WO2018141007A1

WO2018141007A1 - Temperature control beverage packaging

Info

Publication number: WO2018141007A1
Application number: PCT/AU2018/050053
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Bourke
Original assignee: Lactote Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2017-01-31
Filing date: 2018-01-29
Publication date: 2018-08-09

Abstract

A beverage package comprises two or more beverage containers, the two or more beverage containers being unitized by a wrapping film, wherein the wrapping film is configured so as to form a substantially watertight region about the lower regions of the two or more containers. The substantially watertight region may provide a vessel-like form, such that removal of one of the beverage containers allows for a quantity of ice to be placed about the remaining container, and the cold water resulting from the melting ice is retained within the watertight region. The watertight region may be formed from the sheet of wrapping film being disposed underneath the two or more containers, and the peripheral regions of the wrapping sheet being brought upwardly so as to be disposed about the sides of the two or more containers. The beverage package is useful in keeping beverages cold at picnics, barbeques and the like.

Description

TEMPERATURE CONTROL BEVERAGE PACKAGING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the field of unitized packages for the sale of beverages at the retail level. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to beverage packaging that allows for control of the beverage temperature post-purchase. Moreover, some or all of the packaging may be configured to facilitate recycling.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Consumers often purchase multiple beverage containers in a unitized form. For example, beverage containing bottles may be purchased in a four-pack, six-pack, eight-pack, or twelve- pack with such sizes being easily carried by hand and often providing sufficient beverage quantity. Various material may be used to unitize multiple beverage containers, including cardboard configured provide a semi-rigid tray to support the containers, side portions to prevent the containers from tipping and handle means. The use of plastic films (including shrink-wrap films) are also commonly used, whereby the containers are tightly wrapped with the film so as to prevent any movement of one container relative to another.

In many situations, it is desirable that the beverage is served at a low temperature. Typically, consumers prefer beverages such as beer, white wine, sparkling wine, soft drinks, mixed alcoholic drinks, plain milk products, and flavoured milk products to be served distinctly cold. This presents little problem where the beverages are to be consumed in the home, with the containers being placed in the consumer's domestic refrigerator. However, where the beverage is to be consumed away from home (such as at a picnic or at a sporting event) the issue of temperature becomes problematic. Even where the beverages are purchased chilled (i.e. at around 4 degrees Celsius), once taken from a refrigerated environment, the temperature steadily increases toward ambient temperature.

The prior art provides a number of means for maintaining beverages at a sub-ambient temperature. A simple and commonly-used means is an insulated container which inhibits the transfer of heat to the beverage. Such insulated containers (an exemplary form being an Esky™) may have walls comprising materials such as expanded polystyrene foam. While having some effectiveness, these containers are typically bulky and must be stored in the home for extending periods of time between uses. Routine cleaning of the interior at least is also typically required. Insulated containers have a further problem in that after several hours a beverage will rise in temperature to a point that displeases the consumer. Thus, a beverage purchased in chilled form will often be substantially elevated in temperature by the time it is consumed. To improve that situation, a consumer may add ice to the insulated container interior. In that circumstance, the consumer typically removes all beverages containers from the unitized packaging, places them into the insulated container and then adds ice around the beverages. This approach provides clear advantage in terms of temperature control over the use of an insulated container alone, but has the drawback of the consumer needing to laboriously remove each and every beverage containers from the packaging as a single task, and also the need to purchase separately a large amount of ice to fill the container.

These activities take away from some of the care-free and spontaneous frame of mind that many consumers have when embarking on an outdoor social event such as a picnic. Planning is required to locate and wash the insulated container, the consumer must remember to place the container in the car, buy many kilograms of ice, and when arriving at the picnic remember to unpackage all beverage containers into the insulated container and then add the ice. Finally the beverage packaging and ice packaging must be discarded to prevent it from blowing away. Thus, the overall task of maintaining beverages at a low temperature becomes somewhat of an undesirable task for the consumer. It is an aspect of the present invention to overcome or alleviate a problem of the prior art by providing improved means for controlling the temperature of a unitized beverage container. It is a further aspect to provide an alternative to the prior art.

The discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each provisional claim of this application. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, but not necessarily the broadest aspect, the present invention provides a beverage package comprising two or more beverage containers, the two or more beverage containers being unitized by a wrapping film, wherein the wrapping film is configured so as to form a substantially watertight region about the lower regions of the two or more containers.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the substantially watertight region has a vessel-like form. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the watertight region has substantially straight walls and substantially horizontal base.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the watertight region contacts a wall of each of the two or more beverage containers, and also the bases of each of the two or more containers.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the watertight region conforms at least in part to an external shape of one or more of the two or more containers.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the substantially watertight region consists of a sheet of wrapping film disposed underneath the two or more containers, and the peripheral regions of the wrapping sheet having been brought upwardly so as to be disposed about the sides of the two or more containers.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, folds are formed in the wrapping film about the sides of the two or more containers, and portions of the film which form the folds are sealed together in a watertight manner.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the sealing is by thermal means. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the wrapping film is a shrink wrapping film.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the two or more beverage containers have walls that are thermally conductive so as to allow cooling of a beverage contained within. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the beverage package is configured such that the removal of one of the two or more beverage containers, or the removal of any other object from the package, leaves a space configured to receive a quantity of ice, and wherein the ice is retained in contact with a beverage container remaining therein.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the quantity of ice is between about 50 grams to about 1000 grams. In other embodiments, the quantity of ice is less than about 900, 800, 700, 600, or 500 grams. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of unitizing two or more beverage containers, the method comprising the steps of: providing a wrapping film, disposing two or more beverage containers onto the wrapping film, and bringing the wrapping film upwardly about the sides of the two or more containers, so as so as to form a watertight region about the bottom region of the two or more containers.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, the method comprises the step of disposing a watertight liner between the two or more beverage containers and the wrapping film.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, the method comprises the step of forming a fold in the wrapping material in the process of bringing the wrapping film upwardly.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, the method comprises the step of sealing together or fusing together the portions of the wrapping film that form the fold. In one embodiment of the second aspect, the step of forming a fold comprises the step or forming two or more folds in a step-wise manner.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, the wrapping film is a shrink wrapping film, and the method comprises the further step of heating the shrink wrapping film so as to fuse portions of the shrink wrapping film so as to confer watertightness to the watertight region.

In a third aspect, the present invention comprises a combination of a beverage package according to any embodiment of the first aspect, and a quantity of ice between about 50 grams and 1000 grams. In other embodiments, the quantity of ice is less than about 900, 800, 700, 600, or 500 grams.

In one embodiment of the third aspect, the quantity of ice is contained within a sealed package.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided by the present invention a method of cooling a beverage, or keeping a beverage cool, the method comprising the steps of: providing the beverage package of any embodiment according to the first aspect, removing one of the two or more beverage containers or removing any other object from the package, and disposing an amount of ice into a space left by removal of the beverage container or object.

In one embodiment of the fourth aspect the amount of ice is between about 50 grams and 1000 grams. In other embodiments, the quantity of ice is less than about 900, 800, 700, 600, or 500 grams.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 A is a photograph of an early step in the manufacture of a preferred beverage package of the present invention.

FIG. 1 B is a diagrammatic representation of the shrink wrap sleeve shown in FIG. 1 , the sleeve being preferred only. FIGS. 2 through 10 are sequential photographs taken in the course of manufacturing a preferred beverage package of the present invention. FIG. 2 follows from FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1 1 is a photograph of the beverage package shown in FIG. 10, with the addition of a carry handle fixed to the lower film region. The upper film region has been removed by a beverage consumer in the process of removing one or more of the bottles. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

After considering this description it will be apparent to one skilled in the art how the invention is implemented in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, although various embodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention. Furthermore, statements of advantages or other aspects apply to specific exemplary embodiments, and not necessarily to all embodiments covered by the claims.

