RU2698748C2 - Disposable cup with substance inside, packaged in a liquid-impermeable and oxygen-pack in the form of a foot, identical to a pack in the form of stack of disposable cups without substance inside - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: personal articles and house appliances.

SUBSTANCE: method of inserting a capsule with substance into a disposable cup for preparation of a beverage, wherein the capsule is filled with substance to an edge, wherein the collar of the round hole of the capsule remains uncovered by the substance and the capsule is retained by circular opening upwards, further, the disposable cup is lowered to the capsule until the bottom of the cup is pressed against the capsule edge, thus forming a closed volume for storage of the substance in the capsule. At the same time the orientation of the cup is such that its round hole is located at the bottom. Internal diameter of the cup at the bottom is equal to the external diameter of the capsule edge, and the diameter of the cup near its bottom is more than the inner diameter of the cup at the bottom.

EFFECT: group of inventions ensures fast, convenient preparation of the beverage and safety of substance freshness during storage of cups folded into a stack.

13 cl, 10 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

In a disposable cup, there is a separate portion of the substance covered with a lid. The lid is designed in such a way that it allows you to insert an additional disposable cup into the first cup, so that the extra cup reaches the bottom of the previous cup in the same way that it could reach its bottom without the substance covered by the cap. This design also allows you to pack a number of disposable cups located inside each other in the foot, so as to provide impermeability to oxygen and moisture. The size of such a package will be the same as the same number of disposable paper cups without the substance covered with a lid installed on their bottom, which are packed one into the other in the stack.

BACKGROUND

If we talk, for example, about an individual serving of coffee in order to drink a cup of coffee, preparations are necessary that can be burdensome and undesirable for the consumer. Therefore, people are looking for cheap, convenient, quick and clean solutions, and if they have the opportunity to buy a sleeve of disposable glasses having an individual ready-made serving of coffee at the bottom, and they only need to remove the lid and add hot water, they will like cheap, convenient, quick and clean solution.

Needless to say, consumers should get all of the above without giving up on the quality and aroma of coffee and not worrying about the use and cost of the product.

Indeed, it was found out by the inventor that various ideas have already been filed as patent applications for an individual personal serving in a disposable cup, but they all have significant drawbacks that have not been resolved, for example, the need to abandon the quality and aroma of coffee and / or ideas that cause significant inconvenience to users and / or ideas that do not allow them to be packaged in a package in the form of a sleeve identical to the packaging of disposable cups in the form of a sleeve b without individual servings. This drawback significantly affects both the convenience of buying and storing such cups, and adds significant costs to the product, as will be described in detail below, and therefore they prevent the possibility of using this product by many groups of the population, therefore it is not a product accessible to everyone .

The following are details of examples of products registered as patents and an explanation of their significant drawbacks:

For example, U.S. Patent Application No. 2006/0096462 A1 discloses a disposable cup having a bottom to which a tablet of a water-soluble tasteful substance is attached to dissolve when water is added to the cup. A water-soluble, tasteful substance attached to the bottom of a disposable cup is uncoated and therefore exposed to oxygen and moisture, which negatively affects the freshness of a water-soluble, tasteful substance. In addition, a water-soluble tasteful substance undergoes artificial treatments to cure it to form a tablet and to attach it to the bottom of a disposable glass. This can prevent the use of this disposable cup by some potential consumers, such as those who avoid consuming beverages and processed foods. Additionally, this single-use glass cannot be sold in countries where the sale of unpacked drinks and food products is prohibited by law, since a tablet of a water-soluble, tasteful substance has no coating or packaging. In addition, the coating of a water-soluble tasteful substance with a shell inside the cup will not allow to fold many such disposable cups into the stack for maximum compactness, for example, like folding disposable cups into the stack without containing the substance and / or shell. This can increase the space occupied by these cups during storage and delivery, and therefore affects the cost of delivery, which ultimately increases the cost of the product.

