Multiple sealed beverage vessels in a case

A consumer packaged good includes a case, a plurality of translucent vessels vertically stacked within the case, a beverage stored in each of the plurality of the vessels and a barrier sealed to each vessel for containing the beverage in the respective vessel. The case includes a base wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly from the base wall. The plurality of translucent vessels are surrounded by the sidewall. Each vessel includes an opening for drinking from the vessel and a base surface for supporting the vessel on an associated support surface. The barrier seals to each vessel for covering the opening and containing the beverage in the respective vessel. The barrier is peelable from the vessel without destroying the vessel to provide access to the beverage stored in the vessel.

BACKGROUND

Storing an opened bottle of wine when the entire contents of the bottle have not been consumed presents an issue. Air coming into contact with wine begins to degrade the wine. Many complicated mechanisms have been developed to remove air from within the wine bottle and to reseal the bottle.

Because it is difficult to reseal a bottle of wine to properly preserve the wine, other products have been developed to allow wine drinkers to consume less than an entire 750 ml (or larger) bottle of wine. For example, wine is shipped in a bag surrounded by a rigid box. The bag includes a spout and when wine is dispensed from the bag through the spout, air does not enter the bag; therefore, the degradation issues of the air coming into contact with the wine are mitigated. These known bags of wine require separate glasses into which the wine is poured. Moreover, some wine consumers consider the bag of wine within the box to be unattractive.

Wine is also shipped in bottles that are less than 750 ml. For example, four smaller bottles of wine are shipped in a four-pack. A total volume of wine in the four-pack is 750 ml. This four-pack, however, requires more shelf space than a typical 750 ml bottle of wine. Additionally, the known four-pack requires a separate glass into which to pour the wine, unless the consumer plans to drink the wine directly from the small bottle.

SUMMARY

An example of a consumer packaged good that could overcome at least some of the aforementioned shortcomings includes a case, a plurality of translucent vessels vertically stacked within the case, wine stored in each of the plurality of the vessels and a barrier sealed to each vessel for containing the wine in the respective vessel. The case includes a translucent portion and has a base wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly from the base wall. The plurality of translucent vessels are surrounded by the sidewall. Each vessel includes an opening for drinking from the vessel and a base surface for supporting the vessel on an associated support surface. Each vessel defines a vertical axis extending through a center of the opening and normal to the base surface. The barrier seals to each vessel for covering the opening and containing the wine in the respective vessel. The barrier is peelable from the vessel without destroying the vessel to provide access to the wine stored in the vessel.

Each barrier and each vessel can be configured to support at least three vertically stacked vessels, each storing 187 ml of wine without the barrier unsealing from the vessel. Each vessel can include a generally circular base and a vessel side wall extending upwardly from the base having an upper edge defining the opening, which can be generally circular. The generally circular opening can be larger than the generally circular base and each barrier can seal to the sidewall of the vessel in a manner to support at least three vertically stacked vessels, each storing 187 ml of wine without the barrier unsealing from the vessel where the upper edge of a lower vessel is radially spaced from the base of a respective vessel supported by the barrier of the lower vessel. If desired, a plurality of supports can be disposed between adjacent vessels where each support contacts the upper edge and the base of adjacent vessels.

The plurality of translucent vessels can store a total volume of wine equal to at least one of 750 ml, 1.5 liters and 3 liters. As mentioned above, each vessel can store about 187 ml of wine. Each vessel can also be shaped similarly to a conventional stemless glass of wine.

The plurality of vessels can include at least four vessels vertically stacked in the case. The sidewall of the case can extend upwardly from the base wall less than about 13 inches. Also, the base wall can have a maximum dimension about equal to or less than the maximum diameter of a conventional 750 ml of wine.

Alternatively, the plurality of vessels can include at least two stacks of four vessels each, and the sidewall of the case can extend upwardly from the base wall less than about 13 inches. In such an arrangement, the base wall can have a maximum dimension about equal to or less than six inches. Also, the at least two stacks can include a first stack of vessels each storing red wine and a second stack of vessels each storing white wine.

In another configuration, the plurality of vessels can include at least two layers of eight vessels each including an upper layer stacked on a lower layer. In such an arrangement, the at least one side wall can include four side walls, each extending upwardly from a peripheral edge of the base wall. At least one side wall having a surface area less than or equal to the remaining side walls can be attached to at least one of the remaining side walls or the base wall in a manner to allow detachment of the at least one side wall for providing access to the vessels.

