EP1529742A1

EP1529742A1 - Container, with additional reservoir and method for packaging a substance

Info

Publication number: EP1529742A1
Application number: EP04078046A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Vincent Bruno Biencourt
Original assignee: Campina Melkune BV
Current assignee: Campina Melkune BV
Priority date: 2003-11-07
Filing date: 2004-11-05
Publication date: 2005-05-11

Abstract

The invention pertains to a container, in particular for a food product, such as a dairy product, comprising:

a liquid-tight first reservoir (1) for containing a liquid first substance, which first reservoir is at least partly made out of coated cardboard, and which first reservoir is delimited by reservoir walls (16),
at least one second reservoir (12) for containing a second substance, the second reservoir having a smaller volume than the first reservoir, the second reservoir comprising an interface (17) that attaches the second reservoir to a wall of the first reservoir,
a barrier (13) associated with a respective second reservoir, which barrier can be eliminated to release the second substance into the first reservoir,
openable closure means (15) that allow for opening and dispensing the contents from the first reservoir of the container.

The container according to the invention is characterised in that a reservoir wall of the first reservoir is provided with an aperture or a weakened area facilitating the formation of an aperture, and in that the second reservoir is attached to said reservoir wall of the first reservoir, covering said aperture or weakened area.

Description

The present invention relates to a container according to the preamble of claim 1, and to a method for packaging a substance in such a container according to the preamble of claim 29.
In the art, containers with a first reservoir for containing a liquid first substance and a second reservoir for containing a second substance are known.
WO 03/043898 discloses such a container. The first reservoir is a widely known gable top container, which is at least partly made of coated cardboard. A second reservoir is attached to the outside of one of the top panels of the gable top container. The second reservoir is shaped as a blister. The second reservoir comprises a barrier between the first substance and the second substance. The second container is further provided with release means that aid in breaking the barrier when it is desired to release the second substance into the first substance. When attaching the second reservoir to the first reservoir of the known container, the first container remains closed, that is: the top panel onto which the second reservoir is attached is not provided with a hole. Thus, for releasing the second substance into the first substance, not only the barrier has to be broken, but also the top panel of the gable top container has to be punctured.
The known container has several disadvantages. It is expensive, because the second reservoir with the release means is expensive to produce. Furthermore, the known container is not sufficiently leak tight.
It is the object of the invention to provide an improved container of the type according to the preamble of claim 1.
It is an other object of the invention to provide an improved method for packaging a substance.
The object of the invention is achieved by a container according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 29.
In the container according to the invention, the second reservoir is attached to a wall of the first reservoir. This wall can be for example a side wall, top or bottom of the first reservoir.
In a preferred embodiment, the second reservoir is attached to a flat panel of the first reservoir. This flat panel can be for example a side wall, top or bottom. By attaching the second reservoir to a flat panel of the first reservoir instead of in or to a seal or seam such as in the known container, it is much easier to obtain a liquid-tight container, because the process of attaching a second reservoir to a flat panel can be efficiently realised in a mass production environment with a high degree of reliability.
As an alternative, the second reservoir may be attached to for example the curved, e.g. cylindrical, wall of a container can.
The second reservoir can have a variety of shapes, such as cubical, dome-shaped, (frusto-)conical or pyramidal. Alternatively, the second reservoir can be shaped in the form of a (company) logo. If the second reservoir contains a fruit flavouring, the second reservoir may have the shape of that fruit, for example a banana shaped second reservoir if the second reservoir contains banana flavouring.
The second substance can have various forms, such as a liquid, a powder, a granulate or a tablet. The second substance can for example comprise flavourings, aromatic substances, vitamins, calcium, bacteria, a foaming agent, chocolate chips, and/or cereals. By mixing the second substance with the first substance just before consumption, the second substance does not deteriorate under the influence of the first substance. For instance, when vitamins are added to a dairy product, the vitamin content tends to diminish during processing (heat treatment of the dairy product) and during the shelf life of the dairy product. Therefore, in regular container, an excess of vitamins is added to the dairy product at production, in order to guarantee a certain percentage of vitamins at the end of the shelf life. When using the container according to the invention, this is not necessary.
Furthermore, if in a known container the product inside the container contains, for instance, oxygen sensitive components, the entire container has to be provided with an oxygen barrier material. In the container according to the invention, typically such oxygen sensitive components are accommodated in the second reservoir. This way, the use of such barrier materials can be limited to the second reservoir, thus decreasing the cost of the complete packaging system.
