JP2011510872A - Supply accessories that can be connected to cans, bottles or bottles - Google Patents

Abstract

Supply accessories (10, 30, 50) and method for supplying consumables (eg beverages, beer, food, fruit juice, champagne) from storage containers such as cans (20), bottles (40) or bottles, comprising: The supply accessory has coupling means such as an annular slot (18, 24, 34) that forms a press, press or interference fit fit to the rim (22, 24) of the storage container. The supply accessory forms a supply container tailored to the consumer and has an unsealed open volume for delivery of the consumer to the consumer. The supply accessory is made from a durable transparent acrylic polymer and has a texture similar to glass. The supply accessory has a cap or closure located at the top of the opening to protect it from foreign debris and insect contamination and is provided in a shape that resembles or mimics an object such as a flute, cup or cocktail glass be able to.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for supplying consumables which are edible or beverage items such as beverages or foods.

  In the beverage field, consumers often have to make difficult choices between beverage services from cans, bottles or glasses. This decision has a social implication that some prefer the service of drinks from the glass and others from the bottle, and making the wrong decision may end up in an insult. However, there is also a taste problem. Different consumers have different tastes about beverages and believe that certain beverages taste better in glass than in plastic bottles.

  A more desirable but surprisingly challenging objective is to serve the beverage in a beverage container suitable for the beverage. For example, a tumbler-type supply container or glass may be appropriate for soft drink service, while a flute-style supply container or glass may be appropriate for sparkling wine or champagne. In the beer service, different styles of glasses are adapted to different styles of beer. For beer appraisers, beer supply glasses can be used in a variety of ways, for example, by incorporating the smell of beer into the drinking experience, by focusing attention on foam, or by preventing the beer from warming in the hands of the drinker. Considered to supplement style beer. Considering the various drink glasses that are available for drinking experience and that optimize drinking experience, especially in retail environments where there is extensive inventory of glasses and other containers for beverage service, custom made It may prove difficult to find the supplied supply container.

  This problem is exacerbated in the presence of high customer volumes, such as large festivals that are required to retail a variety of beverages. Thus, in such cases, the solution has been to provide a single type of cheap and disposable drink container such as a plastic cup. However, the provision of certain beverages in such a way reduces or impairs the overall drinking experience.

  The object of the present invention is to provide a method for supplying consumables, particularly suitable for beverage service, which offers the possibility of adapting the supply container for consumables to the specific properties of the consumables and Allow a compromise between the various ways in which they are consumed. Its purpose is in particular to improve the supply, service and enjoyment by consumers of beverages.

  It is a further object of the present invention to supply consumables in a manner that facilitates marketing of third party consumables, suppliers or services or merchandise other than the supplier or consumer maker.

  To this end, the present invention is a method for providing a consumable for monetary benefit, comprising providing the consumable storage container together with a supply accessory, the supply accessory being adapted to the consumable. There is provided a method having coupling means coupleable to the storage container to form a supply container and an unsealed open volume for delivery of the consumable product to a consumer for consumption.

  The context of the supply of consumables may range from a retail environment to a consumable service, for example as part of a food or beverage service provided in a transportation environment. The ability to connect the supply container to the storage container is particularly useful for servicing consumables in aircraft, train, ship or other transport forms, in a safe manner that is required to prevent leakage of liquid beverages.

  The storage container can be any container used for beverage supply. Cans and bottles are typically used. The container can be a bottle used for juice. The storage container can be made of any material such as glass, aluminum, plastic such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or cardboard coated with food quality grade wax. That is, the storage container can be in the form of, for example, a plastic or glass bottle or an aluminum can.

  Whether it is a can, bottle or other storage container, the resulting supply container upon connection to the supply accessory and container is tailored to the nature of the consumable. Supply accessories are specifically tailored to consumer goods, and in particular customer perception of the consumer goods reflects the type, brand or other characteristics of the consumer goods being delivered. For example, supply accessories and containers can be adapted to various types of beverages such as beer. The supply container can take the form of a glass regardless of whether it has no color or a desired color. The supply container can be transparent. The supply container can take the form of a cup or bowl depending on the nature of the consumable.

