Box for bottles

Abstract

A box (1) for bottles, made of plastic and comprising: an internal cold accumulator reservoir (2) configured to retain a cooling medium; and a structure (4) comprising at least four external walls (41, 42), a lower base (43), and two or more compartments each configured to house and retain a bottle. The box (1) also comprises indicator means comprising a first heat-sensitive ink imprint located on a portion of one of the external walls (41, 42) of the box (1) structure (4). The cooling medium is configured to exchange heat with an environment outside the box (1) and with the bottles housed in the compartments, and the first heat-sensitive ink imprint is configured to be displayed only when said imprint is at a temperature within a defined first temperature range.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] BOX FOR BOTTLES

[0003] TECHNICAL SECTOR

[0004] The present invention consists of a box, specially designed to contain and store bottles, wherein said box comprises cooling means configured to maintain the elements contained inside the bottles at a specific temperature, or within a specific temperature range, for a longer time than in a normal box lacking such cooling means.

[0005] The invention falls within the sector of packaging and containment of beverage containers, such as glass bottles, as well as the sector of containers or packaging that passively maintain a constant temperature of the contained product.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Although there are a large number of products, packaging procedures and / or retention systems for beverage containers in the market for transport and storage, new ways to facilitate transport and storage for the user are being developed every day, based on new needs and emerging regulations.

[0008] They are well known in the market, due to their use in mayohtaho, the boxes or crates used for the transport and storage of glass bottles, such as those used to package beer bottles of different sizes, such as 20 ml, 33 ml, 50 ml or 1 liter.

[0009] These boxes are usually made of rigid plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, because they provide excellent structural support for the contents and are also easy to use due to their light weight, ease of stacking and manufacturing, and, above all, their ability to be reused repeatedly. In short, they are the most widely used because they possess the most suitable characteristics for their intended purpose. Manufacturers have developed and continue to develop these boxes in various ways, such as by focusing on user convenience, adjusting the size or volume for storage, or facilitating gripping and stacking.

[0010] There are also items on the market known as cold storage units. These are devices that contain fluids or gels which can cool to very low temperatures when placed in freezers or other very cold environments. They release a large amount of their heat, even freezing or solidifying, so they can be used in warmer environments, absorbing heat from their surroundings.

[0011] These tanks are used, for example, and very commonly, in portable refrigerators, allowing the products to be stored in these refrigerators to be kept at a refrigerated temperature for longer, passively, when they are in warm environments.

[0012] Similarly, there are also the so-called cold or hot packs, which are flexible cold containers that contain fluids or gels inside, whose purpose is their use in thermal treatments of cold or heat, on the user, to relieve pains that they may have.

[0013] Each type of cold storage container has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on its intended use. Some containers are rigid, made of rigid plastic or metal, while others are flexible, like the bags mentioned.

[0014] On the other hand, the cooling media introduced into these tanks can be as simple as water, which can freeze, solidifying, when its temperature drops below 0°C, or antifreeze compounds and / or gels can be used that comprise elements that prevent freezing, to facilitate their subsequent use, as well as possible breakage due to expansion when frozen.

[0015] All these products are well-known to any user, as is the option of placing these cooling units in boxes or containers holding products that need to be kept refrigerated. However, boxes or drawers for bottles or other beverage containers designed with an integrated or integrable cooling unit to maintain these beverages at a typical serving temperature are not widely known.

[0016] A refrigerant is a eutectic solution composed of water and mineral salts. The quality and concentration of the mineral salts allow for the modification of the freezing point of water. This allows for the adjustment of the temperature of the eutectic plates arranged in the insulated boxes.

[0017] Water freezes at a temperature of 0°C or lower. In contrast, a eutectic solution has a freezing point 5°C below its melting point. Similarly, a eutectic plate with a melting point of -21°C freezes at a temperature of -26°C or lower.

