Abstract:
In combination, a liquid holding container having flexible walls is contained within a collapsible receptacle having rigid walls to prevent liquid from exiting the container when unwanted pressure is exerted on the container walls. The collapsible receptacle has an interior space to receive the liquid holding container when in an extended position, and is substantially flat in the collapsed position. The panels and bottom of the collapsible receptacle may be joined together with reversible hinges, or reversible biasing hinges to bias the receptacle to either an extended or collapsed position.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 60/693,733, filed Jun. 24, 2005, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention is directed to a collapsible hand-held receptacle having rigid walls defining an interior space for housing a beverage container, or juice box of a substantially rectangular, box-shape having flexible sidewalls and a pierceable, foil sealed, access port on its top. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Liquid holding containers, or boxes, are a popular container form that provide a single serving of beverages such as juices, lemonade, ice tea and milk, and other beverages well known in the art. They are commonly referred to as “juice boxes,” or “drink boxes.” One such liquid holding container is marketed under the name TETRA PAK®. 
         [0004]    Liquid holding containers typically come packaged with a straw separately sealed in plastic packaging, attached to and removable from the container. The attached straw typically has two rigid sections connected by a flexible, accordion-like section. One rigid section ends in an angled-cut piercing end, while the other rigid section ends in a straight-cut drinking end. The piercing end of this straw is designed to pierce a small foiled sealed opening located near a corner on the top of the container. 
         [0005]    Although convenient to store, transport and use, these liquid holding containers present several disadvantages. The main disadvantage of these containers is their tendency to leak through the straw if the container is squeeze or its sides are squeezed together. This problem is particularly troublesome when the straw is first inserted through the container, as some force is necessary to hold the container while the straw is being inserted. 
         [0006]    This disadvantage is be exacerbated by young children who commonly use liquid holding containers as juice boxes. An additional disadvantage, particularly evident for young children, is the need for an adult to prepare the juice box for drinking by removing the straw and inserting the straw into the juice box. 
         [0007]    Although receptacles have been developed to minimize the discharge of juice or other liquids from the liquid holding containers by squeezing the sidewalls of the container, (see, i.e., U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,435), such receptacles are not commonly used because they are bulky to carry, especially after the juice box contents have been consumed. Additionally, the receptacles are difficult to store when not in use. 
         [0008]    Another problem with the existing receptacles is that distribution of the receptacles is rarely done with the sale of the juice box itself. Receptacles are not sold with each individual juice box because of the additional costs for manufacturing and shipping. Receptacles are not sold with juice box packages because the receptacles are larger than the liquid holding container, resulting in awkward shaped packaging that occupy space during shipping, thus increasing shipping costs. 
         [0009]    Accordingly there is a need for a receptacle that occupies minimal space when not in use. There is also a need for a receptacle that can be easily stored when not in use. There is also a need for a receptacle that can be easily packaged and sold along with liquid holding containers, i.e., juice boxes. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention is a collapsible rigid receptacle having an interior space for housing a substantially rectangular box shaped beverage container having flexible sidewalls and a pierceable, foil sealed access port located on its top. The collapsible receptacle may be constructed of rigid plastics material or cardboard, and may be either of single or double wall construction. When double wall construction is used, the space between the sidewalls functions as a dead air space which, in turn, provides insulation for the cool fluid contained in the beverage container when deposited within the receptacle. Moreover, the air space present when double wall construction is used, may be filled with an insulative material, such as a foamed plastics material for example. If the receptacle is constructed of cardboard, the cardboard may be laminated with a water-proof or water-resistant material. 
         [0011]    The collapsible receptacle may have at least one handle, such as substantially ring shaped handle, attached to an exterior side portion of the receptacle. Also, the collapsible receptacle may have a series of grooves carried in one or more exterior sidewalls of the collapsible receptacle, which grooves act to enhance the grip of the consumer about the receptacle. 
         [0012]    One object of the present invention is to provide in combination a liquid holding container and collapsible receptacle, wherein the liquid holding container has flexible walls and an access port positioned on a top portion thereof, said container being of the type in which pressure exerted on said flexible walls results in the expulsion of liquid from said container through said access port and the collapsible receptacle is capable of being in a collapsed position and an extended position. The collapsible receptacle has an internal space for receiving the container when in the extended position. 
         [0013]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination a liquid holding container and collapsible receptacle wherein the collapsible receptacle has a plurality of rigid panels reversibly hingedly connected to adjacent rigid panels. 
