U.S. patent application number 10/752631 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-07 for beverage container.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sports Pouch Beverage Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to Arvizu, Gil.
Application Number | 20050147329 10/752631 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34711649 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050147329 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arvizu, Gil |
July 7, 2005 |
Beverage container
Abstract
A beverage container and method for making the same is
disclosed. The beverage container may include a flexible stand-up
pouch consisting essentially of polyester and polyethylene. The
pouch may have two wall panels with a corner section cut out to
form a slanted edge. A push-pull fitment may be disposed within the
pouch to extend from the slanted edge thereof.
Inventors: |
Arvizu, Gil; (Rancho Mirage,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCDERMOTT, WILL & EMERY
Suite 3400
2049 Century Park East
Los Angeles
CA
90067
US
|
Assignee: |
Sports Pouch Beverage Company,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
34711649 |
Appl. No.: |
10/752631 |
Filed: |
January 7, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/104 ; 383/5;
383/906 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 61/186 20130101;
B65D 47/243 20130101; B65D 75/5883 20130101; B65B 9/08
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/104 ;
383/906; 383/005 |
International
Class: |
B65D 030/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A beverage container, comprising: a flexible stand-up pouch
consisting essentially of polyester and polyethylene, the pouch
having two wall panels with a corner section cut out to form a
slanted edge; and a push-pull fitment extending from the slanted
edge of the pouch.
2. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the push-pull fitment
comprises a tamper-evident fitment.
3. The beverage container of claim 2 wherein the tamper-evident
fitment comprises a stem and a cap heat-sealed to the stem.
4. The beverage container of claim 1 further comprising a
collapsible base joined to the wall panels.
5. The beverage container of claim 4 wherein the collapsible base
is integral with the wall panels.
6. The beverage container of claim 4 wherein the collapsible base
comprises a flexible gusset panel, the gusset panel being
interposed and folded inwardly between the wall panels when the
base is collapsed, the gusset panel being joined to the wall panels
with a plurality of seals to form a generally elliptical unsealed
area inward of the seals when the base is expanded.
7. A beverage container, comprising: a flexible stand-up pouch
consisting essentially polyester and polyethylene, the pouch having
a base, and two wall panels joined to the base, the wall panels
being peripherally sealed to one another along two opposing lateral
edges and a top edge so as to define an interior region suitable
for containing a beverage, the top edge having a slanted edge
portion; and a push-pull fitment extending from the slanted edge
portion of the top edge.
8. The beverage container of claim 7 wherein the push-pull fitment
comprises a tamper-evident fitment.
9. The beverage container of claim 8 wherein the tamper-evident
fitment comprises a stem and a cap heat-sealed to the stem.
10. The beverage container of claim 7 wherein the base is
collapsible.
11. The beverage container of claim 10 wherein the collapsible base
is integral with the wall panels.
12. The beverage container of claim 10 wherein the collapsible base
comprises a flexible gusset panel, the gusset panel being
interposed and folded inwardly between the wall panels when the
base is collapsed, the gusset panel being joined to the wall panels
with a plurality of seals to form a generally elliptical unsealed
area inward of the seals when the base is expanded.
13. A beverage container, comprising: a flexible stand-up pouch
consisting essentially of polyester and polyethylene, the pouch
having first and second lateral edges and a top edge having first
and second portions, the first portion being substantially
perpendicular to the first lateral edge, and the second portion
extending from the first portion to the second lateral edge so as
to form an obtuse angle between the first and second portions and
an obtuse angle between the second portion and the second lateral
edge; and a push-pull fitment extending from the second portion of
the dispensing edge.
14. The beverage container of claim 13 wherein the push-pull
fitment comprises a tamper-evident fitment.
15. The beverage container of claim 14 wherein the tamper-evident
fitment comprises a body and a cap heat-sealed to the body.
16. The beverage container of claim 13 further comprising a
collapsible base.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to beverage
containers, and more particularly to a collapsible beverage pouch
with a push-pull fitment.
[0003] 2. Background
[0004] Flexible containers made from paperboard or metal foil are
often used to package various beverages for retail distribution.
These flexible containers are often packaged with a separate straw
wrapped in cellophane and secured to the outside of the container.
The straw may be removed by the consumer and used to puncture a
sealed spout as the straw is inserted into the container. Once the
straw is inserted, the consumer may withdraw the beverage from the
container.