[0018] Viscous agents are often incorporated into the eutectic liquid, giving it a more pasty consistency. This is then referred to as a cooling gel. During the manufacturing phase, the gel allows for the homogenization of the eutectic product within the insulated containers: the salts are evenly distributed throughout the liquid, and the concentration is consistent, resulting in a high-quality eutectic gel. The gel state improves the defrosting time of the container, or more precisely, the time during which it absorbs heat from a food product or other item, and the restored temperature is more stable in insulated containers with eutectic gel.

[0019] Normally, when a user wants to keep a set of containers, such as glass beer bottles, at a chilled temperature in a non-refrigerated environment, they must remove the bottles from the box they are transported in and place them in a larger container with ice packs or ice. In other words, the box in which the bottles are usually transported is not designed to also hold ice packs to maintain the stored bottles at a low temperature. This gives rise to a need and the main objective of this invention: to provide a box or drawer for holding and storing bottles, or other containers with similar physical characteristics, such as cans, bottles, or jars, at a chilled temperature for a longer period in a non-refrigerated or cold environment.On the other hand, this situation highlights another drawback, generally present in all packaging of products that are consumed at a specific temperature, and that is the user's lack of knowledge about whether the product is at that temperature until they consume it.

[0020] To solve this problem, the industry uses various methods, such as contact and non-contact thermometers, which allow you to measure the temperature and check if it is within the correct range. The industry also uses thermochromic or heat-sensitive ink, which is designed to change its appearance, becoming visible or hidden, depending on the temperature of the printed area. This technology can be used, for example, to apply labels to packaging, such as bottles, of consumer products, providing the user with information about whether the product's temperature is optimal.However, the presence of these heat-sensitive prints on containers, such as boxes or drawers, that hold and store these containers like bottles, is not well known in the sector, forcing the user to take one of these containers out of the box to find out if the product is at a suitable temperature.

[0021] Thermochromic inks have the characteristic of reversibly changing color with temperature. This color change occurs within a specific temperature range. Depending on the temperature, they change color. If the temperature rises or falls, the color appears, disappears, or changes to another color. These high-quality inks are generally developed for printing temperature indicators on beverages. Furthermore, they can be used in both hot and cold environments, making numerous applications possible. Their most notable feature is their reversibility; when the cold source is removed, the ink returns to its original color.

[0022] EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The invention consists of a box or crate specially configured or designed to hold and store bottles, such as those used on the market for packaging and holding glass bottles of beer or soft drinks, of different sizes, ranging from 20 ml to one liter. This box is made of plastic, like the most commonly used boxes in the sector, and is open at the top, which facilitates stacking, end use, and transport. Preferably, and as is usually the case, it is manufactured from plastic using an injection molding process, where the plastic is a rigid polymer at room temperature, such as polypropylene or polyethylene.

[0024] The box includes an internal cold storage compartment, configured to hold a cooling medium. In other words, the box contains a container for a product or cooling medium, as defined in the background information, which can be cooled when placed in a refrigerator or refrigerated space. This allows the products packaged in the box to maintain a cold temperature for a longer period than if the box did not have the internal compartment, once it is removed from the refrigerated space.

[0025] The box also comprises a structure which, in turn, comprises at least four external walls, a lower base, and two or more compartments (spaces, gaps, or open cavities) configured, each of said compartments, to house and retain a bottle, which is to be placed, preferably, in a longitudinal position (or standing up, as it is commonly known).

[0026] The four walls and the base serve the structural purpose of holding the bottles, similar to the walls or bases of existing cooler boxes on the market. These walls and the base do not necessarily have to be continuous flat surfaces; they can include sections with mesh, perforations, or grids to reduce weight and allow viewing the interior of the box without looking through the top, provided that the walls and base effectively retain the bottles and provide the necessary support. However, ideally, both the side walls and the base are continuous flat surfaces without perforations, which provides greater structural stability and reduces heat loss compared to cooler boxes with grids.

