TWM580066U - Container with built-in channel - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided herein is a container for a beverage. The container comprises a body and a lid. The body comprises a bottom wall and a sidewall defining an internal volume for storing the beverage. The body further comprises a built-in channel in fluid communication with the internal volume. The built-in channel extends substantially along the entire height of the body and comprises an upper opening and a lower opening. The lid is configured to be attached to the body to seal the internal volume. The lid comprises a hollow projection. The built-in channel extends beyond an upper rim of the body and is partly received within the projection of the lid.

Description

Container with built-in flow channel

The present invention generally relates to a container having a built-in flow channel that is particularly suitable for drinking beverages that may or may not contain solids.

In the context of increasing environmental awareness around the world, countries, cities and large corporations have announced a total ban on the use of disposable detachable plastic straws. Disposable detachable plastic straws have been shown to cause serious damage to the environment and marine wildlife. The images and videos of these injuries have helped to drive the growing consensus that a disposable separable plastic pipette should be banned.

For most beverages, this ban does not cause problems. However, this is a major problem for many Asian specialty drinks that contain solids. In the absence of a straw to assist in creating a vacuum, it is not possible to optimally enjoy a beverage containing jelly, starch, fruit, mixed ice, etc., substantially without tilting the container and effectively pouring the contents out of the container, the vacuum being These solids can be transported from the bottom of the beverage container to the top of the container and into the mouth of the consumer.

Various alternatives, such as straws made from various biodegradable or compostable materials, have been developed, but such alternatives are generally uneconomical due to, for example, higher manufacturing costs or less biodegradability. Therefore, there is a market demand for an economical and practical solution for prohibiting disposable separable plastic straws.

The present invention provides a container for a beverage, the container comprising a body and a lid, the body comprising a bottom wall and a side wall, the bottom wall and the side wall defining an interior volume for storing a beverage, the body further comprising a built-in flow path in fluid communication with the internal volume, the built-in flow path extending substantially along the overall height of the body and including an upper opening and a lower opening; the cover being configured to be attached to the body to seal the interior volume, the cover comprising A hollow projection wherein the built-in flow passage extends beyond the upper edge of the body and is partially received within the projection of the cover.

According to some aspects, the built-in channel is disposed inside or outside the internal volume.

According to some aspects, the built-in flow channel is disposed within a sidewall of the body.

According to some aspects, the body includes a first-class channel wall that forms a built-in flow channel and that is at least partially attached to a sidewall of the body.

According to some aspects, the body includes a first-class wall, the channel wall and a portion of the side wall together forming a built-in flow path.

According to some aspects, the lower opening includes one or more side openings.

According to some aspects, the protrusion includes a line of weakness surrounding the protrusion.

According to some aspects, the built-in flow path includes a telescoping pipe section.

According to some aspects, the upper portion of the built-in flow channel is spaced from the sidewall of the body.

According to some aspects, the beverage contains liquids and solids.

According to some aspects, the body has a tapered shape from top to bottom, and the side wall of the body has a helical cross section with two ends, wherein one end of the side wall is connected to the built-in flow channel One edge and the other end of the side wall is connected to the opposite edge of the built-in channel.

Provided herein is a container stack, wherein the stack includes a plurality of containers according to the previous aspect.

1‧‧‧ container

2‧‧‧ Subject

3‧‧‧ cover

4‧‧‧Plastic sealing film

20‧‧‧ Built-in runner

21‧‧‧Flower wall

22‧‧‧ side wall

23‧‧‧ bottom wall

24‧‧‧Opening

25‧‧‧ opening

26‧‧‧Flexible pipe section

31‧‧‧ Protrusion

32‧‧‧ outer edge

33‧‧‧flat surface

34‧‧‧ Groove

35‧‧‧Weakening line

221‧‧‧End

222‧‧‧ End

251‧‧‧ openings

252‧‧‧ side opening

D‧‧‧distance

The drawings, which are included to further illustrate and clarify the above and other aspects, advantages and features of the present invention, are included in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the drawings are only illustrative of certain embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope thereof. It will be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. This creation will now be described and explained with additional specificity and detail using the accompanying drawings, in the accompanying drawings:

1 is a perspective view of a container with a built-in flow channel in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

2 is a cross-sectional view of a container having a built-in flow channel in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 3 is a plan view of a lid of a container in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure; FIGS. 4A-4D are views of the present invention An enlarged view of a lower portion of a built-in flow channel of certain embodiments; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another container having a built-in flow channel in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 6 is a view of some implementations in accordance with the present teachings A cross-sectional view of another container having a built-in flow path; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of another container having a built-in flow path in accordance with certain embodiments of the present writing; Figure 8A is a view of some implementations in accordance with the present teachings A cross-sectional view of another container having a built-in flow path; FIG. 8B is a top view of the container of FIG. 8A; and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another container having a built-in flow path in accordance with certain embodiments of the present teachings. .

