Disposable multicup container

Abstract

A collapsible, disposable beverage container 10 holds an insulating sleeve 12 that carries a collapsible bag 14 for holding hot fluid. The container 10 is made of paperboard. Preferred materials for the collapsible bag are nylon and metalized flexible materials. The entire structure 10 is formed from a single sheet of paperboard that is suitably scored, cut, bent and folded to a hex-shaped structure. The structure 10 includes seven panels 20-26 that form a six sided hexagonal structure. The two longest panels 23-24 overlap. The container has a top 30 that is integral with one of the longest panels. The container has a bottom 50 that includes multi-lobed interfering flaps 52, 62. Those flaps are mirror images of each other and are mounted on the bottom edges of the panels. The panels have different lengths to provide a sloped upper surface. All of the panels have their lower edges in a continuous line. At one end the bag is a narrow neck 16 with a threaded connection for receiving a threaded cap 17. The other end has a folded gusset plate, not shown. Insulating material 12 surrounds the bag and may be any suitable material including polystyrene or any open or closed cellular material. As an alternative, the insulating sleeve 12 could be replaced by loose insulation or other suitable material for reducing the transfer of heat from the hot liquids contained in the bag 14 to the ambient environment.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application Serial No. 60/385,289 filed Jun. 3, 2002.

[0002] This invention relates in general to containers and more particularly to disposable carafes that hold more that one serving of a beverage.

[0003] Consumers have a wide variety of choice of brewed coffee and tea. Coffee shops, convenience stores and even grocery stores offer many choices of brewed coffee. A customer who wants to bring one or more chosen, brewed beverages to another location needs a portable container to carry the coffee. Durable containers are expensive and many consumers prefer a less expensive, disposable container that would hold multiple cups of the beverage.

[0004] Others have attempted to meet this need by providing disposable containers that hold large quantities of coffee or tea in an inexpensive and disposable container. One such container is hex-shaped and normally rests on its side. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,781. It has an integral handle that adds to the complexity of its manufacture and assembly. When it is first filled, the container may be unstable given the hex-shaped sides. Another container is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,992. It also has an integral handle. Both of the above containers provide discharge openings that are on the side of the container. In one or both cases the coffee in the container is normally held in by a cap on an internal flexible bag that is filled with liquid. The cap is below the level of the coffee in the filled container. As such, in their normal positions, the containers may leak. Other multisided (hexagonal) containers are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,050,775; 5,531,375; and 4,418,861.

[0005] In a departure from the cardboard, knock-down containers, still others have proposed a container with a rigid, central frame having a rectangular center section, a base, an integral spout and handle all made of plastic. See, for example 6,375,040. The frame supports a beverage bag that is enclosed by two pieces of insulating cardboard. The container resembles a watering can. The bag is inserted into the frame and the bag is enclosed with the cardboard covers. The frame supports the weight of the filled beverage bag.

SUMMARY

[0006] The invention solves the problems of the prior art by making a container that is more stable, less likely to leak and pours from an upright position. In its broader aspects the invention provides a liquid container for holding a relatively large quantity of liquid. It is made from a single sheet of paperboard, cardboard of other suitable material and is operable to form from a collapsed, flat storage configuration to an upright configuration. The container has sidepanels and end panels for holding a beverage bag and for dispensing fluid from the bag.

[0007] The container is prepared from elongated paperboard that is divided into multiple panels and end flaps that extend from one or more of the panels to interlock and form end panels. The panels between the ends of the paperboard are attached to adjacent panels along their edges by an integral hinged portion of the paperboard to form a continuous multisided sided structure. A front panel has a first end flap with an opening for receiving a neck of a beverage bag. Two end panels overlap each other to surround a beverage bag. One of the end panels has a second end flap with an opening aligned with the opening the first end flap for receiving the neck of the beverage bag. Inside the container is a flexible bag with a narrow neck for receiving and discharging a beverage. The bag is normally collapsed and expands to receive and hold a beverage. Around the bag is an insulation sheath for keeping the beverage at a stable temperature or otherwise reducing heat transfer to or from the beverage.

