U.S. patent application number 13/580004 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-20 for package for liquid products.
Invention is credited to Oscar Merner, Henrik Seidlitz.
Application Number | 20120318821 13/580004 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44486930 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120318821 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Merner; Oscar ; et
al. |
December 20, 2012 |
PACKAGE FOR LIQUID PRODUCTS
Abstract
Package (10) for liquid products, said package (10) containing
an air-tight bag (12) adapted for containing and discharging a
liquid product, wherein the bag (12) further comprises an outlet
part (16) adapted to when opening a tap (17) therein discharge the
liquid product (14), said outlet part (16) being arranged to the
bag (12) and in the package (10) such that the entire outlet part
(16) or part thereof during use is telescopic or can be screwed out
on a side thereof (18) by means of a user in a single grip pulls
the outlet part (16) out or said part thereof out of the side of
the package to a stop position, characterised in that surrounding
the outlet part (16) is a guide part (19) arranged surrounding the
outlet part (16) and at one end thereof 19' is attached to the bag
(12) and at the other end 19'' thereof is attached to the side (18)
of the package.
Inventors: |
Merner; Oscar; (Stockholm,
SE) ; Seidlitz; Henrik; (Stockholm, SE) |
Family ID: |
44486930 |
Appl. No.: |
13/580004 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
February 18, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SE2011/050181 |
371 Date: |
August 20, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/105 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D 3/04 20130101; B67D
3/0067 20130101; B65D 77/065 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/105 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/38 20060101
B65D033/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 19, 2010 |
SE |
1000167.5 |
Claims
1. Package liquid products, said package containing an air-tight
bag adapted for containing and discharge a liquid product, wherein
the bag further comprises an outlet part adapted to when opening a
tap therein discharge the liquid product, said outlet part being
arranged to the bag and in the package such that the entire outlet
part or part thereof during use is telescopic or can be screwed out
on a side thereof by means of a user in a single grip pulls the
outlet part out or said part thereof out of the side of the package
to a stop position, characterised in that surrounding the outlet
part is a guide part arranged surrounding the outlet part and at
one end thereof is attached to the bag and at the other end thereof
is attached to the side of the package.
2. Package for liquid products according to claim 1, wherein the
guide part is a funnel-shaped part.
3. Package for liquid products according to claim 1, wherein the
guide is provided as a swing-hatch in a frame part.
4. Package for liquid products according to claim 1, wherein the
outlet part is provided to be extended or rotated.
5. Package for liquid products according to claim 4, wherein the
outlet part comprises an inner tube arranged in an outer tube that
can be rotated by means of threads.
6. Package for liquid products according to claim 4, wherein the
outlet part comprises an inner tube that is arranged to be slided
inside an outer tube by means of guides.
7. Package for liquid products according to claim 1, wherein the
outlet part comprises a bilge-shaped tube.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a package for liquid
products. In particular, the present invention relates to such a
package having an air-tight bag.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Packages for liquid products comprising an air-tight bag are
well known. Such packages have been used for fruit juices since the
fifties and for vine since the end of the sixties when the first
so-called "box vine" also called "bag-in-box vine" was launched.
Once a vine bottle has been opened, the content is exposed to air
and the content starts to oxidize, as is well-known, rendering the
vine being unpleasant to drink in a few days. "Bag-in-box" is a
cardboard box having an air-tight bag provided with a tap mounted
therein, which sinks in when the vine (or any other drink) is
discharged when the tap is opened. In this way, the air is
prevented from reaching the vine, and at the same a user can easily
tap the amount desired, for instance a glass of vine.
[0003] At the same time, as an ever increasing amount of the vine
of the world was bottled in bag-in-box, an ever increasing amount
of liquid products was bottled in the air-tight bags. Groceries
such as ketchup, sauces, syrups, juices and oils, and milk have
since long ago been delivered in such packages. The last years, the
market for medical products in bag-in-box has grown, much due to
the ability of the technique to secure 100 percent sterility. Food
to restaurants is often delivered in bag-in-box of the same
reason.
[0004] Bag-in-box packages are described in several documents such
as for instance EP-A1-0350243 and EP-A1-1842791.
[0005] A disadvantage with prior art bag-in-box packages is that it
is often difficult for a user to pull out the tap of the package.
Normally, a number of measures and hand grips are required before
the tap is in operating position. This problem also exists for
other types of similar packages.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, this is
provided by a package containing a bag provided with an outlet part
having a tap that can be pulled out in a single hand grip, wherein
the outlet part is surrounded by a funnel-shaped part.
