RU2493064C2 - Hygienic protection of vessels for beverages - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: packaging industry.

SUBSTANCE: subject of the present invention is a protective device for vessels for beverages in general, in particular for plastic, paper, cardboard and other disposable cups, which comprises a ring 1 having an outer side wall 4 and an inner side wall 3 which are connected to each other by the upper jumper 5 of the corresponding shape to form an annular area 6, due to which the ring 1 can be put on the upper edge 8 of the said cup and removed from it to protect the cup from external contamination.

EFFECT: development of the protective device of vessels for beverages.

11 cl, 10 dwg

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to beverage containers in general, and in particular to hygiene protection to prevent contamination by external contact, and the like.

State of the art

Vessels for cold or hot drinks are known, which include coffee cups or glasses, and in particular all kinds of disposable glasses or vessels.

Health protection, especially in the field of consumer consumption, is an integral prerogative to avoid infection with viruses and pathogens of various nature. It is known that the use of dirty glasses can carry a serious risk of infection of others, which often leads to disruption of the body and its weakening and requires a long and expensive treatment with antibiotics.

All vessels for drinks are subject to the specified risk, but in particular - disposable vessels, such as plastic glasses, etc., because they are essentially designed for use in public places with large crowds. These vessels are used everywhere not only in bars, but also in offices, at various festivals and meetings, which is why, in the absence of proper protection, they can easily become a means of spreading viruses.

All disposable glasses are for personal use only; before use, they are unpacked and stacked on top of each other; in the indicated form they are available to the user. Often, when removing a glass from a stack, a user may accidentally remove not one, but several glasses at the same time. In this case, the extra glasses are usually removed and put back into the stack, leaving only one. Unfortunately, such movement leads to contamination of all parts of the glasses, and in particular those to which the user will subsequently touch his lips. Obviously, such actions can contribute to the transmission of viruses not only to a third party who will use the glass that the first user touched, but also to the user himself.

In addition, it is obvious that the cause of contamination may be the fact of a single exposure to the environment of all glasses, regardless of whether they are disposable or ordinary, and whether they are simply in a stack or inside an appropriate vending machine. Any glasses and vessels in the bar are essentially unprotected and can carry any virus applied to them by sneezing and coughing by potential users.

Even if you touch these vessels, for example, when the bartender takes a glass to serve a drink, there may be a high risk of contamination if the bartender's hands are not completely disinfected.

Thus, it is obvious that such contamination is difficult to prevent, and it is almost inevitable when using any vessels, regardless of whether they are disposable.

Description of the invention

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a protective device with which all of the above disadvantages can be eliminated when using all types of beverage vessels.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a protective device that eliminates the risk of infection when using blood vessels, and is also economical and easy to use.

These and other problems are solved using the proposed protective device for vessels for drinks, in particular for plastic, paper, cardboard and other disposable glasses, which is characterized in that it includes at least a ring having side walls and an upper jumper connected to these walls with the formation of an annular region. Moreover, this ring due to the presence of the annular region is made with the possibility of putting on the upper edge of the specified glass and remove from it to protect it from external pollution.

A ring made in this way can be used as a regular glass lid. The engagement is ensured by the presence of an annular region in which the upper edge of the glass and part of the height of the wall constituting the specified glass are located.

It is obvious that the configuration of the proposed ring, presented in the form of a crown, the shape of which may differ from round, allows you to protect exclusively the edges of the glass and a portion of its wall, which subsequently when using the glass the lips of the user are in contact.

The annular region of said ring preferably includes: a lateral outer wall at least approximately corresponding to the shape of the outer profile of the glass at a certain portion of its height, extending downward from the upper edge of the said glass; - a side inner wall, at least approximately corresponding to the shape of the inner profile of the glass at a certain section of its height, passing downward from the specified upper edge of the glass; moreover

said outer side wall is connected to said inner side wall by said upper jumper.

The connection occurs on the side of the upper edge of the glass so that the upper jumper at least approximately matches the profile of the upper edge of the glass. In this case, the receiving region has a shape corresponding to the upper edge of the glass.