[0027] This configuration of continuous flat surfaces allows the box structure to have a watertight internal cavity, enabling ice to be added inside without it escaping due to thawing. In other words, in a preferred embodiment, the internal cavity defined by the plastic walls of the box structure is watertight, as these walls are continuous flat surfaces joined at their perimeters, without openings or holes through which a liquid could flow. Thus, if ice is placed in this cavity, along with the containers (bottles) inside the compartments, and the ice melts and turns into water, the water will not spill out of the box's internal cavity.

[0028] Boxes currently on the market, like the one of the present invention, can have varying numbers of compartments, although they typically range from 12 to 24 compartments for the same number of bottles. When full, their weight and volume allow for relatively easy transport. The number of compartments is related to the row and column arrangement within the box. For example, a box with 24 compartments might have 4 rows by 6 columns. Therefore, boxes with a prime number of compartments are not common.

[0029] Preferably, the box of the invention comprises between 5 and 12 compartments, but more preferably, it comprises 9 compartments for as many bottles. This number 9 compartments is not arbitrary, and is not only related to ease of transport and use by the user, as it results in a lighter weight than usual, but is especially relevant to the invention, since it allows for a rectangular arrangement of three rows by three columns. This arrangement, in turn, allows 8 of the bottles to be placed against one wall of the box structure, with a central bottle in contact with these 8 peripheral bottles. In this way, the thermal distribution is very even across all the bottles in the box, and the walls of the box are at a uniform temperature.

[0030] The cooling medium, which may be located in the internal reservoir, is designed to exchange heat with the external environment of the box and with the bottles stored inside. Specifically, the cooling medium can exchange heat with the external environment, for example, when the box (with the reservoir) is placed inside a refrigerator (with the bottles inside). As the cooling medium cools, it transfers its heat to the surrounding environment (as well as any heat from the bottles). Similarly, the cooling medium can also exchange heat with the bottles stored inside the compartments. For example, when the box with the bottles is removed from the refrigerator and placed in a warmer environment, the cooling medium absorbs heat from the bottles, which is then transferred to the warmer environment.

[0031] Clearly, the box design is intended to facilitate the heat transfer described, maximizing thermal transmission, as needed, between the cooling medium, the bottles, and the surrounding environment. However, it is unavoidable that the cooling medium will release some cold into the environment, in addition to the bottles, when the box is moved from a refrigerated environment to a warmer one. In other words, the heat exchange between the cooling medium and the bottles is not 100% efficient; there are losses from the cooling medium to the environment, just as there are losses from the bottles to the environment. Nevertheless, the box's design prioritizes minimizing these losses.

[0032] To maximize heat exchange, preferably, the inner reservoir, configured to contain the cooling medium, is in direct contact with the bottles held or stored in the box, so that the heat exchange between the inner reservoir and the bottles, in addition to convection, is by conduction (which is considerably greater than by convection), at least with some of the bottles.

[0033] The box also includes indicator means comprising a first print in thermosensitive (or thermochromic) ink, located on at least part of one of the outer walls of the box structure. Preferably on part of the outer surface of said outer walls. However, the first print may even cover the entire outer surface of one or more outer walls.

[0034] The first thermosensitive ink print of the indicator media is configured to be displayed only when that print is at a temperature within a defined first temperature range.

[0035] In other words, the heat-sensitive ink is designed to become invisible at certain temperatures. Therefore, the initial heat-sensitive ink print will only appear when the temperature of that print falls within a specific range. Thanks to this, a user can tell, if the print is visible, whether the temperature of the bottles stored in the compartments of the box is suitable for consumption, without even needing to touch the bottle, much less consume the packaged product.

[0036] In one embodiment, the maximum temperature of the first temperature range defined for the first thermosensitive ink print of the indicating media to be displayed is between 5°C and 15°C, preferably between 8°C and 12°C, and more preferably 10°C.

