WO2004074111A2

WO2004074111A2 - Containers for use in the storage and preparation of consumables

Info

Publication number: WO2004074111A2
Application number: PCT/GB2004/000699
Authority: WO
Inventors: Allan Menzies Stewart Watson; Michele Wendy Olwyn Watson
Original assignee: Allan Menzies Stewart Watson; Michele Wendy Olwyn Watson
Priority date: 2003-02-21
Filing date: 2004-02-20
Publication date: 2004-09-02
Also published as: WO2004074111A3; GB0303949D0

Abstract

The invention concerns containers for use in the storage and preparation of consumables, for example instant coffee, and to a method of making such containers. In one aspect, there is provided according to the invention a container for use in the storage and preparation of a consumable, the container comprising a vessel (1) in which the preparation is to occur, an insert (4) attached to the vessel, the insert having a further container which holds the consumable in dried or concentrated form, sealing means (14) for hermetically sealing the further container, and releasing means (16) which is openable to allow the contents of the container to interact with liquid poured into the vessel.

Description

Containers for Use in the Storage and Preparation of Consumables

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to containers for use in the storage and preparation of consumables, for example instant coffee, and to a method of making such containers.

Background to the Invention

Many beverages and foodstuffs may be pre-packaged in their dry form to provide a convenient means for rapidly dispensing said beverages and foodstuff to consumers. They merely require the addition of water before serving. Pre-packaged refreshments presented in this format are increasingly prevalent in modern catering practices, particularly in the airline industry, where the emphasis is moving away from serving beverages such as tea or coffee in re-usable cups from pots to using convenient disposable vessels in which the beverages have been pre-packaged in their dried form. Additionally, this format is proving popular with consumers of ready made meals of noodles, pasta and rice for example.

The dried or concentrated beverages or foodstuffs generally need to be stored in a sealed, moisture free environment and to that end the containers in which the beverages are pre-packaged usually include laminated foil membranes which are sealed to the container walls to provide a closed compartment in the bottom of the container. The process of fixing the seal is not particularly straightforward since the bottom of the container is not necessarily very accessible. In addition, the container needs to be made of a material to which the foil can be heat sealed. Thus paper containers cannot be used.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a container for use in the storage and preparation of a consumable, the container comprising a vessel in which the preparation is to occur, an insert attached to the vessel, the insert having a further container which holds the consumable in dried or concentrated form, sealing means for hermetically sealing the further container, and releasing means which is openable to allow the contents of the container to interact with liquid poured into the vessel. Since the dried or concentrated ingredients are held in the insert, the vessel need not be of a material that is able to bond to a sealing member, such as laminated foil membrane. In addition, the sealing means can be applied to the insert before the before the latter is placed in the vessel. This means that the seal may more easily be applied and is the case where a sealing foil has to be applied in situ in the region of the bottom of the interior of the vessel.

In a second aspect of the invention, the container has a base formed by the vessel in the region of which the insert is located.

The insert may be attached to the base of the vessel.

In the second aspect of the invention, the releasing means may comprise the sealing means. This means that the sealing means perse may be openable to allow the contents of the container to interact with liquid poured into the vessel.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the container has a base formed by the insert.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the container has a base formed by the sealing means.

In the container according to the second, third and fourth aspect, the insert may be circular with an annular rim surrounding a central recess, the rim and recess defining the further container.

The sealing means may comprise a membrane, preferably a laminated foil membrane but optionally also a paper or plastics (such as polyethylene) membrane, which is sealed, preferably heat sealed, onto the insert. The membrane may be attached to the annular rim.

The insert may be formed of a plastics material, for example polyethylene. Furthermore, the release means may be formed of a plastic material. The insert and release means may then conveniently be moulded in one piece. Furthermore, the insert and release means may be connected by a moulded hinge located adjacent the insert. According to any aspect of the invention as described above, the releasing means incorporates or is attached to a tab extending from the insert to the region of the top of the vessel, the tab facilitating the opening of the releasing means by being peeled away from the insert.

