"A chemiluminescent label"

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2006902075 filed on 20 April 2006, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

This invention relates to an illuminated beverage container and relates particularly to a container for water, soft drink, sports drinks or other beverages whereby parts, features, shapes indicia or other material associated with the container is illuminated. Manufacturers of beverages are continually looking for new ways to promote their products. One product promotional idea is to provide a light source within the beverage container. In one form, the light source may be electrically actuated by means of a switch whereby a battery located in the container base is connected to an electrical light source such as an incandescent globe or the like. It has also been proposed to provide a light source module in the form of a

"glow stick" disposed within the beverage container and operable by twisting a cap on the container. Such proposal is illustrated in WO 03/062699. However, there are inherent difficulties with introducing chimed luminescent chemicals into the product in a beverage container. It has also been proposed to provide the exterior surface of a beverage container with a phosphorescence luminescent coating to provide luminosity. However, such phosphorescent luminescent coating provides very limited light, and only after exposure of the coating to a light source.

Beverage containers, particularly those for soft drinks and sports drinks are often printed with colourful indicia to attract the attention of potential consumers. However, in a relatively dark environment, the indicia is difficult to read and its use does nothing to promote sales of the product.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved beverage container which obviates at least some of the difficulties or disadvantages of previously known or proposed containers.

It is also desirable to provide an improved container for promoting a selected beverage.

It is also desirable to provide a beverage container having unique lighting associated therewith. It is also desirable to provide a container for beverages or other products wherein indicia, structure or other features of the container are selectively illuminated.

It is also desirable to provide a beverage container which is of durable and reliable construction.

It is also desirable to provide an improved beverage container which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a chemiluminescent label comprising a pouch having a first compartment for a first chemiluminescent component, and a second compartment for a second chemiluminescent component associated with said first compartment, whereby at least one of said first and second compartments is adapted for pressure activation such that said first and second chemiluminescent components react to provide a source of illumination.

The pouches may have a thickness of the order of several microns up to one or two millimetres, depending on the nature of the container.

In other embodiments, one compartment may include an absorbent material to which a chemiluminescent component has been applied. The second chemiluminescent component to be reacted with the absorbed component will be of liquid form so as to be able to flow across the absorbent material.

The pouch may include a mixing chamber wherein the mixing chamber communicates directly with both the second and first compartments via frangible walls separating the first and second compartments from the mixing chamber. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first and second compartments are overlayed or placed effectively one on top of the other such that they are adapted for simultaneous activation when compression or pressure is applied from a single pressure point to the foremost compartment where such pressure is communicated from the first compartment through to the second compartment via the single pressure point.

The mixing chamber may be positioned adjacent to both the overlayed first and second compartments so as to provide simultaneous communication with both the first and second compartments via respective frangible walls.

The outer wall of the pouch may be provided in transparent and light transmittable materials so as to be adapted for transmitting illumination emanating from the first or second compartments or most preferably light emanating from the mixing chamber as a result of the chemiluminescence.

The outer wall of the pouch may include a transparent portion specifically positioned over the mixing chamber so as to allow transmission of light emanating from the mixing chamber to the transparent label.

The frangible walls communicating between the first compartment and the mixing chamber and the second compartment and the mixing chamber preferably comprise a rigid membrane where the rigid membrane includes a localised frangible region. In another aspect the invention provides a beverage container incorporating the chemiluminescent label as previously described. The container may include a side wall, the outer surface of which is provided with the chemiluminescent label. The container side wall may include a recess for housing the pouch of the label.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the beverage container is formed with indentations or recesses in the outer surface of the side wall. Such indentations or recesses may have a shallow depth of several microns to one or two millimetres, and may be of any desired shape or outline depicting a letter, sign, character, idiogram, pictogram, hieroglyphic, picture or the like.

In a further embodiment, one of the first and second compartments comprise one or more labels that are adhered to the outer surface of the compartment to sandwich the other compartment between the label and the side wall outer surface. The side wall may have indentations or recesses to receive a pouch or the like containing one of the chemiluminescent components. Alternatively, an indentation or recess may form one wall of a compartment the other wall of which is an outer membrane covering the indentation or recess and separating the chemiluminescent component within the recess from the first compartment associated with the label. Pressure on the label is sufficient to rupture the membrane to activate the chemiluminescent components.

In another aspect the container of the invention may be provided with a pouch of the label sitting proud of the container's side wall. The label may be fitted to the container either vertically or horizontally. In this embodiment, the outer wall of the pouch and transparent label are provided on the upward directed side of the pouch pointing away from the container.

In another aspect the container of the invention may be provided with the label having a pouch housed within a retro-fittable sleeve adapted to slide onto the beverage container. This sleeve may be double skinned with an outer skin having at least one vision port and one pressure port adapted to accommodate the pouch and mixing chamber in a manner allowing communication with the outer skin of the device.

In embodiments of the invention incorporating a sleeve or a label, the sleeve or label may be adhered or welded to the side wall outer surface to seal a chemiluminescent component between the sleeve/label and the side wall outer surface.

