NL2005680C2

NL2005680C2 - A disposible and biodegradable container for a liquid with a removable handle.

Info

Publication number: NL2005680C2
Application number: NL2005680A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Bas Westdijk; Michel Rijkaart
Original assignee: Well Water Nederland B V
Priority date: 2010-11-12
Filing date: 2010-11-12
Publication date: 2012-05-15
Also published as: WO2012064184A1

Description

A disposible and biodegradable container for a liquid with a removable handle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

5 The present invention relates generally to a system comprising a disposable container for receiving a consumable liquid, like water, beverages, etc., and a re-useable handle. The present invention also relates to a disposable container and a re-usable handle.

The present invention is not related to containers in the form of cans or bottles, e.g. like 10 a soda can or soda bottles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers for containing a liquid for drinking purposes exist where the containers may be supplied with more or less easily removable handles or handling means. Most 15 containers of this type are directed towards a domestic use and thus consist of typically more durable material intended for re-use. The cost of otherwise replacing non reusable containers and/or handles is normally a consideration and is therefore not used in domestic containers.

2 0 Other containers, like coffee containers ‘to go’ are also known and some may be provided by handles. Such containers and their handles are both usually disposable but their design does not readily accommodate bigger volumes of liquid like at least half a liter or more. They are more aimed at cup-sized volumes, e.g. normally up to 0,33 liters or for some even up to 0,5 liters. However, beverage containers able to contain up to 25 0,5 liters of liquid and having a disposable container and/or handle are generally not of a very sturdy design and intended for a one time use.

In businesses like the catering business or other, costs are a big consideration together with reliable and sturdy materials. In the catering business time to assemble a container 30 with e.g. handles to make it ready may also be important as it other require a lot of time consuming manual labour if readying a large number of containers. In addition, easy deassembly is also important as it otherwise also will be time consuming.

Some containers used for the catering business and otherwise are typically re-used and 35 thus requires cleaning after use in a dish-washer or similar. This is not environmentally friendly and also involves costs, especially for cleaning a large number of containers.

2

Patent specification US 6,450,363 discloses a coffee mug with interchangeable accessories where the mug body has a groove around the upper outside surface. A replaceable handle bracket is attached to the groove in the body and a detachable handle is connected to the bracket and held in place with a clip. This 5 provides a cumbersome way of attaching the handle to the mug body.

Patent application US 2010/0213206 discloses a detachable handle for a child’s sippy cup where the detachable handle includes a ring portion that engages a lid and/or a cup portion. This provides a cumbersome way of attaching the handle to the sippy cup.

10

At least some of these known containers and removable handles do not provide an easy way of being secured and/or removed to each other. Some containers are also often made of non-disposable material like plastic.

15 OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a container that solves at least some of the above mentioned drawback at least partially.

Another object is to provide a container with at least one handle that is easily removable 2 0 and easy to attach while still ensuring a secure operation of the container. Especially for container of a relatively larger volume, i.e. bigger volume than cup sizes or similar.

One or more of these objects are achieved at least to some extent by a system comprising a disposable container for receiving a consumable liquid and a re-useable 2 5 handle, wherein the re-useable handle is adapted to be removably attached or connected with the disposable container, the re-usable handle comprises a handle part and a container engagement part wherein the handle part is secured to the container engagement part and the container engagement part is adapted to removably engage with the disposable container, and wherein the disposable container consist of a 30 biodegradable material comprising polylactic acid (PLA).

Providing a container that is disposable and bio-degradable gives the advantage that it simply can be discarded after use, which saves time and costs for cleaning and also reduces the environmental impact if cleaning by a dish-washer as this uses a lot of 35 water, electricity and produces some waste by-products in the water. As the container itself is also biodegradable, is has no adverse environmental impact to dispose of it after use.

3

Providing a container made of polylactic acid (PLA) also readily provides a container that is light in weight but still sturdy enough even for containing relatively large volumes of liquid. Using this material is also not costly, so even though the container is 5 disposable it does not come with a premium costs.

So making the containers disposable in an environmentally friendly way and the handles re-usable has great benefits in particular for the catering business. The handles can be made of a studier material that can endure being handled. Since they are re-10 usable the handles can also be made of a more costly material and/or by a more costly production method without imposing too great costs.

