U.S. patent application number 09/741785 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-28 for beverage container.
Invention is credited to Andrews, Jared P. SR., Goodin, John W..
Application Number | 20010004994 09/741785 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26672840 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010004994 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Andrews, Jared P. SR. ; et
al. |
June 28, 2001 |
Beverage container
Abstract
A container including an outer shell, a flexible bag within the
outer shell, a mouth and a handle. The outer shell has a top, a
bottom and sidewalls. The outer shell also defines an opening. The
flexible bag within the outer shell defines an aperture. The mouth
is secured to said flexible bag surrounding said aperture and
defines a fluid passageway. The mouth is sized and shaped such that
fluid can be poured through the mouth from a source having an
outlet spaced above the mouth. The handle extends outward from said
top of said outer shell and has sufficient strength to provide
essentially all support for said container when the bag is filled
with liquid in either of two positions, with the first position
being where the opening is facing upwards and the second position
being where opening is facing sidewards. Desirably, the mouth and
opening are sized and shaped such that when the opening is facing
upwards the human eye can detect when a level of fluid in the
container is approaching the mouth.
Inventors: |
Andrews, Jared P. SR.;
(Grand Terrace, CA) ; Goodin, John W.; (Coto de
Caza, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
620 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE
SIXTEENTH FLOOR
NEWPORT BEACH
CA
92660
US
|
Family ID: |
26672840 |
Appl. No.: |
09/741785 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09741785 |
Dec 19, 2000 |
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08926520 |
Sep 10, 1997 |
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5909841 |
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09741785 |
Dec 19, 2000 |
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08645218 |
May 13, 1996 |
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5715992 |
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09741785 |
Dec 19, 2000 |
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09260854 |
Mar 1, 1999 |
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6196452 |
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60004298 |
Sep 26, 1995 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
229/125.15 ;
229/104; 229/112; 229/117.15; 229/117.35 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/46104 20130101;
B65D 77/065 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/125.15 ;
229/104; 229/112; 229/117.15; 229/117.35 |
International
Class: |
B65D 005/74; B65D
005/00; B65D 005/46; B65D 003/00; B65D 005/56; B65D 043/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A liquid container comprising: an outer shell having a top, a
bottom and sidewalls, the outer shell having an opening in one of
said sidewalls; a flexible bag within said outer shell defining an
aperture; a mouth secured to said flexible bag surrounding said
aperture and defining a fluid passageway, said mouth sized and
shaped such that fluid can be poured through said mouth from a
source having an outlet spaced above said mouth; a handle extending
outward from said top of said outer shell, said handle having
sufficient strength to provide essentially all support for said
container when said flexible bag is filled with liquid in a first
position wherein said opening is facing upwards and in a second
position wherein said opening is facing sidewards.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein said handle defines a first
end and a second end spaced further from said one of said sidewalls
than said first end, said handle defining an opening between said
first end and said second end sized and shaped to receive the
fingers of a hand.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein said mouth and said opening
sized and shaped such that when said opening is facing upwards the
human eye can detect when a level of fluid in the container is
approaching the mouth.
4. The container of claim 3, wherein said mouth defines an aperture
having a span of at least one inch.
5. The container of claim 4, further comprising a spout removably
coupled to said mouth, said spout in fluid communication with the
inside of said bag for pouring fluid from said container.
6. The container of claim 3, wherein said outer shell further
comprises a lower panel upon which said bag rests when it is filled
with liquid which is spaced above said bottom of said outer
shell.
7. The container of claim 6, wherein said lower panel is spaced at
least one-quarter inch from said bottom of said outer shell.
8. The container of claim 7, wherein said lower panel is spaced at
least one-half inch from said bottom of said outer shell.
9. The container of claim 1, wherein said bag and said outer shell
are sized and shaped such that when said bag is substantially full
of liquid, the center of gravity of said container is located at
least one-half inch below said center of said container.
10. The container of claim 1, wherein said bag and said outer shell
are sized and shaped such that when said bag is substantially full
of liquid, the center of gravity of said container is located at
least one inch below said center of said container.
11. A foldable liquid container, comprising: an outer shell
comprising a first pair of sidewalls aligned generally in the same
plane as one another and a second pair of sidewalls aligned
generally in the same plane as one another, said outer shell
defining an opening in one of said pairs of sidewalls; a bag within
said outer shell defining an aperture; a mouth secured to said
flexible bag surrounding said aperture and defining a fluid
passageway, said mouth sized and shaped such that fluid can be
poured through said mouth from a source having an outlet spaced
above said mouth; a plurality of upper end flaps secured to said
first pair of sidewalls and said second pair of sidewalls; a
plurality of lower end flaps secured to said first pair of
sidewalls and said second pair of sidewalls.