In order that the invention is more readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a drink container incorporating features of one embodiment of the present invention with a pouch housing recess formed into the bottle or beverage container;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of Figure 1 dissecting the pouch;

Figure 3 shows the affect of the label when activated;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention with the pouch housed within the label per se; Figure 5 shows the affect of the label when activated;

Figure 6 shows a variation of Figure 5 with the label mounted horizontally around the bottle; and

Figure 7 is another embodiment with a sleeve adapted to house the label per se.

Legend

12. Container

14. Side wall

15. Outer wall

16. Screw cap

17. Outer surface

18. Indentation/recess

19. Pouches

20. Mixing chamber

21. Transparent label

22. Sleeve

23. First compartments

24. Second compartments

25. Pressure point

26. Frangible wall

28. Main label

29. Outer skin

31. Cover

32. Vision port

33. Pressure port

Referring now to the figures and legend, the invention provides ^' a chemiluminescent label particularly adapted for application or installation to a beverage container. The light source is provided by the mixing of two chemiluminescent components within a pouch and the particular configuration of the label and the pouch provides one aspect of the invention. The application or installation of the chemiluminescent label to the beverage container forms another aspect of the invention with the various methods of application of the label to the container.

Chemiluminescence is the emission of light without emission of heat as the result of a chemical reaction. Basically a chemical emits light when mixed with an oxidizing agent.

Examples

1. Luminol + hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ) gives a striking blue glow (used in crime investigations for example).

2. Typical yellow composition:- Oxalate component:

Dibutyl Phthalate 88.6% CPPO (luminescer) 11.1% CBPEA (fluorescer) 0.3% Activator component: Dimetyl Phthalate 81.4%

T-butyl alcohol 13.3%

90% H ₂ O ₂ 5.29%

Sodium Salicilate 0.01%

3. Typical light stick composition: - Oxalate: bis(2,3,5-trichloro-6-carbonpentoxyphenyl) oxalate mixed with dibutyl phthalate

Activator: dimethylphtalate+ tert-butanol+ sodium salicilate+ hydrogen peroxide

The light stick contains three parts oxalate and one part activator From the literature reviewed, the chemiluminescent reaction can take place between -4O ⁰ C and +75 ⁰ C.

By means of appropriate doses of the different reactants it is possible to adjust the duration and intensity of illumination. By shortening the duration of illumination, a much more intense light is obtained. The activator component (also called oxidizer) can be latent and in this case it needs a transition metal to switch it to an active oxidizer on contact.

The physical method of generating chemiluminescent light is most preferably the extemporaneous method.

This method consists in use of the chemiluminescent light by extemporaneous mixing of the reactants, which is not carried out until the moment that light is needed.

The two reactants may be two liquids separated until the light is needed (one of the reactants is closed in an ampoule, the two reactants are separated by a membrane, etc). Another way to keep the two reactants from mixing before needed, is to absorb one into a non- woven article of the intended shape and having the other one closed in an ampoule, a pouch, etc.

If two liquid reactants separated by a membrane are used, the external wall of the cavity containing the reactants must preferably be sufficiently flexible to be compressible and to regain its shape afterward.

The membrane that separates the reactants must be sufficiently rigid and brittle to break under the pressure of compressed liquid and it should preferably have zones of fragility specially required to facilitate its rupture.

Or, if a more elastic membrane is preferred, one or more points or sharp edged elements may be located fixed to the internal surface or one of the external walls so that they can pierce the membrane when compressed. If one of the reactants is to be absorbed in a non-woven article, the article is preferably chemically inert: eg: polyolefin fibres (polyethylene, polypropylene, etc). Polyethylene is preferred because it can be formed into a non-woven mat by compression or it is formed into a porous condition. Available under "Porox" or "Porous Poly" from Porex Technology, USA.

Polyester fibres (polyethylene glycol terephthalate, poly 1,4- cyclohexane dimetanol terephthalate, etc). These can be formed into a non-woven article by compacting fibres, for example.

Glass fibre- preferred when a high volume of light is desired over a short period of time.

Referring firstly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a first embodiment of the invention is shown with a chemiluminescent label applied within a recess 18 formed in the side wall 14 of a beverage container 12. The chemiluminescent label comprises a generally pouch configured device 19 which is more clearly detailed in cross section as shown in Figure 2 where the pouch is seen to fit within a recess 18 formed within the side wall 14. The pouch 19 includes a first compartment 23 for holding a first chemiluminescent

