Claims:1. A self-heating and collapsible beverage carton (100), the beverage carton (100) comprising:
an outer box (102) adapted to be transformed between a deflated state and an inflated state;
an inner pouch (302) positioned within the outer box (102), the inner pouch (302) configured to receive and store any or a combination of a first liquid and a beverage powder; and
a heating sachet (304) configured within the outer box (102) and positioned beneath the inner pouch (302), wherein in the inflated state, a second inlet (108-2) of the outer box (102) facilitates inflow of a second liquid within the outer box (102) and beneath the inner pouch (302) such that when the second liquid comes in contact with the heating sachet (304), an exothermic reaction takes place that heats any of the first liquid or a mixture of the first liquid and the beverage powder stored in the inner pouch (302).
2. The beverage carton (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer box (102) comprises a first inlet (108-1) configured with a spout (308) having a first end connected to an opening of the inner pouch (302), and a second end extending at least partially outside the outer box (102) through the first inlet (108-1), the spout (308) configured to facilitate storage of any or a combination of the first liquid and the beverage powder within the inner pouch (302).
3. The beverage carton (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the spout (308) is attached to the outer box (102) by a set of attachments clips/gasket (306), and wherein the second end of the spout (308) comprises a cap (110) adapted to be removably coupled to the second end to seal the opening of the spout (308).
4. The beverage carton (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer box (102) comprises a viewing window (112) with markings to facilitate monitoring the level of the second liquid within the beverage carton (100).
5. The beverage carton (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer box (102) is made of a paper-based multilayer material made of a laminate of paper board, polyethylene, and aluminum, and wherein the inner pouch (302) is a multilayer spout pouch made of a laminate of flexible plastic and metal foil
6. The beverage carton (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the inflated state, the outer box (102) is defined by a cuboidal shape box comprising a front wall (102-1), a rear wall (102-2), two side walls (102-3, 102-4), a top wall (102-5), and a bottom wall (102-6), with diagonal flaps (114-1 to 114-4) formed between edges connecting the two side walls (102-3, 102-4) to the top wall (102-5), and the bottom wall (102-6), respectively.
7. The beverage carton (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the beverage carton (100) comprises an inflation mechanism configured with the outer box (102) to transform the outer box (102) from the deflated state to the inflated state, and wherein upon opening the second inlet 108-2 and application of a predefined force on the front wall (102-1) and the rear wall (102-2) after unlocking buckles (107) of the outer box (102) in the inflated state transforms the beverage carton (100) into the deflated state.
8. The beverage carton (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the inflation mechanism comprises a set of handles (106) coupled to the front side (102-1) and rear side (102-2) of the outer box (102) such that after opening of sticker/layer of the second inlet 108-2 and application of a pull force on both the handle (106) in opposite direction, moving the front wall (102-1) and the rear wall (102-2) away from each other, the top wall (102-5) and the bottom wall (102-6) towards each other, and the two side walls (102-3, 102-4) towards each other, to inflate the outer box (102) and form the cuboidal shaped outer box (102) having the four diagonal flanges (114-1 to 114-4) extending outward.
9. The beverage carton (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein all four corners of the box,in the deflated state, are attached to strings (104) whose other end is attached to the respective rotating buckles (107) attached on the side walls (102-3, 102-4), and wherein after inflating the box by pulling the handles (106) and rotating the buckle (107) in a predefined direction, pulls the string (104) attached on the respective side corners, which moves the outward extending diagonal flanges (114-1 to 114-4) towards and in contact with the corresponding side walls (102-3, 102-4).
10. The beverage carton (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first liquid and the second liquid are water.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[1] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of self-heating packages. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly beverage carton for storing, packaging, and heating beverages, which restricts interaction of the beverage with the heating element and efficiently heats the beverage from all directions, and which can be easily collapsed to reduce its size when not in use and can be inflated when required.