Also, when a mixture of a first and a second substance is contained in a container as known from the prior art, it is observed that sometimes said mixture separates into a first phase mainly consisting of the first substance, and a second phase mainly consisting of the second substance, again during the shelf life. By storing the second substance in the second reservoir, this de-mixing is avoided. Furthermore, it allows the customer to choose whether to add the second substance or not.
Preferably, the interface of the second reservoir is attached to the inside of the first reservoir. This offers many advantages.
First of all, when a second reservoir is sealed to the outside of the first reservoir, a passage through the cardboard has to be created in order to release the second substance into the first reservoir. By creating this passage, a raw edge of cardboard is created. On such a raw edge, the cardboard is not covered by the plastic coating of the carton. When the passage between the first reservoir and the second reservoir is created, the liquid first substance can come into contact with the raw edge of the cardboard. This will certainly occur when the container is shaken, for example to mix the first and the second substance. If the liquid first substance comes into contact with the raw edge of the cardboard, the intensive contact between the product and the cardboard during storage of the product may lead to significant cardboard off-flavours. Moreover, the first substance may seep into the cardboard, thus wetting the carton and creating leakage. In general, if the contents of the container comes into contact with a raw edge of the cardboard, hygiene problems are likely to occur.
Second, attaching the second reservoir to the inside of the first reservoir offers also the opportunity to provide a-septic filling of the container. In general, when the second reservoir is attached to the first reservoir, a smooth surface is created on the inside of the first reservoir. Such a smooth surface can be cleaned well with for example hydrogen peroxide and/or UV-radiation, so that an α-septic inside of the container is obtained. Also, if the interface of the second reservoir is attached to the inside of the first reservoir, the exterior of the first reservoir will not come into contact with the contents of the container, which is advantageous from a hygienic point of view.
Also, the container looks more attractive, as the interface with which the second reservoir is sealed to the first reservoir is not visible for the consumer.
Moreover, if the interface of the second container is attached to the inside of the first reservoir, and the second reservoir protrudes through an aperture, the contents of the second reservoir can be released into the first container by just breaking a thin barrier between the first and the second reservoir. This is contrary to the container as known from WO03/043898, in which also a the material of the first reservoir forms part of the barrier that has to be removed or broken to establish fluid communication between the first and the second reservoir. Therefore, in this embodiment, the second reservoir can be opened easily.
In this embodiment, it is envisaged that the wall to which the second reservoir is attached comprises an aperture through which the second reservoir at least partly projects to the outside of the first reservoir. This way, the second reservoir is visible and tamper evident means can be provided easily. A very simple way of providing such tamper evident means would be to use a second reservoir that is at least partly transparent. If the second reservoir has been tampered with, it is very likely to be empty, which is visible if the part of the second reservoir that projects from the first reservoir is at least partly transparent.
Of course, the use of an at least partly transparent second reservoir and the advantages thereof are not limited to this specific embodiment.
It is however also possible to arrange the second reservoir entirely inside the first reservoir. In such an embodiment, the second reservoir may be arranged such that it is covered by the weakened area of the first reservoir.
In the container according to the invention, a barrier is present between the first substance and a second substance. This barrier will generally be located between the first reservoir and the second reservoir. Preferably, the barrier comprises a plastic film or foil. This way, no harmful raw edges are created when the barrier is broken. Alternatively, the seal comprises a film of plastic coated aluminium or a weakened area of the wall of the first reservoir to which the second reservoir is attached serves as a barrier.
Preferably, the barrier is a planar element. More preferably, the barrier lies essentially in the plane of the wall of the first reservoir to which the second container is attached.
Preferably, the second reservoir is positioned on the first reservoir in such a way that the second reservoir does not interfere with the opening procedure of the first reservoir. Preferably, the arrangement is such that the normal opening procedure that the customers are used to for the specific type of container that is used as a first reservoir can be used in the normal way.
For example, when the container is a gable-top container, the container preferably comprises a foldable spout as an openable closure means. The spout is adapted to be folded from at least a part of each of the two slanting walls forming the top of the container. In that case, the second reservoir is spaced from each part of the slanting walls that is adapted to at least partly form the spout, and away from the top seal of the container. This way, the gable-top container can be opened in the way consumers are used to.