Throughout the description and the claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of the word, such as "comprising" and "comprises" is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may.

It is not represented or suggested that all embodiments of the invention described herein have all of the advantages. Some embodiments may have a single advantage. Other embodiments may provide no advantage whatsoever, being useful alternatives to the prior art. In a first aspect, the present invention provides a packaged beverage comprising two or more beverage containers, the two or more beverage containers being unitized by a wrapping film, wherein the wrapping film is configured so as to form a substantially watertight region about the bottom region of the two or more containers. By this arrangement, the consumer may remove one of the beverage containers from the package when arriving at a picnic so as to leave a space in the package. Into that space, the consumer disposes a small quantity of ice so as to keep the remaining containers cool. The ice melts slowly over the course of time and floods the lower region of the container with chilled water. By virtue of the water-tightness of the lower region of the packaging, the chilled water is retained within of the packaging and thereby contacts the lower regions of the remaining containers in the packaging. The watertight region may extend higher such that mid and even upper regions of the containers may be contacted by the freshly melted chilled water.

In this way, the wrapping film packaging performs the dual functions of (i) unitizing the containers for purchase and carrying and (ii) facilitating cooling of the beverages over the course of an activity such as a picnic. The first container removed from the packaging will be generally cold (having not had much opportunity to be increased, and therefore immediately acceptable to the consumer. The second (and any subsequent containers) are more susceptible to becoming unacceptably warm over time, but are prevented from rapid temperature increase by contact with the chilled water.

In some circumstances the beverages are to be shared between two persons, in which case two beverage containers are initialled removed and the ice is disposed in the space previously occupied by the two beverage containers. For example, where the package is a six-pack of bottles (with bottles disposed in a 3 x 2 grid), the two central bottles may be removed to leave a space between a first pair of bottles to the left and a second pair of bottles to the right. The ice is disposed in the space left between the first and second pair or bottles, this having the further effect of supporting the remaining bottles is an upright position. To the best of applicant's knowledge, the packaged beverage of the present invention is unknown at the filing date of this application. While it is known to use plastic wrapping film to unitize beverage containers, the lower region of prior art film-type packaging is liable to leakage, and so any chilled water formed form melted ice contained therein will be lost. While solid ice will remain in the packaging for at least some time, the remaining containers will not be effectively cooled by simple contact with or proximity to the solid ice. In the present invention, the chilled water resulting from melted ice makes full and complete contact with the base and walls of the remaining beverage containers and effectively absorb heat energy from the beverage contained therein.

Advantageously, the present invention allows for a consumer to buy a unitized package of beverage containers, purchase a small quantity of ice at the point of sale (or indeed bring from home a small quantity of ice from the home refrigerator freezer) and proceed directly to a picnic. Once at the picnic, the consumer removes a container, places the small quantity of ice in the space previously occupied by the container, and immediately socialising. There is no need for the consumer to carry an insulated container with a large amount of ice to the picnic site, and furthermore delay socialising until the beverage containers are unpackaged, disposed in the insulated container, unpackage and dispose of the ice in the container.

When all of the unitized beverages are finished, the wrapping film may be disposed of in a garbage or recycling receptacle on site, and nothing need be carried home. By contrast, a prior art insulating container must be taken home and dried out to remove any trace of water so as to prevent the growth of mould therein. Once completely dried, the consumer must find room to store it until the next picnic. In some embodiments of the invention the containers and/or wrapping film is/are configured so as to be easily carried home, and deposited in a domestic recycling receptacle. For example, the wrapping film may be configured such that an empty beverage container may be returned into and retained by the wrapping film. The watertight nature of the lower region of the wrapping film is generally tear-resistant in many embodiments (often due to the use of a relatively thick wrapping film in that region), and accordingly stays generally intact during removal of beverage containers. Thus, all empty beverage containers may be returned to the wrapping film and therefore collocated for ease of handling in any recycling effort.