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a container 1 in accordance with certain aspects of the present teachings. The container 1 includes a main body 2 and a lid 3. The container 1 is used to store a beverage. The container 1 can be made of any food grade material such as metal (eg stainless steel), plastic (eg PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS and PC), paper (eg wax paper), glass, wood, ceramic Or a combination thereof. The method of making the container can vary depending on the materials used, such as molding, casting, machining, forging, stamping, and welding. Such methods are within the abilities of those skilled in the art and will not be discussed in detail herein. Container 1 can be reusable or disposable. The container 1 can take any suitable form, such as a cup, bottle, can, pouch, box or sachet.

The body 2 of the container 1 can take a different shape or configuration. The body 2 may have a regular or irregular shape. In certain embodiments, the body 2 can have a substantially cylindrical shape, a frustoconical shape, a cuboid shape, or any other desired shape.

The lid 3 of the container 1 can take on a different shape or configuration as long as it effectively seals the body 2 and at least partially or completely prevents the beverage from leaking therefrom.

2 is a cross-sectional view of the container 1. The body 2 includes a side wall 22 and a bottom wall 23 that together define an interior volume within the body 2 for storing beverage. The beverage may be in liquid form (eg, milk, tea, wine, water, juice, and combinations thereof), a mixture of liquid and gas (eg, carbonated beverages such as soda or beer), a mixture of liquid and solid (eg, with Pearls, jellies, fruits, smoothies, mixed ice, vegetable or beverage seasonings, or liquids with a viscous consistency (eg, milkshakes and yogurt). As is apparent from the present writing, the container 1 of the present invention is particularly suitable for beverages containing liquids and solids, such as pearl milk tea.

In certain embodiments, the upper edge of the side wall 22 of the body 2 is received within a circumferential recess defined by the outer edge 32 of the cover 3 to secure the cover 3 to the body 2. Other forms for securing the cover 3 to the body 2 are also possible and are within the scope of this creation. For example, the lid 3 can be attached to the body 2 by a snap fit, snap, screw connection or other means known in the art disposed on the upper edge of the body 2 and/or the outer edge 32 of the lid 3. The tight coupling between the upper edge of the side wall 22 and the outer edge 32 of the lid 3 achieves a seal between the lid 3 and the body 2 to prevent or at least limit leakage of beverage from the interior volume. Alternative or additional sealing means known in the art are also possible.

In certain embodiments, the flow channel wall 21 is disposed within the body 2. The flow channel wall 21, alone or in combination with a portion of the side wall 22 of the body 2, defines a built-in flow channel 20 within and in fluid communication with the interior volume of the body 2. In certain embodiments, the flow channel wall 21 can be welded, bonded, or otherwise permanently attached to the sidewall 22 of the body 2. In some embodiments, the flow channel wall 21 can be formed as a unitary piece with the body 2. The built-in flow passage 20 has an upper portion with an upper opening 24 and a lower portion with a lower opening 25 unit. The built-in flow passage 20 enables the consumer to create a vacuum within the flow passage to draw the liquid beverage and any solids that may be contained therein through the built-in flow passage 20 so that the consumer can enjoy the interior volume of the body 2 of the container 1 Drinks and drinks without the need for removable plastic straws. The built-in flow passage 20 extends substantially from the bottom to the top of the body 2 along the overall height of the body 2.

In certain embodiments, the lower opening 25 of the built-in flow channel 20 is spaced apart from the bottom wall 23 of the body 2 by a distance d such that beverages, particularly solid particles of beverage, can flow into the built-in flow channel 20. In certain embodiments, the distance d can be 0.1-2.5 cm, 0.5-2.0 cm, 0.7-1.5 cm, or 0.9-1.2 cm. In certain embodiments, the upper opening 24 of the built-in flow passage 20 is flush with or slightly lower than the upper edge of the side wall 22 of the body 2. In certain embodiments, the upper portion of the built-in flow channel 20 includes a telescoping tube segment (Fig. 7). When the built-in flow channel 20 is not in use, the upper opening 24 of the built-in flow channel 20 is flush with or slightly lower than the upper edge of the side wall 22 of the body 2. In use, the telescoping tube section can be extended such that the upper opening 24 can protrude beyond the upper edge of the side wall 22 of the body 2 by a distance. In selection, the upper opening 24 can protrude beyond the upper edge of the side wall 22 by a distance. In certain embodiments, the distance can be 0-4 cm, 1-3 cm or 1.5-2.5 cm. The protruding arrangement allows the built-in flow channel 20 to be more similar to a conventional straw, making the built-in flow channel easier for consumers to use. In certain embodiments, the upper portion of the built-in flow channel 20 is spaced from the sidewall 22 of the body 2 such that the upper portion of the built-in flow channel 20 can be easily covered by the lips of the consumer. A vacuum can then be created within the built-in runner 20 by applying suction. The cross-sectional dimension of the built-in flow channel 20 is defined as the ability to easily draw beverages, particularly solid particles of beverages, at a suitable flow rate. The choice of cross-sectional dimensions is well within the abilities of one of ordinary skill in the art and can be selected in part based on the size and hardness of any solids present in the beverage. In certain embodiments, the built-in flow passage 20 has a cross-sectional dimension of 0.1 to 2.5 cm, 0.5 to 2.0 cm, 0.7 to 1.5 cm, or 0.9 to 1.2 cm.