12. The container of claim 11, wherein said mouth and said opening
sized and shaped such that when said opening is facing upwards the
human eye can detect when a level of fluid in the container is
approaching the mouth.
13. The container of claim 12, wherein said mouth defines an
aperture having a span of at least one inch.
14. The container of claim 12, further comprising a spout removably
coupled to said mouth.
15. The container of claim 12, wherein at least one of said
plurality of upper end flaps forms at least a portion of a handle
when said container is folded.
16. The container of claim 11, wherein at least one of said lower
end flaps defines a spacing strip and a lower panel, wherein when
folded said bag rests upon said lower panel and said spacing strip
spaces said lower panel above said bottom of said outer shell.
17. The container of claim 16, wherein said lower panel is spaced
at least one-quarter inch from said bottom of said outer shell.
18. The container of claim 16, wherein said lower panel is spaced
at least one-half inch from said bottom of said outer shell.
19. The container of claim 16, wherein said bag and said outer
shell are sized and shaped such that when said bag is substantially
full of liquid, the center of gravity of said container is located
at least one-half inch below said center of said container.
20. The container of claim 16, wherein said bag and said outer
shell are sized and shaped such that when said bag is substantially
full of liquid, the center of gravity of said container is located
at least one inch below said center of said container.
21. The container of claim 11, wherein at least one of said
plurality of upper end flaps forms at least a portion of a handle
when said container is folded, and said bag and said outer shell
are sized and shaped such that when said bag is substantially full
of liquid, the center of gravity of said container is located at
least one-half inch below said center of said container.
22. A liquid container comprising: an outer shell having a top and
a bottom, said outer shell having an opening on a side of said
container; a flexible bag within said outer shell; a mouth secured
to said flexible bag surrounding said aperture and defining a fluid
passageway; and a handle extending from said top of said outer
shell, said bag sized and shaped such that when said bag is filled
with a fluid to a first level proximate said mouth when said mouth
is facing upwards and said container is rotated to rest on said
bottom, said fluid assumes a second level below said mouth.
23. The container of claim 22, wherein said handle defines a first
end and a second end spaced further from said one of said sidewalls
than said first end, said handle defining an opening between said
first end and said second end sized and shaped to receive the
fingers of a hand.
24. The container of claim 22, wherein said bag and said outer
shell are sized and shaped such that when said bag is substantially
full of liquid, the center of gravity of said container is located
at least one-half inch below said center of said container.
25. The container of claim 24, wherein said outer shell further
comprises a lower panel upon which said bag rests when it is filled
with liquid which is spaced above said bottom of said outer
shell.
26. The container of claim 22, wherein said outer shell further
comprises a lower panel upon which said bag rests when it is filled
with liquid which is spaced above said bottom of said outer
shell.
27. The container of claim 22, wherein said bag and said outer
shell are sized and shaped such that when said bag is substantially
full of liquid, the center of gravity of said container is located
at least one-half-inch below said center of said container.
28. A liquid container comprising: an outer shell having a top and
a bottom, said outer shell having an opening on a side of said
container; a flexible bag within said outer shell; a mouth secured
to said flexible bag surrounding said aperture and defining a fluid
passageway, said mouth sized and shaped such that fluid can be
poured through said mouth from a source having an outlet spaced
above said mouth; a spout removably coupled to said mouth, said
spout in fluid communication with the inside of said bag for
pouring fluid from said container; and a handle extending from said
top of said outer shell, said bag sized and shaped such that when
said bag is filled with a fluid to a first level proximate said
mouth when said mouth is facing upwards and said container is
rotated to rest on said bottom, said fluid assumes a second level
below said spout.
29. A foldable liquid container, comprising: an outer shell
comprising a first pair of sidewalls aligned generally in the same
plane as one another and a second pair of sidewalls aligned
generally in the same plane as one another, said outer shell
defining an opening in one of said pairs of sidewalls; a bag within
said outer shell defining an aperture; a mouth secured to said
flexible bag surrounding said aperture and defining a fluid
passageway, said mouth sized and shaped such that fluid can be
poured through said mouth from a source having an outlet spaced
above said mouth; a plurality of upper end flaps secured to said
first pair of sidewalls and said second pair of sidewalls, wherein
at least one of said plurality of upper end flaps forms at least a
portion of a handle when said container is folded; and a plurality
of lower end flaps secured to said first pair of sidewalls and said
second pair of sidewalls, wherein when assembled at least one of
said lower end flaps forms a lower panel upon which said bag rests
when it is filled with liquid which is spaced above said bottom of
said outer shell and said lower end flaps cover said bag from below
by three layers.
30. The container of claim 29, wherein said lower panel is spaced
at least one-quarter inch from said bottom of said outer shell.
