U.S. patent application number 11/807373 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-09 for flexible beverage container.
Invention is credited to Craig C. Binks, Robert L. Sasser.
Application Number | 20080247684 11/807373 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38779228 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080247684 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Binks; Craig C. ; et
al. |
October 9, 2008 |
Flexible beverage container
Abstract
A beverage container includes a pair of flexible sidewalls
defining therebetween a pouch area for containing a beverage. The
flexible sidewalls are comprised of a material having at least two
material layers coupled to, or integrated with, one another. The
layers include at least an outer layer comprised of an outer
barrier material and an inner layer including an inner barrier
material. The inner barrier material is operable to be exposed to
the beverage contained in the pouch area while resisting migration
of contaminants through the sidewalls and into the beverage.
Inventors: |
Binks; Craig C.; (Sandy,
UT) ; Sasser; Robert L.; (Peoa, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THORPE NORTH & WESTERN, LLP.
P.O. Box 1219
SANDY
UT
84091-1219
US
|
Family ID: |
38779228 |
Appl. No.: |
11/807373 |
Filed: |
May 25, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60809141 |
May 25, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/113 ;
222/107; 222/494; 383/120 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 49/02 20130101;
B65D 47/2031 20130101; B65D 75/26 20130101; B65D 75/008 20130101;
B65D 2203/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/113 ;
222/107; 383/120; 222/494 |
International
Class: |
B65D 35/52 20060101
B65D035/52; B65D 30/08 20060101 B65D030/08; B65D 30/20 20060101
B65D030/20; B65D 35/38 20060101 B65D035/38 |
Claims
1. A beverage container, comprising: a pair of flexible sidewalls
defining therebetween a pouch area for containing a beverage; the
flexible sidewalls being comprised of a material having at least
two material layers coupled to, or integrated with, one another,
the layers including at least: an outer layer comprised of an outer
barrier material; and an inner layer including an inner barrier
material, the inner barrier material being operable to be exposed
to the beverage contained in the pouch area while resisting
migration of contaminants through the sidewalls and into the
beverage.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the outer barrier material
includes PET.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the outer barrier material
includes nylon.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein the inner barrier material
includes EVOH.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the inner barrier material
includes PE.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein the inner barrier material
includes LLDPE.
7. The container of claim 1, wherein the inner barrier material
includes a combination of LDPE, EVOH and LLDPE.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein the inner barrier material
includes PP.
9. The container of claim 1, further comprising an intermediate
layer, disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer, the
intermediate layer including printed information visible through
the outer layer.
10. The container of claim 1, further comprising an intermediate
layer, disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer, the
intermediate layer including nylon.
11. A beverage container, comprising: a pair of flexible sidewalls
defining therebetween a pouch area for containing a beverage; a
valving assembly, coupled between edges of the sidewalls and being
operable to allow flow of the beverage from the pouch area while
resisting flow of fluid into the pouch area; the valving assembly
including a membrane having at least one slit formed therein, the
membrane having a curvature that causes the slit to open when
subject to flow of beverage from the pouch area and causes the slit
to close when subject to flow of fluid into the pouch area.
12. The container of claim 11, wherein the membrane includes a
plurality of slits, arranged at substantially equal angles relative
to one another and extending outwardly from a center of the
membrane toward one or more edges of the membrane.
13. The container of claim 12, wherein the plurality of slits
comprises three slits.
14. The container of claim 12, wherein the plurality of slits
comprises five slits.
15. A collapsible beverage container, comprising: a pair of
flexible sidewalls defining therebetween a pouch area for
containing a beverage; a valving assembly installed between the
sidewalls adjacent a top of the beverage container; a pair of side
seams extending generally upwardly along side edges of the
container; a bottom gusset frame, expandable when the container is
filled with at least some of the beverage to provide a stable
support for the beverage container such that the container is
substantially free-standing when at least partially filled with the
beverage.