As an alternative, a screw cap or a plastic spout can be used as openable closure means. Preferably, if the second reservoir is attached to one of the slanting walls of a gable-top container, the screw cap or plastic spout is attached to the other slanting wall. A reclosable closure means such as a screw makes it possible to shake the container again after some of its contents has been removed without spilling.
Preferably, the container according to the invention is provided with a shielding device for preventing the second substance to be dispensed into the first substance too early, that is: before the customer chooses to release the second substance into the first substance. The shielding device has an active and an inactive mode. In the active mode, it prevents the second substance to be dispensed into the first substance. Preferably, the shielding device in its active mode prevents access to the second reservoir.
When the container is handled, transported and stored, the shielding device is in its active mode. When a customer wants to release the second substance into the first substance, he brings the shielding device into its inactive mode. In the inactive mode of the shielding device, the barrier between the first substance and the second substance can be eliminated, such as by breaking, tearing, puncturing or physically removing the barrier.
Preferably a tamper-evident device is associated with the shielding device.
Preferably, the shielding device is a cap, made of relatively rigid material and being arranged to fully or partially cover the second reservoir when the cap is in its active mode. The cap is brought in its inactive mode for example by twisting or pulling it off the second reservoir, or by pivoting the cap away from the second reservoir.
When the second substance is to be released in the first reservoir, a passage between the second and the first reservoir has to be created. This is done by eliminating the barrier between the first and the second reservoir. Physically, this barrier can be eliminated for instance by puncturing, breaking, tearing or physically removing the seal. This way, a passage between the respective reservoirs is created so that the first reservoir and the second reservoir come into fluid communication with each other.
Preferably, the barrier between the second and the first reservoir is adapted to be broken by applying a pressure on it, preferably by pressing on a deformable part of the outer surface of the second reservoir, just like when opening a blister-type package. In order to facilitate the breaking of the barrier, the barrier can be locally scored or otherwise weakened.
It is envisaged that the container comprises additional release means, which facilitate the elimination of the barrier. Such release means can be adapted to penetrate the seal, such as a release means in the form of a pin that is pushed through the seal. Alternatively, the release means are adapted to increase the pressure inside the second reservoir.
In a preferred embodiment, the second reservoir is a blister of the type described in the German Gebrauchsmuster DE29907740U1 of Klocke Verpackungs-Service GmbH. This blister comprises a compressible cup body having an opening surrounded by a circumferential rim of said cup body. The barrier is a barrier foil covering said opening and being attached to said rim of said cup body. Integral with the cup body, a piercing member is formed that projects inside the blister towards the barrier foil. The piercing member is formed directly out of the material of the cup body.
Preferably, the area of the cross section of the passage is at least 0.3 times the area of the cross-section of the second reservoir at the side facing the passage. More preferable, the area of the cross section of the passage is about the same size as the area of the cross-section of the second reservoir at the side facing the passage. This way, the second substance can be discharged easily into the first substance. Also, a second substance comprising relatively large particles such as chocolate chips or muesli can be discharged into the first substance. Also, in the case that the second substance is a powder, it is avoided by this measure that the passage gets clogged up.
During handling, transport and storage of containers for food such as dairy products, in general for each container generally an individual, substantially brick-shaped handling space is provided. The height of this individual handling space is defined by the distance between the top and the bottom of the first reservoir, and the width and depth of the handling space by the maximum dimensions of the cross section of the body of the first reservoir. The handling space may extend a few millimetres beyond the dimensions of the first reservoir, but this is not necessary.
If a container is not entirely brick-shaped, such as when it has for example one or more slanting walls, the handling space of the container is not fully taken up by the first reservoir, leaving open a remaining space. Something projecting from the first reservoir into this remaining space of the handling space is generally more protected, such as by adjacent containers or by walls of the area in which the containers are transported or stored, than something that projects outside of the handling area of the first reservoir.
In a possible embodiment, the second reservoir is arranged on a wall of the first container adjacent to such a remaining space, such that the container according to the invention is less susceptible to damage of undesired release of the second substance into the first substance than known containers. This effect is enhanced when the part of a second reservoir that projects from the first reservoir is adapted in shape and size to stay within the remaining area completely.
In that case, the container according to the invention takes up the same handling space as a container of the same type that lacks a second reservoir. This way, as an additional advantage, equipment that is used in for example handing, transport and storage of the containers does not need to be adapted for handling containers according to the invention.
