BACKGROUND ART Generally, a conventional cup-type container for holding liquid material is designed having an opened top that is sealed by a thin film or a separated lid. This is material-consuming, making it complicated in a filling line.

To solve the problem, a well-known carton pack has been widely used. However, to use the well-known carton pack, the beverage production company (or other liquid material production company) may a carton pack forming line in addition to a filling line. Therefore, it is difficult for a medium or small company to employ such carton pack due to the costs and space for setting the carton pack forming line.

That is, the carton packs are delivered to the production company in a state where they are folded to be flat for the delivery

advantage. Therefore, the company needs an additional cup-type in the carton pack forming line.

To solve the problems, U. S. Patent Nos. 4,714, 164 and 4,761, 156 discloses carton packs that are designed to be delivered to the filling company in a state where they are formed in a cup-type. For the delivery, the carton packs formed in the cup-type are stacked in a multi-stage and delivered to the filling company.

However, when the cup-type carton packs are staked one another, since vacuum is applied between the packs, there may be a problem in separating the packs in the filling lines, resulting in the filling error.

Furthermore, since the packs are made of carton, they may be deformed and damaged in the course of delivery. In addition, the cup-type carton pack is formed by adhering at least two attaching sides with each other. Therefore, if the attaching sides are not perfectly coated, alien liquid material may be absorbed into the attaching sides to deteriorates the quality of the products.

In addition, if the liquid products company wants to provide a spout to the carton pack, a spout has to be specially prepared and abutted to the carton pack. This deteriorates the manufacturing

efficiency and increases the costs.

The carton pack is made of natural pulp, wasting the natural resources.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Therefore, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-described problems of the prior art.

It is a first objective of the present invention to provide a cup-type container formed in a single body through an injection molding process, thereby making the manufacturing process simple and improving the seal capability.

It is a second objective of the present invention to provide a cup-type container that is designed to be stackable and provided with vacuum preventing means for preventing the vacuum generation between the containers when they are stacked one another, thereby making it easy to pick up the containers one-by-one in a production line such as a filling line.

It is a third objective of the present invention to provide a cup-type container that is designed to be foldable so that it can be, after the use, disposed in a state where it is folded to be compact.

To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides

a cup-type container for holding liquid material comprising a main body for storing the liquid material; a closer body for sealing the main body ; and at least two horizontal folding lines formed between the main body and the closer body so that the closer body is folded such that at least two faces of the closer body contact each other and are sealed through a thermal-sealing process, wherein the main body and the closer body are integrally formed of resin through one of injection and blower molding processes.

The main body and the closer body are formed in a shape selected from the group consisting of an exact square pillar shape, a rectangular square pillar shape, a cylindrical shape, an oval shape.

The cup-type container may further comprise a spouting portion formed on the closer body, wherein the spouting portion is also integrally formed with the container in the course of one of the injection and blower molding processes for molding the container.

Preferably, the container is tapered such that the circumference is reduced as it goes downward, thereby making it possible for the container to be stacked on another container.

The main body may be provided with a stacking stopper for preventing stacked containers from tightly contacting.

Preferably, the spouting portion is formed of a spouting hole to be sealed by a thin film, or formed by forming a portion of the closer body to be thinner than other portions so that the thin portion can be easily punctuated by a straw. The spouting portion may be formed of a screw body coupled by a cap for the seal.

The closer body includes first, second, third and fourth closer walls divided by vertical folding lines and first, second, third and fourth lower seal walls respectively extending from tops of the first, second, third and fourth closer walls with a first seal folding line formed between the closer walls and the lower seal walls, the lower seal walls being designed to be folded by the first seal folding line to be overlapped and sealed after a filling process, the first and third lower seal walls facing each other being respectively provided at their middle portions with first and second vertical folding lines.

The closer body further includes first and second upper seal walls extending from tops of the second and fourth lower seal walls facing each other with a second seal folding line formed between the lower seal walls and the upper seal wall.