[0008] The end panels have openings in their sidepanels and those opening are aligned with each other. The user may insert a finger or thumb into the opening to assist in pouring the beverage from the container. Two of the side panels have openings for receiving opposite ends of a handle. The panels may be an odd or an even number. Where they are an odd number, the preferred number is five, seven or nine. Because the two end panels overlap, the number of sides in the final structure will be one less than the total number of panels.

[0009] For an odd number of panels (and an even number of sidepanels) the invention provides a center panel that is shortest in length; the end panels are longest. The base edges of the panels lie in a line with one another. The top edges of the panels between the center panel and the end panels line along a line connecting the edge of the center panel to the edge of the end panel. The center and the intermediate panels have the same width and one end panel has a width smaller than the other end panel in order to allow one end panel to overlap the other.

[0010] One of the end panels has a top end flap with six sides and three ears disposed on the edges of the three sides for folding into the container. Most of the panels have bottom flaps disposed along their respective bottom edges for interlocking to form a bottom end panel. The panels adjacent to the center panel have top end flaps for cooperating with the center end flap to cover the top of end of the container.

[0011] The invention provides a new multi-cup insulated coffee container. The invention is used to hold and keep warm multiple cups of coffee, including at least 12 eight ounce cups for a total of 96 fluid ounces.

[0012] The invention addresses a long felt need in the area of disposable, insulated coffee containers that hold large quantities of coffee. Such containers are highly desired by individuals who bring coffee to multiple coffee drinkers as well as by coffee retailers who require a disposable container for distributing large quantities of brewed coffee.

DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the structure.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the structure.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a planned view off the top of the container.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a planned view of an opened container top.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a planned view of a closed container bottom.

[0018] FIGS. 6 and 7 are planned views of opposite halves of the container bottom closure.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a planned view of the top end flap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The invention is a disposable container 10. Its structure is illustrated by FIGS. 1-8. Turning first to FIG. 8, there is shown a cross-sectional view of the invention. It includes an exterior paperboard container 10 that holds an insulating sleeve 12 that carries a collapsible bag 14 for holding hot fluid. Bag 14 may be made of any suitable material that can contain hot beverages. Preferred materials for the collapsible bag are nylon and metalized flexible materials. At one end the bag is a narrow neck 16 with a threaded connection for receiving a threaded cap 17. The other end has a folded gusset plate, not shown. An insulating sleeve 12 surrounds the bag and may be any suitable material including polystyrene or any open or closed cellular material. As an alternative, the insulating sleeve 12 could be replaced by loose insulation or other suitable material for reducing the transfer of heat from the hot liquids contained in the bag 14 to the ambient environment.

[0021] The container 10 is made of paperboard. Paperboard has a (brown) or unfinished surface as well as a finished surface. The finished surface may have any suitable color. It is common that such paperboard have a white finished surface. Paperboard is chosen in lieu of corrugated materials because paperboard is relatively stiffer and can form bent panels and integral hinges. The entire structure 10 is formed from a single sheet of paperboard that is suitably scored, cut, bent and folded to provide the structure shown in the figures. The structure 10 includes seven panels 20-26 that form a six sided hexagonal structure. The two longest panels 23-24 overlap. The container has a top 30 that is integral with one of the longest panels. The container has a bottom 50 that includes multi-lobed interfering flaps 52, 62. Those flaps are mirror images of each other and are mounted on the bottom edges of the panels.

[0022] The panels have different lengths to provide a sloped upper surface. All of the panels have their lower edges in a continuous line. Turning to FIG. 1, the shortest panel 20 faces the front of the device. Opposite front panel 20 are the back panels 23, 24. They are the longest panels. Panels 21 and 26 are on opposite sides of panel 20 and their respective top edges generally slope in an upward direction towards the rear. Panels 25 and 26 are integral, respectively, with panels 26 and 21. The upper edges of panels 25, 22 also slope up toward to top edge of the back panels 23, 24. Panels 25 and 22 are integral with the rear panels 23, 24, respectively. The rear panels 23, 24 overlap and are suitably fixed together by adhesive materials such as glue or any other suitable means including mechanical and chemical means for fixing one of the panels to the other. The rear panels 23, 24 have an aperture 18 that provides a thumb hole for carrying or manipulating the container.

