BEVERAGE CONTAINER

Abstract

Fluid container (1) for arrangement in a beverage container (2), wherein the fluid container (1) extends in an axial direction (3) between a first end (4) and a second end (5) and has a first volume (7) for storing a fluid (8) inside a fluid container wall (6); wherein the fluid container (1) has, between the first end (4) and the second end (5), a central region (9) which has, in the axial direction (3), a constant cross-sectional area (10) which extends transversely to the axial direction (3), and a longitudinal axis (11) which extends parallel to the axial direction (3) and runs through a centroid point of the constant cross-sectional area (10).

Claims

1. A fluid container for arrangement in a beverage container, wherein the fluid container extends in an axial direction between a first end and a second end and includes a first volume for storing a fluid inside a fluid container wall, wherein the fluid container includes, between the first end and the second end, a central region which includes, in the axial direction, a constant cross-sectional area which extends transversely to the axial direction, and a longitudinal axis which extends parallel to the axial direction and runs through a centroid point of the constant cross-sectional area, wherein the fluid container includes a first end region at least between the first end and the central region, wherein: at least a part of the first end region is formed by the contacting of opposing regions of the fluid container wall; and/or the first end region includes, in the axial direction, first cross-sectional areas, which extend transversely to the axial direction, with first centroid points, wherein at least some of the centroid points are arranged so that they are spaced apart from the longitudinal axis in a radial direction.

2. The fluid container according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the first centroid points are arranged outside a first cross-sectional area associated with the respective first centroid point.

3. The fluid container according to claim 1, wherein the regions which contact one another form a connecting region which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis over a width and along the longitudinal axis over a length; wherein at least a part of the connecting region includes a curved profile over the width.

4. The fluid container according to claim 1, wherein the fluid container 1 includes at least one aperture in the first end region.

5. A method for producing a fluid container according to claim 1, comprising: a) providing a sleeve-like body which extends in the axial direction between a first body end and a second body end and includes, in the axial direction, a constant cross-sectional area extending transversely to the axial direction; b) deformation of at least the first body end relative to the first end region; c) connecting opposing regions of the fluid container wall in at least a part of the first end region and forming a connecting region.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein step b) comprises a thermal deformation during which the body is heated at least partially.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein after step c), a deformation takes place of at least a part of the connecting region.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein cutting to size of the fluid container takes place during or after step b) at least in the first end region.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the cutting to size takes place during or after step c).

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein as part of step b), the second body end is additionally deformed to form a second end region.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein cutting to size of the fluid container takes place during or after step b) in the second end region.

12. A beverage container (2) at least comprising a shell with a base, a lid and a wall region connecting the base to the lid; wherein the beverage container includes a second volume configured to be partly filled with a liquid; wherein a fluid container according to claim 1 is arranged inside the second volume.

13. The beverage container according to claim 12, at least comprising at least a first core bevel in a circumferential direction between the base and the wall region, and a second core bevel arranged opposite the first core bevel and running around in the circumferential direction between the lid and the wall region, wherein a maximum height of the second volume extends between the first core bevel and the second core bevel, and the fluid container is arranged with the first end in the first core bevel and with the second end in the second core bevel and arranged in a form-fitting fashion in the second volume via the core bevels relative to a radial direction.

14. The beverage container according to claim 13, wherein the fluid container extends between the first end and the second end over a container length, wherein the container length is no more than 5 millimetres less than the maximum height.

Description

[0101] The invention and the technical environment are explained in detail below with the aid of the drawings. It should be pointed out that it is not intended that the invention is limited by the exemplary embodiments shown. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is also possible to extract partial aspects of the content explained in the drawings and to combine them with other constituent parts and insights from the present description and/or drawings. The same reference numerals refer to the same objects such that explanations may additionally be taken from other drawings. In the schematic drawings:

[0102] FIG. 1 shows a fluid container in a perspective view;

[0103] FIG. 2 shows the fluid container according to FIG. 1, with adhesive, in a perspective view;

[0104] FIG. 3 shows a beverage container with a fluid container arranged therein, in a perspective, partly transparent view;

[0105] FIG. 4 shows the beverage container according to FIG. 3 with the fluid container, in a partly transparent side view;

[0106] FIG. 5 shows the beverage container according to FIGS. 3 and 4, upside down in a side view;

[0107] FIG. 6 shows the beverage container according to FIGS. 3 to 5 and the fluid container, in a side view;

[0108] FIG. 7 shows a body for producing the fluid container, in a perspective view; and

[0109] FIG. 8 shows the fluid container according to FIGS. 1 and 2, in a side view.