Also, the space a container according to the invention takes up during storage remains substantially the same in comparison to a container without a second reservoir, so that containers with a second reservoir can be handled, transported and stored along with containers of the same size having no second reservoir.
It is envisaged that the container according to the invention is a gable-top container, but also other types of containers, such as the type described in International Patent Application PCT/NL03/00258 or generally brick-shaped containers, are possible.
In a further embodiment, the container according to the invention can have more than one second reservoir. Each second reservoir has a respective barrier, which after breaking provides fluid communication between the respective second reservoir and the first reservoir. It is envisaged that instead of or in addition to multiple fully separate second reservoirs, one or more second reservoirs with multiple compartments are used. In that case, each compartment has a barrier that can be broken separately from the barriers of other compartments.
The substance in the two or more of the second reservoirs or compartments can be different from each other. This way, different types of substances can be added to the first substance (for example: chocolate chips and vitamins). Also, the customer is offered a choice which substance to add to the first substance (for example: chocolate chips or vitamins).
In contrast, two or more second reservoirs or compartments can contain the same second substance. This way, a larger total amount of the second substance can be added to the first substance and the customer is offered a choice in the amount of second substance to add. If for example the second substance is sugar, the customer can decide himself on the desired sweetness of the first substance.
It is envisaged that the container is provided with a mixing promotion device. This mixing promotion device can be a plate provided with holes or a spatial structure inside the first reservoir.
Preferably, the material of the second reservoir is a laminate comprising plastics. Preferably, this laminate comprises a layer of polystyrene (PS) for mechanical strength and stability of the second reservoir. Also, preferably, at least one boundary layer of the laminate is made of polyethylene (PE), so that the second reservoir can be connected to a first reservoir of PE-coated cardboard by means of for instance heat sealing or ultrasonic sealing. Also, other suitable layers can be used, such as a layer serving as a light barrier or oxygen barrier when the second substance is sensitive to light or oxygen, respectively.
A suitable way of manufacturing such second reservoirs is thermoforming, which is a low cost process.
As an alternative for the container comprising a first reservoir and a second reservoir, the second reservoir can be distributed separately from a container comprising a first reservoir. In that case, the container is provided with a connector for connecting a second reservoir with a content of choice to the first reservoir. The connection is preferably established in a liquid-tight way, for example by using an O-ring. This way, the container can be shaken to mix the first substance and the second substance without spilling.
Arranging the connector on a wall of the first reservoir, being preferably a flat panel, has the same advantages as arranging the second reservoir on such a wall, being preferably a flat panel in the previously discussed embodiment.
In the alternative embodiment in which the second reservoir is sold separately from the container, there is more freedom of design of the second reservoir.
The invention also relates to a method for packaging a first substance in accordance with claim 29.
It is envisaged that the second reservoir is attached to the first reservoir by means of heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, high frequency sealing or gluing. If one of these techniques is chosen, it is advantageous if the wall of the first reservoir to which the second reservoir is sealed is made of plastic coated, preferably PE-coated cardboard, and that the surface of the interface of the second reservoir is made of a compatible sealable plastic material, preferably also polyethylene.
Preferably, the material of the second reservoir is transparent.
It is envisaged that a method similar to the attachment of screw caps onto or into a carton is used for attaching second reservoirs to sleeves. When the second reservoirs are attached to the inside of the first reservoir, this process even has an advantage over the usual application of screw caps. Due to their geometry, when attached to the inside of the first reservoir, screw caps cannot be cleaned thoroughly enough to provide an a-septic container. However, as a second container generally has a more smooth surface than a screw cap, cleaning to a-septic levels can be reached when applying second reservoirs.
It is envisaged that the interface of the second reservoir, by which the second reservoir is to be attached to the sleeve, is positioned either on the outside or on the inside of the sleeve. Preferably, the interface attaching the second reservoir to the first reservoir is arranged on the inside of the first reservoir, with the second reservoir projecting through the hole in the blank. This is advantageous because it gives a better appearance to the container. Moreover, any increase in pressure inside the first reservoir, for example due to a light squeezing of the container when it is picked up, results in an extra closing force on the seal, thus ensuring better leak tightness. Also, by applying the second reservoir to the inside of the first reservoir it is avoided that the first substance seeps into the cardboard of the first container through the raw edge of the cardboard.
It is however also envisaged that the interface of the second reservoir can be arranged on the outside of the first reservoir.