The supply accessory can be used to service fluid foods such as children's food rather than beverages.
The supply accessory can be provided with a marketing or brand indication, such as a trademark, that is the same or different from the brand indication provided on the storage container. In this way, the supply accessory can be used as a tool to support consumer, supplier or third party marketing or promotion. For example, in the case of food or beverages supplied by an airline, the supply accessory can carry the airline's trademark. In addition, supply accessories can be branded by the manufacturer of the consumables if allowed by the manufacturer. Producers can choose to supply supply accessories in their consumable product line. Supply accessories can also be labeled with trademarks and information consistent with special events marketed in joint lomotion for consumer goods. Also, the information provided on the supply accessories can be personalized for specific events such as weddings, birthdays or other important events.

  The supply accessory is not intended to function as a closure or seal for the storage container. Rather, the supply accessory is coupled to the storage container when the storage container is opened and the consumable is ready for consumption. Furthermore, the supply accessory does not have sufficient storage capacity, i.e. the supply accessory and / or the container is over a limited period as necessary to allow the desired consumption rate of the consumer by the consumer. There is no need to store consumables. The supply accessories and containers are not intended to be filled or sealed with consumables in typical use, particularly where the consumables are beverages. The focus is not on storage but rather on enhancing the consumer's experience of consumption.

  When the supply accessory is coupled to the storage container, it is in a position where consumables are delivered to the consumer primarily by gravity flow, and where most of the residual liquid adhering to the supply container tends to be returned to the storage container. Or in the middle of the two positions. A portion of the storage container can provide a base for the supply container, which serves as a connection point to the storage container rather than as a seal for the supply accessory. Supply accessories and containers can be shaped in connection with a fluid storage container. That is, the storage container can be a can, bottle, or other form of container, and the supply container can be shaped to mate with the storage container whatever its nature.

  The coupling means for coupling the supply accessory to the storage container depends on the design of the supply accessory and the storage container. The supply accessory comprises coupling means in the form of one or more engagement portions that engage with complementary engagement portions for storage containers. Alternatively, the engaging portion can simply contact a portion of the storage container and no specific design changes of the storage container are necessary to accommodate the supply accessory.

  In the case of a can, the engaging portion of the supply accessory is not limited to the edge of the can, but is adapted to engage the top of the can. The bottom of the supply accessory in plan view may closely resemble the appearance of the top of the can. The upright rim of the can can engage with an advantageous annular shaped slot formed in the base of the supply accessory. A sufficiently tight fit between the slot and the can rim is obtained by pressing, pressing or an interference fit, but does not exclude other forms of coupling. The coupling means or engaging portion is arranged inside the outer diameter of the can. In any case, the supply accessory has a glass-like appearance, but this is provided in a novel shape.

  In the case of bottles, the supply accessory takes a different form than in the case of cans. The glass container or new appearance for the supply accessory is retained but has a form determined by the form of the bottle, regardless of whether the neck is long or short. In the case of champagne bottles, the supply accessory takes the form of a flute container and the supply accessory and container are adapted to the nature of the beverage. Screwed, pressed, interference fit or press fit coupling is an example of how the supply accessory is coupled to the bottle.

  In the case of a bottle, the supply accessory can be the same as in the case of a bottle. For fruit juice containers, the supply accessory can suggest fruit shape and / or color.

  The supply accessory can be provided with a coupling means that allows it to be adapted to more than one design of the storage container, increasing the fit of the supply accessory to various can designs. That is, in the case of cans, there are various can designs, and the coupling can depend on the can design. In one form of can, the shape is cylindrical and its end has a rim upstanding at the edge but is substantially flat. In such a case, the supply accessory is coupled to the outer edge of the can. In another form of the can, the opening is provided with a tapered or protruding portion having a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the can, the portion having an upstanding rim. The supply accessory can be configured to couple to both types of cans, e.g. two annular slots at one end or one end that can be coupled to an upstanding rim of either design of the can Can be provided in the vicinity. By analogy, supply accessories can be provided to mate with differently designed bottles. In contrast, the supply accessory can be shaped with coupling means or engagement portions that are specific to a particular storage container, and its use with multiple designs of storage containers is deliberately excluded. A stiffer configuration in which the supply accessory is not bent at a portion of the storage container helps this purpose.

