Compressible beverage container

Abstract

A collapsible beverage container consists of a soft, pliable, bag like containment body that is topped by a cap from which a user can drink from. The container can optionally be equiped with a double clip which straddles the cap and drops to each side of the container.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the invention

[0002] The invention relates generally to containers but more particularly to a beverage container that is flexible enough to be compressed as liquid is withdrawn.

[0003] 2. Background of the invention

[0004] Numerous containers have been invented that are collapsible or compressible as their content is depleted. They are grouped in two broad classes: Permanent reusable containers and single usage disposable containers. The permanent reusable cater generally to the camping and outdoors market and features a variety of formats generally in an accordion shape that can easily be compacted.

[0005] The other class is for single usage disposable or recyclable and comprises containers for wine consisting of a flexible bag contained within a rigid box and allows for the storing of, among others, wine without introducing air inside the flexible bag which collapses as the content is depleted. These types of containers are usually of a large size and not meant for individual servings.

[0006] In this class, methods of making the flexible container can be as important as the product itself, for example:

[0007] A collapsible bag and method of making it from blanks of a flexible material which are cut from an elongate web substantially without wasting any material between adjacent blanks. Each blank has a circumferential continuous central portion and four substantially identical isosceles triangular portions at each end of the blank. Adjacent sides of adjacent triangular portions are connected together to provide, when the bag is expanded or filled, generally square ends which are interconnected by generally rectangular side walls. An access opening is provided in an end of the bag by terminating the connections of its triangular portions short of their apexes. Preferably, a spout is received in the access opening and connected to the triangular portions.

[0008] Another invention discloses a bag for bag-in-box comprising: a bag body composed of flat portions and side portions each having a folding line along which the side portion is folded inward; oblique seal portions provided at respective corner portions of the bag body, the oblique seal portion being formed by obliquely cutting-off the respective corner portions; and a triangular fin portion integrally formed with the oblique seal portion; wherein the flat portion and the side portion are composed of several sheets of synthetic resin films that are superposed to each other. The opening portion to be formed on the outer box of the bag-in-box has a size enabling to sufficiently draw out a spout and the bag body portion around the spout to form a funnel-shape.

[0009] However, due to the popularity of sports drinks and soft drinks in general, and the creation of new outdoor activities and sports where quenching thirst is important, new types of containers or container holders are developped and there is constantly a need for a new practical beverage container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention discloses a small, practical beverage container designed for single servings and offering substantial advantages over existing containers.

[0011] It is therefore a main object of this invention to provide for a simple to use compressible beverage container that is soft and pliable, somewhat like a bag so that it collapses as its content is depleted.

[0012] It is a second object of this invention to provide for a compressible beverage container that is easily recyclable because it can easily be compacted.

[0013] It is a third object of this invention to provide for a compressible beverage container that has a low manufacturing cost.

[0014] It is a fourth object of this invention to provide for a compressible beverage container having a clip for clipping the container on a piece of clothing or any such suitable object.

[0015] It is a fifth object of this invention to provide for a compressible beverage container that is compact and practical to carry.

[0016] In order to do so, the collapsible beverage container consists of a soft, pliable, bag like containment body that is topped by a cap from which a user can drink from. The container can optionally be equiped with a double clip which straddles the cap and drops to each side of the container.

[0017] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and described, by way of examples. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] FIG. 1 Side elevation of the collapsible beverage container showing the double clip.

[0019] FIG. 2 Front elevation of the collapsible beverage container showing the double clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] A collapsible beverage container (10) has a soft, pliable, bag like containment body (12) having two opposite sides (11) curving towards each other and joining. The collapsible beverage container (10) is topped by a cap (14) from which a user can drink from. The nature of the cap can vary from a simple twist-off cap to more elaborate designs like pull-out spouts and newer types, well known in the art, which are best suited when a user is involved in some activity like jogging or biking. The collapsible beverage container (10) has at least one clip (16) starting at the base of the cap (14) and continuing downward on the side (11). The clip (14) can also be doubled so that it becomes like two clips with one on each side (11) of the collapsible beverage container (10). The collapsible beverage container (10) offers a large enough surface to leave room for a label (18) for branding a product or any other use such as discount coupons etc. . . .

Claims

1. A collapsible beverage container comprising: a soft, pliable, bag like containment body; two opposite sides curving towards each other and joining; a cap at the top of said body.

2. A collapsible beverage container as in claim 1 wherein: at least one clip starting at the base of said cap and continuing downward therefrom.

3. A collapsible beverage container as in claim 1 wherein: two clips starting at the base of said cap with one on each side of the collapsible beverage container and continuing downward therefrom.