[0037] According to the tests carried out, the temperature of the product packaged in the bottles is proportional to the temperature reached by the walls of the box structure. Therefore, if a temperature-sensitive indicator is included on the box wall, the temperature of the packaged product can be extrapolated.

[0038] In a test, it was determined that when the box wall is at a maximum of 10°C, the temperature of the product inside the bottle is the maximum it should be for consumption, as above this temperature it is not pleasant for the consumer. Hence, the relationship between the temperature of the initial print on the box wall and the temperature of the packaged product, which do not necessarily coincide. These tests were conducted through trial and error, with beer being the product packaged in the bottles.

[0039] In one embodiment, the indicating means also comprise a second print in thermosensitive ink, located on at least a part of one of the outer walls of the box structure, configured to be displayed only when said print is at a minimum temperature within a second temperature range; wherein the minimum temperature of said second range is between 5 and 15 degrees, preferably between 8 and 12, and more preferably 10°C.

[0040] In other words, with this implementation, the indicators on the box will show a first impression when the temperature of the product packaged in the bottles is suitable for consumption, and a second impression when that temperature is not suitable for consumption.

[0041] It is possible that the parts where the first and second prints are located are the same, so that they appear one on top of the other, depending on the temperature at which they are found.

[0042] Similarly, the indicator media may be a direct print on an external wall of the box structure, or it may be a label that can be adhered to the external wall of the box, since all existing options on the market that can fulfill the stated objective are considered.

[0043] In one embodiment, the four external walls comprise two parallel first external walls and two parallel second external walls, which, together with the lower base of the structure, form a rectangular prismatic shape. That is to say, the box structure is like the most common ones on the market, with the first external walls perpendicular to the second external walls, as well as to the base.

[0044] The structure also comprises at least two internal walls, preferably two first internal walls arranged parallel to the first two external walls, and two second internal walls arranged parallel to the second two external walls. The internal walls intersect within the structure, forming rectangular prismatic compartments. While other methods exist for creating these compartments, with the similar purpose of holding and retaining the bottles, this configuration reduces heat loss from the packaged product. Preferably, the first two and second internal walls form nine equal compartments within the structure, arranged in a 3x3 grid.

[0045] In one embodiment, the cooling medium is a refrigerant gel.

[0046] In one embodiment, the internal cold storage compartment is sealed. That is, the refrigerant is enclosed within this compartment and cannot be removed or replaced with another refrigerant because it lacks any openings or orifices. This may be because the internal cold storage compartment has been sealed, for example, by heat sealing, after the refrigerant has been introduced, to prevent potential users of the box from accessing a product that could be dangerous if consumed.

[0047] For example, in this embodiment, the internal reservoir could be a flexible bag, heat-sealed on one side, allowing it to deform when the bottles are inserted into the box structure, yet strong enough to prevent tearing or ripping during use. In other words, it would resemble a bag commonly available on the market for treating muscle aches and pains. Because it is flexible, the internal cold storage reservoir could conform to the shape of the bottles, or at least part of it, thus maximizing contact between the reservoir and the bottles.

[0048] In one embodiment, the internal cold storage tank comprises at least one access opening to the interior of the tank. This opening may include a safety closure, or plug, to prevent accidental opening. The cooling medium, typically in liquid or gel form, can be introduced and removed through this opening.

[0049] In one embodiment, the internal cold storage reservoir is located at the bottom of the box structure, beneath the bottles when they are housed within the box structure in its normal operating position. Tests have determined that positioning the internal reservoir beneath the bottles facilitates heat exchange between the bottles and the reservoir for the intended use. This position also helps maintain the bottles refrigerated during vertical stacking of the boxes.

[0050] In one embodiment, the internal storage tank comprises the lower base of the structure. That is, the internal tank forms the lower base of the box structure, such that the structure may have permanent or removable means of securing the internal tank to the side walls of the structure, allowing the tank to serve as the lower base of the box. In this way, in addition to keeping the bottles cold, the internal tank performs the structural function of supporting the bottles housed in the compartments. In one embodiment, the internal cold storage tank is made of the same plastic as the box structure. While this may not seem particularly relevant, this feature simplifies the box manufacturing process, among other advantages.