  The supply accessory can be coupled to the storage container by an intervening attachment or adapter. The adapter helps supply accessories that are coupled to other forms of storage containers different from the designed storage container form. A cap or cover can be provided in the supply container so that the contents are protected from pests such as insects for a short period of time. Such a cap or cover aims to provide a leak-proof closure, since the focus of the present invention is to improve the experience of consumption sensation and not a problem of storage, particularly leak-proof or aseptic storage. do not do. As an example, the cap or cover can be provided as a hinged lid so as to mimic the effect of a beer mug.

  Also, the ability to combine supply accessories and storage containers helps reduce waste disposal problems. Both items can be disposed of together. However, the supply accessory can be reused after washing and can be made of an elastic and long lasting material for this purpose. Any suitable material can be used including metals, ceramics and polymers. Such a material is desirably a suitable polymer used in the food and beverage services industry. Such polymers include acrylic polymers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene and others. The selected polymer can have less elasticity than the metal. The supply container is preferably a strong and rigid material that can be coupled to the storage container by press fitting or an interference fit rather than being bent over a portion of the storage container. The polymer is chosen for consumers who are acceptable both in terms of optical properties such as low matte and texture properties.

The texture of the supply accessories and container material can be selected to improve the consumer's feeling of drinking from the glass.
The method and supply accessory of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a supply accessory and storage container assembly that is a can used in a method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 2a is a side view of the supply accessory of FIG. FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional side view of the supply accessory of FIG. 2a. FIG. 2c is a bottom view of the supply accessory of FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b. FIG. 3 is a side view of another form of supply accessory and storage container assembly that is a bottle for use in a method according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. 4a is a side cross-sectional view of the supply accessory of FIG. FIG. 4b is a detailed side sectional view of the base of the supply accessory of FIGS. 3 and 4a. 4c is a bottom view of the supply accessory of FIGS. 3, 4a and 4b. FIG. 5 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 3 including marketing indications. FIG. 6a is a perspective view of another form of supply accessory for use in a can. 6b is a side cross-sectional view of the supply accessory of FIG. 6a. 6c is a detailed side cross-sectional view of FIG. 6b.

  In the preferred embodiment, the beverage is sold as part of a store or retail transaction. Retail stores have a wide inventory of beverages dispensed into cans and dispensed into bottles. The can can be designed differently than the bottle. In general, cans can include soft drinks or mixers. The bottle may include beer or wine such as sparkling wine or champagne. Thus, the retail store maintains an inventory of other storage containers such as cans, bottles or bottles, supply accessories, and supply accessories for that storage container, regardless of whether the container is tailored to the nature of the consumer product. it can. That is, the supply accessory has a different shape for certain types of beverages from that for other types of beverages. A particular advantage is achieved by supplying a corresponding accessory to the supply accessory, which makes it easier for retail staff to find a suitable and visually attractive container for supplying the beverage. If not, the retail store staff can supply a combined form of beverage storage container and supply accessory. Retailer staff can also provide products without accessories or with conventional glass. The consumer can make a choice depending on the taste.

  FIG. 1 shows a supply accessory 10 for a beverage or beer coupled to a can 20, possibly sold from a soft drink can 20. Supply accessory 10 and can 20 are supplied together by a retail store. The supply accessory 10 has an upper portion 12 that tapers outward and a lower portion 14 that tapers inwardly terminating in a base 15. The outwardly tapered upper portion 12 has an open volume for the delivery of drinking water for consumption by the payer, and the supply accessory 10 and can 20 form a supply container with the two connections. The supply accessory 10 is manufactured from a durable transparent polymer having a glass-like appearance. Acrylic polymers are suitable polymers. The acrylic polymer is processed to have a texture similar to glass.

