Beverage container package

Abstract

An improved beverage container package is disclosed comprising a longitudinal decanter body sectioned transversely into mating upper and lower body sections and assembled to contain a beverage within a common chamber formed by the upper and lower body sections. The upper body section is axially symmetric and formed having openings at both the top and base thereof. The lower body section is similarly symmetric about a central axis and closed at its base with the top end of the lower body section being open to accept and engage the base opening of the upper body section further fitted with an intermediate sealing member to provide a fluid-tight sealed engagement between the sections. A crown member formed to engage the opening at the top of the upper body section is similarly fitted with a respective sealing member to secure its engagement and provide a closed chamber for the beverage within the assembled decanter body. Separate layers of a heat shrinkable film are applied to and about the assembled decanter body and crown member in separate stages and directions to hermetically seal the package, with both heat shrink layers being provided with conventional means for removing the film. After initial consumption of the beverage, the decanter body and its respective sections may be reused by the consumer in both assembled and disassembled forms.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to beverage containers and more particularly, to an improved container package for a beverage or other consumable liquid wherein a sectioned decanter body of convertible upper and lower body sections is assembled and sealed under applied layers of heat shrinkable film to package the beverage for sale and consumption in a reusable container assembly having further multi-purpose uses when disassembled.

[0002] Conventional beverage containers, particularly those bottles and like containers used to package and sell various wines, spirits and fine liquors, have long been produced in a variety of shapes and sizes. These conventional beverage containers have typically been formed having a hollow, elongated body of glass or other impervious material with two axially opposed ends, the bottom end of which is closed and the top end being opened and further adapted to retain a cap or like closure member to seal the opening. The overwhelming number of these bottle containers are produced cheaply in an integral form that is intended for disposal by the consumer once the container is emptied of the beverage. Although they may be refilled and reused, the empty bottle containers are generally discarded to generate extraordinary amounts of refuse and trash to be collected and processed. While much of the glass material of the discarded bottles is capable of being recycled, huge quantities are not and are instead left to become litter and waste within our already troubled environment. With increasing millions of these conventional bottle containers used annually, the harmful effects presented to the environment by those that as discarded and not recycled or reused need to be addressed and reduced as much as possible. Even with an increased recycling effort, the extraordinary amounts of energy required to handle the rising load will likely increase the toll on our energy resources.

[0003] A recognized need therefore exists for reusable beverage containers to reduce waste, protect the environment and preserve valuable energy resources. Such a need has been addressed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,079 to Lee and No. 6,164,473 to Waldrip. While those patented articles and other pre-existing beverage containers have presented satisfactory structural and functional features intended to provide a reusable product in some limited form, there continues to be a need for a new and improved beverage container package that can afford a greater number of consumer uses within the household, not only serving selected beverages but also as a variety of commonly used articles found in the home.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Accordingly, it is a general purpose and object of the present invention to provide an improved container package for a beverage or other liquid intended for sale and consumption that is reusable in various forms and in a variety of ways within the household.

[0005] It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a reusable sales package for beverages that maintains the form and features of its initial packaged configuration while being further capable of separate independent uses in the household when not in service of beverages.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a practical yet attractive beverage container package that can be reused or displayed within the household in a composite assembly or utilized in its separate parts for a variety of different household purposes.

[0007] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a reusable package container for beverage distribution and sale that is effective in preserving and dispensing of various beverages, particularly wines, spirits and fine liquors, and attractive in its features so as to promote continued household use by the consumer.

[0008] A further object of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose beverage container that is highly attractive to consumers for retention and reuse so as to be valued and not given to discard or disposal through the environment as waste.

[0009] A still further object of the present invention is to provide a reusable beverage container that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, enduring in its quality, and adaptable to a variety of storage and non-storage uses.