BACKGROUND
[2] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[3] Beverage containers such as water bottles, thermos flasks are widely used to store, carry or deliver beverages. One problem with most beverages, such as tea, coffee, soup, and other products is that they are required to be served and consumed hot. Such beverages are required to be heated by external means whenever required or they are heated before transportation and stored in thermos flasks to keep them hot. The conventional style of heating the beverages typically includes using a stove, firewood, an oven, and the like. However, consumers are mostly on a move and do not always have access to such forms of heating. During travel, there is usually a lack of heating facilities to heat beverages or other food items as well, and the consumers end up consuming the cold beverage. Although instant teas or soups can be heated by adding hot or boiling water over them in a container. This assumes that the user has access to a supply of hot water as well as the container, which is not possible most of the time.
[4] In another instance, the beverage or water is generally preheated by the consumer at their home, which is stored in the thermos flask and carried or transported by the consumers to required places. Heated water is then used to prepare the instant teas or soups. However, the thermos flask can only keep the beverage or water hot for up to 6-8 hours, and beyond that, the consumer ends up with a cold and not-so-fresh beverage. Besides, the thermos flasks are bulky and heavy, which makes it difficult for consumers to carry from one place to another. In addition, prolonged exposure to hot beverages with the inner metal surface of the thermos flask affects the flavor and quality of the beverage. Further, the thermos flask is also required to be properly cleaned, else, contamination can take place within the thermos flask by the left-over beverage, which can spoil the beverage when stored in the thermos flask next time.
[5] Patent document US20070281058A1 titled “Utility package for heating or cooling liquids and food” discloses a self-heating package with an inner and outer bag. Heating is provided from the inner bag to the content in the outer bag. The package is supported by an external box or a utility bag. An additional foam layer is provided to insulate the self-heating package. A liquid to be heated is poured into the outer bag, which is heated by the heating provided by the inner bag. The volume and size of the utility package of the disclosed patent are fixed and cannot be reduced when not in use, which is based on the liquid storing capacity of the disclosed patent, as a result, the disclosed patent remains in the same size even when not in use. Besides, the liquid poured in the outer bag is heated only from inside by the inner bag, but the outer area of the outer bag remains in contact with the external environment during the internal heating process, which makes the heating process inefficient, as the stored liquid is not heated from all directions.
[6] Patent document US10716432B2 titled “Self-heating pouch and method of manufacture thereof” discloses a self-heating pouch for heating consumables and method of manufacture thereof. The self-heating pouch includes flexible housing and a sealable cap. The flexible housing includes an internal pouch, an external pouch, and at least one frangible button. The internal pouch includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the internal pouch is configured to enclose the consumables. The external pouch is attached internally to the outer surface of the internal pouch. The frangible button is included between the external pouch and the internal pouch. The frangible button is configured to release a liquid to react with a heating agent and initiate heating of the consumables. The sealable cap is attached to the top of the flexible housing and configured to dispense the consumables. The volume and size of the self-heating pouch of the disclosed patent are also fixed and cannot be reduced when not in use. The size of the self-heating pouch is based on the consumable storing capacity of the disclosed patent, as a result, the disclosed patent remains in the same size even when not in use, making it space-consuming and difficult to carry. Also the frangile element can be ruptured by accident and could activate the heating agent.
[7] Patent document US20150251838A1 titled “System and method for heating items” discloses a resealable heating bag containing a heating element. At least one degassing valve is embedded in the surface of the heating bag, providing a way for steam to be released from the interior of the bag. When water is poured inside the heating bag, the heating element reacts with water in a two-stage chemical reaction to create heat within the heating bag. The element and the heat generated by the heating element are transferred to a packaged food item placed within the heating bag, in which the water and heating bag are already placed, thereby heating the food item to the desired temperature. The disclosed patent cannot be used to prepare heated beverages such as instant teas or soups where the beverage powder is required to be mixed with hot water and left for some time within a container. Besides, the direct interaction of normal beverages with the water and heating element may contaminate and spoil the beverage.
[8] Patent document US9150772B2 titled “Flameless heating composition” discloses a flameless heating apparatus that includes a reaction bag storing an improved potentially exothermic mixture/blend for such heaters and to a meal package including foods. The disclosed patent includes a plastic bag storing the reaction bag having the exothermic mixture/blend. The food packet is accommodated within the plastic bag already having the reaction bag, and water is poured within the plastic bag to activate the exothermic mixture/blend, thereby heating the food packet. However, the disclosed patent is silent about storing and heating beverages. Besides, the disclosed patent cannot be functionally used for heating beverages as direct interaction of beverage with the water and exothermic mixture/blend may contaminate and spoil the beverage.