Another method that does not require the curing of a substance for a beverage or food product, but involves coating the substance with a liquid-passing membrane, is disclosed, for example, in the following publications. Chinese Utility Model No. 2564505 Y discloses a paper cup for tea with an inner layer at the bottom of the main body of the paper cup for tea. Dry soluble beverage powders, such as tea, coffee, and milk powders, can be appropriately placed in an inner layer made of a strong filter material including nonwoven materials. The drink can be quickly brewed in a paper cup for tea without the need to add an additional drink, thus providing a higher level of convenience and practicality of using a paper cup for tea. Also, in Chinese utility model No. 2009981738 Y, a disposable water cup is disclosed in which tea is located at the bottom of the cup body, a layer of ventilated and permeable filter paper is located on top of the tea, and the peripheral edges of the filter paper are fixed to the cup wall near the bottom of the cup. Tea can be replaced by other edible infusion substances, such as coffee, milk powder, powdered fruit juice concentrate, etc. These methods include coating the substance at the bottom of a disposable cup with a liquid permeable coating. During preparation and consumption of the drink, the shell remains in the disposable cup, which is a feature that can prevent the use of this type of product by potential consumers, for example, those who may worry about the possibility of disconnecting the shell from the bottom of the disposable cup while consuming the drink. In addition, since the shell is capable of passing liquid, it does not interfere with the penetration of oxygen and moisture, which can adversely affect the freshness of a substance stored in a disposable cup. Additionally, the presence of a shell in a disposable cup does not allow compactly stacking a plurality of such disposable cups into the stack, as described previously.

A solution to the problem of having a shell in a disposable cup covering a substance of a beverage or food product and remaining in a disposable cup while consuming a beverage or food product is provided, for example, in Chinese Utility Model No. 2687065, in which a paper cup and a refillable cup are disclosed. the inner layer, which is located in a paper cup, in which the substance for preparing the drink is stored, such as instant coffee, milk powder, malt milk and h ah. The fillable inner layer is made of edible starch paper. Therefore, when water is added to the cup, the filled inner layer dissolves and makes it possible to mix the substance of the drink with water. The presence of edible starch paper in a paper cup and its use by the user after it is dissolved in the beverage prepared in the cup can prevent potential consumers, for example, those who may be worried about eating edible paper, from using this type of product. In addition, starch paper does not interfere with the passage of oxygen and moisture, which can negatively affect the freshness of the substance that is stored in the paper cup, and the presence of a fillable inner layer in the paper cup does not allow compact folding of many such paper cups into the stack, as described previously.

Another commercially available approach is implemented in a capsule attached to a disposable cup that contains a shell, and the substance in the form of a drink or food product is stored in the capsule. Before use, the capsule shell is removed and the liquid is poured into a disposable cup. Similarly, in Chinese Utility Model No. 2606080 Y, a cup is disclosed comprising a cup body, a cup bottom and a chamber formed between a cup body and a cup bottom, and a support structure that is located in place around the camera and connected to the inner wall of the chamber, the sealing shell being located on top of the supporting structure; the chamber located at the bottom of the cup is filled with a certain amount of instant drink, such as coffee, milk powder, fruit powder, instant tea and a compound instant drink. Before use, the sealing shell is torn off and the water is poured into a glass. Even though this method can solve the problem of eliminating the effects of oxygen and moisture on the substance using an appropriate sealing shell, it still does not solve the problem of the indecision of the use of this product by potential consumers due to the presence of a capsule or chamber in a serving of a drink or food product during use , and the impossibility of compactly folding into the foot of a plurality of disposable cups containing a capsule or chamber, as described in detail previously.

Therefore, there is a need for a disposable cup containing a substance for preparing a serving of a beverage or food product, providing a simple, quick and convenient preparation of a serving of a beverage or food product, preserving the freshness of the substance over a longer period of time, and further providing the possibility of folding in the foot of a plurality single-use cups containing the substance with maximum compactness, such as folding in the foot single-use cups that do not contain substances. The currently available solutions described in previous publications do not satisfy this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Unless otherwise indicated, the meaning of all technical and scientific terms used in this document corresponds to its usual understanding by a specialist in the field of technology to which this invention relates. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in implementing or testing the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. In the event of a conflict, the description of the patent, including definitions, is decisive. Also, the materials, methods and examples are illustrative and not restrictive.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a capsule for enclosing a substance at the bottom of a first disposable cup, comprising a bottom and a rim formed from the bottom of the first cup, the capsule comprising a bottom having a circle; a wall extending from the circle; and an opening, wherein the capsule is arranged to be placed in the space defined by the bottom and side of the second disposable cup inserted into the first disposable cup.

In accordance with one embodiment, the capsule further comprises an edge extending outward from the edge of the wall.

According to another embodiment, the capsule further comprises at least one handle attached to the wall.