[0023] Top flap 30 is integral with either the inside or the outside back panels 23, 24. The top flap 30 has a central hexagonal planar surface 31 that includes an opening 32 for the neck 16 of the bag 14. The top flap 30 has three integral lobes 44, 46 and 42 that are disposed on alternate sides of the hexagonal flap 31. Flaps 44 and 46 have integral hinges 45 that allow the outer flaps to bend and to fit adjacent top ends of panels 25, 22, respectively. The outer flaps 44, 46 fold over retaining lobes 27 and 29 that are on the upper ends, respectively, of front slanted panels 26, 21. The retaining flaps 27, 29 cover the top of the bag 14. The flaps 44 and 46 fold into the interior of the container 10. Small cutouts 48, 49 along the integral hinge/score lines 45, 47 serve to capture and lock onto the lobes 27, 29 of panels 26, 21 when the flap 30 is closed. The front lobe 42 of the flap 31 fits behind front panel 20. Front panel 20 has an integral, hinged vertical collar 34 with an opening 37 between a pair of yokes 36, 38. The yokes 36, 38 press against the neck 16 of the bag 14 in order to secure the bag in the opening 32. The neck of the bag is smaller than the opening between the yokes. A retainer ring 80 on the neck is larger than the yoke opening and holds the neck in between the yokes.

[0024] Bottom 50 of the container 10 is formed by the opposing multi-lobe structure shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Turning first to multi-lobe 52 there is shown a central lobe 53 that is integral with the front panel 20. A single lobe 54 is integral with front panel 21 and a double lobe structure 55, 57 is integral with front panel 26. The double lobe structure 55, 57 is scored and bends along an integral hinge line 56. FIG. 7 shows a corresponding structure that is formed along the bottom of panels 22, 23 or 24, and 25. The lobe 57 is glued to opposite lobe 64 and likewise lobe 67 is glued to opposite lobe 54. The central lobes 53 and 63 have interference cuts and a meeting line for folding and locking together to provide the bottom surface of the container.

[0025] With reference to FIG. 4, the container 10 is collapsed by bending the front panel toward the back panel. In particular, the three front side panels collapse onto the three back side panels. Bottom folds into the collapsing container volume by bending along the line B as shown in FIG. 4. The line B comprises creases in the end lobes 65/67 and 55/57. The center portion of the line is the mating line of lobes 53 and 63.

[0026] To manufacture the container 10, a single paperboard sheet is suitably scored, punched and bent to provide the apertures, lobes and integral hinges described above. Then the rear panels 23, 24 are glued together as are the bottom lobes 64/57 and 54/67. At that stage, the entire assembly may be stored in a flattened state until it is ready for use. When required, the structure is manipulated to expand and to lock the bottom lobes 53, 63 into place. A suitable insulating sleeve 12 is added inside of the container and a collapsible bag 14 is place inside the insulating sleeve 12. The top flap 30 is folded over the neck 16 of the bag 14. The collar 34 is also folded over the neck in order to form the final structure. The cap 17 on the bag may be removed from the bag may be filled with hot beverage such as coffee or hot tea or hot cocoa or any other suitable hot or even cold beverage. After filling the bag 14, cap 17 is screwed back onto the neck 16 and the customer may take the disposable beverage container from the retail establishment.

[0027] With the invention the container must be tipped from its upright position in order to dispense fluid. The relative vertical orientation of the container coupled with its wide base, provides a stable, upright container. A user must not only open the cap sealing the flexible bag, but must also tip the container. As such, at least two affirmative activities are required before the container dispenses fluid. This construction and arrangement overcomes disadvantages of prior art devices that rely upon gravity for dispensing fluid. Those devices place the discharge spout proximate the bottom of the container. With such devices fluid may be accidentally dispensed if someone opens the cap. In contrast, the invention places the discharge spout far away from the bottom of the container and put it on the top sloping panel thereby minimizing the possibility of accidentally pouring hot coffee.

[0028] Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other modifications, changes and variations may be made including omissions and additions of further structures without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the invention shows a six-sided structure that includes seven panel pieces. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other multisided structures may be made where the numbers of panel pieces exceed the number of sides by one or more. The panel can be made stronger by using heavier paperboard or by making a blank with more panels that overlap.

