Replaceable container liner, systems and methods

Abstract

A removable conformal liner for a beverage container is described. When the liner is inserted into an internal cavity of a beverage container, the body of the liner substantially conforms to the interior cavity. The container liner is adapted to provide snug cuffing over the lip portion of the beverage container. In one embodiment a container liner is configured for heat shrink cuffing. In another embodiment a container liner is configured for stretch cuffing. A system for manual, mechanized and a combination of mechanized and manual installation of the removable conformal liner is disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for providing an improved recyclable beverage cup, the method comprising: providing a cup in alignment with a means for liner insertion and attachment; acquiring a liner; preparing the liner for cup insertion; inserting the prepared liner into the cup using a correspondingly dimensioned mandrel having an upper part having a plurality of articulating fingers greater than two and defined extended downwardly in a circular pattern from a circular base and expandable from the mandrel that start in a raised retracted position and that when deployed are movable down past an outside of a bottom part of the mandrel which has substantially a same shape and size as an inside of a target cup; and attaching the liner to the cup.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: preparing the means for liner insertion and attachment for acquiring a liner.

3. A method for providing an improved recyclable beverage cup, the method comprising: providing a cup vertically in alignment with a means for liner insertion and attachment; acquiring a liner configured for insertion and attachment to the cup and configured for containment of a beverage, the liner having a top portion configured for opening and attaching to the cup; preparing the liner for cup insertion by partially opening the top portion of the liner; directing a burst of air from the means for liner insertion and attachment into the partially opened top portion of the liner to create an opened liner; inserting the opened liner into the cup using a correspondingly dimensioned mandrel having an upper part having a plurality of articulating fingers greater than two and defined extended downwardly in a circular pattern from a circular base and expandable from the mandrel that start in a raised retracted position and that when deployed are movable down past an outside of a bottom part of the mandrel which has substantially a same shape and size as an inside of a target cup; attaching the top portion of the liner to the top portion of the cup using a device that presses the top portion of the liner against the top portion of the cup and directs heated air from a heat assembly separate from the mandrel, toward the top portion of the liner to seal the liner in the proximity of the top outside perimeter of the cup; shrinking the insert; and preparing the means for liner insertion and attachment for acquiring a liner by retracting the mandrel and fingered portion of the assembly.

4. A method for providing an improved recyclable beverage cup, the method comprising: providing a vertically cup in alignment with a means for liner insertion and attachment; acquiring a liner configured for insertion and attachment to the cup and configured for containment of a beverage, the liner having a top portion configured for opening and attaching to the cup; preparing the liner for cup insertion by partially opening the top portion of the liner; directing a burst of air from the means for liner insertion and attachment into the partially opened top portion of the liner to create an opened liner; inserting the opened liner into the cup using a correspondingly dimensioned mandrel having an upper part having a plurality of articulating fingers greater than two and defined extended downwardly in a circular pattern from a circular base and expandable from the mandrel that start in a raised retracted position and that when deployed are movable down past an outside of a bottom part of the mandrel which has substantially a same shape and size as an inside of a target cup; attaching the top portion of the liner to the top portion of the cup by stretching the top portion of the liner over the top portion of the cup to form a stretch fitted seal on the cup lip; and preparing the means for liner insertion and attachment for acquiring a liner by retracting the mandrel and fingered portion of the assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The technology described herein is illustrated with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote like device components and/or method steps, respectively, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a illustrates a sequence in which a cup has an liner inserted and attached utilizing a insert and attachment assembly, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a beginning arrangement of a cup, liner, mandrel and Fingers for a shrink fit process, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a subsequent arrangement of FIG. 2 where the mandrel is inserted into the liner;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a subsequent arrangement of FIG. 3, where the mandrel has almost completed inserting the liner into the cup with a portion of the top portion of the liner now being positioned over the outside of the cup top;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a subsequent arrangement of FIG. 4, where the Fingers are engaging the inside of the top portion of the liner in order to closely position the top portion of the liner against the top of the cup prior to heat sealing;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a subsequent arrangement of FIG. 5, where the Fingers are now on the outside of the cup and the top portion of the liner is closely positioned against the top of the cup prior to heat sealing;

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates the removal of the Fingers shown in FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates a heat sealing assembly sealing the liner to the cup lip;

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates a cup having a heat sealed liner;

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates a beginning arrangement of a cup, liner, mandrel and Fingers for a stretch fit process, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein;

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates a subsequent arrangement of FIG. 10, where the mandrel is partially inserted into the liner;

(13) FIG. 12 illustrates a subsequent arrangement of FIG. 11, where the mandrel and liner are partially inserted into the cup;