Preferably, the first reservoir is made by folding a blank of laminated cardboard. Preferably, the blank is provided with a aperture over which a barrier which will be applied. This allows easy manufacturing of the first reservoir and allows the use of machines already in use for making containers without a second reservoir. When the barrier is applied, it may or may not already have the second reservoir attached to it.
Advantageously, the first substance is a liquid dairy product such as milk or yoghurt. Alternatively, the first substance may be for example water, more in particular mineral water, a sauce or even a liquid detergent. To a liquid detergent, for example, perfume or enzymes may be added as a second substance. It is advantageous that the first substance has a low viscosity, since this facilitates mixing the second substance with the first substance. The mixing can for example be achieved by shaking the container when the second substance has been released into the first substance.
The container and the method according to the invention will be illustrated below in conjunction with the drawing, in which nonlimiting embodiments of the container according to the invention are shown.
The drawing shows in:
fig. 1 an embodiment of a container according to the invention,
fig. 2 a section of the embodiment of a container according to fig.1 in filled condition,
fig. 3a,b an embodiment of a container according to the invention, provided with a shielding device,
fig. 4a,b known types of containers for food products such as dairy, and their handling space,
fig. 5 containers according to the invention, along with known gable-top containers stored on shelves,
fig. 6 an alternative embodiment of a container according to the invention,
fig. 7 an other alternative embodiment of a container according to the invention,
fig. 8 an alternative embodiment of the second reservoir according to the invention,
fig. 9 an alternative, advantageous embodiment of the container according to the invention,
fig. 10 a further alternative, advantageous embodiment of the container according to the invention,
fig. 11 a cross section of a part of the embodiment of fig. 10 along line A-A,
fig. 12 the embodiment of fig. 10, provided with tamper-evident means,
fig. 13 a cross section of a part of the embodiment of fig. 12,
fig. 14 a schematic representation of the method for packaging a substance according to the invention,
Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a container according to the invention. Container 1 comprises a first reservoir 11, a second reservoir 12 and a barrier 13. The container 1 is of the gable-top type.
Second reservoir 12 is arranged on one of the slanting top walls 16, which slanting wall 16 is a flat panel of the first reservoir 11.
Dashed lines 14 indicate the parts 15 of the top walls 16 that are adapted to be folded outwardly in order to form a spout for releasing any contents of the first container. Fig. 1 shows that the second reservoir 12 is located away from the wall parts 15, so the second reservoir 12 does not interfere with the normal opening procedure of a gable-top container.
Fig. 2 shows the first reservoir 11 filled with a first substance 21. The first substance is preferably a dairy product with low viscosity, such as milk or drinking yoghurt. The second reservoir 12 is filled with a second substance 22, such as a flavouring or vitamins.
The second reservoir 12 is provided with an interface 17. The second reservoir 12 is attached to the first reservoir 11 by means of interface 17. In the embodiment of fig. 2, the interface 17 is attached to flat panel 16 from the inside of first reservoir 11. It is however also possible to attach the interface 17 to the outside of flat panel 16.
Fig. 3a,b show an embodiment of the container 1 according to the invention, in which a shielding device 20 is arranged over the second reservoir 12. The shielding device 20 is in this embodiment made of a hard plastic, and it can be pivoted around hinge 25.
In the situation according to fig. 3a, the shielding device 20 is in its active position. It covers the second reservoir 12, so the second reservoir cannot be subjected to a pushing force that could break the barrier 13 by accident.
In the situation according to fig. 3b, the shielding device 20 is pivoted to an upright position around hinge 25, in which upright position it no longer shields the second reservoir 12. So, now the shielding device does no longer protect the second reservoir 12. Pushing on the second reservoir 12 will cause the barrier 13 to break, thus eliminating the barrier between the first substance and the second substance. Thus, a passage 18 between the second reservoir 12 and the first reservoir 11 is established, and the second substance 22 is released into the first substance.
As the container itself it not open yet, the container can be shaken to mix the first substance 21 and the second substance 22 without spilling.
In an advantageous embodiment, the second reservoir is dimensioned in such a way that it is fully located within in handling space of container 1. The handling space is indicated in fig. 4a,b for known types of containers by dashed lines 3. The part of the handling space outside the container 1 is defined as the remaining space 2.
Fig. 5 shows containers 1 according to the advantageous embodiment in which the second reservoir is dimensioned in such a way that it is fully located within in handling space of container 1. In fig. 5, such containers are, along with known gable-top containers 50 (without a second reservoir) stored on shelves 55. As can be seen in fig. 5, second reservoirs 12 are protected by adjacent containers. Also, fig. 5 clearly shows that containers 1 according to this embodiment can be stored along with known containers 50 without additional provisions.
