WO2006097790A1

WO2006097790A1 - Liquid container

Info

Publication number: WO2006097790A1
Application number: PCT/IB2005/003899
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carmen Demetz; Jack Fleming
Original assignee: Living Picture Ag; Merchants Publishing Company
Priority date: 2005-01-07
Filing date: 2005-12-28
Publication date: 2006-09-21

Abstract

A food or liquid container comprising a circular top opening and substantially vertical sides, characterized in that said sides are formed by substantially planar panels disposed at an angle from each other and forming a polygon when viewed from above.

Description

LIQUID CONTAINER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to lenticular cups and more specifically it relates to a flat panel, multi- wall, 3d / special effect image, beverage / food container for providing a unique, new and more cost-effective design and method to produce beverage and food containers with a 3D or special effects image display which may be of lenticular, holographic and/or any other specialized imaging technology

[now known or as yet to be developed which may be incorporated in the production of the container and/or which may be used with the container in such methods as are described herein or are yet to be developed but which shall be found to conform to the description of the invention as outlined herein] and for the further purpose of providing new and unique options and benefits to potential users of the invention which are not now available in the use of similar items currently in the marketplace. Description of the Prior Art

It can be appreciated that lenticular cups have been in use for years. Typically, lenticular cups are comprised of a wide variety of cups and mugs incorporating plastic lenticular images into or onto the exterior surface, which are produced by several different methods, in various sizes and of various materials and all sharing the common characteristic of a primarily round and continuously circular shape and structure.

The main problem with conventional lenticular cups are is that the highly curved surface of the round structure requires complex and problematic methods and equipment to accomplish secure adhesion of the image to the cup surface which will remain strong enough to resist the memory reflex of the plastic lenticular material to return to a flat form and position. Another problem with conventional lenticular cups are is that the highly curved surface of the round structure produces a variable focal pitch across the surface of the lenticular lens through which the image is viewed. This requires a complex and problematic method to calculate and correctly match a variable interlacing pitch which is used with the image in preparing the image for printing. Another problem with conventional lenticular cups are is the inability to offer more than one distinct and separate image adhered to the cup as an individual print and separated from other prints which may occupy other distinct spaces on the same cup, and which would allow for individual and multiple advertisers or sponsors to present their image and message as a stand-alone print and thereby not having to share space on the same singular lenticular print which wraps as one continuous piece around a standard circular, round shaped cup .

While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for providing a unique, new and more cost-effective design and method to produce beverage and food containers with a 3D or special effects image display which may be of lenticular, holographic and/or any other specialized imaging technology

[now known or as yet to be developed which may be incorporated in the production of the container and/or which may be used with the container in such methods as are described herein or are yet to be developed but which shall be found to conform to the description of the invention as outlined herein] and for the further purpose of providing new and unique options and benefits to potential users of the invention which are not now available in the use of similar items currently in the marketplace. The main problem with conventional lenticular cups are is that the highly curved surface of the round structure requires complex and problematic methods and equipment to accomplish secure adhesion of the image to the cup surface which will remain strong enough to resist the memory reflex of the plastic lenticular material to return to a flat form and position. Another problem is that the highly curved surface of the round structure produces a variable focal pitch across the surface of the lenticular lens through which the image is viewed. This requires a complex and problematic method to calculate and correctly match a variable interlacing pitch which is used with the image in preparing the image for printing. Also, another problem is the inability to offer more than one distinct and separate image adhered to the cup as an individual print and separated from other prints which may occupy other distinct spaces on the same cup, and which would allow for individual and multiple advertisers or sponsors to present their image and message as a stand-alone print and thereby not having to share space on the same singular lenticular print which wraps as one continuous piece around a standard circular, round shaped cup.

