Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F31/00—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms
  • B01F31/55—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms the materials to be mixed being contained in a flexible bag submitted to periodical deformation
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
  • A47J43/00—Implements for preparing or holding food, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
  • A47J43/27—Implements for preparing or holding food, not provided for in other groups of this subclass for mixing drinks; Hand-held shakers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
  • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
  • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
  • B01F23/235—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids for making foam
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
  • B01F25/40—Static mixers
  • B01F25/45—Mixers in which the materials to be mixed are pressed together through orifices or interstitial spaces, e.g. between beads
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
  • B01F25/40—Static mixers
  • B01F25/45—Mixers in which the materials to be mixed are pressed together through orifices or interstitial spaces, e.g. between beads
  • B01F25/451—Mixers in which the materials to be mixed are pressed together through orifices or interstitial spaces, e.g. between beads characterised by means for moving the materials to be mixed or the mixture
  • B01F25/4512—Mixers in which the materials to be mixed are pressed together through orifices or interstitial spaces, e.g. between beads characterised by means for moving the materials to be mixed or the mixture with reciprocating pistons
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
  • B01F25/40—Static mixers
  • B01F25/45—Mixers in which the materials to be mixed are pressed together through orifices or interstitial spaces, e.g. between beads
  • B01F25/452—Mixers in which the materials to be mixed are pressed together through orifices or interstitial spaces, e.g. between beads characterised by elements provided with orifices or interstitial spaces
  • B01F25/4521—Mixers in which the materials to be mixed are pressed together through orifices or interstitial spaces, e.g. between beads characterised by elements provided with orifices or interstitial spaces the components being pressed through orifices in elements, e.g. flat plates or cylinders, which obstruct the whole diameter of the tube
  • B01F25/45211—Mixers in which the materials to be mixed are pressed together through orifices or interstitial spaces, e.g. between beads characterised by elements provided with orifices or interstitial spaces the components being pressed through orifices in elements, e.g. flat plates or cylinders, which obstruct the whole diameter of the tube the elements being cylinders or cones which obstruct the whole diameter of the tube, the flow changing from axial in radial and again in axial
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
  • B01F25/40—Static mixers
  • B01F25/45—Mixers in which the materials to be mixed are pressed together through orifices or interstitial spaces, e.g. between beads
  • B01F25/452—Mixers in which the materials to be mixed are pressed together through orifices or interstitial spaces, e.g. between beads characterised by elements provided with orifices or interstitial spaces
  • B01F25/4523—Mixers in which the materials to be mixed are pressed together through orifices or interstitial spaces, e.g. between beads characterised by elements provided with orifices or interstitial spaces the components being pressed through sieves, screens or meshes which obstruct the whole diameter of the tube
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
  • B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
  • B65D85/72—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for for edible or potable liquids, semiliquids, or plastic or pasty materials
  • B65D85/73—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for for edible or potable liquids, semiliquids, or plastic or pasty materials with means specially adapted for effervescing the liquids, e.g. for forming bubbles or beer head

Definitions

• the invention relates to a package including a gas and an at least partly foamable liquid by means of which a refreshment can be prepared.
• the invention also relates to a method for obtaining foam in a package including a gas and an at least partly foamable liquid, by means of which foam a refreshment can be prepared while the method comprises displacing the liquid and the gas in the package.
• the invention relates to a method for preparing coffee suitable for immediate consumption, which is provided with a foam layer.
• a device is known from DE 43 32 387.
• an airtight holder is described in which a liquid extract is included. A part of the volume of the holder is occupied by air.
• the holder Before opening of the package takes place, the holder can be shaken, the air and the liquid mixing such that foam is formed in the holder. During mixing, the gas is, as it were, taken up by the liquid leading to the formation of air bubbles- When air bubble formation occurs frequently, foam is formed. When the holder is opened, the foam can be drunk or be introduced into a cup or the like.
• a drawback of such a package is that shaking requires rather conspicuous operations. For some people, these operations are unpleasant to perform. To effect sufficient foam formation, the package is sometimes to be shaken quite vigorously. This also requires space, which is not always available to the user of the known package.
• An object of the invention is to meet at least one of the above- mentioned drawbacks.
• a package according to the invention which is characterized in that the package is provided with manually operable means with which a displacement of the gas and the liquid in the package can be effected such, that foam formation occurs in the package.
• the liquid and/or the gas is also sometimes expressed in a general term, i.e. a fluid.
• a special embodiment of a package according to the invention is characterized in that the means are designed for manually varying, at least as to shape, the package space for the liquid and the gas.
• the gas and the liquid are displaced in the package.
• the package can be held, at leastNirtually, stationary in one position, which entails a less conspicuous preparation of foam.
• the means comprise a material, designed so as to be flexible from which at least a part of the package has been manufactured.