[0007] An object of the present invention according to a first
aspect is to improve opening of the package for persons that can
have difficulties with that; the package is typically more
ergonomic. In a simple hand grip, the outlet part provided with the
tap can be pulled out.
[0008] The outlet part provided with a tap according to the present
invention, different to what is known in for instance EP-A1-0350243
and EP-A 1-1842791, is located inside the package before the
opening and use. This provides that the tap also can be kept clean
and helps during transportation because it cannot be damaged or
worn against other packages. The taps of known packages are exposed
to an outer side, both during transportation and use.
[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided a package for liquid products. The package contains an
air-tight bag adapted to contain and discharge a liquid product.
The bag further contains an outlet part provided with a tap, when
opened, arranged to discharge the liquid product. The outlet part
is arranged to the bag and in the package such that the entire
outlet part or part thereof during operation can be pulled out, or
screwed out of the package in a side thereof by means of a user
providing a single hand grip to pull out, screw out or turn out the
outlet part or part thereof of the side of the package to a stop
position. Surrounding the outlet part, there is provided a guide
part, for instance a funnel-shaped part, arranged surrounding the
outlet part and at an end thereof being attached to the bag and at
another end thereof being attached to the side of the package.
[0010] Typically, the outlet part is arranged to be telescopic, or
turned at a part of the wall of the package.
[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
outlet part comprises an inner tube being arranged to be turned
inside an outer tube by means of threads. Alternatively, the inner
tube is arranged to slide inside the outer tube in guides.
[0012] Alternatively, the outlet part comprises a tube of bilge
type.
[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the bag
is integrated with the package and the outlet part is arranged to
seal the package and during use thereof arranged to be screwed a
distance such as half a turn to expose an opening from which the
liquid product can be discharged.
[0014] Different embodiments of the present invention will now be
illustrated by means of different drawing figures, which will be
described in more detail as follows below.
DRAWING FIGURES
[0015] FIG. 1A and B show a package for liquid products according
to an embodiment of the present invention having an outlet part
with threads, wherein the outlet part is surrounded by a funnel
shaped part;
[0016] FIG. 2A and B show a package for liquid products according
to an embodiment of the present invention having a telescopic
outlet part provided with guides, wherein the outlet part is
surrounded by a funnel-shaped part;
[0017] FIG. 3A and B show a package for liquid products according
to an embodiment of the present invention provided with an outlet
part comprising a telescopic tube, wherein the outlet part is
surrounded by a funnel-shaped part;
[0018] FIG. 4A and B show a package for liquid products according
to yet another embodiment of the present invention provided with an
outlet part comprising an outlet tube, wherein the outlet part is
surrounded by a funnel-shaped part; and
[0019] FIG. 5A-B show a package for liquid products according to
yet another embodiment of the present invention provided with an
outlet part, wherein outlet tap part is surrounded by a
hatch-shaped part.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS ACCORDING TO THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0020] Now is referred to FIG. 1A showing a package for liquid
products according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 1A and B show a package 10 for liquid products. The
package is particularly suitable for vines, but it can also be used
for all kinds of liquid products such as ketchup, sauce, syrup,
juice and cooking oil, as well as different kinds of medical
products. The package 10 comprises a cardboard box 11, which
contains a bag 12 being air-tight adapted to contain and discharge
a liquid product (not shown). The bag 12 furthermore comprises an
outlet part 16, which comprises an inner tube 16a, which is
rotatable mounted inside an external tube 16b with threads 16c,
typically coarse threads (only shown schematically). The outlet
part 16 is arranged to during opening of a tap 17 (only shown
schematically) arranged therein discharge the liquid product. In
FIG. 1a, the tap 17 is shown as normally arranged in the package 10
before use, i.e. it is turned upwards in the drawing. The arrow P
is intended to show how a user (not shown) by tearing away part of
the wall or in some other way opening the package 10 exposes the
outlet part 16 such that it can be turned or screwed out. The
outlet part 16 is arranged to the bag 12 and in the package 10 such
that the outlet part 16 or part thereof during use can be screwed
out of the container of a side thereof by means of a user turning,
typically screwing the outlet part 16 out or even more typically
only part thereof, such as for instance 4 cm, out of the side of
the package 18 to a stop point. Typically, the outlet part is
screwed half a turn. Suitably, this is achieved by means of part of
the side of the package being teared loose such the outlet part 16
is exposed and then screwed out. This is shown in FIG. 1B, showing
the outlet part in position screwed out with the tap 17 pointing
downwards such that the liquid product can be tapped by flowing
down through the outlet orifice of the tap 17 (when a user in a
conventional way opens the tap 17). The tap 17 per se and it's
opening-/closing operation will not be described in more detail
since it is well known and does not form part of the invention. The
attachment of the outlet part 16 to the bag 12 will not be
described in more detail since it is of conventional type. For
instance, the bag can be welded to or moulded in one piece with a
conventional tap. Surrounding the outlet part 8 (in inner position)
is a guide part; herein a funnel-shaped part 19 provided
surrounding the outlet part 16 and also holding it in place when a
user screws out the outlet part 16. The funnel-shaped part 19 is at
one of it's ends 19' attached to the bag and at the other end 19''
to the side 18 of the package. The funnel-shaped part 19 can be
circular in a cross-section but can also be a polygon provided it
is adapted according to the drawing figure and is capable to hold
the outlet part in position when a user pulls out or screws out
part of the outlet part 16, i.e. such that not the entire outlet
part 16 is pulled out but only part thereof. The term
"funnel-shaped" is in this context referred to all kinds of doomed
sides, i.e. the funnel-shaped part's sides 19 do not have to be
straight. In FIG. 1A and B it is evident how a doomed funnel can be
embodied. Other types of means holding part of the outlet part 16
are also possible such as shown in FIG. 5.
