Aseptic concentrated liquid beverage container

Abstract

Aspects described herein relate to single-serving containers for concentrated liquid beverages. The single-serving containers may comprise a thermoplastic polymer such as polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate. The single-serving container may include a polymer body having a top rim, a circumferential sidewall having an inner sidewall surface and an outer sidewall surface, and a circular base having an inner base surface and an outer base surface, and a multilayer lid affixed to the top rim, where the multilayered lid is affixed via a thermal seal. The seal may facilitate maintenance of aseptic conditions within the sealed cavity of the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container for storing concentrated beverages comprising:
 a polymer body having a top rim, a circumferential sidewall having an inner sidewall surface and an outer sidewall surface, and a circular base having an inner base surface and an outer base surface; and   an multilayer lid affixed to the top rim, wherein the multilayer lid is affixed via a single use thermal seal.   
     
     
         2 . The container for storing concentrated beverages of  claim 1  wherein the polymer body includes polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). 
     
     
         3 . The container for storing concentrated beverages of  claim 1 , wherein the multilayer lid includes a first layer proximate the top rim that comprises an amorphous thermoplastic polyester. 
     
     
         4 . The container for storing concentrated beverages of  claim 3 , wherein the amorphous thermoplastic polyester is an L-PET. 
     
     
         5 . The container for storing concentrated beverages of  claim 3 , wherein the multilayer lid includes a metalized second layer proximate the amorphous thermoplastic polyester. 
     
     
         6 . The container for storing concentrated beverages of  claim 1 , wherein the top rim comprises a flange that extends from the top rim in a shared plane. 
     
     
         7 . The container for storing concentrated beverages of  claim 6 , wherein a median passes perpendicularly through a center of the container, wherein the top rim includes a third point on a first side of the median and a fourth point on a second side of the median, and wherein the top rim extends tangentially from the third point toward the median and tangentially from the fourth point of toward the median to form the flange. 
     
     
         8 . The container for storing concentrated beverages of  claim 6 , wherein the flange includes a circular protrusion extending from the shared plane away from the circular base. 
     
     
         9 . The container for storing concentrated beverages of  claim 1 , wherein the top rim has an inner edge and an outer edge, and the circumferential sidewall extends from the inner edge of the top rim to the circular base. 
     
     
         10 . The container for storing concentrated beverages of  claim 9 , wherein the inner edge of the top rim has a diameter of about 43 millimeters. 
     
     
         11 . The container for storing concentrated beverages of  claim 1 , wherein the circular base includes an inner diameter and an outer diameter. 
     
     
         12 . The container for storing concentrated beverages of  claim 11 , wherein the circular base includes a downwardly extending ridge between the inner diameter and the outer diameter. 
     
     
         13 . The container for storing concentrated beverages of  claim 12 , wherein the inner diameter is about 31.5 millimeters, and the outer diameter is about 38.5 millimeters. 
     
     
         14 . The container for storing concentrated beverages of  claim 1 , wherein the outer sidewall surface is not perpendicular to the top rim or the circular base. 
     
     
         15 . The container for storing concentrated beverages of  claim 1 , wherein the outer sidewall surface extends at an angle from the top rim, and the angle is in a range of 87 degrees and 89 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The container for storing concentrated beverages of  claim 1 , further comprising an aseptic liquid enclosed within the container by the inner base surface, the inner sidewall surface and the multilayer lid. 
     
     
         17 . The container for storing concentrated beverages of  claim 16 , wherein the aseptic liquid includes at least one of glucose, fructose, sucrose, acesulfame K, aspartame, erythritol, saccharin, sorbitol, steviol glycosides, sucralose, xylitol, Mannitol, Cyclamic acid and its Na and Ca salts, Isomalt, thaumatin, or Neohesperidine DC. 
     
     
         18 . The container for storing concentrated beverages of  claim 16 , wherein the aseptic liquid includes caffeine. 
     
     
         19 . The container for storing concentrated beverages of  claim 16 , wherein the container includes a volume of the aseptic liquid in a range of 30 ml to 50 ml. 
     
     
         20 . The container for storing concentrated beverages of  claim 19 , wherein the container includes about 45 ml of the aseptic liquid.