EP1694176A1

EP1694176A1 - Utility device for a container of liquid matter

Info

Publication number: EP1694176A1
Application number: EP04798039A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-François Bedon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-11-21
Filing date: 2004-11-22
Publication date: 2006-08-30
Anticipated expiration: 2024-11-22
Also published as: FR2862509A1; DE602004020258D1; EP1694176B1; ATE426348T1; US20080110908A1; FR2862509B1; WO2005048787A1

Abstract

The invention concerns containers of liquids such as for example a beverage, and in particular but not exclusively, disposable cups, and more specifically a utensil provided in such cups. Such a device (1) can be used both for stirring, as a drinking straw, for protection from heat by rigidifying de body of the cup (3), and as a support for an advertising message. Said elements (12, 30) can easily be individually detached from one another to mix or to drink a beverage, and optionally for preserving a printed information on the heat protecting sheet (2) for preventing fingers from getting burnt.

Description

Title: Utility device for a container of liquid material Depositor: Jean-François Bedon Our Reference: 21045

Description

The present invention relates to containers of liquids such as for example a drink, and in particular but not exclusively to disposable cups, and more specifically to a utensil equipping them. Such a device can serve both as an agitator, as a straw, as thermal protection by stiffening the body of the cup, and as a support for a promotional message. These elements can be easily detached individually from one another from the cup for mixing or for drinking a drink, and for possibly storing information printed on the thermal protection sheet "anti-burn-finger".

To date, containers for liquids in the form of cups or the like are widely used both in vending machines and in restaurants (fast food, parties, travel, etc.).

However, this type of cup has not only the major disadvantage of not being directly associated with a stirring means, such as a stirrer (currently the stirrers are supplied independently), which cannot be fixed to the cup because of its excessively large size, but also an inconvenience in particular when taking the cup filled with a hot drink, and even an impossibility of shaking without getting your fingers dirty (wet) due to the short dimensions of the independent agitator. In addition, as will be understood, the rigidity of the cup body and its heat transfer capacity are directly a function of the thickness of the plastic and / or of the cardboard which constitutes it, and therefore of the temperature of the liquid.

In addition, this type of cup has, also the major drawback of not being directly associated with a means which avoids tilting the cup for drinking, like a straw (currently the straws are supplied independently), which cannot be fixed to the cup because of its too large bulk, but also an inconvenience in particular to eat while walking without risking spilling the drink. Thus, if it is desired that the body of the cup be graspable despite a hot drink without "burning" the fingertips of the user, while not deforming, it is necessary to increase the thickness of the walls of the cup , which is incompatible with the size of the cup, the stacking thereof, and the disposable nature of the cup.

Finally, this type of cup has the major drawback of not allowing information to be stored (printed text of a promotional or event message) on a clean, dry and space-saving support. Indeed, to keep the information (example telephone number of an advertiser, etc.) printed on the cup, it is necessary to clean the cup and then cut the wall of the cup on which the information is printed with a chisel; this operation is on the one hand too complicated and too restrictive for the consumer, and consequently does not allow advertisers to exploit in an efficient and profitable manner the commercial potentialities that represents the surface of the body of a cup.

The present invention therefore aims to provide a device for containers of liquids allowing convenient use for various applications.

There is provided a device having the characteristics of claim 1 as well as a container equipped with such a device. Favorable features are contained in the dependent claims.

In particular, the invention provides a utility device for a container of liquid material having a substantially cylindrical shape, the device comprising means capable of assuming a substantially oblong configuration and means capable of assuming a substantially planar configuration, secured to said container so as to allow a maintenance of the means capable of assuming a substantially oblong configuration and of means capable of taking a substantially planar configuration respectively in a configuration substantially along the circumference of said container, in order to allow stacking by device and container units, as well as a joint or selective separation of said means. Therefore it is possible to provide utensils with an extent exceeding that of the container practically without increasing the size and without interfering with a stack. The utensils can be used for a multiplicity of applications invoking for example the option of soak them in the liquid in the form of a spatula (means capable of assuming a substantially flat configuration), of an agitator or of a straw (means capable of assuming a substantially elongated or oblong configuration).