The insert of the invention may be attached to the vessel by an interference fit. Additionally or alternatively, the insert may be ultrasonically welded to the vessel. In one embodiment, at least part of the insert and at least part of the vessel comprise polyethylene to allow ultrasonic welding at these parts.

The insert may be attached to the vessel by means of an adhesive.

The consumable may comprise a beverage, foodstuff or medicine. Alternatively, the consumable may be a horticultural product such as a fertiliser, a fungicide and/or a weed- or moss-killing substance. The consumable is thus prepared in a convenient container which is preferably discarded after the consumable has been used.

The beverage is preferably instant coffee. In this case, the ingredients in the further container may be dried instant coffee in powered or granular form, or concentrated liquid coffee. The beverage may alternatively be hot chocolate, soup or tea.

The insert may be adapted to retain non-dissolvable components of the consumable, for example by means of a liquid-permeable mesh. This would be particularly useful where the consumable is tea.

The container may be a cup, particularly if the consumable is a beverage.

The container may be so shaped that a plurality of such containers may be stacked. For example, the vessel and/or insert of the container may include a recessed underside which can locate the vessel and/or insert for another such container.

In one embodiment, the vessel includes a recessed underside which can locate the vessel for another such container before the insert is attached to its respective vessel, such that the stacking of the respective vessel brings it into contact with its insert to enable the latter to be attached to the vessel. Thus the process of attaching the insert to the vessel can be incorporated into the creation of a stack of such containers, each with its respective insert. The present invention further provides a cup comprising a container as defined herein.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of producing a container for use in the storage and preparation of a consumable (as defined above), the method comprising, preferably in the following sequence, the steps of placing the consumable, in dried or concentrated form, in a further container in an insert, hermetically sealing the further container, inserting the insert into an open topped walled member, and securing (or attaching) the insert in the member, the member defining at least the walls of a vessel in which the consumable is to be prepared, the seal being openable to allow liquid poured into the vessel to interact with the contents of the further container.

The vessel used in the method may comprise a base in the region of which the insert is secured.

The step of securing the insert may comprise securing the insert in the member by means of an adhesive. Alternatively or additionally, the step of securing the insert may comprise securing the insert to the vessel by means of an interference fit.

The step of hermetically sealing the further container may comprise sealing a laminated foil membrane to the insert.

The step of securing the insert to the member preferably comprises the steps of locating the insert in a recess in the underside of another, similarly shaped, upturned member, and placing the member over the other, upturned member so that the base of the member contacts the insert, wherein the adhesive is applied to the insert or the base to bond the insert to the base.

The vessel may then constitute the upturned other vessel for use in attaching a further insert to a further respective vessel.

Thus, repetition of this step for a succession of vessels and corresponding inserts produces an inverted stack of vessels, each having a respective insert attached to its base.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of producing a container for use in the storage and preparation of a consumable (as defined above), the method comprising, preferably in the following sequence, the steps of inserting an insert into an open topped walled member and securing the insert in the walled member, the walled member defining the walls of a vessel in which the consumable is to be prepared, placing the consumable, in dried or concentrated form, in a further container in the insert, hermetically sealing the further container, and forming a base of the container, the insert being openable via a releasing means to allow liquid poured into the vessel to interact with the contents of the further container.

The step of hermetically sealing the further container preferably comprises attaching a closure member to the walled member. In this case, the base of the container may be formed by attaching the closure member to the insert and/or the walled member.

The term liquid as used herein embraces a liquid diluent, solvent or dispersant.

The invention also provides a container for use in the storage and preparation of a consumable comprising a beverage, foodstuff or medicine, the container comprising a vessel in which said preparation is to occur, an insert attached to the vessel so as to be retained therein, the insert having a further container which holds said consumable in dried or concentrated form and sealing means for hermetically sealing said further container, wherein the sealing means is openable to allow the contents of the container to interact with liquid poured into the vessel.