The watertight region of the beverage package may be formed from the wrapping film in any manner deemed suitable by a skilled artisan having the benefit of the present specification. Generally, the watertight region is configured in a vessel-like form having a base and walls such as a bowl-like formation. Typically, the film extends underneath the beverages containers and upwardly and about the sides of the beverage containers. Generally, the wrapping film underneath and at the sides of the container is unitary, this facilitating the wrapping process and also limiting the opportunity for any leaks to form.

The watertight region of the present beverage package is intended to retain more than insignificant amounts of water. The watertight region may be configured to extend upwardly from the base of the package so as to retain water to a depth of at least about 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 or 50 cm. As will be appreciated, the volume of water retained will vary according to the area of the packaging base. In any event, the present beverage package is configured so as to retain more than minor volumes of liquid that may results from incidental or accidental leaks or drips from a beverage container. Some beverage packages of the prior art may retain small leaks from a damaged beverage container, with some minor volumes of fluid being retainable in small convoluted areas or folds present in the base. The present beverage packaging is distinguished by its ability to retain substantial volumes of fluid about the lower regions of the containers. The lower region of the beverage container may be the lowest about 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 or 50 cm of the beverage container.

As will be appreciated, folds may be formed in the wrapping film about the sides of the beverage containers of the present beverage package thereby forming a potential means for leakage in the watertight region. Such leaks may be prevented by joining together the film regions which form the folds. For example, a liner, sealant or adhesive of some type may be applied to the film. Alternatively, the film regions which form the folds may be fused together by thermal means.

Preferably, the wrapping film is a shrink wrapping film. During the application of heat in the shrink wrapping process, any folds are fused together thereby sealing the watertight region against any leaks. As will be more fully described infra, the plastic film used in any shrink wrapping should be dimensioned and folded so as to limit the opportunity for leaks in the watertight region.

Shrink film has the added advantage in that during the shrinking process the film contracts about the beverage containers. This decreases the amount of free space about each container such that the chilled water originated from the melted ice tends to rise up around the containers rather than simply pool about the container base. The increased interface between the container and chilled water provides for more effective cooling of the contained beverage.

The shrink wrapping film which forms the watertight region is selected so as to provide a vessellike form about the lower regions of the beverage containers after shrinkage. In one embodiment the film has a thickness of between about 60 μηη to 80 μηη, or between about 80 μηη to 100 μηη, or in some embodiments greater than about 100 μηη.

The shrink wrapping film may be composed of any material known or contemplated to be useful for the purpose of shrink wrapping multiple products to provide unitization. Known shrink wrap films are synthetic polymers, with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) being commonly used. PVC film also works very well with automated wrapping machines. The skilled person is familiar with some drawbacks of PVC shrink wrapping including insufficient strength for some applications. Moreover, the plasticizer in PVC films hardens in cold conditions and softens under warmer conditions, therefore compromising the strength of the seal and the plastic. Polyolefin films are preferably in the present applications, having become the preferred choice for packaging products both edible and non-edible products. Polyolefin film is preferred for a variety of reasons including: fewer odours when sealed, stronger seal, and more flexible storage. Polyolefin shrink films do not have any chlorine; therefore they do not produce hydrogen chloride gas. Polyolefin film does not include any plasticizer, so temperature is not an issue. Polyolefin can be stored in a wide range of temperatures and does not harden and soften in different environments like PVC shrink film. Polyolefin films are commonly used for almost every kind of application including: toys, sporting goods, printed wrap, foods.

In some embodiments, the shrink wrap film comprises or consists of a polyethylene (particularly low density, linear low density, or high density) or a polypropylene. For improving recyclability, polyethylene films are preferred. Having the benefit of the present specification the skilled person is capable of selecting a film type to form the watertight region having regard to a number of factors including strength, temperature issues, product size, product weight, product shape, etc.