According to a preferred embodiment, the means capable of assuming a substantially oblong configuration are formed from a plastic or cardboard profile, in particular from a profile having a closed or C-shaped section. A closed section allows use easy as for a straw while a C-shaped section allows easy attachment to the edge of the container preferably having a complementary shape.

Preferably the means capable of assuming a substantially planar configuration are formed of a sheet, in particular of plastic or cardboard. This allows a stiffening function and can also allow the addition of decoration or information, since such a sheet can easily be subjected to a printing process or other treatment such as engraving, etc.

The means capable of assuming a substantially oblong configuration may comprise latching / hooking means or be engaged with latching means in order to allow attachment to the container or detachment from the container allowing safe use. alter the container by removing the means for use.

According to a preferred variant, the means capable of assuming a substantially oblong configuration comprise at least one part, promoting deformation, in particular a part with an accordion structure or a joint equipped with a locking system.

The means capable of assuming a substantially planar configuration can form or comprise an information medium. This makes it possible to provide an additional function to the device since one can imagine both providing information concerning the contents of the container as well as third-party information such as an advertising message.

Preferably the means able to take a substantially flat configuration have a shape complementary to the container in order to allow a minimum of additional space. Furthermore, such a structure can use the stiffening structures and may allow stacking in the case of containers having an open face such as a cup.

According to a preferred embodiment, the means capable of assuming a substantially oblong configuration and / or the means capable of assuming a substantially planar configuration are prestressed in one of their configurations.

The invention also provides a liquid container equipped with such a device. It may for example be a cup as used in hot drink dispensers with a device put in place during the preparation of the drink or in a pre-assembled manner.

Preferably, the container is formed from a material identical to that of at least one part of the device, in particular formed integrally with said part. This allows a low cost price and an implication of materials having a common food grade.

According to the invention, the device can therefore in a cup applications comprise a foldable and disposable agitator which has a circular arc shape, which comprises a base (spatula for stirring) and a handle engaged with the end of a protective sheet. which also stiffens the body of the cup.

Thus, thanks to this agitator which is easily fixed on the top of the cup, the cup is always equipped, in complete safety, with an agitator for sugary drinks or drinks needing to be homogenized for example.

Due to its design and its section which can be tubular, this same foldable agitator integrated or fixed on the top of the cup can simultaneously ensure the functions of straw for drinking by sucking a drink and shaking for example the ice cubes for a cold drink.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the device comprises blocking, hooking or latching means adapted to retain the agitator and / or the straw on the upper rim of the cup. Thus, since the agitator and / or the straw, and the protective sheet are integrated or clipped while respecting an extremely small space requirement on the cup, it will be understood that it is easy for the user to drink from the cup without being bothered by the utility device.

In addition, when the cup is emptied of its drink, it is understood that it suffices to throw away the cup, the agitator and / or the straw.

However, the protective sheet which serves to stiffen the cup and to thermally isolate the wall of the cup can be unhooked or unclipped from the cup independently of the agitator and / or the straw, and be kept by the user.

This arrangement provides great convenience for the user and simplification of manufacture by grouping the various parts into a single unit, while satisfying the aesthetics of the cup, its small size / weight, and its principle of stacking. with other cups.

In order to make the invention particularly economical and compact, and according to another particularly advantageous characteristic, the thermal and stiffening protective sheet is preferably made of a plastic or semi-rigid cardboard material of printable food grade (with a food grade ink ) which may optionally include horizontal and / or vertical grooves which are adjusted on the grooves of the cup, thus constituting an almost negligible excess thickness, the fastening systems or the clips being mounted on the top of the protective sheet.

The very thin protective sheet thus formed proves to be very interesting, not only during storage after manufacture (stacking), during unstacking in an automatic dispensing machine, but also especially when the cup is used for drinking without burning the fingertips of the user and also when the protective sheet is kept as an information medium by the user. Indeed, the thermal protection and stiffening sheet not having a bulky form (format of a credit bank card for example), it is very convenient in its use, and also for the conservation of advertising information in a card holder. In addition, the fineness of the attachment systems or clips offers low resistance, which guarantees a clean and very easy break of these attachment systems or clips and which prevents during separation of the thermal protection and stiffening sheet. the agitator (and / or straw) the introduction of plastic or cardboard debris into the drink contained in the cup.

