NL1031129C2 - Article for moving a medium for eating and / or drinking. - Google Patents

Description

Title: Article for moving a medium for eating and / or drinking

The invention relates to a consumer article for moving a substance for eating and / or drinking in a substance container.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a consumer article.

US 1,254,115 describes a drinking straw, to which closures are attached for holding medium stored in the straw for means to be dissolved in a liquid. The closures can be pulled loose, after which the means to be dissolved can be emptied and subsequently dissolved in the liquid. The liquid can then be taken via the emptied drinking straw. However, in many cases the storage space in the drinking straw described is insufficient. Moreover, the material and the closure are not suitable for a safe closure of the straw, which is to the detriment of the shelf life and hence safety of the stored medium. Also, uncomfortable residues of fastener or residues of the closures may remain on the edge of the drinking opening of the described straw.

An object of the invention is to provide an article for moving a substance to be consumed in a substance container in which emedium can be stored.

At least a part of this object and other objects are achieved with an article for moving a substance to be consumed in a substance container, which article preferably has substantially an elongated shape, which article comprises and / or forms a container that is at least at least partially filled with a substance other than air for mixing with said substance for consumption.

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With such an article, storage space can be obtained for medium to be stored in the article. Said agents can in principle comprise any medium other than air, preferably for mixing with a liquid, for example certain (mixing) powders, stimulants (taurine, caffeine) preparation additives, spirits, aromas, cream, sugar, etc. With In the storage space of the container, the user can often mix an additive with the medium that is more satisfactory for him / her with an article according to the invention.

In an embodiment of the article, a widening of the section of the article can offer more storage space with the same length and also fulfill a communication function, for instance a brand or mascot can be communicated with the aid of the shape of the container.

Furthermore, an increase in the cross-section when drinking can cause a swirl in the liquid, both in the article and around it, so that an even better mixing is obtained.

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An article according to the invention can be provided with at least one co-moldable openable closure. With numbered closures, the number of production and / or assembly steps of the article can advantageously be reduced. Furthermore, problems for attaching the closures to the article, for example due to the thin material of the article, are counteracted by forming the closures integrally with the article. In principle, a relatively well-sealed closure can hereby be achieved in a favorable and relatively simple manner. A safer seal is thus also achieved with which, for example, the shelf life of the medium can be better guaranteed. "Openable seal" should in principle be understood in this description to mean a seal that is breakable, tearable, deductible, removable, soluble, etc. In principle, the article will be opened at the closures by means of the hands and / or fingers. If the! ! If the closures were soluble in the liquid, they could be opened without using the fingers by only dissolving the closures in water. A peelable closure can be opened by the user in a simple and user-friendly manner. The article can for instance be provided with integrated aids for opening the article at the closures, such as for instance a local removal of material or a clamping connection that can be opened and closed. The molded openable closures can also be used advantageously with 10 articles with a more continuous cross-section.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the article is manufactured with the aid of a blow molding and / or suction molding process, in particular a blow-fill-seal process. This makes it possible to increase the cross-section of the article locally, which is generally more difficult with well-known production methods of articles such as winding, or even impossible with extruding. In addition, bladder or suction molds, at least a mold therefor, are often cheaper than alternative production methods with great freedom of design, such as injection molding, in particular because no special core (s) need be used, such as a collapsible core. It is thereby advantageous that bladder or suction molds is a proven technique for placing liquids in a container and integrally applying a seal, such as for example for ampoules for sterile substances. A known production method with regard to this is the suction (or blow) fill-close process ("blow-fill-seal process"). A desired plastic mold is for example blown into a mold and / or sucked and then filled with the medium, after which the 'fill end' is sucked shut or squeezed under heating, for example by separate mold parts. Partly because said bladder or suction forming process has already been used in the production of ampoules, the filling and production of articles according to the invention can take place sterile.

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Hereby at least the inside and / or content of the article is sterile, which will increase the safety for the health of the user.