In these respects, the flat panel, multi-wall, 3d / special effect image, beverage / food container according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a unique, new and more cost-effective design and method to produce beverage and food containers with a 3D or special effects image display which may be of lenticular, holographic and/or any other specialized imaging technology [now known or as yet to be developed which may be incorporated in the production of the container and/or which may be used with the container in such methods as are described herein or are yet to be developed but which shall be found to conform to the description of the invention as outlined herein] and for the further purpose of providing new and unique options and benefits to potential users of the invention which are not now available in the use of similar items currently in the marketplace.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of lenticular cups now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new flat panel, multi-wall, 3d / special effect image, beverage / food container construction wherein the same can be utilized for providing a unique, new and more cost-effective design and method to produce beverage and food containers with a 3D or special effects image display which may be of lenticular, holographic and/or any other specialized imaging technology [now known or as yet to be developed which may be incorporated in the production of the container and/or which may be used with the container in such methods as are described herein or are yet to be developed but which shall be found to conform to the description of the invention as outlined herein] and for the further purpose of providing new and unique options and benefits to potential users of the invention which are not now available in the use of similar items currently in the marketplace .

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new flat panel, multi-wall, 3d / special effect image, beverage / food container that has many of the advantages of the lenticular cups mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new flat panel, multi-wall, 3d / special effect image, beverage / food container which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art lenticular cups, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises the side wall image display panels, the bottom panel, the specialized image prints, in some variations the travel holder adaptor area and in some variations a handle; all of which, constructed together, comprise the structure of the beverage or food container. The image display panels are flat or near-flat and are separated by a bend in the container structure. The bottom panel joins the display panels and is flat to ensure the container stands upright. The specialized prints are 3D or special effect images and are mounted to the image display panels. The holder adaptor extends below the display panels and is shaped to fit various common holders. The handle is generally C-shaped and attached to the side of the container.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting .

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a food or liquid container comprising a circular top opening and substantially vertical sides, characterized in that said sides are formed by substantially planar panels disposed at an angle from each other and forming a polygon when viewed from above.

For the purposes of this patent application, "polygon" shall mean a plane figure bounded by straight or substantially straight lines lines, which lines may or may not be of different lengths.

In a preferred embodiment, said container is characterized in that one or more of said planar panels include graphics for entertainment, advertising or information purposes.

In a further preferred embodiment, said graphics are lenticular devices displaying at least two different images on a same panel.

In an alternate preferred embodiment, said graphics are holograms . An object of the present invention is to provide a flat panel, multi-wall, 3d / special effect image, beverage / food container for providing a unique, new and more cost-effective design and method to produce beverage and food containers with a 3D or special effects image display which may be of lenticular, holographic and/or any other specialized imaging technology [now known or as yet to be developed which may be incorporated in the production of the container and/or which may be used with the container in such methods as are described herein or are yet to be developed but which shall be found to conform to the description of the invention as outlined herein] and for the further purpose of providing new and unique options and benefits to potential users of the invention which are not now available in the use of similar items currently in the marketplace.

Another object is to provide a flat panel, multi-wall,

3d / special effect image, beverage / food container that displays lenticular, holographic or other unique 3D or special effects images on a cup, mug or other beverage or food container.

Another object is to provide a flat panel, multi-wall, 3d / special effect image, beverage / food container that allows for the image to lay flat or near-flat on a flat or near-flat, slightly curved area of the exterior surface of the beverage or food container.

Another object is to provide a flat panel, multi-wall, 3d / special effect image, beverage / food container that allows for the image to lay near-flat but slightly curved but only to the limit of a curvature radius which will not create a variable focal pitch in the lens of any lenticular material used to display images on the beverage or food container.

Another object is to provide a flat panel, multi-wall, 3d / special effect image, beverage / food container that allows for the image to lay near-flat but slightly curved but only to the limit of a curvature radius which will not require that a variable interlace pitch be used in preparing the image to be printed to match a variable focal length lens pitch in the lenticular material.

Another object is to provide a flat panel, multi-wall, 3d / special effect image, beverage / food container that allows for the option of various multiple, separate and distinctly different images to be displayed in multiple and separated areas on the exterior surface of the same beverage or food container. Another object is to provide a flat panel, multi-wall,

3d / special effect image, beverage / food container that allows for multiple and distinctly different images in separate locations on the same container to display images and/or messages from or of distinctly different advertisers, sponsors, products, brands or art themes while allowing for each to share a proportionate amount of the total cost of the container, thereby providing a way to reduce the individual advertiser or sponsor's cost while still providing the opportunity to use this display medium.