As will be appreciated, the wrapping film must be arranged such that the first beverage container allows for the easy release of the first beverage container, and preferably all other beverage containers should be easily releasable. Furthermore, upon release of any of the beverage containers the substantially watertight region of the wrapping film must retain watertightness and some vessel-like form so as to prevent the ice and/or melted chilled water from being lost. In some embodiments of the present invention two different types of shrink wrap film are used: a first thicker film at the lower region of the package (which is watertight), and a second thinner film at the upper region of the package. The upper region of the package is configured so as to be easily deformable or breakable by the user so as to facilitate release of a beverage container by a user. For example, a consumer may move to one side or stretch or break (by hand) some of the thinner film overlying a top of a beverage container so as to allow the removal of the container by a generally upward pulling thereof. The remaining containers are maintained in place by the remaining (unaltered) thin film, and moreover the thicker film of the lower region remains substantially undisturbed so as to maintain is function of providing a vessel-like watertight region formed around the lower regions of the beverage containers. Having the benefit of the present specification the skilled person is capable of selecting a film type for the first and second film regions having regard to a number of factors including strength, temperature issues, product size, product weight, product shape, etc. For example, where it is desired to unitize a number of products having a combined weight of up to about 8 kg the second film region may comprise film of thickness between about 40 μηη to about 60 μηη, and a first film region of between about 60 μηη to about 80 μηη. In those embodiments, the ratio of first to second film thickness ranges from 1 :1 to 2:1. For example, where it is desired to unitize a number of products having a combined weight of greater than about 8 kg the second film region may comprise film of thickness between about 60 μηη to about 80 μηη, and a first film region of between about 80 μηη to about 100 μηη. In those embodiments, the ratio of first to second film thickness ranges from 1 :1 to 10:6. It is contemplated that other embodiments may have a ratio of first film thickness to second film thickness of at least about 1.1 :1 , 1.2:1 , 1.3: 1 , 1.4: 1 , 1.5:1 , 1.6:1 , 1.7: 1 , 1.8: 1 , 1.9:1 , 2:1 , 2.1 :1 , 2.2: 1 , 2.3:1 , 2.4:1 , 2.5:1 , 2.6:1 , 2.7:\ 2.8:1 , 2.9:1 , or 3:1.

In one embodiment the first film region (when shrunk) has a greater resistance to mechanical deformation than the second film region (when shrunk). In another embodiment the first film region has a thickness greater than that of the second film region. The first film region may have a thickness at least about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 50% or 60% greater than the second film region. In one embodiment the first film region has a thickness of greater than about 60 μηη and/or the second film region has a thickness of less than about 60 μηη. In another embodiment the first film region has a thickness of between about 50 μηη to 300 μηη, and the second film region has a thickness of between about 30 μηη to 60 μηη. Yet a further provides that the first film region has a thickness of greater than about 200 μηη and/or the second film region has a thickness of less than about 80 μηη. Still a further embodiment provides that the first film region has a thickness of between about 30 μηη to 100 μηη, and the second film region has a thickness of between about 60 μηη to 300 μηη. A highly preferred embodiment utilizes a first film thickness of about 250 μηη and a second film thickness of about 40 μηη. A shrink wrap film used in the present packaging may therefore be in the form of a shrink wrap sleeve having first film region and a second film region, the first film region having an area less than that of the second film region. The second film region is configured so as to (after shrinkage about a group of beverage containers) provide a vessel-like watertight region. The first film region is configured so as to (after shrinkage about a group of beverage containers) retain the upper portions of the beverage containers in position, yet allow for release of a beverage container as desired.

As used herein, the term "sleeve" (and variations thereof) is intended to include any tube-like form. The film forming the sleeve may be formed without joins, have two joins, or even multiple joins. Typically, the sleeve is formed by joining together two sheets of film: a first piece of film disposed above a second piece of film with the two sheets bonded along two sides (often by a welding method) to form a structure having two open ends. In one embodiment, a join between the two sheets of film may be configured to facilitate opening the shrink wrapped products. This may be achieved by the join being discontinuous, such that a space is left allowing a finger (or other implement) to be inserted between the two sheets to facilitate tearing of the film along or about the join. Alternatively, the join many be configured to be frangible or otherwise easily breakable at one or more points along the join.