The specified ring is made in such a way that the lateral outer wall and the lateral inner wall correspond to the shape of the wall of the glass. Such a constructive solution is universal and adapts to any geometric shape of the vessel.

Among the various possible structural solutions, the first possible solution preferably provides an upper jumper, which includes:

- the first annular element protruding from the specified lateral inner wall up and passing to the outer side of the glass along the first convex profile with a radius R1,

- the second annular element protruding from the specified lateral outer wall up and passing to the outer side of the glass along the second convex profile with a radius of R2;

- a third annular element for connecting the upper ends of the specified first and second annular elements, limiting the specified receiving region to accommodate the upper edge of the glass.

Thus, a receiving region is formed, the shape of which allows you to place in it the upper edge of a disposable plastic or similar glass. This shape is necessary because the specified upper edge is usually performed tucked up or folded in order to provide a rounded lip support, compensating for the small thickness of the specified glass. In the absence of such support, the upper edge can cause painful cuts on the lips.

In addition, often a plastic cup on the side of the inner wall in the immediate vicinity of its upper edge has a ring. In this case, in the present device, the first annular element is connected to the inner wall by means of a protrusion that extends radially from the inner wall towards the specified first element, with the formation of a step.

According to a second embodiment, the upper jumper preferably includes an annular cap of radius R3 protruding from both the outer and inner side walls and bounding said receiving region.

The specified solution is particularly preferred if the upper edge of the glass has a round profile.

When using ordinary glasses or cups, the upper edge of which does not have a definite shape, but is essentially straight, it is preferable that the upper jumper contains a substantially rectilinear jumper. In this case, the ring is completely adjacent to the edge of the glass.

Preferably, the ring is located on the upper edge of the glass, so that the upper edge of the glass can be completely placed in the specified receiving region with the formation of a snap-in connection, snap on the specified ring.

The specified solution is usually used if the upper edges of the glass are shaped as described above. If the upper edge is straight, the ring will be made with an inclination or with an interference fit.

To remove the ring when using it, appropriate disconnecting means are provided, including:

- at least a tear-off tongue extending from a predetermined point on the outer side wall downward;

- notches made at least along one side of the indicated tongue, forming a tear line along at least a portion of the height of the specified ring and made with a given step.

Preferably, the notches are placed along both sides of said tongue. In addition, the height of the notches may coincide with the height of the ring.

The separation and removal of the ring is carried out by simply pulling the tongue.

In all embodiments of the device, a protective film that is provided with sterilizing agents can be applied within the annular region of the ring.

Sterilization of the indicated edge of the glass is already carried out when a protective device is placed on it.

This device may be manufactured separately, or may be integrated into disposable glasses.

Thus, it is possible to obtain plastic, paper, cardboard and other glasses, characterized in that the described protective device is installed on their upper edge.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The properties and advantages of the device according to the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of its embodiments, illustrated by way of example, and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- figure 1 and 2 shows a perspective view of the steps of attaching the protective device to the glass;

- figure 3 shows a view in section of a device placed on a glass, and its geometric shape according to the first embodiment;

- figure 4 shows a detailed view in section of a device according to the specified first variant of implementation;

- figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of a device according to a first embodiment;

- Fig.6 and 7, respectively, show a detailed view in section and section of a device placed on a glass, according to the second embodiment;

- Fig.8 illustrates a third embodiment of the device at one of the stages of its attachment to the glass;

- figure 9 illustrates the step of removing the device according to the third embodiment;

- figure 10 illustrates in detail the attachment of the device to the vessel.

Description of some embodiments.

Figure 1 and figure 3 shows a device that allows to solve the above problems.

The ring 1 has two side walls 3, 4 connected to each other by the upper jumper 5, with the formation of an annular region 6. The thus obtained annular region (see figure 3) allows you to place in it a predetermined portion of the height of the wall 7 of the glass, including its upper edge 8.