According to yet another embodiment, the capsule further comprises at least one handle attached to the edge.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, at least a portion of the lip is configured to fit into a recess in the bottom of the first disposable cup.

According to yet another embodiment, the depth of the recess in the first disposable cup is substantially 1 mm.

According to another embodiment, the capsule further comprises a recess near the edge of the wall, wherein the recess of the capsule is adapted to receive a protrusion along the wall of the first disposable cup substantially near the bottom of the first disposable cup.

According to another embodiment, at least one handle is hollow.

According to yet another embodiment, the capsule further comprises at least one inner wall dividing the capsule into at least two sub-sections.

According to a further embodiment, the capsule further comprises a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the first compartment is configured to face the bottom of the disposable cup in which the capsule is placed, and the second compartment is configured to face the interior of the disposable cup.

According to yet another further embodiment, the second compartment is sheathed.

In accordance with another additional implementation option, the shell is made of impervious to moisture and oxygen material.

In accordance with one embodiment, the capsule is further coated with a liquid permeable sheath.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system comprising a stack of a plurality of disposable cups containing a bottom and a side formed from the bottom, and a plurality of capsules containing a bottom having a circle, a wall extending from the circle, and an opening, each of which is located in the space defined by the bottom and side of the disposable cup.

According to one embodiment, the plurality of capsules is configured to prevent the effects of oxygen and moisture on the substance contained in the plurality of capsules.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of stacking a plurality of disposable cups containing a bottom and a side formed from the bottom, and a plurality of capsules containing a bottom having a circle, a wall extending from the circle, and an opening and a substance encapsulated, the folding method in the foot includes: disposing a disposable cup in such a way that the bottom and side are facing upward; placement of the capsule with the hole facing upward in the space formed by the bottom and side of the disposable cup; placing the substance in a capsule; covering the capsule with another disposable cup so that the bottom and side are facing up; repeating the previous steps from the stage of placing the capsule with the hole facing upward in the space formed by the bottom and side of the disposable cup, until the foot is formed with the desired number of disposable cups, capsules and substance.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for maintaining freshness over a long period of time of a substance packaged in a stack of a plurality of disposable cups containing a bottom and a side formed from the bottom, and a plurality of capsules containing a bottom having a circle, a wall extending from the circle, and an opening, wherein each of the capsules is located in the space defined by the bottom and side of the disposable cup, the method of preserving freshness includes: packing one hundred py in a package made of impervious to moisture and oxygen material.

In accordance with one embodiment, a method for maintaining freshness over a long period of time of a substance packaged in a stack of a plurality of disposable cups further comprises introducing an inert gas into the package.

According to another embodiment, the inert gas is nitrogen.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, a method for maintaining freshness over a long period of time of a substance packaged in a stack of a plurality of disposable cups further includes creating negative pressure in the package.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are described herein by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. Since specific references are made to the drawings in this part, it should be noted that the details are shown as an example for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments and are provided to provide the presumably most useful and uncomplicated description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the embodiments. In this regard, no attempts are made to display the construction details in more detail than is necessary for a basic understanding, and when familiarizing themselves with the description considered in conjunction with the drawings, several forms of practical implementation will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In the drawings:

- FIG. 1 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a known disposable cup in accordance with an exemplary embodiment configured to contain warm or cold drinks or food products.

- FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a disposable cup and capsule in accordance with an exemplary embodiment comprising a substance at the bottom of a disposable cup.

- FIG. 2B schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a capsule in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, further comprising at least one handle located at the bottom of the disposable cup.

- FIG. 3 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment comprising a stack of multiple disposable cups.

FIG. 4 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a capsule according to an exemplary embodiment, comprising a recess near the edge of a capsule wall located at the bottom of a disposable cup, comprising a protrusion along the wall of the disposable cup near the bottom of the disposable cup.

- FIG. 5 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a capsule according to an exemplary embodiment located at the bottom of a disposable cup containing a recess in the bottom of the wall of the disposable cup, which is configured to accommodate at least a portion of the edge of the capsule.

- FIG. 6 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a capsule in accordance with an exemplary embodiment comprising at least one hollow handle.

- FIG. 7 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a capsule in accordance with an exemplary embodiment comprising two inner walls dividing the capsule into three sub-sections.

- FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a capsule according to an exemplary embodiment, comprising a first compartment configured to face the bottom of a disposable cup and a second compartment facing the interior of the disposable cup, the first compartment further comprising the inner wall dividing the first compartment into two subdivisions.