The article can also be delivered completely sterile until use, for example by sterile packaging, whether or not adjacent to or within the bladder or suction forming process.

With the bladder or suction molds, the closures can advantageously be degradably closed, as has already been done with ampoules. In an embodiment according to the invention, degradable closures are preferably provided at one or two ends. A bladder or suction mold can then, for example, be provided on one or two sides with separate mold parts for sealing. Therefore, the production means for an article according to the invention can be realized with relatively low development costs.

Furthermore, the bladder or suction molds are suitable for the degradable connection of several containers. Therefore, the articles can be degradably (tear-off, etc.) connected to each other in a strip of articles. This entails several advantages, such as cheaper (mass production and more favorable transport).

For opening the closure it is advantageous if the closure is provided with a surface. This allows the fingers, for example the dune and forefinger, to grasp the seal favorably and, for example, tear it off along an edge with little effort. In addition, the surface can advantageously be used for applying printing or embossing, for example in the form of shape variations, color variations, decoration, mascots, advertising, information, etc., since the surface of the closure can be formed to that end.

In principle, any method is suitable for this, such as in-mold labeling. This also applies to the container, with which there is favorable room for applying printing or embossing.

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In an advantageous embodiment, the article has the shape and function of a straw. In a preferred embodiment, the straw after opening is provided with an ergonomic drinking edge, so that the user can use the straw comfortably. In the known drinking straw with closure, a part of the closing means (for example glueing substance) can remain adhered to the straw, or unpleasant edges or protrusions can be formed at the drinking opening when the closure is opened.

As with the ampoule, it is possible with articles according to the invention to select a suitable material and / or suitable shape for comfortable use of the article. For example, the drinking opening of a straw can be provided with a drinking edge that is rounded inwards just before a closing. If the user closes his / her mouth around the straw, contact with any irregularities at the edge can thereby be avoided. Other ways of forming an ergonomic drinking edge, such as for example local softening of material, naturally also fall within the scope of the invention.

In a favorable embodiment of an article according to the invention, the container comprises at least one substantially relatively narrow part. This makes it possible, for example, for medium to "hang" in the container, even if a lower seal is torn off from the article if this is not yet the case with the upper seal. For this purpose, the section at the bottom of a filled part of the article should preferably be smaller than a possibly too wide section of the wide part of the container. With a narrowed part at the bottom of the article, which can for instance be between 1 and 10 cm long, although it should not be limited thereto, it can be prevented that the article does not run empty immediately after tearing away of the lower seal.

In a favorable embodiment the article is provided with a coupling piece. The article can hereby be attached to, for example, a beverage container, such as a bottle or glass or the like, so that, for example, liquid and additive can be presented simultaneously for the convenience of the user. This therefore provides an advantageous presentation and ease of transport. Coupling pieces may, for example, comprise suspension means, cover means, adhesive means, etc.

In a further embodiment the article can be designed as a stirring element or spoon, fork or other part of cutlery.

In an advantageous embodiment of an article according to the invention, the article, in particular the container, comprises several compartments, for instance for sugar and milk. In this way, multiple mixtures, preferences and / or presentations of the medium present can be provided.

Furthermore, the invention can be provided with an element to properly mix the additive and the liquid. This element can for instance comprise a reinforcement, an extra bulge, a spoon shape, a screw, etc. Multiple known or unknown elements may be suitable for this within the scope of the invention.

For securing the article, or at least its contents, and / or keeping it at the right temperature and / or extending the shelf life of its contents, the article can advantageously be composed of several layers. This can also be realized relatively easily with bladder or suction molds.

