HK1146260A - Collapsible bottles and methods using same - Google Patents

Description

Collapsible bottle and method of using the same

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to collapsible bottles, and methods of using the collapsible bottles.

Background

There are many types of bottles in use today. Such bottles are typically bulky and occupy a relatively large amount of space when stacked and/or stored together. Thus, bottles that are convenient to store and space-saving are better marketable to consumers.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to collapsible bottles and methods of using the collapsible bottles. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a collapsible bottle comprising a top panel comprising a neck, an intermediate panel foldable along a crease between the top panel and the intermediate panel, and a bottom panel comprising a bottom surface defining a molded recess constructed and arranged for partially or fully receiving a neck of a second bottle therein. The bottom panel is foldable along a crease between the middle panel and the bottom panel. The bottle is foldable into a collapsed position such that the top panel is folded into the middle panel and the middle panel is folded into the bottom panel.

In an embodiment, the neck comprises a closure.

In an embodiment, the neck includes a compressible silicon valve seal positioned below the closure.

In one embodiment, the closure comprises a hinged flip top lid.

In an embodiment, the closure comprises a screw-on cap.

In one embodiment, the closure includes a detachable tab.

In one embodiment, the bottom panel includes a bottom surface defining a molded recess constructed and arranged for partially or fully receiving a closure of a second bottle therein.

In an embodiment, in the folded condition, the neck is held above the upper end of the base plate.

In one embodiment, the top plate, the middle plate and the bottom plate have a circular cross-sectional shape.

In one embodiment, the base plate has a square cross-sectional shape.

In one embodiment, the bottle has a height of between about 110mm to about 305mm in the elongated state and between about 50mm to about 90mm in the collapsed state.

In one embodiment, the base plate has a diameter of about 50mm to about 100 mm.

In an embodiment, at least one of the top plate, the middle plate, and the bottom plate has a wall thickness between about 100 microns to about 300 microns.

In one embodiment, the bottle has a total weight of between about 5 grams to about 30 grams.

In one embodiment, the bottle has a volume of between about 6 fluid ounces and about 24 fluid ounces in the extended state and a volume of between about 2 fluid ounces and about 6 fluid ounces in the collapsed state.

In one embodiment, the bottle contains a beverage concentrate in a form selected from the group consisting of a powder, a liquid, a paste, and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the top, middle and bottom sheets comprise a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polylactic acid or other polymers or suitable materials and combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a bottle comprising a top panel comprising a neck, an intermediate panel foldable along a crease between the top panel and the intermediate panel, and a bottom panel comprising a bottom surface defining a molded recess constructed and arranged for partially or fully receiving a neck of a second bottle therein. The bottom panel is foldable along a crease between the middle panel and the bottom panel. The middle plate is wider than the top plate and the bottom plate is wider than the middle plate. The bottle is foldable into a collapsed position such that the top panel is folded into the middle panel and the middle panel is folded into the bottom panel.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a bottle comprising a top panel comprising a neck, an intermediate panel foldable along a plurality of creases therebetween, and a bottom panel comprising a bottom surface defining a molded recess constructed and arranged for receiving the neck of a second bottle therein. The middle panel is foldable along a plurality of creases between the top and bottom panels. The bottle is foldable into a folded condition such that the plurality of folds are pressed together against one another.

In an alternative embodiment, the present invention provides a method of supplying bottled liquid. The method includes providing a vending machine including collapsible bottles, dispensing collapsible bottles from the vending machine, and dispensing liquid into the collapsible bottles.

In another embodiment, the vending machine includes a plurality of collapsible bottles stacked on top of one another in a collapsed state.