[0029] The dimensions, angles and radii of curvature shown in the figures is an example of a paperboard container suitable for holding 98 ounces of beverage. Those skilled in the art will understand that the dimensions, angle and radii may be altered to make larger or smaller containers.

Claims

What we claim is:

1. A liquid container for holding a relatively large quantity of liquid and operable to deform from a collapsed, flat storage configuration to an upright configuration with sidepanels and end panels for holding and dispensing fluid, the container comprising: a container structure comprising an elongated paperboard divided into multiple panels that form sidepanels and flaps extending from one or more of the panels for forming end panels; wherein panels between the ends of the paperboard are attached to adjacent panels along their edges by an integral hinged portion of the paperboard to form a continuous multisided sided structure, a front panel has a first end flap with an opening for receiving a neck of a beverage bag; two end panels for overlapping each other to surround a beverage bag and having a second end flap with a opening aligned with the opening the first end flap for receiving the neck of the beverage bag; a flexible bag disposed inside the container panel having a narrow neck for receiving and discharging a beverage and expandable when filled with a liquid from a collapsed position to an enlarged position for holding fluid; and an insulation sheath surrounding the flexible bag for reducing the transfer of heat between the fluid in the bag and ambient environment.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the end panels have openings in their sidepanels aligned with each other for admitting a digit of a user to assist in pouring the beverage from the container.

3. The container of claim 1 wherein two side panels have openings for receiving opposite ends of a handle.

4. The container of claim 1 wherein the panels are an odd or an even number.

5. The container of claim 4 wherein the container comprises an odd number and the odd number is five or seven or nine.

6. The container of claim 1 wherein the panels have an odd number with a center panel being shortest in length and the end panels being longest.

7. The container of claim 6 wherein the base edge of the panels lie in a line with one another.

8. The container of claim 7 wherein the top edges of the panels between the center panel and the end panels line along a line connecting the edge of the center panel to the edge of the end panel.

9. The container of claim 6 wherein the center and the intermediate panels have the same width.

10. The container of claim 6 wherein one end panel has a width smaller than the other end panel in order to allow one end panel to overlap the other.

11. The container of claim 6 wherein the center panels has a top end flap with six sides and ears disposed on the edges of the three sides for folding into the container.

12. The container of claim 6 wherein selected panels have bottom flaps disposed along their respective bottom edges for interlocking to form a bottom end panel.

13. The container of claim 6 wherein the panels adjacent the center panel have top end flaps for cooperating with the center end flap to cover the top of end of the container.

14. The container of claim 6 wherein the two end panels adhere to each other to form a six sided container.

15. A liquid container for holding a relatively large quantity of liquid and operable to deform from a collapsed, flat storage configuration to an upright configuration for holding and dispensing fluid, the container comprising: a container structure comprising an elongated paperboard divided into seven rectangular panels that form sidepanels and flaps that form end panels, wherein the panels between opposite ends of the paperboard are attached to adjacent panels along their longer side by an integral hinged portion of the paperboard to form a continuous six sided structure; the center panel being one of the shortest of the seven panels, an end panel being one of the longest of the panels and two panels on both sides of the center panel having lengths greater than the center panel and less than the one longest end panel; the one longest end panel having at one end at least one cover flap with six sides for forming a top cover of the container that slopes from the one longest end panel to the center shortest panel, the cover flap having an opening; the panels having bottom flaps at their ends opposite the top flap for forming a bottom floor of the upright container; a flexible bag disposed inside the container panel and expandable from a collapsed position to an enlarged position for holding fluid and a neck located the top of the bag for extending through an opening in the top sloping panel to receive and discharge beverages; an insulation sheath surrounding the flexible bag for reducing the transfer of heat between the fluid in the bag and ambient environment; wherein the upright container has a height greater than the width of its base and the container is tilted from its normal upright position for dispensing fluid from the flexible bag.

16. The container of claim 15 wherein the other end panel adheres to the one longest end panel to form a six sided container.

17. The container of claim 15 having a second opening in the two end panels for providing access for a finger and a handle extending from one intermediate panel to an opposite intermediate panel.