         [0014]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination a liquid holding container and collapsible receptacle wherein the collapsible receptacle has one or more reversible biasing hinge for reversibly hingedly connecting rigid panels. The reversible biasing hinge can bias said collapsible receptacle to an extended position or collapsed position. 
         [0015]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination a liquid holding container and collapsible receptacle wherein the receptacle has a bottom, or a means for supporting the liquid holding container when the liquid holding container is inserted into the collapsible receptacle when the collapsible receptacle is in an extended position. 
         [0016]    Another object of the present invention is to provide for a combination of a liquid holding container and collapsible receptacle having a deformable bottom. The bottom portion of the collapsible receptacle can bias the receptacle to an extended or collapsed position. The bottom can be connected between adjacent rigid panels, or opposing rigid panels. The panels may also be deformable, and can bias the collapsible receptacle to an extended or collapsed position. 
         [0017]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible receptacle for holding a flexible beverage container, or juice box, in a manner that will prohibit unwanted pressure from being exerted on the exterior sidewalls of the beverage container resulting in unwanted discharge of the beverage contained within the liquid container. When the beverage has been consumed, the liquid container may be discarded, and the collapsible receptacle put into a collapsed position for easy storage 
         [0018]    Another object of this invention is to provide in combination a liquid holding container and collapsible receptacle wherein the receptacle has means for a consumer to grasp the receptacle, such as a handle attached to the exterior of the receptacle, or by a grooved pattern in the exterior sidewall of the receptacle. 
         [0019]    Another object of the present invention is to provide for a collapsible receptacle comprising a plastic material which is light in weight and which permits inexpensive manufacturing. 
         [0020]    A further object of this invention is to provide a collapsible receptacle comprising insulation to keep the contents of the container either hot or cool. 
         [0021]    A further object of the present invention is a method of packaging, distributing, and marketing collapsible receptacles for liquid containers. 
         [0022]    Use collapsible receptacle of the present invention is not limited to liquid holding containers for single servings or beverages. The collapsible receptacles may also be used for larger containers, i.e., 500 ml, 1 L, 1.5 L or 2 L containers. 
         [0023]    Additional objects of the present invention will become apparent from a review of the present specification and claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3   a  is another perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a perspective and sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4   a  is another perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a liquid holding container  2  (i.e., a juice box, a carton for liquids, a box for holding liquids) is contained within a collapsible receptacle  10  which can be constructed of inexpensive, lightweight materials such as plastic or cardboard. Liquid holding container  2  generally contains a beverage, such as a juice, fruit juice, or milk. Liquid holding container  2  can be a TETRA PAK® container which is a substantially rectangular box-shaped container having flexible sidewalls  4   a ,  4   b , and a pierceable foil sealed access port  6  on its top  7 . Generally, a drinking straw  8  accompanies the TETRA PAK® container  2  and is used to pierce the foil sealed access port  6 . As shown, collapsible receptacle  10  comprises four panels  12   a ,  12   b  (two panels not shown), and a bottom (not shown). The bottom and four panels define an interior space for receiving and for holding the liquid holding container  2 . 
         [0033]    Collapsible receptacle  10  may collapse by designs that are known in the art. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , collapsible receptacle  20  has a deformable bottom  24  connected to two adjacent panels  22   a ,  22   b . The panels  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c , and  22   d  are reversibly hingedly connected so as to allow collapsible receptacle  20  to form a box configuration, or extended configuration, having a substantially ninety degree angle between panels  22   a  and  22   b ,  22   b  and  22   c ,  22   c  and  22   d , and  22   d  and  22   a . When the extended configuration, bottom  24  is fully extended to form a support for liquid holding container  2 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , collapsible receptacle  20  may be collapsed into a collapsed configuration so that the angle between panels  22   a  and  22   b , and  22   c  and  22   d  is between 90° and 0°, preferably between 45° and 0°, more preferably between 15° and 0°, more preferably substantially 0°, and the angle between panels  22   a  and  22   d , and  22   b  and  22   c  is between 90° and 180°, preferably between 125° and 180°, more preferably between 165° and 180°, more preferably substantially 180°. As shown in  FIG. 2 , when the receptacle is in the collapsed configuration, bottom  24  resides outside of the panels  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d . In another embodiment, bottom  24  may fall between the panels so that the bottom  24  would reside between the panels  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d.    