Another object is to provide a flat panel, multi-wall, 3d / special effect image, beverage / food container that allows an advertiser or sponsor to make use of the specialized 3D or special effects images in less than all available display areas on one container while other display areas are left blank or used for standard print images and thereby reducing the cost of production for the specialized 3D or special effects images while still providing a unique message display medium for the advertiser or sponsor.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG.l is Top view of various structural shapes such as square (1), octagon (2), pentagon (3), triangle (4). These shapes are for illustration purpose, as various additional shapes are within the scope of the invention. Each shape is having its side wall panel display (5) and variable radius bend point ( 6) .

FIG.2 is a side view of the display panels (7) and the image display area (8) . FIG.3 is a side view of basic cups. The pictures show a basic straight wall cup (9) and a basic V-shaped cup (10) . Also visible are the display panels (7) and image display area (8) .

FIG.4 is a side view of basic cups, straight wall (9) and V-shape (10), with holder adaptor (11). Also visible are the display panels (7) and image display area (8) .

FIG.5 is a side view of mug or cup or container, straight wall (9) or V-shaped (10) with handle (12) .

FIG.6 is Side view of shallow food container, straight wall (9) or V-shaped (10), with display panels (7) and image display area (8) .

FIG.7 is a top view of a beverage container with circular structural extension (13) above side wall display panels (5) in square shape (1) and variable radius bend point (6).

FIG.8 is perspective view of beverage container with circular structural extension (13) above side wall display panels (5) in square shape (1) and variable radius bend point (6) . The walls are in a slight V-shape (10) with display panels (7) and image display area (8). DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the attached figures illustrate a flat panel, multi-wall, 3d / special effect image, beverage / food container, which comprises the side wall image display panels, the bottom panel, the specialized image prints, in some variations the travel holder adaptor area and in some variations a handle; all of which, constructed together, comprise the structure of the beverage or food container. The image display panels are flat or near-flat and are separated by a bend in the container structure. The bottom panel joins the display panels and is flat to ensure the container stands upright. The specialized prints are 3D or special effect images and are mounted to the image display panels. The holder adaptor extends below the display panels and is shaped to fit various common holders. The handle is generally C-shaped and attached to the side of the container.

The image display panels are flat or near-flat and are separated by a bend in the container structure. The display panels may be flat or near-flat with a slightly curved exterior presentation and form the primary side wall structure of the container. There will be a multiple number of individual side wall display panels which will be distinctly separated from each other by structural bend points in the construction of the container, which shall produce, when viewed from the top, various container shapes such as square, triangular, octagonal or such other shapes that will present an overall container shape such that the structure is not, and could not be mistaken to be, continuously round and circular such as is common in currently standard beverage cups and mugs with no distinct bend points separating individual side wall panels. Each individual side wall image display panel will generally be of a square or rectangular overall shape and may present a straight wall or V-shaped profile when viewed from the side, as required by the size and dimensions of the specific container to be produced which, for different end-use purposes and/or client needs, may vary in size and may be in different configurations of total number of side wall display panels. Additionally, each display panel may be constructed to provide a display area which may present images of various shapes and sizes, such as round or rectangular or otherwise, and may be further distinctly separated into smaller individual display areas as may be necessary to suit the specific product or client needs. Additionally each display panel may be designed and constructed with a recessed area for the purpose of providing alignment guides for correct placement of the image on or into the display panel.

The bottom panel joins the display panels and is flat to ensure the container stands upright. The bottom panel will be flat to allow for a securely stable, individually freestanding finished container and will be of a size and shape as will be required to conform with the dimensions of the various cup configurations to be produced and of which it may be a part. One possible variation may be a bottom panel with a recessed inner area creating an outer rim encompassing the perimeter of the bottom of the container and which would make contact with any surface upon which the container may be placed.