[9] There is, therefore, a requirement in the art to provide a solution for obviating above mentioned problems, drawbacks, and shortcomings and provide an efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly beverage carton for storing, packaging, and heating beverages, which restricts interaction of the beverage with the heating element and efficiently heats the beverage from all directions, and which can be easily collapsed to reduce its size when not in use and can be inflated when required.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[10] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[11] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly beverage carton for storing, packaging, and heating beverage.
[12] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a self-heating and collapsible beverage carton for storing, packaging, and heating beverages, which can be easily collapsed to reduce its size when not in use and can be inflated when required.
[13] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an inflation mechanism for the self-heating and collapsible beverage carton, which can be used to inflate the collapsed/deflated beverage carton to increase its size when required.
[14] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a self-heating and collapsible beverage carton that is capable of storing and heating liquid beverages as well as instant beverages where a beverage powder is required to be mixed with hot water.
[15] It is an object of the present disclosure to restrict the direct interaction of the beverage with self-heating material, to prevent spoiling or contamination of the beverage.
It is an object of the present disclosure to restrict false activation of the self-heating material and spoiling of the beverage due to external environmental conditions.

SUMMARY
[16] The present disclosure relates to an efficient, cost-effective, eco-friendly beverage carton for storing, packaging, and heating of beverages, which restricts interaction of the beverage with the heating element, and efficiently heats the beverage from all directions, and which can be easily collapsed to reduce its size when not in use and can be inflated when required.
[17] According to an aspect, the present disclosure elaborates upon a self-heating and collapsible beverage carton. The beverage carton comprises an outer box that is adapted to be transformed between a deflated state and an inflated state. The outer box in the inflated state is defined by a cuboidal shape box comprising a front wall, a rear wall, two side walls, a top wall, and a bottom wall, with diagonal flaps formed between edges connecting the two side walls to the top wall, and the bottom wall, respectively. An inflation mechanism is configured with the outer box to inflate the outer box when required. The inflation mechanism comprises a set of handles on the front and rear sides/walls of the outer box. The two rotating buckles are arranged on both the sidewalls of the outer box. One end of the string is attached to each corner of the box (under deflated condition) and other end of the string is attached to respective rotating buckles on its side. Once the box is inflated by opening the sticker covering the second inlet and pulling the two handles attached to the front and rear wall, four diagonal flaps are formed where one end of the string is attached. Further, upon rotating the side buckles ,the diagonal flaps are pulled towards the sidewalls of the outer box form a cuboidal shape box.
[18] To form the inflated box, open the plastic sticker/layer covering the second inlet to make an opening for the air to move inside of the box, and application of a pull force on the handles attached to the front and rear walls moves the front wall and the rear wall away from each other, moves the top wall and bottom wall towards each other and moves the two side walls toward each other to inflate the outer box and form the cuboidal shaped outer box having four diagonal flanges extending outward. Under the deflated condition, the plastic sticker/film applied on the second inlet provides an air and moisture-free inner environment into the outer box where the heater pouch rest. The heater pouch efficiency degrades in the presence of moisture and air and maintaining an internal atmosphere free from air and moisture improves the shelf life of the heater pouch. The sticker/film applied on the second inlet also serves another important purpose unless and until the sticker is removed, one cannot pull the handle and create a cuboidal shape due to internal vacuum. Further rotating the buckles on each side the second free end of the set of strings moves the outward extending diagonal flanges towards and in contact with the corresponding sidewalls. Besides, upon application of a predefined force on the front wall and the rear wall of the outer box in the inflated state transforms the beverage carton back to the deflated state when the beverage carton is not in use or when the carton is required to be recycled.