Preferably, the connection with respect to the means capable of assuming a substantially oblong configuration and / or the means capable of assuming a substantially planar configuration takes place directly and / or indirectly by welding, in particular at the upper edge of the container, or alternatively by thermoforming.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, taken by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a view of an embodiment of 'A device according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a view of an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention and shown clipped on a cup; - Figure 3 is a vertical section of the device of Figure 2 showing the agitator and / or straw attached to the top of cups stacked with another cup (Note: Figure 3 is to scale 20);

- Figure 4 is an exploded view showing an example of agitator, straw, and protective sheet when the device according to a slightly modified embodiment is in the position of use of the agitator and / or straw;

- Figure 5 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention and shown in one piece before shaping (for example thermoforming);

- Figure 6 is a view of the shaping in the intermediate position of the embodiment of Figure 5 - Figure 7 is a vertical section of the device of Figures 5 and 6 showing the agitator and / or straw attached to the rim of the cup stacked with another cup (Note: Figure 7 is to scale 20);

- Figure 8 is an exploded view showing the stacking of two cups equipped with the agitator and / or the straw and the protective sheet;

- Figure 9 is a top view of an embodiment of the agitator adapted on the edge of the cup;

- Figure 10 is a perspective view of the agitator of Figure 9 in position on the cup. ; - Figure 11 is a sectional view of the positioning of the agitator on the edge of the cup;

- Figure 12 is a view showing the principle of unfolding the agitator and / or straw.

The cup 3 shown in Figure 2 is intended to receive a certain volume of liquid from the top of the cup 9 equipped with an agitator 6 (and / or a straw 6bis) and then to deliver the liquid under gravity when the edge of the cup 9 is sufficiently inclined. The word liquid used in the present invention preferably relates to a hot drink but can also define any other fresh drink, sweetened or not that one wishes to drink.

The cup is equipped with a device 1 which allows, against its low plastic elasticity and its ease of rupture at specific points, to pass from an assembled state (Figure 1) to a disassembled state after usage (Figure 4).

According to the embodiment shown, the device 1 comprises an agitator 6 (and / or a straw 6bis), having a structure in an arc of a circle, which comprises a spatula 7 and a handle 14 engaging with the two fine legs 4 and 4 'of protective sheet 2, via hooks 5 and 12 and which is likely to be, by the manufacturing process, either a clipped position in which the tabs 4, 4 ', the hooks 5, 12 and the thickness of the cup 11 are kept clipped, or a position detached in which the protective sheet 2 is detached from the agitator 6.

In the embodiments illustrated in the twelve figures, the device 1 is made of plastic material or rigid cardboard (which may be the same material from which the current cups are made); having a low elasticity, sufficient to accept small deformations. Preferably, the rigid material, having given satisfaction during multiple tests, is a plastic or a cardboard having fairly weak elastic characteristics. Such plastic or cardboard is for example thermoformable and of food grade such as that used for the manufacture of disposable cups currently on the market. This plastic or cardboard also has the advantage of being thermoformed or molded, of being printable with food ink and of easily breaking between the hooks 5, 12 and the tabs 4, 4 'at the breaking axes 14 and 15. In the case of an embodiment of the device 1 by thermoforming along a vertical axis, the hooks and fixing lugs will be positioned radially to the vertical axis to facilitate a clear break in the plastic or the cardboard when the agitator is unhooked. , straw, and thermal protection.

Of course, without departing from the scope of the invention, the top of the protective sheet 2 could be forced into the lower groove located in the thickness 11 of the edge of the cup (example of cardboard cups).

In a practical embodiment of the invention as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the agitator 6 being arranged on the edge of the cup 9, the legs 4, 4 ', 30 and the hooks 5, 12, 31 are connected point to point via the breaking axes 14, 15, 32 respectively on the two diametrically opposite regions of the lower thickness 11 of the edge of the cup. This well-balanced attachment of the stirrer can be achieved by clipping the breaking axes 14, 15, 32 in the lower groove located in the thickness 11 of the edge of the cup.

The principle of fixing produced by the clips composed of the hook 31, and of the rupture axis 32 which fixes the end (spatula side) of the agitator can be replaced by the spatula itself which is mounted under a slight pre -constraint. One of the advantages of this foldable spatula is to integrate (in the closed position) without overflowing the upper edge of the cup. Thus, no discomfort and no additional space is generated by the foldable spatula.