[0110] FIG. 1 shows a fluid container 1 in a perspective view. FIG. 2 shows the fluid container 1 according to FIG. 1, with adhesive 35, in a perspective view. FIGS. 1 and 2 are described together below.

[0111] The fluid container 1 extends in an axial direction 3 between a first end 4 and a second end 5 and has a first volume 7 for storing a fluid 8 inside a fluid container wall 6. The fluid container 1 has, between the first end 4 and the second end 5, a (sleeve-like, for example cylindrically shaped or rotationally symmetrical) central region 9 which has, in the axial direction 3, a constant cross-sectional area 10 extending transversely to the axial direction 3 and a longitudinal axis 11 extending parallel to the axial direction 3 and running through a centroid point of the constant cross-sectional area 10. The fluid container 1 has a first end region 12 between the first end 4 and the central region 9. A part of the first end region 12 is formed by the contacting of opposing regions of the fluid container wall 6 and the first end region 12 has, in the axial direction 3, first cross-sectional areas 13 extending transversely to the axial direction 3 and with first centroid points 14, wherein at least some of the first centroid points 14 are arranged spaced apart from the longitudinal axis 11 in a radial direction 15 (see FIG. 4).

[0112] The first volume 7 enclosed by the fluid container 1 is connected to surroundings of the fluid container 1 via precisely one aperture 19.

[0113] Starting from a shape corresponding to the shape in the central region 9, the first end region 12 is formed by compression of the fluid container wall 6 which takes place essentially transversely to the longitudinal axis 11, wherein those regions of the fluid container wall 6 which were arranged beforehand opposite one another and spaced apart from one another now contact one another (and bear against one another) as a consequence of the compression and are connected to one another, for example materially.

[0114] The first end region 12 has, in the axial direction 3, first cross-sectional areas 13 extending transversely to the axial direction 3 and which are formed by the fluid container wall 6 and by the area which may be enclosed by it in the respective first cross-section. These first cross-sectional areas 13 each have first centroid points 14 which lie, aligned along the longitudinal axis 11, within the constant cross-sectional area 10 of the central region 9 (see FIG. 4). The first centroid points 14 are partly arranged within a first cross-sectional area 13 associated with the respective first centroid point 14. Some of the first centroid points 14 (towards the ends 4, 5) are arranged outside a first cross-sectional area 13 associated with the respective first centroid point 14. Such a design exists, as illustrated, if the first cross-sectional area extends in a crescent shape.

[0115] The regions of the fluid container wall 6 which contact one another form a connecting region 16 which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis 11 over a width 17 and along the longitudinal axis 11 over a length 18. The connecting region 16 has a curved (i.e. particularly a non-straight) profile over the width (i.e. over the first cross-sectional area 13).

[0116] The designs for the first end region 12 also apply, as illustrated, for the second end region 23, which has an identical design to the first end region 12, wherein the second end region 23 does not have an aperture 19.

[0117] FIG. 3 shows a beverage container 2 with a fluid container 1 arranged therein, in a perspective, partly transparent view. FIG. 4 shows the beverage container 2 according to FIG. 3 with the fluid container 1, in a partly transparent side view. FIG. 5 shows the beverage container 2 according to FIGS. 3 and 4, upside down, in a side view. FIG. 6 shows the beverage container 2 according to FIGS. 3 to 5 and the fluid container 1, in a side view. FIGS. 3 to 6 are described together below. Reference is made to the embodiments in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0118] The beverage container 2 comprises a shell 24 (which is leakproof in the starting state) with a base 25, a lid 26 and a cylindrical wall region 27 connecting the base 25 to the lid 26. The beverage container 2 has a second volume 28 which is partially filled with a third volume 36 of a liquid 29. The fluid container 1 is arranged inside the second volume 28.

[0119] The beverage container 2 comprises a first core bevel 31 which runs around in a circumferential direction between the base 25 and the wall region 27, or in the base 25, and a second core bevel 32 which is arranged opposite the first core bevel 31 and runs around in the circumferential direction 30 between the lid 26 and the wall region 27, or in the lid 26. A maximum height 33 of the second volume extends between the first core bevel 31 and the second core bevel 32 in the axial direction 3.

[0120] The fluid container 1 is arranged with the first end 4 in the first core bevel 31 and with the second end 5 in the second core bevel 32 and arranged in a form-fitting fashion in the second volume 28 via the core bevels 31, 32 relative to a radial direction 15.

[0121] The particular design of the fluid container 1 enables the fluid container 1 to be arranged in the beverage container 2 so that it is permanently fixed in place.

