NL2013501B1

NL2013501B1 - Container.

Info

Publication number: NL2013501B1
Application number: NL2013501A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Marc De Avilla Henry
Original assignee: Impala 4 B V
Priority date: 2014-09-19
Filing date: 2014-09-19
Publication date: 2016-09-29

Abstract

An aspect provides a container comprising a main campartment arranged to be made accessible from the outside of the container by means of an opening action, thus creating an opening in the main compartment; and an auxiliary campartment comprising a reagent transformabie in a reaction product detectable from the outside of the container. The container is arranged such that the opening action causes a content of the container to react with the reagent, thus producing the reaction product. With the reaction product, a code may become detectable. This container will make it more difficult to obtain the code without opening the product. The code cannot be copied from the container standing in a supermarket, nor can it be obtained by removing a wrapper. The product actually has to be opened. This will higher the bar for trying to obtain the code and therefore, increase the incentive for buying the product.

Description

Title: Container TECHNICAL FIELD

The various aspects relate to the field of packaging, in particular the field of packaging of foodstuff and more in particular the field of packaging of beverages.

BACKGROUND

Any products for sale in shops, and foodstuffs sold in supermarkets in particular, are popular items for promotions. Such promotions may include raffles, making up product slogans, colouring contests and other. For participation in such promotional activities, a code may be required. Such code may in certain cases be detected, for example by the human eye (reading), on a label of the container of the product. This allows participation without purchase of the product and this is not preferred. In other cases, a specific code, like a lottery entry number, is provided at the back of a label. Though this provides better protection to participation without purchase of the product, thefts of such labels have been reported.

SUMMARY

It is preferred to provide a container made suitable differently for providing information on promotional activities.

An aspect provides a container comprising a main compartment arranged to be made accessible from the outside of the container by means of an opening action, thus creating an opening in the main compartment; and an auxiliary compartment comprising a reagent transformable in a reaction product detectable from the outside of the container. The container is arranged such that the opening action causes a content of the container to react with the reagent, thus producing the reaction product.

This container will make it more difficult to obtain the code without opening the product. The code cannot be copied from the container standing in shelves of a supermarket, nor can it be obtained by removing only a wrapper. The product actually has to be opened. This will higher the bar for trying to obtain the code and therefore, increase the incentive for buying the product.

In an embodiment, the auxiliary compartment comprises a first wall part coinciding with a first outer wall part of the container; the reagent is provided at a first side of the first wall part, the first side facing inside the auxiliary compartment; and the first main wall of the main compartment is arranged to enable detection of the reaction product from outside of the container.

The container according to this embodiment is simple to manufacture and has a low material cost.

In another embodiment, the auxiliary compartment comprises a first wall part directly adjacent to a first main wall part of a first wall of main compartment, the first main wall of the main compartment forming an outer wall of the container; the reagent is provided at a first side of the first wall part, the first side facing inside the auxiliary compartment and the first main wall of the main compartment is arranged to enable detection of the reaction product from outside of the container.

This embodiment allows the main compartment and the auxiliary compartment to be manufactured separately.

In a further embodiment, the the first wall part is transparent; the reagent is substantially imperceptible to the human eye when applied to the first wall; and the reaction product is visible to the human eye.

Visual detection of information is for a human, without further aids, a very quick way to obtain information. Hence, this applies to code to be detected as well. This embodiment provides structural features to make this code visible through the opening action.

In yet another embodiment, the auxiliary compartment comprises a second wall part directly adjacent to a second main wall part of a first wall of main compartment, the second main wall of the main compartment forming an outer wall of the container; the second main wall part comprises a second weakened area arranged to be pierceable by means of a straw, the piercing of the first weakened area being the opening action; and the second wall part comprises a first weakened area arranged to be pierceable by means of the straw.

Opening a container by means of a straw are known, in particular for fruit beverages. This embodiment provides a container based on this aspect that is compatible with manufacturing process of such known containers not having the features of this aspect.

In yet a further embodiment, the container further comprises a further auxiliary compartment for holding the content, wherein the opening action creates a connection between the auxiliary compartment and the further auxiliary compartment, enabling at least part of the content to move from the further auxiliary compartment to the auxiliary compartment.