[0010] Briefly, these and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by an improved beverage container package and associated method comprising a longitudinal decanter body sectioned transversely into mating upper and lower body sections and assembled to contain a beverage within a common chamber formed by the upper and lower body sections. The upper body section is axially symmetric and formed having openings at both the top and base thereof. The lower body section is similarly symmetric about a central axis and closed at its base with the top end of the lower body section being open to accept and engage the base opening of the upper body section further fitted with an intermediate sealing member to provide a fluid-tight sealed engagement between the sections. A crown member formed to engage the opening at the top of the upper body section is similarly fitted with a respective sealing member to secure its engagement and provide a closed chamber for the beverage within the assembled decanter body. Separate layers of a heat shrinkable film are applied to and about the assembled decanter body and crown member in separate stages and directions to hermetically seal the package, with both heat shrink layers being provided with conventional means for removing the film. After initial consumption of the beverage, the decanter body and its respective sections may be reused by the consumer in both assembled and disassembled forms.

[0011] For a better understanding of these and other aspects of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals and characters designate like parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, references in the detailed description set forth below shall be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration viewed in elevation of the beverage container package assembled in accordance with the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a detailed cross-sectional view in elevation of the beverage container package as illustrated in FIG. 1 but without its assembled heat shrinkable coating;

[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded view in elevation of the beverage container package shown in FIG. 2;

[0016] FIG. 4 is an elevated cross-section of a modified version of the lower body section of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a further modified version of the lower body section of the present invention, also shown in an elevated cross-sectional view;

[0018] FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic representations of the associated packaging method of the present invention, shown in assembled and exploded states, respectively as applied to a standard drinking glass; and

[0019] FIGS. 8 and 9 are further schematic representations of the present packaging methods, shown respectively in assembled and exploded states, as applied to a goblet-style glass.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 and particularly at first to FIG. 1, there is shown in schematic representation a beverage container package, generally designated 10, made and assembled in accordance with the present invention. Intended in its assembled state to hold a certain volume of a beverage or other consumable liquid (not visibly indicated), the present container package 10 comprises a decanter body 12 formed symmetrically about a longitudinal axis L with an inner chamber 14 extending therethrough, as better shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The symmetrical form of the decanter body 10 may be substantially cylindrical in shape and tapered having varying diameters along its length, as shown, or alternatively, be frusto-conical, polysided or some other axially symmetric configuration. The decanter body 10 is generally made of a substantially rigid and impervious material, such as glass or plastic, and may be blown or molded.

[0021] In accordance with the present invention, the decanter body 12 is transversely sectioned comprising an upper body section 16 and a mating lower body section 18 that are coaxially engaged and separable along a transverse axis T substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Both the upper and lower body sections 16 and 18, respectively, are chambered members having similar wall thicknesses that are symmetrically formed about respective axes, as better shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Upper body section 16 is formed having its chamber 16c open at both ends thereof, the opening at the top of the upper body section 16a generally being made narrower than the opening at the base 16b thereof. The upper body section 16 is generally contoured and tapered in its shape, extending between a narrowed neck portion 16d about the opening at the top of upper section 16a and a widened shoulder portion 16e formed about the opening at the base 16b. As described in greater detail below, the base 16c is formed and fitted about its opening with a perimeter sealing member 26 to provide a fluid-tight fit between the upper body section 16 and the lower body section 18 while engaged.

[0022] The lower body section 18 is formed to provide a chamber 18c open at the top of the lower section 18a, the opening therein being sized and shaped to accept and engage the base 16b and perimeter seal 26 of the upper body section 16. The chamber 18c is closed along the bottom wall 18b of the lower body section 18, better shown in the cross-sectional drawing figures. The bottom wall 18b is generally raised in the center and contoured, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, thereby providing a recessed compartment 28 immediately beneath the bottom wall at the base of the lower body section 18.

[0023] A crown member 20 made of the same or substantially similar material as the decanter body 12 is formed in an axial configuration adapted to coaxially engage the decanter body at the top opening 16a of the upper body section 16. The crown 20 may be a solid or hollowed member, as shown particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3, and is fabricated having an upper body 20a prominently formed in size and shape for ease of handling and a lower stem 20b centrally disposed and extending from the upper body with an open bottom end. The lower stem 20b is generally narrower in transverse dimension than the upper body 20a and is sized and shaped to conform with and fit into the top opening 16a of the upper body section 16. A sealing member 28 made of a resilient sealing material, such as silicone rubber, is formed to engage upon and cover the lower stem 20b and its open bottom end, the outer surface of the sealing member being sized and shaped to fit snugly into the top opening 16a to provide a secure, fluid-tight engagement between the crown member 20 and the decanter body 12.

