A DEVICE FOR MANIPULATING A LIQUID CONTAINER

THIS INVENTION relates to a manipulating device for manipulating liquid container.

It is common practice to package liquids such as milk, fruit juice and the like in a folded container, especially a container folded of carton sheeting which has been treated to be liquid proof, such as a Tetra Brik™ made by Tetra Pak. Generally, a sleeve of rectangular cross section is formed. A top and a bottom are formed by folding the ends of the sleeve over forming a container of parallelepiped or box shape. Excess sheeting, in the form of flaps or ears, is folded to extend decumbently from respectively the top and the bottom along side panels or along top and bottom surfaces of the container. Thus, the liquid container includes a side panel, having a top and a bottom edge, and a flap or ear projecting from each edge, each flap or ear being foldable about the edge from which it projects.

The Applicant believes that this invention will be particularly advantageously applicable to such containers.

Accordingly, the invention provides a manipulating device for manipulating a liquid container which includes a side panel, having a top and a bottom edge, and a flap or ear projecting from each edge, each flap or ear being foldable about the edge from which it projects, the manipulating device including a body including: two spaced apart securing formations for removably engaging the respective flaps or ears when folded to oppose each other thereby to secure the manipulating device to the container; and a handle.

The body may include a spine defining the securing formations at respective ends thereof, the handle projecting from one side of the spine. The spine may define, on the other side thereof, an abutment surface for abutting against the side

panel in use. The abutment surface may be rectangular in shape and may have dimensions corresponding to, but smaller than, the dimensions of the side panel.

The handle may project cantilever-fashion from the spine. 5

In an alternative embodiment, the body may include, at respective ends thereof, two end formations which define the respective securing formations, the end formations being interconnected and bridged by the handle. Each end formation may define an abutment surface for abutting against the side panel, in use. The handle may

0 be arcuate.

The securing formations may be configured frictionally to engage the flaps or ears of the container in order removably to secure the device to the container. Each securing formation may define a slit for receiving at least partially one of the flaps or 5 ears therein, and may define a frictional clamp. The slits may be co-planar and may define flap or ear entries on opposite sides of the body. The spacing and orientations of the slits may match the locations and orientations of the flaps or ears on the container, in order to accommodate these flaps when the device is secured to the container.

>0 The manipulating device may be moulded of a synthetic polymeric material.

The invention extends to an assembly which includes: a liquid container which includes a side panel, having a top and a bottom edge, >5 and a flap or ear projecting from each edge, each flap or ear being foldable about the edge from which it projects; and a manipulating device, as defined above, secured to the container.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with JO reference to the following diagrammatic drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of a manipulating device, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a three-dimensional view of the manipulating device of Figure 1 in use, removeably secured to a container;

Figure 3 is a three-dimensional view of another embodiment of a manipulating device, in accordance with the invention; and

5 Figure 4 is a three-dimensional view of the manipulating device of Figure 3 in use, removeably secured to a container.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, reference numeral 10 refers to a manipulating device in accordance with the invention.

The manipulating device 10 includes a body 1 1 comprising a spine 14 of planar shape and surface area and a handle 12 projecting cantilever-fashion from one side of the spine 14. The spine 14 defines one the other side thereof an abutment surface (not illustrated) for abutting against a side panel 23 (see Figure 4) of a container in use. The spine 14 defines securing formations in the form of two slits 16.1 , 16.2 at lengthwise opposed ends thereof. The slits 16.1 , 16.2 extend along the width, and partially into the opposed ends, being co-planar and defining flap or ear entries at opposite sides of the body 1 1. The width of the slit 16.1 , 16.2 spans the complete width of the spine 14 of the manipulating device 10. >0

The body 1 1 is of a resilient material conveniently of a suitable synthetic polymeric material, or of wood or timber.

Referring now to Figure 2 of the drawings, in use, the manipulating device 15 10 is removeably secured to a container 22 of the kind for which it is intended.