Another example of a consumer packaged good that can overcome at least some of the aforementioned shortcomings includes a case, a plurality of translucent vessels vertically stacked within the case, wine stored in each of the plurality of vessels, and a barrier sealed to each vessel for containing the wine in the respective vessel. The case has a base wall and a side wall extending upwardly from the base wall less than about 13 inches. The base wall has a maximum dimension of less than six inches and a second dimension taken perpendicular to the maximum dimension that is less than about 3.5 inches. The side wall of the case can include a translucent portion. The plurality of vessels that are vertically stacked within the case are surrounded by the side wall. Each vessel is shaped similarly to a conventional stemless wine glass and includes an opening for drinking from the vessel and a base surface for supporting the vessel on an associated support surface. Each vessel defines a vertical axis extending through a center of the opening and normal to the base surface. A total volume of within with the case can be 750 ml, 1.5 liters or 3 liters. Each barrier seals to a respective vessel for covering the opening and containing the wine in the respective vessel. The barrier is peelable from the vessel without destroying the vessel to provide access to the wine stored in the vessel.

Another example of a consumer packaged good that can overcome at least some of the aforementioned shortcomings includes a translucent case, a plurality of translucent vessels including an upper layer of vessels vertically stacked on a lower layer of vessels within the case, about 187 ml of wine stored in each of the plurality of vessels, and a barrier sealed to each vessel for containing the wine in the respective vessel. The translucent case includes a base wall, four side walls extending upwardly from the base wall, and a top wall. The case has a maximum dimension less than about 12 inches and a second dimension taken perpendicular to the maximum dimension being less than about six inches. A smaller sidewall of the four side walls is releasably connected with at least one of the other side walls, the base wall or the top wall for providing access to inside the translucent case. Each vessel is shaped similarly to a conventional stemless wine glass and includes a generally circular opening for drinking from the vessel and a base surface for supporting the vessel on an associated support surface. Each vessel defines a vertical access extending through a center of the opening and normal to the base surface. The barrier seals to each vessel for covering the opening and containing the wine in the respective vessel. The barrier is peelable from the vessel without destroying the vessel to provide access to the wine stored in the vessel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The descriptions and drawings herein are merely illustrative and various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the scope of the appended claims. All references to direction and position, unless otherwise indicated, refer to the orientation of the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and should not be construed as limiting the appended claims. Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

With reference toFIG. 1, a vessel10for storing a beverage12, such as wine, is disclosed. The vessel depicted inFIG. 1is shaped similarly to a conventional stemless wine glass, which allows the vessel when packaged in a consumer packaged good (described in more detail below) to provide an attractive vessel for drinking the wine12. The vessel can take other conventional drinking glass shapes as well, e.g. an apertiff glass, a cordial glass, a martini glass, a brandy glass, a highball glass and a margarita glass. The vessel10can be made from a translucent and/or transparent material, e.g. plastic or glass, which allows a consumer and others to view the contents of the vessel10.

The illustrated vessel10includes a generally circular base14and a vessel side wall16extending upwardly from the base. The vessel side wall12has an upper edge18defining an opening22for drinking from the vessel10. The opening22is generally circular in the depicted embodiment. Since the vessel10provides a package for the wine12and also provides a vessel from which the wine can be consumed, e.g. the wine12need not be poured into another wine glass, the opening22can be large enough, e.g. about two inches or greater in diameter, so that a consumer of the wine can stick his or her nose in the opening while his or her lips are around the upper edge18. This configuration provides an attractive vessel from which to drink the wine12similar to a conventional wine glass.

With reference toFIG. 2, the vessel10also includes a base surface24, which would be generally annular for the vessel10depicted inFIG. 1, for supporting the vessel10on an associated support surface such as a table or countertop. The vessel10also defines a vertical axis26extending through a center of the opening22and normal to the base surface24. The side wall16is curved in a cross section taken normal to the base surface24and the side wall revolves around the vertical axis26. In the illustrated embodiment, the generally circular opening22is larger than the generally circular base14; however, the vessel10can take other configurations. Generally, the diameter of the opening22will be smaller than a greatest diameter d of the vessel measured perpendicular to the vertical axis26. The greatest diameter d of the vessel10in the illustrated embodiment is less than three inches, and more particularly about 2.8 inches, which allows a consumer packaged good (described in more detail below) to occupy the same or a similar amount of retail shelf space as a convention 750 ml bottle of wine (seeFIG. 4). The vessel10also has a maximum height h, measured parallel to the vertical axis26, that is less than three inches, and more particularly about 2.8 inches. This also allows a consumer packaged good (described in more detail below) to occupy the same or a similar amount of retail shelf space as a conventional 750 ml bottle of wine (seeFIG. 4).