As used herein, the term "unitizing" (and variations thereof) includes any method for bringing together two or more items, such that the items may be handled as one. The unitization may further result in a protective function, but this function is not necessary in the context of the invention.

The term "film region" (and variations thereof) is intended to be constructed broadly, and not limited to a situation where a clear demarcation exists between two or more regions of film. A precise demarcation line is not required in the context of the present invention, with some embodiments having a graduation between the film regions.

In one embodiment, the length of the first film region substantially identical to that of the second film region

In one embodiment a dimension of the first film region is less than that of the second film region. In one embodiment the width of the first (upper) film region is less than about 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20% or 10% of that of the second film region. In another embodiment the width of the first film region is less than about 60% of that of the second film region. A further embodiment provides that the width of the first film region is about 50% of that of the second film region.

In one embodiment when superimposed, the first film region is substantially central with respect to the second film region. In one embodiment the first film region (when shrunk) has a greater resistance to mechanical deformation than the second film region (when shrunk). In another embodiment the first film region has a thickness greater than that of the second film region. The first film region may have a thickness at least about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 50%, 100%, 200%, 300%, 400%, 500%, 600%, 700%, 800%, 900% or 1000% greater than the second film region.

In one embodiment, an upper region of the film is easily severable from the lower region. For example, a frangible region or a tear line may be introduced about the periphery of the upper region of the packaging. In one embodiment, an upper region of the wrapping film of the beverage package may be configured to facilitate carrying. For example, the film perse may have apertures for the insertion of fingers and the film is of sufficient strength so as to bear the downward force on the film when the package is carried. Alternatively, a dedicated carrying means may be provided. As one example, a flexible plastic carry handle may extend upwardly from opposing sides of the beverage package. The handle may be attached to the lower film region, especially in embodiments where the film in this region is relatively thick and unlikely to stretch under the weight of the beverage containers during carriage by a consumer.

The beverage containers of the present beverage package will typically be fabricated form a material capable of thermal energy transfer, such as glass, aluminium, steel or a thin plastic. The beverage container may be a container having a capacity of between about 100 ml to about 3000 ml. In some embodiment, the package comprises single serve containers having a capacity of between about 100 ml to about 600 ml. Where the beverage is a beer and the container is a single serve container, exemplary containers include those having a capacity of 375 ml (a "stubbie" in Australia), 330 ml (a bottle size typical in Belgium and Germany), 500 ml (a bottle size typical in the United Kingdom), 300 ml (a bottle size typical in the Netherlands), or 207 ml (a bottle size known as a "pony" in the United States). Half bottles of wine and other single-serve varieties of wine are sold in a wide variety of plastic and glass bottles of many different volumes.

A beverage container of the present invention may be a can, such as an aluminium can or tin- plated steel can, of the type often used for soda drink and beer. Common sizes of can include 375 ml (Australia), 355 ml (North America, Brazil and New Zealand), 330 ml (many European countries, Hong Kong, and India), and 500 ml (Japan).

Where the beverage is a multi-serve beer, wine or soda, larger bottles such as between 600 ml to about 1250 ml are contemplated as a useful in the context of the present invention.

Beverage containers of greater capacity may be applicable, such a 2 litre containers of soda and iced tea. Such larger capacity containers may be unitized into packages of 2, 3 or 4 in the beverage packages of the present invention. As further provided is a method for producing a beverage package according to the present invention. In particular, shrink wrapping methods are proposed to provide a relatively and economical means for producing a beverage package according to the present invention.