Preferably, the vessel is so shaped that a plurality of such vessels may be stacked, and includes a recessed underside which can locate the insert for another such container before the insert is attached to its respective vessel, wherein the stacking of said respective vessel brings it into contact with its insert to enable the latter to be adhered to the vessel.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a cut away view of a container (having a vessel and insert) in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side sectional view of the insert of the container shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a partially exploded side sectional view of the insert shown in Figure 2 when filled with a dried consumable material, the Figure also showing a sealing member for sealing the material in the insert;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the insert of Figures 2 and 3 (without the sealing member in place);

Figure 5 is a plan view of the sealing member of the container shown in Fig. 1 ;

Figure 6 is a side view of the vessel of the container shown in Fig. 1 ;

Figure 7 is a sectional side view of a stack of two containers of the type shown in Fig. 1;

Figure 8 is a sectional side view of a stack of two containers, each having a vessel and insert and each of which is a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is a side sectional view of an insert of the container shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a partially exploded side sectional view of the insert of Figure 9 when filled with a dried consumable material, the Figure also showing a sealing member for sealing the material in the insert;

Figure 11 is a plan view of the insert shown in Figures 9 and 10 (without the sealing member in place);

Figure 12 is a plan view of the sealing member of the container shown in Figure 8;

Figure 13 is a side view of the vessel shown in Figure 8;

Figure 14 is a sectional side view of a stack of two containers, each having a vessel and insert and each of which is a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 15 is a partially exploded side sectional view of the insert of Figure 14 when filled with a dried consumable material, the Figure also showing a sealing member for sealing the material in the insert;

Figure 16 is a plan view of the insert shown in Figure 15 (without the sealing member in place); Figure 17 is a plan view of the sealing member of the container shown in Figure 14;

Figure 18 is a side view of the vessel shown in Figure 14;

Figure 19 is a side view of a container according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 20 is a plan view of an integral insert and releasing means according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 21 is a side view of the integral insert and releasing means shown in Figure 20;

Figure 22 is an end view of the integral insert and releasing means shown in Figure 20;

Figure 23 is a side sectional view of a container according to the fifth embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 24 is a cut away view of a stack of nine containers shown in Figure 23.

Detailed Description

With reference to Figure 1 , a container in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention comprises a paper cup 1 having a base 2 to which an insert 4 is adhered. The underside of the cup includes a cup recess 6 which can be used to locate the insert for another container.

The insert 4 is shown in more detail in Figures 2 to 4, is circular and has an upstanding annular rim 8 which surrounds an upper recess 10 which defines a further container for containing dried instant coffee granules, shown at 12 in Figure 3. The insert 4 is formed of a suitable plastics material, and is sealed to a circular portion of a laminated foil membrane 14, also shown in Figure 5, which is sealed to the rim 8 so that the granules 12 are hermetically sealed within the upper recess 10. A tab 16 is formed integrally with the foil member 14 and extends from the periphery of the latter to an upper hooked end 18. As can be seen from Figure 1 and 6, the hooked end 18 protrudes beyond the top of the cup 1. In order to produce a container in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, the insert shown in Figure 2 is first filled with the coffee granules 12, and the foil member (or seal) 14 is then applied. The underside of the insert 4 is then coated with an adhesive, and the insert placed into the cup recess 6 of another upturned container which has already been created. (Alternatively, to commence production of the containers, the insert 4 of a first container may be placed into a recess of a form corresponding to the cup recess 6 of another upturned container.) The empty cup 1 is then inverted and placed over the other container until the bottom 2 of the cup 1 makes contact with the underside 5 of the insert. It will be appreciated that the insert is inverted so that its underside 5 is uppermost, but that with the insert in its normal attitude of use the underside 5 will be at the bottom of the insert.

In Figure 7, the other, already formed container is generally referenced 20. It will be appreciated that the creation of the stack of containers as shown in Figure 7 forms an integral part of the process of attaching the inserts to the containers.

