WO2004089765A1

WO2004089765A1 - Tall and narrow beverage carton with handhole in side

Info

Publication number: WO2004089765A1
Application number: PCT/AU2004/000448
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giulio Barletta; Roger Ballestrin
Original assignee: Giulio Barletta; Roger Ballestrin
Priority date: 2003-04-07
Filing date: 2004-04-07
Publication date: 2004-10-21
Also published as: AU2003901619A0

Abstract

A container consisting of a tall and slender carton supporting therein pliable (21) for wine, etc (known as a “wine cask”) has an aperture close to the bottom of one side for a tap and a hole (14) at the top of the opposing side sized to allow passage of a plurality of fingers (20) so that an adult’s finger tips (26) can rest under the centre of the top wall (23) and thereby carry or tilt the container.

Description

TALL AND NARROW BEVERAGE CARTON WITH HANDHOLE IN SIDE

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to carton enclosures for liquid retaining bladders, and means for carrying such cartons.

BACKGROUND ART

The use of carton enclosures for liquid retaining bladders is well known, particularly where the liquid is wine, and the shape of the carton is such that the height of the carton is approximately the width and depth of that carton. In other words, the design of such a carton has been established where the shape of the carton is "squat".

The choice of a "squat" shape is very logical for a number of practical reasons. Firstly, the costs associated with the carton relate directly to the amount of material being used to form it, and the closer the shape is to a circle, the less outer surface material is required as compared to the volume of wine within the container. This shape therefore minimises the cost per unit of wine, of the outer carton.

Secondly, a "squat" box is relatively stable and especially allows for apertures in a top surface to be available for use in holding and carrying such containers. It is to be remembered that if the container is holding two, three or more litres of wine, then it is relatively heavy and awkward to hold.

A further possible reason that "squat" containers have generally been the only ones used and marketed to any great extent, is that in relation to any wine in a bladder, the internal pressure or head of liquid, directly defines the pressure acting against any outlet tap or valve. A "squat" box therefore keeps such head relatively low, and therefore assists in resisting against forced leakage through the valve.

Perhaps the reasons that we have described are the reasons that the original shape was chosen, but it is now some 40 years after the original development of the "squat" box, and very few changes have been made to it during this time. It has been discovered that there are now good reasons to totally reconsider the design of carton enclosures for liquid retaining bladders, where there is provided a lowermost tap for dispensing of liquid within the bladder. It has been realised that there is significant advantage in departing now from what appears to have been the "traditional design".

In a broadest sense this is then to provide a tall and slender container including an outer surrounding and supporting carton having within it and supported thereby a pliable bladder for holding liquid beverage. More specifically, a carton wherein the outer enclosure shape has overall dimensions approximate to those of a conventional wine bottle.

Such a tall and slender shape with a substantially square cross sectional shape in plan, has some surprising advantages.

A first of these is that such a tall and slender container can fit into numerous locations traditionally proportioned cartons could not, rather than having to be located in a separate area in retail outlets or other bottle stores. Furthermore, these containers fit into the areas previously specifically set aside for bottles, such as in retail refrigerators, and the doors of domestic refrigerators.

While such a container can otherwise be treated in the same way as a bottle, because it is shaped to take up a full "square" area, the contents of three standard bottles can be contained in the footprint space that would otherwise be required by a bottle of similar overall dimensions.

Containers of this type offer the further significant advantage of providing flat surfaces, which lend them selves to adornment with indicia of a promotional or informative nature. As such, these cartons lend themselves to being promoted more aggressively than equivalent sized bottles, which may sit directly alongside.

Given also that the cost of the contents of such a container may only form a modest proportion of the total cost of the product when packaged, consumers can be confident of obtaining very good value for money.

Considering now the possible disadvantages, there are now improved taps that can resist higher head pressures and therefore resist unnecessary, or accidental release of liquid, even under impact conditions that might occur during standard transport.

Furthermore, such a tall and slender container will be proportionately heavier than a bottle of equivalent overall dimensions due to its increased capacity, and will therefore require greater effort to carry.