The container 22 is folded of carton which has been treated to be liquid proof and is orthogonal or box shaped. Generally, a sleeve of rectangular cross section is formed. A top and a bottom are formed by folding the ends of the sleeve over. The JO container 22 is a liquid container which includes a side panel 23, having a top and a bottom edge, and a flap or ear 24.1 , 24.2 projecting from each edge, each flap or ear being foldable about the edge from which it projects. Initially, the bottom flap or ear 24.2 may be folded along a bottom of the container 22 and adhered thereto and, if so,

that flap or ear 24.2 is folded upwardly to lie against the side panel 23 for use with the manipulating device 10.

The spacing and orientation of the slits 16.1 , 16.2 of the manipulating device 10 match the locations and orientations of the flaps 24.1 , 24.2 of the container 22.

In use, the container 22 is removeably secured to the manipulating device 10 by slidably receiving the flaps 24.1 , 24.2 of the container 22 into the slits 16.1 , 16.2 of the manipulating device 10. The slits 16.1 , 16.2, being formed in the spine 14 of resilient material, exert frictional force on the flaps 24.1 , 24.2 thereby forming frictional clamps that removeably secure the container 22 to the manipulating device 10. It is to be borne in mind that the depth of each slit 16.1 , 16.2 will be selected to be slightly less than the thickness of the flaps 24.1 , 24.2, thus ensuring that the flaps 24.1 , 24.2 are received with interference.

The handle 12, located on one side of the spine 14, is of a size and shape and is positioned to facilitate control of the liquid contents of the container 22, in use. The handle 12, when the device is secured to the container, resembles and is used >0 similarly to a handle of a jug.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a manipulating device 100, in accordance with the invention. The device 100 includes a body 102 comprising two end portions 106.1 , 106.2 interconnected and bridged by a handle 104. >5 The end portions 106.1 , 106.2 define therein the respective slits 16.1 , 16.2 and also define respective abutment surfaces (not illustrated) for abutting against the side panel 23 of the container 22.

The handle 104 is arcuate and has a generally H-shaped cross-sectional JO profile to provide rigidity and strength. Otherwise, the device 100 functions similarly or identically to the device 10.

It is envisaged that the manipulating device 10, 100 will be manufactured of a synthetics material, wood or another material of adequate or appropriate strength and

resilience. The device 10, 100 may thus be in the form of a moulding of a suitable or appropriate synthetic plastics material. If desired, especially bearing in mind that it may be required to carry a heavy load; it may be reinforced.

5 In one example of a 1.5 litre milk or juice carton, folded into box shape and containing 1.5 litre of milk or juice, the height, width and depth of the container are respectively approximately 245 mm, 90 mm and 65 mm. The surface area and dimensions of one side of the body 14 corresponding to, but being slightly shy of, the dimensions of the side of the milk carton, are about 240 mm x 60 mm. The slits 16.1 , 16.2

0 are about 35 mm deep and have a spacing of about 3.5 mm.

In another example, a 1 litre milk or juice carton measuring about 195 mm x 90 mm x 5 8mm, is catered for by a device having a body 12 of about 190 mm x 40 mm; having slits 35 mm deep with a spacing of 3.5 mm. 5

Instead, if the device 100 is used with the above described cartons, a width of the body may vary as desired, while a length of the body will be the same as that of device 10, i.e. 240 mm and 190 mm respectively.

>0 It is an advantage of the invention that a simple and compact manipulating device 10, 100 is provided to aid the manipulation of the liquid contents of a box or orthogonally shaped container of the kind described. It is expected that, in use, the manipulating device 10, 100 will be beneficial in the control and transport of the container, thereby preventing the unnecessary spillage and waste of the liquid contents of the

>5 container removeably secured to the manipulating device 10, 100. For example, the manipulating device 10, 100 when secured to such a container will be beneficial in aiding the pouring of liquid contents form that container into another container, such as a glass or the like.

JO It is also expected that the invention will be particularly advantageously applicable to the elderly and to small children, persons suffering from Parkinson's disease, or suffering from impaired motor skills.

If desired, the device 10 can be stood upright resting on the free end of the handle 12 and the corresponding end of the body 14.