The closer body is further provided with inclined folding lines formed on the first and third closer walls, the inclined folding lines on

the first closer wall being formed extending from the lower end of the vertical folding line of the first lower seal wall to opposite ends of the corresponding horizontal folding line and the inclined folding lines on the third closer wall being formed extending from the lower end of the vertical folding line of the third lower seal wall to opposite ends of the corresponding horizontal folding line.

The main body and the closer body are provided with plural vertical folding lines so that the container can be folded to be flat for the purpose of disposal.

The plural vertical folding lines comprises first and second central vertical folding line formed on two facing walls of the container.

The closer body is further provided with inclined folding lines on the second and fourth closer walls.

First and second disposal vertical folding lines are further formed extending from lower ends of the vertical folding lines to the bottom of the container.

The main body is further provided with inclined folding lines extending from a certain height of the vertical folding lines to opposite ends of the corresponding bottom lines of the main body and a central folding line formed on a bottom of the main body to connect lower ends of the vertical folding lines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cup-type container according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of cup-type containers stacked one another according to a first embodiment of the present invention, w FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cup-type container according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the cup-type

container is sealed; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cup-type container according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the cup-type container is opened to discharge the contents ; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cup-type container folded to be disposed according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cup-type container according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cup-type container according to a second embodiment of the present invention ; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cup-type container according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in which the cup-type container is sealed ; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cup-type container according to a third embodiment of the present invention ; FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cup-type container according to the third embodiment of the present invention, in which the cup-type container is sealed ; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cup-type container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention ;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cup-type container according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which the cup-type container is sealed ; FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a cup-type container according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which the cup-type container is sealed in a modified example ; and FIGS. 13 to 18 are views illustrating a variety of modified examples of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described more in detail hereinafter in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 5 shows a cup-type container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The inventive cup-type container comprises a square pillar shaped main body 100 and a square pillar shaped closer body 200 integrally extending from the main body 100 with horizontal folding lines 201 formed therebetween. That is, the square pillar shaped main body 100 includes a rectangular bottom 101 and first, second, third and fourth

body walls 102,103, 104 and 105 extending upward from the bottom 101.

The square pillar shaped closer body 200 includes first, second, third and fourth closer walls 102', 103', 104'and 105'respectively extending upward from the first, second, third and fourth body walls 102,103, 104 and 105. The first, second, third and fourth closer walls 102', 103', 104'and 105'are integrally formed with each other with vertical folding lines VL formed therebetween. The horizontal folding lines 201 are formed between the body walls and the closer walls. Preferably, the main body 100 and the closer body 200 are integrally formed through an injection molding process. A first rectangular seal portion 203 is integrally formed on a rectangular top of the square pillar shaped closer body 200 with first seal folding lines 202 formed therebetween. That is, the first rectangular seal portion 203 includes first, second, third and fourth seal walls 102", 103", 104"and 105". A second seal portion 204 is formed on a top of the first seal portion 203 with second seal folding lines 205 formed therebetween. The second seal portion 204 includes first and second sub-seal walls 204 and 204'that are integrally extending from the facing tops of the second and fourth seal walls 103" and 105". Vertical inward folding lines 206 are vertically formed on middle portions of the first and third seal walls 102"and 104".

In addition, inclined inward folding lines 207 are formed on the first and third closer walls 102'and 104'. The inclined inward folding lines 207 on the first closer wall 102'are formed extending from the lower end of the vertical inward folding line 206 on the first seal walls 102"to opposite ends of the horizontal folding line 201 between the first body wall 102 and the first closer wall 102'. The inclined inward folding lines 207 on the third closer wall 104'are formed extending from the lower end of the vertical inward folding line 206 on the third seal walls 102"to opposite ends of the horizontal folding line 201 between the third body wall 104 and the third closer wall 104'.

Preferably, inclined outward folding lines 207 may be formed on the second and fourth closer walls 103'and 105'. The inclined outward folding line 207 on the second closer wall 103'is formed extending from a mid-point of the first seal folding line 202 between the second closer wall 103'and the second seal wall 103"to one end, abutting to the horizontal folding line 201 formed between the first body wall 102 and the first closer wall 102', of the horizontal folding line 201 formed between the second body wall 103 and the second closer wall 103'.