It is an object of this invention therefore, to provide a means for carrying such a container.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is a tall and slender container for liquid beverages, where the container includes an outer surrounding and supporting carton having within it and supported thereby a pliable bladder for holding liquid beverage, the carton having a top wall, four sides walls and a bottom wall defining together a rectilinear shape and where the dimensions of the top and bottom walls are such that these have a width and length which are each at least less than one third of the height of each respective side wall, so that the overall shape is a tall and slender carton, the shape and size of the bladder and the carton further being dimensioned so that the bladder when substantially but not entirely filled with liquid beverage substantially fills the carton, the bladder also having a tap positioned shaped and of a size such that it will extend through an aperture at a lower location of a side wall of the carton, and there being an aperture through a one of the side walls of the carton which is located at or close to the top of the carton and which has a width and depth of a size and shape to allow a plurality of fingers of an adult person to pass at least substantially there through.

Preferably, the aperture located at or close to the top of the carton is also such that the fingers of an adult hand can pass through the aperture to an extent that the fingertips of the hand can rest under a centre of the top wall of the container, and provide carrying support for the container thereby.

Preferably, the aperture located at or close to the top of the carton is located in a sidewall opposing the sidewall in which the tap aperture is located.

Preferably, the aperture located at or close to the top of the carton is accessible by diversion of a portion of the sidewall, which is adapted to be displaced inwardly.

Preferably, the carton is made from single ply cardboard.

Preferably, the internal dimensions of the carton are such that they are adapted to hold a quantity of liquid in the range of 2000 to 2500mls.

Preferably, the internal dimensions of the carton are within a range of 270-340 mm height, and 85-100 mm for a width and depth of each respective side.

Preferably, the bladder is holding wine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of this invention, it will now be described in reference to a preferred embodiment, which shall be described with the assistance of the following drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the carton according to the preferred embodiment;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the opposite face of the carton as in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional through the carton, showing the carton being held in the carrying position; Figure 3a is a cross sectional view through the carton;

Figure 4 is a front view of the carton;

Figure 5 is a rear view of the carton; and

Figure 6 is a plan view of the top of the carton.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is a tall and slender container including an outer surrounding carton 1 , that is formed from single ply cardboard, in which there are perforations at 2 to allow for the ready access through the corrugated cardboard material of carton 1 , to a tap 3, which is attached to the bladder within the carton. The carton itself has flaps 6 and 7.

The opposite face of the carton 1 has a perforated outline 10 that allows for section 12 to be pushed inwards to create the aperture 14.

Accordingly, the use of carton 1 can be seen in figure 3. The fingers 20 of an adult persons hand can be inserted through aperture 14, pushing section 12 inwards, to comfortably hold carton 1. In doing so, the internal bladder 21 of carton 1 is slightly deformed. Section 12 folds inwards and upwards, towards the uppermost inside face 23 so as to rest against face 23. In this way then the fingers 20 are supporting the top of the carton from the inside face 23.

The tips of the fingers 26 then are located at approximately the middle of the top of the carton.

The handle in the carton then is adapted to encourage a user to insert their hand into the handle with their palm facing upwardly. This naturally and automatically encourages a user to lift the carton using their biceps, reducing the perceived effort required to handle the cask.

The weight of the carton 1 is transmitted via the top edge of the slotted handle aperture 14, which incorporates an inwardly protruding tab 12 that spreads the load over the padded portion of the hand. The carton then pivots about this point until the fingertips 26 of the hand come into contact with the inner top surface of the cask, where it then rests very comfortably so as to give the carton a slight downward inclination.

This slight downward and forward inclination of the cask when it is being handled is a very natural and effective position for pouring, as the user has a free hand with which to operate the tap, and the inclination places the head of the liquid above the tap, even when the cask is nearing empty.

As can be seen from figure 1 , the appearance of such a tall and slender container begins to resemble that of a box used to enclose bottles, and by the selection of the appropriate dimensions, both the size of the carton 1 and the quantity of product that it can hold within are found to have quite significant advantages.

The height illustrated at 8 in the first embodiment is 328mm and sides 9 and 9a are of equal size. In this case, each is of 95mm. As such, the equivalent internal dimensions for this carton are then 322mm in height and 92mm for both the sides, this then allows for a bag or internal bladder, as shown in the cut-away figure 3a, showing the internal height dimension 27 and one of the internal side dimensions 28, to define a volume capacity at 2250ml.

In a further embodiment, the internal dimensions have a height of 325mm and both sides are of 90mm. This then provides a volume again of 2250ml, which is three times the normal volume of a conventional wine bottle, which is 750ml.