[19] In an aspect, the beverage carton comprises an inner multilayer spout pouch positioned within the outer box, which is configured to receive and store any or a combination of a first liquid or a mixture of beverage powder and water. A heating sachet made of self-heating material is configured within the outer box and positioned beneath the inner pouch. In the inflated state, a second inlet of the outer box facilitates inflow of a second liquid (water) within the outer box and beneath the inner pouch such that when it comes in contact with the heating sachet, an exothermic reaction takes place that heats any of the first liquid or a mixture of the beverage powder and water stored in the multilayer spout pouch.
[20] The outer box comprises a first inlet configured with a spout having a first end connected to an opening of the inner pouch, and a second end extending at least partially outside the outer box through the first inlet. The spout is configured to facilitate storage of any or a combination of the first liquid and/or the beverage powder within the inner pouch. The spout is locked to the outer box by a set of attachments clips or gaskets, and a second end of the spout comprises a cap adapted to be removably coupled to the second end to seal the first inlet. Further, a viewing window with markings is provided in the outer box to allow the user to monitor the level of the water (used for activating the heating sachet) added within the beverage carton.
[21] The liquid or beverage to be heated may be stored within the multilayer spout pouch through the spout from the first inlet of the outer box prior to inflation of the beverage carton (i.e when the beverage carton is deflated), which may be easily carried by the user to the desired location. Further, when the user wants to heat the liquid for consumption, the user may inflate the beverage carton by opening the sticker of the second Inlet and pulling the handles attached on the front and rear sides. Further, the user may add water in the outer box through the second inlet and it slips to the bottom and comes in contact with the heating sachet, an exothermic reaction takes place that heats the stored liquid.
[22] Similarly, beverage powder may be stored within the multilayer spout pouch through the spout coming out of the first inlet of the outer box prior to inflation of the beverage carton (i.e when the beverage carton is deflated), which may be easily carried by the user to the desired location. Further, when the user wants to prepare the heated beverage for consumption, the user may inflate the beverage carton by opening the plastic sticker/layer of the second inlet and pulling the handles from both the side in opposite directions and rotating the buckles on both the side to form a cuboidal box. The user may then add water in the multilayer spout pouch through spout coming out of the first inlet to mix the beverage powder and water. Further, the user may add water in the outer box through the second inlet such that when the second liquid (water) comes in contact with the heating sachet, an exothermic reaction takes place that heats the stored beverage mixture.
[23] The outer box is made of a paper-based material made of a laminate of paper board, polyethylene, and aluminum or other suitable materials. Further, the inner pouch is a multilayer spout pouch made of a laminate of flexible plastic and metal foil suitable for food packaging. The use of the paper-based materials makes the beverage carton eco-friendly yet cost-effective, and also keeps the contents within the carton safe from the external environment, Besides, the use of the multilayer spout pouch provides flexibility to the inner pouch, making the beverage carton thermally efficient, and keeps the beverage safe and hot for a longer duration.
[24] As a result, the present invention provides an efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly beverage carton for storing, packaging, and heating beverages, which restricts interaction of the beverage with the heating element and efficiently heats the beverage from all directions, and which can be easily collapsed to reduce its size when not in use and can be inflated when required.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[25] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.
[26] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
[27] FIGs. 1A-1D illustrates exemplary views of the proposed beverage carton in a inflated state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[28] FIGs. 2A-2C illustrates stages of transformation of the proposed beverage carton from the deflated state to the inflated state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[29] FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary cross-sectional view of the proposed beverage carton, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[30] FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary exploded view of the proposed beverage carton, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[31] FIG. 3C illustrates an exemplary view of the cap and spout attachments arrangement of the proposed beverage carton, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[32] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[33] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[34] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[35] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[36] The use of “including”, “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Further, the use of terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.
[37] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[38] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).
[39] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an efficient, cost-effective, eco-friendly beverage carton for storing, packaging, and heating of beverages, which restricts interaction of the beverage with the heating element, and efficiently heats the beverage from all directions, and which can be easily collapsed to reduce its size when not in use and can be inflated when required.
