US3298591A

US3298591A - Liquid container

Info

Publication number: US3298591A
Application number: US413077A
Authority: US
Inventors: Cohen Max; Edward R Elston; Rosenblum Jack
Original assignee: Ipsco Enterprises Inc
Current assignee: SSAB Enterprises LLC
Priority date: 1964-11-23
Filing date: 1964-11-23
Publication date: 1967-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 1984-01-17

Description

Jan. 17, 1967 M. COHEN ETAL LIQUID CONTAINER Filed NOV. 23, 1964 'IW l Vreadily accessible for use.

United States Patent ice 3,298,591 Patented Jan. 17, 1967 3,298,591 LIQUID CONTAINER Max Cohen, Edward R. Elston, and Jack Rosenblum, Ontario, Calif., assignors to Insco Enterprises, Inc., Ontario, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Nov. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 413,077 16 Claims. (Cl. 229-7) This invention relates to improvements in beverage containers of the type having a built-in sipping straw.

In dispensing beverages, as for example in a cafeteria or snack bar in a school, industrial plant or the like, it is common to dispense the individual orders of beverage in the same cartons in which the beverages are supplied to the vendor. The consumer usually drinks the beverage by means of a sipping straw inserted into the container. Conventional practice requires that the sipping straw be provided separately from the container. Accordingly, a supply of sipping straws must be provided for distribution, one with each container of beverage sold.

The present invention provides an improved beverage container which has a sipping straw incorporated therein. The straw is sealed in a sanitary manner to the carton when the carton is lled, but the straw is thereafter Use of the present invention materially simplifies the procedure by which individual servings of beverage are dispensed in their own containers. Moreover, the operation of the device to place the straw in position for use is simple and can be done easily by schoolchildren.

Generally speaking, this invention resides in liquid container having an enclosed volume and is comprised of the combination which includes means defining an aperture through a pontion of the container yto communicate the enclosed volume with the exterior of the container. A sipping straw is disposed in the enclosed volume and extends through the aperture to an end disposed exteriorly of the container. Straw cover means are provided for enclosing the end of the straw. The combination also includes means for removably mounting the straw cover means to the container so that the straw and the enclosed volume are sealed from the exterior of the container, and for sealing .the aperture around the outer circumference of the straw.

This invention also provides a novel method for equipping a liquid container with a sipping straw. The method includes the step of securing a straw cover member to an exterior surface of the container by a quantity of liquid adhesive material. The method also includes the steps of forming a hole through the cover member into the container, and inserting a sipping straw into the container through the hole while the adhesive material is in a plastic state so that the major portion of the length of the straw and one end thereof are disposed in the container and the other end of the straw is disposed in the cover member. The method further includes the step of setting the adhesive material to secure the cover member to the container and to seal the straw to the container. Additionally, the method includes sealing the end of the hole spaced from the container.

The above mentioned and other features of the present invention lare more fully set forth in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the top portion of a milk container or the like provided with a sipping straw according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the container shown in FIG. 1;

Y FIG. 3 is a top plan view of another container embodying the invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a portion of a container showing another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a portion of a container showing yet another embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are elevation and plan views, respectively, showing the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3 in the environment with another type of container.

FIG. 1 shows a liquid container 10, such as a single serving milk canton or the like, having an internal volume or chamber 11 enclosed by a vertical tubular wall member 12 and a top 13. The top is secured to the wall element by crimping the upper extent of the wall member over the peripheral edges of the top to dene a liquidtight joint 14 around the upper end of the container. Preferably the container has a square planform configuration.

A circular pouring aperture 15 is formed through the top adjacent one corner of the container. A closure element 16 is secured to the top 13 and extends across the aperture. The closure member is considered herein as a portion of the container top. The closure element is engaged with the rim of the container by a crimped flange connection 17 (see FIG. 1). The container and closure member are fabricated of paperboard, and the closure member is hingably connected to the container top by a staple 18. A downwardly depending circular boss 19, defining an upwardly opening recess 2t), is formed in the closure member. The boss is sized to fit intimately into aperture 15 to seal the aperture.

