GB2293366A

GB2293366A - A sachet which can be converted into a cup

Info

Publication number: GB2293366A
Application number: GB9517753A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pavlos Yiannakopoulos
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-09-23
Filing date: 1995-08-31
Publication date: 1996-03-27
Also published as: GB9517753D0

Abstract

A sachet made of cardboard, PVC or other combinations of materials bears pre-grooved lines on its surface and a special inlet (16) for pouring in water. When compressed at its edges (15) following unsealing (18) and air intake, the pre-grooved lines bend and result in the formation of all the other sides, so that the sachet is converted into a cup. The cup is used for the preparation of drinks with water addition, as it already contains the instant coffee (with or without sugar) or the instant concentrated juice drinks, without containing any water (17). Information or advertising material may be printed at the sides of the sachet. The sachet can be manufactured in different types according to the type of inlet used (16). <IMAGE>

Description

A SACHET WHICH CONTAINS INSTANT COFFEE OR DRINKS OR WHICH IS EMPTY AND WHICH CAN BE CONVERTED INTO A CUP The present invention presents a new method for preparing instant drinks and refers to the manufacture and the operation of sachets of a special shape which contain instant coffee granules or other condensed instant drinks. The sachets do not contain the water necessary for the preparation of the drink. In the course of their use, the sachets can be transformed into a cup where the water necessary for preparing the drink is added.

The sachet can also be empty, so that it can be converted into a cup, suitable for any id of use.

The material for the manufacture of the sachets will depend on their ar.tizi~ated use. Thus, simple materials will be recessary fo- sachets fcr the preparation cf condensed vices, The eats mcre complicated materials will be used for sachets for coffee preparation.

The external side of the sachets will be made of cardboard of a suitable thickness or by a plastic or PVC sheet. The internal part of the sachet will be coated by aluminium foil and by a thi transparent plastic membrane, suitable for contact with the contents of the sachet.

Other combinations of the above materials are possible. Such materials are already known as they are in use by the industry for the nanufacture of boxes containing hydrated drinks.

The present invention is innovative, as the same sachet, sealed and containing the materials necessary for the preparation of the drink, can be converted, by the execution of a small pressure, into a device where water can be added and the drink be prepared.

Food packaging techm.ology has not so far presented a similar invention. Thus, food packaging industries have to pack hydrated drinks.

This causes a series of disadvantages including transportation disadvantages, weight and volume considerations, storage and refrigeration requirements, etc.

The use ct the resent invention elLrnnates the abcve disadvantages, d the sachet containing the material for drink preparation has a small weight and volume, as it can be even easily carried within th' ;ecket of a shirt without it being visible. It is thus practical and useful. The drink can be easily prepared when requested, with the addition of the necessary water. The invention presents a pocket sized product for preparing instant drinks at any location, without transportation problems.

Drawing 1 illustrates a perspective view of the develcament of the surface of the material for the manufacture of the sachet. In this case, the sachet is made up of three plies of a different composition which are attached to each other to form a unified body.

tem 11 as the exeern special cardboard, or the plastic - P, sheet used instead. which must be suitable for use with focdstufts. e.a.

made of the sate material used for water, Coke# or Orange juice bottles.

Item 12 is an internal intermediate coating which is attached to the internal surface cf the cardboard and which made of thin aluminium foil.

Item 13 is the inner coating sheet which comes into direct contact with the materials and which is made of thin transparent film suitable for use with foodstuffs. The film is attached to the inner surface of the aluminium foil. The above materials, attached to each other, constitute a compact structure, able to withstand stress and providing adequate long - term protection to the contents of the sachet, against rot. This is achieved by the air tight assembly of the sachet.

The different layers of the lining of the sachet (drawing l)are attached to each other by thermal welding and the exertion of pressure.

The edges of the perimeter of the sachet (item 14, drawing 2) are also suitably formulated and welded.