In yet another embodiment, the liquid is selected from the group consisting of water, coffee, tea, fruit juice, milk, dairy beverages (including yogurt), legume beverages, cereal beverages, fruit beverages, soda water, slush (slush), nutritional beverages, and combinations thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the collapsible bottle comprises a powdered beverage (e.g., in the form of a concentrate). The beverage concentrate may also have the form of a viscous paste or a frozen concentrate. Optionally, the collapsible bottle includes a liquid beverage concentrate.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of vending a beverage. The method includes providing a vending machine including a beverage and a plurality of collapsible bottles in a collapsed state, wherein the bottles are stacked upon one another, dispensing collapsible bottles from the vending machine, elongating the bottles, and dispensing the beverage from the vending machine into the collapsible bottles. In yet another embodiment, any suitable method may be utilized to elongate the bottle and dispense the beverage in the vending machine.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of serving a beverage. The method includes providing one or more collapsible bottles in a collapsed state, elongating the collapsible bottles, and dispensing a liquid into the collapsible bottles. The liquid may be dispensed from a beverage dispensing machine. The collapsible bottles may be stacked on top of each other on the shelf.

It is an advantage of the present invention to provide an improved bottle.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an improved bottle that is collapsible.

It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide an improved bottle that is stackable.

It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide an improved bottle that is hygienic.

Furthermore, another advantage of the present invention is to provide an improved method of supplying a beverage into a bottle.

It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide an improved method for vending beverages.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from, the following detailed description of specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a collapsible bottle according to an embodiment of the invention;

figure 2 shows a section II of the collapsible bottle of figure 1;

figure 3 shows a perspective view of a collapsible bottle in a further embodiment of the invention in a collapsed state and a stacked configuration;

figure 4 shows a section IV of the stacked collapsible bottles of figure 3;

figure 5 illustrates a silicon valve seal and a hinged flip top lid covering the neck of a collapsible bottle in an alternative embodiment of the invention;

figure 6 shows a cross-section VII of the silicon valve seal of figure 5 and the hinged flip-top lid in a closed state;

figure 7 shows a section VII of the silicon valve seal of figure 5 and the hinged flip top lid in an open state;

figure 8 shows a front elevation view of a collapsible bottle in an alternative embodiment of the invention;

fig. 9 shows a front elevation view of the collapsible bottle of fig. 8 in a collapsed state.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to collapsible bottles and methods of using the collapsible bottles. Generally, in one embodiment, the bottles are constructed and arranged to be folded into a smaller configuration and stacked upon one another. This reduces the space required to transport and/or hold the bottles in, for example, a vending machine. In use, the bottle may have a spill-proof mouth and be elongated to contain any suitable liquid. This provides a hygienic container for beverages which is useful, for example, at any location where beverages are dispensed into the container from a vending or dispensing machine. The bottle requires little space because it is foldable, stackable, and expandable, and can be capped to prevent spillage or contamination.

Referring now to fig. 1-4, in one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a collapsible bottle 10, the collapsible bottle 10 including a top panel 20 and an intermediate panel 40, the top panel 20 having a neck 30 (e.g., a bottle mouth), the intermediate panel 40 being foldable along a crease 42 between the top panel 20 and the intermediate panel 40. Collapsible bottle 10 further includes a bottom panel 50 having a bottom surface 52, the bottom surface 52 defining a molded recess 54, the molded recess 54 being configured and arranged for partially or fully receiving the neck of a second bottle within the molded recess 54. The bottom panel 50 can be folded along the crease 56 between the middle panel 40 and the bottom panel 50. In one embodiment, the middle plate is wider (e.g., larger in diameter) than the top plate and the bottom plate is wider than the middle plate.

The molding recess 54 may be configured and arranged such that the neck of the second bottle fits more loosely or tightly in the molding recess 54. The second bottle may have the same or a different configuration as collapsible bottle 10. In addition, the floor 50 may define a molded recess 54 that matches the exact shape of the neck of the second bottle. Alternatively, the floor 50 may define a molding recess 54 that does not match the shape of the neck of a second bottle, but is capable of fully receiving the neck in the molding recess 54.

