Abstract:
A container ( 1 ), such as a drink container, comprises a body ( 2 ) for accommodating fluids, a bottom ( 10 ), a side wall ( 12 ), a body opening ( 28 ), and a first connecting element ( 32 ). A fluid-tight closing unit ( 30 ) is connectable to the first connecting element ( 32 ) in a fluid-tight manner and has a region where a fluid passage to the body can be provided. A mouthpiece module ( 24 ) comprises a mouthpiece ( 26 ), a fluid line ( 34 ), and a unit ( 36 ) for creating a fluid passage to the body in the region. By way of a guiding unit, the fluid line ( 34 ) and the unit ( 36 ) can be transferred from a distance from the region to a position in which a fluid passage through the closing unit ( 30 ) and, by way of the fluid line ( 34 ), a connection between the body ( 2 ) and the mouthpiece ( 26 ), is created.

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a container, such as a drink container, and the use of said container for filling, storing, transporting, and consuming fluids, such as beverages. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Containers or holders for beverages are currently not only increasingly used for the indirect provision of said beverages, but to a far greater extent, these containers serve directly as beverage containers, i.e., beverages are directly drunk from the container without the aid of a glass or cup. Beverage containers of this nature are, for example, frequently used during car journeys and can be stored in corresponding holders. In particular, one requirement of such holders is that they can be used conveniently and with just one hand. This applies both to the initial opening procedure as well as to the secure and tight re-closure of the container. Many beverages, particularly also soft drinks, must be pasteurized or sterilized in order to comprise a sufficient degree of product purity. This occurs regularly with beverage containers as such. Filling the beverage containers under aseptic conditions is also required in order to guarantee that no germs are present in the beverages offered. These legal requirements regarding foodstuffs frequently present great challenges in relation to the materials used and the production process for beverage containers. 
     SUMMARY AND INITIAL DISCLOSURE 
     As a result, various aspects of the present disclosure overcome the disadvantages known from the prior art for beverage containers and, in particular, provide containers that make it possible to prevent the contamination of fluids, such as beverages, during provision and/or filling. In particular, aspects of the present disclosure provide highly pure, e.g., contamination-free fluids, such as beverages, without being reliant, for example, on a pasteurization stage. Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure provide such containers that could be simply and cost-effectively produced without having to compromise their comfort and safety of use. 
     In at least one embodiment, disclosed herein is a container, in particular for beverages, that comprises a body for receiving fluids, having a bottom, a first side wall adjoining the bottom, a body opening and a first connecting element for a first fluid-tight closing unit. A first fluid-tight closing unit for the body opening is connected or connectable in a fluid-tight manner with the first connecting element and has at least one first region via which a fluid passage can be provided to the body. At least one mouthpiece module comprises a mouthpiece, a fluid line, and a unit for creating a fluid passage to the body in the area of the first region. The container further includes a guide unit by means of which the fluid line and the unit for creating a fluid passage can be held at a distance from the first region in a first operating mode and which permits a transfer into a second operating mode in which a fluid passage is present in the form of the unit for creating a fluid passage, so that via the fluid line, a connection is achievable or given between the body and the mouthpiece. 
     In one advantageous embodiment of the container, the first connecting element is a circumferential edge on or in the area of the body opening, in particular, suitable for fluid-tight adhering or bonding of the first fluid-tight closing unit, or a clamping edge for fluid-tight attachment of the first fluid-tight closing unit. 
     Here, it can furthermore be provided that the first fluid-tight closing unit is, at least in sections, a single- or multi-layer metal and/or plastic film, and/or comprises a plastic lid. 
     Here, the first region can be a single- or multi-layer plastic and/or metal film that can be penetrated, in particular punched through, when force is applied, in particular in the form of the unit for creating a fluid passage. 
     Preferably, the first region has at least one, in particular circumferential, perforation or tear line. 
     Advantageously, the unit for creating a fluid passage is attached in the area or adjacent, i.e., with the generic use above the first region, so that when said unit is activated or moved in the direction of the first region, said region is destroyed or is released to form a fluid passage to the body. The unit for creating a fluid passage is preferably the edge of the fluid line that faces away from the mouthpiece, and can also be described as the punch-through edge. Advantageously, the mouthpiece, the fluid line, and the unit for creating a fluid passage here form an integral, in particular single-piece, component. 
     The container, according to the present disclosure, can furthermore be designed in such a manner that the guide unit comprises a joint, in particular an integral hinge, and a first connecting piece from the joint to the mouthpiece and/or the fluid line. 
     Here, it can be provided that the guide unit furthermore comprises at least one second connecting piece from the joint to the first fluid-tight closing unit. 
