Abstract:
A sustainable packaging apparatus comprising repurposable components is disclosed. A sustainable packaging apparatus having a cellular structure, comprised of a plurality of compartments, provides packaging for the shipment of objects such as beverage canisters. The plurality of compartments can each be separated into vessel portions. The two vessel portions of the compartments are designed to function as vessels after the objects are removed from the compartments. The vessel portions of the sustainable packaging apparatus are ideal for use as cups or game pieces; thus, the vessel portions maintain utility after shipment of the objects.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     As populations increase, waste is becoming a more significant environmental issue. For example, in 2013, consumers discarded 75.8 million tons of containers and packaging. The amount discarded comprised 29.8 percent of the total municipal solid waste generated in the United States according to the EPA. http://www.epa.gov/solidwaste/nonhaz/municipal/pubs/2013_advncng_smm_rpt.pdf. 
     For example, beverage manufacturers ship and sell beverages in containers that are further disposed in a package for transportation and distribution. Once purchased, consumers discard the package used to ship the beverage container and the waste contributes to the millions of tons of municipal solid waste generated annually. Prior to consumption, consumers may also transfer the liquid from the original container to separately purchased cups for drinking. The separately purchased cups are often disposable and also contribute to the municipal solid waste generated annually. 
     Thus, there is a need for new packaging apparatuses that can reduce the proliferation of waste generated by current options. 
     Embodiments of the present invention address these and other problems, individually and collectively. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to a sustainable and repurposable packaging apparatus. In some embodiments, the packaging apparatus is characterized by a “cellular” design including multiple compartments capable of enclosing a container, such as one or more beverage-filled containers (e.g., cans, bottles, or the like). In some embodiments, the compartments can be separable to form vessel portions that can be used as containers for holding. For example, the vessel portions may be used as cups for retaining a liquid. Thus, the components of the packaging apparatus may be repurposed as cups after completing transportation of the beverages. 
     In some embodiments, as described in further detail below, the packing apparatus can also be utilized as part of a beverage-related game involving multiple players. Various embodiments of the disclosed packaging are contemplated and not limited to the shapes, sizes, or numbers of compartments as described herein. The present disclosure is limited to beverages for purposes of discussion but one of skill in the art will understand that some embodiments may also encompass non-liquid products. 
     One embodiment of the invention is directed to a packaging apparatus comprising a sleeve structure, a plurality of compartments disposed within the sleeve structure, and a handle assembly affixed to the sleeve structure. Each of the plurality of compartments may include a first vessel portion, a second vessel portion, and a separation element configured to decouple the first vessel portion from the second vessel portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary packaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a structure of a compartment according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an enhanced view of a compartment separation element according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a separated compartment according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary handle assembly according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  depicts an alternative compartment configuration according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment for a planar surface of a compartment according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows an arrangement of the components of the packaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are views of an alternative sleeve structure according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  are views of an alternative sleeve structure according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a repurposable packaging apparatus comprising a plurality of components that can be used for alternate purposes. A repurposable packaging apparatus reduces the amount of packaging added to the municipal solid waste stream. In particular, the embodiments of the sustainable packaging apparatus disclosed are directed to cellular packaging. The integrity of the cellular package is maintained by a sleeve structure. The cells are configured to hold a plurality of compartments. Each compartment may be manufactured with a separation element. Opening the canister along the separation element may provide access to an object disposed within the compartment (e.g., a beverage container). Opening the compartment along the separation element may create one or two vessels, depending on placement of the separation line. After separation and removal of the contents, the vessels can be used for a variety of purposes including but not limited to beverage consumption and playing games like “beer pong” and “flip-cup”. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary packaging apparatus  100  according to an embodiment of the invention. The packaging apparatus  100  may include a plurality of compartments  110 . In some embodiments, the plurality of compartments may be supported by a sleeve structure  105 . In some embodiments, the sleeve structure  105  may support a cellular structure and maintains the position of a plurality of compartments  110 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the sleeve structure  105  may support the plurality of compartments  110  into a pyramidal formation. In other embodiments, the sleeve structure  105  may support the plurality of compartments  110  in other formations. 
     In some embodiments, the sleeve structure  105  may be formed using rigid or semi-rigid materials including paper, plastic film, foil, cellulose, or some combination or composite thereof. The sleeve structure  105  may be a single structure that partially surrounds the plurality of compartments  110  as indicated by the dashed lines in  FIG. 1 . In other embodiments, the sleeve structure  105  may completely surround the plurality of compartments  110 . 