To clarify the invention, exemplary embodiments of an article, method and use according to the invention will be further elucidated with reference to the drawing. Therein: figure 1 shows in schematic front view a drinking straw according to the invention with a logo; figure 2 shows diagrammatically in a number of sub-steps the use of a drinking straw according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a part of a drinking tray according to the invention with drinking opening; Figure 4 shows diagrammatically in a number of sub-steps a blow molding process according to the invention; Figure 5 shows a part of a drinking straw according to the invention with a break-off edge according to the invention; figure 6 shows a drinking straw according to the invention with several compartments; Figure 7 shows a drinking straw according to the invention with suspension means 10 and tamper function; Figure 8 shows a drinking straw according to the invention with an element for stirring; Figure 9 shows a drinking straw according to the invention with reopened and resealable closures; Figure 10 shows a strip of drinking straws according to the invention; figure 11 a plurality of drinking straws according to the invention; Figure 12 shows a drinking straw according to the invention with a curved longitudinal axis; Fig. 13 shows a drinking straw according to the invention with an integrated handle in the closure; Fig. 14A shows a spoon with a closure in front view; figure 14B shows a spoon with a closure in side view; figure 14C shows in front view a spoon with two closures; figure 14D shows a stirring element with a closure in front view; Figure 14E shows in front view a stirring element with two closures; Fig. 14F shows in front view a stirring element with two compartments.

In this description, the same or corresponding parts have the same or corresponding reference numerals. In the drawing, only exemplary embodiments are shown. The elements of article 8 used for this are only given as examples and should not be construed as being restrictive in any way. Other parts of the article can also be used within the scope of the present invention.

An exemplary embodiment of a drinking straw 1 according to the invention is illustrated in Figure 1. This straw 1 has a container 2 and closures 3. Container 2 is sealed with closures 3, preferably hermetically, in particular approximately at the location of break-off edges 4. A medium 5 is included in the space of the container 2. This medium 5 is for instance intended for mixing and / or solution in a liquid. In this context, liquid should in principle be understood to mean any substance that can be ingested through a straw 1, for example water, soft drinks, but also (liquids with a higher viscosity such as, for example, milkshakes, etc. Medium 5 is preferably a liquid, for example in the form of a flavoring, liqueur or medicine, but can also comprise a solid, for example a powder.The invention is also excellent in combination with stimulants such as, for example, vitamins, minerals, taurine, and / or caffeine as a medium. to provide the straw 1, such as, for example, laughing gas (nitrous oxide), which can be taken on certain occasions, for example with or next to a drink.

In order to be able to empty the medium 5 from drinking straw 1, for example, first closure 3B is torn off along break-off edge 4B. This tearing-off can be effected, for example, by making a pulling movement with the fingers or, for example, a turning or breaking movement. After the closure 3B has been torn off, medium 5 can be emptied from the drinking straw 1, for example in a liquid container, or taken directly.

If the medium 5 comprises a liquid, it will, for example, only flow out of the straw 1 when the other closure 3A along tear-off edge 4A of the straw 1 is at least partially pulled off / torn off. This is illustrated in steps 30 in Figure 2. In such a case, after tearing off 9 the first closure 3B, the straw 1 can be held above or in the liquid container before the other closure 3A is torn off, so that the liquid medium 5 advantageously directly is emptied into the liquid container 6. This way spillage can be prevented. Subsequently, the medium 5 mixes with liquid such as beverage 7 that was already present in the liquid container 6, or dissolves therein, which can be stimulated by stirring.

A very favorable effect of the increased diameter d1 of the container 2 is that swirls can hereby arise in the liquid 7 and / or the medium 5, as a result of which better opinion can occur.

After opening and / or removing closures 3, the drinking straw 1 can be used in a user-friendly manner as a conventional drinking straw 1. Other ways are of course also possible, such as for instance emptying the medium 5 directly into the mouth from the straw 1.

A closure 3 can for instance be provided with information such as a logo, brand, decorations, color, etc., 17 as can be seen in figure 1. To that end, it is advantageous if the closure 3 comprises a surface for applying said information. If the closure 3 is also still fairly flat thereby, it is relatively easy to grasp, which is favorable for tearing off the closure 3.