[0051] In one embodiment, the internal storage tank is manufactured as a single, integral part of the box frame, with this integral part being injection-molded. This embodiment allows the manufacturing process for the box frame and internal tank to be carried out in a single stage, eliminating the need to insert the internal tank into a separate recess within the frame. However, in this embodiment, the internal tank is not removable but rather forms an integral part of the frame. In other words, there is a permanent, rigid connection between the frame walls and the internal tank.

[0052] In a different embodiment, the internal cold storage tank forms a body independent of the box structure, such that the internal tank is housed in an internal cavity of the structure, where said structure comprises means for retaining the internal cold storage tank inside said internal cavity.

[0053] In one embodiment, the structure comprises a plurality of fins (or ribs), preferably oriented in a longitudinal direction, although they could be located in any direction (transverse or oblique), situated on an inner surface of the outer walls, where said fins are in contact with the bottles when these are held in peripheral compartments of the structure.

[0054] These fins are small, longitudinal projections that can span the entire height of the outer walls. Their purpose is to promote heat dissipation and heat exchange between the bottles and the box structure, thanks to the physical contact between them. In other words, they allow for heat exchange by conduction as well as convection.

[0055] Peripheral compartments are those located along the outer walls. For example, in a box with nine compartments arranged in three rows by three columns, the central compartment would be the only one that is not a peripheral compartment. In one embodiment, the structure includes at least one handle on an outer wall. This handle is configured to support the box structure; therefore, preferably, the structure includes two handles located on opposing outer walls.

[0056] In one embodiment, the structure comprises an open lower support cavity, configured to rest on the open upper base of the box. This open lower support cavity allows for the stacking of boxes configured to house and retain bottles that extend beyond the height of the structure's outer walls.

[0057] That is to say, thanks to the support cavity, a design can be made in which the bottles protrude from the opening in the upper base of the box, leaving part of the necks and mouths or crowns of said bottles outside the space defined by the structure of the box, which facilitates access, leaving the body of the bottles inserted in the compartments.

[0058] It is mentioned that the open lower support cavity allows this configuration because it permits the stacking of more than one box on top of the other. For example, a second box, identical to the first, with a structure featuring an open lower support cavity, could be placed on top of a first box containing bottles. The necks and mouths of the bottles (located in the compartments of the first box) would then be housed in the open lower support cavity of the second box. This would reduce heat exchange between the bottles and the outside environment, as they would be encapsulated by the first box in which they are held and by a second box stacked on top of them.

[0059] Similarly, the box structure may include grooves, protrusions, slots or stops on the upper and lower edges of the external walls of the structure, such as those found in boxes on the market, to facilitate and ensure the centered vertical stacking of the boxes by means of tongue-and-groove fittings.

[0060] In one embodiment, the structure includes corner reinforcements at the junctions of the outer walls. These reinforcements, in addition to providing stability to the joint between the outer walls, can also facilitate stacking by providing slots and connectable protrusions between different boxes.

[0061] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] To complete the description and to aid in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive document is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by figures which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, depict the following:

[0063] Figure 1: shows a top perspective of a box in which the structure of said box can be seen, comprising the external and internal walls, the handles, the formed compartments, and the fins.

[0064] Figure 2: shows a top plan view of the box shown in Figure 1, where the internal storage of the box, under the compartments of the structure, can be easily seen.

[0065] Figure 3: shows a top perspective of the box cut in half, where the position of the internal walls with respect to the internal tank and the fins can be seen.

[0066] Figure 4: shows a sectioned side perspective of the box, where the open lower support cavity can be seen.

[0067] Figure 5: shows a bottom perspective of the box, where the open lower support cavity can be seen.