31. The container of claim 29, wherein said lower panel is spaced
at least one-half inch from said bottom of said outer shell.
32. The container of claim 30, wherein said mouth and said opening
sized and shaped such that when said opening is facing upwards the
human eye can detect when a level of fluid in the container is
approaching the mouth.
33. The container of claim 32, wherein said mouth defines an
aperture having a span of at least one inch.
34. The container of claim 29, further comprising a spout removably
coupled to said mouth.
35. The container of claim 29, wherein said bag and said outer
shell are sized and shaped such that when said bag is substantially
full of liquid, the center of gravity of said container is located
at least one-half inch below said center of said container.
36. The container of claim 29, wherein said bag and said outer
shell are sized and shaped such that when said bag is substantially
full of liquid, the center of gravity of said container is located
at least one inch below said center of said container.
37. A method of using a collapsed liquid container, comprising:
folding said container so that said container defines a top from
which a handle extends, a bottom and a mouth defining a fluid flow
path communicating with an interior of said container through a
sidewall placing the container in a first position with said
sidewall facing upward; pouring fluid through said mouth into said
container to at least partially fill said container with fluid;
sealing said mouth after said pouring of fluid into said container;
and manually grasping said handle to move said container after said
sealing.
38. The method of claim 37, further comprising rotating said
container to a second position wherein said handle is on top.
39. The method of claim 38, further comprising applying force to
said handle to rotating said container to pour fluid out of said
bag through said mouth.
40. The method of claim 37, wherein said sealing step comprises
securing a spout over said mouth.
41. The method of claim 40, further comprising rotating said
container to a second position wherein said handle is on top.
42. The method of claim 41, further comprising applying force to
said handle to rotating said container to pour fluid out of said
bag through said mouth.
43. A liquid container comprising: a compressed outer shell having
a top and a bottom side, said outer shell having an opening on a
side of said outer shell adjacent to said top side; a vertical
handle extending from said top of said outer shell; a flexible,
collapsed bag within said outer shell, said bag containing
crystals; and a spout removably coupled to said opening on said
outer shell, said spout in fluid communication with the inside of
said bag.
44. A liquid container for storing and dispensing cold fluids,
comprising: an insulated outer shell having a top and a bottom
side, said outer shell having an opening on a sidewall of said
outer shell; a vertical handle extending from said top side of said
outer shell; a flexible, insulating bag collapsed within said outer
shell, said volume of said bag smaller than the volume of said
outer shell when said bag is filled; and a spout removably coupled
to said opening on said outer shell, said spout in fluid
communication with the inside of said bag.
45. The liquid container of claim 44, wherein said outer shell also
contains ice.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to an improved beverage container.
More specifically, this invention is directed to an improved
container for storing and transporting several cups of fluid, such
as coffee.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Gourmet coffee shops typically sell individual cups of
coffee for consumption on or off the premises. Typically, these
shops are very small and utilize high-quality coffee beans and
coffee-making equipment to provide consumers with a higher quality
cup of coffee than would be available in other establishments. In
this regard, many gourmet coffee shops have developed internal
procedures particularly adapted to ensure a uniformly high-quality
cup of coffee. Particularly at peak periods, these shops must
dispense coffee to a relatively large group of consumers in a short
amount of time. Typically, the worker holds the coffee cup below
the spout and utilizes the other hand to actuate the spout until
the worker sees that the coffee cup is nearly full.
[0003] Consumers accustomed to the high-quality of coffee available
from such gourmet coffee shops have come to desire this high level
of quality at other locations, such as offices or meeting places.
Gourmet coffee shops have met this need by providing thermos
canisters which are loaned out and then returned by the consumer.
These canisters are often elongate, cylindrical thermoses having a
pump button in the top, which dispenses coffee from a nozzle.
Unfortunately, the inconvenience of needing to return the canister
and the typical requirement that a deposit be left deters consumers
from purchasing larger quantities of coffee. These canisters also
have several drawbacks for the coffee shop. Specifically, they are
relatively large and difficult to store, are breakable and require
careful cleaning after use.
[0004] Applicant's invention is an improved liquid container
particularly adapted to store and insulate multiple cups of fluid.
The invention includes numerous aspects. Advantageously, the
preferred container is particularly adapted to be stored in a
flattened state, while at the same time being quickly and easily
deployable. Importantly, the container can desirably be filled with
existing equipment utilizing the existing procedures utilized in
most coffee shops. The container is also desirably particularly
adapted to be easily carried and poured. Advantageously, the
structure of the container reduces the likelihood that the
container will tip over during transport and incorporates safety
features which reduce the risk of injury to the user from hot
coffee. Importantly, the container is also structured to reduce the
risk of damage to furniture resulting from the temperature of the
fluid in the container. Because the container is particularly
adapted to be made of very inexpensive materials, the container
need not be returned nor cleaned.