[0024] The present beverage container package 10 further includes the application of heat-shrinkable film in separate lower and upper layers 22 and 24 to securely seal and package the assembled crown member 20 and decanter body 12. Conventional heat-shrinkable film materials known for their use in packaging vessel containers, such as those described and discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,851,610 and 6,342,281, may be employed as the respective lower and upper layers 22 and 24 of the present container package 10, and their teachings are herein incorporated by reference. The respective layers 22, 24 of heat-shrinkable film are applied in a sleeve-like form that is sufficiently sized in its length and diameter so as to fit about and cover the base of the decanter body 12 and the crown member 20, respectively, in their assembled state. The lower heat-shrinkable layer 22 is applied first about the base of the decanter body 12 and made to extend upwardly and circumferentially around the exterior of the lower body section 18, reaching across the transverse axis T to a position proximate to the shoulder portion 16e of the upper body section 16. With the lower film layer 22 extending beneath and around the decanter body 12 in this described fashion, heat is applied uniformly about the decanter body to shrink the lower film layer in radial and axial directions upon the decanter body and into a tight wrapping that conforms with the exterior contours of the body and holds the respective upper and lower body sections 16 and 18 together in a hermetically sealed engagement. The heating used to effect the required film shrinkage in this case is applied by means of conventional heat shrinking techniques using hot air or steam blowing with the time span and temperature levels of the heat exposure being governed by the type of heat-shrinkable material employed and the film thickness of the layer 22 applied to the decanter body 12. It should be noted that the application of the lower film layer 22 and subsequent heat directed thereto upon the decanter body 12 in this first stage of sealing of the present container package 10 is intended to be conducted without any beverage or other liquid contained within the decanter body and with the crown member 20 being removed.

[0025] The upper film layer 24 of heat-shrinkable material is applied in much the same fashion as the lower film layer 22 except in a reverse direction thereto. With the intended beverage contained within the sectioned decanter body 12 sealed together beneath the contracted lower film layer 22, the upper film layer 24 of heat-shrinkable material is applied, preferably in sleeve form, over top of the crown member 20 and made to extend downwardly and circumferentially around the exterior of the upper body section 16 of the decanter body. In its application, the upper film layer 24 preferably extends downward across the transverse axis T to a position just below the top of the lower body section 18. With the upper film layer 24 in this downwardly extended position, a subsequent heat exposure is made about the assembled crown 20 and decanter body 12, similar in time span and temperature level to that initially made with respect to the lower film layer 22. The heat exposure is sufficient in its level to shrink the upper film layer 22 upon the assembly in radial and axial directions and into a tight wrapping that conforms with the exterior of the assembled crown 20 and decanter body 12, effectively holding the assembly together with the underlying lower film layer in a hermetically sealed unit. Conventional means for separating the respective lower and upper film layers 22 and 24 from their wrapping engagement, such as a removable tear strip or the like, are incorporated into the respective heat-shrinkable film layers and provided preferably in a longitudinal direction extending the length of the respective layers across and through the transverse axis T to ease their separation and removal from the container package 10.

[0026] Referring more particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, the extended chamber 14 formed within the decanter body 12 by the coaxially engaged upper and lower body sections, 16 and 18, respectively, is closed to contain any beverage or liquid contents by the crown member 20 seated within the top opening 16a of the upper body section. The volume of the extended chamber 14 and the corresponding amount of beverage contents that may be contained therein can vary based upon the length and configuration of the decanter body 12 and its associated upper and lower sections 16 and 18. With both heat-shrinkable film layers 22 and 24 removed, the beverage contents remain sealed within the extended chamber 14 by the fluid-tight engagements provided at the top of the chamber by the crown 20 with its associated sealing member 28 and intermediate of the chamber length by the mated coupling of the respective upper and lower body sections 16 and 18 together with the intermediate seal member 26. As shown most clearly in FIG. 3, the intermediate seal member 26 is formed and adapted across the top thereof to connect to the bottom of the upper body section 16 about the perimeter of the base opening 16b and further formed having a saw-tooth or similarly configured outer surface that is intended to fit tightly within the top opening 18a of the lower body section 18 despite minor variations in the size or shape of the opening. The mating configurations of the upper and lower body sections 16 and 18 and the intermediate sealing member 28 assembled thereto prevent leakage of the beverage contents from the decanter body 12 while standing with or without the shrink-wrap engagement of the respective film layers 22 and 24 and while dispensing the beverage contents from the open top 16a of the upper body section.