Especially for containers designed for container a substantial amount of liquid, it is important to have good handling capabilities and a secure engagement of the handle 15 and the container. Such containers may e.g. be a jug, pitcher or the like and/or being able to contain a volume of liquid being at least half a liter as opposed to containers of more of a cup size.

In one embodiment, the polylactic acid is polylactic acid Ingeo 3251D, which have 2 0 several advantages as described in the following.

In one embodiment, the biodegradable material is transparent or semi-transparent. In this way, surface damage like scratches or the like on the container is less visible since such damage is less visible on a transparent or semi-transparent surface. This is 2 5 important especially for the catering business.

In one embodiment, the disposable container is stackable with similar containers.

In one embodiment, the disposable container is adapted to contain a volume of liquid 3 0 being at least about 0,7 liters or at least about 1,0 liters.

In one embodiment, the handle part comprises a first part and a second part and has a general L-shape or an upside down general L-shape.

35 In one embodiment, the container engagement part generally has an O-shape.

4

In this way, the re-usable handle is simply attached with or connected to the disposable container by inserting the container through the opening.

In one embodiment, the engagement part has an inner side being closest towards a 5 center of the engagement part, an outer side being furthest away from the center of the engagement part, a top side, and a bottom side, wherein the inner side is narrowing from the top to the bottom.

In this way, a firmer engagement of the container is provided, especially if the container 10 also slants inwards in a similar way.

In one embodiment, the re-usable handle comprises one or more grooves adapted to engage with one or more protrusion on a disposable container and thereby align the reusable handle in a pre-determined orientation in relation to the disposable container 15 when the re-usable handle is secured to the disposable container. Alternatively, it may be the container that is provided with grooves and the handle with protrusions or a mix thereof.

In one embodiment, the disposable container comprises a pouring element and wherein 20 said pre-determined orientation aligns the re-usable handle with the pouring element.

According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a re-usable handle for use with a disposable container for receiving a consumable liquid, the re-usable handle being adapted to be removably attached or connected with the disposable container, 25 wherein the handle comprises a handle part and a container engagement part wherein the handle part is fixed to the container engagement part and wherein the container engagement part is adapted to removably engage with the disposable container.

According to yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a disposable container 30 for receiving a consumable liquid, the disposable container consisting of a biodegradable material, wherein the biodegradable material comprises polylactic acid (PLA).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

35 These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the exemplary embodiments as shown in the drawings, in which: 5

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a removable handle according to the present invention;

Figure 2 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a 5 removable handle according to the present invention;

Figure 3 schematically illustrates a cross section of an engagement part of a handle e.g. corresponding to ones shown and explained in connection with Figures 1 and 2; 10 Figure 4 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a disposable and bio-degradable container and re-usable and removable handle according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 5 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a disposable and bio-degradable 15 container and re-usable and removable handle according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a removable 2 0 handle according to the present invention. Shown is a re-usable handle (100) for use with a container (not shown; see e.g. 200 in Figures 4 and 5) for receiving a consumable liquid, e.g. like water, a beverage, or the like.

The re-usable handle (100) is adapted to be removably attached or secured to a 25 container. This may be achieved in many ways. In a preferred embodiment, the container is made from a biodegradable material and therefore is disposable without harming the environment. More preferably, the container is made of polylactic acid (PLA). A preferred container will be explained in greater detail in connection with Figures 4 and 5.

30

In this particular exemplary embodiment, the handle (100) comprises a handle part (101) and a container engagement part (102) wherein the handle part (101) is secured in a fixed, i.e. non-removable, way to or integrated with the container engagement part (102) . The handle part (101) is adapted to be used by a user to handle the container 35 e.g. to pour and/or transport the liquid in a safe and reliable way.

6

In this exemplary embodiment, the handle part (101) comprises a first (103) and a second part (104) that together forms a general (upside down) L-shape where the first part (103) accommodates gripping by a hand of a user and the second part (104) is for connecting the first part (103) to the container engagement part (102).

5

It is to be understood that the shape of the handle (101) and its parts can vary. As one example, the shape of the handle (101) can be curved e.g. in such a way that the first part (103) connects directly to the container engagement part (102) (where the second part (104) as such is not present).