A barrier30seals to the vessel10for covering the opening22and containing the wine12in the vessel. The barrier30is peelable from the vessel10without destroying the vessel to provide access to the wine12stored in the vessel. In the illustrated embodiment, the barrier30is a generally disc-like structure having a planar upper surface32and a planar lower surface34, which contacts the upper edge18of the sidewall12of the vessel10. The barrier can be made from a film. The vessel10and the barrier30are each made from materials that are suitable for allowing the barrier30to attach to the upper edge18by a conventional heat sealing method where the upper edge18is heated and the barrier30is affixed to the heated upper edge. The barrier30can attach to the vessel10in other conventional manners; however, it is desirable that the barrier30be peelable or removable from the vessel without damaging the upper edge18of the vessel so that one can consume the wine12within the vessel10from the vessel, as opposed to pouring the wine into another wine glass. With the barrier30removed from the vessel10and the vessel being shaped similarly to a conventional stemless wine glass, a consumer can be provided a single serving of wine in an attractive vessel from which the consumer can drink the wine.

The vessel10when sealed by the barrier30can be placed inside a case40to provide a consumer packaged good42. With reference toFIG. 3, the consumer packaged good42includes the case40, a plurality of translucent vessels10a,10b,10cand10d, wine12stored in each of the plurality of vessels, and the barriers30sealed to each vessel for containing the wine in the respective vessel. The case40can include a translucent portion and/or can be made from a translucent material, which allows a consumer of the consumer packaged good42to see the wine12stored within the vessels10. In other words, the wine12can be disposed in a translucent package, e.g. the vessel10, within a translucent package, e.g. the case40. If desired, the case40and/or the vessels10can be tinted a color that is similar to the tinted glass of a conventional wine bottle, e.g. yellow or green. This can provide a very attractive consumer packaged good.

The case40includes a base wall44, at least one side wall46, and a barrier60. In the illustrated embodiment, the case40includes one side wall46that is generally cylindrical in configuration and extends upwardly from adjacent peripheral edge of the base wall44. The consumer packaged good42depicted inFIG. 3includes four vessels10vertically stacked in the case40. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 3, each vessel10can store about 187 ml of wine so that a total volume of wine for the consumer packaged good42is 750 ml, which is similar to the volume of a conventional bottle of wine B (FIG. 4). Accordingly, instead of a consumer purchasing a single 750 ml bottle of wine having four servings that would require resealing if the consumer did not finish the entire bottle, the consumer packaged good42provides four individual servings of wine to the consumer. If desired, however, the volume of wine12in each vessel can change. For example, three vessels could be packaged in a case where each vessel would contain 250 ml of wine.

The side wall46of the case40can extend upwardly from the base wall44a height H, which can be less than about 13 inches. With reference toFIG. 4, the consumer packaged good42is disposed adjacent a conventional 750 ml of wine B. The sidewall46of the case40extends upwardly from the base wall44the height H, which is about equal to or less than the height Hbof a conventional 750 ml bottle of wine. Moreover, the base wall44can have a maximum dimension, or diameter, D about equal to or less than the maximum diameter Dbof a conventional 750 ml bottle of wine, which is about three inches. By providing the case40with such a configuration, the consumer packaged good42has the same footprint on a retail shelf as a conventional 750 ml bottle of wine. This differs from, and provides a significant advantage over, the four-pack bottles of wine described above.

As seen inFIGS. 3 and 4, the consumer packaged good42includes four vessels10a,10b,10cand10dvertically stacked, i.e. stacked along an axis coincident or parallel with the vertical axis26of each vessel, in the case40. Accordingly, each barrier30and each vessel10are configured to support at least three vertically stacked vessels, each storing 187 ml of wine without the barrier30unsealing from the vessel10. Accordingly, the lowermost vessel10dand the respective barrier30depicted inFIG. 3supports the three vessels10a,10band10ceach filled with wine12, located above the lowermost vessel10d. The barrier30on the lowermost vessel10d(as well as the barrier for the remaining vessels10a,10band10c) should not unseal from the vessel to avoid wine12escaping from the lowermost vessel.