  The inwardly tapered lower portion 14 is provided with an engagement portion 16 adjacent to its base 15 as shown in FIGS. 2b and 2c, the engagement portion being inside the maximum outer diameter of the can 20 and of the can 20 Designed to engage complementary parts such as the upper rim. To that end, the base 15 is provided in the form of a cylindrical cylinder with a tip concentric with the can 20, and an annular slot 18 is provided in its wall. The upright rim 22 of the can 20 engages with a slot 18 formed in the base 15 of the supply accessory 10. Although other forms of coupling are not impossible, a sufficiently tight fit between the slot 18 and the rim 22 can be obtained by pressure or an interference fit. This engagement portion is unique to one form of can if it is the only engagement portion provided and is not applicable to other forms of containers or cans, for example, having an upstanding rim near its outer edge.

  However, in the case of the supply accessory 10, more specifically, the second engagement portion 24 is provided with a second concentric cylindrical wall 22 that extends downwardly from the bottom of the top portion 12 that tapers outward. The second engagement portion 24 takes the form of an annular slot that engages an upright rim of another type of commonly used can. The fit is also accomplished by pressure or an interference fit.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4a to 4c, in the case of the bottle 40, the supply accessory 30 takes a different form than the case of the can 20 and reflects the different properties of the beverage. A texture similar to glass is maintained for the supply accessory 30 but has a form determined by the form of the bottle 40 regardless of whether the neck is long or short. In the case of small champagne bottles as shown, the supply accessories take the form of fluted containers, suitable supply containers suitable for the provision of champagne. That is, consumers associate the flute shape with champagne. The supply accessory 30 is tailored to the nature of the beverage.

  The connection of the supply accessory 30 with flutes to the bottle 40 is performed in the same way as the connection of the supply accessory 10 to the can 20. However, the upper part 42 of the bottle has a different shape than the upper part of the can and the diameter of the base 32 of the fluted supply accessory 30 is selected accordingly. The base 32 also has a cylindrical wall 33 in which an annular slot 34 is formed, the annular slot 34 being associated with the connection portion of the supply accessory 30 to the bottle 40. Annular slot 34 engages the bottle wall of its upper portion 42 and pressure or interference fit is used to couple supply accessory 30 to bottle 40. The annular slot 34 can be provided with a thread corresponding to its upper thread, which is due to a tighter frictional engagement to avoid leakage of champagne for consumption by the purchase consumer. Help achieve a better fit and better seal.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the supply accessory 30 can be provided with marketing or brand indications such as a trademark. In the illustrated case, the marketing indication 36 represents the brand of champagne and is the same as the brand provided on the bottle 40 itself. Thus, the fluted supply accessory 30 is used as a tool for bringing champagne to market. The champagne in this case also helps retailers or sales staff members to match the supplied accessories to the products supplied. Supply accessories are prepared to match various lines of champagne or other beverage products.

  Similarly, supply accessories can be provided in a shape that complements a particular type of beer. For example, depending on the type of beer, the supply accessory can be provided to resemble a goblet, flute, nonic, trumpet (Pilsner), snifter or tulip glass. In addition, the supply accessory can additionally be provided with a cap or closure in the form of a hinged lid so as to resemble the effect of a beer mug and protect it from foreign debris and insect contamination. Also, the supply accessory can be provided in a shape similar to the barb, thereby providing an accessory that can be used as a novel function.

  Each of these various supply accessories is similarly stamped or otherwise provided with marketing indications including references for specific types of beer intended to be used with each specific supply accessory be able to.

  Thus, it will be appreciated that the supply accessories in each of the various embodiments provide tools that are useful for marketing, promoting and selling beverage product lines. Supply accessories, for example, can be paid in favor of purchasing customers to support the launch of new products and provide novelty that can give a market advantage superior to competitor products.