16. The container of claim 15, wherein the gusset frame defines a
hexagon when fully expanded.
17. The container of claim 15, wherein the container includes a
ratio of height:width:depth of about four:two:one.
18. The container of claim 15, wherein the side seams extend from a
bottommost portion of each side to an uppermost portion of each
side and include a width from about 5 mm to about 7 mm.
19. The container of claim 15, wherein a width of the side seams is
greater than a width of seams used to form the gusset frame.
20. A collapsible beverage container suitable for containing and
dispensing drinking water, comprising: a pair of flexible sidewalls
defining therebetween a pouch area for containing drinking water; a
valving assembly, coupled between edges of the sidewalls and being
operable to allow flow of the drinking water from the pouch area
while resisting flow of fluid into the pouch area; a bottom gusset
frame, expandable when the container is filled with at least some
of the drinking water to provide a stable support for the beverage
container such that the container is substantially free-standing
when at least partially filled with the drinking water; the
container being operable to collapse as water is removed from the
pouch area and to retain its collapsed configuration such that a
volume of the pouch area is constantly and automatically reduced as
the drinking water is expelled from the pouch area.
21. The beverage container of claim 20, wherein the valving
assembly includes a membrane having at least one slit formed
therein, the membrane having a curvature that causes the slit to
open when subject to flow of the drinking water from the pouch area
and causes the slit to close when subject to flow of fluid into the
pouch area.
22. The container of claim 21, wherein the membrane includes a
plurality of slits, arranged at substantially equal angles relative
to one another and extending outwardly from a center of the
membrane toward one or more edges of the membrane.
23. The container of claim 22, wherein the plurality of slits
comprises three slits.
24. The container of claim 22, wherein the plurality of slits
comprises five slits.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims benefit of copending U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/809,141, filed May 25,
2006, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to beverage
containers for use in containing and dispensing fluids such as
water, juice and the like. More particularly, the present invention
relates to a collapsible beverage container well suited for
containing and dispensing drinking water.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Plastic beverage containers are widely used as a means for
containing water, carbonated beverages, alcohol, juices, and a
variety of other beverage substances. Plastic containers have
replaced glass containers for many commercial and residential
purposes because they are generally lighter in weight and more
shatter-resistant than are many glass containers. One material
commonly used in plastic beverage containers, polyethylene
terephthalate (PET), has been found to provide enhanced clarity,
recyclability, and ease of manufacture at a competitive price.
[0006] While the use of plastic for beverage bottles has proved
commercially viable, the widespread use of plastic beverage bottles
has resulted in a large volume of waste that must be recycled,
treated in a land fill, incinerated, or otherwise managed after use
of the bottles. Semi-rigid or "firm" plastic containers made of
PET, such as carbonated beverage containers, generally occupy the
same volumetric space whether empty or full, and are often not
easily compressed after use. Even when partially compressed, these
bottles do not easily collapse completely, resulting in a large,
empty volume within the plastic containers that consumes
unnecessary space when the container is discarded.
[0007] In addition, many conventional beverage bottles must be
shipped empty to a filling facility where the bottles are filled
with the beverage. As such, the bottles often must be cleaned at
the filling facility, and rinsed thoroughly to ensure that all
cleaning materials/chemicals are removed from the bottles, prior to
filling the bottles with the beverage. Also, in many cases, these
beverage containers must be labeled after filling (or very shortly
before filling), in a facility separate from the one in which the
containers were manufactured.
[0008] Also, when drinking water is provided to consumers in
beverage containers, issues with transparency of packaging, and
taste migration from the packaging to the beverage (water) being
contained, are greatly enhanced in comparison to other beverages.