3 is a plan view of the cover 3 including an outer edge 32, a protrusion 31 adjacent the outer edge 32, and a flat surface 33 connecting the protrusion 31 to the outer edge 32. The projection 31 is an integral part of the cover 3. The projections 31 are hollow to accommodate the upper portion of the built-in flow passage 20 to help form a substantially airtight seal within the container and the lid. surroundings. In certain embodiments, the protrusion 31 includes a downwardly extending groove 34 that conforms to the contour of the upper portion of the built-in flow channel 20. The upper portion of the built-in flow passage 20 can be fitted into the recess 34 to facilitate coupling the cover 3 to the main body 2. In the case where the built-in flow path 20 extends beyond the upper edge of the body 2, the protrusion 31 provides protection for the upper portion of the built-in flow path 20 from external contamination. By providing additional mechanical support, it also reduces the risk of physical damage to the built-in flow channel 20 during transportation, storage, and use.

In certain embodiments, the lid 3 is removably attached to the body 2 after the body 2 is filled with the beverage. In certain embodiments, the lid 3 can be permanently attached to the body 2 after the body 2 is full of beverage. In these embodiments, the coupling between the projection 31 and the built-in flow passage 20 will be substantially airtight, and the projection 31 of the cover 3 can be made frangible. In some embodiments, the line of weakness 35 is prefabricated to surround the protrusion 31 of the lid 3, as shown in FIG. For example, the line of weakness 35 can be fabricated by reducing material, using a weaker material, providing a pull tab, or other means known in the art without reducing the sealing and/or vacuum function. With the weakening line 35, the upper portion of the protrusion 31 can be torn from the remaining portion of the protrusion 31 by applying a suitable force. Thus, the remainder of the projection 31 acts as a straw with the built-in flow passage 20 of the body 2. In certain embodiments, the protrusion 31 includes a detachable cap. The opening or removal of the cap allows the remaining portion of the projection 31 to be used as a straw with the built-in flow passage 20 of the body 2. One or more vent holes (not shown) may be provided in the flat surface 33 of the cover 3. By piercing the flat surface 33, the vents can be created by removing a small portion of the cover 3 or by providing intersecting slits in the flat surface 33.

4A-4D illustrate variations of the lower opening 25 of the built-in flow channel 20 in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition to the opening 251 at the bottom of the built-in flow channel 20, one or more side openings 252 are provided in the lower portion of the built-in flow channel 20. 4A shows one side opening 252 adjacent to the bottom opening 251; FIG. 4B shows two opposite side openings 252 adjacent to the bottom opening 251; and FIG. 4C shows adjacent to the bottom opening 251 Three circumferentially arranged side openings 252. FIG. 4D shows three side openings 251 spaced from the bottom opening 251. The side opening 252 is particularly useful when the beverage in the container 1 includes liquids and solids. The solid particles can have different sizes. a solid particle having a size larger than the cross-sectional size of the built-in passage 20 Granules may be present which partially block or block the bottom opening 251 of the internal channel 20 when the consumer applies suction. In this case, the side opening 252 ensures that liquid can still be drawn in along the built-in flow channel 20. This creation is not intended to impose any limitation on the number, shape or distribution of the side openings 252 as long as they facilitate the withdrawal of liquid and/or solids from the body 2 through the built-in flow channel 20.

FIG. 5 illustrates another built-in flow channel 20 in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. The runner wall 21, alone or in combination with a portion of the sidewall 22 of the body 2, defines the built-in runner 20 within and in fluid communication with the interior volume of the body 2. In certain embodiments, the flow channel wall 21 can be welded, bonded, or otherwise permanently attached to the sidewall 22 of the body 2. In some embodiments, the flow channel wall 21 can be formed as a unitary piece with the body 2. In these embodiments, the built-in flow channel 20 extends to the bottom wall 23 of the body. Therefore, only one or more side openings 252 are provided in the built-in flow channel 20. In some embodiments, a plurality of differently sized side openings 252 are provided along the built-in flow channel 20 or at the same longitudinal position but around the built-in flow channel 20.