[0068] List of elements shown in the figures:

[0069] 1.- Box

[0070] 2.- Internal storage

[0071] 4.- Structure

[0072] 41.- first external walls

[0073] 42.- second external walls

[0074] 43.- lower base

[0075] 44. First internal walls 45. Second internal walls

[0076] 46.- fins

[0077] 47.- handle

[0078] 48.- lower support cavity

[0079] 49. Corner reinforcements.

[0080] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0081] As can be seen in the attached drawings, the invention consists of a box (1) specially designed to store individual containers, such as glass bottles which are commonly used to package beers or soft drinks, of different sizes, such as those ranging from 20 cl. to 1 liter.

[0082] Said box (1) is made of injection-molded plastic, and comprises a structure (4) consisting of two first outer walls (41), two second outer walls (42) and a base

[0083] (43), forming a rectangular prismatic structure (4) with an open upper base, as currently used in the sector, as can be seen in the figures.

[0084] Said structure (4) of the box (1) also comprises two first internal walls

[0085] (44) and two second internal walls (45), arranged inside the structure (4), in directions perpendicular to the first two external walls (41) and the second two external walls (42), respectively, forming the compartments where the bottles are inserted so that they cannot move. Preferably, as can be seen in Figure 2, the box (1) comprises nine compartments of equal size, arranged in three rows by three columns.

[0086] In order to hold the structure (4) of the box (1), the first outer walls (41) comprise, at an upper end, a handle (47) consisting of a through opening, configured so that the user can insert part of his hand.

[0087] Similarly, the structure of the box (1) also includes corner reinforcements (49) at the junctions of the external walls (41, 42) of the structure (4), which can be easily seen in figures 2 and 3. These corner reinforcements (49) provide rigidity to the structure (4) and facilitate the stacking of the boxes (1) by concentrating the stresses in these elements. In figures 4 and 5, it can be seen that the structure (4) of the box (1) comprises a lower support cavity (48) consisting of an opening or hollow in the structure (4) at its lower part, of a similar section to the upper opening of the structure (4), but of lesser depth, since it is formed by arranging the lower base (43) in a lower section of the external walls (41, 42), in a direction perpendicular to these, but not at the end of said external walls (41, 42), but slightly above, as can be seen in the figures.

[0088] This open lower support cavity (48) allows the boxes (1) to accommodate bottles in the compartments, in such a way that the height of said bottles protrudes from the opening of the upper base, this feature being highly appreciated to facilitate the removal of the bottles from the box (1).

[0089] This is because, when stacking boxes (1) like those available on the market, where the necks and tops of the bottles protrude from the opening in the upper base of the box (1), when two or more boxes (1) are stacked vertically, the upper ones would have to rest on the tops of the bottles in the lower boxes (1), with the inherent risk. However, with this embodiment, the tops and necks of the bottles protruding from the upper base of the structure (4) of a first box (1) could be accommodated in the lower support cavity (48) of a second box (1) resting on top of the first. Therefore, the support between the boxes (1) would be provided by the outer walls (41, 42) and the corner reinforcements (49).

[0090] That is, the height of the outer walls (41, 42) is equal to or greater than the height of the bottles to be held in a box (1). However, the vertical position of the lower base (43) is not at the bottom of the outer walls (41, 42), but slightly higher, similar to the height of a bottle's neck. In this way, the bottles would be held, encapsulated, by two vertically stacked boxes (1) at their ends.

[0091] In addition to the components that form part of the structure (4) of the box (1), said box (1) also comprises two components that differentiate it from the plastic boxes (1) for bottles available on the market. First, as can be seen in Figures 2 to 4, the box (1) comprises an internal reservoir (2) used for cold storage, configured to hold a cooling medium, such as a refrigerant gel. This internal reservoir (2) is a closed container, which may include an opening sealable with a cap or similar closure system, to allow the introduction and removal of the cooling medium from inside said container. The internal reservoir (2) is preferably located next to the lower base (43), specifically resting on it, and is configured so that the bottles are placed on an upper surface of the internal reservoir (2).That is, preferably, the internal tank (2) comprises a rectangular prismatic shape, with a cross-section equal to or smaller than the lower base (43) of the structure (4) of the box (1), so that it can be placed on the lower base (43) but within the internal cavity defined by the external walls (41, 42) of the box.