Bottle 10 is collapsible into the collapsed position shown in fig. 3-5, wherein top panel 20 is collapsed into middle panel 40 and middle panel 40 is collapsed into bottom panel 50. For example, in the folded condition, the intermediate panel 40 is folded inwardly toward the bottle 10 and inverted/flipped within the bottom panel 50. Thus, when bottle 10 is in the collapsed state, fold 42 is positioned below fold 56. In one embodiment, in the folded condition, the neck 30 remains above the upper end of the base panel (i.e., the fold 56).

According to embodiments of the present invention, the bottle may have any suitable outward/convex shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the top plate, the middle plate, and the bottom plate have a cross-sectional shape (e.g., as viewed from the top) that is circular or annular. In an alternative embodiment, the plates may each have a different outward shape. For example, the top and middle plates may have a circular cross-sectional shape, while the bottom plate has a substantially square cross-sectional shape.

The bottle can have any suitable height in the elongated state and in the collapsed state. For example, the bottle may have a height in the elongated state of between about 110mm to about 305mm and a length in the collapsed state of between about 50mm to about 90 mm. The bottle may also have any suitable width/diameter. For example, the bottle may have a panel with a width/diameter of about 50mm to about 100 mm.

The bottle can have any suitable weight. For example, the bottle may have a total weight of between about 5 grams to about 30 grams. Preferably, the bottle has a total weight of between about 18 grams to about 24 grams. The bottle can also have any suitable volume in the extended and folded states. For example, the bottle may have a volume in a collapsed state of between about 2 fluid ounces to about 6 fluid ounces.

The bottle may be made, for example, by being preformed into a cylindrical or polygonal shape and preferably being elongated and blown into a spherical shape. The bottle may then be folded mechanically to form the folds and capped using any suitable closure.

The bottle may employ, for example, thin-walled plastic technology that makes the bottle susceptible to bending. The plate may have any suitable thickness. For example, the top, middle, and/or bottom plates may have a wall thickness between about 100 microns to about 300 microns. Furthermore, the plate may comprise any suitable material, for example an oxygen barrier type material. In one embodiment, the top, middle and/or bottom panels comprise a material such as polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polylactic acid or other polymer or suitable material or combination thereof.

As shown in fig. 1-4, in one embodiment, the neck 30 may have a closure 60. For example, the neck may have threads and the closure may have a screw cap that screws onto and seals the neck. Accordingly, the bottom panel 50 has a bottom surface 52 defining a molded recess 54, the molded recess 54 being constructed and arranged for receiving a closure of a second bottle partially or fully within the molded recess 54. Space savings may be maximized when the bottles are stacked on top of each other with the molded recess 54 fully receiving the closure of a second bottle.

Referring now to fig. 5-7, in another embodiment, the neck 110 has a hinged flip-top closure 120. The neck 110 also has a compressible valve seal 130, the compressible valve seal 130 being below the flip top closure 120. As shown in fig. 6, the valve seal 130 may be constructed and arranged in a compressed position to fit under the flip-top closure 120. When the flip-top closure 120 is raised, the valve seal 130 can be constructed and arranged to move abruptly upward so that the consumer can drink from the opening in the valve seal 130. The valve seal 130 may be used to prevent beverage from spilling or spilling when the bottle is in use. Space savings may be maximized, for example, when the valve seal 130 is compressed under the flip top closure 120, thereby minimizing any protrusion of the drinking spout. The compressible valve seal 130 may be made of any suitable material, such as silicon.

In an alternative embodiment, any suitable type of closure may be used to cover or seal the neck of the bottle. For example, the closure may have a detachable tab. Any suitable finish (e.g., a sport-type finish) may be substituted for the valve seal in the neck. Alternatively, the neck may not have any additional finish. The closure may be attached to the neck of the bottle by any suitable means (e.g. threaded closure and neck, adhesive, snap-lock).