The straw 1 at the container 2 is provided with an enlargement of the cross-section d1 relative to the cross-section d2 of the straw 1 near the drinking opening 6, as can be seen in figure 1, thereby creating extra storage space in the container. In this case, cross sections d1 and d2 extend perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 1 of the drinking belt 1. This longitudinal axis 1 extends in principle from an end opening 8 to an end opening 8 on the opposite side. The longitudinal axis 1 may also be curved in the case of curved straws and, for example, in the case of spiral straws, in principle follow the center of the spiral. With a local increase of the diameter d1, a larger amount of medium 5 in one straw 1 of approximately standard length can be achieved and the drinking opening 8 can maintain a standard ergonomic diameter d2. To this end, narrow parts 2A and / or 2B are arranged in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, narrow parts 2A and / or 2B have a smaller cross-section than d1, so that the user covers his / her mouth over a distance which is substantial for ease of use. the drinking straw 1 can close. In this case, it is very advantageous if the narrow part 2B extends over a sufficient distance, since the liquid will then "hang" in the straw if, as already described earlier in this text, the second closure 3A is torn off. If an enlarged section as dl would be too close to the break-off edge 4B, the liquid could already flow out of the drinking straw 1 when the first closure 3B was torn off.

In a favorable embodiment, straw 1 is arranged such that drinking opening 8 has no edge 9 unpleasant for the user, for example due to sharp (tear-off baskets that can remain behind. As illustrated in figure 3, the straw 1 can be provided with ergonomically shaped inwards edges 9 at the drinking opening 8. As an illustration, in figure 3 a closure 3A is also shown in dotted lines.

Drinking straws 1 with openable closures, as described above, can be produced in a very advantageous manner with the aid of bladder or suction molds (blow molding). With this, preferably plastic drinking straws 1 can be formed, filled and hermetically sealed in a sterile mold 15, whereby in fact a number of production steps are skipped over other generally known plastic production methods. Drinking straws 1 can be produced efficiently with bladder or suction molds with high reliability for the end user. A schematic example of a number of steps of a possible bladder or suction forming process according to the invention is shown in figure 4. In the following explanation, some 11 relevant aspects will be highlighted and already known or less relevant aspects of this process may become less elaborate or not described.

With bladder or suction molds, a basically hollow blow mold 10 is introduced into a mold, whereby it expands against mold walls by increasing the pressure in the hollow blow mold 10. Extrusion of the blow mold 10 usually takes place first of all. After the blow mold 10 has been brought to the height of mold parts 11, 12, 13, for example, the end of the blow mold 10 is pinched with the aid of mold parts 13 so that the pressure in the blow mold 10 can be built up and the mold 10 can expand, also closed against 10 mold parts 12. With mold parts 12 the container 2 is formed and with parts 11, 13 the closures 3 of the drinking straw 1. Mold parts 11, 13 or separately arranged mold parts can for instance also be arranged for advantageously forming break-off edges 4 for the drinking straw 1, as with the blow molding process for ampoules. In a blow molding process according to the invention, however, at least two closures 3 with break-off edges 4 can be formed. Before filling the drinking straw 1, a closure 3 is already formed with the aid of mold parts 13. Subsequently, through a mandrel 14, the pressure is built up in the part of the blow mold that forms the container 2, so that it expands against 20 of the walls of mold parts 12. The medium 5 is then emptied into the drinking straw 1 via said mandrel 14. After filling, the other closure 3 is formed with the aid of mold parts 11, so that the filled container 2 is in principle hermetically sealed. With the aid of the blow molding process, several types of degradable closures 3 can be realized, such as, for example, tear, break or twist-break closures 3 (break-off, tear-off, twist-off closures). In principle, resealable closures can also be formed advantageously with blow molds.

A break-off edge 4 can be formed in a known manner. As can be seen in figure 5, this can for instance be a local decrease in material 30 at the location of the break-off edge 4. With such break-off edges 4, 12 comes by turning a closure 3 or pull it loose from the container 2 and a flow through or drinking opening 17.