The paperboard container and its closure member are treated to render them impervious to a liquid disposed in enclosed volume 11. Normally the inner and outer surfaces of the container are coated with a lm of plastic or by a lm of paraffin wax.

The liquid container described above is well known in the packaging industry and forms no part of this invention except in combination with the structure described below.

An aperture 25 is formed through an upper portion of the container. Preferably the aperture is formed through closure member 16 centrally `of recess 20. A sipping straw 26, preferably fabricated of a length of pliable plastic tubing having 4an outer diameter somewhat smaller than the diameter of aperture 25, is passed through the apenture. The straw has a length greater than the depth of the container. The straw also has an upper end 27 disposed within the vertical extent of recess 20. The portion of the straw disposed outside the container is positioned in a hole 28 formed through a straw cover member 29 attached to the container in recess 20. A quantity of adhesive 30 is disposed between the straw cover member and the container and removably secures the cover member to the container circumferentially of aperture 25. Adhesive 30 also iills the annular space between the exterior of straw 26 and the edge of apenture 25 and seals the aperture around the straw. This connection between the straw and the container top serves to maintain the Vstraw in a predetermined position relative to the container, The connection, however, is frangible and is ruptured when it is desired to use the straw. A sheet 31 of paper, plastic lm, or the like is secured to upper surface of cover member 29 circumferentially of hole 28 and seals the upper end of the hole. This structure provides a sanitary seal around straw 26 and prevents contamination of the contents of container 10. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. l, the straw cove-r member has a thickness in the direction of hole 28 which is less than the depth of recess 20. Similarly, hole sealing sheet 31 is also disposed in the recess. This construction assures that the straw cover member will not be removed from its sealing connection to the container until it is desired that the straw be used.

As shown in FIGS. l and 2, cover member 29 has a substantially circular central portion 32 having a diameter which is less than the diameter of the recess. The cover member has a pair of radial etxensions 33 which extend in opposite directions from central portion 32 into engagement with the walls of the recess. Extensions 33 provide the means for positioning the central portion of the cover member in the center of recess 20.

Straw cover member 29 is provided to define a protective sanitary enclosure for the portion of the straw which extends exteriorly of the container. The cover member preferably is fabricated from impermeable, multicellular foamed plastic such as tightly beaded polystyrene foam or polyurethane foam in which the individual voids or bubbles in the foam are sealed from each other. It is preferred that the foamed plastic material have a density of from 0.75 to 1.0 pound per cubic foot, inclusive Such a material is inexpensive and its use assures that contaminants in the vicinity of the container will be kept from the straw and the interior of the container.

This invention includes a method whereby a container of liquid can be equipped with a sipping straw. Preferably, the container is equipped with the straw after the container has been filled and closed. A quantity of a hard-setting liquid adhesive is applied to the exterior of the container centrally of recess 20. It is preferred that the adhesive properties of the adhesive material be low since it is desired that the bond between the container and straw cover member 29 be ruptured readily when but not until the straw is to be used. It is also desired that the adhesive material when set or hardened have a low shear modulus of elasticity so that the connection between the container and the straw at aperture 25 can be broken readily to enable the straw to be partially withdrawn from the container through the aperture. A preferred adhesive material for use in practicing this invention is a thermoplastic material which has a melting point at about 100 F. A presently preferred adhesive material is paraiin wax. It will be understood, however, that any wax having suitable adhesive properties may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the first step in a presently preferred method of equipping a container with a sipping straw is the application of a quantity of hot paraflin wax to the top of container 10 in recess 20.

While the wax is still in a plastic state, a straw cover member 29 is disposed in the wax. Hole 28 and aperture 25 are then formed through the cover member and the container top, respectively, and a length of pliable plastic tubing (straw 26) is passed through the hole and the aperture into the enclosed volume of the container. The upper end of the tubing is disposed in or coextensive with the upper end of hole 28. This is done while the wax is still in its plastic state. The wax flows into contact with the straw about its exterior surface and bridges the gap between the straw and the edge of aperture 2S. It is preferred that a moderate force be applied to the cover member to press the cover member against the container to assure the still'plastic wax ows into engagement with the straw. The wax is then hardened to dene a frangible bond between the container and the cover member and between the container and the straw. Thereafter the upper end of hole 28 is sealed by securing sheet 31 of paper or plastic film to the upper surface of the straw cover member. Preferably the sheet is secured to the cover member by an additional quantity of hot parain wax.

