JP3050960B2 - Beverage containers and combinations of containers and straws - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a container for dispensing drinks, such as fruit juice, provided with an access to allow a straw to enter the container, and more particularly to allowing a straw to be guided into the container. Beverage container having essential access means arranged in such a manner that the access device provides ventilation to the container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 1 and 2 show a typical conventional beverage container. The beverage container comprises a square, square, cylindrical, oval or other geometric body 10 having an upper surface 12. A circular approach hole 14 is formed in the upper surface 12. This body 10
For example, it is formed of paper or cardboard layer 16.
The access hole 14 is covered by a foil 18 of metal or plastic material to prevent decay of the contents at least until the container is opened. In order to keep the container waterproof, a packaging material 20 is provided on the entire container or above the hole 14 as necessary. This packaging material 20 can be formed of a transparent material such as a plastic material. Packaging material 2
0 can be formed by a peelable tab. The beverage is drawn from the container body 10 using, for example, a straw 22. Often, one end of the straw 22 is cut diagonally, especially at 45 degrees, as shown at 24 in FIG. As shown in FIG.
At the point 26, the portion of the packaging material 20 placed on the hole 14 is pushed to pierce the packaging material 20 and the foil 18 and the straw 22
The container is opened by inserting it into the container. The disadvantages of this container are as follows.

[0003]

[0004] Containers for beverages such as fruit juices are suitably formed by a plurality of layers formed of paper, fiber, synthetic resin or other materials, or a combination thereof. Such containers are relatively inexpensive and attractive to customers. Often, such containers are provided with at least one surface provided with a circular access hole covered with aluminum foil or other sheet material secured to the container. The beverage is often dispensed from the container via a straw that is removably secured to the container. In use, the straw is removed from the container and pierced with a beveled tip to form a perforated end, pushing the cover member out of the hole. The straw is then inserted inside the container and used in the usual way.

A frequent problem with containers of this kind is that the side walls of the containers are relatively soft, since natural materials are used to make them. When holding a container for breaking the cover using a straw,
Carelessly crushing the side walls of the container and increasing the pressure therein. Further, the pressure of the container increases while the container is being filled or due to external heat. As a result, when the liquid is ejected from the container or when the straw is inserted into the container, the liquid is ejected from the entrance hole. Another problem with the above-mentioned containers is that the diameter of the round straw usually corresponds to the diameter of the access hole, so that once the straw is inserted, a seal is formed between the straw and the container wall. This seal prevents air from entering the container while the beverage is being drawn through the straw. As a result, the inside of the container becomes negative pressure,
Eventually, the container is crushed before its contents are fully dispensed, or burp when the suction is stopped (outside air returns into the container).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a container having an access means for opening a vent and cooperating with a straw for dispensing a beverage. It is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage container in which a beverage is not spouted when a straw is inserted for the first time. It is a second object of the present invention to provide a beverage container having access means for providing aeration while the beverage is being dispensed, thereby preventing the container from being crushed by dispensing the beverage. It is in. A third object of the present invention is to provide a container which can be easily manufactured and made into an attractive package. Other objects and effects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention.

[0006]

A beverage container according to a reference example of the present invention comprises a main body for containing a beverage having an upper surface, and an access path for distributing the beverage to the upper surface. Means are provided, wherein the access means comprises an opening means and at least one cut extending from the opening means, wherein the opening means and the cut cooperate when the straw is inserted into the opening means. It is characterized in that a music tab is formed. In that case, the open mouth means, are with the straw shape partially conforming shape. In particular, the open mouth means is formed in a semicircular shape.

A beverage container according to a first aspect of the present invention is a beverage container for dispensing a beverage through a straw having a preselected shape, wherein the main body for accommodating the beverage having an upper surface having access means is provided. Said access means comprising: opening means having a cross section smaller than the cross section of said straw and penetrating through said upper surface; and at least one cut through said upper surface extending from said opening means; The means and cuts cooperate to form an upper surface portion, the upper surface portion being bent inward for ventilation when the straw is inserted into the container. The beverage container according to claim 2 is characterized in that the opening means of claim 1 is provided with a cut. In the beverage container according to a third aspect, the main body of the container according to the first or second aspect has a layer made of a fiber material. The beverage container of claim 4 is
A packaging material surrounding the layer is further provided on the main body of the container according to claim 3 . According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beverage container in which a packaging material is arranged in contact with the approach means of the container of the third aspect . The beverage container according to claim 6 is the container according to claim 1, further comprising a cover means.
Is characterized in that the covering means is a foil. Beverage container according to claim 7, in the container of claim 1, covered
Means are provided and the covering means is arranged inside the container. In the beverage container according to the eighth aspect , the opening means of the container according to the first aspect has a cross section smaller than the cross section of the straw. Beverage container according to claim 9, the opening means according to claim 1 and has the straw shape and partially corresponding shape.