Fig. 6 shows an other alternative embodiment of a container 1 according to the invention. In the embodiment of fig. 6, the container 1 is provided with release means 26. By pushing on the top 27 of the second reservoir 12, the release means 27, in this case a sharp pin, punctures the barrier 13, thus facilitating the elimination of the barrier between the first substance and the second substance. Instead of a sharp pin, the release means 26 may comprise means for increasing the pressure inside the second reservoir. Also, solely or in addition to the presence of release means of any kind, the barrier 13 may be locally weakened such as by scoring lines to facilitate the elimination of the barrier between the first substance and the second substance.
Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the container according to the invention. In this alternative embodiment, a second reservoir 112 can be bought separately from a container 101, so that the customer can choose his favourite second substance. In that case, the container 101 is provided with a connector 140 for connecting a second reservoir 112 with a content of choice to the first reservoir 111. The connection is preferably established in a liquid-tight way, for example by using an O-ring. Seal 113 closes the container 101 when no second reservoir 112 is connected to the container 101.
Arranging the connector on a flat panel 116 of the first reservoir 111 adjacent to the remaining space has the same advantages as arranging the second reservoir on such a flat panel in the previously discussed embodiments.
In the embodiment of fig. 7, the second reservoir intended for comprises connection means 130 for connecting the second container 112 to connector 140 of the container 101. It also comprises a first barrier 131, for closing the second reservoir 112. Furthermore, the second reservoir 112 comprises third sealing means 132 being adapted to establish a liquid-tight seal between the connector 140 of container 101 in co-operation with second sealing means 142 provided on said connector 140.
It is envisaged that technical measures of the different embodiments shown are combined to embodiments not explicitly shown in the drawing.
Fig. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the second reservoir. In the embodiment of fig. 8, the second reservoir 200 comprises an interface 201 which is adapted be connected to the first reservoir 210. In this interface 201, a spout 202 is present, so that the spout 202 is integral with the second reservoir 200.
As an alternative (not shown), the closure means of the container may be a seal that is to be opened by puncturing it with a drinking straw.
Fig. 9 shows an alternative, advantageous embodiment of the container 301 according to the invention.
The container 301 has a first reservoir 311 made of coated cardboard. In a practical embodiment said reservoir 311 has a bottom wall, four upstanding side walls, preferably of square or rectangular cross-section and top structure, e.g. a flat top wall or a gable top structure with two inclined gable top walls. In this embodiment an aperture has been provided in a top wall 314 of the first container 301.
The second reservoir 312 has been produced in the manner of a blister package. The second reservoir 312 comprises a compressible cup body 315 having an opening surrounded by a circumferential rim 317 of said cup body 315. The opening is covered by a barrier foil 313, which foil 313 is attached to said rim 317 of said cup body 315.
In the chamber enclosed by the cup body 315 and the barrier foil 313, a second substance 322 is present. This substance could be a liquid, powdery, solid or even gaseous substance.
The cup body 315 protrudes through the opening in the wall of the first reservoir and extends above said wall. The rim 317 of the second container 301 is attached to the inside of the first container 301, for example by means of ultrasonic sealing.
The cup body 315 is made from thermoplastic material, preferably by thermoforming from a sheet of thermoplastic material.
In the embodiment shown here a piercing member 326 is associated with said second reservoir 312 for piercing said barrier foil 313 when a user presses on the cup body 315, so that the piercing of the barrier foil 313 can be effected easily.
In the embodiment shown here the piercing member 326 is integral with said cup body 315 and is arranged to be directed towards said barrier 313, so that upon compression of said cup body said piercing member engages on said barrier 313. In particular the piercing member 326 here is formed as a sharp pointed inwardly directed dimple in the cup body 315.
The barrier foil 313 has been welded onto the rim 317. The barrier foil 313 can be any suitable foil, including multilayer foils, e.g. containing one or more plastic layers. Preferably the layer of the foil 313 to be attached to the rim 317 is of essentially identical thermoplastic material in order to allow for easy welding of the foil 313 onto the rim 317.
The foil 313 could include a metal, e.g. an aluminium layer to improve barrier properties. However when packaging milk products in the first reservoir it is preferred to use a non-aluminium barrier in order to prevent contact between the aluminium and the milk product, e.g. at the edges of the foil 313.
As can be seen in the enlarged detail A of fig. 9, the first reservoir 311 is made of a cardboard laminate. In this example, the central layer 352 is made of cardboard. The outer boundary layer 351 and the inner boundary layer 353 can both be made of for instance polyethylene. It is possible that between the outer boundary layer 351 and the central layer 352 and/or between the inner boundary layer 353 and the central layer 352, other layers are present.
Also in detail A of fig. 9, it is shown that the cup body 315 and the rim 317 of the second reservoir 312 are made, integrally, of a laminate as well. It is advantageous if the outer boundary layer 361 of this laminate is made of the same plastic material as the inner boundary layer 353 of the material of the first reservoir 311. Due to this, a strong bond can be created between the first reservoir 311 and the second reservoir 312 by means of a heat sealing of ultrasonic sealing technique.