As more clearly seen inFIG. 4, each vessel10includes the generally circular base14and the vessel side wall16extending upwardly from the base having the upper edge18defining the opening22. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 4, the upper edge18of the lowermost vessel10dis radially spaced from the base14of the vessel10csupported by the barrier30of the lowermost vessel. In other words, the base14of an upper vessel, e.g. vessel10c, above a lower vessel, e.g. vessel10d, supporting the upper vessel, i.e. vessel10c, does not contact the upper edge18of the lower vessel. Accordingly, the barrier30should be made of a rigid enough material to support at least three vertically stacked vessels, each storing 187 ml. of wine without having to rely on the side wall16of the vessel to carry any of the load.

The consumer packaged good42can also include at least one support62(depicted schematically inFIG. 4) disposed between adjacent vessels10. The support62contacts the upper edge18and the base14of adjacent vessels. The support62can spread the load of the vessels and transfer the load into the sidewall16of vessel10below the support. In the illustrated embodiment, the support62is a flat disc-like piece that can be made from a rigid material such a paper board, plastic and/or cardboard.

FIG. 5depicts an alternative embodiment of a case80for a consumer packaged good82. The consumer packaged good82includes a plurality of translucent sealed vessels10vertically stacked within the case80. The case80includes a base wall84, at least one side wall86, and a barrier100. The consumer packaged good82depicted inFIG. 5includes at least two stacks102and104of four vessels10each. In a similar manner to the case40described with reference toFIG. 3, for the case80, the side wall86extends upwardly from the base wall84less than about 13 inches and can extend upwardly from the base wall about equal to the height of a conventional 750 ml bottle of wine. Since the consumer packaged good82includes at least two stacks102and104of vessels, the base wall84has a maximum dimension about equal to or less than six inches. A second dimension, taken perpendicular to the maximum dimension can be less than or about equal to the diameter of a conventional 750 ml bottle of wine, which is about 3 inches. The dimensions depicted inFIG. 5are merely exemplary and the dimensions can be different, if desired. Nevertheless, providing dimensions that are similar to those depicted inFIG. 5can provide a consumer packaged good that provides the consumer the equivalent to two 750 ml bottles of wine in a consumer product where eight servings of wine totaling 1.5 liters of wine are individually provided while only residing in a footprint that is smaller or nearly equal to the footprint for two 750 ml bottles of wine.

The consumer packaged good82depicted inFIG. 5is particularly useful for providing a variety of wines to a consumer in a single package. For example, the first stack102of vessels10can each store red wine while the second stack104of vessels10can each store white wine. Each of the vessels10stores 187 ml of wine so that the consumer packaged good82depicted inFIG. 5provides a total volume of about 1.5 liters.

With reference toFIG. 6, a case120for an alternative embodiment of consumer packaged good122is depicted. The consumer packaged good122includes a plurality of translucent sealed vessels10vertically stacked within the case120. The case120includes a base wall124, at least one side wall126, and a barrier130. The consumer packaged good122depicted inFIG. 6includes at least four stacks132,134,136and138of four vessels10each. In a similar manner to the case40described with reference toFIG. 3, for the case120, the side wall126extends upwardly from the base wall124less than about 13 inches and can extend upwardly from the base wall about equal to the height of a conventional 750 ml. bottle of wine (seeFIG. 7). Since the consumer packaged good122includes at least four stacks132,134,136and138of vessels, the base wall124has a maximum dimension about equal to or less than six inches. A second dimension, taken perpendicular to the maximum dimension can be less than or about equal to six inches. The dimensions depicted inFIGS. 6 and 7are merely exemplary and the dimensions can be different, if desired. Nevertheless, providing dimensions that are similar to those depicted inFIGS. 6 and 7can provide a consumer packaged good that provides the consumer the equivalent to four 750 ml bottles of wine in a consumer product where 16 servings of wine totaling three liters of wine are individually provided while only residing in a footprint that is smaller or nearly equal to the footprint for four 750 ml bottles of wine.

The consumer packaged good122depicted inFIG. 6is also particularly useful for providing a variety of wines to a consumer in a single package. For example, the different stacks of vessels10can each include red wine or white wine. Each of the vessels10stores 187 ml of wine so that the consumer packaged good122depicted inFIG. 6provides a total volume of about three liters. The consumer packaged good122includes a handle140attached to the case120, which facilitates transporting the consumer packaged good. The consumer packaged good also includes vertically oriented dividers142, which can have a cross-shaped configuration when viewed from above the consumer packaged good122. The dividers can separate the columns, or stacks132,134,136and138of vessels10. Fewer or greater than four vessels in each stack can be provided.