In another embodiment, and with reference now to fig. 8-9, the present invention provides a bottle 200, the bottle 200 having a top panel 220, an intermediate panel 240, and a bottom panel 250, the top panel 220 having a neck 230, the intermediate panel 240 being foldable along a plurality of creases 242 between the top panel 220 and the intermediate panel 240, the bottom panel 250 having a bottom surface 252 defining a molded recess 254, the molded recess 254 being configured and arranged for receiving the neck of a second bottle therein. The middle panel 240 is foldable along a plurality of creases 242 between the top panel 220 and the bottom panel 250. For example, bottle 200 may be folded into the folded position shown in fig. 9, wherein the plurality of folds 242 are pressed together against one another. The folds 242 are configured and designed such that the bottle 200 has any suitable height in the folded state.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of stacking bottles. The method includes providing a first collapsible bottle having a top panel, a middle panel, and a bottom panel. The bottom plate has a bottom surface defining a molding recess. The first collapsible bottles are collapsible into a collapsed position in which the top panel is collapsed into the middle panel and the middle panel is collapsed into the bottom panel. The first collapsible bottle is stacked on top of the second bottle by partially or fully inserting the neck or closure of the second bottle into the molded recess of the first collapsible bottle. The second collapsible bottle may be collapsible and have the same configuration as the first collapsible bottle or a different configuration.

When stacked, the first and second vials may be in an elongated or folded state. Any suitable number of bottles may be stacked on top of each other in a similar manner. However, for space preference, the bottle should be in a folded state, e.g. for transport or storage. This saves transportation and storage costs. The bottles may be used in vending machines or dispensers, for example, in space-saving stacks.

The bottle may have any suitable liquid, such as water, coffee, tea, juice, milk, dairy drinks (including yogurt), legume drinks, cereal drinks, fruit drinks, soda, smoothies, nutritional drinks, or combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the bottle has a liquid or powdered beverage concentrate or paste (e.g., jelly) therein. The concentrate may be frozen, refrigerated or placed at ambient temperature. The consumer may then add a rehydration liquid (e.g., water) to the bottle to make the beverage.

In an alternative embodiment, the present invention provides a method of supplying bottled liquid. The method includes providing a vending machine having one or more collapsible bottles, dispensing collapsible bottles from the vending machine, and dispensing liquid into the collapsible bottles. The bottles may be stacked upon one another in the vending machine in either an extended or collapsed state. The liquid may be dispensed from the same vending machine that holds the bottles or from a different vending machine or dispenser. Preferably, the bottles are capped to avoid contamination during transport or in the vending machine. For example, during use, consumers insert money into the vending machine and obtain a collapsible bottle, which they then open the lid and spread the bottle apart before filling the bottle from the vending machine.

The vending machine or dispenser may dispense any suitable liquid into the bottle. The liquid may be, for example, water, coffee, tea, fruit juice, milk-based beverages (including yogurt), legume beverages, cereal beverages, fruit beverages, soda, smoothies, nutritional beverages, or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the bottle may contain a liquid or powdered beverage concentrate and the consumer may add a suitable diluent or rehydration liquid, such as water, to form a bottled beverage.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of vending beverages. The method comprises the following steps: providing a vending machine having a beverage and a plurality of collapsible bottles in a collapsed state, wherein the bottles are stacked upon one another; dispensing collapsible bottles from a vending machine; elongating the bottle; and dispensing the beverage from the vending machine into the collapsible bottles.

The consumer may also refill the bottle at a reduced price with the beverage dispensed from the vending machine or beverage dispenser. Alternatively, the consumer may rinse and later reuse the bottle for his or her own beverage at a later time. The bottle can be reused any number of times.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of serving a beverage. The method includes providing one or more collapsible bottles in a collapsed state, elongating the collapsible bottles, and dispensing a liquid (e.g., water, juice, soda) into the collapsible bottles. The collapsible bottle may also include a beverage concentrate therein in the form of, for example, a powder, a liquid, a paste, or a combination thereof. The liquid may be dispensed from any suitable beverage dispensing machine. The collapsible bottles may be stacked on top of each other on a shelf, for example, at any suitable location (e.g., gym, school, store) and supplied to a consumer.