The specialized prints are 3D or special effect images and are mounted to the image display panels. The specialized 3D or special effects prints may be produced through lenticular or holographic technologies and methods or through such other imaging technologies and methods as may be suitable and adaptable to the intentions and purposes of the invention. Generally speaking, the specialized prints will be produced separately from the production of the container and will be applied to the surface by any one of a variety of currently available, or yet to be developed, attachment methods and will adhere to the display area through the use of adhesive bonding compounds, radio frequency (sonic) welding, thermal welding or such other method as may be appropriate. One functional variation for the specialized print may provide for a double layer of pressure sensitive adhesive which would allow for the image to be first attached to the container and later removed from the container as a collectible or keepsake item which would provide the additional benefit of allowing for the container to be constructed of a cheap and disposable material while leaving the message carrying image with the intended recipient.

The holder adaptor extends below the display panels and is shaped to fit various common holders. In some production configurations, the travel holder adaptor would be an additional structural component aside from, and would not be a functional part of, the image display panel area, providing an extended portion of the structure of the container further below the display area to allow that lower portion of the container to fit securely in automotive, carry-out and other such travel holders. One possible variation may involve a holder adaptor constructed in such a manner so as to create a separate component which may be attached and removed and which would provide a structural extension below the bottom panel which would not provide for the containment of a beverage or food and which would be intended only to support the cup in a holder. The handle is generally C-shaped and attached to the side of the container. In some production configurations, the handle would be an additional structural component aside from, and would not be a functional part of, the image display panel area, and would be generally designed in a manner such as is standard in common use on many beverage cups and mugs and would be intended to provide a basic holding and lifting function. One possible variation may involve a handle incorporated into the construction of the container in such a manner so as to allow the handle to lay flat against the side of the container and, when needed, to be pulled out and away from the container to perform it ' s intended function.