     Containers, according to the present disclosure, can furthermore comprise a lid module that at least partially, in particular fully, covers the first fluid-tight closing unit and the mouthpiece module. Here, the mouthpiece module can be affixed to the lid module, which is preferred and is in particular affixed on the inner side and/or on the fluid-tight closing unit. 
     Additionally, it can be provided that the body of the container, according to the present disclosure, has at least one second connecting element, in particular in the area of the body opening. In a suitable manner, the lid module is connected or connectable to the body by means of the second connecting element, in particular in a reversible manner. 
     Advantageously, the lid module has at least one lid flap that, when in an unfolded state, releases at least the mouthpiece. The lid flap is advantageously an integral part of the lid module and is connected or connectable to said module via a joint, preferably an integral hinge. The lid flap, can in one embodiment, be surrounded, at least in sections, with perforation and/or tear lines. When the lid flap is activated for the first time, these perforation or tear lines are loosened and enable the lid flap to be unfolded while releasing the mouthpiece. Furthermore, it can be provided that the lid flap is arrestable in the unfolded or folded state, in particular in a reversible manner. It has also been shown to be particularly advantageous when the lid flap has a perforation or tear line with the surrounding lid edge of the lid module, which preferably interacts with the second connecting element. On loosening of this/these line(s), the edge of the lid module then preferably remains in constant interaction with the second connecting element. 
     The lid flap is preferably designed to be arrestable in the opened and/or closed position. In this manner, the lid flap can be affixed in the opened position in a position in which the user is not impeded while drinking. Here, the lid flap is, in a particularly advantageous embodiment, movably supported by means of a hinge, preferably an integral hinge, as a part of the lid module. 
     It is advantageous when the lid flap is again arrestable following initial activation, including when in a folded state. For this purpose, an edge or edge area of the lid flap can, for example, be used, which, for example, interacts with the second connecting element, e.g., grips behind it. 
     Furthermore, it can be provided that the container according to the present disclosure or its mouthpiece module is equipped with a frame, e.g., a feed-in frame for the mouthpiece and, if appropriate, the fluid line. In particular, when the mouthpiece is an integral part of the fluid line, it has been shown to be practical to make the transfer from the first operating mode to the second operating mode within the frame or feed-in frame. Here, it can be provided that the feed-in frame comprises an arresting unit for the mouthpiece in the second operating mode. 
     The container, according to the present disclosure, can furthermore be characterized by the fact that the second connecting piece and/or the joint is connected or connectable in particular to the side with the feed-in frame which faces away from the joint, and is in particular opposite. 
     Here, it can be provided that the mouthpiece module is connected or connectable, in particular via the second connecting piece and/or the joint, to the first fluid-tight closing unit and/or, in particular via the feed-in frame, to the lid. 
     It is also possible that the lid module and/or the body comprise, at least in sections, glass, plastic, ceramic, and/or metal, or are formed from these materials. 
     It can also be provided that the lid module has at least a third connecting element that is complementary to the second connecting element, wherein by means of the interaction between the second and third connecting element, the body and the lid module are connectable, in particular reversibly. 
     Containers, according to the present disclosure, can, in an advantageous embodiment, furthermore comprise at least one film, in particular shrink film, which lies at least in sections on the side wall and if appropriate, at least in sections on the lid module, in particular in a shrunken state. Suitable films that surround the side wall and, if appropriate, the lid module at least in sections, and which lie on said wall and thus, if appropriate, hold the body and lid module firmly together, can be made of commonly known plastic materials, for example, polyolefin films such as polyethylene and polypropylene films, or also polystyrol films or films made of styrol co-polymers. 
     In at least one embodiment, the films used have a rubber elastic property profile; as a result of which it is particularly easy to attach the film to the side wall and, if appropriate, to the lid module in such a manner that it lies on it over the full circumference. The film preferably extends around the entire circumference of the container thereby covering the side wall at least in sections. Here, the films are preferably in a tensioned state. The shrink film is preferably shrunk onto at least one section of the body and at least one section of the lid module in such a manner that they cannot move relative to each other or be removed from each other without destroying the shrink film. 
     Suitable shrink films and methods for their production and application are known to persons skilled in the art. For example, shrink films can be produced from polyolefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or from PVC. Advantageously, the film extends in one embodiment, in particular the shrink film, in a state in which it is shrunk onto the container, in the direction of the lid module and at the most, until it just reaches the lid flap. 
     Containers as described herein are commonly containers for beverages, for example. These can be containers for soft drinks. It is also possible to use the containers described herein for holding, transporting, and drinking coffee, cocoa, or tea drinks, etc. 