10

The container engagement part (102) comprises an inner side (105) being closest towards a center of the engagement part (102), an outer side (106) being furthest away from the center of the engagement part (102), a top side (107), and a bottom side (108), 15 The container engagement part (102) is adapted to removably engage with a disposable container in such a way that that the removable handle (100) and a container may be attached to each other in a secure way to enable a proper and normal use of the liquid container.

2 0 In this embodiment, the container engagement part (102) generally has an O-or ring shape (forth only denoted O-shape). This provides a very simple design of an engagement part (102) that also may be produced easily and cheaply. It is to be understood that a (small) part of the container engagement part (102) may be cut away while still providing the same purpose and advantages, i.e. the container engagement 25 part (102) need not be fully circular.

The container engagement part (102) is particular suited for a container that is generally cylindrical but has a varying outer diameter that gets smaller from the top towards the bottom, i.e. it slates inwards towards a vertical center line from the top to the bottom. 30 The container engagement part (102) has an inner diameter (i.e. the diameter of the inner side (105)) that is greater than a diameter below a certain height level of the container but smaller than a diameter above the certain height level of the container.

In this way, the container may simply be inserted into the O-shape and will be engaged 35 about the certain height level giving a secure and reliable engagement while still facilitating easy removal again.

7

The container may also be provided with protrusions or similar (e.g. a spout of the container or a bulging part) extending outwards from the general cylindrical shape of the container and thereby engage the handle (100).

5 The particular shown embodiment, also has the advantage that when the container is inserted into the O-ring of the handle (100) and the handle is gripped and lifted the force will push the O-ring and the handle (100) upwards thereby securing a firmer grip or engagement between the handle (100) and the container.

10 Adjustment of the inner diameter of the O-shape and the varying diameter of the container during manufacture also makes it easy to determine where the handle will engage the diameter.

As mentioned, such a removable handle (100) also provides the advantages that the 15 container - while still being held securily when inserted into the handle (100) - easily can be removed from the handle (100). This is of particular importance, e.g. for the catering business, e.g. during cleaning up where a great number of containers and handles may be needed to be processed, i.e. separated after use.

20 In one preferred embodiment, the inner diameter is slanted inwards away from the top, i.e. the inner diameter is narrowing from the top to the bottom as shown and explained in further detail in connection with Figure 3 showing a cross section of the container engagement part (102) along the shown line A-A.

25 This provides a firm engagement of the container, especially if the container also slants inwards in a similar way. The two diameters and their slanting angle can be made to correspond to each other.

The re-usable handle (100) may e.g. be made of wood but can also be made from other 30 sturdy material like plastic or others.

It is to be understood that in certain other embodiments, the removable handle (100) may be removably securable to a container in other ways.

35 Figure 2 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a removable handle according to the present invention. Shown is a re-usable handle (100) for use with a container (not shown; see e.g. 200 in Figures 4 and 5) for receiving 8 a consumable liquid, e.g. like water, a beverage, or the like. The removable and re-usable handle (100) correspond to the one shown and explained in connection with Figure 1 except that the handle (100) has a general L-shape (instead of an upside down L-shape as in Figure 1) and that it (optionally) is provided with one or more slits or 5 grooves (109) (forth only denoted grooves).

It is to be understood that the embodiment of Figure 1 could also be supplied with similar slits or grooves.

10 The one or more grooves (109) may be adapted to engage with one or more corresponding protrusion or similar on a container. In this way, it is possible to easily align the re-usable handle (100) in a pre-determined orientation in relation to the container when the re-usable handle (100) is secured to the disposable container (200) simply by selecting the location of the grooves (and protrusions) appropriately.

15

The pre-determined orientation may e.g. be an orientation that aligns the handle with any pouring element of the container as it is easier to pour from a container using a handle located opposite the pouring element on the container.

20 It is to be understood that the grooves and the protrusions can be exchanged, i.e. so it is the handle that has the protrusions and the container that has the grooves or a mix thereof.

One of the shown grooves (109) is also present in the handle part (101) and may in this 25 way be used for inserting an information or advertising card, sheet of paper or similar, e.g. describing the product, for information or promotion purposes. It is to be understood that the groove in the handle part (101) for other embodiments may be omitted.