As illustrated in Figure 2, to give more efficiency to the agitator 6, the spatula 7 has the capacity to unfold. To allow this unfolding, the spatula 7 is split from its end to the folding point 33 (over a length of 1 to 2 cm). Thus the spatula is made up of two plastic strands across the width 6 of the agitator: a rather thick strand 17; and another rather thin strand 18.

The strand 17 has a thickness of two thirds of the thickness 6 of the agitator, while the strand 18 has a thickness of one third.

When the spatula is unfolded, it is the thinnest strand 18 which opens to give more contact surface to stir the drink. Thanks to its slightly greater thickness, the strand 17 does not move, it keeps its position in an arc. The unfolded spatula 7 forms a

"V".

The automatic unfolding of the spatula is done simultaneously with the unclipping of the agitator from the edge of the cup.

Actually, the shearing of the hooks 5 and 12 at the breaking points 33 and 34 releases the agitator from the edge of the cup, and consequently the unfolding of the spatula. Thanks to a molding under a slight pre-stress of the strand 18, this strand opens automatically in a "V" shape. The end of the strand 18 is equipped with a flat part 20 of very small thickness which matches the shape of the top of the cup 9. The aim of this flat part is to provide a greater contact surface with the drink to optimize the agitation of the drink.

Of course, this spatula 7 can be associated with the lower end of the straw 6bis to agitate certain drink. So when the cup is filled with liquid and thanks to the attachment of the agitator 6 to the edge of the cup 9, at first we can easily unclip the agitator 6 and / or the straw 6bis, then a few moments later , when the drink and the wall of the cup are cooler, you can unclip and the protective sheet 2 from the edge of the cup see Figure 4.

In order to optimize the convenience of the device, the protective sheet 2 is integral with the agitator 6 and / or the straw 6bis. Thus the device can move along a common axis A-A 'perpendicular to the upper edge of the cup.

Thanks to this arrangement and according to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the device 1 is provided with a handle 14 which can take for this purpose a position of unclipping for which the agitator 6 and / or the straw 6bis occupies their position of use (Figure 4), allowing the user to mix the liquid and drink it while vacuuming it.

As best seen in Figure 1, the agitator has a clip structure consisting of several hooks, namely in the example illustrated but not limiting, three hooks referenced 5, 12, and 31, nested via break pins 15, 16 and 32 in the thickness of the edge of the cup 11.

Each hook consists of thin legs, in this case the hooks 5, 12 and 31 are intended via the break pins to connect the agitator to the thermal protection sheet. In order to ensure a more economical production, and to optimize the functionality, said rupture axes thus constitute a breaking point 18 for separating the thermal protection sheet from the agitator. To initially release the agitator from the edge of the cup, the hooks 5, 12 and 31 are sheared at points 33 and 34 in the unclipping movement. In a second step, the thin tabs 4 and 4 ′ of the thermal protection sheet are sheared at points 18 by a movement of “uncapping” or unclipping the sheet.

According to an embodiment which has been slightly modified and as illustrated in FIG. 4, “anti-finger burn” marks 38 are provided at the ends of the sheet symbolizing the shapes of a fingertip. The thin legs 4 and 4 'and the marks 38 can be easily sheared thermal protection sheet, to allow the consumer to keep a clean message medium in the format close to that of a credit card.