Furthermore, figure 6 shows an embodiment according to the invention in which the straw 1, or at least the container 2, is divided into a plurality of compartments 2A, 2B, so that the user can mix several additives or possibly even empty and / or dose separately. The compartments can for instance comprise approximately the same but also different volumes. For example, the mixing of certain drinks can be simplified since the user is already provided with the relative amounts.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment of a drinking straw 1 according to the invention with a coupling piece 18. The coupling piece 18 comprises a type of suspension means with which the drinking straw 1 can for instance be suspended from a glass 6, so that a glass of liquid can more or less be bundled with an additive 15. are being presented.

The drinking straw 1 shown in Fig. 7 is also provided with a pestle element 19, so that the drinking straw 1 can also perform a pestle function, for example for stamping / pressing a part of a citrus fruit in a drink. In addition to a pestle function, several favorable functions for drinking substances can be combined with the drinking straw 1, such as, for example, an element 20 for stirring, as shown in Figure 8.

Such an element 20 can for instance comprise a screw 20, a local reinforcement of the drinking straw 1, a spoon-like shape, etc.

Figure 9 shows an embodiment of a drinking straw IA in cross-section with, for example, openable and reclosable closures 3. The straw 1 does not have to be integrally filled with medium 5.

It is also advantageous to produce squeezable plastic drinking straws 1, made of soft plastic. This makes it possible, for example, to dose from the straw 1, for example in combination with 13 compartments 2A, 2B or in combination with reclosable drinking straws 1A. Blowing or sucking molds is a very suitable method for producing squeezable drinking straws 1 in a controlled manner.

Figure 10 shows a strip of drinking straws 1, wherein the drinking straws 1 are degradably connected to each other via connecting edges 22. Such a strip can be blow molded (or suction-shaped) by means of one mold, so that high production numbers of drinking straws can be achieved with relatively low costs. This can also provide transport and ease of presentation.

Figure 11 shows a spiral-shaped drinking straw 1 and a drinking straw 1 with an O-shape. With these drinking straws 1, the section d1 at parts of the container 2 is in fact also larger than the section d2 at the (drinking) opening 8, if both sections d1 and d2 extend perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 1 of the drinking straw 1. Here too, the container 2 comprises relatively much storage space compared to known drinking straws 1 with containers 2. Furthermore, the drinking straw 1 with the O-shape can be coupled to, for example, a beverage container, such as a bottle, so that the O-shape is in fact a coupling piece Is 18. The O-shape can for instance be pulled over the neck of a bottle, the arms 24 being placed along the bottle with the aid of notches 23. This simplifies the presentation and transport of the composition of a beverage container and drinking straw 1. It can further be seen that the drinking straw 1 can be supplied in a package 25, for example in a transparent package 25. This can be advantageously combined with the bladder or suction forming process since then the sterile produced drinking straw 1 can also be packaged sterile so that the outside of the drinking straw 1 can remain sterile until the package is opened.

Figure 12 shows a drinking straw 1 according to the invention with a curved longitudinal axis 1, for example for easier drinking.

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Figure 13 shows a drinking straw according to the invention in which the closure 3B comprises a hole 26 for engagement around the neck of a bottle.

In another embodiment, an article 1 according to the invention is adapted to move a consumable substance 7, such as shown in figure 14 A-F. Figures 14 A and B show, for example, an article 1 in the form of a spoon 1. This spoon 1 is provided with one closure 3B which can be torn off. An opening is then formed at the level of a tear-off edge 4B, through which the medium 5 can flow, preferably so that it falls into a container 6 with a substance 7, for example coffee, tea, ice cream, yogurt or another substance. For example, by squeezing the container 2, the medium 5 flows through the opening, and for example by releasing it, the medium 5 stops flowing through the opening. An enlargement 2C can also be provided for this purpose, as can be seen in figure 14C. In addition to additional storage space 15, this magnification 2C can serve, inter alia, as a squeezing possibility. The spoon can also be provided with a widening 2D, for example for promoting stirring power, for additional printing surface, for use as scoop and / or for extra storage space.