Figure 3 schematically illustrates a cross section of an engagement part of a handle e.g. 30 corresponding to ones shown and explained in connection with Figures 1 and 2. Shown is a cross section of the engagement part (102) along line A-A of Figure 1 (it could also be a cross section of the engagement part (102) of Figure 2).

As mentioned earlier, the engagement part (102) comprises an inner side (105) being 35 closest towards a center of the engagement part (102), an outer side (106) being furthest away from the center of the engagement part (102), a top side (107), and a bottom side (108).

9

As can be seen, the inner side (105) is slanting inwards (left on the Figure) from the top to the bottom, i.e. the diameter of the inner side (105) is narrowing from the top to the bottom giving the advantages as mentioned in connection with Figure 1, especially for a 5 similarly slanted container.

It is to be understood that the outer side (106) does not need to slant inwards to give the mentioned advantages but could e.g. be straight down or some other profile or shape.

10 Figure 4 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a disposable and bio-degradable container and re-usable and removable handle according to one embodiment of the present invention. Shown is a handle (100) comprising a first (103) and a second part (104) where the handle (100) correspond to the one shown and explained in connection with Figure 1. Further shown is a disposable and bio-degradable container (200) 15 according to an aspect of the present invention.

The disposable and bio-degradable container (200) has a generally cylindrical shape with a varying outer diameter that gets smaller from the top towards the bottom, i.e. it slates inwards.

20

As mentioned, such a shape - together with the shown shape of the container engagement part (102) - provides a tight and secure fit of the container (200) and the handle (100) even for relatively big volume containers while still facilitating easy removal of the handle (100) from the container (200). Especially, when the inner side of the 25 engagement part (102) is like shown and explained in connection with Figure 3 and especially when the shape of the inner side corresponds or fits with the shape of the container (200).

Furthermore, such a shape also has the advantage that containers with this shape are 30 stackable with each other making them easier to transport and taking up less space during transportation and/or storage. This is particular advantageous for the catering business.

Preferably, the container (200) is made of the bio-degradable material polylactic acid 35 (PLA), which is a thermoplastic biopolymer.

10

This material is relatively cheap making it less costly to produce and therefore to use as a disposable material. Since it is bio-degradable it is also environmental friendly, even for disposable objects.

5 PLA is a relatively light material making liquid containers made from it light and also easier and less costly to transport in bigger numbers.

At the same time, it is sturdy enough to provide a reliable container for a liquid even up to bigger volumes like at least about 0,7 or at least about 1,0 liters, i.e. containers of a 10 jug or pitcher size.

More preferably, the container (200) is made of the bio-degradable material polylactic acid (PLA) of the type known as Ingeo 3251D as supplied by the company NatureWorks ®, which is a biopolymer that may be used in injection molding processes. This PLA is 15 also sturdy and durable even with a relatively small thickness of the walls forming the container

The container (200) may be transparent or semi-transparent, which will make surface damage like scratches or the like on the container (200) less visible since such damage 20 is less visible on a transparent or semi-transparent surface. This is important especially for the catering business.

Making the container (200) be made of PLA Ingeo 3251D readily enables it to be transparent or semi-transparent.

25

In this particular embodiment, the container also comprises a spout (110) facilitating easy pouring of the liquid, which may be omitted.

It is to be understood that the actual shape of the container (200) may be varied while 3 0 still keeping the mentioned properties and advantages of the present invention.

In one embodiment, an end of the first part (103) of the handle part (101) ends at a level in line with the bottom of the container (200) when the handle (100) is engaged with the container (200). This may have a stabilising effect of the container is it then also is 35 supported by the handle when the container rests of a surface.

11

Figure 5 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a disposable and biodegradable container and re-usable and removable handle according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Shown is a handle (100) comprising a first (103) and a second part (104) where the handle (100) correspond to the one shown and 5 explained in connection with Figure 2. Further shown is a disposable and bio degradable container (200) that correspond to the container shown and explained in connection with Figure 4.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be constructed 10 as limiting the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims 15 does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the various embodiments of the invention as disclosed can be combined without departing from the scope of the invention.

