WO2005118422A1

WO2005118422A1 - Drinking apparatus usable with a beverage container, and container incorporating same

Info

Publication number: WO2005118422A1
Application number: PCT/BR2005/000096
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eduardo Martins De Oliveira
Original assignee: Sonoco For-Plas S/A
Priority date: 2004-06-03
Filing date: 2005-06-02
Publication date: 2005-12-15
Also published as: EP1768919A1; CA2568653A1; BRMU8401242U

Abstract

A drinking apparatus for attachment to a beverage bottle (E) includes a lid that fits over the bottle’s mouth and closure to shield the user from the mouth and closure, and a straw (4) that is attached to the lid (3) and extends through the lid’s top panel, a lower end (5) of the straw (4) being configured to pierce through the bottle’s closure, which is typically a thin membrane (S) of suitable material such as aluminum or the like, which is thermo-sealed to the bottle mouth. The apparatus optionally can also include a fastener (2) for fastening about the body of the bottle (E), and a handle (1) that is attached to the lid (3) and to the fastener (2). The drinking apparatus preferably is a one-piece structure molded from a polymer material.

Description

DRINKING APPARATUS USABLE WITH A BEVERAGE CONTAINER, AND CONTAINER INCORPORATING SAME

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to technical and functional improvements specially developed and applied to a drinking apparatus that can easily be coupled with and uncoupled from a disposable beverage bottle, so that it can be more easily manipulated and used.

Presently there are countless types of disposable packages for several products that, in general, comprise small bottles with relatively large mouths. These packages are used for a wide variety of liquid food products, such as milk products, juices, and the like. In the majority of the cases, such packages are usually tightly closed by a thermo-sealed aluminum seal. Logically, this closure has already proven its industrial efficiency, ensuring two simultaneous effects: tightness and impossibility of tampering, since the removal of the seal would characterize an irreversible opening of the package.

On the other hand, it is also known that this kind of package, even though used by adults, also includes a specific consumer of very young age, thus adding other special considerations. More specifically, based on market research, it has been observed that mothers are afraid that in some way the aluminum seal that seals the mouth of the packages may touch their child's mouth, and consequently, they tend to use straws to decrease this risk. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the above circumstances and with the objective of overcoming them, the present invention was developed, which besides being a definitive solution for the above problem also adds other technical and functional characteristics, further adding value and differentiating the product packaged in the container.

A first objective of the invention in accordance with one embodiment thereof is to provide a drinking apparatus integrating a straw, a lid, a fastener, and a handle, preferably comprising a one-piece molded plastic structure, forming an extremely practical device that will allow a user to: a) break the aluminum seal of the package without running the risk of a cut; b) completely isolate the aluminum region or closing seal from contact with a user's mouth; and c) improve the user's manipulation of the package through the handle that makes the assembly a true "small mug".

The fastener is readily fastened to the body of the bottle. The engagement of the fastener with the body and the engagement of the lid with the bottle mouth ensures that the drinking apparatus is securely attached to the bottle. The bottle can be manipulated by grasping the handle of the drinking apparatus.

It can be noted that other advantages are added with the use of the present drinking apparatus. For example, it is not necessary to remove the aluminum seal, once the same is perforated by the straw. Even then, the aluminum seal region is completely enveloped by the integrated lid, thus offering complete safety for the user.

The drinking apparatus can be produced in multiple choices of colors to increase the "novelty" sensation for the user.

Optionally, the handle and fastener can be omitted, and the bottle can be grasped directly during use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 represents an upper angle enlarged perspective showing the package and the present drinking apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 shows a different enlarged perspective view, but from a bottom angle;

FIGURE 3 illustrates a view in perspective showing the straw perforating the package seal;

FIGURES 4 and 5 are perspectives showing the drinking apparatus applied on the package; FIGURE 6 depicts a side view in perspective of the drinking apparatus fastened to the package;

FIGURES 7 and 8 are perspective views of a modified drinking apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIGURES 9 and 10 are views showing a further embodiment of a drinking apparatus fastened to a correspondingly modified package; and

FIGURES 11, 12 and 13 are perspective views showing a simplified drinking apparatus in accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, without the handle and without the fastener. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present inventions now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

With reference particularly Figures 1 and 2, the present invention provides a drinking apparatus preferably in the form of a one-piece structure of molded (e.g., injection-molded) plastic material integrating four distinctive parts: a semicircular handle 1, vertically positioned, whose upper and lower ends are strategically positioned so that the lower end can coincide and be radially integrated in a fastener 2 preferably of a semi-circular or split-ring shape, while the upper end of the handle 1 is radially integrated to the cylindrical skirt of a lid 3 having a top panel trespassed by a straw or straw 4 also in an integrated way, having a short part exposed above the lid, while a greater proportion of the straw's length extends below the top panel, and wherein the lower end of the straw terminates obliquely, forming a perforating tip 5. Preferably, the fastener 2, the lid 3, and the straw 4 are axially aligned. As can be seen, the drinking apparatus is a device with all the means to be easily coupled on a common package in the form of a bottle E having a mouth sealed closed by a seal S, such as shown in Figure 3, where it can be seen that such coupling takes place by bringing the apparatus axially from top to bottom toward the package E so that the tip 5 of the straw perforates the seal S of the package E. In this condition, the top to bottom movement of the apparatus makes the lid 3 fit over the mouth of the package E completely covering the seal S and, at the same time, the fastener 2 is also secured about the body of the package E. The fastener 2 advantageously grips the package body between two opposing portions of the fastener. For instance, as shown, the fastener can comprise a split ring having two arcuate portions that grip the body. In order to enable the drinking apparatus to engage the package with a slight lock, the package E should present at least one step 6 on its body, where the fastener 2 is attached, as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, and where the final positioning of the drinking apparatus takes place, obtaining all those advantages mentioned previously, namely, a) to pierce the aluminum seal of the package without running the risk of a cut; b) to completely isolate the aluminum region from user contact; and c) to improve manipulation of the package by the user through the drinking apparatus that makes the assembly a true "small mug".