It should be understood that various modifications and changes to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims (25)

1. A bottle, comprising:

a top plate including a neck portion;

an intermediate panel foldable along a crease between the top panel and the intermediate panel; and

a bottom panel including a bottom surface defining a molded recess constructed and arranged to receive a neck of a second bottle therein, the bottom panel being foldable along a crease between the middle panel and the bottom panel, the bottles being foldable into a folded condition such that the top panel is folded into the middle panel and the middle panel is folded into the bottom panel.

2. The bottle of claim 1, wherein said neck comprises a closure.

3. A bottle according to claim 2, wherein the neck includes a compressible valve seal positioned below the closure.

4. The bottle of claim 2, wherein the closure is selected from the group consisting of a hinged flip top lid, a twist top, a detachable tab, and combinations thereof.

5. A bottle according to claim 1, wherein in the collapsed condition the neck is retained above the upper end of the base panel.

6. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the top panel, middle panel, and bottom panel have a circular shape.

7. The bottle of claim 1, wherein said floor has a square shape.

8. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the bottle has a height in an elongated state of between about 110mm to about 305mm and a height in a collapsed state of between about 50mm to about 90 mm.

9. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the floor has a diameter of about 50mm to about 100 mm.

10. The bottle of claim 1, wherein at least one of the top panel, middle panel, and bottom panel has a wall thickness between about 100 microns to about 300 microns.

11. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the bottle has a total weight of between about 5 grams to about 30 grams.

12. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the bottle has a volume in an extended state of between about 6 fluid ounces to about 24 fluid ounces and a volume in a collapsed state of between about 2 fluid ounces to about 6 fluid ounces.

13. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the bottle contains a beverage concentrate in a form selected from the group consisting of a powder, a liquid, a paste, and combinations thereof.

14. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the top panel, middle panel, and bottom panel comprise a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polylactic acid, and combinations thereof.

15. A bottle, comprising:

a top plate including a neck portion;

an intermediate panel foldable along a plurality of creases between the top panel and the intermediate panel; and

a bottom panel including a bottom surface defining a molded recess configured and arranged for receiving a neck of a second bottle therein, the middle panel being foldable along a plurality of creases between the top and bottom panels, the bottles being foldable into a folded condition such that the plurality of creases are pressed together against each other.

16. A method of stacking bottles, the method comprising:

providing a first collapsible bottle comprising a top panel, a middle panel, and a bottom panel having a bottom surface defining a molded recess, the first collapsible bottle being collapsible into a collapsed position such that the top panel collapses into the middle panel and the middle panel collapses into the bottom panel; and

the first collapsible bottle is stacked on top of the second bottle by inserting the neck or closure of the second bottle into the molded recess of the first collapsible bottle.

17. A method of supplying bottled liquid. The method comprises the following steps:

providing a vending machine comprising collapsible bottles;

dispensing collapsible bottles from a vending machine; and

dispensing the liquid into the collapsible bottle.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the merchandiser includes a plurality of collapsible bottles in a collapsed condition stacked on top of one another.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the liquid is selected from the group consisting of water, coffee, tea, fruit juice, milk, dairy beverages (including yogurt), legume beverages, cereal beverages, fruit beverages, sodas, smoothies, nutritional beverages, and combinations thereof.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the collapsible bottle comprises a beverage concentrate in a form selected from the group consisting of a powder, a liquid, a paste, and combinations thereof.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the bottles are elongated prior to dispensing the liquid from the vending machine into collapsible bottles.

22. A method of serving a beverage, the method comprising:

providing at least one collapsible bottle in a collapsed state;

elongating the collapsible bottle; and

dispensing a liquid into the collapsible bottle.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the collapsible bottle comprises a beverage concentrate in a form selected from the group consisting of a powder, a liquid, a paste, and combinations thereof.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the liquid is dispensed from a beverage dispenser.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the plurality of collapsible bottles are stacked on top of each other on a shelf.