The method described above can be used to equip a container with any of the structural combinations described herein.

When it is desired to use straw 26 to withdraw liquid from the interior of container 10, the user of the container merely grasps straw cover member 29 and pulls on the cover member to rupture the bond between the container and the cover member. After the cover member has been removed, the upper end of straw projecting above the top of the container in recess 20 is grasped. The straw is pulled to break the frangible connection between the straw and the container top. The straw is then withdrawn a desired distance so that the upper end of the straw is a comfortable distance above the container.

Since the cover member is spaced from the walls of the recess on at least opposite sides of the cover member, it is a simple matter for the user of the container to grasp the cover member.

FIG. 3 shows a container 10 equipped with a circular cover member 35 which has a diameter less than the diameter of recess 20. The cover member has a circular disc 36 of paper or plastic ilm secured to its upper surface concentric to the cover member to seal a hole 37 in the cover member within which the upper end of the straw is disposed. Disc 36 has a diameter less than the diameter of the cover member. This dimensional difference between the cover member and the disc assures that the disc will not be dislodged from the cover member when the cover member is grasped to remove it from the container. It is preferred that the cover member and the hole sealing disc are disposed within the vertical extent of the recess.

FIG. 4 shows, in cross-section, a portion of closure member 16 of a container 10. A straw cover member 40 is secured to the container in recess 20 circumferentially of the straw by a quantity of adhesive 41. Cover member 40 has a circular plan form conguration. The cover member has a reduced diameter portion 42 intermediate its length along a hole 43 within which the upper end of straw 26 is disposed. Adhesive 41 may be yan adhesive which provides such a secure bond to the cover member that the cover member, rather than the bond between the adhesive and the cover member, is ruptured when the cover member is pulled upwardly relative to the container. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4, the cover member is frangible and ruptures at reduced diameter portion 42 so that the upper end of the straw may be grasped and pulled upwardly through aperture 25. Preferably the cover member is fabricated of impermeable multicellular foamed plastic material.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the present invention wherein a cover member 29 is provided with means for removing the cover member from the recess without causing the cover member to be ruptured adjacent the top of the container. A strip 45 of an impermeable flexible material, such as polyethylene lm, is disposed so that it has one end 46 positioned between the container top and cover member 29. The strip is secured to the bottom of recess 20 by a quantity 30 of adhesive material, preferably paraflin wax. The cover member is secured to the strip by a second quantity 47 of adhesive material, preferably parafiin Wax. The other end 48 of the strip, and the portion of the strip immediately adjacent thereto, are bonded to the upper side of the cover member circumferentially of hole 28 by a third quantity 49 of adhesive material (preferably paraiiin wax) so that the upper end of the hole is sealed. End 48 of strip 45 is disposed laterally outwardly from the cover member. When it is desired to remove the cover member from the container to expose the upper end of the straw 26, end 48 of the strip is pulled. The strip rst separates from the upper surface of the cover member. Continued application of force to the strip causes the strip to become detached from the container top. This detachment of the strip from the container causes the cover member to be removed from around the straw.

FIG. 6 shows a container 60 which has a tubular vertical wall member 61 and a top cover 62. The cover has a central portion 63 disposed transversely of the interior of wall member 61 below the upper end 64 of the wall member. The top member has a reversely bent peripheral flange 65 which extends first upwardly along the interior of the wall top from central portion 63 and then downwardly over the upper end of the walls. The reversely bent portion of the top member is crimped and bonded to the walls of the container to provide an airtight connection. In order that container 60 may be opened, the container is provided with a pair of foil strips 66 disposed between the reversely bent portions of the container top and the wall member adjacent one corner of the container. The outer ends of the foil stn'ps are exposed. The container top is scored as at 67 between the spaced apart ends of the foil strips. The container is opened by grasping the exposed portions of foil strips and exerting force upwardly thereon to open the crimped connection between the top and the walls of the container. The corner portion of the container top is then hinged back along score line 67. Container 60, because `of the construction described above, defines an upwardly open recess 68 co'extensive with the upper end of the container.