     The top surface and the bottom surface of the plurality of compartments  110  may be manufactured to form a planar surface  115 . The planar surface  115  may also include a plurality of triangular tabs  120 . First surfaces of the plurality of compartments  110  and the triangular tabs  120  may form a first continuous planar surface  115  for a first side of the packaging apparatus  100 . Similarly, second surfaces of the plurality of compartments  110  opposite to the first surfaces of the plurality of compartments  110  may form a second continuous planar surface for a second side of the packaging apparatus  100 . 
     In some embodiments, each of the triangular tabs  120  may be affixed to at least one of the plurality of compartments  110 . In other embodiments, each of the triangular tabs  120  may be removed from the plurality of compartments  110 . In such embodiments, the triangular tabs  120  may be perforated along the connections to the plurality of compartments  110  to allow the triangular tabs  120  to be separated from the plurality of compartments  110 . In some embodiments, the planar surface  115  created by the plurality of compartments  110  and the triangular tabs  120  may contain printed labels, instructions, advertisements, or other marketing materials. 
     In some embodiments, the packaging apparatus  100  may include a handle assembly  125 . In some embodiments, the handle assembly  125  may be attached to the sleeve structure  105  to assist with carrying the packaging apparatus  100 . The handle assembly  125  may include a hand grip portion  130  and one or more recess portions  135 . In some embodiments, the hand grip portion  130  may be configured to allow a portion of a hand to pass through the hand grip portion  130 . In some embodiments, the recess portions  135  may be opening in the handle assembly  125 . In some embodiments, the recess portions  135  may be a chamber, cavity or pocket with the handle assembly  125 . In some embodiments, the recess portions  135  may be formed to hold a spherical-shaped item (e.g., a ping-pong ball). 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a structure of a compartment  200  according to an embodiment of the invention. The compartment  200  can be formed using, rigid or semi-rigid materials including paper, plastic film, foil, cellulose, or some combination or composite thereof. In some embodiments, the compartment  200  may be composed of a material that allows for reuse of the compartment. 
     The compartment  200  may include a first vessel portion  205  and a second vessel portion  210 . In some embodiments, the first vessel portion  205  and the second vessel portion  210  may be joined by a separation element  215 , or along a single separation line. The separation element  215  can be disposed as desired along the longitudinal axis  211  of the compartment  200 . The size of the separation element  215  relative to the size of the compartment  200  may vary. 
     The separation element  215  can be configured to decouple from the first and second vessels along separation lines  220 . For example, the separation element  115  may include a tabbed portion to allow for separating the first vessel portion  205  and the second vessel portion  210  along the separation lines  220 . In some embodiments, the separation lines  220  may by perforated, scored, glued using an adhesive, or secured in a manner as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an enhanced view  300  of a compartment separation element  215  according to an embodiment of the invention. As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the separation element  215  has been partially separated from the first vessel portion  205  and the second vessel portion  210  along the separation lines  220 . In some embodiments, when the separation element  215  is removed (or partially removed), a container  305  or other object disposed within the compartment  200  may be visible. Following the separation of the separation element  215  from the compartment  200 , the first vessel portion  205  and second vessel portion  210  can be removed from the container  305 . 
     In some embodiments, the placement of the separation element  215  may be in a different location along the compartment  200  than the location shown in  FIG. 3 . For example, the separation element  215  may be disposed at one end of the compartment. In such embodiments, the removal of the separation element  215  may result in the creation of a single vessel portion. In such embodiments, the separation element may be a cap at the end of the compartment. 
     In some embodiments, the separation element  215  may not be a strip of material as shown in  FIG. 3 . In such embodiments, the separation element  215  be a single separation line  220  along which is the border between the first vessel portion  205  and the second vessel portion  210 . In such embodiments, the separation of the first vessel portion  205  from the second vessel portion  210  may be performed by twisting the first vessel portion  205  and the second vessel portion  210  in opposite directions along the separation line  220  resulting a tearing of the separation line  220 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a separated compartment according to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the separation element  215  has been completely separated from the compartment  200  revealing a container  305  disposed with the first vessel portion  205  of the compartment  200 . The container  305  is depicted as a cylindrical beverage can. In other embodiments, the container may be formed in any shape capable of placement within the first vessel portion  205  and the second vessel portion  210  of the compartment  200 . After separation, the second vessel portion may have a closed end  405  and an opened end  410 . In some embodiments, the closed end  405  previously formed the planar surface  115  of  FIG. 1 . The first vessel portion  205  may also have a closed end and an opened end. The container  305  is depicted as being placed within the opened end of the first vessel portion  205 . 