When a customer inserts their fingers into aperture 14 of carton Fig 2, this then provides a very comfortable and relatively easy way of providing or having a secure means of holding the carton and does away with the necessity to have a handle or holding member attached to the top of the container, which may inhibit the stacking of such cartons as well as effecting the overall appearance of such a carton, the latter being a significant issue in relation to the potential purchasing public.

There is provided, therefore, a perception of value for money to a consumer as the ratio of volume to area of the containing bag is significantly less than previously proposed or commercially provided for, and furthermore, there is a greater visual impact than has until now been available with the use of conventional casks. It is also relatively straightforward and easy to carry as the shape of the aperture 14 and its location allows it to hang more ergonomically on the fingers or hand of a holder.

Additionally, the tall and slender proportions provides a significant head pressure above the tap outlet 3 Fig 1 , which then allows, when compared to traditional squat type boxes, a more steady and even flow of wine for a equivalent period of use. This has the effect that more of the liquid contents will be able to be dispensed without the need for tilting of the container or removal of the internal bladder, which is rather customary for users to do in the case of squat boxes, as there is a greater percentage volume of contents left remaining in the bladder of squat boxes.

The significant advantage of such an arrangement is that while it loses efficiency in terms of volume contained within as compared to surface area, suddenly the enclosure takes on a shape that will fit, as would a bottle, within the appropriate places in storage devices such as within a refrigerated door.

Furthermore, despite the additional cost which arises because of the now extended surface to volume ratio, the shape takes on proportions which are viewed by many potential customers as indicating a product of higher quality, the product then itself can carry a higher price point and, even more importantly, will be able to take its place within bottle displays rather than cask displays only.

For all these reasons, it is considered that this invention is of great economic and functional importance in the arena of retail carton sales.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognised that departures can be made within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details described herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the appended claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS

1. A tall and slender container for liquid beverages, where the container includes an outer surrounding and supporting carton having within it and supported thereby a pliable bladder for holding liquid beverage, the carton having a top wall, four sides walls and a bottom wall defining together a rectilinear shape and where the dimensions of the top and bottom walls are such that these have a width and length which are each at least less than one third of the height of each respective side wall, so that the overall shape is a tall and slender carton, the shape and size of the bladder and the carton further being dimensioned so that the bladder when substantially but not entirely filled with liquid beverage substantially fills the carton, the bladder also having a tap positioned shaped and of a size such that it will extend through an aperture at a lower location of a side wall of the carton, and there being an aperture through a one of the side walls of the carton which is located at or close to the top of the carton and which has a width and depth of a size and shape to allow a plurality of fingers of an adult person to pass at least substantially there through.

2. A tall and slender container for liquid beverages as in claim 1 , further characterised in that the aperture located at or close to the top of the carton is also such that the fingers of an adult hand can pass through the aperture to an extent that the finger tips of the hand can rest under a centre of the top wall of the container, and provide carrying support for the container thereby.

3. A tall and slender container for liquid beverages as in any one of the preceding claims, further characterised in that the aperture for the fingers of a hand is located in a sidewall opposing the sidewall in which the tap aperture is located.

4. A tall and slender container for liquid beverages, as in any one of the preceding claims, further characterised in that the aperture located at or close to the top of the carton is accessible by diversion of a portion of the sidewall, which is adapted to be displaced inwardly.

5. A tall and slender container for liquid beverages as in any one of the preceding claims, further characterised in that the carton is made from single ply cardboard.

6. A tall and slender container for liquid beverages as in any one of the preceding claims, further characterised in that the bladder, and the internal dimensions of the carton are such that they are adapted to hold a quantity of liquid in the range of 2000 to 2500mls.

7. A tall and slender container for liquid beverages as in any one of the preceding claims, further characterised in that the internal dimensions of the carton are within a range of 270-340 mm height, and 85-100 mm for a width and depth of each respective side.

8. A tall and slender container for liquid beverages as in any one of the preceding claims, further characterised in that the bladder is holding wine.

9. A tall and slender container for liquid beverages substantially as described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying illustrations.

Dated this 7^th day of April 2004

GIULIO BARLETTA & ROGER BALLESTRIN

By Their Patent Attorneys

COLLISON & CO