According to yet another important characteristic of the invention and as shown in FIG. 1, the agitator 6 and / or the straw made of a plastic or cardboard material has the shape of an arc of a circle. According to a more advantageous and ergonomic embodiment, to unfold on a vertical axis, the agitator and / or the straw have an accordion system 35. To keep sufficient rigidity in the closed position, the accordion system is locked by very fine legs 36 and 37. As shown in FIG. 4, in order to optimize the length of the agitator and / or the straw, after very easy shearing of the locking legs 36 and 37, the two ends in an arc of a circle the agitator and / or straw on either side of the accordion system are aligned on the vertical axis. The liquid can easily circulate inside the accordion system of tubular section.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the device can be fixed by enclosing the rim 11 of the cup. It should be noted that the agitator and / or the straw may extend over only part of the perimeter or over the entire periphery. In the example shown in FIG. 3 and in order to guarantee perfect insertion between two cups stacked one on the other, the agitator and / or the straw comprise a stiffening frame formed of a sort of peripheral bead 6 and 6bis whose thickness is less than that of the space "G" between two stacked cups. In the representation of Figure 3 we can see that there is illustrated in the upper part an embodiment using a stirrer, while in the lower part is used a straw. The attachment of the device is done so that stacking by container and device units is feasible as for conventional cups without device. From then on the straw or the agitator is located above the rim of the cup by forming by hook means 5 or 12 a clip around the rim. The affixation is further reinforced by the presence of a bead-shaped break pin 15 meshing in a slot formed by the rim of the cup.

In a preferred embodiment, the bead 11 of the edge of the cup is formed by a plastic or cardboard of the same type as that of the device and because of its configuration acquires a hardness greater than the protective sheet 2. As will be understood, this bead has a thickness slightly greater than that of the protective sheet. This bead serves as a dimensional reference frame for clipping the break axes 15, 16 and 32.

In an embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, the device 1 is made in one piece at the same time as the cup 3. Thanks to a single pattern 47 cut from a sheet of plastic or cardboard of thin thickness, the cup 3 and device 1 are thermoformed industrially and automatically (without manual intervention) in a single pass. Thus, the principle of thermoforming and stamping of the cup 3 and of the device 1 makes it possible to obtain the right thicknesses for the various elements such as the agitator 6, the straw 6 bis and the thermal protection 2. Indeed, thanks to this principle the agitator 6 and the straw 6bis thus formed have a thickness sufficient to give the rigidity necessary for their functionality; this thickness is almost identical to the thickness of the initial sheet.

Thanks to this principle of thermoforming (stamping), the thermal protection 2 has a very thin thickness, thinner than that of the agitator 6 and the straw 6 bis. The very thin thickness of the thermal protection 2 being identical to that of the wall of the cup 3, the stacking of two cups as shown in FIG. 7 is possible while strictly keeping the same stacking pitch G between two cups.

As shown in Figure 7, comparing the stacking of a conventional cup (left side) respecting the stacking pitch G (and the thin wall thickness) between cups fitted with device 1 (right side) allows proper unstacking in automatic vending machines without changing the settings of the unstacking systems of these machines. In particular, it can be clearly discerned that, unlike the preceding embodiments, the straw 6bis (upper part of the drawing) or the agitator (lower part) are an integral part of the rim of the cup and are no longer superimposed as shown in Figure 3. This arrangement makes stacking or de-stacking even easier. It should be noted that the configuration can be obtained either during the production of the cup itself or by adding the device, for example by welding or using an adhesive. Furthermore, it can be seen that the sheet perfectly matches the structure of the cup, thus in no way interfering with its stacking. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the concave shape obtained by thermoforming and the dimensioning of the “anti-finger burn” marks 38 of the fine stiffening thermal protection 2 around a part of the body of the cup 3 allows this protection to conform well to the shape. cup and any grooves (horizontal or vertical). The thermal protection thus well applied to the body of the cup allows the automatic stacking of the cups at very rapid rates during the manufacturing process, by not coming off the body of the cup despite the air flows generated by the speed d stacking cups.

Yet another preferred embodiment is illustrated in Figure 8, showing a unit formed of a cup 3 and a utility device in substantially sleeve-like form. The sleeve substantially conforms to the cup and has a detachable sheet 2 with, in addition, openings allowing easy detachment. Furthermore, the sleeve is provided with an upper edge capable of being placed under the rim of the cup as illustrated in FIG. 11. This rim forms at the same time as it serves for fixing relative to the cup to provide the agitator 6 or straw 6 bis. It should be noted that the embodiment of FIG. 8 could just as well be produced in a two-layer beaker having perforations or micro-cuts at the locations chosen in order to allow the detachability of the sheet and of the agitator or the straw.

The pre-cuts of the forms of the agitator 6 (including the handle 14, the spatula 7, the release point 49 of the spatula, and the articulation 35), of the straw 6 bis and of the thermal protection 2, including the “anti-finger burn” marks 38 and the stall eyelets 48 of the central part of the thermal protection are produced during the thermoforming operations of the cup 3 and of the device 1 by mechanical, chemical or type cutting equipment. laser.