For example, many juices and sports drinks exhibit a sufficiently
robust color that packages that are meant to be transparent may not
need to be perfectly transparent, as the juice or other drink is
not itself transparent and thereby masks imperfections in the
packaging. Also, juices and sports drinks generally exhibit a
sufficiently robust taste such that migration of minor amounts of
taste from the packaging into the juice or sports drink may not be
detectable by most consumers. However, due to the exceptional
clarity and subtle taste of drinking water, even the slightest
cloudiness present in packaging, or the slightest migration of
taste from packaging, can generally be detected by most consumers,
and can leave them with a negative impression of the product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention provides a beverage container, including a
pair of flexible sidewalls defining therebetween a pouch area for
containing a beverage. The flexible sidewalls can be comprised of a
material having at least two material layers coupled to, or
integrated with, one another. The layers can include at least an
outer layer comprised of an outer barrier material; and an inner
layer including an inner barrier material. The inner barrier
material can be operable to be exposed to the beverage contained in
the pouch area while resisting migration of contaminants through
the sidewalls and into the beverage.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
beverage container is provided, including a pair of flexible
sidewalls defining therebetween a pouch area for containing a
beverage. A valving assembly can be coupled between edges of the
sidewalls and can be operable to allow flow of the beverage from
the pouch area while resisting flow of fluid into the pouch area.
The valving assembly can include a membrane having at least one
slit formed therein. The membrane can have a curvature that causes
the slit to open when subject to flow of beverage from the pouch
area and causes the slit to close when subject to flow of fluid
into the pouch area.
[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
collapsible beverage container is provided, including a pair of
flexible sidewalls defining therebetween a pouch area for
containing a beverage. A valving assembly can be installed between
the sidewalls adjacent a top of the beverage container. A pair of
side seams can extend generally upwardly along side edges of the
container. A bottom gusset frame can be expandable when the
container is filled with at least some of the beverage to provide a
stable support for the beverage container such that the container
is substantially free-standing when at least partially filled with
the beverage.
[0012] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
collapsible beverage container suitable for containing and
dispensing drinking water is provided, including a pair of flexible
sidewalls defining therebetween a pouch area for containing
drinking water. A valving assembly can be coupled between edges of
the sidewalls and can be operable to allow flow of the drinking
water from the pouch area while resisting flow of fluid into the
pouch area. A bottom gusset frame can be expandable when the
container is filled with at least some of the drinking water to
provide a stable support for the beverage container such that the
container is substantially free-standing when at least partially
filled with the drinking water. The container can be operable to
collapse as water is removed from the pouch area and to retain its
collapsed configuration such that a volume of the pouch area is
constantly and automatically reduced as the drinking water is
expelled from the pouch area.
[0013] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together
illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1A is a front view of a flexible beverage container
containing a liquid in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0015] FIG. 1B is a side view of the container of FIG. 1A;
[0016] FIG. 1C is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 1A;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a front view of an unfilled (or empty) flexible
beverage container in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a series of flexible beverage containers,
shown in varying degrees of filled or unfilled conditions;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a layer of material used
to form a flexible beverage container in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a schematic, partially sectioned side view of a
portion of a valving assembly in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention (a membrane portion is shown as sectioned);
[0021] FIG. 6A is a top view of the membrane of the portion of the
valving assembly of FIG. 5; and
[0022] FIG. 6B is a top view of the membrane portion of FIG. 6A,
shown with another slit configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] As used herein, the terms "top," "bottom," "sides," and the
like are used to aid in describing the various features of the
invention in easily understandable terms. It is to be understood,
however, that such terms in no may limit the present invention. For
example, while a valving structure may be described and claimed
herein as being located at a "top" of the beverage container, a
container having valving structure operably similar to the
presently claimed invention would be considered as infringing the
claimed invention, even if the infringing container had valving
structured located in what would be considered a side of that
container.
[0024] When discussing the beverage containers of the present
invention, one or more side, top, bottom, end, etc., walls may be
referenced. It is to be understood that each of the various
distinct walls can be formed from a single piece of material
folded, crimped, sealed, or otherwise manipulated to form the
various walls. Thus, while multiple walls may be referenced, the
walls can be formed from an integral piece of material. Of course,
each of the walls can also be formed from distinct pieces of
materials as well.