A layer of the second reservoir 312 can for example be of a material that acts as a UV barrier, thus shielding the second substance 322 from UV-radiation.
A layer, such as the inner boundary layer 363 can for example be made of polystyrene, which provides mechanical stability to the second reservoir 312. Also, other types and other numbers of layers are possible.
Preferably, the part of the second reservoir 312 that projects through the aperture of the first reservoir 311 is transparent.
Figure 10 shows a part of a container 400 having a first reservoir 401 of coated cardboard with a gable top structure with an inclined gable top panel 402.
The gable top panel 402 is provided with incision 403, here of substantially U-shape with cuts into, preferably through, the coated cardboard gable top panel 402. In this manner a weakened area is formed in said panel 402. The incision can be a predefined weakened line or slitted line in the coated cardboard.
On the inside of the panel 402 a second reservoir 410 has been mounted, which is shown in the cross-section of figure 11. The second reservoir 410 is arranged on the inside of the first reservoir 401, covering the weakened area.
The second reservoir 410 has a cup body 411 with a circumferential second rim 416 surrounding an opening of the cup body 411. A barrier foil 413 covers said opening and is attached to said second rim 416. A second substance 415 is present in said second reservoir 410.
The first rim 412 is welded to the inside of the panel 402. Preferably said first rim 412 and the inside of the panel 402 are made of similar thermoplastic materials.
By pressing onto the outside of the panel 402 within the area delimited by the incision 403 a user will be able to compress the cup body 411 of the second reservoir 410 and by doing so cause the barrier foil 413 to rupture thus allowing the second substance to enter the first reservoir 401.
It will be clear that a tamper-evident label or the like could be fitted over the weakened area as an indication whether or not the second reservoir has been compressed. As an alternative or in combination therewith the weakening line 403 could contain one or more breakable bridges, which tear upon compression of the weakened area.
A possible embodiment thereof is shown in figures 12 and 13. Here the weakened area of the first reservoir 600 has been provided by holes 601 in a wall 602 of the first reservoir 600. Between the holes 601, breakable bridges 603 are present.
Through the holes 601 the second reservoir 610, that is mounted entirely on the inside of the wall 602, is partly visible. The holes 601 define a pressure area 604 enclosed by them on which the user is supposed to press. By pressing on the pressure area 604, at least some of the breakable bridges 603 will tear, so that the pressing force becomes exerted on the second reservoir 610. The second reservoir 610 is embodied such that on application of pressure on the pressure area 604, a barrier 615 ruptures and the second substance is dispensed into the first reservoir. The rupture of the barrier 615 can be facilitated by means of piercing member 626.
The provision of one or more holes 601 and the mounting of the second reservoir 610 on the inside of the panel with holes is in particular attractive if said second reservoir is partly transparent, at least at the location of the holes. In this manner the user can see the content of the second reservoir and can also check whether the second substance has been dispensed already.
Fig. 14 shows schematically the method for packaging a first substance according to the invention.
First, a blank 530 is supplied. The blank 530 is made of cardboard and comprises scoring lines 531 that facilitate folding, and an aperture 532.
Then, the blank 530 is folded to form a sleeve 535. The sleeve 535 is sealed in its longitudinal direction. Then, the sleeve 535 is provided with a bottom 534. In this example, the bottom 534 is provided by folding parts of the sleeve 535, but is it also envisaged that a separate bottom is supplied to the filling line and sealed to the sleeve 535. The folding of the blank can take place outside the filling line. In that case, folded blanks are supplied to the filling line. It is also possible that the folding of the blank takes place in the filling line. Also, the bottom can be provided in or out of the filling line.
At 503, at least one second reservoir 540 per sleeve is supplied to the filling line. The second reservoir 540 comprises a body 541 filled with a second substance, a barrier 542 for closing the second reservoir, and an interface 543 for attaching the second reservoir 540 to the sleeve 535.
The second reservoir 540 is positioned relative to the sleeve 535 in such a way that the barrier 542 of the second reservoir 540 is arranged to at least partly cover aperture 532 in blank 530. The interface 543 of the second reservoir 540 is positioned either on the inside or on the outside of the sleeve 535, connecting the second reservoir 540 to the sleeve 535.
Preferably, the interface 543 of the second reservoir 540 is attached to the inside of the sleeve 535. More preferable, the second reservoir 540 at least partly projects through the aperture 532 to the outside of the sleeve 535. As an alternative, the second reservoir may be arranged inside the sleeve 535, in order to make for example a container according to fig. 10-13.
At 504, the inside of the sleeve 535, with the second reservoir 540 attached to it, is disinfected.
At 505, a first substance is supplied to the filling line 520. The sleeve 535 is filled with the first substance.
At 506, the sleeve 535 is closed by sealing the top of the sleeve. A closed first reservoir is obtained. The packaging is completed as a closed package 550, comprising a first and a second substance is obtained.
At 506, the package 550 is removed from the filling line 520.