For all the embodiments, it is possible to arrange the agitator having an “L” section composed of a horizontal part 52 which has a thickness identical to that of the initial sheet, and which is aligned in the extension of the edge. folded 11 (see Figure 11), and a vertical part 53 which has a thickness thinner than the part 52, identical to the wall of the cup 3. As illustrated in Figure 9 the agitator 6 is composed of two quarters of circumference 50 and 51 connected by an articulation point 35 (at point M) which has a V-shaped cutout on the horizontal part 52. The vertical part 53 is not cut, it makes it possible to maintain on the one hand the connection between the two quarters of circumference 50 and 51 and on the other hand the unfolding on an angle of 90 ° against the direction of its radius of curvature. The mechanical characteristics of the plastic or cardboard allow plastic deformation to achieve the articulation 35 of the vertical part 53 without breaking, as required by this unfolding so that the handle moves from point P 'to point P (see Figure 12) .

One of the other advantages of the agitator principle produced in two quarters of circumference on the half-circumference of the cup is to automatically adjust to the height of the cup whatever the capacity of the cup; this makes it possible to equip cups with different heights used in automatic vending machines. This advantage is doubly important, on the one hand it solves the problem of automatic distribution systems which only accept single-length stirrers, and on the other hand it makes it possible to make very significant cost savings by making it possible to eliminate these automatic agitator distribution systems (in addition to the production costs of the agitators themselves) which are not very reliable for distributing agitators one by one given the small thickness of the agitators.

As shown in Figure 11 it is possible to allow easy and ergonomic disengagement of the agitator 6, that the quarter circumference 50 of the agitator is not provided with attachment system. In this embodiment, the section 50 is maintained on the body of the cup partly thanks to its concavity. The quarter circumference 51 of the agitator is held on the body of the cup, in line with the edge 11 of the cup by the latching system 49 positioned radially (not shown in FIG. 11).

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the agitator can be in very specific form with a handle part 14 and a spatula part 7. Thus the consumer wishing to use the agitator grips the handle 14 of the agitator to pull it into the perpendicular axis to pass from point P on the axis BB to point P on the axis CC (rotation by an angle of 90 °) of figure 12. In this movement, the quarter of circumference 51 being maintained in fixed position on the cup thanks to the hooking system 49, the articulation 35 of the agitator can be locked thanks to the locking system 36 and 37. The articulation 35 being locked (without making significant effort), the consumer continues to pull slightly on the handle 14 for break the attachment system 49 which has a low resistance to breakage, thus the two quarters of circumference 50 and 51 are aligned on the right axis CC and the stirrer 6 is ready to be used for stirring a drink. The principle is identical to unhook the straw 6 bis.

Now, we will describe the operation and use of the cup by a consumer in the context in particular of an automatic beverage dispenser. For convenience and also to take into account the strong economic constraints, the device is made directly with the cup or automatically fixed (without manual intervention) on each cup during the process of manufacturing the cup, which means that the cup thus equipped is put available to each consumer.

The cup filled with the drink chosen by the consumer is made available in the automatic drink dispenser. The consumer can frankly take hold of the cup fitted with the thermal protection sheet 2 without risking deforming the walls of the cup (which avoids any risk of spilling the drink), and of burning his fingertips with a hot drink. The advantage for the consumer is that he can grasp the body of the cup without any special precautions. The consumer no longer has to grasp the cup by its upper edge 9 to avoid getting burned.

In the case of a sugary drink, for example, the consumer can take hold of the agitator 6 by unhooking it or by unclipping it from the upper edge of the cup 9. The disposable agitator in the “two half-curve” design type on a straight axis ”very innovative equipped with a foldable spatula according to the embodiment ensures a good mixture of the drink.