[0025] Various abbreviations are used herein to identify various
material types. One of ordinary skill in the relevant art will
readily understand the abbreviations used. For the sake of clarity,
however, some of the abbreviations used herein are accorded the
following meanings: LLDPE refers to linear low density
polyethylene; EVOH refers to ethylene vinyl alcohol; LDPE refers to
low density polyethylene; EVOH refers to ethylene vinyl alcohol; PE
refers to polyethylene; and PP refers to polypropylene; PP refers
to polypropylene. It is to be understood that, while various
materials may be listed independently in the claims, the invention
can include combinations of those listed as well as known variants
thereof.
[0026] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments
illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used
herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood
that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby
intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive
features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the
principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would
occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of
this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the
invention.
[0027] As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, a stand-alone flexible
beverage container, indicated generally at 100, in accordance with
the present invention is shown for containing a beverage
illustratively indicated at 120. The container can be formed of two
sheets of flexible material: a front sheet 104 and a rear sheet
102. While the front and rear sheets are shown in the figures as
two distinct sheets of material, it is to be understood that the
two sheets can be formed from, or can form a part of, a single
sheet of material folded or otherwise manipulated to form a pouch
118.
[0028] Two generally vertical side seams 106 can be formed by
joining the edges of the flexible sheets in a substantially
inseparable manner. The flexible sheets can be cut, punched or
otherwise dimensioned to form a substantially rectangular shape. A
top seam 108 can be formed by further joining the top edged of the
flexible or plastic sheets to form a seam. This top seam can
include an opening for a closable valve 114. The closable valve can
further include a cap 116. The closable valve and cap can be
similar in many aspects to the valve, cap and "boat" assembly shown
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,307, which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference to the extent it is pertinent hereto, but not to the
extent it is inconsistent herewith.
[0029] Between the sheets of flexible material 102, 104, and
further enclosed by the seams 106, 108 and valve 114, a pouch (or
pouch area) 118 can be defined for containing a beverage. The
combination of seams can provide sufficient structural support to
enable the container/pouch to be freestanding through a range of
filled conditions. For example, the container can be freestanding
when the pouch is substantially filled with a beverage; it can be
freestanding when the pouch is only partially filled with a
beverage; and can also be freestanding when the pouch is voided of
the beverage. In this manner, the present invention provides a
container that can be sufficiently flexible so as to be relatively
easily compacted when empty, and yet be capable of freestanding
when placed on a shelf or other surface when offered for sale. As
presenting such beverages for sale in an orderly manner is a
significant consideration for vendors, the present invention allows
single units of beverages packaged in flexible containers to be
presented for sale without undue risk that the containers will tip
over under normal storage conditions.
[0030] FIG. 3 includes a series of photographs of a container in
accordance with the present invention: shown at 300 in a
substantially filled configuration; at 310 in a substantially empty
configuration and at least partially collapsed; and at 320 in an
empty configuration and rolled into a compacted configuration to
minimize the volume of the container that is consumed when
discarding the container.
[0031] The vertical seams 106 can overlap a bottom seam 110 in
order to form a bottom support structure, or a gusset frame. In the
present embodiment of the invention, a supporting bottom 111 can be
joined to the two vertical sheets 102 and 104, to form the bottom
seam. The supporting bottom can be in the shape of an elongated
hexagon with a fold line 122 longitudinally bisecting the hexagon,
as shown in FIG. 1C. The supporting bottom 111 with the elongated
hexagonal shape can be joined to the two vertical sheets in an
inverted-V fashion, as best shown in FIG. 1B. In this manner, the
bottom seam can provide good structural support to the sides,
balancing the container 100 and providing stability to the base.