[0122] The second volume 28 has, in the case of an upright beverage container 2, at least one lowest point 37 (in the first core bevel 31). The first end 4 of the fluid container 1 extends into the first core bevel 31 and as far as the lowest point 37 or at least as far as a region close thereto. The first volume 7 of the fluid container 1 which is filled with a fluid 8 extends as far as a lower region adjacent to the base 25 such that an aperture 19 is arranged only slightly removed from the lowest point 37.

[0123] The fluid container 1 proposed in the present case and which extends in the axial direction 3 can, by virtue of its smaller extent in a radial direction 15, be arranged, as illustrated, off-centre with respect to the base 25 or with respect to the second volume 28. The fluid container 1 can thus be arranged immediately adjacent to the wall region 27 and extend into the core bevels 31, 32 of the beverage container 2 (the lowest or highest rim of the beverage container 2 or of the second volume 28 which generally extends around the around the curved base 25 and around the lid 26).

[0124] As illustrated, the fluid container 1 extends with its ends 4, 5 into both core bevels 31, 32 of the beverage container 2 such that it is fixed in its place (i.e. extending into both core bevels 31, 32) via the core bevels 31, 32 at least relative to a radial direction 15.

[0125] Both ends 4, 5 of the fluid container 1 have, in the region of the respective connecting region 16, a curved profile which is designed such that it matches the profile of the corresponding core bevel 31, 32 in the circumferential direction 30.

[0126] Both ends 4, 5 are here arranged immediately adjacent to in each case a wall such that further movement of the fluid container 1 in the axial direction 3 is at least restricted.

[0127] FIG. 7 shows a body 20 for producing the fluid container 1 in a perspective view. FIG. 8 shows the fluid container 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in a side view. FIGS. 7 and 8 are described together below. Reference is made to the embodiments in FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0128] The method for producing the fluid container 1 comprises, according to step a), providing a sleeve-like body 20 which extends in the axial direction 3 between a first body end 21 and a second body end 22 and has, in the axial direction 3, a constant cross-sectional area 10 extending transversely to the axial direction 3. According to step b), a first deformation of the first body end 21 relative to the first end region 12 and of the second body end relative to the second end region 23 takes place. According to step c), connection of opposing regions of the fluid container wall 6 in respectively a part of the first end region 12 and of the second end region 23 and the respective forming of a connecting region 16 take place.

[0129] It can be seen in FIG. 7 that the body ends 21, 22 of the body 20 end in each case at a height, relative to the axial direction 3, which is the same circumferentially.

[0130] The (theoretical) volume (visible in FIG. 7 between the body ends 21, 22) of the sleeve-like body 20 is reduced to the first volume 7 by the first deformation. The first deformation comprises pressing the opposing container walls 6 together in the end regions 12, 23, wherein, starting from the central region 9 of the body 20, the first centroid points 14 which now result are shifted outwards in the radial direction 15 at an increasing distance from the longitudinal axis 11 the nearer to the end 4, 5 of the fluid container 1. At least a part of the respective end region 12, 23 is pressed together to such an extent that opposing regions of the fluid container wall 6 can be brought to bear against each other. A connecting region 16 is then generated in this part of the end region 12, 23 by connecting the container walls 6.

[0131] After step c), a second deformation takes place of at least a part of the connecting region 16 or of the regions connected to each other in step c). The second deformation does not cause any further reduction in the first volume 7. Only the connecting regions 16 are deformed by the second deformation. The connecting regions 16 thus receive a curved profile over their width 17 (i.e. over the first cross-sectional area 13).

[0132] Cutting to size of the fluid container 1 furthermore takes place in both end regions 12, 23 such that a container length 34 of the fluid container 2 is set. The container length 34 is set to the maximum height 33 of the beverage container 2 provided for the fluid container 1.

[0133] Furthermore, an aperture 19 is arranged or produced in the region of the first end region 12 as part of the method.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0134] 1 fluid container [0135] 2 beverage container [0136] 3 axial direction [0137] 4 first end [0138] 5 second end [0139] 6 fluid container wall [0140] 7 first volume [0141] 8 fluid [0142] 9 central region [0143] 10 constant cross-sectional area [0144] 11 longitudinal axis [0145] 12 first end region [0146] 13 first cross-sectional area [0147] 14 first centroid point [0148] 15 radial direction [0149] 16 connecting region [0150] 17 width [0151] 18 length [0152] 19 aperture [0153] 20 body [0154] 21 first body end [0155] 22 second body end [0156] 23 second end region [0157] 24 shell [0158] 25 base [0159] 26 lid [0160] 27 wall region [0161] 28 second volume [0162] 29 liquid [0163] 30 circumferential direction [0164] 31 first core bevel [0165] 32 second core bevel [0166] 33 maximum height [0167] 34 container length [0168] 35 adhesive [0169] 36 third volume [0170] 37 lowest point