component. Formed immediately beneath the first compartment is a second compartment 24 adapted for holding a second chemiluminescent component where the first and second chemiluminescent components are adapted to react to form the chemiluminescent reaction. The pouch is further provided with an adjacent mixing chamber 20 which is positioned adjacent both the first and adapted for communication therewith, via separate and independently frangible walls 26. The frangible walls separate both the first and second compartments from the mixing chamber which prior to activation, retains the chemiluminescent components within the first and second compartments and the mixing chamber remains empty. The positioning of the first and second compartments, one on top of the other, and the adjacent positioning of the mixing chamber allows for the simultaneous rupturing of the first and second compartments once pressure is applied to a pressure point 25 on top of the first compartment 23. The frangible wall 26 comprises a membrane of substantially rigid construction but including localised frangible regions such that the application of pressure to the pressure point 25 compresses the contents of the first compartment 23, thereby bursting the frangible region allowing the first chemiluminescent component to enter into the mixing chamber. Further application to the pressure point ruptures the second compartment 24 thereby allowing the second chemiluminescent component to be forced into the mixing chamber such that the turbulence and mixing action within the chamber thoroughly and completely mixes the two chemiluminescent components and affects the complete and thorough chemiluminescent reaction. The provision of sufficient strength to the wall separating the first and second compartments ensures mixing only occurs via the mixing chamber.

In order to ensure the visual transmission of the chemiluminescent light reaction, the outer wall 15 of the pouch 19 is made of substantially transparent materials so as to make up a transparent label 21. The transparent label will most preferably occupy the bulk of the outer wall 15 of the pouch but may extend onto the main label region 28 of the container 12. In particular, the outer wall 15 will be provided with the transparent region immediately above the mixing chamber 20 which is where the bulk of the chemiluminescence will occur.

The pouch may be held in place via an adhesive directly applied between the recess and the pouch. Alternatively, the recess can be held in place by a transparent label 21 adhered over the pouch and around the container 12.

The label of the invention may be integrated or incorporated with the main label 28 on a container as is shown in Figure 3. The pressure point 25 can be clearly indicated on the main label overlaying the pressure point 25 as associated with the first

and second compartments 23 and 24. The mixing chamber can correspond with the outer wall 15 and transparent label part 21 such that pressure applied to the pressure point 25 by a user's thumb or finger, will cause the chemiluminescent reaction and thereby affect the illumination of the indicia on the label as shown in Figure 3. Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 where the pouch component of the label is housed within the label itself such that the illuminated label sits proud of the container 12 as clearly shown in the cross section view of Figure 4 the chemiluminescent label of this embodiment will be adapted for adhesion to the main label 28 and the positioning of the transparent label 21 and outer wall 15 providing transparent transmission of the chemiluminescent light will be positioned on the bulbous side of the pouch as an effective reversal of the configuration of the previous embodiment. To all other intents and purposes, the performance and action of the label is identical in this embodiment to the previously described embodiment. The benefits of this embodiment include the ability to physically highlight the label as it clearly stands proud of side wall 14 of the container 12. The chemiluminescent label of this embodiment could be positioned either vertically or horizontally on the container and could be adapted for retro-fitting to a range of readily available beverage containers and would not require the moulding and production of a dedicated container including a recess as would be the case in the previous embodiment.

Referring now to Figure 6, the chemiluminescent label could be applied as a tamper evident feature with a peelable function of the label, allowing the user to check prior to purchase for any evidence.

A further embodiment of the container is shown in Figure 7, where the pouch of the chemiluminescent label is housed within concentric sleeves 22 which are adapted for retro-fitting by sliding onto the body of a container 12. The coaxial sleeves 22 would house the chemiluminescent pouch 19 and the outer skin 29 of the sleeve 22 would be provided with apertures or ports including pressure ports 25 where pressure can be applied to the first and second compartments through the pressure port and vision ports 32 which correspond with the positioning of the mixing chamber 20 so as to allow ready transmission of chemiluminescence.

The advantages of this particular configuration include the ability to retrofit to a wide range of beverage containers. The space available between the concentric skins of the sleeve 22 would allow the provision of a multitude of chemiluminescent pouches providing a range of colours, shapes and configurations for chemiluminescent glow. A range of readily available containers, the intensity of the glow could be varied

as well as the timing of the glow and the areas for the chemical glow could be provided as desired in the cardboard sleeve to add to the interest of the chemiluminescent.

It will be appreciated that any chemiluminescent material may be used in the performance of the invention. Different chemiluminescent components will produce illumination of different colours. Accordingly, the illumination provided by the invention may be of varying colours depending on the desired result. Appropriate chemiluminescent components are well known in the art, such as those disclosed in

United States Patent No 4,814,949, or disclosed in Australian Patent Application No

2004268247. Subject to the nature of the chemiluminescent components, the depth of any recess in embodiments of the invention or the thickness of pockets or pouches containing the chemiluminescent components, may vary from several microns to several millimetres. The recesses, or indentations, may be formed in the outer surface

17 of a side wall 14 of a container with the inner surface of the side wall 14 being smooth. Alternatively, the indentations or recesses may be formed by moulding the side wall 14 of the appropriate shape such that the recess or indentation 18 also appears on the inner surface of the side wall.

It will also be appreciated that the use of a sleeve or label is relatively simple and enables the beverage container to be produced in a relatively simple manner without the need for double side walls or the like. A sleeve may be detachably fitted to an existing container or made part of a labelling design embedded onto or forming an outer surface for a container.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.