  A further form of the supply accessory 50 is shown in FIGS. 6 a to 6 c, which is particularly suitable for coupling to the can 20. The supply accessory 50 consists essentially of a cylindrical body 54 having a diameter equivalent to the diameter of the can 20 to be joined. The supply accessory 50 is provided with an engaging portion 52 near the inner surface of the base. The engaging portion 52 has a lip 56 designed to engage a complementary portion of the rim 22 of the can 20. Thus, the supply accessory 50 is securely fitted to the can 20 by a press or interference fit of the lip 56 and the can rim 22.

  Also, the ability to combine supply accessories and storage containers helps reduce waste disposal issues. Both items can be disposed of together or the supplied accessories can be washed and reused in an industrial dishwasher or similar device. The appropriate strategy depends on the hygiene regulations.

  Supply accessories can be supplied with the beverage or sold separately. Retailers can buy accessories before the anticipated demand for each type of accessory. Computer programs that manage inventory items are used to manage this aspect. Supply accessories are conveniently provided in sterile packaging.

  Modifications and changes to the method of supplying consumable supply accessories of the present invention will be apparent to the skilled reader of this disclosure. Such modifications and changes are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. For example, supply accessories are particularly suitable for the service of the beverage under consideration. Supply accessories facilitate service, but reduce the risk of spills in the case of turbulence because liquid beverages tend to flow into the beverage storage container rather than being held in the open-mouthed supply container .

Claims (23)

A method for providing a consumer product for monetary profit, comprising:
Providing said consumable storage container with a supply accessory,
The supply accessory is:
Coupling means coupleable to the storage container to form a supply container adapted to the consumer goods;
An unsealed open volume for delivery of said consumables to a consumer for consumption. The method of claim 1, wherein
The shape of the supply accessory is determined at least in part by the storage container. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
The shape of the supply accessory is determined at least in part by the type of consumer goods. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The method wherein the supply accessory is coupled to the storage container by pressing, pressing or interference fit, or a combination thereof. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The method wherein the coupling means includes at least one engaging portion adapted to engage a corresponding portion of the storage container. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The method wherein the coupling means includes an annular slot adapted to engage a corresponding portion of the storage container. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The method wherein the coupling means includes a lip portion adapted to engage a corresponding portion of the storage container. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The coupling means allows fitting of the supply accessory to two or more designs of the storage container. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The supply accessory is coupled to the storage container by an intervening attachment;
The interposer attachment allows the supply accessory to be coupled to one or more designs of the storage container. 10. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The method wherein the supply accessory is provided with a cap or closure. The method of claim 8, wherein
The method wherein the cap or closure is hinged. 12. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The supply accessory can be disposable. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The supply accessory is labeled with one or more indications. 14. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
The method wherein the supply accessory is provided for support marketing, promotion or sales purposes of the consumer goods. 15. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
The method wherein the supply accessory is provided with a shape resembling or mimicking a flute, cup, nonic, trumpet (Pilsner), snifter, tulip, pair or cocktail glass. 16. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
The supply accessory is formed of a transparent material. 17. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 16,
The method wherein the consumable is a beverage. 18. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 17,
The method wherein the consumable is a food. 19. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
The method wherein the storage container is a can, bottle or bottle. A supply accessory for delivery of consumables contained in a storage container to a consumer,
The supply accessory comprises a body having an open volume that is not sealed; and a coupling means for coupling to the storage container;
A supply accessory, wherein the shape of the supply accessory is determined at least in part by the type of the consumable consumed by the storage container and by the consumer. The supply accessory according to claim 20,
The supply accessory is coupled to the storage container by an intervening attachment;
The interposer attachment is a supply accessory that allows the supply accessory to be coupled to one or more designs of the storage container. The supply accessory according to claim 20 or 21,
The supply accessory is provided with a shape resembling or mimicking a flute, cup, nonic, trumpet (Pilsner), snifter, tulip, pair or cocktail glass. A supply accessory according to any one of claims 20 to 22,
The supply accessory is a supply accessory provided with a cap or a closure arranged in the vicinity of the upper end of the opening of the supply accessory.

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