20

Claims

A system comprising a disposable container (200) for receiving a drinkable liquid and a reusable handle (100), wherein the reusable handle (100) is adapted to be removably attached to or connected to the disposable container ( 200), - the reusable handle (100) comprises a handle part (101) and a holder engagement part (102), the handle part (101) being attached to the holder engagement part (102) and the holder engagement part (102) adapted to be removably engaged on the disposable container (100), and - wherein the disposable container (200) consists of a biodegradable material comprising polylactic acid (PLA).

The system of claim 1, wherein the polylactic acid is polylactic acid Ingeo 3251D. 15

The system of any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the biodegradable material is translucent or semi-translucent.

The system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the disposable container 20 (200) is stackable with similar containers.

The system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the disposable container (200) is adapted to comprise a volume of liquid that is at least about 0.7 liters or at least about 1.0 liters. 25

The system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the handle member (101) comprises a first member (103) and a second member (104) and is substantially L-shaped and substantially L-shaped inverted .

The system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the holder engaging member (102) is substantially O-shaped.

8. System according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the engaging part (102) has an inside (105) that is closest to a center of the engaging part (102), an outside (106) furthest away lies from the center of the engaging member (102), a top (107), and a bottom (108), the inside (105) narrowing from top to bottom.

The system of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the reusable handle 5 (100) comprises one or more grooves (109) adapted to engage one or more protrusions on a disposable holder (200) and thereby aligning the reusable handle (100) in a predetermined direction with respect to the disposable holder (200) when the reusable handle (100) is attached to the disposable holder (200).

The system of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the re-usable handle (100) comprises one or more protrusions adapted to engage one or more grooves (109) on a disposable holder (200) and thereby the align the reusable handle (100) in a predetermined direction with respect to the disposable holder (200) when the reusable handle (100) is attached to the disposable holder (200). 15

A system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the disposable holder (200) comprises a pouring element (109) and wherein the predetermined direction aligns the reusable handle (100) with the pouring element (109).

A disposable container (200) for receiving a drinkable liquid, the disposable container (200) consisting of a biodegradable material, the biodegradable material comprising polylactic acid (PLA).

13. The disposable container (200) of claim 12, wherein the polylactic acid is polylactic acid Ingeo 3251D.

The disposable container (200) according to any of claims 12 and 13, wherein the biodegradable material is translucent or semi-translucent.

The disposable container (200) according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the container (200) is stackable with similar containers.

16. A disposable container (200) as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the disposable container (200) is adapted to comprise a volume of liquid that is at least approximately 0.7 liter or at least approximately 1.0 liter. amounts.

17. Reusable handle (100) for use with a disposable container for receiving a drinkable liquid, the reusable handle (100) being adapted to be removably attached to or connected to the disposable container (100), the handle (100) comprises a handle part (101) and a holder engagement part (102), wherein the handle part (101) is attached to the holder engagement part (102) and wherein the holder engagement part (102) is adapted to be removably mounted on the disposable holder (100) grab.

The reusable handle (100) of claim 17, wherein the handle portion (101) comprises a first portion (103) and a second portion (104) is substantially L-shaped or has a substantially inverted L-shape.

The reusable handle (100) according to any of claims 17 to 18, wherein the holder engaging member (102) is substantially O-shaped.

The reusable handle (100) of any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the engaging member (102) has an interior (105) closest to a center of the engaging member (102), an exterior (106) furthest away from the center of the engaging member (102), a top (107), and a bottom (108), the inside (105) becoming narrower from top to bottom.

The reusable handle (100) of any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the reusable handle (100) comprises one or more grooves (109) adapted to engage on one or more protrusions on a disposable holder (200) and thereby aligning the reusable handle (100) in a predetermined direction relative to the disposable holder (200) when the reusable handle (100) is attached to the disposable holder (200).

The reusable handle (100) according to any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the reusable handle (100) comprises one or more protrusions adapted to engage one or more grooves (109) on a disposable holder ( 200) and thereby aligning the reusable handle (100) in a predetermined direction relative to the disposable holder (200) when the reusable handle (100) is attached to the disposable holder (200).

Reusable handle (100) according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the predetermined direction aligns the reusable handle (100) with a pouring element (109) of a disposable holder (200) which is removably attached to or connected to the reusable handle (100).