[0005] The use of a straw secured to a beverage container has
numerous drawbacks. Packaging a straw together with the container
can be costly and inefficient, requiring not only an additional
manufacturing step to make the straw and cellophane wrap, but yet
another manufacturing step to wrap the straw with the cellophane
and secure it to the container. When the consumer uses the straw,
the cellophane wrap is discarded, resulting in waste. The insertion
of the straw through the sealed spout into the container can also
be difficult, and often results in the beverage squirting up
through the spout. If the entire beverage is not consumed, then it
will go to waste for there is no easy way to reseal the spout once
it is punctured. Moreover, the straw is prone to dislodge from the
container before use, making the consumption of the beverage very
difficult, if not impossible.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a beverage container that
is commercially viable to produce for retail distribution. The
beverage container should not require the use of a straw to consume
the beverage and should have a mechanism to reseal the container in
the event that the beverage is not completely consumed.
SUMMARY
[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, a beverage container
includes a flexible stand-up pouch consisting essentially of
polyester and polyethylene. The pouch includes two wall panels with
a corner section cut out to form a slanted edge. A push-pull
fitment extends from the slanted edge of the pouch.
[0008] In another aspect of the present invention, a beverage
container includes a flexible stand-up pouch consisting essentially
of polyester and polyethylene. The pouch includes a base, and two
wall panels joined to the base, with the wall panels being
peripherally sealed to one another along two opposing lateral edges
and a top edge so as to define an interior region suitable for
containing a beverage. The top edge includes a slanted edge portion
with a push-pull fitment extending therefrom.
[0009] In another aspect of the present invention, a beverage
container includes a flexible stand-up pouch consisting essentially
of polyester and polyethylene. The pouch includes first and second
lateral edges and a top edge having first and second portions, the
first portion being substantially perpendicular to the first
lateral edge, and the second portion extending from the first
portion to the second lateral edge so as to form an obtuse angle
between the first and second portions and an obtuse angle between
the second portion and the second lateral edge. A push-pull fitment
extends from the second portion of the top edge.
[0010] It is understood that other embodiments of the present
invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art
from the following detailed description, wherein various
embodiments of the invention are shown and described by way of
illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable of
other and different embodiments and its several details are capable
of modification in various other respects, all without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly,
the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as
illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Aspects of the present invention are illustrated by way of
example, and not by way of limitation, in the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a beverage container
with a flexible stand-up pouch;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic vertical section of a flexible
stand-up pouch with a base in the collapsed position;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a flexible stand-up
pouch with a base in the collapsed position;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flexible stand-up pouch
with a base in the expanded position;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-section view of a push-pull
fitment in the closed position with portions broken away;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-section view of a push-pull
fitment in the open position with portions broken away; and
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a horizontal in-line machine
that may be used to form, seal and fill a beverage container in an
automated fashion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings is intended as a description of various
embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to
represent the only embodiments in which the present invention may
be practiced. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is
provided merely as an example or illustration of the present
invention, and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or
advantageous over other embodiments.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a beverage container
having a flexible stand-up pouch 102. The pouch may be constructed
with two wall panels 104 with a corner section cut out at the top
of the pouch 102 to form a slanted edge 106. A push-pull fitment
108 extending from the slanted edge 106 may be used by the consumer
to dispense the beverage from the pouch 102. The term "push-pull
fitment" means a fitment having a cap that moves up and down a stem
to open and close the fitment. By way of example, a cap 110 shown
in FIG. 1 may be "pulled" up the stem 112 to open the fitment 108
and "pushed" down the stem 112 to close the fitment 108.
[0021] In at least one embodiment of the beverage container, the
push-pull fitment 108 may be formed with a tamper-evident seal.
This may be achieved during the manufacturing process by
heat-sealing the bottom portion of the cap 110 to the stem 112 with
the fitment 104 in the closed position. The tamper-evident seal may
be broken by the consumer by simply twisting the cap 110.
[0022] The physical dimensions of the pouch 102 may vary depending
on manufacturing preferences and the particular application. For
retail distribution of beverage drinks, commercial viability may
best be served with a small, lightweight construction. By way of
example, the wall panels 104 may have a lateral height of 160 mm
and a horizontal length of 110 mm. The slanted edge 106 may be
formed at 45.degree. angle for easy consumption of the beverage
from the pouch 102 through the push-pull fitment 108.