When one of the containers is to be used, it is removed from the stack. When the container is in its upright position, the tab 18 is pulled to peel the sealing member 14 off the insert 4. The sealing member 14 may then be discarded. Hot water is then poured into the cup. Since the granules 12 have been exposed, the water will mix with the granules, and the coffee will therefore be prepared.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 8 to 13. Two containers each comprising a paper cup 21, 40 are shown in a stacked position in Fig. 8 in an analogous fashion to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 7. The paper cup 21 has a base 22 to which an insert 24 is adhered. The underside of the cup includes a cup recess 26, also shown in Figure 13, which can be used to locate the insert for another container.

The insert 24 of the second embodiment is shown in more detail in Figures 9-11 , is circular and has an upstanding annular rim 28 which surrounds an upper recess 30 which defines a further container for containing dried instant coffee granules and the like, shown at 32 in Figure 10. The insert 24 is formed of a suitable plastics material, and is sealed to a circular portion of a laminated foil membrane 34, also shown in Figure 12, which is sealed to the rim 28 so that the granules 32 are hermetically sealed within the upper recess 30. A tab 36 is formed integrally with the foil member 34 and extends from the periphery of the latter to an upper hooked end 38. As can be seen from Figure 8, the hooked end 38 protrudes beyond the top of the cup over a rounded cup rim 39. The tab 36 has a fold 37 where the tab extends from the foil member 24, which fold is shaped to fit snugly over the rim 28 of the insert 24. This facilitates stacking of containers by allowing the base 22 of one cup 21 to fit into the fold 37 of another cup 40, as shown in Figure 8.

The container of the second embodiment may be produced as described above for the first embodiment.

A third embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 14 to 18. Two containers each comprising a paper cup 41, 60 are shown in a stacked position in Fig. 14 in an analogous fashion to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 7. The paper cup 41 has a base 42 to which an insert 44 is adhered. The underside of the cup includes a cup recess 46, also shown in Figure 18.

The insert 44 of the third embodiment is shown in more detail in Figures 15 and 16, is circular and has an upstanding annular rim 48 which extends from a side-wall 49 of the insert which surrounds an upper recess which defines a further container for containing dried instant coffee granules and the like, shown at 52 in Figure 15. A number of side-ribs 57a, b as shown in Fig. 15 protrude circumferentially from the side-wall 49 of the insert 44 to provide additional support for the annular rim 48. The insert 44 is formed of a suitable plastics material, and is sealed to a circular portion of a laminated foil membrane 54, also shown in Figure 17, which is sealed to the rim

48 so that the granules 52 are hermetically sealed within the insert 44. A tab 56 is formed integrally with the foil member 54 and extends from the periphery of the latter to an upper hooked end 58. As can be seen from Figure 14, the hooked end 58 protrudes beyond the top of the cup over a rounded cup rim 59.

In the third embodiment, the annular rim 48 of the insert 44 extends to the inner side-wall of the cup 41 , 60. The base 42 of one cup 60 will be in a raised position over the insert 44 of another cup 41 when two containers are stacked.

A fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in part in Figure 19. A container according to the fourth embodiment comprises an open topped walled member 61 made of paper and including a rounded walled member rim 59. An insert 64 of the fourth embodiment is circular and has an upstanding annular rim 68 which extends from a side-wall 69 of the insert. The insert 64, which is formed of a suitable plastics material, has a base 75 which, when the insert 64 is fitted as shown in Figure 19, forms the base of the container. The underside of the insert 64 is formed into a lower recess 66. The side-wall 69 of the insert 64 surrounds an upper recess 70 which defines a further container for containing dried instant coffee granules and the like.

The insert 64 has a number of angled side-ribs (not visible in Figure 19) protruding circumferentially from part of the side-wall 69 located below the base 75 to provide additional support for the annular rim 48 and to assist securing the insert 64 in the walled member 61. An interference fit between the insert 64 and the lower part of the walled member 61 allows the insert 64 to be secured in the walled member 61.