[0005] One aspect of the invention is a container including an
outer shell, a flexible bag within the outer shell, a mouth and a
handle. The outer shell has a top, a bottom and sidewalls. The
outer shell also defines an opening. The flexible bag within the
outer shell defines an aperture. The mouth is secured to the
flexible bag surrounding the aperture and defines a fluid
passageway. The mouth is sized and shaped such that fluid can be
poured through the mouth from a source having an outlet spaced
above the mouth. The handle extends outward from the top of the
outer shell and has sufficient strength to provide essentially all
support for the container when the bag is filled with liquid in
either of two positions, with the first position being where the
opening is facing upwards and the second position being where
opening is facing sidewards.
[0006] Desirably, the mouth and opening are sized and shaped such
that when the opening is facing upwards the human eye can detect
when a level of fluid in the container is approaching the mouth.
Advantageously, the mouth defines an aperture having a span of at
least one inch.
[0007] In another aspect, the outer shell has a lower panel upon
which the bag rests when it is filled with liquid which is spaced
at least one- quarter and, preferably, one-half inch above bottom
of the outer shell.
[0008] In another aspect, the bag and the outer shell are sized and
shaped such that when the bag is substantially full of liquid, the
center of gravity of the container is located at least one-half
inch and, preferably, at least one inch, below the vertical center
of the container.
[0009] Yet another aspect of the invention is a foldable liquid
container, including an outer shell and a bag within the outer
shell which defines an aperture. The outer shell comprises a first
pair of sidewalls aligned generally in the same plane as one
another and a second pair of sidewalls aligned generally in the
same plane as one another. The outer shell further includes a
plurality of upper end flaps secured to the first pair of sidewalls
and the second pair of sidewalls. Desirably, at least one of the
upper end flaps forms at least a portion of a handle when the
container is folded and a plurality of lower end flaps secured to
the first pair of sidewalls and the second pair of sidewalls. The
outer shell also defines an opening in one of the pairs of
sidewalls. The mouth is secured to the flexible bag surrounding the
aperture and defines a fluid passageway. The mouth is sized and
shaped such that fluid can be poured through the mouth from a
source having an outlet spaced above the mouth.
[0010] Another aspect of the invention is a liquid container
including an outer shell having a top and a bottom, the outer shell
having an opening on a side of the container, a flexible bag within
the outer shell, a mouth secured to the flexible bag surrounding
the aperture and defining a fluid passageway and a handle extending
from the top of the outer shell, the bag sized and shaped such that
when the bag is filled with a fluid to a first level proximate the
mouth when the mouth is facing upwards and the container is rotated
to rest on the bottom, the fluid assumes a second level below the
mouth. Desirably, the bag and the outer shell are sized and shaped
such that when the bag is substantially full of liquid, the center
of gravity of the container is located at least one inch below the
center of the container.
[0011] Desirably, the bag is sized smaller than the outer shell so
that when the container is rotated after filling to have the handle
facing upwards and the spout facing the side, the bag sags downward
within the outer shell, setting the level of fluid in the bag below
the bottom of the spout. By ensuring that the level of fluid is
below the spout, the present invention prevents accidental spillage
of hot fluid during transport or handling of the container.
Advantageously, the top side of the container ramps upward in an
incline from the back side panel to the front side panel with the
opening for the spout. Such a design facilitates dispensing fluid
from the container when a user grips the handle and rotates the
container forward to raise the level of the fluid to the spout.
Other aspects of the invention include an improved liquid container
for chilling fluid and an improved liquid container for storing and
mixing dried flavor crystals with liquid.
[0012] An advantage of the present invention is that it can be
stored flat and stacked in piles, thereby conserving large amounts
of space in stores that sell coffee to go. Further, the container
can be quickly folded together by using the fold-over flaps to
assemble the top and bottom sides of the cardboard container.
[0013] Another aspect of the invention is a method of using a
collapsed liquid container including (1) folding the container so
that the container defines a top from which a handle extends, a
bottom and a mouth defining a fluid flow path communicating with an
interior of the container through a sidewall; (2) placing the
container in a first position with the sidewall facing upward; (3)
pouring fluid through the mouth into the container to at least
partially fill the container with fluid; (4) sealing the mouth
after the pouring of fluid into the container; and (5) manually
grasping the handle to move the container after the sealing.
[0014] In its preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes
a variety of key problems in the prior art since it provides an
easily deployable, inexpensive yet safe means for carrying,
insulating, storing and dispensing hot fluids which conserves
storage space and can be disposed of after use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The preferred embodiments of this invention, illustrating
its features, will now be discussed in detail. The drawings depict
a preferred beverage container for illustrative purposes only.