The agitator also has the advantages of preserving the cleanliness of the edge (9) of the cup, where the consumer places his lips. On the one hand, this agitator allows the consumer to have a clean agitator, which has not been touched by other consumers. On the other hand the consumer who does not use an agitator can drink his drink without having to remove the "combined system" from the top of the cup. The small size of this agitator does not penalize the stacking of the cups at the cup manufacturer, and also does not penalize the unstacking of the cups in the automatic beverage dispenser. Furthermore, to allow easy automatic unstacking of the cups from one another and to allow the cup to fall in a strictly vertical position in the airlock of the automatic dispensing machine, the agitator 6 and the straw 6 bis are positioned on the half-circumference opposite that of the thermal protection 2 (see Figure 8). This arrangement allows on the one hand a perfect balance of the masses of the cup, and on the other hand ergonomically it allows the consumer to grasp with one hand the thermal protection 2 safely, and with his other hand to unhook the agitator 6 and / or straw 6 bis.

In all cases, the protective sheet 2 can be easily grasped (unhooked or unclipped) from the cup, independently of the agitator at the time desired by the consumer.

The protective sheet 2 has the advantage of being made of an easily printable plastic or cardboard of food grade, which can be kept by the consumer, after the cup and the agitator are thrown away. Furthermore, the surface of the thermal protection sheet 2 can be offered and sold as detachable advertising space to a client company which can have a promotional message printed either directly by the manufacturer of cups, or by manufacturers of automatic vending machines or maintenance teams for these machines in one region, who can print these customized advertising spaces, by buying blank cups from the cup manufacturer. The technical and marketing possibilities offered by this device 1, thermal protection 2 and its embodiments make it possible to open up new prospects with very high commercial potential to a market of international scope which needs to reduce production costs ( increase production rates) of cups, if they cannot be given real added value to current cups. Industrial automatic production of the device described here would make it possible to have high production rates and therefore to remain at cost levels identical to those of current cups. The gains linked to the commercial added value are therefore very interesting for the various participants in this market of automatic distribution. This promotional message which can be very easily exploited and stored is intended for the consumer who takes a drink in a disposable cup. In addition to the formats described above, the generic form 39 (example of the heart, or any other subject depending on the occasion) can serve as a support for writing a name, etc. for a more festive use. As shown in Figure 1 the device can be a piece of plastic or cardboard in one piece (plastic or cardboard food grade). This configuration would have the advantage of being able to thermoform or mold the "combined system" in a single operation in proportion to the model of the plastic or cardboard cup, and to produce large series at low cost. The installation of the device on the edge of the cup could be done by a thermal principle to properly shape the clips.

Before mounting on the cup, the protective sheet 2 could be printed on the front or on the front & back.

Obviously the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated but on the contrary encompasses a multiplicity of variants as covered by the appended claims. In particular, it should be noted that the characteristics described for one embodiment can be freely combined with characteristics of other embodiments.

Claims

Title: Utility device for a container of liquid material Applicant: Jean-François Bedon Our Reference: 21045 Claims

1. Utility device for a container of liquid material having a substantially cylindrical shape, the device comprising means capable of assuming a substantially oblong configuration and means capable of assuming a substantially planar configuration, secured to said container so as to allow the means to be maintained able to assume a substantially oblong configuration and means capable of assuming a substantially planar configuration respectively in a configuration substantially along the circumference of said container, in order to allow stacking by device and container units, as well as a common or selective separation of said containers means.

2. Device according to claim 1, in which the means capable of assuming a substantially oblong configuration are formed from a plastic profile, in particular from a profile having a closed or C-shaped section.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the means capable of assuming a substantially planar configuration are formed of a sheet, in particular of plastic.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the means capable of assuming a substantially oblong configuration comprise latching means or are engaged with latching means.

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means capable of assuming a substantially oblong configuration comprise at least one part, promoting deformation, in particular a part with an accordion structure.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the means capable of assuming a substantially planar configuration form or comprise an information medium.

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the means capable of assuming a substantially planar configuration have a shape complementary to the container.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the means capable of assuming a substantially oblong configuration and / or the means capable of assuming a substantially planar configuration are prestressed in one of their configurations.

9. Liquid container equipped with a device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in particular in the form of a cup.

10. Container according to claims 9, being formed of a material identical to that of at least one part of the device, in particular formed integrally with said part.

11. Container according to any one of claims 9 to 10, in which the connection with respect to the means capable of assuming a substantially oblong configuration and / or the means capable of assuming a substantially planar configuration takes place directly and / or indirectly by welding, especially at the top edge of the container.