     In some embodiments, the first vessel portion  205  and the second vessel portion  210  may be manufactured of materials capable of holding fluent materials. First vessel portions  205  and second vessel portions  210  capable of holding fluent materials can be repurposed as cups and used for beverage consumption. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary handle assembly  125  according to an embodiment of the invention. The handle assembly  125  may attach to the sleeve structure  105 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, the handle assembly  125  may be glued or otherwise adhered to the sleeve structure  105 , and may be detachably coupled to the sleeve structure  105 . 
     In some embodiments, the handle assembly  125  shown in  FIG. 5  may serve multiple purposes. For example, the handle assembly  125  may have a hand grip portion  130  to assist with the transportation of the packaging apparatus  100 . In addition, the handle assembly  125  may include one or more recess portions  135  that may be utilized to carry objects. For example, the one or more recess portions  135  may be configured to carry one or more balls (e.g., ping-pong balls). In such embodiments, the balls may be used in combination with the first vessel portions  205  and the second vessel portions  210  for various activities. 
     In some embodiments, the packaging apparatus  100  can be manufactured with a detachable handle assembly  125  allowing the handle assembly  125  to be used as a stand for the balls. In some embodiments, the detached handle assembly  125  can be positioned on a side portion  140  with the hand grip  130  further serving as a channel to store the balls. In some embodiments, the handle assembly  125  can remain attached to the sleeve structure  105  of the packaging apparatus  100 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts an alternative compartment configuration  600  according to an embodiment of the invention. The shape and configuration of the compartment  600  is depicted as a cylindrical structure in  FIG. 6 . However, the shape and configuration of the compartment  600  can take any form as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, when separated from the packaging apparatus  100 , the compartment  600  may also function as an insulating sleeve for the container disposed therein. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment for a planar surface  115  of a compartment  700  according to an embodiment of the invention. The shape of the perimeter  705  of the compartment&#39;s top or bottom planar surface may be formed in any geometric configuration. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the shape of the perimeter  705  is a hexagonal shape. Referring back to  FIG. 6 , the shape of the perimeter may be a circular shape. In some embodiments, the compartments can include a graphic  701  on either the top or the bottom surfaces. 
     The embodiment shown limits overlap and provides a continuous surface for the packaging apparatus by using a triangular tab  710  to fill any voids in the planar surface formed by ornamental arrangement of the compartments. For example, a packaging apparatus formed into a pyramidal shape may require the inclusion of a plurality of tabs  710 . This may also provide a more solid structure to the packaging apparatus  100 . A tear line  715  (e.g., a perforated line) can be placed on the apparatus to assist in removing the tab  710  from the compartment. 
     In some embodiments, the tabs  710  may provide additional functionality in addition to contributing to the planar surface of the packaging apparatus  100 . For example, in embodiments where one or more tabs  710  are fixably attached to the closed end  405  of one of the vessel portions, the one or more tabs  710  may provide additional support for the vessel portion for placement on a surface. In addition, the tab may be used by a user for holding the vessel portion or as a point of contact for a game requiring the user to flip the vessel portion from a first orientation to a second orientation. 
       FIG. 8  shows an arrangement  800  of the components of the packaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 8  provides a sample embodiment that demonstrates how the vessels of the packaging apparatus can be repurposed to conserve and recycle resources. In  FIG. 8 , the plurality of compartments have each been separated using the separation element to form a plurality of vessel portions  805 . The arrangement  800  includes a two ping-pong balls  820  that can be packaged in the handle assembly. Each of the vessel portions are depicted as being positioned with the closed end  815  disposed on a planar surface (e.g., a table, a countertop, a bench). The particular arrangement of the vessel portions  805  shown in  FIG. 8  may facilitate recreational activities using the vessel portions  805  and the ping-pong balls  820 . 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  are views of an alternative sleeve structure according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 9A  is a profile view  900  of a sleeve structure where the sleeve structure is an outline of the shaped formed by the plurality of compartments to be disposed within the sleeve structure.  FIG. 9B  is a three-quarter view  905  of the same sleeve structure. In such embodiments, the sleeve structure may constructed from a single length of material that may be folded or molded into the particular sleeve structure shape depicted in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . In such embodiments, the single length of material may be subsequently sealed or adhered at a particular joining location. 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  are views of an alternative sleeve structure according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 10A  is a profile view  1000  of a sleeve structure where the sleeve structure is composed of a plurality of cells where each cell is formed to individually hold one of the plurality of compartments to be disposed within the sleeve structure.  FIG. 10B  is a three-quarter view  1005  of the same sleeve structure. In some embodiments, each cell of the plurality of cells may be a separate component that is affixed to the other cells to form the sleeve structure depicted in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . 
     The sleeve structures embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A, and 10B  are merely exemplary. Additional embodiments may include sleeve structures in other alternative configurations, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments. Furthermore, it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.