A method for cooling beverage containers is also required. A step in this method requires, in some embodiments the removal of a beverage container (to leave one or more remaining beverage containers). The space left in the package by said removal is filled with a relatively small quantity of ice to as to cool the remaining containers. In other embodiments, the beverage package comprises an object which is not a beverage container which may be removed so as to provide the space required to accept the ice. Such an object may be a "blank', essentially having no other use except as to provide (upon removal) a space to accept a quantity of the ice. In other embodiments, the object has some other use and may be a food item (such as a container of nuts), or a drinking vessel (such as a cup), or a branded promotional item (such as a "stubby holder" or a cap). It should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof, for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as falling within the scope of the invention.

The present invention will now be more fully described by reference to the following non-limiting preferred embodiments. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the method steps detailed below, it will be demonstrated how a beverage package having a watertight base is formed. Moreover, it will demonstrated how the beverage package is used to maintain the temperature of a 12-pack of single serve beer bottles. Reference is made to FIG. 1A showing a group of twelve bottles (one marked as 10) each of the bottles considered to be a beverage containers being prepared for shrink wrapping. The bottles 10 are disposed inside a shrink wrap sleeve 15 comprising an upper region 20 and a lower region 25. The upper region is a plastic film, being in this preferred embodiment a polyethylene of thickness 20 μηη to 120 μητ. The lower region is a plastic film being in this preferred embodiment a polyethylene of thickness 60 μηη to 250 μηη. It will be noted that the film of the lower region 25 extends some distance beyond the base of the bottles 10, this being necessary in this embodiment to form a watertight base after folding upwards. In some embodiments, a lateral edge of the lower region 25 extends outwardly at least about 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 cm beyond the proximal lateral edge of the upper region 20. Each incremental increase in the distance extended provides advantage in so faras a deeper watertight region is provided, which in turn provides the ability to retain more chilled water originating from the melting ice about the beverage containers.

Fig. 1 B shows diagrammatically the sleeve 15 of FIG. 1A when laid flat and devoid of product. The lower region 25 is a film sheet. The upper region 20 is a film sheet disposed over the lower region 25. The upper region 20 and lower region 25 are welded together along the edges 27 and 28. It will be noted that the upper region 20 is disposed centrally over the lower region 25.

Reference is made to FIG. 2 which shows the bottles 10 and shrink wrap sleeve 15 disposed on a prototype apparatus 30 which acts to fold the shrink wrap sleeve 15 about the bottles 10. The arrows indicate the direction by which the bottles 10 are conveyed. In this prototype apparatus 30, there is no conveyor belt and it is contemplated that an industrially applicable version will have a conveyor belt disposed along the line of the line of the arrows.

The bottles are conveyed to the position shown in FIG. 3, whereby a first side of the lower film region 25 abuts a pair of rotating paddles 35 of the apparatus 30. At this point, the bottles 10 and shrink wrap sleeve 15 are stationary.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4 showing a second set of rotating paddles 40 being rotated into position so as to abut a second side of the lower film region 25 at the region 25A. A first set of folds is made is the lower region 25 of the shrink wrap sleeve 15 by the inward rotation of both pairs of paddles 35, 40. The rotation of the paddles ceases when at the position shown in FIG. 5.

The next step (still with the bottles 10 and sleeve 15 being stationary) is for an opposed pair of flippers (one of which is marked as 45, the other of which is obscured behind the bottles 10 to rotate upwardly so as to make a pair of opposed folds along the base of the bottles 10. The upward rotation of the flippers 45 is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The flippers 45 rotate upwardly and toward the bottles 10, but not so far as to clamp the paddles 35 against the bottles 10. Instead, a space is left so as to allow the paddles 35, 40 to rotate outwardly and away from the bottles as shown in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 8, with the flippers 45 still in the upwardly rotated position heat is applied to the upwardly folded lower film region 25. In this prototype, the heat is provided by a hand-held soldering iron 50. In a commercial version of the apparatus, a heating element will automatically contact the shrink film. Upon application of heat, adjacent film portions fuse together such that when the flippers 45 are rotated downwardly and away from the bottles the lower film region 25 retains the folded configuration as shown in FIG. 9.