The composItion of the materials cf cc.nst-lctior can be also different than that described above. Similarly, different variations of the absently process and the attachment of the various layers to each other are possible, e.g.: a. External cardboard or plastic-PVC sheet and b. Internal aluminium foil or thin transparent plastic film: or a. External high quality cardboard sheet, bearIng a smoothened, non-porous internal surface or a. External plastic-PVC sheet and b. Internal high quality cardboard sheet cr a.External plastic-PVC sheet of a suitable thickness as that suitable for use with foodstuffs, as its Internal side will come into contact with the contents of the sachet The various compositions for the above materials will depend on the contents of the sachet. Different materials will be used with solid dehydrated materials as coffee and sugar, or with condensed orange juices, cold tea, or apricot, apple and other juices.

Apart from the materials mentioned above, all other suitable materials can be used for the manufacture of the sachet.

Thus, the use of any type of materials known today, or of any suitable for this use materials to be developed in the future, do not influence or change the value or the nature of the invent on as already described and as it will be detailed in the descripticn and analysis of the drawings hi0 follow.

The idea behind this invention lies in the principle of the sealed sachet containing the dehydrated material for the preparation of instant drinks which has a small volume and weight. When, during its use, the sachet is unsealed, it is converted into a cup where water can be added for the preparation of the drink. The sachet may also be empty, not containing any drink. Then, it can be converted into a hollow cup for any suitable use, e.g. for mixing coffee and sugar contents of other sealed instant coffee sachets with water, for the preparation of an instant drink.

The drawings illustrate four types of sachets. her difference lies to the upper part, where the unsealing for ^-a.e- additIon is performed. The sachets are illustrated in perspective view in drawings 3, 3, 8, and 10. The rest of the drawings illustrate various methods for the .nanuacture and operation of these sachets.

In particular, the sachets illustrated in drawings 3, 5 bear a small and a large opening for water addition, whereas the sachets illustrated in drawings 8 and 10 the sachets are fitted with a small and a large screw-on cap, respectively.

The full development of the surface off all the sides of the first sachet is illustrated in drawing 2, in perspective view, while drawings 3 and 4 also refer to the same type of sachet.

In drawing 2, all lines along which folding or bending will be performed are denoted by a broken line. Different folds-bends are necessary for the assembly of the sachet and for its conversion into a cup.

The two lines numbered 15 define the two locations upon which hand - pressure is exerted in order to transform the sachet into a cup (see drawing 3). The pressure is exerted by the fingers pushing inwards along the direction indicated by the four small arrows of drawing 3.

In drawing 2, item 16 is the location where the opening for water insertion lies. This part is tightly sealed in the course of the sachet manufacture, either by continuation of the sealing (as in points 14) or by the additional attachment of an aluminium foil. This foil will be removed during the use of the sachet, prior to its conversion into a cup, so that air enters first into the sachet, following unsealing.

At the left side of drawing 3 a perspective view of the assembled sachet is illustrated, whereas a side view is illustrated at the right side. The sachet illustrated is sealed and contains sugar and coffee (item 17). Items 14, 15, and 16 have already been described. Item 18 is the location of the opening which is sealed in any of the methods described above. Item 19 is a crease in the form for a groove, with the following use: should In the course of the preparation of instant coffee, the user wish to shake the contents in the presence of a small quantity of water, item 19 is first creased, the inlet 16 then lowered uncil it is folded, and pressure is exerted on item 19 until it is tightly closed. Then, the cup can be shaken. Following the shaking of the cup, the remainder of the water is inserted and the drink prepared.

At the left side of drawing 4, the unsealed, ready for use sachet is illustrated. The inlet (16) is slightly opened. By the exertion of a slight pressure at the points and along the directions indicated with arrows, the sachet is converted into a cup. This is facilitated by prefolding or creasing the parts which will be bent. The creasing of the sachet is possible with the use of the two fingers of one hand holding the bottom side, while the two fingers of the other hand exert a slight pressure at' the corners (15) for an easy conversion of the sachet.

Following the conversion of the sachet into a cup, the inlet (16) is fully formulated.