These drawings include the following figures, with like numerals
indicating like parts:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the beverage container of
the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a blank from which the outer
shell of the present invention is manufactured.
[0018] FIGS. 3a-d are perspective views illustrating the formation
of the bottom of the beverage container of the present
invention.
[0019] FIGS. 4a-f are perspective views illustrating the formation
of the top of the beverage container of the present invention.
[0020] FIGS. 5a-b are cross-sectional front views illustrating the
filling of the bag of the beverage container of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 5c is a cross-sectional side view illustrating the
container of the present invention rotated 90.degree. with respect
to the FIGS. 5a-b.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of several beverage containers
of the present invention stacked in collapsed form.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bag and mouth of the
container of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred
beverage container 10 in its assembled form. Referring to FIGS.
1-6, the container 10 includes an outer container or shell 3, an
inner bag 5, a mouth 7 and a spout 9. The bag 5 is positioned
within the outer shell 3 and communicates with the exterior of the
container 10 by means of the mouth 7 and spout 9. The container 10
has a front 13, a back 15, a left side 17, a right side 19, a top
21 and a bottom 23. In addition, the container advantageously
defines a handle 25.
[0025] As seen in FIG. 2, the outer shell 3 is advantageously
configured to be constructed from a single one-piece cardboard
blank. The shell has a front wall panel 16, a back wall panel 18, a
right side wall panel 20, a left side wall panel 22 and a side
attachment tab 66. The front wall panel 16 defines a circular
opening 48 and tapered slits 49. The front wall panel 16 is
hingedly attached along a right front fold line 68 to right side
wall panel 20. Opposite the right front fold line 68, the right
side panel 20 is hingedly attached to the back wall panel 18 along
a right back right back fold line 70. The right wall panel further
defines a lower slot 57. Opposite the right back fold line 70, the
back wall panel 18 is hingedly attached to the left wall panel 22
along a left back fold line 72. Opposite the left back fold line
72, the attachment tab is attached to the left wall panel 22 along
a left front fold line 90.
[0026] The blank further incorporates a series of top flaps and a
series of bottom flaps. The top flaps include a top front flap 40,
a top right handle flap 28, a top back flap 42 and a top left
handle flap 30. The bottom flaps include a front bottom flap 54,
right bottom flap 56, a back bottom flap 52 and a left bottom flap
50. The front wall panel 16 is hingedly secured along a top front
fold line 74 to the top front flap 40, and also hingedly secured
along a double bottom front fold line 82 to a bottom front flap 54.
The double fold line facilitates the folding of the blank against
itself along the double fold line, as is well-known in the art. The
opening 48 is defined within the front wall panel 16 in close
proximity to the top front fold line 74. The top front flap 40
defines an open-ended slot 44 extending to a distal edge of top
front flap 40. The front wall panel 16 and bottom front flap 54
cooperate to define a front air aperture 61 along the bottom front
fold line 82.
[0027] The right side panel 20 is hingedly coupled along a top
right fold line 76 to top right handle flap 28 and is also hingedly
secured along a double bottom right fold line 84 to a bottom right
flap 56. The top right handle flap 28 includes a right handle
portion 36 and a right tab portion 32. The bottom right flap 56
defines a small, generally semi-circular slit 63 which forms a
finger flap 63. The bottom right flap 56 also defines a tab 60
extending from a distal edge of the bottom right flap 56.
[0028] The back side wall panel 18 is hingedly secured along a top
back fold line 78 to the top back flap 42 and also hingedly secured
along a double bottom back fold line 86 to the bottom back flap 52.
The back wall panel 18 and bottom back flap 55 cooperate to define
a back air aperture 73 along the bottom back fold line 86. The top
back flap 42 includes a closed slot 46 and a generally U-shaped
distal locking portion 43. The left side wall panel is hingedly
secured along a top left fold line 80 to the top left handle flap
30 and hingedly secured along a double bottom left fold line 88 to
the bottom left flap 50.
[0029] The top left handle flap 30 includes a double left handle
portion 38 and a pair of left tab portions 34 which are formed by
cutouts to define an opening underneath the left handle portion 38.
Each of the bottom flaps 50, 52, 54 and 56 further defines a spacer
fold line 64 approximately one-half inch from its respective wall
panel 22, 18, 16 and 20. Directly above the fold line 64 on the
bottom left flap 50 is a slot 58 sized for receiving the tab 60 of
bottom right flap 56 when the container 11 is assembled. The fold
line 64 along bottom left flap 50 further defines a left spacer
strip 65 of the bottom left flap 50 that is defined by the parallel
fold lines 64 and 82. The bottom left flap 50 defines a small,
generally semi-circular slit 75 which forms a finger flap 77. The
bottom left flap 50 also defines a tab 79 extending from a distal
edge of the bottom right flap 50.
