RU2376228C2 - Sealed pack with ingredients for preparation of smoothie, and methods and devices related to it - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: packing industry.

SUBSTANCE: sealed pack contains ingredients in appropriate amounts for preparation of a separate portion of smoothie. Ingredients include flavoring ingredient, for instance pieces of fruit, frozen portion of liquid, for instance water, fruit juice, milk, coffee or tea, and ingredient for consistence, for instance ice cream, fruit ice and yoghurt. Pack may be exposed to action of temperature, which is sufficiently low for maintenance of frozen condition of some ingredients in pack. Pack of ingredients is also disclosed in reservoir, or into reservoir with compartments for various ingredients in frozen and unfrozen condition, as well as method for preparation of a separate smoothie with application of sealed pack, when ingredients are mixed with added liquid.

EFFECT: possibility to make smoothie from cold or frozen ingredients without their heating and thawing.

23 cl, 6 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to packaging ingredients for preparing beverage compositions and to methods for preparing beverage compositions using pre-packaged ingredients.

Five years ago, bars for the sale of juices were a field of activity for grocery merchants who thus disposed of excess fruit, or were located in health food stores. Recently, however, bars for the sale of fruit drinks have become an important part of the quick service market and have begun to spread as enterprises endowed with rights and privileges, or as independent enterprises. The main product of fruit bars is a drink called "smoothie", which is a thick, uniform consistency drink containing particles of fruit prepared as a puree or mixed with regular ice cream, fruit ice or yogurt, and / or with milk or juice. Non-fruit smoothies include flavoring alternatives to fruits, such as chocolate, coffee, alcohol, etc. Other ingredients can also be added, such as energy supplements, granola, protein, raw eggs, etc.

Figure 1 presents a view in plan of the General scheme of a conventional bar for the sale of juices. Demonstration counter 110 allows you to see fresh fruits that are used to make smoothies, as well as other products prepared in the bar. Sink 120 is used to prepare fresh fruits that can be processed in juice squeezing presses 130. The freezer 140 is used to store ingredients such as ice, ice cream and yogurt. A cooling chamber / dispenser 150 is used to cool the liquid ingredients of the smoothie and / or other products prepared in a bar for selling juices. A number of mixers 160 are used to mix the ingredients of the smoothie and / or other products prepared in the bar for the sale of juices, which are then poured into cups for dispensing to customers. Buyers pay at checkout 170. Used mixing containers are cleaned at sink 180 for reuse. Automatic dishwashing equipment, which can be installed under the counter, can also be used.

In a bar for the sale of juices, such as that shown in FIG. 1, usually three to six operators work. Making a smoothie usually involves the steps of extracting a clean mixing container, obtaining the appropriate amounts of ingredients, such as fruit, yogurt and ice from appropriate storage locations in the bar, mixing the smoothie, pouring the beverage into a cup and dispensing it to the customer. Thus, when preparing a smoothie, the operator must move around the bar. Although bars for the sale of juices are usually planned in accordance with the requirements for the execution of production operations, it is inevitable that operators will make a significant number of movements. This is time consuming and limits the number of operators who can simultaneously produce products, such as smoothies.

Thus, there is a need for improved methods for providing and preparing compositions, for example, smoothies.