Thus, the sachet under the pressure exerted by the fingers at the appropriate locations mentioned above, is forced to collapse at its most fragile points (those pre-creased during its manufacture) , so that all its other sides are formed and it is converted into a cup (drawing 4, right side). The cup can be filled with water passing through the inlet, for the preparation of the drink. The plastic straw for the consumption of the drink also passes through the inlet (16).

At the left side of drawing 5, the front view of a second type of sachet is illustrated. Under the front view, the top view is also illustrated. The sachet is compressed and contains the materials for the preparation of the drink. The compression is achieved by the suction of air and then air-tightening. The arrows show the points along which it is compressed. This sachet bears a large inlet, sealed at location 18, in the manner described above. The sachet may contain a straw (20).

tems marked 16 will form the inlet, following unsealing of the sachet.

n tAe middle of the same drawing, a side view of the same sachet, compressed and pricr to its unsealing, is illustrated. At the right side of the same drawing the sachet converted into a cup is illustrated, ollowing addition of water and positioning of the straw.

At the bottom of the same drawing, a top view of the lower side of the sachet is illustrated. The difference of volume resulting by the conversion of the sachet into a cup is evident here. This side is the side upon which the cup is seated on a table.

Drawing 6 illustrates a perspective view the full development of the surface of al the sides of the third type of sachet. Drawing 7, 8 and 9 relate to this drawing.

More broken lines are shown in this development, as the upper side of the sachet, as well as the lower side, which supports the sachet, are totally flat, following its conversion into a cup.

The three different layers of coating are also visible n this drawing.

The sachet bears a circular opening (16), used as a inlet. A threaded base is attached to this opening, wherein a threaded cap can be screwed. This cap, illustrated in the following drawing, is used for tightening the cup, when in use.

The sachet also bears a collapsible straw. This straw passes through an opening. It is located on both sides of the development of drawing 6, so that when the development folds, and takes the shape of a sachet, the longest part of straw is located within the sachet, the shortest part protruding from the sachet, air tightly sealed by the aluminium foil.

At the right side of drawing 7, the development of the surface of the sachet is illustrated. At the inner side, the base (21) and its threaded part passes through the opening 16 and is thermally welded by the exertion of pressure to the inner side of the sachet.

The threads protruding outside the sachet, are used for screwing a cap (22).

At the left side of drawing 7, the sachet is shown, formed. As the air contained has been removed, the sachet has a small volume. The straw, is covered by the sealing aluminium foil at the points of the broken line (23). The arrows indicate the zits where pressure has to be exerted, as well as the direction of this pressure.

At the left side of drawing 8, a front view of the sachet is illustrated. The top view of the sachet is illustrated at the top of the same drawing.

At the right side of drawing 8, a side view of the sachet is illustrated. The revolving threaded cap is shown on the long side cf the sachet, on all three views.

During the use of the sachet, the cap is unsealed, first by a slight twist that will enable air to enter into the sachet, followed by the compression of the sachet with the fingers, as already described.

The other features of the drawing have been described above.

The cap (22) and its base (21) are made of PVC, or any other suitable material.

At the left side of Drawing 9, the conversion of the sachet into a cup and the addition of water are illustrated. The straw, still covered by the aluminium foil is also visible (23). The straw is still covered, as the cap is not yet screwed on the cup.

At the right side of the same drawing, the cap is screwed and the straw uncovered, ready for use.

With the use of this type of cup, shaking of the contents is possible, as the cap is fully tIght.

The front view of a fourth type of sachet is illustrated at the left side cf drawing 10, whereas a side view cf it is illustrated at the tight side.

The upper part of the sachet is shaped so as to bear a large inlet (16) which is sealed by an aluminium foil (18) positioned over the inlet.

The sachet also bears a cap (22) for tight closure. It is also possible that a straw (22) lies within the sachet. This type of sachet is also converted into a cup, in the manner as for al other types of sachets described earlier.

It is possible that all types of sachet bear advertising material for firms, products or services, on one or more of their sides. Such material may be printed by conventional methods. Thus, the present invention is suitable for social offers or for printed advertising.

Furthermore, it is possible that adhesive pre-printed paper or impermeable labels are stuck onto the sides of the sachet.