[0030] Advantageously, prior to connecting the side tab 66,
extending from the left side panel 22 to the front side wall 16,
the bag 5 is connected to the outer shell 3. In the preferred
embodiment, the bag 5 comprises several layers, having an inside
taste-neutral layer that imparts no flavor, a middle layer that
insulates the heat of the liquid, and an outer layer for providing
strength and flexibility. Such bags are available from Scholle
Corporation, having a manufacturing facility in Rancho Dominguez,
Calif. Desirably, the bag can be constructed from flat sheets,
which are heat sealed and cut to form the desired shape. Referring
to FIG. 7, in the preferred embodiment, the bag 5 is generally
131/2 inches by 131/2 inches, sealed along its entire perimeter and
has vertically oriented dart seals 90 (as shown in FIG. 7) which
form isoceles triangle shaped cutouts having equal sides of 4
inches along the perimeter of the bag 5 at the corners on either
side of the mouth 7. The mouth 7 has a generally cylindrical body
92 with an annular outer rim 94 at one end which is bonded to the
bag 5 by an appropriate adhesive or other means known in the art,
and external threads 96 at the other end. The body 92 is desirably
provided with a of raised annular ring spaced slightly from the
outer rim 94 which forms an annular groove. The body 92 of the
mouth 7 further defines a generally cylindrical internal channel
100. The mouth 7 is advantageously sized and shaped for the
external threads 96 and raised annular ring to be slightly larger
than the opening 48 in the front wall panel 16 of the outer shell
3. The slits 49 in the front wall panel 16 racilitate the their
insertion through the opening 48. Thus positioned, the mouth is
secured within the outer shell 3 by the outer rim 94. The bag 5 may
also be more securely retained in position within the outer shell 3
by means of adhesive between the rim 94 and the interior of the
front wall panel 16 surrounding the opening 48. The bag 5 is
desirably inserted into the outer shell 3 with its cutout corners
and the corner opposite the mouth folded up and inward toward the
center of the bag.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the spout 9 of the container
will now be described. The spout is desirably conical in shape and
is internally threaded to mate with the mouth 7. For convenience,
the mouth may include a tear-off portion for sealing the container,
until the destination is reached.
[0032] The tab 66 of the left side wall panel 22 is fastened to the
front side wall panel 16 along an edge 17 of the front side wall 16
opposite of the right front fold line 68. The fastening may be
accomplished by double sided adhesive, glue or other fastening
means known to those of skill in the art. Upon fastening, the outer
shell 3 may then be laid and stored flattened with two adjacent
side wall panels, panels 16 and 20 for example, facing upwards, and
the other two side wall panels, panels 18 and 22, facing downwards.
The outer shell is thus ready for quick assembly and may be stored
efficiently in stacks as illustrated in FIG. 6. Advantageously, the
spout 9 is threaded onto the mouth after the container has been
filled.
[0033] The assembly of the container 10 will now be described.
FIGS. 3a-d illustrates the assembly of the bottom of the outer
shell 3. FIG. 3a shows the container 10 turned over so that the
bottom flaps 50, 52, 54, and 56 are facing upwards and the side
wall panels 16, 18, 20, and 22, folded to form a substantially
rectangular opening 55. In this position, the front side wall panel
16 is folded along left front fold line 90 so that the front side
wall panel is perpendicular to the left side wall panel 22. The
front wall panel 16 is also oriented perpendicularly with respect
to right side wall panel 20 along right front fold line 68, so that
left side wall panel 22 and right side wall panel 20 are parallel
to each other. The back wall panel 18 is folded along the left back
fold line 72 to be perpendicular to the left side wall panel 22,
and is also folded along the right back fold line 70 to be
perpendicular to the right side wall panel 20. The back wall panel
18 is thus parallel to the front wall panel 16.
[0034] FIG. 3a indicates that the bottom left flap 50, which is
secured to the left side wall panel along bottom left fold line 88,
is the first flap that is folded over and is folded along the
bottom front fold line 88 into the opening 55. When the bottom left
flap 50 is turned over, the left spacer strip 65 is folded down
against the interior of left side wall panel 22, the tab 79 extends
through slot 57 in the right side panel 20 and the distal edge of
the bottom left flap 50 contacts the interior of right side wall
panel 20 as shown in FIG. 3b. The bottom left flap 50, with the
exception of the spacer strip 65 is thus oriented perpendicularly
to the wall panels 16, 18, 20, and 22, and is recessed below the
bottom left fold line 88.