Heated air is blown upwardly and around to the entire beverage package so as to cause shrink wrap to contract about the bottles. The heat has the effect of fusing the areas of the lower film region 25 that have been folded, thereby forming a watertight region in the lower film region 25. The shrink wrapped bottles are shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.

As a final step, a carry handle 60 is added, as shown in FIG. 12. In FIG. 12 the upper film region has been removed (by tearing along the thinner film material immediately above the weld lines 27 and 28) to expose the upper regions of the bottles 10. As will be appreciated, the remaining lower film region 25 acts as a watertight vessel. When two persons sharing the 12-pack each remove a bottle (10A and 10B, for example), a space is left in the centre remains (not shown). An amount of ice (around 150 grams) is deposited into the space with the ice melting over time so as to flood the bottom of the lower region 25 with chilled water. The chilled water has the effect of cooling the remaining bottles. Further ice may be added as bottles are removed and the existing ice melts.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A beverage package comprising two or more beverage containers, the two or more beverage containers being unitized by a wrapping film, wherein the wrapping film is configured so as to form a substantially watertight region about the lower regions of the two or more containers.

2. The beverage package of claim 1 wherein the substantially watertight region has a vessel-like form.

3. The beverage package of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the watertight region has substantially straight walls and substantially horizontal base.

4. The beverage package of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the watertight region contacts a wall of each of the two or more beverage containers, and also the bases of each of the two or more containers.

5. The beverage package of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the watertight region conforms at least in part to an external shape of one or more of the two or more containers.

6. The beverage package of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the substantially watertight region consists of a sheet of wrapping film disposed underneath the two or more containers, and the peripheral regions of the wrapping sheet having been brought upwardly so as to be disposed about the sides of the two or more containers.

7. The beverage package of claim 6 wherein folds are formed in the wrapping film about the sides of the two or more containers, and portions of the film which form the folds are sealed together in a watertight manner.

8. The beverage package of claim 7 wherein the sealing is by thermal means.

9. The beverage package of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the wrapping film is a shrink wrapping film.

10. The beverage package of any one of claims 2 to 9 wherein the two or more beverage containers have walls that are thermally conductive so as to allow cooling of a beverage contained within.

1 1 . The beverage package of any one of claim 1 to 10 configured such that the removal of one of the two or more beverage containers, or the removal of any other object from the package, leaves a space configured to receive a quantity of ice, and wherein the ice is retained in contact with a beverage container remaining therein.

12. The beverage package of any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the quantity of ice is between about 50 grams to about 1000 grams.

13. A method of unitizing two or more beverage containers, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a wrapping film,

disposing two or more beverage containers onto the wrapping film

bringing the wrapping film upwardly about the sides of the two or more containers, so as so as to form a watertight region about the bottom region of the two or more containers.

14. The method of claim 13 comprising the step of disposing a watertight liner between the two or more beverage containers and the wrapping film.

15. The method of claim 14 comprising the step of forming a fold in the wrapping material in the process of bringing the wrapping film upwardly.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the method comprises the step of sealing together or fusing together the portions of the wrapping film that form the fold.

17. The method of claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the step of forming a fold comprises the step or forming two or more folds in a step-wise manner.

18. The method of any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the wrapping film is a shrink wrapping film, and the method comprises the further step of heating the shrink wrapping film so as to fuse portions of the shrink wrapping film so as to confer watertightness to the watertight region.

19. A combination of a beverage package of any one of claims 1 to 12, and a quantity of ice between about 50 grams and 1000 grams.

20. The combination of claim 19 wherein the quantity of ice is contained within a sealed package.

21 . A method of cooling a beverage, or keeping a beverage cool, the method comprising the steps of:

providing the beverage package of any one of claims 1 to 12,

removing one of the two or more beverage containers or removing any other object from the package, and

disposing an amount of ice into a space left by removal of the beverage container or object.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the amount of ice is between about 50 grams and 1000 grams.