[0027] After dispensing of the initial beverage contents from the chamber 14 of the decanter body 12, the decanter body may be refilled and reused to store and decant other beverages or liquids, as the consumer may desire. Refilling of the sectioned decanter body 12 is facilitated (without a funnel or like conduit member) by removing the upper body section 16 from its engagement with the lower body section 18 to access the wider top opening 18a thereof and reinserting it in place thereafter to restore the fluid-tight seal. As can be seen by the separated components shown in FIG. 3, the upper body section 16, lower body section 18 and crown member 20 are formed in their respective configurations to convert into other household articles and provide independent uses to the consumer in their disassembled state. The upper body section 16 with the intermediate seal member 26 removed therefrom can be converted and used by the consumer as candleholder, while the lower body section 18 can be used as a vase. The crown member 20, as shown and described in its configuration, may too be converted and used by the consumer, particularly if inverted, as a small vessel or paperweight.

[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, modified versions of the lower body section 18 of the decanter body 12 are presented and designated as 30 and 40 respectively. In FIG. 4, the first modified lower body section 30 comprises an axial member 32 having an inner chamber 32c open at respective top and bottom ends 32a and 32b and a base member 34 connected beneath the axial member. The axial member 32 is formed about a central axis in a substantially cylindrical configuration having a slightly inclined wall that is inwardly tapered from the wider top end 32a to the narrower bottom end 32b of the axial member. The top end 32a and its opening are sized and shaped similarly to the open top 18a of the lower body section 18 so as to accept and engage the open base 16b and associated intermediate seal 26 on the upper body section 16. In the modified version of FIG. 4, the bottom surface 32b of the axial member 32 is provided with a central opening that aligns with a similar opening made centrally through the separate base member 34. The base member 34, symmetrically formed about the central axis and having a recessed compartment 34a similar to compartment 28 found in the lower body section 18, is further formed having a top surface that conforms with the bottom of the axial member 32 so that the axial member rests intimately upon the base member with their respective openings aligned. A fitting 38 formed to engage the central opening in the bottom surface 32b of the axial member 32 and adapted to extend downward through the aligned opening in the base member 34 is threaded internally to receive a bolt member 38 having matching external threads. Inserted upwardly through the recessed compartment 34a, the bolt member 38 is made to threadingly engage the downwardly depending fitting 38 and thereby serve to clamp the axial member 32 and base member 34 together, as shown in FIG. 4. An O-ring member 37 inserted beneath the head of fitting 36 serves as a gasket to seal the bottom opening of chamber 32c and allow the modified lower body section 32 to hold and retain beverages or other liquid placed therein.

[0029] In the second modified lower body section 40 presented in FIG. 5, a tapered cylindrical member 42 having a chamber 42c and open ends 42a and 42b at the top and bottom, respectively, is adapted to directly engage a base member 44 and thereby close the bottom of the chamber. The bottom surface of the tapered cylindrical member 42 is provided with external threads that engage matching internal threads formed in a recess at the top of the base member 44. An O-ring member 46 inserted into the threaded recess of the base member 44 ensures a fluid-tight seal with the threaded bottom of the cylindrical member 42.

[0030] It should be noted that both modified lower body sections 30 and 40 are characterized by separable chambered members 32 and 42, respectively, that are releasably connected to associated base members 34 and 44 by distinctly different means, the chambered axial member of FIG. 4 being indirectly connected to its base member by means of the threaded coupling provided by the bolt member 38 and fitting 36. While the chambered cylindrical member of FIG. 5 is directly connected to its associated base member by threaded surface engagement. In each of these modified versions, the chambered members 32 and 42, made preferably from a glass or plastic material, may be separated from the respective base member when not in use as part of the decanter body 18 and used independently as a tight candlelight cover on a chandelier, sconce or other like lighting fixture.