Container 60 is known in the packaging art and does not form a portion of this invention except` in combination with a sipping straw and its protective enclosure as described below.

An aperture 70 is formed t-hr-ough container top 62 in recess 68. A sipping straw 26 is passed through this aperture from the interior of the container and has its upper end 27 disposed within the vertical extent of the recess. A straw cover member 71 is secured to the container top circumferentially of the upper end of the straw by an adhesive 72. A hole sealing element 73 is disposed across the upper end of a hole 74 through the cover member, within which the straw is disposed, to close the hole. Preferably adhesive material 72, cover member 71, and hole sealing element 73 are identical to structure set forth above in the description of the structure shown in FIG. 3, although any of the lother structural arrangements described above may be used without departing from the scope of this invention.

Several improved liquid containers equipped with sipping straws have been described above. These containers have the features that the straw is maintained by a protective enclosure in a sanitary condition prior to the use of the straw, and that removal of the enclosure is simple. A container equipped according to this invention is a marketable device and its utility is readily apparent, particularly in schools where the container is to be use-d by small children .since complicated procedures are not required to place the straw in condition for use.

While the invention has been described above in conjunction with specific apparatus and procedural steps, such subject matter has been set forth merely by way of example in conjunction with the explanation of presently preferred embodiments of the invention. These examples are not to be considered as limiting the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a liquid container having an enclosed volume the combination comprising an aperture through a portion of the container communicati-ng the enclosed volume with the exterior of the container, a sipping straw disposed in the enclosed volume and extending through the aperture to be exposed exteriorly of the container, the portion of the straw exteriorly of the container bei-ng substantially aligned with the portion of the straw within the enclosed volume, straw cover means enclosing the exposed portion of the straw, and means for removably mounting the straw cover means to the container and for sealing the straw and the enclosed volume from the exterior of the container.

2. In a liquid container having an enclosed volume the 6 combination comprising an aperture through a portion of the container communicating the enclosed volume with the exterior of the container, a sipping straw disposed in the enclosed volume and extending through the aperture to be exposed exteriorly of the container, the portion of the straw exteriorly of the container being substantially aligned with the portion of the straw Within the enclosed volume, straw cover means defining a receptacle for said exposed portion of the straw, and means for removably securing the straw cover means to the container circumferentially of the aperture so that the portion of the straw exposed exteriorly of the enclosed volume is sealed from the exterior of the container and for defining a frangible connection and seal between the container and the outer surface of the straw.

3. In a liquid container having an enclosed volume and a top, the combination comprising an aperture through the top communicating the enclosed volume with the exterior of the container, a straw cover member having a hole therethrough mounted to the top exteriorly of the enclosed volume with the hole aligned with the aperture, a sipping straw disposed in the enclosed volume and extending through the aperture to an end positioned within the hole, means releasably securing the straw cover member to the container and sealing the aperture around the external peripheral of the sipping straw, andmeans sealing the hole remote from the container.

4. In a liquid container having an enclosed volume, a top, and means defining a peripherally enclosed upwardly opening recess in the top, the combination comprising an aperture through the top in the recess communicating the enclosed volume with the exterior of the container, a straw cover member having a hole therethrough mounted to the top within the recess exteriorily of the enclosed volume with the hole aligned with the aperture, a sipping straw disposed in the enclosed volume and extending through the aperture to an end positioned within the hole, means releasably securing the straw cover member to the container in the recess and sealing the aperture around the external periphery of the sipping straw, and means sealing the hole remote from the container.

5. A liquid container according to claim 4 wherein the straw cover member is disposed so that the hole extends along a line substantially normal to the top.