The different parts that represent the drinking apparatus can have different configurations, maintaining precisely the same constructive and functional concept. For example, Figures 7 through 10 illustrate examples of one of the several possible configurations, in which the fastener 2 presents a curved transversal section, while that illustrated on the previous figures presents a straight transversal section. The curved section allows the accommodation of the fastener in reentrance with an equally curved transversal section or waist region 7 existing in the body of an alternative package E. Therefore, the package E can present different silhouettes and thus the several parts forming the drinking apparatus should present formats compatible with the corresponding parts of the package E.

Figures 11, 12, and 13 illustrate another constructive variation for a drinking apparatus of simplified configuration, without the semi-circular handle 1 and without the fastener 2, but retaining the lid 3 and the straw 4, and wherein the straw can be positioned in an eccentric position with respect to the lid. In this constructive version, the functional aspects of the handle and fastener are omitted, but nevertheless the loss of the handle's function can be advantageously replaced or compensated for by providing the package E to have an easy-handling configuration, while the fastener function is also replaced advantageously by ensuring that the lid 3 engages the package with sufficient pressure to securely fix the apparatus to the package. Thus, this embodiment, just as the previous one, provides for the seal S of the package to be pierced by the tip 5 of the straw 4, and then the lid 3 is fitted on the package's mouth so as to provide a safe, efficient, and practical form so that the package can be used, for example, by a young child without fear of the child's mouth contacting the seal S.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A drinking apparatus for attachment to a bottle for beverages and other liquid food products, the bottle having a tubular body, a mouth, and a closure sealed across the mouth, the closure being structured and arranged to be readily pierced, the drinking apparatus comprising: a lid having a generally horizontal top panel and a skirt depending from an outer edge of the top panel, the lid being configured to fit over the mouth of the bottle and the closure thereon; and a drinking straw attached to the lid and extending through the top panel of the lid, the straw having a lower end configured to pierce through the closure on the bottle mouth.

2. The drinking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid and straw comprise a one-piece structure molded from a polymer material.

3. The drinking apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the straw is positioned eccentrically with respect to the top panel of the lid.

4. The drinking apparatus of claim 1, 2, or 3, further comprising: a handle having an upper end attached to the lid and having a lower end; and a fastener attached to the lower end of the handle and configured to fasten about the body of the bottle, such that the drinking apparatus is secured to the bottle by engagement of the fastener with the body and of the lid with the mouth.

5. The drinking apparatus of claim 4, wherein the lid, straw, handle, and fastener comprise a one-piece structure molded of a polymer material.

6. The drinking apparatus of claim 4, wherein the fastener comprises a gripper configured to extend around at least a majority of the circumference of the body of the bottle and to grip the body between opposing portions of the gripper.

7. The drinking apparatus of claim 6, wherein the gripper comprises a split ring for partially extending around the circumference of the body of the bottle.

8. A container for beverages and other liquid food products, comprising: a bottle having a tubular body, a mouth, and a closure sealed across the mouth, the closure being structured and arranged to be readily pierced; and a drinking apparatus for attachment to the bottle, the drinking apparatus comprising: a lid having a generally horizontal top panel and a skirt depending from an outer edge of the top panel, the lid being configured to fit over the mouth of the bottle and the closure thereon; and a drinking straw attached to the lid and extending through the top panel of the lid, the straw having a lower end configured to pierce through the closure on the bottle mouth.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the lid and straw comprise a one- piece structure molded of a polymer material.

10. The container of claim 8 or 9, wherein the lower end of the straw is pointed to facilitate piercing the closure.

11. The container of claim 8 or 9, wherein the straw extends for a greater length below the top panel of the lid than above the top panel of the lid.

12. The container of claim 8 or 9, further comprising: a handle having an upper end attached to the lid and having a lower end; and a fastener attached to the lower end of the handle and configured to fasten about the body of the bottle, such that engagement of the fastener with the body and of the lid with the mouth secure the drinking apparatus to the bottle.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the fastener comprises a gripper configured to extend around at least a majority of the circumference of the body of the bottle and to grip the body between opposing portions of the gripper.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein the gripper comprises a split ring for partially extending around the circumference of the body of the bottle.

15. The container of claim 13, wherein an outer surface of the body of the bottle engaged by the gripper is contoured to engage the gripper in a manner helping to prevent sliding of the gripper vertically upward along the body.

16. The container of claim 15, wherein the outer surface of body of the bottle defines a step that is abutted by an edge of the gripper.

17. The container of claim 15, wherein the outer surface of the body of the bottle defines a waist region having a smaller diameter than portions of the body immediately above and below the waist region, the gripper being configured to fit into the waist region in an interlocking manner.

18. The container of claim 17, wherein the handle extends between the upper and lower ends thereof in a generally C-shaped arc.

19. The container of claim 12, wherein the lid, straw, handle, and fastener comprise a one-piece structure molded of a polymer material.