Figure 3 shows in detail a sectional view of a ring according to another embodiment, which has an outer side wall 4 and an inner side wall 3 corresponding to the profile of the beaker. To match the profile of the vessel, the shape of the ring may differ from round. The jumper 5 connects these walls to each other, and approximately corresponds to the profile of the upper edge 8 of the glass. The annular region 6 is made with the possibility of placing in it a portion 7 of the wall of the glass and its upper edge 8.

According to the present invention, the height of the outer and inner side walls 3 and 4 may vary. Thus, the ring will correspond to the height of the wall of the glass 7 having a certain width, taking into account its upper edge 8.

Depending on the requirements and the specific application, the cross section of the ring may also have a different geometric shape, several preferred options of which are described below. To facilitate understanding, the position numbers in the description of each of the preferred embodiments are increased by 100.

According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention (see FIG. 4), the jumper 5 is formed to form a receiving region 109 for receiving the upper edge 108 of the glass, as described below. The first annular element 110 protrudes upward from the inner wall 103 and extends to the outer side of the cup along the first convex profile with radius R1. The second annular element 111, in turn, protrudes upward from the outer wall 104. The specified second element extends to the outer side of the glass along the second convex profile with a radius of R2. These elements are then connected to each other in a straight line or along a certain radius of curvature of the third connecting annular element 112. Thus, a receiving region 109 is formed to accommodate the upper edge of the glass.

Obviously, the receiving region 109 has been described with the division into the above elements (110, 111, 112) solely to facilitate understanding of its geometric shape, and is not limited to the described described option. The first embodiment is particularly preferred when using disposable cups, which often have a curved top edge 108. Disposable cups are usually made of materials such as plastic, paper, cardboard, polyester, etc.

Disposable glasses typically include a protrusion 113 (see figure 5). In this case, it is possible to modify the ring, in which the first annular element 110 is connected to the inner wall 103 by means of a section 114, which extends radially from the inner wall towards the specified element 110. In this case, the protrusion can be used as a limiter when installing the ring.

According to a second preferred embodiment of the invention (see FIGS. 6 and 7), the jumper 5 includes an annular cap 210 of radius R3. The cap in this case also protrudes from the outer side wall 204 and the inner side wall 203, thus limiting the other receiving region 209.

According to a third preferred embodiment of the invention (see FIG. 8), which can be used in all liquid vessels, such as cups and glasses, not necessarily disposable, includes a very simple jumper 5, or a connection 310 having a substantially straight profile for the connection of the two walls 303 and 304.

Obviously, according to the present invention, a different form of the upper jumper may be used.

All preferred embodiments may include disconnect means 17 (for example, see FIGS. 1 and 2). These tools are necessary to remove the protective ring from the glass when using it and include a tear-off tab 18, passing from a given point on the outer side wall 4 down; notches 19 made along one or both sides in a certain area or along the entire height of the ring, which are located at a certain distance from each other and form separation lines.

All described embodiments may include a protective film provided with sterilizing agents, such as bactericides or disinfectants, applied internally to the annular region of the ring. In this case, the protective film is in contact with the edge of the glass after installing the ring, and sterilizes the specified edge from any external bacterial agents present.

The following describes the principle of operation of the proposed device, which is the same for any of the options for implementation. To do this, turn to the drawings.

As can be seen from figures 1 and 2, the ring 1 can be installed on the upper edge 8 of the glass before the glass becomes available for public use. In another embodiment, it is possible, for example, the production of disposable glasses with a pre-installed protective ring. Thus, it is possible to manufacture and pack disposable glasses with a pre-installed protective equipment on an industrial scale. In this case, after removing the glasses from the packaging and placing them in vending machines, these glasses are ready for use, and the risk of contamination is eliminated.

For reliable fastening of the ring, you can use the elastic properties of the material of the ring, as well as its shape (see figure 10). In all cases, if the upper edges of the vessels are bent (see, for example, FIGS. 4, 5 and 7), the installation of the ring leads to the dilution of the outer and inner side walls with the upper edge 8. At the end of the introduction of the ring, edge 8 is placed in the receiving region with the formation of a substantially snap connection.