[0023] The lightweight construction of the beverage container may
be achieved by selecting the appropriate material. By way of
example, the pouch 102 may be formed from a polyester, polyethylene
laminate. The polyethylene layer may provide a heat-sealable
interior lining for the pouch 102. Because the polyester does not
shrink during the heat-sealing process, various aesthetic features
and written materials may be printed on the polyester layer before
the pouch 102 is constructed without experiencing distortion during
the heat-sealing process. The thickness of the polyester film may
be about 12 microns and the thickness of the polyethylene may be
about 90 microns. Other material thicknesses may be used where
appropriate.
[0024] The pouch 102 may be constructed with a collapsible base
joined to the two wall panels 104. FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic
vertical section of a pouch with the base collapsed, and FIG. 3 is
an elevation view of the same pouch with the base collapsed. In the
collapsed form, the base may be formed with a gusset panel 202
interposed and folded inwardly between the two wall panels 104.
Each section of the gusset panel 202a and 202b may be joined to one
of the panel walls 104 with a "bottom" seal 204 and two oblique
seals 206. For the purposes of this disclosure, the "bottom" of the
pouch will refer to the base portion of the pouch 102 regardless of
the orientation of the pouch. The gusset panel construction allows
the base to be expanded to support the pouch 102 in a standing or
upright position with a generally elliptical unsealed area 208
inward of the bottom and oblique seals 204 and 206 as shown in FIG.
4. An example of this type of gusset panel is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 3,380,646, entitled Container of Plastic Material and
Method of Producing the Same, the contents of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the two wall panels 104 may be
fastened to one another by lateral seals 210 so as to define an
interior region suitable for containing the beverage. An opening at
the "top" of the wall panels 104 establishes communication between
the pouch interior region and the exterior of the pouch. The
opening may be adapted to receive the push-pull fitment along the
slanted edge 106. For the purposes of this disclosure, the "top" of
the pouch will refer to the edge of the pouch 102 having the
fitment regardless of the orientation of the pouch. Once the
push-pull fitment is secured between the two wall panels 104, the
pouch 102 may be filled with a beverage through the top, and then
the two wall panels 104 may be fastened together with a top seal
212.
[0026] An example of a push-pull fitment 108 is shown in FIGS. 5
and 6. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-section view of the fitment in the
closed position with portions broken away, and FIG. 6 is a partial
cross-section view of the fitment in the open position with
portions broken away. The fitment 108 may be molded from a
polymeric material, such as high density polyethylene, which is
suitable to be sealed between the two wall panels. The fitment 108
may include a body 502 and a cap 504.
[0027] The body 502 may be formed with a hollow base 506 having
generally a canoe-shaped configuration with an open bottom 510, a
top deck 512, and two side walls 514 converging at two opposing
ends. Each side wall 514 may have a series of spaced ribs 516 which
may be heat sealed to a corresponding wall panel of the pouch.
[0028] The body 502 may also include the stem 112, which may be a
hollow annular body positioned on the top deck 512 and aligned with
the base 506 so as to form a dispensing passage that extends
through the fitment 108. The stem 112 may include a bottom flange
520 and an annular channel 524 bound by an upper flange 526 and a
bottom portion 522 of the stem 112. A closure plug 528 extending
above the stem 112 may be anchored to the interior portion of the
stem 112 with a number of circumferentially spaced upwardly and
angularly extending legs 529.
[0029] The cap 504 may be formed with a hollow annular wall 530 and
a top portion 532 with a central opening 534. The interior portion
of the annular wall 530 may include an inward annular flange 536.
An interior annular ring 538 may extend downward from the top
portion 532 of the cap 504. The ring 540 in combination with the
upper portion of the interior annular wall 530 form an annular
channel adapted to receive the stem 112.