         [0034]    In one embodiment of  FIG. 2 , bottom  24  is replaced with a means for supporting a liquid holding container when the receptacle is in an extended position, but is deformed and folded when in a collapsed position, such as with an elastic, stretchable, or flexible material. 
         [0035]    In another embodiment of  FIG. 2 , reversible hinged connections between one or more pairs of panels are made with reversible biasing hinges which bias the receptacle to a extended position. 
         [0036]    In another embodiment of  FIG. 2 , reversible hinged connections between one or more pairs of panels are made With reversible biasing hinges which bias the receptacle to a collapsed position. 
         [0037]    In another embodiment of  FIG. 2 , bottom  24  may be replaced with a plurality of support means, such as elastic, stretchable, or flexible materials. 
         [0038]    In another embodiment of  FIG. 2 , bottom  24  is replaced with a biasing force attached to adjacent panels, such that the receptacle is biased to a collapsed position. 
         [0039]    In another embodiment of  FIG. 2 , bottom  24  is replaced with a biasing force attached to adjacent panels, such that the receptacle is biased to an extended position. 
         [0040]    In another embodiment of  FIG. 2 , bottom  24  is replaced with a biasing force attached to one set of opposing panels, such that the receptacle is biased to a collapsed position. 
         [0041]    In another embodiment of  FIG. 2 , bottom  24  is replaced with a biasing force attached to opposing corners  26   a ,  26   b  of the receptacle, such that the receptacle is biased to an extended position. 
         [0042]    In another embodiment of  FIG. 2 , bottom  24  is replaced with a biasing force attached to opposing corners  26   a ,  26   b  of the receptacle such that the receptacle is biased to a collapsed position. 
         [0043]    In another embodiment of  FIG. 2 , a rigid panel may be replaced with a deformable, elastic, stretchable, or flexible material which bias the receptacle to a collapsed position. The deformable, elastic, stretchable, or flexible material can be attached to bottom  24 . 
         [0044]    In another embodiment of  FIG. 2 , a rigid panel may be replaced with an elastic, stretchable, or flexible material which bias the receptacle to an extended position. The deformable, elastic, stretchable, or flexible material can be attached to bottom  24 . 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 3   a , the collapsible receptacle  30  has two rigid panels  32   a ,  32   b , and two deformable panels  36   a ,  36   b , and a deformable bottom  34 . In the embodiment shown, deformable panels  36   a ,  36   b , and deformable bottom  34  are able to deform by fold  38   a ,  38   b ,  38   c  down their respective centers. Generally, deformable bottom  34  is reversibly hingedly attached to rigid panels  32   a  and  32   b . Panels  32   a  and  36   a ,  36   a  and  32   b ,  32   b  and  36   b , and  36   b  and  32   a  are reversibly hingedly connected to one another. 
         [0046]    In another embodiment of  FIG. 3 , bottom  34  is replaced with a means for supporting a liquid holding container when the receptacle is in an extended position, but is deformed and folded when in a collapsed position, such as with an elastic, stretchable, or flexible material. 
         [0047]    In another embodiment of  FIG. 3 , reversible hinged connections are made with reversible biasing hinges which bias the receptacle to a extended position. 
         [0048]    In another embodiment of  FIG. 3 , reversible hinged connections are made with reversible biasing hinges which bias the receptacle to a collapsed position. 
         [0049]    In another embodiment of  FIG. 3 , bottom  34  may be replaced with a plurality of support means, such as elastic, stretchable, or flexible materials. 
         [0050]    In another embodiment of  FIG. 3 , bottom  34  is replaced with a biasing force attached to adjacent panels, such that the receptacle is biased to a collapsed position. 
         [0051]    In another embodiment of  FIG. 3 , bottom  34  is replaced with a biasing force attached to adjacent panels, such that the receptacle is biased to an extended position. 
         [0052]    In another embodiment of  FIG. 3 , bottom  34  is replaced with a biasing force attached to one set of opposing panels, such that the receptacle is biased to a collapsed position. 
         [0053]    In another embodiment of  FIG. 3 , a rigid panel or deformable panel may be replaced with a deformable, elastic, stretchable, or flexible material which bias the receptacle to a collapsed position. The deformable, elastic, stretchable, or flexible material can be attached to bottom  34 . 
         [0054]    In another embodiment of  FIG. 3 , a rigid panel may be replaced with an elastic, stretchable, or flexible material which bias the receptacle to an extended or open position. The deformable, elastic, stretchable, or flexible material can be attached to bottom  34 . 