If the upper edge of the glass is not subjected to molding (see Fig. 8 and 9), the ring can be mounted on the glass with an interference fit. In this case, disconnecting means are not required since the ring can be removed simply by lifting it (see FIG. 9). As noted above, this option is used with ordinary glass cups or ceramic coffee cups, as well as in other cases where the edge of the vessel is even.

In all the cases described, removing the ring is a simple operation. To break along a given separation line 19 and completely remove the ring, just pull the tongue 18.

The present device can be made using casting. In the production process of disposable glasses with a pre-installed ring of manufacture, it is necessary to include an additional stage, in which the rings are produced and installed on the glass.

The device may be made of any material suitable for performing such a protective function.

From the description it is clear how the objectives of the present invention are solved. In particular, it is clear from the description how the ring eliminates the risk of infection and contamination caused by contact of the user's lips with the edge of a contaminated vessel.

To exclude the possibility of infection when using glasses or coffee cups, a disposable protective ring can be replaced after washing these vessels. In the same way, the edges of disposable cups can be protected before being distributed.

The specific forms of the present invention are described to illustrate its concept and can be modified by specialists without going beyond the concept of the invention. Thus, these modifications will be considered equivalent to the above embodiments of the present invention. The means and materials by which many of the described functions are achieved can be completely different provided that they do not go beyond the scope of the present invention, and the terminology given here is used only for ease of description.

Claims (11)

1. The protective device of vessels for drinks, such as disposable glasses, characterized in that it includes at least a ring having side walls and an upper jumper connected to these walls with the formation of an annular region; and the specified ring due to the presence of the annular region is made with the possibility of putting on the upper edge of the specified glass and remove from it to protect it from external pollution, and the upper jumper includes: the first annular element protruding from the specified side inner wall up and passing to the outside of the glass along a first convex contour with radius R1; the second annular element protruding from the specified lateral outer wall upward and passing to the outer side of the glass along the second convex contour with a radius of R2; and a third annular element for connecting the upper ends of these first and second annular elements, limiting the specified receiving region to accommodate the upper edge of the glass. 2. The protective device according to claim 1, wherein said annular region of said ring includes a lateral outer wall at least approximately corresponding to the shape of the outer profile of said disposable cup at a certain portion of its height, passing downward from the upper edge of said cup, and a side inner a wall at least approximately corresponding to the shape of the internal profile of the specified glass at a certain section of its height, passing downward from the upper edge of the specified glass, and the specified external The side wall and said inner side wall are connected to each other on the upper edge of the glass by the upper jumper, which at least approximately corresponds to the profile of the upper edge of the glass and thus forms a receiving region for accommodating the specified upper edge. 3. The protective device according to claim 1, wherein said first annular element is connected to said lateral inner wall by a protrusion that extends radially from said inner wall towards said first element to form a step. 4. The protective device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said upper jumper comprises a substantially rectilinear jumper. 5. The protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the specified ring is mounted on the upper edge of the disposable cup with the possibility of placing this edge completely in the specified receiving area with the formation of a snap connection that clicks on the specified ring. 6. The protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the specified ring includes a means of disconnection, allowing you to remove the specified ring when using the vessel. 7. The protective device according to claim 4, in which these means of disconnection include: at least a tear-off tab extending from a predetermined point on the outer side wall downward; notches made at least along one side of the indicated tongue, forming a tear line along at least a portion of the height of the specified ring, and made with a given step. 8. The protective device according to claim 7, in which these notches are placed along both sides of the specified tongue. 9. A protective device according to any one of claims 7 and 8, in which the height of said notches is equal to the height of said ring. 10. The protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 7 and 8, in which a protective film is provided inside the annular region of the ring, which is provided with sterilizing substances. 11. A disposable glass, characterized in that a protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is installed on its upper edge.

Images