     The present disclosure reveals the surprising fact that in a relatively simple manner, a container, in particular a drink container, can be obtained that during manufacture or filling and closing helps prevent contamination of the fluid, in particular of the beverage. A container according to the present disclosure is also light and reliable to use, i.e., it can be used with one hand, and can in a simple manner also be produced at low cost in mass production without creating a significant amount of rejected goods. 
     A container according to the present disclosure can be filled without difficulty and under sterile conditions with fluids, for example, beverages such as coffee or cocoa. A long-term pasteurization of the beverage is not required. For this purpose, the sterilized body is filled under aseptic conditions with the fluid, in particular the beverage, via the discharge opening. This discharge opening is then closed or sealed, and the body that is filled in this manner can either be provided with or connected to the lid module in the aseptic filling area or after this area has been left. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages of the invention are given in the description below, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are explained as examples with reference to schematic drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a container according to the present disclosure in a side view; 
         FIG. 2  shows the container according to the present disclosure according to  FIG. 1  in a side view turned by 90°; 
         FIG. 3  shows the container according to the present disclosure in a perspective view; 
         FIG. 4  shows the container according to the present disclosure in a side view; 
         FIG. 5  shows an enlarged portion of a section of the container according to  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows the container according to the present disclosure with an unfolded lid flap in a perspective view; 
         FIG. 7  shows the container according to the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 6  in a side profile view; 
         FIG. 8  shows an enlarged view of a section of the container shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  shows an enlarged view of a section of the container according to the present disclosure in a profile view; 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of the container according to the present disclosure with an unfolded lid flap; 
         FIG. 11  shows the container according to the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 10  with a folded lid flap; 
         FIG. 12  shows an enlarged view of a portion of the container shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of the mouthpiece module of the container according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14  shows a top view of the mouthpiece module shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  shows a perspective view of the mouthpiece module; 
         FIG. 16  shows a top view of the mouthpiece module according to  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  shows a perspective view of the mouthpiece module; 
         FIG. 18  shows a top view of the mouthpiece module according to  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  shows a perspective view of the lid module of the container according to the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 20  shows a perspective view of the body of the container according to the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a container  1  according to the present disclosure in a side view with a body  2  and a lid module  4 . The lid module  4  is equipped with a lid flap  6  that in the embodiment shown comprises an operating protrusion  8  on the outer edge for easier handling. This can be particularly clearly seen in  FIG. 2 . The body  2  has a bottom  10  and a side wall  12 . The lid module  4  is also equipped with a circumferential edge  14  in the form of a third connecting element. Its function will be explained in greater detail below. As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the lid flap  6  is embedded in the lid module  4  by means of tear lines  16 ,  18 ,  20 . In the embodiment shown, the lid flap  6  is also connected to the lid module  4  via an integral hinge  22 . 
     As is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the lid flap  6  covers the mouthpiece module  24  and in particular the mouthpiece  26 .  FIGS. 4 and 5  (as do  FIGS. 6 and 8 ) show a fluid line  34  and a unit  36  for creating a fluid passage in the first operating mode, i.e., the unit  36  lies above a first fluid-tight closing unit  30 , this being still intact in a region  38 . In  FIG. 5  in particular, the tear or perforation line  18  can also be seen in the edge area of the lid module  4 .  FIG. 5  furthermore shows a body opening  28  and the first fluid-tight closing unit  30  in the form of a film tensioned over the body opening  28 . The closing unit  30  in the form of the film lies on a circumferential edge  32  of the body  2  that, in the embodiment shown, is the first connecting element of the container according to the present disclosure. In the embodiment shown, a film  30  is on its circumference glued or welded to the circumferential support surface or edge  32  in a fluid-tight manner. 
     A mouthpiece module  24  comprises, alongside a mouthpiece  26 , the fluid line  34  and the unit  36  for creating a fluid passage to the body  2 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , this unit  36  is a punch-through edge and is an integral part of the fluid line  34 . The unit  36  is located at a distance from or above the first region  38  of the first fluid-tight closing unit  30 . The fluid-tight closing element is in the area of the first region designed in such a manner that solely by pushing down the mouthpiece or the fluid line, the film can be penetrated by the punch-through edge to provide a fluid passage to the body. 