Objects of the present invention relate to devices, methods and packaging for the preparation of compositions.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of packaging ingredients for preparing a single portion of a composition. The method includes the steps of storing at least one ingredient for the composition in a first container and storing the remaining ingredients for the composition in a second container. One or more of the remaining ingredients are frozen. The contents of the first container preferably remain unfrozen, even when the first and second containers are simultaneously exposed to a temperature low enough to freeze the contents of the second container. The contents of the first container may be a liquid base for the composition and, in addition, may contain an agent that prevents freezing of the contents of the first container.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of packaging ingredients for preparing a composition. The method includes the steps of storing at least one ingredient for the composition in a first container, storing other ingredients for the composition in a second container, and simultaneously exposing the first and second containers to a temperature sufficiently low to freeze the contents of the second container. The composition may comprise a smoothie, wherein at least one ingredient may comprise a liquid smoothie base.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packaging for pre-packaging containing ingredients for preparing a single serving of the composition. The package contains a large number of compartments for storing various ingredients, while the contents of at least one of the compartments are frozen, and the contents of at least the other of the compartments are left unfrozen. The pre-packaging may be exposed to a temperature low enough to freeze the contents of at least one of the compartments. The contents of at least one compartment that remains unfrozen may include a liquid base and an agent that prevents freezing of the liquid base.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for preparing a composition comprising the steps of transferring the contents of a package for pre-packaging into a container and mixing the contents in a container. The package contains a large number of compartments containing various ingredients of the composition. The contents of at least one of the compartments are frozen, and the contents of at least the other of the compartments are left unfrozen. The contents of the at least one compartment that remains unfrozen may include an agent that prevents freezing of the contents of the at least one compartment. The contents of at least one compartment that remains unfrozen may contain a liquid base for preparing the composition. The composition may contain smoothies, and the package may contain ingredients for preparing one serving of smoothies.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for storing ingredients for preparing a single portion of a smoothie. The method includes the steps of packaging a flavoring ingredient in a package, placing a frozen portion of the liquid in the package, placing at least one additional ingredient in the package for consistency, and exposing the package to a temperature low enough to maintain at least some of the packaging ingredients frozen. The amount of ingredients in a sealed package is based on the target amount of a single serving of smoothie.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sealed package containing ingredients for preparing a single serving of smoothie. The package contains a flavoring ingredient, a frozen portion of the liquid and at least one additional consistency ingredient. The amount of ingredients in a sealed package is set based on the target amount of a single serving of smoothie.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for preparing a separate portion of a smoothie, comprising the steps of transferring the contents of a sealed package to a container, adding a portion of liquid to the container, and mixing the contents of the container. The contents of the sealed package include a flavoring ingredient, a frozen portion of the liquid, and at least one additional consistency ingredient. The amount of contents of a sealed package is based on the target amount of a single serving of smoothie.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for automatically selling individual portions of a smoothie. The device comprises first dispensing means for dispensing the contents of the sealed package into the container, second dispensing means for dispensing a portion of liquid into the container, mixing means for mixing the contents of the container, and automatic selling means for selling the contents of the container as a separate portion of the smoothie. The contents of the sealed package include a flavoring ingredient, a frozen portion of the liquid, and at least one additional consistency ingredient. The amount of contents of a sealed package is based on the target amount of a single serving of smoothie.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for automatically selling individual portions of a smoothie. The device comprises first dispensing means for dispensing smoothie ingredients into the container, second dispensing means for dispensing a portion of liquid into the container, mixing means for mixing the contents of the container and automatic selling means for selling part of the contents of the container as a separate portion of the smoothie. The ingredients include a flavoring ingredient, a frozen portion of the liquid and at least one additional ingredient for consistency.

In the following, only as an example, some embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a view in plan of the layout of a traditional bar for the sale of juices;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method of packaging ingredients for preparing a composition, such as a smoothie; FIG.

figure 3 - packaging for pre-mixing, intended for the preparation of a separate portion of the composition, such as smoothies;

4 is a flowchart of a method for storing ingredients for preparing a single portion of a smoothie;

5 is a sealed package with ingredients for the preparation of a single serving of smoothies;

6 is a flowchart of a method for preparing a separate portion of a smoothie.

The following describes embodiments of the methods and packaging for the preparation of compositions. Although these options are described with reference to smoothies, this reference is not intended to limit the present invention. Namely, the present invention can be applied to other types of compositions and, in particular, to other edible compositions, such as soups.

The use of the term “smoothie” in this document is intended to include both fruit-based smoothies and non-fruit smoothies, which may contain flavoring ingredients such as coffee, chocolate and alcohol. In addition, smoothies can be based on, for example, milk.

As used herein, the term “unfrozen” means “not completely frozen” and includes the meanings of “partially frozen,” “watery,” or “icy.” As used herein, the term “partially frozen” means “not completely frozen” and includes the meanings “watery” and “icy”.

It should be borne in mind that the phrase “single serving” as used in this document means a serving suitable for consumption by one person or entity. However, such servings may vary in size or volume for distribution to various individuals (for example, adults and children, or small, medium or large people).

Figure 2 presents a flowchart of a method for packaging ingredients for preparing a composition such as a smoothie. At step 210, at least one ingredient of the composition is stored in a first container. At step 220, the remaining ingredients for preparing the composition are placed in a second container for storage. One or more of the remaining ingredients in the second container may be frozen in step 230. In some cases, already frozen ingredients are placed in the second storage container and step 230 may serve to keep them frozen.