This embodiment provides greater freedom of choosing the reagent. If a certain reagent is very well suited for making the code visible or for changing from invisible to visible or, from a broader perspective, from undetectable to detectable, but it does not provide this reaction with contents of the container, then this embodiment provides the further auxiliary compartment for providing a further reagent. The further reagent reacts with the reagent and the reaction product is visible, thus making the code detectable - and visible in particular. In a specific embodiment, the reagent and the further reagent do not get into content with contents of the main compartment anyway.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects and embodiments thereof will now be discussed in conjunction with Figures. In the Figures:

Figure 1: shows a first cross section of a side view of a first container for beverages;

Figure 2: shows a detail of a front view of a container for beverages;

Figure 3: shows a second cross section of a side view of the first container for beverages;

Figure 4: shows

Figure 5: shows a cross section of a side view of a second container for beverages;

Figure 6: shows a cross section of a side view of a third container for beverages;

Figure 7: shows a cross section of a side view of a fourth container for beverages;

Figure 8: shows a bottle;

Figure 9 A: shows a first cup with a lid; and

Figure 9 B: shows a second cup with a lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a side view container 100 for holding foodstuffs. The container 100 is particularly suitable for holding beverages like fruit juices. The walls of the container 100 are manufactured from flexible plastic film material, such as polyethylene. Other materials may be used as well. The plastic may be a compound film, provided with a thin metal layer, for example aluminium deposited by means of vapour deposition. Such metal layer is provided to protect content of the container 100 from direct sunlight. Alternatively or additionally, the compound film may comprise multiple individual films provided as a sandwich. The film is welded at a first welding seam 132, a second welding seam 134 and a third welding seam 136. Figure 1 shows cross-sections of the welding seams. Containers like the container 100 shown by Figure 1 are particularly well known in relation to the brand "Capri Sonne" for fruit beverages.

The container 100 comprises a main compartment 110 arranged for holding a beverage. The main compartment 110 is filled up to the liquid level 190. The container 100 further comprises an auxiliary compartment 120. The auxiliary compartment 120 is in this embodiment provided by welding film walls to a first outer wall 112 of the container 110. In addition to delimiting the auxiliary compartment 120, the first outer wall 112 also delimits the main compartment. Walls of the auxiliary compartment 120 are welded to the first outer wall 112 by a fourth welding seam 142 and a fifth welding seam 144. The two wall parts of the auxiliary compartment 120 are welded together by a sixth weld 146.

At the first outer wall 112, within the location where the auxiliary compartment 120 is provided, a weakened zone is provided. The weakened zone is surrounded by a reinforcement tab 102. The reinforcement tab 102 is in this embodiment provided at the outside of the container 100. Alternatively or additionally, a reinforcement tab is provided at the inside of the container, around the weakened zone. Instead of or in addition to a distinct reinforcement tab, reinforcement of the first outer wall 112 around the weakened zone may be achieved by treatment of material comprised by the first outer wall 112. In case of use of a low density polymer, the polymer may be densified locally around the weakened zone, for example by means of a heat treatment. Such densification may render the reinforcement tab 102 obsolete.

Figure 2 shows a front view of the first outer wall 102 at the location where the auxiliary compartment 120 is provided. At the location of the first outer wall 102 where the auxiliary compartment 120 is provided, the weakened zone 104 is provided, surrounded by the reinforcement tab 102. The weakened zone 104 is arranged to be pierced by means of a straw, as will be explained later. The weakened zone 104 may be provided by piercing of the first outer wall and providing a tab comprising a relatively weak material at the inside of the first outer wall at the location of the piercing. Alternatively or additionally, a part of the first outer wall is removed - and also provided with a tab comprising the weak material. In yet another alternative, perforations are provided for weakening the material.

At the location of the first outer wall 102 where the auxiliary compartment 120 is provided, a translucent and preferably transparent area 200 is provided. The transparent area 200 may be provided by not providing that area with a metal film or by removing metal film at that location. Within the transparent area 200, a reagent 210 is provided. The reagent 210 in unreacted state is preferably transparent, substantially imperceptible to the human eye - in particular at a first glance. The reagent 210 is arranged to react with components provided in the fruit beverage comprised by the main compartment 110 and with acids in particular. To this end, the reagent 210 is provided in the auxiliary compartment 120 such that it may be transformed in a reaction product detectable from the outside of the container 100. Such reagent may be baking soda, which reacts with fruit juices. Alternatively, phenolphthalein may be used. Phenolphthalein turns from pink to invisible when reacting with acids. Another reagents may be Benedict's reagent, Carrez reagent, various iodine compounds, other, or a combination thereof. The reagent may react with the sugar in the beverage, with acids, enzymes, other, or a combination thereof. In case the reagent may be harmful to people, the reagent may be bound to the transparent area. This may be done by means of a gel or other, that is arranged for holding the reagent without releasing it, and permitting the reagent to react with the fruit juice.