The combination of a beverage container and a straw according to claim 10 is a combination of a container and a straw cooperating to dispense the beverage from the container, wherein the main body for accommodating the beverage in the container comprises the straw. A straw having a shape partially corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the straw and having a shape substantially smaller than the straw, and an upper surface having straw entry means comprising at least one cut line extending from the hole and crossing the surface. The slit and the hole cooperate to form a surface portion for ventilation, which is bent inward by a straw when inserted into the container.
The combination of the container and the straw according to claim 11 is characterized in that, in the combination of claim 10 , the straw is circular and the hole is semicircular. The combination of a container and a straw according to claim 12 is the combination of claim 10 , wherein a plurality of cuts extending radially from the hole are formed.

The combination of the container and the straw according to claim 13 is
The container according to claim 10 , wherein the container body is formed of a fiber material.

[0010] The beverage container constructed according to the present invention comprises:
Briefly, a closed body having an upper surface, access means formed on the upper surface, and the access means maintaining the air and vacuum tightness of the container so that the contained beverage does not spoil prematurely. It is desirable to have a cover means for assurance. The access means preferably has opening means whose overall area is substantially smaller than the corresponding straw, and extends from said opening means and cooperates therewith to drink beverages therefrom while the straw is being inserted. Desirably, the vent tabs used for dispensing are composed of two parts, with a plurality of cut lines forming in the container.

[0011]

The beverage container constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises:
Used as follows: First, the straw is pushed into the approach means. As the straw is pushed into the container, the straw is cut off at the portion defined by the access means and pushes it down to form a tab. When the access means is depressed to separate the compartments thereby, the gas at the top of the container is allowed to leak out. As a result, the pressure in the container, which had increased during this first stage, is relieved and the beverage can be prevented from blowing out through the straw. When the straw is sufficiently pushed into the container, the beverage is consumed in the usual manner through the straw. In this state, the section defined by the access means in the bent state seals around the straw, but allows air to enter the container in lieu of the beverage to be aspirated. This can prevent the outflow of the beverage due to the siphon action and the collapse of the container.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Reference Example) FIGS. 3 to 6, are drawn container 40 forming a reference example of the present invention. The container 40 is of the same type as the conventional container 10 and is formed in a desired geometric shape. The container 40 is provided with an upper surface 42 having an access means 44. As shown in detail in FIGS. 5 and 6, the container 40 is formed of a plurality of layers as described below. In particular, the container 40 is formed by a cardboard layer 46 having an inner barrier layer 48 made of foil or plastic material. The outer surface side of the container 40 is covered with a protective packaging material layer 50. This protective packaging material layer 50 is desirably made of polyethylene or another plastic material.
These three layers 46, 48, 50 are stacked on one another. The layers 48 and / or 50 are provided so as to cover a portion of the layer 46 adjacent to the access means 44. The important point is that the access means 44 is divided into two parts, namely the hole 44A.
And a plurality of cuts 44B. The hole 44A penetrates the layer 46. This hole 4
4A can be formed in various shapes. It is desirable that the shape of the hole 44A partially conforms to the shape of the straw to be used. For example, a straw 5 having a circular cross section
If 2 is used, the hole 44A is partially circular in shape with a radius approximately equal to or less than the radius of the straw 52. The cut 44B is the hole 4
It extends tangentially from portion 4A. Each cut 44B has a length exceeding the radius of the straw 52 or the hole 44A. These cuts 44B
This defines a wedge-shaped portion 58 in the upper surface 42 as shown.

This beverage container, which is a reference example of the present invention,
Used as follows: A straw 52 similar to the straw 22 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is first pushed into the approach means 44 as shown in FIG. Straw 5
When 2 is pushed into the container, the layers 48, 50 break.
Further, since the diameter of the straw 52 exceeds the size of the cut 44A, the wedge-shaped portion 58 is cut off and pressed downward to form a tab as shown in FIGS. Importantly, when the wedge 58 is separated, it permits gas that was at the top of the container or near the access hole 44 to leak, as indicated by arrow 54. As a result, the pressure in the container, which had increased during this first stage, is relieved and the beverage can be prevented from being blown out through the straw 52. As shown in FIG.
When the straw 52 is sufficiently pushed into the container, the beverage is drunk through the straw 52 in the usual manner. In this state, the bent wedge 58 seals around the straw 52, but alternates with the beverage to be aspirated, as indicated by arrows 56
Allow air to enter the container, as indicated by. This can prevent the outflow of the beverage due to the siphon action and the collapse of the container.