To make a smoothie, the contents of the first container include a liquid base, such as apple juice concentrate or mango nectar, which are stored in an unfrozen state. Preventing freezing of the liquid base preferably provides an improved consistency of the prepared smoothies compared to using a frozen base. If two smoothies having identical ingredients, except that the base juice for one smoothie is used in a liquid state, and the base juice for the other smoothie is used in a frozen state, mixed in identical mixers, the smoothie with a liquid base will have a more uniform consistency, than a smoothie with a frozen base. The contents of the second container include the rest of the smoothie ingredients, such as frozen yogurt, individual quick-frozen fruits, and ice flakes. Individual quick-frozen fruits can be, for example, whole fruits of strawberries, raspberries, bozena berries and pieces of mango.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first and second containers contain separate compartments with a single package containing ingredients for preparing one portion of the smoothie. In this case, the entire package is exposed to a sufficiently low temperature to ensure that the contents of the second chamber are frozen. However, the freezing of the liquid contents of the first chamber is prevented. One of the methods used to prevent freezing is to add an “anti-freeze” additive to the liquid base content. In another method of preventing freezing, thermal insulation material is used for the first compartment. The methods may be used individually or in combination.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the first and second containers comprise separate packages. Accordingly, a number of the first containers can be packed in a large container (for example, plastic bottles in a cardboard box or in a plastic box) for ease of handling and their delivery to bars for the sale of juices. A certain number of second containers can be likewise combined in a larger container, with the large container being exposed to sufficiently low temperatures to freeze a certain number of second containers.

Below are three examples of fruit smoothie ingredients that can be packaged and / or prepared according to the methods described herein.

BERRY-FRUIT MIXES

1. Apple juice concentrate (in liquid form): 200 ml.

2. Frozen yogurt with strawberry flavor: 180 ml.

3. Berries of wild strawberry (separately quick-frozen): 2 whole berries of 11 grams each = 22 grams.

4. Raspberries (separately frozen): 2 whole berries, 2 grams each = 4 grams.

Ice Flakes: 0.75 cups.

FRUIT MANGO SMOOTH

1. Mango nectar (in liquid form): 150 ml.

2. Mango slices (frozen): 3 slices of 6 grams each = 18 grams.

3. Frozen yogurt with a taste of mango: 180 ml.

4. Ice flakes: 0.75 cups.

TROPICAL FRUIT SMEES

1. Tropical juice (in liquid form): 200 ml.

2. Frozen yogurt with a taste of mango: 180 ml.

3. Sliced mangoes (frozen): 1 slice of 6 grams = 6 grams.

4. Berries of strawberries (separately quick-frozen): 1 whole berry of 11 grams = 11 grams.

5. Raspberry berries (separately quick-frozen): 2 whole berries, 2 grams each = 4 grams.

6. Ice flakes: 0.5 cups.

Separately frozen fruits avoid the need for pre-mixing the fruit mixture, which helps to ensure the consistency and freshness of the smoothie.

Figure 3 shows the packaging for preliminary preparation of the mixture, intended for the preparation of a separate smoothie. Packaging 310 contains two separate compartments 320 and 330 for storing frozen and unfrozen ingredients, respectively. Packaging for preliminary receipt of the mixture can be created from flexible plastic. Thermal insulation can be achieved by depositing metal on plastic.

4 is a flowchart of a method for storing ingredients for preparing a single portion of a smoothie. At 410, a flavoring ingredient is placed in a package. The flavoring ingredient may include, for example, fruits, chocolate, coffee, alcohol, etc. In the case of fruits, separately frozen pieces of fruit may be used to facilitate preparation of the package and / or to facilitate subsequent mixing of the contents of the package. However, as an option, a portion of the fruit in a different form, for example, in the form of puree, can be used. Fresh fruit may also be used, however, this would be disadvantageous in terms of a relatively shorter shelf life. At 420, a frozen portion of the liquid is placed in the package. A frozen portion of a liquid may, for example, contain many small, individually frozen particles of water (ice), fruit juice, milk, tea and / or coffee. This helps to provide improved smoothness and texture of the smoothie and helps prevent damage to or deterioration of the mixer when mixing the contents of the package. In some embodiments, the frozen portion of the liquid contains many hollow frozen particles (for example, hollow ice cubes). If the particles of the frozen liquid are not hollow, then it is preferable that they have a reduced size to help prevent damage to the mixer. At step 430, at least one additional consistency ingredient is placed in the package. At least one additional ingredient for consistency contributes to the structure or flowability of the smoothie and may contain, for example, ice cream, fruit ice and / or yogurt. The amount of ingredients in a sealed package is set based on the target amount of a single serving of smoothie. At step 440, the package is exposed to a temperature that is low enough to maintain at least some of the contents of the package frozen. Other ingredients, such as energy supplements, granola, proteins, raw eggs, etc., can also be added to the liquid mixture.