When the container is filled with a beverage 120, the volume of the
pouch 118 can increase, narrowing the base width and increasing the
base depth. In this manner, a full container can expand the base to
give maximum vertical support to the container to provide
freestanding capabilities to the container. As the liquid is
dispensed from the container (and thus the weight on the bottom
seam is reduced), the supporting bottom can reduce in width
accordingly. The elongated hexagon-shaped supporting bottom joined
in an inverted-V fashion can facilitate ease of collapsibility of
the container as the beverage in the container is emptied.
[0032] In one aspect of the invention, the closable valve 114 can
be a unidirectional (e.g., "one-way") valve in order to prevent air
or other fluids from flowing into the container 100 as the
container is emptied. In this manner, as the beverage is emptied or
dispensed from the container, the supporting bottom or gusset frame
is pulled inward along the fold line 122 by way of the vacuum
created in the container as the beverage in emptied. The container
can thus automatically collapse during the process of emptying the
beverage from the container. The one-way valve also serves to
restrict or prevent contaminants from entering the beverage
container, either as the beverage is dispensed from the container,
or prior to the container being filled with the beverage.
[0033] As previously discussed, a large volume of waste can be
produced by conventional empty beverage containers that retain
their shape after use. By incorporating a one-way valve within the
present container, a vacuum can be created inside the pouch 118 as
it is emptied, which can cause the container to collapse to a small
volume while it is emptied. Thus, once the container is emptied, no
further manipulation of the container is necessary to collapse or
compress the container prior to disposal. Accordingly, the present
a container has a less negative impact on the environment due to
its low volumetric waste.
[0034] The closable valve 114 can be associated with or bonded to
the top seam 108 in a variety of manners. The valve may be part of
a fitment that includes a valve, or other sealed valve
configurations that will be practical for use with the container.
The top seam can be joined to the closable valve using a variety of
means, including heat sealing, use of adhesives, plastic welding,
etc.
[0035] In one aspect of the invention, the flexible sheets 102, 104
and supporting bottom 111, can include multiple layers of material
coupled or joined to form a single sheet of flexible material.
Currently, a large variety of suitable flexible materials are
available in the art to produce multilayered flexible sheets for
various purposes. The choice of plastics used in the present
invention will vary depending upon the type of beverage contained,
the environment in which the containers will be stored, shipped,
used, etc. Other considerations that may affect the choice of
materials include: reaction tendencies with various adhesives,
odor, thickness, material strength, color, clarity, and a variety
of other factors. Multiple layers of differing material can be
combined to include two or more plastics each having a desired
attribute. For example, a strong plastic may be layered with a
plastic that has a desired adhesive quality for receiving ink and
other printed decorations.
[0036] Typical materials that can be used as layers to create a
flexible sheet of plastic include, without limitation, PET, nylon,
and Cast Nylon. Typical sealants may include EVOH and EVOH Coex.
The corresponding thicknesses for each layer may vary according to
their respective combinations. In one embodiment a multiple layered
flexible plastic can include a layer of PET joined to a layer of
nylon. These layers can be joined by a sealant including, without
limitation, EVOH or EVOH Coex sealant. In one embodiment, a
multiple layered flexible plastic can include multiple layers of
PET joined by an EVOH or EVOH Coex sealant. The manner of joining
the various layers can also vary, and can include, without
limitation, lamination, adhesives, plastic welding, etc.
[0037] While the present container can be used for a variety of
beverages, in one embodiment it is particularly well suited for use
as a container for drinking water. Packaging of drinking water in
containers generally presents difficulties not often associated
with packaging of other beverages such as sports drinks, fruit
juices, etc. This is at least in part due the fact that the
presence of materials that alter the taste, sight and smell of a
beverage can be much more easily detected in drinking water than in
other types of beverages that can "mask" the presence of such
contaminants.
[0038] It has been found that the problem of contaminating drinking
water with matter from the packaging of the container can be
greatly exacerbated by heat. That is, when containers storing
drinking water are exposed to relatively high degrees of heat, the
migration of taste- or appearance-altering matter from packaging
materials can be greatly increased. Various embodiments of the
present invention have been found to maintain drinking water in an
un-contaminated in temperatures approaching the melting point of
the packaging materials.