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of another container 1 in accordance with certain aspects of the present teachings. In these embodiments, instead of providing the built-in flow channel 20 in the body 2 of the container 1, the built-in flow channel 20 is disposed outside the body 2 of the container 1 in fluid communication with the interior volume of the body 2. Similarly, the flow channel wall 21, alone or in combination with a portion of the sidewall 22 of the body 2, defines the built-in flow channel 20 outside of the body 2 and is in fluid communication with the interior volume of the body 2. In certain embodiments, the flow channel wall 21 can be welded, bonded, or otherwise permanently attached to the sidewall 22 of the body 2. In some embodiments, the flow channel wall 21 can be formed as a unitary piece with the body 2. One or more lower openings 25 may be disposed in the side wall 22 of the body 2 in fluid communication with the built-in flow passage 20. The cover 3 is adapted accordingly. In particular, the protrusion 31 of the cover 3 is located outside the outer edge 32 of the cover 3.

Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of another container 1 in accordance with certain aspects of the present teachings. In these embodiments, the built-in flow passage 20 is not provided inside or outside the internal volume of the container 1, but the built-in flow passage 20 is disposed in the side wall 22 of the main body 2, or is disposed in the main body 2 of the container 1. On the perimeter. In certain embodiments, the built-in flow channel 20 can be welded, bonded, or otherwise permanently attached to the body 2. In some embodiments, the built-in flow channel 20 can be formed as a unitary piece with the body 2.

Figures 8A and 8B illustrate another container 1 in accordance with certain aspects of the present teachings. In these embodiments, the container 1 has a tapered shape as shown in Figure 8A generally from top to bottom. The built-in flow path 20 is provided at the periphery of the main body 2 of the container 1. FIG. 8B is a plan view of the container 1. The side wall 22 of the body 2 has a generally helical cross section with two ends 221, 222. The built-in flow passage 20 is configured such that one edge (the top edge in Fig. 8B) of the flow passage 20 connects one end portion 221 of the side wall 22, and the opposite edge of the flow passage 20 (the bottom edge in Fig. 8B) connects the side walls. The other end 222 of 22. This configuration is particularly useful for stacking containers 1. Since the inner volume of the lower container 1 can be fully utilized to hold or accommodate the upper container 1 when the container 1 is at the top of the other container 1. Therefore, the stack size of the entire container 1 is minimized.

The cover 3 is not always necessary. In certain embodiments, the built-in flow channel 20 does not protrude beyond the outer edge 32 of the body 2. As shown in FIG. 9, after the container is filled with the beverage, the plastic sealing film 4 can be applied on the top of the main body 2 of the container 1 instead of the cover 3. The use of plastic sealing film 4 is well known in the art. In certain embodiments, the built-in flow passage 20 includes a telescoping tubular section 26. After the plastic sealing film 4 is peeled off, the built-in flow path 20 may extend to protrude to the outside of the body 2 of the container 1. In certain embodiments, the built-in flow channel 20 is pre-bent or flexed within the body 2 of the container 1. Once the plastic sealing film 4 is peeled off, the built-in flow channel 20 can return to its natural configuration, thereby protruding beyond the outer edge 32 of the body 2. Similarly, the body 2 of the container 1 can be used with a conventional cover without the created protrusion 31.

After reading this creation, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the container can have other suitable components, variations, and configurations. Although the present invention has been described in terms of certain embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art are also within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (12)

A beverage container comprising: a body including a bottom wall and a side wall, the bottom wall and the side wall defining an interior volume for storing a beverage, wherein the body further includes a built-in flow channel in fluid communication with the interior volume, wherein the body The flow channel extends substantially along the overall height of the body and includes an upper opening and a lower opening; and a cover that is configured to be attached to the body to seal the interior volume, wherein the cover includes a hollow protrusion, wherein the cover The built-in flow passage extends beyond the upper edge of the body and is partially received within the projection of the cover. A beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the built-in flow path is disposed inside or outside the internal volume. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the built-in flow channel is disposed within the sidewall of the body. A beverage container according to claim 1 wherein the body comprises a first-class wall, wherein the channel wall forms the built-in flow channel and the built-in flow channel is at least partially attached to the side wall of the body. A beverage container according to claim 1 wherein the body comprises a flow channel wall, wherein the flow channel wall and the portion of the side wall together form the built-in flow channel. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the lower opening comprises one or more side openings. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the protrusion comprises a line of weakness surrounding the protrusion. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the built-in flow path comprises a telescoping tube section. A beverage container according to claim 1, wherein an upper portion of the built-in flow path and the main body The side walls are spaced apart. A beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the beverage comprises a liquid and a solid. The beverage container of claim 3, wherein the body has a tapered shape from top to bottom, and the side wall of the body has a spiral cross section with two ends, wherein one end of the side wall is connected to One edge of the built-in flow channel, and the other end of the side wall is connected to the opposite edge of the built-in flow channel. A container stack, wherein the container stack comprises a plurality of beverage containers according to claim 11.