12) and / or cavities (13), for Open and / or close the assembly (1) manually.

Four.

An assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the container (2) and / or the lid (3) are provided with a portion having a conical and / or stepped shape so that they are stackable on and / or inside another container (2) or lid (3) that has a similar shape and is possibly closed.

5.

An assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (2) and the lid (3) consist of cooperative elements (14), to provide a stable stackable arrangement of the container

(2) on the lid (3), and / or of the container (2) on an assembly (1) of closed containers (2), having a similar shape.

6.

An assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (3) comprises an inner surface (15), provided with a portion (16), which extends relatively further into the container (2) than another portion of the surface (15), to collect the liquid that adheres to the lid (3).

7.

An assembly (1) according to claim 8, wherein the assembly (1) can be opened by rotating the lid (3) with respect to the container (2), in a particular direction and the surface on the bottom side of the lid (3) comprises a portion (13), with a downward slope towards the portion to collect the liquid (16), where the slope goes down, in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation to open the lid (3).

8.

An assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the container (2) and / or the lid (3) are at least partially - although preferably, totally - covered with a printed or suitable packaging material for printing

9.

An assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (3) further comprises a mechanism for releasing the pressure.

10.

An assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (2) is sized to contain a standardized amount of a beverage, such as 1.0; 0.5; 0.33; 0.25; 0.2; 0.15 or 0.1 liters approximately.

eleven.

An assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the container (2) and / or lid (3) are disposable and / or biodegradable.

12.

An assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 2-11 in which the container

(2) It is closed with the lid (3) and contains a drink.

13.

An assembly according to claim 12, whereby the container (2) and / or the lid (3) are at least partially covered - although preferably, completely - with a printed packaging material or suitable for printing.

14.

An assembly according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the container (2), the lid (3) and / or the packaging material comprise a fragile portion and / or a removable region, such as a removable tongue, for

provide a container with security seal.

fifteen.

A container (2) or a lid (3) having all the characteristics of the container (2) or the lid (3), according to any one of the preceding claims, and therefore, constructed and obviously intended for use in an assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.