- FIG. 9 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a capsule in accordance with an exemplary embodiment coated with a liquid-permeable sheath.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before considering at least one embodiment in detail, it should be noted that the application of the invention is not limited to the structural details and configuration of the components set forth in the following description or shown in the drawings. Other possible embodiments of the invention or its implementation or implementation in other ways. It should also be understood that the wording and terms used herein are for the purpose of description and are not limiting. In the following description of the various drawings, like numerals refer to like elements. Drawings are usually not to scale.

For clarity, non-essential elements are not shown in some of the drawings.

One object of the present invention is to provide a capsule configured to enclose a substance located at the bottom of a disposable cup.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a capsule configured to enclose a substance located at the bottom of a disposable cup, which enables compact folding into the stack of a plurality of disposable cups containing a capsule, like folding empty disposable cups into the stack.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a capsule configured to enclose a substance located at the bottom of a disposable cup, which makes it possible to maintain the freshness of the substance over a substantially long period of time.

The present invention provides an open capsule suitable for use with ordinary disposable cups configured to contain warm or cold drinks or food products. In FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a known disposable cup 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment configured to contain warm or cold drinks or food products, such as a disposable cup 100 made of paper. The disposable cup 100 comprises a cup wall 110, substantially, but not necessarily, in the shape of a truncated cone, and a bottom 120 in the shape of a disc. The inner surface of the wall 110 and the bottom 120 of the disposable cup 100 are typically coated with a thin layer of a waterproof material (not shown), such as polyethylene, to prevent fluid from flowing through the wall 110 and the bottom 120 of the disposable cup 100. Additionally, the bottom 120 is deformed to form a collar 130 configured to provide stability to the disposable cup 100 when it is upright on the surface. In accordance with some embodiments, the height of the flange 130 of the disposable cup 100 is in the range of substantially 4-8 mm. The side 130 and the bottom 120 of the disposable cup 100 define a space 140 under the bottom 120 of the disposable cup 100.

According to the present invention, there is provided a capsule adapted to be placed in a space 140 defined by a bottom 120 and a side 130 of a disposable cup 100.

It should be noted that the disposable cup 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of disposable tableware to which the capsule of the present invention is suitable. The capsule of the present invention is designed to be suitable for any disposable tableware known in the art containing a rim formed from the bottom of a disposable tableware, for example, a disposable plate containing instant powder soup concentrate, and a disposable mug containing dry noodles and a powdery sauce, etc., but not limited to them. Therefore, the term "disposable cup" in the entire text of the description and claims of the present application is used solely for convenience. However, it should be understood that the term “disposable cup” refers to any disposable tableware having a rim formed from the bottom of the disposable tableware, as shown in FIG. one.

In FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a disposable cup 100 and capsule 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment comprising a substance 500 at the bottom 120 of a disposable cup 100. Substance 500 is any substance known in the art for preparing a serving of a beverage or food product, for example, a solid, a powdery substance, and a liquid substance. An example of such a substance 500, but not limitation, includes coffee powder, ground and dried tea leaves, instant soup powder concentrate, dried noodles, instant powder mashed potatoes, and the like. In accordance with one embodiment, the capsule 1 comprises a bottom 10 having a circle (not shown), a wall 20, and an opening 30.

In FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a system 200 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment comprising a stack of a plurality of disposable cups 100, in which a capsule 1 is located in each space 140 defined by a bottom 120 and a side 130 of each of the disposable cups 100 . As shown in FIG. 3, the capsules 1 enable compact stacking of a plurality of disposable cups 100 in the foot, similar to folding in the stack of a plurality of disposable cups 100 not containing capsules 1.

According to one embodiment, the structure and diameter of the bottom 10 of the capsule 1 is similar to the structure and diameter of the bottom 120 of the disposable cup 100, and the wall 20 of the capsule 1 has a structure and height similar to the structure and height of the side 130 of the disposable cup 100. According to another embodiment, the diameter of the bottom 10 of the capsule 1 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the bottom 120 of the disposable cup 100 to facilitate the insertion of the capsule 1 into the space 140 defined by the bottom 120 and the bead 130 of the disposable cup 100. For example, the diameter of the bottom 10 of the capsule 1 is substantially 1 mm smaller than the diameter of the bottom 120 of the disposable cup 100. According to another embodiment, the height of the wall 20 of the capsule 1 is less than the height of the side 130 of the disposable cup 100.