     Furthermore, in the embodiment shown of the container according to the present disclosure, the mouthpiece module  24  has a guide unit  40 . In the embodiment shown, the guide unit  40  comprises a first connecting piece  42 , which connects a joint  44  to the mouthpiece  26  or the fluid line  34 , and a second connecting piece  46 , which connects the joint  44  to the first fluid-tight closing unit  30 ; or in an alternative version shown in  FIG. 5 , lies on top of said unit without being connected to the film.  FIG. 5  shows the first operating mode of the container according to the present disclosure, i.e., the punch-through edge  36  lies above the film  30  and the region  34  is still intact. 
     Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the mouthpiece module  24  has a frame  48 , also known as a feed-in frame, in which the guide unit  40  together with the mouthpiece  26 , fluid line  34 , and punch-through edge  36  can be transferred from the first operating mode to a second operating mode.  FIG. 5  also shows a circumferential edge  14  of the lid module  4 , which interacts as a clamp in the form of a third connecting element  50  with a second connecting element  52  of the body  2  in the form of a circumferential bridge. 
       FIG. 6  shows in a perspective view the container according to the present disclosure  1  with unfolded lid  6 . The mouthpiece module  24 , as is shown in  FIG. 5 , still lies in the first operating mode. Accordingly, the sole difference between  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 5  is that the lid flap  6  is no longer visible in this portion drawing, since it is folded back. 
       FIG. 9  shows a portion of the container according to the present disclosure as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 8 , but with the difference that the fluid line  34  or the punch-through edge  36  is in the second operating mode. In other words, the mouthpiece  26  has been pushed down together with the fluid line  34  and the punch-through edge  36 , thereby penetrating the region  38 . In the embodiment shown, the mouthpiece  26  or the front edge  54  of the mouthpiece in this second operating mode lie on a section  56  of the frame  48 . In this manner, it is also ensured that fluid from the body  2  can only be removed via the fluid line  34 . 
     During the transfer from the first to the second operating mode, the first connecting piece  42  is guided via the joint  44  in the direction of the fluid-tight closing element  30  or in the direction of the second connecting piece  46 , and in the version shown, lies in sections on the latter. Thus, via the guide unit  40  and via the interaction of the edge  54  with the supporting edge  56  of the frame, the position of the mouthpiece  26  in the second operating mode can also be determined. 
     Excessive pushing of the fluid line into the body does not occur. The guide unit  40  can, for example, be held in the first operating mode, as shown in  FIG. 5 , by corresponding arresting devices, which will be described in greater detail below. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible that solely due to the design of the joint  44 , the punch-through edge  36  is kept at a distance from the region  38 . This is achieved, for example, by using integral hinges. Here, the spring elasticity of the integral hinge is sufficient to keep the first connecting piece or the lower arm of said connecting piece  42  at a distance from the second connecting piece  46 . 
       FIG. 11  shows the embodiment according to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , i.e., the container in the second operating mode with the lid flap  6  folded. 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  show the mouthpiece module  24  of the container according to the present disclosure. In the embodiment shown, the mouthpiece module  24  has the mouthpiece  26 , the fluid line  34 , and the punch-through edge  36 , and also the frame  48  and the guide unit  40 . In this embodiment, the guide unit  40  comprises the first connecting piece  42 , the joint  44 , and the second connecting piece  46 . In particular,  FIG. 14  shows first and second arresting units  58 ,  60  with which the mouthpiece is held in the second operating mode. In the embodiment shown, these are latch projections  58  that latch into corresponding slits  60  in the frame  48 . 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  show the mouthpiece module  24  in the first operating mode, as is present in the containers shown in  FIGS. 1-8 . In this mode, first and second arresting units  58 ,  60  do not yet grip each other. By creating a grip between the first and second arresting units  58 ,  60 , the mouthpiece  26 , as shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , is held in the second operating mode. 
       FIG. 19  shows a view of a lid module  4  from below. From this, it can be clearly seen that in the embodiment shown, the mouthpiece module  24  is connected via the frame  48  to the inner side of the lid module  4 , for example, using adhesion or welding. This construction makes it possible via a simple structure to separate from each other the filling procedure of the body with fluid and the contamination-free sealing by the first closing unit, together with the subsequent attachment of the lid module. With this approach, the intention is not to attach the mouthpiece module  24  onto the first fluid-tight closing unit in a separate step. 
     Finally,  FIG. 20  shows the body  2  of the container  1  according to the present disclosure with a bottom  10 , a side wall  12 , a first connecting element  32  in the form of a circumferential support surface for the fluid-tight attachment of the first fluid-tight closing unit, and the second connecting element  52  in the form of a bridge or circumference edge or protrusion which extends outwards from the side wall  12 , onto which the edge  14  of the lid  4  can be clamped. 
     The features of the present description, in the claims, and in the drawings can be essential both individually and in any combination required for the realization of the invention in its different embodiments.