[0030] The cap 504 may be positioned on the body 502 of the fitment
104 so that the annular flange 536 extending inward from the
interior of the annular wall 530 of the cap 504 slideably engages
the annular channel 524 of the stem 112. The fitment 108 may be
closed by moving the cap 504 down the stem 112 of the fitment 108
until the annular flange 536 extending inward from the interior of
the annular wall 530 of the cap hits the bottom portion 522 of the
stem 112, thus forcing the closure plug 528 into the central
opening 534 of the cap 504 as shown in FIG. 5. With the closure
plug 528 lodged into the central opening 534 of the cap 504, the
beverage in the interior pouch region is completely sealed off from
the exterior of the pouch. The bottom portion 522 of the stem 112
acts as a stopper limiting the downward movement of the cap 504 on
the stem 112.
[0031] The fitment may be opened by moving the cap 504 up the stem
112 until the annular flange 536 extending inward from the annular
wall 530 of the cap 504 hits the upper flange 526 of the stem 112,
thus removing the closure plug 528 from the central opening 534 of
the cap 504 and establishing communication between the pouch
interior region and the exterior of the pouch through the central
opening 534 of the cap 504 at the end of the dispensing passage.
The fitment in the opened position is shown in FIG. 6. The upper
flange 526 acts as a stopper limiting the upward movement of the
cap 504 on the stem 112.
[0032] The collapsible beverage pouch may be fabricated in any
number of ways, including manually or through an automated process.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a horizontal in-line machine 702
that may be used to form, seal, and fill the pouch in an automated
fashion.
[0033] The horizontal in-line machine 702 may be configured to
continuously feed flat sheets of pouch material into a pouch
forming plough 710 from a single roll of the pouch material 706.
The forming plough 710 may be used to form the gusset panel and
then fold the sheet lengthwise.
[0034] Once the sheet is formed, the horizontal in-line machine 702
may perform a number of steps to seal and separate the sheets into
individual pouches. A bottom seal unit 712 may be used to provide
the bottom and oblique seals by pressing the pouch material
together in each section of the gusset panel using hot iron bars or
other similar device that binds the polyethylene interior lining
together. A side seal unit 714 following the bottom seal unit 712
may be used to provide the lateral seals by pressing the pouch
together with hot iron bars or similar device that extends the
height of the wall panels and base of the pouch. A cutting unit 716
may follow the side seal unit 714 to cut the sheet into individual
pouches. The cutting unit 716 may be implemented with a pair of
vertically spaced scissors or blades. In at least one embodiment,
the side seal unit 712 and the cutting unit 714 may be integrated
so that both operations may be performed in a single step. Either
way, the cut pouches may be fed into a cooling unit 718 to cure the
heat seals.
[0035] Once the pouches are separated and sealed, a fitment may be
fixed to each pouch. A corner cutting unit 720 may be used to
remove a corner from each pouch. The corner cutting unit 720 may be
implemented with a blade angled at 45.degree. or other suitable
angle. Once the corner of the pouch is removed, the pouch may be
fed to a suction cup 722 to open the pouch before the fitment is
attached by the fitment insertion unit 724. A fitment feeder unit
726 may be positioned above the fitment insertion unit 724. The
fitment feeder unit 726 may include a container 728 which ejects
fitments onto a track 730. The track 730 may be used to guide the
fitment from the container 728 to the pouch so as to align the base
of the fitment with the cut-away corner section of the pouch
between the two wall panel. Once the fitment is aligned, the pouch
may be forwarded to a fitment welding unit 732. The fitment welding
unit 732 may use two heated iron bars to press the two wall panels
of the pouch against opposing sides of the fitment base. The
fitment welding unit 732 may also be used to heat seal the bottom
of the cap 110 to the stem 112 to provide a tamper-evident
fitment.
[0036] Once the fitment is fixed to the pouch, the horizontal
in-line machine 702 may be used to fill the pouch. A blowing cone
734, following the fitment welding unit 732, may be used to open
the top of the pouch before being fed to a filling station 736. The
filling station 736 may be used to fill the pouch with a
beverage.
[0037] Once the pouch is filled, it is ready to be completely
sealed. The filled pouch may be fed to a stretching unit 738, which
may be used to elongate the pouch and drive the air out of the
pouch before being fed to a top seal unit 740. The top seal unit
740 may be used to heat seal the top of the pouch using a pair of
hot horizontal iron bars applied to the top of the opposing wall
panels. The finished product may then be deposited on an outlet
conveyer unit 742.
[0038] The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the
present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will
be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic
principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
the present invention is not intended to be limited to the
embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope
consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed
herein.
* * * * *