As can be understood from FIG. 3, when the capsule 1 is placed in the space 140 defined by the bottom 120 and the rim 130 of the disposable cup 100, the inner surface of the bottom 120 of the disposable cup 100 functions as a shell for the capsule 1 with which it is in contact. Thus, the substance 500 enclosed in the capsule 1 in the foot of the plurality of disposable cups 100 is well packaged so as to exclude the effects of oxygen and moisture on the substance 500, thereby extending the shelf life of the substance 500 or, in other words, preserving the freshness of the substance 500 over a long period of time.

It should be noted that maintaining the freshness of substance 500 over a long period of time means maintaining the freshness of substance 500 over a period of time of essentially one year. Any means of eliminating the effects of oxygen and moisture on the substance 500 is within the scope of the present invention, without limitation including the manufacture of a disposable cup 100 and / or capsule 1 from a material impervious to oxygen and moisture; removing air from the inside of the capsule 1, the bottom 120 of the disposable cup 100, or from a package containing a stack of a plurality of disposable cups 100 and capsules 1 containing the substance 500, and creating negative pressure therein; and filling with nitrogen or any other suitable gas the inside of the capsule 1, the bottom 120 of the disposable cup 100, or a package containing a stack of a plurality of disposable cups 100 and capsules 1 containing the substance 500. Additionally, filling the inside of the capsule 1 with the substance 500, the bottom-coated 120 disposable cup 100 with which it is in contact reduces the amount of oxygen and moisture trapped in the inside of the capsule 1, thereby also contributing to the freshness of the substance 500 at the time of storage.

In addition, it should be noted that all the materials of which the disposable cup 100 and the capsule 1 of the present invention are made are intended for storage of food products and heat-resistant, thus providing the possibility of their use in the storage of substances of drinks and food products, as well as for preparation Servings of cold and hot drinks or foods.

With reference to FIG. 2A, in accordance with yet another embodiment, the capsule 1 further comprises an edge 40 extending outward from the edge of the wall 20 of the capsule 1. In the stack of disposable cups 100 with capsules 1, as shown in FIG. 3, the lower edge of the side 130 of the disposable cup 100 pushes the edge 40 of the capsule 1 with which it is in contact towards the bottom 120 of the disposable cup 100, and therefore seals the inside of the capsule 1 and prevents the influence of oxygen and moisture on the substance 500, encapsulated 1. According to yet another embodiment, during the packaging process of the plurality of disposable cups 100, capsules 1 and substance 500 per foot, the edge 40 of capsule 1 can be glued to the bottom 120 of cup 1 00 disposable, with which it is in contact, to strengthen and stabilize the sealing of the inner part of the capsule 1. Adhesive edge 40 of the capsule 1 to the bottom 120 of the cup 100 disposable can be carried out by any method known in the art, for example, by welding, gluing by food adhesive, etc.

There are several ways to eliminate the effects of oxygen and moisture on the substance inside the capsule 1. In accordance with one embodiment, the capsule 1 is made of a material impervious to moisture and oxygen, for example, a polymer film or aluminum foil. According to another embodiment, the inner surface of the capsule 1 is coated with a layer made of a material impervious to moisture and oxygen. According to yet another embodiment, the disposable cup 100 or at least the bottom 120 of the disposable cup 100, functioning as the shell of a capsule 1 in the stack of disposable cups 100 and capsules 1, is made of a material impervious to moisture and oxygen. According to another embodiment, both bottom surfaces 120 and the inner surface of the side 130 of the disposable cup 100 facing the space 140 in which the capsule 1 is placed are made of a material impervious to moisture and oxygen or covered with a layer of a material impermeable to moisture and oxygen. According to another embodiment, a stop of disposable cups 100 and capsules 1 containing substance 500 is packaged in a packaging material impervious to oxygen and moisture, for example, an aluminum-based laminate. According to yet another embodiment, a vacuum or negative pressure can be applied to a package of disposable cups 100 and capsules 1 to reduce the amount of oxygen and moisture inside the package.

In FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view of a capsule 1 according to an exemplary embodiment, further comprising at least one handle 50 located on the bottom 120 of the disposable cup 100. According to a preferred embodiment, the capsule 1 further comprises at least one handle 50 adapted to facilitate removal of the capsule 1 from the disposable cup 100 before pouring the liquid into the disposable cup 100 to prepare a serving of a beverage or food product with a substance 500 that was enclosed in capsule 1, in a cup of 100 disposable. In accordance with one embodiment, at least one handle 50 extends from the edge of the wall 20 of the capsule 1. In accordance with another embodiment, at least one handle 50 is movably attached to the edge of the wall 20 of the capsule 1, thereby allowing at least one to fold handles 50 relative to capsule 1. According to another embodiment, the length of at least one handle 50 is at least approximately equal to the height of the wall 110 of the disposable cup 100. According to a preferred embodiment, the length of at least one handle 50 is slightly greater than the height of the wall 110 of the disposable cup 100. According to another preferred embodiment, the length of at least one handle 50 is substantially 1-2 mm longer than the height of the wall 110 of the disposable cup 100. Thus, when the capsule 1 is located on the bottom 120 of the disposable cup 100, at least one handle 50 protrudes above the wall 110 of the disposable cup 100 in such a way as to facilitate grasping of at least one handle 50 by the user and to remove the capsule 1 from the disposable cup 100 . According to another embodiment, the width of at least one handle 50 is designed so as not to prevent the stacking of a plurality of disposable cups 100 and capsules 1 containing a handle 50. According to a preferred embodiment, the width of the at least one handle 50 is essentially 0.5 mm, which is slightly less than the space between the disposable cups 100 in the foot of the plurality of disposable cups 100. According to another embodiment, after removing the capsule 1 from the disposable cup 1, said at least one handle 1 can be used as a stirring device during the preparation of a serving of a beverage or food product in a disposable cup 100. Accordingly, the specified at least one pen 50, as well as the capsule 1 in accordance with some variants of implementation, is made of intended for food storage and heat-resistant material.

In FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a capsule 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment comprising a recess 25 adjacent to the edge of a wall 20 of a capsule 1 located at the bottom 120 of a disposable cup 100, comprising a protrusion 117 along the wall 110 of a disposable cup 100 next to each other with a bottom 120 cups of 100 disposable. In accordance with one embodiment, the recess 25 of the capsule 1 is configured to accommodate a protrusion 117 of the disposable cup 100, thereby providing additional sealing to the inside of the capsule 1, as well as the stability of the capsule 1 when disposed in the disposable cup 100. According to another embodiment, the protrusion 117 of the disposable cup 100 is detachably connected to the wall 110 of the disposable cup 100. Thus, during the packaging process, after enclosing the substance 500 in the capsule 1, the recess 25 of the capsule 1 is glued to the protrusion 117 of the disposable cup 100 by any method known in the art, for example by welding, gluing by means of food-grade adhesive or the like. Thus, before use, removing the capsule 1 from the disposable cup 100 removes the protrusion 117 from the wall 110 of the disposable cup 100 still adhered to the recess 25 of the capsule 1. Thus, the protrusion 117 does not remain in the disposable cup 100 when preparing a drink or a food product in a disposable cup 100.

In FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a capsule 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment located at the bottom 120 of a disposable cup 100, which has a recess 115 in the bottom of the wall 110 of the disposable cup 100 configured to accommodate at least a portion edges 40 of capsule 1. In accordance with one embodiment, the depth of recess 115 is substantially 1 mm. According to another embodiment, the diameter of the open side of the capsule 1 with the edge 40 is slightly larger, for example, substantially 1 mm, than the diameter of the disposable cup 100 in which the recess 115 is formed. When at least a portion of the edge 40 of the capsule 1 is inserted into the recess 115, provides an additional seal on the inside of the capsule 1, as well as the stability of the capsule 1 when disposed in a disposable cup 100.

In FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a capsule 1 according to an exemplary embodiment comprising at least one hollow handle 52. According to this embodiment, the space 55 inside the at least one hollow handle 52 is adapted to receive material, which can be added to the substance 500 enclosed in capsule 1 during the preparation of a serving of a beverage or food product in a disposable cup 100. For example, capsule 1 may contain instant powdery soup concentrate, and hollow handle 52 may contain in its space 55 a seasoning, such as pepper, which the user may add to the soup after preparation in a disposable cup 100.