As with the third embodiment described above, a sealing member (not shown) is fitted over the insert 64 to hermetically seal the further container defined by upper recess 70. A releasing means (not shown), which may be integral with the sealing means, is openable to allow the contents of the container to interact with liquid poured into it.

A fifth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 20 to 24. As can be seen in Figures 20 to 22, an insert 114 formed from a suitable plastics material such as polyethylene is integrally formed with a tab 116. The insert 114 is circular and comprises a recess 110 projecting from a circumferential rim 118. The recess 110 defines a further container for a consumable (such as dried instant coffee granules and the like). The rim 18 of the insert 114 is connected to the tab 116 via a moulded hinge 117 which allows the tab 116 to be inclined at an angle to the insert 114. The upper end of the tab 116 comprises a recessed, half-pear-shaped grip 128 to facilitate gripping of the tab 116 by a user.

A container according to the fifth embodiment is shown in Fig. 23. The insert 114 is secured at its rim 118 to the base 102 of a cup 101 with an underside recess 102. In the secured position, the recess 110 of the insert 114 is hermetically sealed by the base 102 for storage of the consumable. The tab 116 lies adjacent an inner wall and extends from the periphery of the cup 101 so that the grip 128 lies outside the cup 101. The consumable contained with the recess 110 of the insert 114 is access by pulling the grip 128 and releasing the insert 114 from the base 102 of the cup 101, thereby allowing the consumable to be mixed with liquid poured into the cup. Figure 24 shows a stack of nine containers according to the fifth embodiment. The underside recess 106 (see Fig. 23) of top cup 101 comprising an insert 114 and tab 116 ending in a grip 128 is stacked onto a further similar container comprising a cup 121. Cups 131 , 141, 151 , 161 , 171 , 181 and 191 are similarly stacked.

In order to produce a container in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the invention, the insert 114 shown in Figures 20 to 24 is placed with its rim 118 uppermost into the underside recess 106 of an upturned container which has already been created. (Alternatively, to commence production of the containers, the insert 104 of a first container may be placed into a recess of a form corresponding to the underside recess 106 of another upturned container.) The further container provided by the insert 114 is then filled with a consumable. The rim 118 of the insert 114 is then secured to the base 102 of an upturned cup 101 which is placed over the insert 114, to form a complete container.

The rim 118 of the insert 114 is secured to the base 102 of an upturned cup by means of an adhesive which is placed onto either the rim 118 or the base 102 prior to binging them into contact with each other. Alternatively, the rim 118 and base 102 may be secured by welding such as ultrasonic welding of a suitable plastic material (for example, polyethylene) which is integral with or coated onto the rim 118 and base 102.

Claims

1. A container for use in the storage and preparation of a consumable, the container comprising a vessel in which the preparation is to occur, an insert attached to the vessel, the insert having a further container which holds the consumable in dried or concentrated form, sealing means for hermetically sealing the further container, and releasing means which is openable to allow the contents of the container to interact with liquid poured into the vessel.

2. The container according to claim 1 , in which the container has a base formed by the vessel in the region of which the insert is located.

3. The container according to claim 2, in which the insert is attached to the base of the vessel.

4. The container according to any of the claims 2 to 3, in which the insert is circular with an annular rim surrounding a central recess, the rim and recess defining the further container.

5. The container according to any of claims 2 to 4, in which the sealing means comprises a laminated foil membrane which is sealed onto the insert.

6. The container according to claim 4 and claim 5, in which the foil membrane is attached to the annular rim.

7. The container according to any of claims 2 to 4, in which the insert is formed of a plastics material.

8. The container according to any of claims 2 to 4 or 7, in which the release means is formed of a plastic material.

9. The container according to claim 7 and claim 8, in which the insert and release means are moulded in one piece.

10. The container according to claim 9, in which the insert and release means are connected by a moulded hinge located adjacent the insert.