FIG. 8depicts another example of a consumer packaged good150including a translucent case152and a plurality of translucent vessels10vertically stacked within the case. In the embodiment depicted atFIG. 8, the translucent case includes a base wall154and at least one sidewall which as depicted includes four side walls: a front side wall156, a rear side wall158, a left side wall162, and a right side wall164. The case152also includes a top wall166. The side walls156,158,162and164extend upwardly from a peripheral edge of the base wall154. At least one side wall, for example the front sidewall156in the illustrated embodiment, having a surface area less than or equal to the remaining sidewalls158,162and164is attached to at least one of the remaining sidewalls or the base wall154(or the top wall166) in a manner to allow detachment of the front wall156for providing access to the vessels10. In other words, score lines can be provided either on the front wall156or where the front wall connects with an adjacent wall to allow for removal of the front wall from the adjacent wall at the score line to allow for access to the vessels. The case152has a maximum dimension less than about 12 inches and a second dimension taken perpendicular to the maximum direction that is less than about six inches, or particularly, a third dimension taken perpendicular to both the first dimension and the second dimension can also be less than about 6 inches. This allows the consumer packaged good150to neatly fit inside a conventional U.S. household refrigerator similar to a known 12-pack configurations for cans and beverages.

With continued reference toFIG. 8, a plurality of translucent vessels10including an upper layer170of vessels vertically stacked on a lower layer172of vessels are located within the case152and surrounded by the side walls156,158,162and164. As with the other embodiments described above, each vessel10is shaped similarly to a conventional stemless wine glass.

FIGS. 9-13depict alternative embodiments of a consumer packaged good. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 9, the consumer packaged good180includes the case40(described above in more detail) and two vessels182each containing wine and covered by a barrier184. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 10, the consumer packaged good190includes the case40(described above in more detail) and three vessels192each containing wine and covered by a barrier194. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 11, the consumer packaged good200includes the case40(described above in more detail) and five vessels202each containing wine and covered by a barrier204. In each of the embodiments depicted inFIGS. 9-11, the vessels take a slightly different configuration so that a total volume of wine within the case is about 750 ml. The vessels182,192and202could also be placed into the case80(FIG. 5), the case120(FIG. 6) or the case152(FIG. 8). The number of vessels in the cases can be such that the total volume of wine in the case can be 750 ml, 1.5 liters or three liters.

In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 12, the consumer packaged good210includes a case212and five vessels202each containing wine and covered by the barrier204. The case212includes a base wall214, at least one side wall (four side walls216,218,220and222), and a barrier224. In the illustrated embodiment, the case212includes a translucent portion226through which the vessels202are visible. The remainder of the container212can be made from an opaque material. The base wall can be rectangular having a width w that is between about 2.75 inches to about 3.5 inches and a depth d that is between about 2.75 inches to about 3.5 inches. The case also has a height H that is between about 12 inches and 13 inches. This allows the case210to occupy about the same shelf footprint as a conventional 750 ml bottle of wine. The case212shown inFIG. 12can hold a total volume of wine of about 750 ml.

In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 13, the consumer packaged good230includes a case232and five vessels202each containing wine and covered by the barrier204. The case232includes a base wall234, at least one side wall (four side walls236,238,240and242), and a barrier244. In the illustrated embodiment, the case232includes a translucent portion236through which the vessels202are visible. In this embodiment, the translucent portion246in on the front side wall236and is in the shape of a conventional wine bottle. The remainder of the container232can be made from an opaque material. The base wall can be rectangular having a width that is between about 2.75 inches to about 3.5 inches and a depth that is between about 2.75 inches to about 3.5 inches. The case also has a height that is between about 12 inches and 13 inches. This allows the case232to occupy about the same shelf footprint as a conventional 750 ml bottle of wine. The case232shown inFIG. 12can hold a total volume of wine of about 750 ml.

Examples of consumer packaged goods that can overcome the problems associated with standard sized wine bottles available on the market today have been described with particularity. Modifications and alterations will occur to those upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. For example, the beverage stored in each of the vessels can be changed to an alcoholic beverage other than wine. Also, the cases shownFIGS. 12 and 13can be enlarged to accommodate more vessels. The appended claims should not be limited to only the embodiments described above, but instead should be broadly construed to include all equivalent structures.