[40] In an aspect, the self-heating and collapsible beverage carton (beverage carton) includes an outer box adapted to be transformed between a deflated state and an inflated state. An inner pouch is positioned within the outer box, which is configured to receive and store any or a combination of a first liquid and a beverage powder. Further, a heating sachet is configured within the outer box and positioned beneath the inner pouch. In the inflated state, a second inlet of the outer box facilitates inflow of a second liquid within the outer box and beneath the inner pouch such that when the second liquid comes in contact with the heating sachet, an exothermic reaction takes place that heats any of the first liquid or a mixture of the first liquid and the beverage powder stored in the inner pouch.
[41] In an embodiment, the outer box includes a spout having a first end connected to an opening of the inner pouch, and a second end extending at least partially outside the outer box through the first inlet, the spout configured to facilitate storage of any or a combination of the first liquid and the beverage powder within the inner pouch.
[42] In an embodiment, the spout is attached to the outer box by a set of attachments clips or gaskets. The second end of the spout includes a cap adapted to be removably coupled to the second end to seal the second inlet.
[43] In an embodiment, the outer box includes a viewing window with markings to facilitate monitoring the level of the second liquid within the beverage carton.
[44] In an embodiment, the outer box is made of a paper based multilayer material made of a laminate of paper board, polyethylene, and aluminum and other suitable materials. Further, the inner pouch is a multilayer spout pouch made of a laminate of flexible plastic and metal foil or other suitable food packaging materials.
[45] In an embodiment, in the inflated state, the outer box is defined by a cuboidal shape box comprising a front wall, a rear wall, two side walls, a top wall, and a bottom wall, with diagonal flaps formed between edges connecting the two side walls to the top wall, and the bottom wall, respectively.
[46] In an embodiment, the beverage carton includes an inflation mechanism configured with the outer box to transform the outer box from the deflated state to the inflatable state. Further, upon application of a predefined force on the front wall and the rear wall of the outer box in the inflated state transforms the beverage carton into the deflated state.
[47] In an embodiment, the inflation mechanism includes a set of handles on the front and rear sides of the outer box. Upon opening the plastic sticker/layer from the second inlet and pulling the handles in opposite directions, the front and rear walls of the outer box move apart from each other and form a cuboidal box with four diagonal flanges extending out. The two rotating buckles are arranged on both the side walls. The set of strings are attached to four corners in a way that one end of the string is attached to each corner of the box (under deflated condition) and the other end of the string is attached to respective rotating buckles on its side. After inflating the box, rotating the buckle on each side pulls the set of strings, which moves the top wall and the bottom wall set of flanges towards respective sidewalls to form the cuboidal-shaped outer box.
[48] In an embodiment, the first liquid and the second liquid are water.
[49] Referring to FIGs. 1A-3C, the proposed self-heating and collapsible beverage carton 100 (also referred to as beverage carton 100 or carton 100, herein) is disclosed. The carton 100 includes an outer box 102 that is adapted to be transformed between a deflated state as shown in FIGs. 2A and an inflated state as shown in FIGs. 2B to 2C. Referring to FIGs. 1A to 1D, the outer box 102 in the inflated state is defined by a cuboidal shape box 102 including a front wall 102-1, a rear wall 102-2, two side walls 102-3, 102-4, a top wall 102-5, and a bottom wall 102-6, with diagonal flaps 114-1 to 114-4 formed between edges connecting the two side walls 102-3, 102-4 to the top wall 102-5, and the bottom wall 102-6, respectively. Referring to FIG. 2A to 2C, the outer box 102 in the deflated state is defined by a structure that is basically the compressed form of outer box 102 of FIGs 2A to 2C, where the tip of the diagonal flanges 114-1 to 114-4 (of inflated state) becomes the corners of the structure (of deflated state), and the sidewalls 102-3, 102-4, top wall 102-5, and the bottom wall 102-6 get longitudinally folded to reduce the height and width of the beverage carton 100, with the depth of the beverage carton 100 getting reduced.
[50] In an exemplary non-limiting embodiment, a sheet of a hard material or paper-based multilayer material is seamed together at their edges, and folds are created at required places on the outer box 102 to form the structure of the outer box 102 as shown in FIGs. 1A to 1D. The folds are made such that they facilitate the formation of the cuboidal-shaped outer box 102 as defined in the inflated state of the outer box 102 when the outer box 102 is inflated.