The inclined outward folding line 207 on the fourth closer wall 105'is formed extending from a mid-point of the first seal folding line 202

between the fourth closer wall 105'and the fourth weal wall 105"to one end, abutting to the horizontal folding line 201 between the first body wall 102 and the first closer wall 102', of the horizontal folding line 201 formed between the fourth body wall 105 and the fourth closer wall 105'.

Vertical outward folding lines 209 are respectively formed extending from upper ends of the inclined outward folding lines 208 to tops of the first and second seal portions 204 and 204'.

In the above, the inward folding lines 206 and 207 are used during a sealing process of the container and the outward folding lines 208 and 209 are used during an opening process for the discharge of the liquid contents.

Further preferably, for the purpose of the disposal of the container after the use, vertical folding lines L are further formed on the first and third body walls 102 and 104 and the first and third closer wall 102'and 104'. The vertical folding line L formed over the first body wall 102 and the first closer wall 102'is formed extending from a lower end of the vertical inward folding line 206 on the first seal wall 102"to the bottom of the main body 101. The vertical folding line L formed over the third body wall 104 and the third closer wall 104'is formed extending from a lower end of the vertical inward folding line 206 on the

third seal wall 104"to the bottom of the main body 101.

In addition, inclined folding lines L2 are further formed on the first and third body walls 102 and 104. The inclined folding lines L2 on the first body wall 102 are formed extending from a certain height of the vertical folding line L on the first body wall 102 to opposite ends of the bottom 101. The inclined folding lines L2 on the third body wall 102 are also formed extending from a certain height of the vertical folding line L on the third body wall 102 to opposite ends of the bottom 101. A bottom folding line L'is formed connecting lower ends of the vertical folding lines L to each other. An edge the bottom is also provided with a periphery folding line L3. Sub-inclined folding lines may be formed on the bottom 101 of the container 1, corresponding to the inclined folding lines on the first and third body walls 102 and 103 on the bottom 101.

The detailed description of the above-described folding lines for the container disposal will be described later on.

FIG. 2 shows a view illustrating a state where the containers of the present invention are stacked.

The containers 1 of the present invention are designed being stacked one another so as to improve their delivery to the beverage or

other liquid production line.

For the stack of the containers, it is preferable that the container 1 is formed in a tapered-shape, being reduced in its circumference as it goes downward.

FIG. 3 shows a view illustrating a state where the container of the present invention is sealed after the filling process.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the closer body 200 of the container 1 is folded on the basis of the folding lines 201,202, 206 and 207 such that the seal walls 102", 103", 104"and 105"contact each other at their inner surface and the sub-seal walls 204 and 204'contact each other at their inner surface. Then, through a thermal sealing process, the seal walls 102", 103", 104"and 105"and the sub-seal walls 204 and 204' are bonded to each other, thereby completing the seal of the container as shown in FIG. 3.

Since the opening process for opening the container to drink the contained beverage or use the liquid products as shown in FIG. 4 is identical to that in the conventional carton pack, the detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.

In the above embodiment, the sub-seal walls 204 and 204'can be designed thicker than other portions so as to enhance the seal effect by

the thermal sealing process.

FIG. 5 shows a view illustrating a container of the present invention is folded to be flat for the disposal after the use.

As shown in the drawings, the container is folded on the basis of the folding lines VL, L, LI, L2, and L3 for the disposal. When the container is folded, it is space-saving for the trash container or the delivery to the recycling center.

FIG. 6 shows a cup-type container according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

A container 1 of this embodiment is identical to that of the first embodiment except that the main body 100 and the closer body 200 are formed in a cylindrical-shape. In addition, horizontal folding lines 201 between the main body 100 and the closer body 200 are arc-shaped downward.

Furthermore, a lower portion of the inner wall of the main body 100 is provided with a stopper projection 101 for preventing the stacked containers 1 from closely contacting. The close contact between the containers 1 may cause vacuum to be formed between the containers, making it difficult to separate the containers in the filling line.