A straw having a different shape can be used by appropriately changing the cut shape of the hole 44A. For example, if the straw is triangular, the semicircular hole 44A ensures that the hole and wedge are formed by the cutting operation described above when the straw is inserted therein. For this purpose, the straw is formed in a triangular shape smaller in size than the straw.

( Embodiment ) In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 7, an access path means 64 is formed on an upper surface 62 of a container similar to that shown in FIG. This approach means 64 has a semicircular D-shaped opening 66,
It is formed by two or more cuts 68 extending therefrom. When the straw is inserted into the container, the straw penetrates the layer covering the opening 64.

( Other Embodiment ) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the approach means 74 is provided with the D-shaped hole 7.
6 and a plurality of cuts 78 formed closer than in the embodiment shown in FIG. (Hole 7
When a straw (with a diameter slightly larger or equal to the diameter of 6) is inserted into the container, some of the tabs formed by the cuts 78 are pushed downward between the cuts 78 and pushed in.

Obviously, many modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope defined by the appended claims.

[0018]

According to the beverage container and the combination of the container and the straw of the present invention having the above-described structure, when the straw is pushed into the approach means, the straw is defined by the approach means. The part cuts off and pushes it down to form a tab. When the access means is depressed to separate the compartments thereby, the gas at the top of the container is allowed to leak out. As a result, the pressure in the container, which had increased during this first stage, is relieved and the beverage can be prevented from blowing out through the straw. Also, when the straw is sufficiently pushed into the container, the beverage is drunk through the straw in the usual manner. The section bounded by the access means seals around the straw in this bent state, but allows air to enter the container in lieu of the beverage to be aspirated.
This can prevent the outflow of the beverage due to the siphon action and the collapse of the container.

Therefore, according to the beverage container of the present invention and the combination of the container and the straw, the following effects can be obtained. The container has an access means which vents and cooperates with the straw to dispense the beverage, so that the beverage does not blow out when the straw is first inserted therein. Ventilation is provided while the beverage is being dispensed, thereby preventing the container from being crushed by the dispensing of the beverage. It can be easily manufactured and made into an attractive package.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional beverage container.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state where the container shown in FIG. 1 is pierced by a straw.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view showing one embodiment of the container of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view of the container of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state where the container shown in FIG. 3 is pierced by a straw.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the same part as FIG.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing still another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Main body 12 Top surface 14 Entry hole 16 Paper or cardboard 18 Foil 20 Packaging material 24 One end 26 Perforation point 40 Container 42 Top surface 44 Entry means 44A Hole 44B Cut 46 Cardboard layer 48 Inner barrier layer 50 Protective packaging material layer 52 Straw 58 wedge-shaped portion 62 top surface 64 approach means 66 D-shaped opening 68 cut 74 approach means 76 D-shaped hole 78 cut

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-57-86474 (JP, A) JP-A-59-99924 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65D 5 / 00-5/74 B65D 77/30

Claims (13)

(57) [Claims] 1. A beverage container for dispensing beverage through a straw having a preselected shape, comprising a body for containing a beverage having an upper surface having access means, said access means. Comprises an opening means having a cross-section smaller than the cross-section of the straw and penetrating the upper surface, and at least one cut through the upper surface extending from the opening means, the cut means cooperating with the cut. A beverage container having an upper surface portion which is bent inward for ventilation when the straw is inserted into the container. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the opening means comprises a cut.
A beverage container according to claim 1 . Wherein the body according to claim 1 or 2 beverage container according those having a layer made of a fibrous material. 4. The beverage container according to claim 3, wherein the main body is further provided with a packaging material surrounding the layer. 5. The beverage container according to claim 3, wherein a packaging material is disposed in contact with said access means. 6. A cover means is provided, beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the covering means is a foil. 7. covering means is provided, beverage containers of the covering means according to claim 1, wherein arranged in the interior of the container. 8. opening means, beverage containers according to claim 1 having a smaller cross-section than the straw section. 9. opening means, beverage container according to claim 1, further comprising the straw shape and partially corresponding shape. 10. The combination of a container and a straw cooperating to dispense the beverage from the container, wherein the body for containing the beverage of the container partially corresponds to and substantially corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the straw. An upper surface having a straw access means consisting of a hole having a shape smaller than the straw and at least one score line extending from the hole and traversing the surface, wherein the straw is inserted inward by the straw when inserted into the container. A combination of a container and a straw in which the cut and the hole cooperate to form a bent ventilation surface. 11. The container and straw combination according to claim 10 , wherein the straw is circular and the hole is semicircular. 12. The combination of claim 10, wherein a plurality of cuts extending radially from the hole are formed. 13. The combination of a container and a straw according to claim 10, wherein the container body is formed of a fiber material .