[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 4, in one aspect of the invention,
the material used to form the present container can include
multiple layers of materials. In one embodiment, the outer layer
130 of the material can be formed from about 0.48 ga. PET which can
provide toughness and clarity to the outside layer of the material.
A second layer 132 can be formed of 0.75 ga. nylon and can serve as
a barrier to outside flavors entering the beverage. A third layer
134 can consist of printing ink displaying information such as
product name, logo, nutritional information, manufacturer's contact
information, etc. A fourth layer 136 can be a relatively thin layer
of adhesive. An innermost (e.g., the layer in contact with the
beverage), fifth layer 138 can be 5.25 EVOH (co-extruded) that can
stop flavors from the ink from entering the beverage. While not so
limited, an overall thickness of the material can be from about 5.5
mils to about 6 mils.
[0040] In one embodiment of the invention, the structure of the
container can be composed of layers of materials as follows:
[0041] 0.48 ga PET/ink/adhesive/1.1 mil Nylon/1.8 mil PE/0.35
EVOH/1.9 mil PE.
[0042] In one embodiment of the invention, the structure of the
container can be composed of layers of materials as follows:
[0043] 0.75 ga Cast/Nylon/ink/adhesive/5.25 EVOH Coex.
[0044] In one embodiment, the layers of material can be as
follows:
[0045] PET12/PA15/LLPE125, with an OTR value of about 23
cc/m.sup.2.24 h.
[0046] In one embodiment, the layers of material can be as
follows:
[0047] PET12/PA15/(LDPE/EVOH/LLDPE)125, with an OTR value of about
23 cc/m.sup.2.24 h.
[0048] Turning now to FIG. 2, in one aspect of the invention, an
unfilled flexible plastic beverage container 200 can include a
closable valve 114, a cap 116, two vertical seams 106, a top seam
108, and a bottom seam 110, and a pouch 216 similar to previously
described embodiments. The container can include a substantially
rectangular shape, with a container width 204 being at least
one-half of the container height 202. The container depth can be
determined by the height of the folded bottom 208, which can be
calibrated to allow a container depth of at least one-half the
container width, when filled.
[0049] To provide sufficient structural support to enable the
container to be freestanding when the container is at least
partially filled, the pouch 216 can be enclosed with two vertical
seams 106, a top seam 108, and a bottom seam 110. These seams may
be formed as a single seam, or as multiple overlapping seams. The
thickness of the seam 206 can affect the strength of the structural
support of the container. A thin seam may not provide sufficient
support to enable freestanding capabilities, while a relatively
thick seam may be bulky, uncomfortable when held, and create excess
waste when the container is disposed of. Typical vertical and
bottom seam widths can be between 5 mm and 7 mm, but a seam width
greater than 7 mm can also be effective. Typical top seam widths
can likewise be between 5 mm and 7 mm but may be greater than 7 mm
to accommodate incorporation of a valve in the top seam. In one
aspect of the invention, the minimum seam width is on the order of
3/16 of an inch, or about 4.75 mm. As shown in FIG. 2, the sides of
the bottom seam can be thicker than the center of the bottom seam,
to provide structural support to the container.
[0050] FIGS. 2 and 1A-1C also illustrate features of the invention
than can aid in providing a free-standing container. In this
embodiment, the container is formed from three pieces of material,
sheet 102, sheet 104 and supporting bottom 111 (shown in detail in
FIGS. 1A-1C). The side sheets 102 and 104 are joined at side seams
106. These portions of the side seams 106 extend downwardly along
the sides of the container and terminate at the approximate
location of the fold line 122. The supporting bottom is then folded
and inserted between the side sheets and the side seams are
continued downwardly along the sides of the container to the
bottommost portion of the container, with each side seam coupling a
portion of the side sheets to the supporting bottom 111. In this
manner, the supporting bottom and lower portions of the side sheets
form a lower gusset that can expand and contract accordingly to the
volume of beverage in the container.