Finally, the instructions for the use of the sachet should be imprinted on one of its sides.

All the above subjects related to the manufacture, modes of operation, printing of advertisements etc., are indicative. They do not limit the value of the invention, the essence of which is the shape of the sachets containing instant coffee, drinks, juices, or of the empty sachets which are converted into a cup, as described above and as formulated in the claims section.

kny deviaticn of the above, or the appearance of new materials for the manufacture of the invention, does not limit its essence or value.

Claims

l. A sachet, either empty or containing instant coffee or other drinks, which is easily converted into a cup (3,4). The sachet is made of a special type cardboard, PVC, or a combination of both, lined in its inner side with aluminium and thin transparent plastic sheets, other known materials, or other materials suitable for use with foodstuffs, that will be developed in the future. The sachet is air tightly sealed (14) and contains instant coffee with or without sugar, or concentrated dehydrated instant drinks and juices, or it can be empty. It is characterised by that its surface is creased along lines which are fragile and bendable (2) and by that it bears a small inlet (16) which is used for pouring in the water for making the drink.

The inlet is sealed (18) until the sachet is used. Following unsealing of the sachet and air intake, the sachet is compressed by the exertion of pressure with the fingers at its edges (15).

Then it bends along the fragile grooved lines and the other sides of it are formed, so that the sachet is converted into a cup ('e, where water can be added through the inlet (16).
2. A sachet, either empty, cr containing instant coffee or ostler drinks, which is easily converted into a cup, according to claim 1, which is characterised by that it can be manufactured in three different types, i.e.: b. a sachet (5) with a large inlet (16) c. a sachet (8), fitted with a small cap (22) which can be screwed to the inlet (16) d. a sachet (10), fitted with a large cap (22) which can be screwed to the inlet (16).
3. A sachet, either empty, or containing instant coffee or other drinks, which is easily converted into a cup, according to claim 2, which is characterised by that, it can be manufactured in three different types, l.e.: a. a sachet 3,4 with a small round inlet 16 protruding from the flat side at the upper part, and it is the location where the opening for water insertion lies. It has a crease 19 in the form for a groove, until it is foided and pressure is exerted on 19 untlll it is tightly closed.

Then, the cup can be shaken.

b. a sachet 8, fitted with a small cap 22 which can be screwed to the small round inlet 16 protruding from the flat side at the upper part, or from one flat upright side.

c. a sachet 10, fitted with a large cap 22 which can be screwed to the large round inlet 16 protruding from the flat side at the upper part, or from one flat upright side.

3. A sachet, either empty, or containing instant coffee or other drinks, which is easily converted into a cup, according to claim 2, which is characterised by the feature that apart from being converted into a cup, its sides may assume any shape and may contain printed information or advertising material, or be fitted with pre-printed self-adhesive paper or impermeable labels.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A sachet, either empty, or containing instant coffee or other drinks, which is easily converted into a cup 3,4,5,9,10. The sachet is made of a special type cardboard, or plastic material PVC, or a combination of both, lined in its inner side with aluminium and thin transparent plastic sheets, other known materials, or other materials suitable for use with foodstuffs that will be developed in the future. The sachet is air tightly sealed 14, and contains instant coffee with sugar, or concentrated dehydrated instant drinks and juices, or it can be empty.

It is characterised by that its surface is creased along lines which are fragile 2, and bendable; creased along lines means on said the two uprlght and diametricaly in a contrary way sides of the sachet are flat, and bendable at edges 15 by fragile lines.

The sachet is compressed by the exertion of pressure at its edges 15, then it bends along the fragile grooved lines and all the other sides of it are formed, so that the sachet is converted into a cup 4,9,10, into a cup means on said havlng four upright flat sides, a flat side as bottom, and a flat side as upper part.

2. A sachet, either empty, or containing instant coffee or other drinks, which is easily converted into a cup, according to claim 1, which is characterised by that, on the flat side at the upper part, or on the flat upright side, it bears a inlet 16, which is used for pouring in the water for making the drink. The inlet 16 is round and sealed 18 untill the sachet is used.