         [0055]    As shown in  FIG. 4 and 4   a , a collapsible receptacle  40  is generally shaped like a “grocery bag” having a main panel  42 , two deformable side panels  46   a ,  46   b , a solid bottom  44 , and a deformable main panel  48 . 
         [0056]    The collapsible receptacle in the present invention may be constructed as single walled receptacle as shown, or may be constructed as a double walled receptacle wherein a space is provided between an inner and outer wall. The space may contain gas, such as air, or may be substantially a vacuum. The air space can functions as an insulative means. 
         [0057]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a unitary outer wall and inner wall may be molded, for example, of plastic; the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of each of the sidewalls may have a U-shaped construction comprising parallel inner and outer walls; a bottom positioned substantially perpendicularly to and integrally joined with, each of the inner walls; and a unitary distal edge portion defined by each outer sidewall extending further downwardly and in the longitudinal direction than each corresponding inner wall portion. This extension allows for a bottom portion to be sealingly attached to the distal edge portion thereby defining an interior air space having insulative qualities. 
         [0058]    In another embodiment, a foam plastic or insulative material may be introduced into an air space defined by inner and outer walls of a receptacle  10 . 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , in one embodiment of the present invention, collapsible receptacle  10  may have one or more handles  70  capable of being grasped by a user. In another embodiment, the handle is also collapsible. 
         [0060]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , in one embodiment of the present invention, collapsible receptacle  10  may have one or more grooves  72  on one or more panels which serve to improve the grip on the receptacle. 
         [0061]    Further, collapsible receptacle  10  may include an opening (not shown) on the bottom of the receptacle  10  to allow for ejection or extraction of a beverage container which becomes lodged within the interior space of receptacle  10 , and to allow liquid to flow out of the receptacle  10  for easy cleaning or washing. 
         [0062]    In one embodiment of the invention, one or more hinges, including reversible and biasing hinges, may be removed between two adjacent panels, or a panel and bottom, and later installed between adjacent panels or a panel and bottom. Thus the collapsible receptacle may be easily disassembled and reassembled. 
         [0063]    In one embodiment of the invention, the collapsible receptacle may be adhered to a liquid holding container with an adhesive. An adhesive piece may be mounted to the exterior of one or more panels and/or the bottom to adhere the collapsible receptacle to one or more liquid holding containers. Thus, a collapsible receptacle may be transported adhered to a liquid holding container which is in a collapsed position, and the liquid holding container need not be disposed in the interior space during transportation. When in use, the collapsible receptacle and liquid holding container are separated, the collapsible receptacle is put into an extended position, and the liquid holding container is inserted into the interior space. The adhesive may be any adhesive known in the art, preferably adhesives which allow separation of the collapsible receptacle from the liquid holding container with manual force. The adhesive may also be a hoop and loop fastener system, such as velcro, whereby a hook or loop side is adhered to the collapsible receptacle, and a corresponding loop or hook side is adhered to the liquid holding container. The collapsible receptacle may also have protected adhesive whereby the adhesive is covered with a thin film, and removal of the thin film provides a surface to which the liquid holding container may be adhered to. Additionally, the adhesive may cause the collapsible receptacle and liquid holding container to adhere to each other when the liquid holding container is inserted in the interior space so as to prevent or make removal of the liquid holding container from the interior space more difficult. 
         [0064]    In one embodiment of the present invention, a collapsible receptacle may have indicia printed on or adhered to one or more panels or bottom that appeal to children, for example cartoon characters, people of notoriety such as doctors, patent attorneys, celebrities such as actors and actresses, singers, politicians, or sports figures, pictures, drawings, designs, holograms, stories, educational materials, jokes, or combinations thereof. 
         [0065]    Liquid holding containers are often packaged together in a pack, i.e., two liquid holding containers in a pack, three liquid holding containers in a pack, six liquid holding containers in a pack, a dozen liquid holding containers in a pack. Liquid holding containers are often packaged by shrink wrap and other methods known in the art. In one embodiment of the present invention a collapsible receptacle is packaged with one or more liquid holding containers containing a beverage to form a pack. In another embodiment, a collapsible receptacle is packaged with a liquid holding containing a beverage wherein the liquid holding container is housed within the collapsible receptacle&#39;s interior space. In another embodiment, a collapsible receptacle is in a collapsed position and packaged with the liquid holding containers. In another embodiment, more than one collapsible receptacle is packaged in a pack. 
         [0066]    The matters set here are offered by way of illustration only and not as limitations. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of invention. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.