[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 6-9, separate container package assemblies, generally designated 50 and 60, are schematically presented wherein standard drinking vessels capable of reuse are sealed and packaged in accordance with the present invention. In FIGS. 6 and 7, a standard shot glass 52 or similarly shaped drinking vessel containing a beverage is assembled at the top of the glass with an outer lid 56 and an intermediate sealing ring 54 that combine to cover the top of the glass and close its opening. A cylindrical sleeve of heat-shrinkable film material 58 is positioned around the glass 52 and made to extend beyond the ends thereof SO that an inward flange 58a may be formed at the bottom and over top the assembled lid 56 and sealing ring 54, as depicted in FIG. 7, when heat is applied uniformly thereto using conventional heat shrinking means. The application of heat to the assembled combination shrinks the sleeve of film material 58 transversely and longitudinally, conforming the sleeve to the size and shape of the glass and physically compressing the lid 56 and sealing ring 54 around the top edge of the glass via the inward flange 58a. The physical compression of the lid 56 and sealing ring 54 effected around the top edge of the glass 52 by the heat-shrinkable sleeve 58 and its inward flange 58a produces an effectively closed beverage package that is vacuum-sealed as the beverage within the glass cools down to ambient temperature after heating. The container package 50 thus produced can be distributed and sold for consumption of the beverage within the glass 52 and the glass thereafter reused by the consumer.

[0032] In FIGS. 8 and 9, a lid 66 and associated sealing ring member 64 similar to those shown and described above with respect to container package 50 are similarly assembled together in a container package 60 that is applied to a goblet-style glass 62. In this configuration of container package 60, the sleeve of heat-shrinkable film material 68 is made to conform to the bowl shape of goblet-style glass 62 and formed to provide an inward flange 68a around the top of the glass and overtop the assembled lid 66 and sealing ring 64, as depicted in FIG. 9. When heat is applied to this combination, the film sleeve 68 shrinks to conform to the size and shape of the bowl portion of the goblet-style glass 62 and in so doing, physically compresses the lid 66 and its underlying sealing ring 64 around the perimeter of the glass bowl beneath flange 68a. An effectively closed beverage package for sale and distribution is thus produced with a vacuum seal further effected upon the closed chamber of the glass bowl containing the beverage. After removal of the shrink-sleeve 68 and consumption of the beverage, the packaged glass 62 may be reused by the consumer.

[0033] Therefore, it is apparent that the described invention provides an improved container package for a beverage or other liquid intended for sale and consumption that is reusable by consumers in various forms and in a variety of ways within the household without requiring modification to existing structural elements. The disclosed beverage container package provides a reusable sales package for beverages and other liquid materials that not only can be reused as a decanter vessel in its assembled configuration but also is capable of other separate independent household uses when not storing and dispensing liquids. The disclosed invention further provides a practical yet attractive beverage container package that can be reused to store and dispose liquid beverages in its composite form or deployed into component elements for separate other common household uses by the consumer. The present beverage container package is formed and configured in its structure to be effective in preserving and dispensing of various beverages, particularly wines, spirits and fine liquors, and yet is attractive in its design so as to promote retention and continued use by the consumer. The design and structure of the disclosed beverage container package promotes reuse and retention by the consumer so that waste disposal and recycling of associated container materials, especially glass, can be reduced in protection of the environment. In addition, the disclosed beverage container package is relatively inexpensive and economical to produce, enduring in its quality, and adaptable to a variety of consumer needs both for storage and non-storage purposes.

[0034] Obviously, other embodiments and modifications of the present invention will readily come to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and drawings. Alternate embodiments of different shapes and sizes, as well as substitution of known materials or those materials that may be developed at a future time to perform the same function as the present described embodiment are therefore considered to be part of the present invention. Accordingly, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described, but rather is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A multi-purpose container package for a beverage or other consumable liquid, comprising: an axial decanter body transversely sectioned and longitudinally assembled in separate coaxial body sections formed having convertible configurations and adapted to be connected together in a fluid-tight engagement to provide an extended chamber through said decanter body with an opening at the top; a crown member axially formed in a convertible configuration and adapted to engage the opening at the top of said decanter body to close the extended chamber therein; and heat-shrink means applied to and about said decanter body and said crown member engaged in its top opening to hermetically seal the extended chamber closed therein.