Since other folding lines of this embodiment are identically

formed to those of the first embodiment, the detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.

Therefore, the container of this embodiment is sealed as shown in FIG. 7. When the container is designed with a cylindrical shape, the exterior appearance of the container can be further improved.

FIG. 8 shows a cup-type container according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

A cup-type container of this embodiment is identical to that of the first embodiment except that at least two body walls 102 and 104 are formed in a circular shape while other two body walls 103 and 105 are formed in a flat shape.

In this case, for the folding convenience of the closer body, the horizontal folding lines between the body walls 102 and 104 and the closer walls 102'and 104'are formed in an arc-shape downward.

The container of this embodiment is sealed as shown in FIG. 9.

When the container is designed with a cylindrical shape, the exterior appearance of the container can be further improved.

FIG. 10 shows a cup-type container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

A cup-type container of this embodiment is similar to that of

the first embodiment.

However, there is not second seal portion in this embodiment.

In addition, while the inclined folding lines 207 in the first embodiment are designed to be outwardly folded, inclined folding lines 207 of this embodiment is designed to be inwardly folded.

Furthermore, while the horizontal folding lines 201 of the first embodiment are designed to be inwardly folded, at least two horizontal folding lines 201'facing each other in this embodiment are designed to be outwardly folded.

Meanwhile, while the horizontal section of the first embodiment is an exact square, the horizontal section of this embodiment is a rectangular square.

Therefore, the container of this embodiment is sealed as shown in FIG. 11.

That is, in the sealing process, the closer body is folded on the basis of the inward folding lines 201'and 207 such that the seal portion 203 to be overlapped on the basis of the folding line 209. The overlapped portion of the seal portion 203 is sealed by a thermal-sealing process, and then bent in a direction. Then, the closer body is further folded on the basis of the outward folding lines 201, thereby being

sealed as shown in FIG. 11.

Since the other portions that are not described above are identical to those of the first embodiment, the detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.

In the fourth embodiment, the sealing process can be finished by sealing the overlapped portion of the seal portion 203, thereby sealing the container as shown in FIG. 12. In this case, there is no need for the folding lines 207,201 depicted in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 shows a modified example of a container similar to the first embodiment. The container of this example further comprises a spout portion C integrally formed on the closer body 200. As the container of the present invention is made of resin through an injection or blower molding process, the spout portion C can be integrally formed with the container through a single molding process. The spout portion C is closed by a cap (not shown).

That is, when the container is made of carton as conventionally, the spout portion should be specially prepared and then attached on the carton container. This makes the manufacturing process complicated, while deteriorating the productivity and increasing the costs.

However, in the present invention, since the spout portion C is

integrally formed during the molding process, the manufacturing process is very simple and the manufacturing costs can be saved.

FIG. 14 shows another modified example of the container similar to that of the second embodiment. In this example, a spout portion 220 is also integrally formed with the closer body.

FIG. 15 shows still another modified example of the container similar to that of the first embodiment.

In this example, a spout hole-forming portion 210 is provided on the closer body 200. The spout hole-forming portion 210 is formed thinner than other portion so that it can be punctuated by, for example, a straw.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show yet another modified example of the container similar to that of the first embodiment.

In this example, the bottom of the container is opened that will be sealed by a bottom closer 102. In this case, the containers are stacked and delivered to the filling line in a state where the closer body is sealed as shown in FIG. 17.

In addition, a one-touch opening spout portion 300 is integrally formed on the closer body 200 through the injection or blower molding process.

FIG. 18 shows another modified example of the container similar to that of the fourth embodiment.

In this example, a spout hole 212 is formed on the closer body and the spout hole 212 is sealed by a detachable thin film 213.

INDUSTRICAL APPLICABILITY As described above, since the cup-type container of the present invention is made of resin and formed through the injection or blower molding process, the productivity is improved. In addition, since the container is delivered to the filling line in a state where it is formed in a cup-shape, the structure of the filling line can be simplified, saving the facility cost and space for the filling line.