(14) FIG. 13 illustrates a subsequent arrangement of FIG. 12, where the liner is inserted into the cup and the Fingers are starting the process of stretching the top portion of the liner over the cup lip;

(15) FIG. 14 illustrates a subsequent arrangement of FIG. 13, where the Fingers are on the outside of the cup and top portion of the liner, having stretch fitted the liner over the cup lip; and

(16) FIG. 15 illustrates a cup having a stretch fitted liner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(17) Before describing the disclosed embodiments of this technology in detail, it is to be understood that the technology is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown here since the technology described is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

(18) In various exemplary embodiments, the technology described herein provides a cup/container liner system, comprising an open top cup/container and a liner that fits closely on the outside. These components are related as follows: the liner is inserted into the cup/container and is cuffed over the outside of the cup/container in a close fitting manner. The liner may or may not fit closely on the inside.

(19) In the cuffing process the liner can be stretched or shrunk to fit snuggly on the exterior of the cup/container. This stretching/shrinking can be done manually, mechanized or a combination of manual and mechanized.

(20) In at least one embodiment the liner creates a gasket over the seam of the container. The liner is configured for displaying recycling and/or disposal information. The cup/container can be made from either disposable or non-disposable material.

(21) The cup/container may be made from 100% recycled and post-consumer recycled material. The cup/container may or may not be leak proof. The liner is configured for the capture and control of unconsumed contents.

(22) The liner can eliminate the need to wash the cup/container prior to reuse. The liner may be formed in a variety of configurations. The liner may be clear or any degree of opacity. The liner may be inserted, cuffed and close-fit either by hand, device or automated/semi-automated machine.

(23) In at least one embodiment, e.g., the Cup version, the technology described herein comprises a paper/permanent cup with a liner that fits snugly to the inside of the cup so that the liner does not bear any of the load of the content. The liner folds over the rim of the cup and fits snugly to the outside of the cup so the lips of the drinker contacts the liner. The liner fits in such a way that it does not interfere with the lidding and un-lidding of the cup and helps provide a seal in the area between the lid and the seam of the cup. The liner is in close communication with the cup, yet capable of being released.

(24) In yet another embodiment, e.g. the Container version, the technology described herein is comprised of a paper/permanent container with a liner that fits to the inside of the container so that the liner folds over the rim of the cup and fits closely to the outside of the cup is such a way that the cuff of the liner remains primarily in contact with the outside of the container, which contributes to a neat appearance and assists in the application and removal of a lid. Rolling the liner to the outside also provide an area at the top of the rim configured to bond a lid seal.

(25) Referring now to FIGS. 1-15, in various exemplary embodiments, the technology described herein provides a system and device for combining a container liner with a container such that the container liner remains in place during the consumption of the liquid contents placed within, and subsequently the container liner can be detached from the container.

(26) FIG. 1 shows an illustrative sequence for inserting and fitting a liner into a cup prior to filling of the cup with a beverage. A cup is provided in providing a cup 110. The cup can be positioned so as to receive the liner either manually, or by a mechanized delivery system. Acquiring a liner 120 can involve either a manual acquiring or by a mechanized acquiring system. Preparing the liner 130 can involve either a manual opening or a mechanized sequence of partially opening the liner and then have a mechanized puff of air completing the liner opening process. Inserting the liner 140 can involve a mandrel being inserted into the opened liner and the mandrel enshrouded with a liner being inserted into the cup. Attaching the liner to the cup 150 involves the Fingers 500 positioning the liner top portion 310 either being heat shrunk or stretch fitted over the cup lip 210. Preparing to acquire a liner involves the liner and attachment assembly retracting back to the starting position.

(27) FIGS. 2-9 show one scenario for creating a heat shrink seal for an inserted cup liner. A cup 200 having a cup lip 210 has a liner 300 with a liner top portion 310 configured for overlapping the cup lip 210 is shown. A mandrel 400 is dimensioned to be placed inside the liner 300 during the process of inserting the line 300 into the cup 200. Fingers 500 having individual fingers 510 are configured for positioning the liner top portion 310 over the cup lip 210. Heat assembly 600 is utilized to attach the liner top portion 310 to the cup lip 210 and a portion of the outside of the cup 200 to form a shrink fitted cup-liner assembly 600. In some embodiments, the heat assembly function is integrated into the Fingers 500.

(28) FIGS. 10-15 show one scenario for creating a stretch fit seal for an inserted cup liner. The liner 300 has a concave opening (as opposed to a convex opening for the heat shrink seal liner) configured for being stretched over the cup lip 210 by the individual fingers 510 to form a stretch fitted cup-liner assembly 700.

(29) Although this technology has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples can perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the technology described herein and are intended to be covered by the following claims.