[0092] This configuration allows the boxes (1), containing bottles, to be stored in refrigerated spaces, as is common practice in restaurants and bars, so that the bottles are available at a low temperature before consumption. Once these boxes (1) are removed from the refrigerated space and placed in a warmer environment, the bottles begin to absorb heat and warm up. Because the box (1) with the internal reservoir (2) was previously placed in the refrigerated space, the cooling medium is at a very low temperature, which helps maintain the bottles' cold temperature for a longer period when the boxes are in a warmer environment. In other words, the cooling medium acts as a cold storage unit, keeping the bottles chilled for a longer time after the boxes are removed from the refrigerators.

[0093] The internal reservoir (2) can have different configurations, depending on the requirements. For example, this internal reservoir (2) can be completely sealed, without any openings or holes that would allow it to be emptied and filled with the cooling medium, as the medium can be heated and cooled as many times as needed without removing it from the internal reservoir (2). Alternatively, it can have one or more holes that can be sealed with plugs or closure systems to allow it to be emptied and filled with the cooling medium selected by the user. Furthermore, the internal reservoir (2) can be a separate body from the structure (4) of the box (1), with this internal reservoir (2) housed in an internal cavity of the structure (1), held in place by retaining means, or simply held between the lower base (43) and the internal walls (44, 45) of the structure by compression.That is, it can be housed in said cavity permanently or detachably.

[0094] In other embodiments, the internal reservoir (2) may be made of injection-molded plastic, integrally and jointly with the structure (4) of the box (1), such that the structure (4) and the internal reservoir (2) form a single rigid body. Furthermore, in any of these embodiments, where the internal reservoir (2) is an integral part of the structure (4) or comprises a separate body, said internal reservoir (2) could comprise the lower base (43) of the structure (7), without requiring an additional lower base (43), since, in addition to the cooling function, it could perform a structural function of holding the bottles in the box (1). For this purpose, means for securing the internal reservoir (2) to at least one of the walls (41-42, 44-45) of the structure (4) would be necessary.

[0095] In addition to these alternatives, the internal reservoir (2) can also have a rigid body, such as that used to manufacture the structures (4) of the boxes, or a flexible body, such as a bag, which allows the cushioning of the bottles in the compartments.

[0096] Another relevant feature of the invention is that the box (1) comprises indicating means including a first print in thermosensitive ink, located on a portion of one of the outer walls (41, 42) of the structure (4). Specifically, on the entire outer surface of all the outer walls (41, 42) of the box (1). This first print in thermosensitive ink is configured to display only when the print is at a temperature below a specific value. Preferably, this value is 10°C, although depending on the product to be consumed, for example, different types of beer or soft drinks, this value can be configured to be different.

[0097] The indicator means also include a second print in heat-sensitive ink, also located on the outer walls (41, 42) of the structure (4) of the box (1), configured to be displayed only when said print reaches a temperature equal to or greater than a specific value. This value can be configured to be the same as that of the first print, so that when the box is heated from a cold to a hot temperature, exceeding a specific value, the display switches from the first print to the second.

[0098] In this way, the user can be informed about the condition of the product packaged in the bottles held in the boxes (1), without the need for the user to touch or consume the product in said bottle.

[0099] The fact that the prints change when a certain temperature is reached does not mean that it is the same temperature reached by the packaged product. It is possible that the external walls (41, 42) of the structure reach 10°C when the product is at a lower temperature, between 6 and 8°C, mainly due to the internal cold storage tank (2).