The reagent 210 may be used for printing a code or other information on the transparent area 200. Alternatively or additionally, a blanket layer comprising the reagent 210 may be provided. Subsequently, the reagent 210 is covered by a film in which a code is punched. The fruit beverage and the acids or sugars in particular react with the reagent at the locations where openings are punched in the covering film, allowing the code to become visible. Hence, the code may be made visible in negative. This is the case where the code becomes invisible or transparent in a blanket layer of reagent after a reaction between the reagent and the fruit beverage, yielding a transparent or colourless reaction product. And the code may be made visible in positive. Making the code visible in positive is the case where the code becomes visible after a reaction between the reagent and the fruit beverage. Both the negative and the positive detection methods may be provided by means of printing the reagent or by covering a blanket layer with a covering film in which the code is punched.

The code may be comprise any type of data. A word, a random or pseudo-random string with numeric or alphanumeric characters may be provided, a bar code, a QR code or any other type of binary code may be provided, a URL may be provided, a (pseudo-) random figure or an actual figurative figure may be provided, other information, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the code enables a person perceiving the code to participate in an event. Such event may be presented at a location of which the code provides the address, for example by means of an URL. Additionally or alternatively, the code provides a number of a lottery ticket.

Figure 3 shows the container 100 with a straw 300 provided in the container 100. The straw 300 is used for piercing the weakened zone 104 in the first outer wall 112. The straw 300 is also used for piercing a first auxiliary wall 122, the first auxiliary wall 122 separating the auxiliary compartment 120 from the main compartment 110. The first auxiliary wall 122 may be provided with a further weakened zone. This may be provided only at a specific location on the first auxiliary wall 122. This location may be enforced by means of a reinforcement tab as discussed above. Alternatively, the first auxiliary wall 122 comprises a material of such strength that it may be easily pierced in full by the straw 300. In this way, the whole first auxiliary wall 122 is a weakened area. In yet another alternative, the sixth weld 146 or another weld is provided as a weakened zone to be pierced by the straw 300 for accessing the main compartment 110.

Whereas it may be preferred only a small part of the first outer wall 112 is pierced for opening the container 100 for accessing the beverage, it is no major issue if the full first auxiliary wall 122 is ruptured or removed. Reason for this is that the whole of the walls of the container 100 still confine all contents by providing only a small opening in the container 100 by means of the reinforcement tab around a single small opening in which the straw 300 is provided.

The puncturing, rupturing or removal of the first auxiliary wall 122 may be considered as part of an opening action or an extension of an opening action and allows the beverage to be accessed by the straw 300. This action allows the beverage to be consumed by means of the straw. Additionally, the opening action by means of the straw 300 for accessing the beverage also allows the beverage to flow from the main compartment 110 to the auxiliary compartment. This allows the beverage to react with the reagent 210, providing a visible or substantially invisible reaction product as discussed above. This reaction allows a person to detect the code as discussed above from the outside of the container 100.

Figure 4 shows a front view of the first outer wall 102 at the location where the auxiliary compartment 120 is provided. The weakened area 104 is pierced by the straw. By virtue of the reinforcement tab 102, the hole is confined to the area within the reinforcement tab and further rupture of the first outer wall 112 is prevented. Within the transparent area 200, a reaction product 212 is visible. The reaction product 212 becomes visible following a reaction between the beverage and the reagent 210 (Figure 2). Figure 4 shows the reaction product in a blanket way. As discussed above, various methods exist for displaying more information after reaction between the reagent 210 and the beverage comprised by the container 100 and the main compartment 110 in particular.

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the container 100. In Figure 5, the container 100 is provided with a completely separate auxiliary compartment 120, having no walls in common with the main compartment 110. This embodiment allows manufacturing of the auxiliary compartment 120 independently and/or separately from manufacturing of the main compartment 110. The auxiliary compartment 120 may by attached to the main compartment 110 for forming the container by means of the fourth weld 142. Preferably, both the first outer wall 112 and a first auxiliary wall 124 of the auxiliary compartment 120 comprise weakened areas pierceable by means of the straw 300 (Figure 3). To make the opening action as conveniently as possible, both weakened areas are aligned. This may preferably be done by welding the first outer wall 112 and the first auxiliary wall 124 together around the weakened areas.

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of the container 100. In Figure 6, the main compartment 110 shares the first outer wall 112 with the auxiliary compartment 120 at the location where the auxiliary compartment 120 is provided in the main compartment 110. With the embodiment as shown by Figure 6, compared the embodiment shown by Figure 1, the first auxiliary wall 122 (Figure 3) is omitted. With the embodiment shown by Figure 6, the auxiliary compartment is delimited by the first outer wall 112 and a second auxiliary wall 124. Combining this embodiment and the embodiment shown by Figure 5, another embodiment is obtained with an auxiliary compartment having two walls - as shown by Figure 6 - but without directly sharing a wall with the main compartment 110.