[51] In an embodiment, an inflation mechanism is configured with the outer box 102 to inflate the outer box 102 when required. The inflation mechanism includes handles 106 attached to the front and rear sides/walls 102-1, 102-2, and buckles 107 on both side walls 102-3, 102-4 of the outer box 102. Both buckles 107 are attached to the edges of the box 102 by a set of strings 104 (as defined in the deflated state) of the outer box 102, where the strings 104 attached from the corners to respective rotating buckles 107 on the side walls 102-3, 102-4.
[52] Referring to FIGs.2A to 2C, when the carton 100 is in the deflated state as shown in FIG. 2A, the opening of the sticker covering the second inlet 108-2 and application of a pull force on handles 106 in the opposite direction (near the front wall and rear wall) moves the top wall 102-5 and the bottom wall 102-6 towards each other, and the two side walls 102-3, 102-4 towards each other, thereby moving the front wall 102-1 and the rear wall 102-2 away from each other to inflate the outer box 102 and form the cuboidal shaped outer box 102 having four diagonal flanges 114-1 to 114-4 extending outward as shown in FIG. 2B. Later, rotating the buckles 107 pulls the strings 104 on the carton 100 of FIG. 2B moves the outward extending diagonal flanges 114-1 to 114-4 towards and in contact with the corresponding sidewalls 102-3, 102-4 as shown in FIG. 2C. Besides, after releasing the two side buckles, application of a predefined force on the front wall 102-1 and the rear wall 102-2 of the outer box 102 in the inflated state as shown in FIG. 2C transforms the beverage carton 100 back to the deflated state as shown in FIG. 3A when the beverage carton 100 is not in use or when the carton 100 is required to be recycled.
[53] In an embodiment, referring to FIGs. 3A and 3B, the beverage carton 100 includes an inner pouch 302 (also referred to as multilayer spout pouch 302, herein) positioned within the outer box 102, which is configured to receive and store any or a combination of a first liquid or a mixture of beverage powder and water. The first liquid may be a beverage selected from tea, coffee, soup, water, but not limited to the like. Further, the beverage powder may be a powdered form of the beverage, which may transform into the beverage (liquid form) upon adding or mixing water to it.
[54] In an embodiment, a heating sachet 304 made of self-heating material is configured within the outer box 102 and positioned beneath the multilayer spout pouch 302. In the inflated state, a second inlet 108-2 is provided on the top wall 102-5, but not limited to the like, of the outer box 102 to facilitate the inflow of a second liquid (water) within the outer box 102 and beneath the multilayer spout pouch 302 such that when the water comes in contact with the heating sachet 304, an exothermic reaction takes place that heats any of the first liquid or a mixture of the beverage powder and water stored in the multilayer spout pouch 302. A peelable/tearable sealed plastic layer is provided over the second inlet 108-2, which can be removed/teared for pouring water within the outer box 102.
[55] Those skilled in the art would appreciate that the above configuration restricts direct interaction or contact of the beverage with the heating sachet 304, thereby preventing spoiling or contamination of the beverage by the content of the heating sachet 304. Besides, as the spout pouch 302 storing the beverage is completely enclosed by the outer box 102 containing the water heated by the heating sachet 304, the spout pouch 302 gets heated from all directions to efficiently heat the beverage stored therewithin, and the beverage also remains heated for a longer duration due to very less thermal loss as there is no direct interaction of the spout pouch 302 with the external environment.
[56] In an embodiment, referring to FIGs. 3A to 3C, the outer box 102 includes a first inlet configured with a spout 308 having a first end connected to an opening of the inner pouch 302, and a second end extending at least partially outside from the top wall 102-5 of the outer box 102 through the first inlet 108-1, but not limited to the like. The spout 308 is configured to facilitate storage of any or a combination of the first liquid and/or the beverage powder within the inner pouch 302. The spout 308 is attached to the outer box 102 by a set of attachments clips or gasket 306, and the opening of the spout 308 is covered and locked by a rotating cap 110.