[0100] To facilitate heat exchange between the outer walls (41, 42) and the bottles to be held in the box (1), the structure comprises a plurality of fins (46), oriented longitudinally, located along the entire inner surface of each of the outer walls (41, 42), where these fins (46) are in contact with the bottles when they are held in peripheral compartments of the structure (4). These fins (46) or ribs aid in heat dissipation, thus helping to keep the bottles cool for a longer period of time.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A box (1) for holding and storing bottles, wherein said box (1) is made of plastic and is open at an upper base, characterized in that the box (1) comprises: an internal reservoir (2) for cold accumulation, configured to hold a cooling medium; a structure (4) comprising at least four external walls (41, 42), a lower base (43), and two or more compartments, each configured to house and hold a bottle; indicating means comprising a first print in thermosensitive ink, located on at least a portion of one of the external walls (41, 42) of the structure (4) of the box (1); wherein the cooling medium is configured to exchange heat with an external environment of the box (1) and with the bottles stored in the box (1) when they are housed in the compartments;where the first thermosensitive ink print of the indicating media is configured to be displayed only when said print is at a temperature within a defined first temperature range.; 2. Box (1), according to claim 1, wherein the maximum temperature of the temperature range defined for the first thermosensitive ink print of the indicating media to be displayed is between 5°C and 15°C, preferably between 8°C and 12°C, and more preferably 10°C.

3. Box (1), according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the indicating means comprise a second print in thermosensitive ink, located on at least a portion of one of the outer walls (41, 42) of the structure (4) of the box (1), configured to be displayed only when said print is at a minimum temperature within a second temperature range, wherein the minimum temperature of said second range is between 5°C and 15°C, preferably between 8°C and 12°C, and more preferably 10°C.

4. Box (1), according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the four outer walls (41, 42) comprise two first outer walls (41) parallel to each other, and two second outer walls (42) parallel to each other, which They form, with the lower base (42) of the structure (4), a rectangular prismatic shape.

5. Box (1), according to the preceding claim, wherein the structure (4) comprises at least two internal walls (44, 45), preferably two first internal walls (44) arranged parallel to the two first external walls (41) and two second internal walls (45) arranged parallel to the two second external walls (42); wherein the internal walls (44, 45) are crossed in an interior of the structure (4), forming rectangular prismatic-shaped compartments.

6. Box (1), according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling medium is a cooling gel.

7. Box (1), according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the internal cold storage tank (2) is closed.

8. Box (1), according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the internal cold storage tank (2) comprises at least one access opening to an interior of the internal tank (2).

9. Box (1), according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the internal cold accumulation deposit (2) is located in the lower base (43) of the structure (4) of the box (1), located under the bottles when they are housed in the structure (4) of the box (1), said box (1) being in the normal position of use.

10. Box (1), according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the internal accumulation deposit (2) comprises the lower base (43) of the structure (4).

11. Box (1), according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the internal cold storage tank (2) is made of the same plastic as the structure (4) of the box (1).

12. Box (1), according to the previous claim, wherein the internal accumulation tank (2) is manufactured in a single integral body together with the structure (4) of the box (1), said integral body being manufactured by injection.

13. Box (1), according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the internal cold storage tank (2) forms an independent body with respect to the structure (4) of the box (1), and wherein the internal tank (2) is housed in an internal cavity of the structure (4), wherein said structure (4) comprises means for retaining the internal cold storage tank.

14. Box (1), according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the structure (4) comprises a plurality of fins (46), preferably oriented in a longitudinal direction, located on an inner surface of the outer walls (41, 42), wherein said fins (46) are in contact with the bottles when these are retained in peripheral compartments of the structure (4).

15. Box (1), according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the structure (4) comprises at least one handle (47) on an external wall (41, 42).

16. Box (1), according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the structure (4) comprises an open lower support cavity (48), configured to rest on the open upper base of the box (1).

17. Box (1), according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the structure (4) comprises corner reinforcements (49) at the junctions of the external walls (41, 42) of the structure (4).

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