The multiple side wall image display panels will be connected to each other as one continuous unit while, at the same time, separated from each other by distinct structural bends, at various degrees of radius, between each pair of panels and will form the upright structure of the container. The bottom panel will be connected to each of the upright side wall display panels by an approximate 90 degree bend which will function to provide enclosed containment at the bottom of the structure and a secure base to allow the container to be stable when left free-standing on a horizontal surface. In some variations a holder adapter area, which may be of various shapes as necessary to perform the intended function, will form an extension of the container below the side wall image display panels and will connect to the bottom panel to complete the containment structure. And in some variations one or more handles, which may be of various shapes and sizes as necessary to perform the intended function, will be attached to, or will be an extension of, one or more side wall panels. Possible variations of the invention as previously described may include: an extension of the structure of the container projecting a short distance above the side wall image display panels which would substantially depart from the primary shape of the container throughout the area of the image display panels to form a circular shape and structural extension at the immediate top area to facilitate ease of consuming liquids from containers intended for use with beverages; a top covering panel which may also be used for image display and which may be separate from the side wall panels or which may be connected to the side wall panels by various methods or styles of construction; a bottom panel with a recessed inner area creating an outer rim encompassing the perimeter of the bottom of the container and which would make contact with any surface upon which the container may be placed; a side panel with a handle incorporated into the construction of the container in such a manner so as to allow the handle to lay flat against the side of the container and, when needed, to be pulled out and away from the container to perform it's intended function; as well as numerous other design variations in size, shape and/or construction as may be required by individual clients or end use application while still specifically or generally falling within the parameters of the invention as previously described and performing the intended function of 3D and/or special effects image display on a beverage or food container designed and constructed incorporating multiple and separate flat, or near-flat and slightly curved, side wall image display panels. In another variation, and in any case where the radius of the side wall display panels may be great enough to require distortion of the image to adapt the interlace pitch to a variable focal pitch in a lenticular lens, the invention may incorporate a unique, new method of distorting or manipulating interlaced imagery for the purpose of making a 3D or special effects image (a dimensional . or multi-phased image such as an animation, a short motion picture sequence, an image that morphs one object into another, or a plurality of images that alternate when viewed at particular viewing angles), where the interlaced image appears without substantial distortion at a particular predetermined viewing distance from the object to which they are applied, when that object's shape is something other than planar or substantially flat, such as a cylindrical, conical, frustoconical, parabolic, convex, or concaved surface shape. While there are several patents issued to others which deal with the process in a substantially different manner, the new method described herein points out the failure of the existing patents to simplify the process of performing such distortion. This method will provide the ability to determine the actual optical frequency of a Lenticular lens as applied to a nonplanar and/or geometrical shape (as described above) from a particular predetermined viewing distance in order to interlace the image file to be printed at a value equal or in direct proportional ratio to that optical frequency. Patent # 6,490,092 claims unique methods to create and apply a "resfinder" to Lenticular lens material to establish a base resolution, and then by means of either forming the Lenticular/image composite into a shape or by means of it's application to a curved or other nonplanar (not flat) surface, it is possible to establish a distortion value to be used to modify an interlaced image file so that when it is output, printed, and placed in correspondence with the Lenticular lenticules and applied to the shaped or nonplanar surface, that image can essentially be viewed from a predetermined viewing distance with little or no distortion. The new method described herein, and to be used in this variation, greatly simplifies this process by eliminating unnecessary steps. By printing a frequency measuring device (image patterns with particularly assigned values whereby they are output using a high resolution device (such as those listed in the NG patent) either directly onto the lens material in proper alignment and parallel to the lenticules, or by printing the image directly to a suitable substrate and then bringing that "print" into proper alignment (correspondence) with the lens material, then either forming the lens/image composite into, or adhering it to the desired shape, the proper optical frequency can be determined by viewing it from a predetermined sight distance, therefore eliminating the step of establishing a base resolution. Furthermore, the value determined by our method can simply be used as the frequency (resolution value) to interlace the images in the first place, rather than having to alter or distort the interlaced image files/data to fit the shape. Our method therefore eliminates steps, therefore reducing costs and waste. In another embodiment of this variation, a method will be described which allows for establishment of the "optical frequency variable" associated with conical, frustoconical, and other non-uniformly distributed geometry as it may relate to Lenticular lens materials, which are essentially an array of plano-convex lenses formed on one surface with an opposing surface set apart by a suitable substrate (such as clear plastic material), the lenticules of which are linear. Lenticular lens material formed into any shape other than cylindrical, or planar, causes the lens pattern to appear non-linear when used as an optical array for the purpose of viewing imagery placed into correspondence with the lens material. Therefore, such images must be either distorted along with the corresponding interlacing or the interlaced files must be distorted to those values based on the actual geometry present when the object is formed, so as to properly display equal to the optical properties of the final lenticular shape desired. .

The operation of the invention involves the use of the container to hold and transport beverages or food and to provide a container from which the beverage or food may be consumed while additionally providing a single area or multiple areas for the display of specialized 3D and/or special effects images for the purpose of presenting advertising, marketing or promotional messages and/or images and additionally for the purpose of presenting unique images in a manner which may create a line of commercially appealing retail merchandise. In addition to beverages and food, it is recognized that the invention may be easily used or adapted to perform the same function with other commodities, articles or objects and it is intended by the inventors that the invention shall be used in such manner.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is Claimed is:

1. A food or liquid container comprising a circular top opening and substantially vertical sides, characterized in that said sides are formed by substantially planar panels disposed at an angle from each other and forming a polygon when viewed from above.

2. The container of claim 1, characterized in that one or more of said planar panels include graphics for entertainment, advertising or information purposes.

3. The container of claim 2, characterized in that said graphics are lenticular devices displaying at least two different images on a same panel, visible after either vertical (up/down) or horizontal movement (left/right) .

4. The container of claim 2, characterized in that said graphics are lenticular devices displaying 3-dimensional images .

5. The container of claim 2, characterized in that said graphics are lenticular devices displaying 3-dimensional images with left to right motion.

6. The container of claim 2, characterized in that said graphics are holograms .