[57] As illustrated, the spout 308 is connected to the outer box 102 by attachment clip 306. Further, the first end of the spout 308 is connected to the opening of the inner pouch 302. The second end of the spout 308 is provided with outer threads adapted to engage with inner threads of the cap 110, which facilitates securing of the cap 110 over the spout 308 upon rotation of the cap 110 in a first direction, and removal of the cap 110 upon rotation of the cap 110 in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
[58] In an embodiment, a viewing window 112 with markings is provided at bottom of any of the front wall 102-1, back wall 102-2, and side walls 102-3, 102-4 in the outer box 102 to allow the user to monitor the level of the water (used for activating the heating sachet 304) within the beverage carton 100.
[59] In an implementation, the liquid or beverage to be heated may be stored and sealed within the multilayer spout pouch 302 through the opening via the first inlet of the outer box 102, which may be easily carried by the user or transported to the desired location. Further, when the user wants to heat the liquid for consumption, the user opens the sticker of the second inlet 108-2 and add water in the outer box 102 through the second inlet 108-2 such that when the poured water comes in contact with the heating sachet 304 in the outer box 102, an exothermic reaction takes place that heats the liquid stored within the multilayer spout pouch 302. Later, cap 110 may be opened to pour out the heated beverage for consumption by the user.
[60] In another implementation, beverage powder may be stored and sealed within the multilayer spout pouch 302 through the spout coming out of the first inlet 108-1 of the outer box 102 prior to inflation of the beverage carton 100 (i.e when the beverage carton 100 is deflated), which may be easily carried by the user or transported to the desired location. Further, when the user wants to prepare the heated beverage for consumption, the user may inflate the beverage carton 100 by removing the plastic sticker/layer from the second inlet 108-2, pulling the handles 106, and rotating the buckles 107. Further, the user may add water into the multilayer spout pouch 302 from the spout 308 and close the inlet by the cap 110, and mix the beverage and water by shaking the carton 100. The user may then add water in the outer box 102 from the second inlet 108-2, so that the water may come in contact with the heating sachet 304 within the outer box 102, thereby initiating an exothermic reaction that heats the stored mixture of beverage powder and water. Later, cap 110 may be opened to pour out the heated beverage through the spout 308 for consumption by the user.
[61] In an embodiment, the outer box 102 is made of a paper-based multilayer material made of a laminate of paper board, polyethylene, and aluminum, and other suitable materials. Further, the inner pouch 302 is a multilayer spout pouch 302 made of a laminate of flexible plastic and metal foil and other suitable food packaging materials. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that the use of the paper-based multilayer material for the outer box 102 of the proposed beverage carton 100 makes the beverage carton 100 eco-friendly yet cost-effective, and also keeps the contents within the carton 100 safe from the external environment, Besides, the use of the multilayer spout pouch 302 for inner pouch 302 provides flexibility to the inner pouch 302, and provide good shelf life for food packed inside and also makes the beverage carton 100 thermally efficient, and keeps the beverage safe and hot for a longer duration.
[62] Accordingly, the present invention provides an efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly beverage carton for storing, packaging, and heating beverages, which restricts interaction of the beverage with the heating element and efficiently heats the beverage from all directions, and which can be easily collapsed to reduce its size when not in use and can be inflated when required.
[63] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[64] The present invention provides an efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly beverage carton for storing, packaging, and heating beverage.
[65] The present invention provides a self-heating and collapsible beverage carton for storing, packaging, and heating beverages, which can be easily collapsed to reduce its size when not in use and can be inflated when required.
[66] The present invention provides an inflation mechanism for the self-heating and collapsible beverage carton, which can be used to inflate the collapsed/deflated beverage carton to increase its size when required.
[67] The present invention provides a self-heating and collapsible beverage carton that is capable of storing and heating liquid beverages as well as instant beverages where a beverage powder is required to be mixed with hot water.
[68] The present invention restricts the direct interaction of the beverage with self-heating material, to prevent spoiling or contamination of the beverage.
[69] The present invention restricts false activation of the self-heating material and spoiling of the beverage due to external environmental conditions.