[0035] FIGS. 3b and 3c indicate that the bottom back flap 52 and
bottom front flap 54, which are secured to the back wall panel 18
and the front wall panel 16, respectively, are then folded over on
top of the bottom left flap 50 about their respective bottom fold
lines 86 and 82. As with the bottom left flap 50, the back spacer
strip 67 of the bottom back flap 52 and the front spacer strip 69
of the bottom front flap 54 are folded down along the fold line 64
against the interior of the back wall panel 18 and the interior of
the front wall panel 16, respectively. When the bottom flaps 52 and
54 are folded over onto bottom left flap 50, the edge 51 of the
bottom back flap 52 meets with the edge 53 of the bottom front flap
54 to create a second layer of cardboard on top of the first layer,
the bottom left flap 50.
[0036] FIGS. 3c and 3d illustrate that the bottom right flap 56 is
the last bottom flap to be folded over to create the bottom of the
outer shell 3. When the bottom right flap 56 is folded over, the
right spacer strip 71 of the bottom right flap 56 is folded down
along the fold line 64 against the interior of the right side wall
20. The bottom flap 60 is then folded over onto the bottom flaps 52
and 54, thereby creating a third recessed cardboard layer. The tab
60 of the bottom right flap 56 is inserted onto the slot 58 of the
bottom left flap 50 to secure the bottom flaps 50, 52, 54, and 56
in place. Thus assembled, the front air aperture 61 and the back
air aperture 73 form air vents to permit the circulation of air
under the bottom right flap 56. To remove the bottom flaps from the
secured position shown in FIG. 3d, a user may pull the bottom flap
out of its secured position by using the finger flap 63 of the
bottom flap 60 or the opening formed by pushing the finger flap 63
inward.
[0037] FIGS. 4a-4f illustrate the formation of the top and handle
25 of the outer shell 3 of the present invention. FIGS. 4a and 4b
indicate that the top right handle flap 28, which is secured to
right side wall panel 20 along top right fold line 76, is folded
over into opening 41 in the top so that the top right handle flap
28 is in alignment with the top right fold line 76. FIG. 4b
illustrates that right handle portion 36 is then folded upward from
the top right handle flap 28 so that the right handle portion 36 is
perpendicular to the top right handle flap 28.
[0038] FIG. 4c shows that the top left handle flap 30 is then
folded down and the left handle portion 38, which is also folded
upright like the right handle portion 36, cooperates with right
handle portion 36. The tab 34, which is cutout from underneath the
left handle portion 38 is placed through the opening underneath the
right handle portion 36 and over the right tab 32. As shown in FIG.
4d, the left handle portion 38 is then folded over the right handle
portion 36 and the distal tab 34 of the left handle portion 38 is
slid under the proximal tab 34 of the left handle portion to form
the handle 26 of the outer shell 3. FIG. 4e shows top front flap 40
folded over along top front fold line 74 onto the top right handle
flap 28 and the top left handle flap 30. The handle 26 is inserted
through the open-ended slot 44, thereby allowing the top front flap
40 to rest flat against the right and left handle flaps 28 and 30.
As shown in FIG. 4f, the top back flap 42 is folded over along top
back fold line 78 onto the top front flap 40 and the top right and
left handle flaps 28 and 30. The handle 26 is inserted through the
slot 44 of the top back flap 42, allowing the top back flap 42 to
rest flat against the top front flap 40 and the top right and left
handle flaps 28 and 30. The distal locking portion 43 of the top
back flap 42 is inserted into the groove formed by the body 92 of
the mouth so that the locking portion prevents the mouth from being
pulled back into the outer shell 3 by the weight of the liquid when
filled. The top front flap 40 and the top back flap 42 lock the
handle flaps 28 and 30 in place. Thus assembled, the handle 25
defines a first end proximate the front wall panel 16 and a second
end spaced further from the front wall panel than the first end,
and the handle defines an opening between first end and the second
end sized and shaped to receive the fingers of a hand.
[0039] Desirably, the front 13 of the outer shell 3 has a vertical
height of roughly 81/2 inches and a width of roughly 61/8 inches.
The bottom 23 has a width of roughly 61/8 inches and a length of
roughly 81/2 inches. The back 15 of the outer shell has a height of
roughly 6 inches and a width of roughly 61/4 inches.
[0040] FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate the filling of the container 10
of the present invention. FIG. 5a is a schematic view illlustrating
the compressed, flexible bag 5 located within the outer shell 3 and
the container in the "fill" position--namely, held in the right
hand of the user with the container 10 resting on its back side
wall panel 18 with the front side wall panel 16 facing upwards. The
left hand of the user actuates the spigot from the pot. FIG. 5b
illustrates coffee being poured into the bag 5 through the mouth 7
from a spigot spaced over the mouth 7, thereby forcing the bag to
expand. To maximize the volume of liquid that the beverage
container 10 may hold, the bag 5 is sized and shaped so that it may
expand into the corners of the outer shell 3. Advantageously, the
container has a capacity of at least 48 ounces of fluid, desirably,
between 70 and 200 ounces of fluid and, most desirably, roughly 96
ounces of fluid.