Figure 7 shows yet another embodiment of the container 100. Figure 7 shows the auxiliary compartment 120 comprising a first sub-compartment 170 and a second sub-compartment 180. The first sub-compartment 170 and the second subcompartment 180 are separated by a sub-wall 172. The reagent is provided in the second sub-compartment 180, at the inside of the first outer wall 112. A further product is provided in the first sub-compartment, which further product is able to react with the reagent. This yields a reaction product detectable from the outside of the container 100. Opening the container 100 and accessing the main compartment 110 from the outside via the weakened zone and the auxiliary compartment by means of the straw 300 (Figure 2) results in breaking of the sub-wall 172. This, in turn, allows the further product provided in the first sub-compartment 170 to flow to the second sub-compartment 180 react with the reagent. This embodiment yields a larger choice of freedom for the reagent. This is because the reagent does not necessarily have to react with the beverage. Hence, the reagent does not have to be in contact with the beverage. Such is an advantage as not all reagents are allowed in all jurisdictions due to potential health hazards.

Figure 8 shows a bottle 810, provided with a cap 820. In the bottle, above a beverage level 850, a membrane 840 is provided as a partition or septum. Above the membrane, a reagent 830 is provided. The reagent 830 is provided to present a code in detectable form upon reaction with contents of the bottle 810. From the cap 820, a rod 822 is provided as a connecting member. The rod 822 is provided for connecting the cap 820 to an inverse cone 824 as a rupturing member. Instead of the inverse cone 824, also other shapes, geometrical or more complex, may be employed. The rod 822 passes through the membrane 840 and the inverse cone 824 is provided below the membrane 840, at the side of the beverage. When opening the bottle 810 by removing the cap 820, the inverse cone 824 is pulled through the membrane 840. As the inverse cone 824 is broader than the rod 822, the inverse cone 824 ruptures the membrane 840. The membrane 840 preferably comprises a material weak enough to rupture by means of the opening action.

The bottle 810 is provided with the membrane 840 and the rod 822 with the inverse cone 824 such that, until opening of the bottle 810, the beverage provided in the bottle 810 is kept below the membrane 840. In this way, the beverage cannot reach the reagent 830 and cannot react with the reagent 830. Upon opening the bottle 810, the membrane 840 is ruptured, as discussed, allowing the beverage to reach the reagent 830. This allows the beverage and the reagent 830 to react and to make the code provide by means of the reagent 830 to become detectable from outside the bottle 810. As discussed above, this may be done in a positive or negative way and with the code either provided by printing or punching.

Figure 9 A shows a cup 900 comprising a beverage at level 902. The cup 900 is provided with a lid 910. Within the cup 900, a membrane 912 is provided. The membrane is connected to the walls of the cup 900 such that the beverage is confined in the cup 900 below the membrane 912. This may be done by welding the membrane 912 to the cup by means of a first welding seam 914 and a second welding seam 916, along the perimeter of the membrane 912. Alternatively or additionally, glue may be used. The membrane 912 is also connected to the lid 910 by means of a third welding seam 918. Above the membrane 912, a translucent and preferably transparent area 920 is provided in the wall of the cup 900. In this transparent area 920, at the inside of the cup 900, a reagent 922 is provided for enabling a code to be made visible. Providing the reagent 922 such that a code made be made visible, for example when reacting with the beverage, is discussed above. The reagent 922 is arranged for reacting with the beverage provided in the cup 900.

The third weld 918 is preferably provided stronger than the first weld 914 and the second weld 916. At the moment a person opens the cup 900 by removing the lid 910, the person also removes the membrane 912 from the cup 900. In this way, a barrier between the beverage and the reagent 922 is removed, allowing the beverage and the reagent 922 to get in contact and react. As discussed above, this allows information to be made visible. Hence, with the cup 900 and the way the membrane 912 is removably attached to the cup 900 and the lid 910, the opening action allows content provided in a main compartment - the cup below the membrane 912 - to react with the reagent provided in an auxiliary compartment - the cup above the membrane 912.

Figure 9 B shows a cup 950 comprising a beverage at level 952. The cup 950 is provided with a lid 960. Within the cup 950, a first membrane 962 is provided. The first membrane 962 is connected to the walls of the cup 950 such that the beverage is confined in the cup 950 below the membrane 962. This may be done by welding the first membrane 962 to the cup by means of a first weld 964 and a second weld 966, along the perimeter of the first membrane 962. Alternatively or additionally, glue may be used. The first membrane 962 is also connected to the lid 960 by means of a third weld 968.