Claims

Container, in particular for a food product, such as a dairy product, comprising:

a liquid-tight first reservoir for containing a liquid first substance, which first reservoir is at least partly made out of coated cardboard, and which first reservoir is delimited by reservoir walls,

at least one second reservoir for containing a second substance, the second reservoir having a smaller volume than the first reservoir, the second reservoir comprising an interface that attaches the second reservoir to a wall of the first reservoir,

a barrier associated with a respective second reservoir, which barrier can be eliminated to release the second substance into the first reservoir,

openable closure means that allow for opening and dispensing the contents from the first reservoir of the container,

characterised in that,
a reservoir wall of the first reservoir is provided with an aperture or a weakened area facilitating the formation of an aperture, and in that the second reservoir is attached to said reservoir wall of the first reservoir, covering said aperture or weakened area.
Container according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir wall onto which the second reservoir is attached is a flat panel.
Container according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein the interface of the second reservoir is attached to the inside of the reservoir wall.
Container according to claim 3, wherein the wall to which the second reservoir is attached comprises an aperture through which the second reservoir at least partly projects to the outside of the first reservoir.
Container according to claim 4, wherein the part of the second reservoir that projects from the first reservoir is at least partly transparent.
Container according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein the second reservoir is spaced from the openable closure means in such a way that the second reservoir does not interfere with the opening of the container.
Container according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein the container further comprises a shielding device that has an active and an inactive mode, the shielding device in its active mode being adapted to prevent the second substance from being dispensed into the first reservoir, and in that preferably a tamper-evident device is associated with the shielding device.
Container according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein the barrier is adapted to close a passage between the first reservoir and the respective second reservoir,
and in that the area of the cross-section of the passage is at least 0.3 times the area of the cross-section of the second reservoir at the side facing the passage.
Container according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein the container comprises release means that are adapted to facilitate the elimination the barrier between the first substance and the second substance.
Container according to claim 9, wherein the release means is a pin which is integral with the second reservoir.
Container according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein at least one second reservoir comprises a plurality of compartments.
Container according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein the openable closure means of the first reservoir comprise a spout for dispensing the contents of the container, the second reservoir being spaced from the spout.
Container according to claim 12, wherein the spout is a foldable spout e.g. a gable top spout, which spout is formed by a part of the first reservoir walls.
Container according to claim 12, wherein the spout is a plastic spout, preferably with an associated (screw-)cap, attached to a reservoir wall of the first reservoir.
Container according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein the first reservoir is essentially formed from a folded blank of coated cardboard.
Container according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein the coated cardboard of the first reservoir comprises a plastic layer, and in that the second reservoir comprises a plastic interface for connecting the second reservoir to the first reservoir, and in that the second reservoir is connected to the first reservoir by a weld between the interface and said plastic layer of the coated cardboard of the first reservoir.
Container according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein the second reservoir comprises a compressible cup body having an opening surrounded by a circumferential rim of said cup body, said barrier being a barrier foil covering said opening and being attached to said rim of said cup body.
Container according to claim 17,
wherein said cup body is made from thermoplastic material, preferably by thermoforming from a sheet of thermoplastic material.
Container according to claim 17 or 18,
wherein a piercing member is associated with said second reservoir for piercing said barrier.
Container according to claim 19,
wherein said piercing member is integral with said cup body and arranged to be directed towards said barrier, so that upon compression of said cup body said piercing member engages on said barrier.
Container according to claim 17,
wherein said barrier foil is welded onto said rim.
Container according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein said barrier is a non-aluminium barrier.
Container according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein said first reservoir has a weakened area and said second reservoir is mounted on the inside of the first reservoir covering said weakened area.
Container according to claim 23,
wherein said weakened area is formed by a predefined weakened line or slitted line in said coated cardboard.
Container according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein the container has a handling space that is defined by the main dimensions of the first reservoir, which handling space comprises a first space that is taken up by the first reservoir, and a remaining space outside the first space,
and in that the second reservoir is arranged on a wall of the first reservoir which wall is adjacent to the remaining space.
Combination of a container, in particular for food such as dairy products, and at least one second reservoir,
the container comprising a liquid-tight first reservoir for containing a liquid first substance, which first reservoir is at least partly made out of coated cardboard, and which first reservoir is delimited by reservoir walls,
the second reservoir being adapted for containing a second substance, the second reservoir having a smaller volume than the first reservoir,
the combination comprising opening means for dispensing the contents of the container,
characterised in that,
a wall of the first reservoir is provided with an aperture or a weakened area facilitating the formation of an aperture, and in that a first connector member is attached to said flat panel of the first reservoir, covering said aperture or weakened area, a seal associated with said aperture is provided, said seal being adapted to provide a barrier between the first reservoir and the atmosphere,
and in that the second reservoir is provided with a second connector member, and a seal being adapted to provide a barrier between the second reservoir and the atmosphere,
the first connector member and the second connector member being connectable to provide a liquid-tight passage between the first reservoir and the second reservoir upon suitable elimination of the seals.
Container, in particular for food such as dairy products, intended for use in an assembly according to claim 26.
Second reservoir intended for use in an assembly according to claim 26.
Method for packaging a first substance according to any of the preceding claims, which method comprises the following steps:

folding a blank, which comprises at least one aperture, to form a sleeve, and sealing the sleeve in its longitudinal direction,

providing the sleeve with a bottom,

supplying at least one second reservoir, each second reservoir comprising a body filled with a second substance, a seal for closing the second reservoir, and an interface for attaching the second reservoir to the sleeve,

positioning a second reservoir relative to the sleeve, in such a way that the seal of the second reservoir is arranged to at least partly cover an aperture in the blank, the interface of the second reservoir being positioned either on the inside or on the outside of the sleeve,

connecting a second reservoir to the sleeve,

filling the sleeve with the first substance,

closing the sleeve such that a closed first reservoir is obtained.
Method according to claim 21,
wherein the first substance is a liquid dairy product, such as milk or yoghurt drink.
Method according to claim 21 or 22,
wherein the second substance is a liquid, a powder, a granulate or a tablet.
Method according to any of the claims 21-23,
wherein more than one second reservoir is connected to the first reservoir, one or more second reservoirs containing a second substance different from the second substance in the other second reservoirs.
Method according to any of the claims 21-24,
wherein the interface of the second reservoir is attached to the inside of the sleeve and the second reservoir at least partly projects through the aperture to the outside of the sleeve.
Container according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first reservoir is filled with a non-carbonated beverage and the second reservoir is filled with a liquid or a solid e.g. a powder.
Container according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first reservoir is filled with a liquid dairy product.
Container according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein the container comprises a mixing promotion device.