5 shows a sealed package with ingredients for preparing a single serving of smoothie. Sealed package 510 contains pieces of fruit 512, frozen portions of liquid 514, and at least one additional ingredient 516 for consistency. Separately frozen pieces of fruit can be used to facilitate subsequent mixing of the contents of the package. However, as an option, a serving of fruit in a different form may be used, for example, in the form of mashed potatoes. Fresh fruit may also be used, although this would be disadvantageous in terms of a relatively shorter shelf life. Alternatively, other flavoring ingredients, such as coffee, chocolate, alcohol, etc., may be used instead of fruit. The frozen portions of liquid 514 are preferably a plurality of small, individually frozen particles of water (ice), fruit juice, milk, tea and / or coffee. This helps to improve the texture or structure of the smoothie and helps prevent damage when mixing the contents of the package. In some embodiments, many frozen portions of liquid 514 are hollow (e.g., hollow ice cubes). If the frozen portions of liquid 514 are not hollow, it is preferred that they be reduced in size to help prevent damage or reduce wear on the mixer. At least one additional consistency ingredient 516 contributes to the structure or flowability of the smoothie and may contain, for example, ice cream, fruit ice and / or yogurt. The amount of ingredients in a sealed package is usually set based on the target amount of a single serving of smoothie. Packaging 510 is typically a disposable or resealable container, such as, for example, a plastic bag or plastic cup. Other ingredients can also be added to the smoothie, such as energy supplements, granola, protein, raw eggs, etc.

6 is a flowchart of a method for preparing a single portion of a smoothie. At step 610, the contents of the sealed package are transferred to a mixing container. The contents of the package include a flavoring ingredient, a frozen portion of the liquid and at least one additional ingredient for consistency, which promotes the structure or flowability of the smoothie and may, for example, contain ice cream, fruit ice and / or yogurt. The flavoring ingredient in the case of a fruit smoothie may contain a portion of the fruit. Portions of the frozen liquid preferably comprise a plurality of small, individually frozen particles of water (ice), fruit juice, milk, coffee and / or tea. This helps to improve the consistency and structure of the smoothie, and also helps prevent damage when mixing the contents in the package. In some embodiments, a large number of portions of the frozen liquid are hollow (e.g., hollow ice cubes). If the portions of the frozen liquid are not hollow, then it is preferable that they have a reduced size to help prevent damage or reduce wear on the mixer. The individually frozen pieces of fruit are preferably used to facilitate subsequent mixing of the contents of the package. However, as an option, a serving of fruit in a different form may be used, for example, in the form of mashed potatoes. Fresh fruit may also be used, although this would be disadvantageous in terms of a relatively shorter (acceptable) shelf life. The amount of contents in a sealed package is usually set based on the target amount of a single serving of smoothie. At 620, a portion of the liquid is added to the container, and at 630, the contents of the container are mixed. The presence of fluid is necessary to complete the mixing process. The liquid may be, for example, water, fruit juice, milk, tea and / or coffee. Other ingredients can also be added to the smoothie, such as energy supplements, granola, protein, raw eggs, etc.

In some embodiments, a vending machine may be used to mix and sell individual portions of the smoothie, as previously described. Some or all of the ingredients can be stored or pre-packaged in separate portions, or served by a vending machine, as described previously. Alternatively, some or all of the ingredients can be stored in bulk in a vending machine and served in appropriate quantities to prepare single servings of smoothies. Thus, the vending machine can store packages, for example, those described with reference to FIG. 5 and shown therein, for mixing with a certain amount of liquid supplied from the tank with a large amount thereof, which can be located inside or outside the vending machine. The liquid may be, for example, water, fruit juice, milk, tea and / or coffee. Other ingredients can also be added to the smoothie, such as energy supplements, granola, protein, raw eggs, etc. Thus, the vending machine automatically mixes and dispenses individual portions of the smoothie.

The methods and packaging for smoothies and other compositions are described above. Such methods and packaging are preferred in that they can guarantee an accurate portioning and thus provide improved consistency and increased quality control at the place of manufacture and sale. The pre-packaged ingredients for creating individual portions of smoothies are made to properly fill cups with standard sizes used in juice bars or by a peddler, whereby waste can be reduced or eliminated. It is also beneficial that as a result of packing individual portions of the smoothie at the place of manufacture, less labor and less equipment are required. This results in fewer staff and smaller bars for selling juices, and therefore lower running costs. In addition, acquiring all or most of the ingredients in one package is likely to result in savings throughout the supply chain. Packaging individual portions of smoothies also predominantly provides the possibility of faster preparation of such drinks, which allows to increase productivity and more to satisfy consumer demand.

In the above detailed description, only exemplary embodiments of the invention are provided, but are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or arrangements of the invention. Rather, the description of the options taken as an example allows qualified specialists in this field to carry out studies to implement a variant of the invention. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, various changes can be made to the function and layout of the elements according to the following claims.