6. A liquid container yaccording to claim 4 wherein the combined extent of the straW cover member and the hole sealing means along a line normal to the top is no greater than the depth of the recess.

7. A liquid container according to claim 6 wherein the straw cover member in at least one direction transversely of the recess has a maximum dimension less than the dimension of the recess in the same direction.

8. In a liquid container having an encloed volume and a top, the combination comprising an aperture through the top communicating the enclosed volume with the exterior of the container, a straw cover member having a hole therethrough mounted to the top exteriorly of the enclosed volume with the hole aligned with the aperture, a sipping straw disposed in the enclosed volume and extending through the aperture to an end positioned within the hole, a quantity of wax securing the straw cover member to the container and sealing the aperture around the outer periphery of the sipping straw, and means sealing the hole remote from the container.

9. A liquid container according to claim 8 wherein the straw cover member comprises a disc of impermeable multicellular plastic foam material.

10. A yliquid container according to claim 8 wherein the hole sealing means comprises a sheet of paper disposed across the hole and secured to the straw cover member.

11. In a liquid container having an encloed volume, a top, and means defining a peripherally enclosed upwardly opening substantially circular recess in the top, the combination comprising .an aperture through the top in the recess communicating the enclosed volume with the exterior of the container, a straw cover member having a hole therethrough mounted to the top in the recess exteriorly of the enclosed volume so that the hole is aligned with the aperture and extends normal to the top, the straw cover member being fabricated of impermeable multicellular plastic foam material having a maximum dimension in at least one direction diametrically of the recess less than the diameter `of the recess and a maximum dimension in the direction of the hole less than the depth of the recess, a sipping straw disposed in the enclosed volume and extending through the aperture to an end positioned within the hole, a quantity of wax disposed between the cover member and the top for securing the cover member to the container and for sealing the aperture around the outer periphery of the sipping straw, and means sealing the hole remote from the container.

12. A liquid container according to claim 11 wherein the straw cover member in a direction transverse to said at least one direction extends into Contact with the limits of the recess at diametrically opposed locations in the recess.

13. A liquid container according to claim 11 wherein the straw cover member comprises a circular disc of said plastic foam material.

14. A liquid container according to claim 13 wherein 25 the hole sealing means comprises a strip of impermeable flexible material disposed adjacent one end thereof across the hole at the end of the hole opposite from the container and sealed circumferentially of the hole to the straw cover member, the one end of the strip being disposed laterally outwardly of the straw cover member, the strip 5 adjacent its other end being secured between the straw cover member and the container top.

15. A liquid container according to claim 13 lwherein the disc has a reduced diameter portion concentric to the hole.

16. A liquid container according to claim 15 wherein the disc has equal diameters at its opposite sides and the reduced diameter portion is located between the sides of the disc.

15 References Cited by the Examm er UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,053,299 9/1936 Reed 53-14 2,392,479 1/ 1946 Humbert 229-7 20 2,663,981 12/1953 Sanford 53-14 2,800,265 7/1957 Pugh 229-7 2,805,809 9/1957 Pugh 229-7 3,021,991 2/ 1962 Cohen et al 229-7 GEORGE O. RALSTON, Primary Examiner.

JOSPEH R. LECLAIR, DAVID M. BOCKENEK,

Examiners.

Claims

2. IN A LIQUID CONTAINER HAVING AN ENCLOSED VOLUME THE COMBINATION COMPRISING AN APERTURE THROUGH A PORTION OF THE CONTAINER COMMUNICATING THE ENCLOSED VOLUME WITH THE EXTERIOR OF THE CONTAINER, A SIPPING STRAW DISPOSED IN THE ENCLOSED VOLUME AND EXTENDING THROUGH THE APERTURE TO BE EXPOSED EXTERIORLY OF THE CONTAINER, THE PORTION OF THE STRAW EXTERIORLY OF THE CONTAINER BEING SUBSTANTIALLY ALIGNED WITH THE PORTION OF THE STRAW WITHIN THE ENCLOSED VOLUME, STRAW COVER MEANS DEFINING A RECEPTACLE FOR SAID