11. The container according to any of claims 2 to 10, in which the releasing means comprises the sealing means.

12. The container according to claim 1, in which the container has a base formed by the insert.

13. The container according to claim 1, in which the container has a base formed by the sealing means.

14. The container according to either of claim 12 or claim 13, in which the insert is circular with an annular rim surrounding a central recess, the rim and recess defining the further container.

15. The container according any of claims 12 to 14, in which the releasing means comprises a laminated foil membrane which is sealed onto the insert.

16. The container according to claim 14 and claim 15, in which the foil membrane is attached to the annular rim.

17. The container according to any of claims 12 to 14, in which the insert is formed of a plastics material.

18. The container according to any of claims 12 to 14 or 17, in which the release means is formed of a plastic material.

19. The container according to claim 17 and claim 18, in which the insert and release means are moulded in one piece.

20. The container according to claim 19, in which the insert and release means are connected by a moulded hinge.

21. The container according to any preceding claim, in which the releasing means incorporates or is attached to a tab extending from the insert to the region of the top of the vessel, the tab facilitating the opening of the releasing means by being peeled away from the insert.

22. The container according to any preceding claim, in which the insert is attached to the vessel by an interference fit.

23. The container according to any preceding claim, in which the insert is ultrasonically welded to the vessel.

24. The container according to any preceding claim, in which the consumable comprises a beverage, foodstuff or medicine.

25. The container according to claim 17, in which the beverage is instant coffee.

26. The container according to any preceding claim, in which the container is a cup.

27. The container according to any preceding claim, in which the container is so shaped that a plurality of such containers may be stacked.

28. The container according to claim 27, in which the vessel and/or insert includes a recessed underside which can locate the vessel and/or insert for another such container.

29. The container according to claim 27, in which the vessel includes a recessed underside which can locate the vessel for another such container before the insert is attached to its respective vessel, such that the stacking of the respective vessel brings it into contact with its insert to enable the latter to be attached to the vessel.

30. A cup comprising a container as defined in any of claims 1 to 29.

31. A method of producing a container for use in the storage and preparation of a consumable, the method comprising the steps of placing the consumable, in dried or concentrated form, in a further container in an insert, hermetically sealing the further container, inserting the insert into an open topped walled member, and securing the insert in the member, the member defining at least the walls of a vessel in which the consumable is to be prepared, the seal being openable to allow liquid poured into the vessel to interact with the contents of the further container.

32. The method according to claim 31, in which the vessel comprises a base in the region of which the insert is secured.

33. The method according to either of claim 31 or claim 32, in which the step of securing the insert comprises securing the insert in the member by means of an adhesive.

34. The method according to either of claim 31 or claim 32, in which the step of securing the insert comprises securing the insert to the vessel by means of an interference fit.

35. The method according to any of claims 30 to 34, in which the step of hermetically sealing the further container comprises sealing a laminated foil membrane to the insert.

36. The method according to any of claims 30 to 35, in which the step of securing the insert to the member comprises the steps of locating the insert in a recess in the underside of another, similarly shaped, upturned member, and placing the member over the other, upturned member so that the base of the member contacts the insert, wherein the adhesive is applied to the insert or the base to bond the insert to the base.

37. A method of producing a container for use in the storage and preparation of a consumable, the method comprising the steps of inserting an insert into an open topped walled member and securing the insert in the walled member, the walled member defining the walls of a vessel in which the consumable is to be prepared, placing the consumable, in dried or concentrated form, in a further container in the insert, hermetically sealing the further container, and forming a base of the container, the insert being openable via a releasing means to allow liquid poured into the vessel to interact with the contents of the further container.

38. The method according to claim 37, in which the step of hermetically sealing the further container comprises attaching a closure member to the walled member.

39. The method according to claim 38, in which the base of the container is formed by attaching the closure member to the insert and/or the walled member.