According to yet another embodiment, the capsule comprises at least one inner wall 15 dividing the capsule 1 into at least two sub-sections 16. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a capsule 1 according to an exemplary embodiment comprising two inner walls 15 dividing the capsule into three sub-branches 16. At least two sub-sections 16 or three sub-sections 16 of the capsule 1 are indicated, as an example depicted in FIG. 7 are configured to accommodate at least two substances 500 or three substances 502, 504 and 506, as shown by way of example in FIG. 7, separated from each other, for example, coffee powder, sugar and powdered milk powder. More specifically, said at least two sub-branches 16 of capsule 1 are configured to contain substances 500 that cannot be mixed with each other for a long period of time during storage of disposable cups 100 and substances 500 contained within them in capsules one.

According to another embodiment, the capsule 1 comprises a first compartment 60 and a second compartment 70, the first compartment being configured to face the bottom 120 of the disposable cup 100 in which the capsule 1 is placed, and the second compartment 70 is configured to face the inner the space of the disposable cup 100. According to another embodiment, the first compartment 60 and / or the second compartment 70 of the capsule further comprises at least one inner wall further dividing the first compartment 60 and / or the second compartment 70 into at least two sub-units. In FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a capsule 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment comprising a first compartment 60 configured to face the bottom 120 of the disposable cup 100 and a second compartment 70 facing the interior of the disposable cup 100 moreover, the first compartment 60 further comprises an inner wall 65 dividing the first compartment 60 into two sub-departments 67. Each compartment 60, 70 and the sub-department 67 are configured to single substance content of 500, 504 and 506 as previously described. According to a further embodiment, the second compartment is detachably coated with a sheath 77, preferably made of a moisture and oxygen impervious material like a polymer film and aluminum foil, to prevent the exposure of oxygen and moisture to at least one substance 506 located in the second compartment 70. During use, the user may decide to add at least one substance 506 stored in the second compartment 70 to a portion of a beverage or food product, pr tovlennogo a disposable cup 100 with at least one substance 502 and 504, which was enclosed in the first compartment 60 of the capsule 1.

In FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a capsule 1 according to an exemplary embodiment covered with a liquid-permeable sheath 80. According to one embodiment, a capsule 1 coated with a liquid-permeable sheath 80 is capable of enclosing a substance 500 to be recovered by means of a liquid in a disposable cup 100, for example, ground and dried tea leaves, and allowing extraction of substance 500 from the liquid after extraction Niya. The liquid-permeable sheath 80 is made of a material that allows fluid to pass through it, such as fabric, foam, and the like. During use, a liquid, for example hot water, is poured into a disposable cup 100 containing a capsule 1 coated with a liquid-permeable sheath 80, and the substance 500 enclosed in the capsule 1 is recovered by the added liquid. Before using the resulting beverage, the capsule 1 can be removed from the disposable cup 1. If, in some embodiments, the capsule 1, coated with a liquid-permeable sheath 80, further comprises a pen 50, the user can hold the pen 50 and immerse the capsule 1 several times in a liquid poured into a disposable cup 100 to facilitate the recovery of the substance 500 contained in capsule 1. According to a further embodiment, the liquid-permeable sheath 80 is attached to the edge of the wall 20 or edge 40 of the capsule 1 so as to retain the permeable liquid around a hole 80 attached to the edge of the wall 20 or the edge 40 of the capsule 1 when it is in contact with a liquid, in particular warm or hot liquid. For example, the liquid-permeable sheath 80 may be welded or glued by means of a food-grade adhesive to the edge of the wall 20 or to the edge 40 of the capsule 1.

In accordance with one embodiment, a method for folding into the foot of a plurality of disposable cups containing a bottom and a side formed from the bottom and a plurality of capsules containing a bottom having a circle, a wall extending from the circle, and an opening and a substance encapsulated in capsules moreover, the method of folding in the foot includes: the location of the disposable cup so that the bottom and side are facing upward; placement of the capsule with the hole facing upward in the space formed by the bottom and side of the disposable cup; placing the substance in a capsule; covering the capsule with another disposable cup so that the bottom and side are facing up; repeating the previous steps, starting with the step of placing the capsule with the hole facing up, in the space formed by the bottom and the rim of the disposable cup, until the foot is formed with the desired number of disposable cups, capsules and substance.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method for maintaining freshness over a long period of time of a substance packaged in a foot of a plurality of disposable cups containing a bottom and a side formed from the bottom and a plurality of capsules containing a bottom having a circle and a wall extending from the circle is provided. and a hole, each of the capsules being located in the space formed by the bottom and side of the disposable cup, a method of preserving freshness includes: packing the foot in a package, made of impervious to moisture and oxygen material. According to yet another embodiment, the method further comprises introducing an inert gas into the package, for example, nitrogen.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, a method for maintaining freshness over a long period of time of a substance packaged in a foot from a plurality of disposable cups further includes creating negative pressure in the package, for example, by extracting air from the package and creating a vacuum in the package.