In the event that the specific distinguishing features, elements and steps referred to herein have known equivalents in the field to which the invention relates, it should be assumed that such known equivalents should be included here as if they were indicated separately . In addition, the distinguishing features, elements and stages to which reference is made in relation to specific options may optionally form part of any other options, unless otherwise indicated.

Embodiments of the invention have applications outside the bars for the sale of juices. For example, the methods and packaging for preparing the compositions described above can be used in various retail outlets, such as supermarkets, various catering facilities, for example restaurants, cafes, snack bars, and in private homes.

In the context of this description, the word “comprising” means “including, but not only” or “having”, but not “consisting only of”. Variants of the word “comprising”, for example, “comprise” and “comprises”, have corresponding meanings.

Claims (23)

1. A method of storing ingredients for preparing a separate portion of a smoothie, comprising the steps of:
packaging the flavoring ingredient in a package;
placing a frozen portion of liquid in the package;
packaging at least one additional ingredient for consistency;
exposing the package to a temperature low enough to maintain the frozen state of at least some of the ingredients in the package;
however, the amount of ingredients in the package is based on the target amount of a single serving of smoothie. 2. The method according to claim 1, in which the frozen portion of the liquid contains many frozen parts of at least one liquid selected from the group of liquids consisting of water, fruit juice, milk, coffee and tea. 3. The method according to claim 1, in which the frozen portion of the liquid contains many hollow frozen parts of the liquid. 4. The method according to claim 1, in which the flavoring ingredient contains part of the fruit. 5. The method according to claim 4, in which part of the fruit contains many separately frozen pieces of fruit. 6. The method according to claim 1, in which at least one additional ingredient for consistency is selected from the group of ingredients consisting of ice cream, fruit ice and yogurt. 7. A sealed package containing ingredients for making a single serving of smoothie, containing:
flavoring ingredient;
a frozen portion of liquid;
at least one additional ingredient for consistency;
however, the amounts of said ingredients in a sealed package are based on the target amount of a single serving of smoothie. 8. The sealed package according to claim 7, in which the frozen portion of the liquid contains many frozen parts of at least one liquid selected from the group of liquids consisting of water, fruit juice, milk, coffee and tea. 9. The sealed package according to claim 7, in which the frozen portion of the liquid contains many hollow frozen parts of the liquid. 10. The sealed package according to claim 7, in which the flavoring ingredient contains a serving of fruit. 11. The sealed package of claim 10, in which a portion of the fruit contains many individually frozen pieces of fruit. 12. The sealed package according to claim 7, wherein the sealed package is a disposable container selected from the group of containers consisting of a plastic bag and a plastic cup. 13. The sealed package according to claim 7, in which at least one additional ingredient for consistency is selected from the group of ingredients consisting of ice cream, fruit ice and yogurt. 14. A method of preparing a separate portion of a smoothie, comprising the steps of:
transferring the contents of the sealed package to the container;
adding a portion of liquid to the container;
mixing the contents of the container;
wherein the contents of the sealed package include a flavoring ingredient, a frozen portion of the liquid, and at least one additional ingredient for consistency;
wherein the amount of contents of the sealed package is based on the target amount of a single serving of smoothie. 15. The method according to 14, in which the frozen portion of the liquid contains many frozen parts of at least one liquid selected from the group of liquids consisting of water, fruit juice, milk, coffee and tea. 16. The method according to 14, in which the frozen portion of the liquid contains many hollow frozen parts of the liquid. 17. The method according to 14, in which the added portion of the liquid contains at least one liquid selected from the group of liquids consisting of water, fruit juice, milk, coffee and tea. 18. The method according to 14, in which at least one additional ingredient for consistency is selected from the group of ingredients consisting of ice cream, fruit ice and yogurt. 19. The method according to 14, in which the flavoring ingredient contains a serving of fruit. 20. The method according to claim 19, in which a portion of the fruit contains many individually frozen pieces of fruit. 21. A device for the automatic sale of individual servings of smoothies, containing:
first dispensing means for dispensing the contents of the sealed package into the container;
second dispensing means for dispensing a portion of the liquid into the container;
mixing means for mixing the contents of the container;
means for automatically selling the contents of the container in the form of a separate portion of the smoothie;
wherein the contents of said sealed package include a flavoring ingredient, a frozen portion of liquid and at least one additional ingredient for consistency;
wherein the amounts of contents of the sealed package are based on the target amount of a single serving of smoothie. 22. The device according to item 21, in which at least one additional ingredient for consistency is selected from the group of ingredients consisting of ice cream, fruit ice and yogurt. 23. The device according to item 21, in which the flavoring ingredient contains a portion of fruit.

Images