It is also possible to dose with embodiments of the article 1. For example with the aid of dosage lines 27 or other ways of indicating. By varying the squeezing in the container 2, the medium 5 will flow out of the container 2 and the medium 5 can be dosed.

Figure 14C shows an embodiment of such a scoop with two closures 3A, 3B, so that, for example, after tearing off the second closure 4A or 4B, virtually the entire content 5 of the container 2 flows out of the article 1, preferably into a substance container 6. In this way dosing can be done fairly accurately. Of course, embodiments are also possible which are designed as stirring element 1, as can be seen in figures 14D and 14E, which are provided with one or two closures 4A, 4B according to the same principle as explained above. It is also possible to integrate several compartments in the article 1, as shown in figure 14F. Milk and sugar can be considered here.

Thus, different embodiments of an article 1 can, for example, perform functions such as a coffee stirrer with milk and / or sugar container, ice cream scoop and aroma container, etc. The medium 5 can, for example, comprise liquid chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, fruit sauce, etc. for ice cream or yogurt. Many embodiments of an article 1 are limitless. These may, for example, take on the function and / or form of stirrers, spoons, scoops, bottles, etc. An enlargement 2C may, for example, be provided in the form of a tub and / or bottle to support the dual function and / or for placement. from an extra print. In addition, embodiments of the article 1 are for instance substantially made of only one material, which is advantageous, in particular more environmentally friendly, compared to, for example, tubs with milk which are often made of several materials, such as plastic with aluminum. An article 1 can be manufactured cheaply and disposable. The articles 1 are not necessarily provided with an enlargement 2C and / or widening 2D in the container 2, the articles 1 can for instance be substantially rectangular.

These and many comparable variations, as well as combinations thereof, are understood to fall within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Of course, different aspects of different embodiments and / or combinations thereof can be combined with each other and exchanged within the scope of the invention.

Thus, it is not to be limited solely to the embodiments mentioned.

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Claims (23)

An article for moving a substance to be consumed in a substance container, which article preferably has substantially an elongated shape, which article comprises and / or forms a container that is at least partially filled with a substance other than air for mixing 5 with said substance for consumption. 2. Article as claimed in claim 1, provided with at least one integrally formed closure. 3. Article according to claim 1 or 2, provided with at least two integrally formed closures. An article according to any of claims 2 or 3, wherein the at least one closure is tear-off. Article according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the at least one closure is provided with a surface. 6. Article as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the container 15 comprises a broadening. 7. Article as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the container is integrally formed with it. 8. Article as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the article is formed by blow molding or suction molding, in particular a Blow-Fill-Se al process, or an injection molding process. 9. Article as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, provided with a squeezing possibility. 10. Article as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, provided with a local substantial increase in the diameter of the container. 11. Article as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, provided with at least one embossing and / or printing. 1031129 12. Article as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising a coupling piece. An article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container comprises a plurality of compartments. An article according to any one of the preceding claims, which has at least one sterile interior. An article according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising multiple layers. Packaged article according to one of the preceding claims. 17. Strip of articles according to one of the preceding claims. 18. Article as in one of the preceding claims, which is unfilled and in which the closures are closable. An assembly of a beverage holder and a drinking straw according to any one of claims 1-18. 20. Method for manufacturing an article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the article is manufactured by means of bladder or suction molds. The method of claim 22, wherein deductible closures are integrally formed. A method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the article is filled before forming a closure. 23. Method for preparing a consumable substance, wherein, wherein a closure of an article according to any one of claims 1-15 is removed and the contents of the article are mixed or at least come into contact with a substance to be consumed and wherein the item is used for mixing and / or as an aid to consumption. 1031129