It should be noted that packing a stack of disposable cups containing a substance and introducing inert gas into the package or creating negative pressure in the package without using the capsules of the present invention is not effective from the point of view of maintaining the freshness of the substance over a long period of time, since in space , defined by the bottom and rim of the disposable cup, is trapped air. On the other hand, the use of the capsules of the present invention is effective from the point of view of preserving the freshness of the substance over a long period of time, since enclosing the substance in the capsule substantially reduces the amount of air trapped in the space defined by the bottom and side of the disposable cup.

It should be understood that certain features of the invention, which are described for clarity in the context of individual embodiments, may also be implemented in combination in one embodiment. On the other hand, various features of the invention, which are described for brevity in the context of one embodiment, may also be implemented separately or in any suitable combination.

Although the invention has been described in combination with specific embodiments, it should be understood that many alternative modifications and changes will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it should be understood that the invention includes all such alternatives, modifications, and changes that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (13)

1. A method of inserting a capsule with a substance into a disposable cup, comprising: filling the capsule with the substance to the edge, while the rim of the round opening of the capsule remains uncoated, and while the capsule is held with the round opening upward; and lowering the disposable cup to the capsule until the bottom of the disposable cup is pressed against the rim of the capsule, thereby forming a closed volume for storing the substance therein, while the orientation of the cup is such that its round opening is at the bottom, while the inner diameter of the cup at the bottom is equal to the outer diameter of the rim of the capsule, and the diameter of the cup at its rim is larger than the inner diameter of the cup at the bottom. 2. The method according to p. 1, in which the cup also contains a cylindrical space formed by the bottom of the cup and the side walls of the cup extending beyond the bottom of the cup in the direction opposite to the round opening of the cup, the cylindrical space ending in the second round hole, and the inner height and diameter the cylindrical spaces are equal, respectively, to the height of the capsule and the outer diameter of the capsule. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, in which the capsule is made of a material impermeable to oxygen and moisture, as a result of which the substance is hermetically contained in an impermeable volume defined by the capsule in a disposable cup and the capsule in another cup in which the cup is inserted disposable, and the specified other cup has the same shape as the specified cup disposable, and has another capsule mounted on its bottom. 4. The method according to p. 1 or 2, also comprising: tightly attaching the capsule to the bottom by soldering and / or gluing, thereby keeping the substance in a closed volume from the release, until the capsule is removed for the purpose of using the substance. 5. The method according to p. 1 or 2, the method further comprising: expanding the cylindrical wall of the capsule from the second side to form a circular ring (annular region), the outer diameter of the ring being slightly larger than the inner diameter of the cup on the proximal side, forming thus a closed volume when the capsule is injected under pressure into a disposable cup until the ring is located next to the base, thereby keeping the substance in a closed volume from the discharge until the capsules not be deleted in order to use the substance. 6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: preserving the freshness and aroma of the substance for a long period of time by means containing packs of two or more disposable cups located in the foot, each disposable cup comprising a substance coated with a capsule. 7. The method according to p. 1 or 2, in which the capsule also contains a handle for removing the capsule from the cup, and the handle is attached to the capsule at the first end and reaches the distal side of the side at the second end. 8. The method according to p. 7, in which the handle contains a structural element in which the recess is made, for adding additional substances, such as sugar, to the substance contained at the bottom. 9. The method according to p. 1 or 2, in which the substance is made of dry matter, and / or solid, and / or powder, and / or liquid, and / or gel materials, and / or flavorings. 10. The method according to p. 1 or 2, in which the capsule further comprises means for separating the capsule to two or more volumes. 11. The method according to p. 10, in which the total height, including means for separating the capsule, is equal to or less than the depth of the cylindrical space. 12. The method according to p. 10 or 11, in which each volume is fully or partially covered with a liquid-permeable permanent coating or with a removable temporary cover. 13. A disposable cup, obtained using the method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-8.

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