[0051] In one aspect of the invention, one or more compressed areas
212 can be formed, e.g, "stamped," in either or both of one of the
side sheets and the supporting bottom 111. The compressed areas can
serve to add rigidity to the lower portions of the side sheet,
supporting bottom, and/or gusset to aid in providing a stand-alone
container. Also shown in FIG. 2 is one method by which the lower
portions of the side seams (to which the supporting bottom is
attached) can be coupled to one another. As will be appreciated, in
the areas where the side seams couple the supporting bottom to the
side sheets, two finished seams will face each other in the inner
portion of the gusset (e.g., the outer edges of the supporting
bottom are folded against one another while the inner edges of the
supporting bottom are coupled to the inner edges of the side
sheets). As it may be difficult to bond or attach the outer
portions of the side seams to one another in these locations, the
present inventor has found that a crescent shaped void 214 can be
left in the outer portions of the supporting bottom such that as
the supporting bottom is coupled to the side sheets, a crescent
shaped piece of the side sheets is left exposed. In one embodiment,
this exposed piece will be formed of EVOH. In order to attach the
sides of the gusset to one another, these exposed pieces of EVOH
can be pressed or bonded together to attach the sides of the gusset
to one another, even in the case where the sides are formed of a
finished seam.
[0052] The present invention provides many advantages over
conventional beverage container systems. For example, as the
containers can be shipped to a filling facility in a reduced volume
state (e.g., a generally "flat" configuration), the costs of
shipping empty containers can be reduced and the efficiencies can
be increased. Also, in the embodiments of the invention in which a
unidirectional valve is incorporated into the container, internal
portions of the container can be maintained in a clean state from
the point in time in which the container is manufactured to the
point it is filled with a beverage. In this manner, the present
containers need not be cleaned at the filling location, leading to
great cost savings at the filling site. The present inventor has
found that the filling plant used for the present container can be
up to 1/5 smaller than an equivalent plant used for conventional
bottles.
[0053] In addition, the present container is generally much easier
to transport and store than conventional bottles, as the present
container will "form-fit" to a pocket, backpack, purse, glove-box,
etc., in which the container is stored.
[0054] Also, label information such as branding, content
information, nutritional information, etc., can be applied to the
present package at the time of forming the package. This aspect of
the invention can completely eliminate the step of applying a label
to the container, which is necessary in most conventional
processes. Also, as the label information is applied directly to
the present package (or within two layers of material), the risk of
having the label fall off the packaging, of become illegible, is
greatly reduced with the present system.
[0055] The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1A
includes valving assembly or closable valve 114 that includes an
internal gate 140. The gate portion 120 of the valving assembly can
include a flexible membrane 142, best appreciated from FIGS. 5, 6A
and 6B. The membrane can be attached within the gate portion (which
can itself be attached within the valving assembly) to regulate
flow into and out of the container. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B,
the membrane can include one or more slits or cuts 142 formed
therein that are maintained in a normally closed configuration. The
membrane can also include a curvature, as shown in FIG. 5. The
curvature and slits can cooperate to allow flow through the valving
assembly when flow is induced from inside the pouch area and out of
the container, as the drinking water or beverage applies force to
the underside of the membrane and "open" the slits or cuts and pass
through.
[0056] However, in the event flow tends toward the pouch area
(e.g., if the container were attempted to be filled after the
membrane were installed), the curvature and the slits would work
toward maintaining the slits closed in response to this "backward"
flow, and the valve would resist flow. The membrane is thus one
manner in which the containers can be configured to be easily
evacuated (as the drinking water or beverage is dispensed), yet be
maintained in a substantially collapsed configuration after
dispensing (as the entry of air into the empty container is
resisted or prevented by the valve).
[0057] It is to be understood that the above-referenced
arrangements are only illustrative of the application for the
principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and
alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention. While the present
invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above
with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently
deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the
invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from
the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth
herein.
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