Above the membrane 912, an auxiliary compartment 970 is provided. The auxiliary compartment 970 comprises a first sub-compartment 972 and a second sub-compartment 974. The first sub-compartment 972 and the second subcompartment 974 are separated by a second membrane 980 as a partition or septum. The second membrane is attached to the lid 960 by means of a further weld 982. If the lid 960 is removed from the cup 950, the membrane 980 is removed from the auxiliary compartment 970, connecting the first sub-compartment 972 and the second sub-compartment 974.

The first sub-compartment 972 comprises a translucent and preferably transparent wall part, shared with an outer wall of the cup 950. This transparent wall part is, at the inside of the first auxiliary compartment, provided with a first reagent 976. The second sub-compartment 974 comprises second reagent. If the cup 950 is opened, the first sub-compartment 972 and the second sub-compartment 974 are connected. This allows the first reagent 976 to react with the second reagent. The first reagent 976 and the second reagent are chosen such that a reaction product resulting out of a reaction between the first reagent 976 and the second reagent is detectable from the outside of the cup 950, for example by means of visual inspection by a person.

This embodiment allows the reagents to be chosen independently from the content of main compartment of the cup 950. And in this embodiment, first membrane 962 is not required for preventing a premature reaction between the first reagent 976 and the beverage or other content of the cup 950.

Whereas a first reaction product resulting out of a reaction between content of the container and the first reagent or a second reaction product resulting out of a reaction between the first reagent and a second reagent has been discussed as being detectable visually, also other means of detection can be envisaged. For example, the reaction product may also be detectable by means of tactical senses, for example fingertips.

Furthermore, whereas the embodiments above have been discussed with liquid foodstuffs and beverages in particular. However, the embodiments discussed and further embodiments may also be used in conjunction with for example solid foodstuffs, paint, detergents and other compounds.

Claims

1. Container comprising: A main compartment arranged to be made accessible from the outside of the container by means of an opening action, thus creating an opening in the main compartment; and An auxiliary compartment comprising a reagent transformable in a reaction product detectable from the outside of the container; The container being arranged such that the opening action causes a content of the container to react with the reagent, thus producing the reaction product.

2. Container according to claim 1, wherein: The auxiliary compartment comprises a first wall part coinciding with a first outer wall part of the container; The reagent is provided at a first side of the first wall part, the first side facing inside the auxiliary compartment; and The first outer wall part of the container is arranged to enable detection of the reaction product from outside of the container.

3. Container according to claim 2, wherein the first outer wall part is part of a wall delimiting the main compartment.

4. Container according to claim 1, wherein: The auxiliary compartment comprises a first wall part adjacent to a first main wall part of a first main wall of main compartment, the first main wall of the main compartment forming an outer wall of the container; The reagent is provided at a first side of the first wall part, the first side facing inside the auxiliary compartment and The first main wall of the main compartment is arranged to enable detection of the reaction product from outside of the container.

5. Container according to any of the claims 2 to 4, wherein: The first wall part is transparent; The reagent is substantially imperceptible to the human eye when applied to the first wall; and The reaction product is visible to the human eye.

6. Container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: The auxiliary compartment comprises a second wall part coinciding with an outer wall of the container; and The second wall part comprises a first weakened area arranged to be pierceable by means of a straw, the piercing of the first weakened area being the opening action.

7. Container according to any of the claims 1 to 5, wherein: The auxiliary compartment comprises a second wall part adjacent to a second main wall part of a first main wall of main compartment, the second main wall of the main compartment forming an outer wall of the container; The second main wall part comprises a second weakened area arranged to be pierceable by means of a straw, the piercing of the first weakened area being the opening action; and The second wall part comprises a first weakened area arranged to be pierceable by means of the straw.

8. Container according to claim 7, wherein the first weakened area and the second weakened area are aligned relative to one another enabling the first weakened area and the second weakened area to be pierced by the straw in substantially one action.

9. Container according to any of the claims 6 to 8, the auxiliary compartment further comprising a third wall part separating the auxiliary compartment from the main compartment, the third wall part comprising a third weakened area arranged to be pierceable by means of the straw.

10. Container according to claim 9, wherein the third weakened area is a weld.

11. Container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the main compartment is arranged to hold the content.

12. Container according to any of the claims 1 to 10, further comprising a further auxiliary compartment for holding the content, wherein the opening action creates a connection between the auxiliary compartment and the further auxiliary compartment, enabling at least part of the content to move from the further auxiliary compartment to the auxiliary compartment.

13. Container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein walls of the container comprise a polymer film.

14. Container according to claim 13, wherein the polymer film is clad with a metal coating for at least a substantial part.