[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
outlet part 16 can comprise a telescopic outlet part 26 instead of
the outlet tube 16a that can be turned in FIG. 1A-B having coils,
comprising an inner tube 26a being arranged to slide inside an
outer tube 26b having control guides (not shown) adapted to the
inner tube 26a. This is shown in FIG. 2A-B. FIG. 2A shows the
outlet part in non-extended inner position a-a (see arrow P)
intended to show the position the outlet part 16 has before the
package has been opened by a user. In FIG. 2B there is shown the
outlet part 26 in extended outer position (see arrow P) such as it
looks like when a user has pulled out the inner tube 26a to it's
outermost position b-b and the tap 17 is in use position
(discharging position). In this embodiment the tap is directed
downwards. In FIG. 2B, there is shown a telescopic tube 16a having
three tubing parts 26a, 26b, and 26c. This is only an example and
the number of tubing parts can vary depending on use. For instance,
it can be suitable to use two tubing parts 26a and 26b. FIG. 2C and
2D show the telescopic tube 16a with a suitable design.
[0023] Preferably, the telescopic tube 26a is arranged to be
extendable in guides (not shown). These guides are not shown
explicitly in detail since these are well-known per se as regards
the function for a person skilled in the art. The telescopic tube
16a can alternatively according to an embodiment, which is not
shown, both be screwed and pulled out simultaneously.
[0024] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention
shown in FIG. 3A and B, the outlet part 16 comprises a telescopic
tubing comprising more than one tube, in this particular embodiment
three, 36a, 36b and 36c, which are arranged concentrically into
each other and where the two smaller tubes 36a and 36b can be
slided inside a larger tube 36c. The tap 17 is of an alternative
embodiment (conventional screw tap) than the one in FIG. 2A and B.
The function in general corresponds to the embodiment shown and
described in relation to FIG. 2A and B. Note that the funnel-shaped
part 19 of this embodiment has straight sides. In other embodiments
the sides can have other shapes.
[0025] According to an alternative embodiment of the present
invention, the outlet part 16 can comprise a bilge shaped tube 46.
In FIG. 3A, the outlet part is in inner position and intends to
illustrate the position the outlet part 46 has before the package
has been opened by a user.
[0026] The outlet part 16 and the tap 17 can be made of suitable
material, but normally they are made of polymer material such as
plastics.
[0027] The design with a tight, soft plastic bag inside a stiff
cardboard box a so-called "bag-in-box" is not unique for the
invention but the design of the tap having the guiding part 19.
Bag-in-box vines normally come with a tap providing it easy to tap
vine in glasses, because of that the invention is particularly
suitable for, but not limited to such use. The package aids
transportation because it weights less, does not crack and is
easier to stack, since it is block-shaped. Often, there is also a
handle. Since the package easier can be re-sealed and does not let
any oxygen in, the durability can often be longer compared to a
conventional opened bottle of vine.
[0028] FIG. 5A-B show an alternative embodiment of the present
invention having a guiding part 19 embodied as a hatch. The guiding
part 19 is embodied as a swing hatch 19b within a frame part 19c.
When a user opens the package 10 and pulls the outlet part 16 being
attached into the swing hatch 19b, the hatch 19b swings towards the
plane of the frame part and is exposed outside the side 18 to a
user.
* * * * *