[0041] Since the mouth 7 desirably defines a flow channel having a
diameter of at least {fraction (3/4)} inches, desirably at least
one inch and most desirably 11/4 inches, the user is able to
visually determine when the level of fluid in the bag is proximate
the bottom of the mouth 7 and moves the spigot to cut off the flow
of fluid into the container 10. The bag 5 is desirably sized such
that when the level of fluid in the container is proximate the
bottom of the mouth 7 when the container is positioned with its
back wall panel 18 faced downward and in a horizontal orientation,
when the container 10 is rotated to rest on its bottom 23 with the
handle 26 facing up, the level of fluid in the bag 5 is below any
opening formed by the spout 9 and, desirably, below the internal
flow channel 100 of the mouth 7. This reduces the risk of spilling
during transport and the risk of injury to the user from spillage
of hot coffee when the spout is opened. Effectively, the bag 5 to
"sags" within the outer shell 3 when the container is rotated from
its fill position to its "carry" position so that the level of
fluid is below the level of the mouth. The volume of fluid in the
container when the container is in its fill position and the level
of fluid in the container is proximate the bottom of the mouth 7,
is referred to as the "normal fill volume."
[0042] An important aspect of the invention is that the flaps 40
and 42 provide the advantage of minimizing the load on the handle
26 by transferring the a portion of the load from the weight of the
container 10 and the contents from the handle 26 across the flaps
40 and 42. With the handle 25 secured in place, the container 10
may be easily transported and carried like a briefcase. The carrier
thus avoids having to hold the outer shell 3 which may be hot from
the coffee or other liquid inside by the wall panels.
[0043] Yet another important advantage of the invention is that
when the container is filled to its normal fill volume and
positioned with its bottom facing downward and in a horizontal
orientation, the center of gravity CG of the filled container is
located at least one-half inch below the vertical center of the
container VC (i.e., half-way between the top and bottom of the
outer shell) and, preferrably, at least one inches below the center
of gravity of the container. This is important to reduce the risk
that the container will tip over during transport. In addition, the
cross-sectional area of the bottom of the outer shell 3 is
desirably as large as any horizontal cross-section of the container
to further reduce the risk that the container will tip over when
transporting or manipulating the container.
[0044] Advantageously, the top of the outer shell 3 ramps upward
from the back side wall panel 18 to the front side wall panel 16,
which has the opening 48 for a spout. This preferred design
facilitates dispensing fluids from the container when a user grips
the handle 26 and rotates the container 10 forward to pour the
fluid within the container out of the spout 9. Specifically, the
amount the user needs to pivot their hand relative the arm to pour
is reduced, because the fluid in the container is already tipped
toward the spout when the handle is horizontal from the rest
position (with the bottom supported on a horizontal surface).
[0045] Importantly, by having the bottom of the outer shell 3
configured as shown in FIG. 3d with a recessed bottom, only the
thin edges formed by the bottom fold lines 82, 84, 86 and 88
contact a support surface when the outer shell 3 is set on in its
bottom 23. Because the bottom flaps 50, 52, 54, and 56, are
recessed from the bottom 23 of the container, heat is not
transfered directly from the bottom flaps to the support surface.
The transfer of heat is further reduced by the air vents formed at
the front and back of the container. Furthermore, the present
invention provides multiple layers of cardboard in bottom flaps 50,
52, 54, and 56, thereby providing extra insulation from the heat.
All of this is possible in a low cost container 10 particularly
adapted to be constructed of such low cost materials that it can be
disposable.
[0046] The container 10 is also particularly adapted to be used to
mix hot and cold flavored drinks, by means of storing the flavor
crystals in the bags 5 of a flattened container until it is desired
to add liquid thereto. In this case, the channel 100 of the mouth 7
is desirably sealed by the spout 9 or other means, such as a
removable aluminum cover.
[0047] Finally, the container 10 is also particularly adapted to be
used to heat or cool liquids by placing a source of heat or a cold
pack or ice in the outer shell 3 before closing either the top
flaps or the bottom flaps of the outer shell. Alternatively, it is
possible to insert ice through the mouth 7 into the bag 5, to chill
fluid therein.
[0048] Those of skill in the art will recognize that there are
numerous variations and modifications of this invention which are
encompassed by its scope. Accordingly, the foregoing description
should be considered illustrative of the invention and not deemed
to limit its scope.
* * * * *