2. The multi-purpose container package according to claim 1, wherein the separate body sections of said decanter body comprise: an upper body section axially formed having a chamber therein open at both ends thereof, the upper body section being contoured and further formed having a narrowed neck at the top of the body section and a widened shoulder at the base thereof; and a lower body section axially formed having a chamber therein closed at the base of the lower body section and open at the top thereof, the top of the lower body section being adapted to conform with and engage the base of the upper body section.

3. The multi-purpose container package according to claim 2, further comprising: an intermediate sealing member formed to fit about the base of the upper body section and engage the open top of the lower body section in a fluid-tight connection.

4. The multi-purpose container package according to claim 2, wherein the upper body section is convertible in its configuration for use as a candleholder.

5. The multi-purpose container package according to claim 2, wherein the lower body section is convertible in its configuration for use as a vase.

6. The multi-purpose container package according to claim 5, wherein the lower body section is separable, comprising: an axial member formed having a convertible configuration with a chamber open at the top and bottom ends thereof; and a base member formed to engage the bottom of the axial member and be releasably connected thereto.

7. The multi-purpose container package according to claim 6, wherein the axial member is convertible in its configuration for use as a light cover.

8. The multi-purpose container package according to claim 1, wherein said heat-shrink means comprises: a first heat shrinkable film layer extending upwardly about the separate coaxial body sections of said decanter body from the base of said decanter body; and a second heat shrinkable film layer extending downwardly about the coaxial body sections of said decanter body from the top of said crown member engaged therein.

9. The multi-purposed container package according to claim 8, wherein said crown member is a hollowed axial member convertible in its configuration for use as a vessel.

10. A reusable container for a beverage or consumable liquid, comprising: an axial decanter body transversely sectioned and longitudinally assembled in separate coaxial body sections formed having convertible configurations and adapted to be connected together in a fluid-tight engagement to provide an extended chamber through said decanter body with an opening at the top; and a crown member axially formed in a convertible configuration and adapted to engage the opening at the top of said decanter body to close the extended chamber therein.

11. The reusable liquid container according to claim 10, wherein the separate body sections of said decanter body comprise: an upper body section axially formed having a chamber therein open at both ends thereof, the upper body section being contoured and further formed having a narrowed neck at the top of the body section and a widened shoulder at the base thereof; and a lower body section axially formed having a chamber therein closed at the base of the lower body section and open at the top thereof, the top of the lower body section being adapted to conform with and engage the base of the upper body section.

12. The reusable liquid container according to claim 11, further comprising: heat shrink means applied to and about said decanter body and said crown member engaged in its top opening for hermetically sealing the extended chamber closed therein.

13. The reusable liquid container according to claim 12, wherein said heat-shrink means comprises: a first heat shrinkable film layer extending upwardly about the separate coaxial body sections of said decanter body from the base of said decanter body; and a second heat shrinkable film layer extending downwardly about the coaxial body sections of said decanter body from the top of said crown member engaged therein.

14. The reusable liquid container according to claim 11, further comprising: an intermediate sealing member formed to fit about the base of the upper body section and engage the open top of the lower body section in a fluid-tight connection.

15. The reusable liquid container according to claim 11, wherein: the upper body section is convertible in its configuration for use as a candleholder; the lower body section is convertible in its configuration for use as a vase; and the crown member is a hollowed axial member convertible in its configuration for use as a vessel.

16. The reusable liquid container according to claim 11, wherein the lower body section comprises: an axial member formed having a convertible configuration with a chamber open at the top and bottom ends thereof; and a base member formed to engage the bottom of the axial member and be releasably connected thereto.

17. The reusable liquid container according to claim 16, wherein the axial member is convertible in its configuration for use as a light cover.

18. A system for packaging a beverage or consumable liquid, comprising: a longitudinal container body formed having a plurality of transverse sections coaxially assembled to hold a predetermined volume of the liquid in an open-ended chamber formed within said longitudinal container body; cover means removably connected to said container body to close the open-ended chamber formed therein; and heat-shrink means applied about said container body and said cover means and compressed thereon in longitudinal and transverse directions to hermetically seal the closed chamber.

19. The liquid packaging system according to claim 18, wherein each of said transverse sections is formed in its respective configuration for reuse as a household article when disassembled from said container body.