• the flexible material can be squeezed together, be dented or folded so that at least a part of the liquid and the gas, in fact the part that was present in a volume part of the package that is squeezed together, dented or folded, moves within the package so that foam formation can occur in the package.
• the means also comprise at least two mutually connected chambers between which the liquid and/or the gas are displaceable.
• the liquid and/or the gas can move from one chamber to the other chamber and, optionally, vice versa. This can take place, for instance, by first decreasing the volume of the one chamber so that the liquid and the gas flow to the other chamber. Then, the volume of this other chamber can be decreased, so that the liquid and the gas flow back again to the one chamber. This cycle can be repeated many times so that a much foam formation can occur and the liquid and the gas can turn to foam, if possible completely.
• the means comprise a fluid flow disturber. By disturbing the fluid flow, gas and liquid are mixed better so that foam formation occurs easier.
• This fluid flow disturber can comprise at least one channel, constriction or grid located between the at least two chambers.
• the fluid flow disturber can also comprise turbulence means for causing turbulence in a fluid flow.
• the turbulence means can comprise small obstacles, breaking up the fluid flow at that location.
• the turbulence means can for instance also comprise a widening of a channel through which the fluid flows. Preferably it holds, that at least a part of the package is designed so as to be transparent. This offers the advantage that a user can observe to what extent foam formation has been effected.
• the invention is presently elucidated with reference to a drawing.
• Fig. la schematically shows a side view of a first embodiment of a package according to the invention
• Fig. lb shows a top plan view of the embodiment shown in Fig. la
• Fig. lc shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Fig. la, while a pressure is exerted on a part of the package
• Fig. 2 schematically shows a side view of a second embodiment of a package according to the invention
• Fig. 3 schematically shows a side view of a third embodiment of a package according to the invention
• Fig. 4 schematically shows a side view of a fourth embodiment of a package according to the invention
• Fig. 5 schematically shows a side view of a fifth embodiment of a package according to the invention
• Fig. la schematically shows a side view of a first embodiment of a package according to the invention
• Fig. lb shows a top plan view of the embodiment shown in Fig. la
• Fig. lc shows a side view of the embodiment
• FIG. 6a schematically shows a top plan view of a sixth embodiment of a package according to the invention
• Fig. 6b schematically shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 6a
• Fig. 7a schematically shows a top plan view of a seventh embodiment of a package according to the invention
• Fig. 7b schematically shows a side view of the embodiment shown in
• Each embodiment of a package 1 according to the invention comprises a package including a gas (not shown) and an at least partly foamable liquid 2. With this liquid, a refreshment can be prepared.
• the package is provided with manually operable means with which a displacement of the gas and the liquid 2 in the package 1 can be effected such that foam formation occurs in the package 1.
• the embodiments of the package according to the invention described here each comprise a closed package.
• the means are designed for manually varying, at least as to shape, a package space 3 for the liquid 2 and the gas.
• the means comprise a material 7 designed so as to be flexible from which at least a part of the package 1 has been manufactured.
• the means comprise at least two mutually connected chambers 4, 4', between which the liquid 2 and the gas are displaceable.
• the means also comprise a fluid flow disturber.
• the fluid flow disturber can for instance comprise a channel 5 (see Figs, la-lc) or a constriction or grid 6 (see Fig. 5) located between the at least two chambers 4, 4'.
• the chambers 4, 4' comprise raised walls 8 comprising relatively rigid parts.
• An upper wall 9 and a lower wall 10 have been manufactured from flexible, and in this example even elastic, materials and can be squeezed together.
• the raised walls 8 will hardly, if at all, bend along with the flexible upper wall 9 and lower wall 10.
• the volume of the chamber 4 is decreased.
• the volume of chamber 4' will increase as shown in Fig. lc.
• Both the liquid 2 and the gas will now flow from the chamber 4 via channel 5 to the chamber 4'.
• the flexible material is designed to be also elastic, when the squeezing forces are removed, the volume of chamber 4 will increase again and an optionally occurring sucking effect can cause the liquid and the gas to flow back again from chamber 4' to chamber 4.
• the volume of the chamber 4' will decrease again.
• a spring 11 is included in chamber 4 in chamber 4, in chamber 4, a spring 11 is included.
• the raised walls 8 of chamber 4 are manufactured from a flexible material.
• the upper wall 9 and lower wall 10 can be manufactured from a relatively rigid material. It is possible that with this variant, only the chamber with the spring 11 needs to be alternately pressed and relaxed for obtaining a fluid flow which moves via channel 5 between the chambers 4, 4'.
• the means designed for manually varying, at least as to shape, a package space for the liquid and the gas comprise a bellows.
• the bellows can also comprise a spring 11.
• the walls 18 of the chamber 4 are designed to be relatively rigid.
• the wall 12 of the bellows is manufactured from a flexible material 7.
• the means as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 can be operated as follows.
• the volume of the chamber 4 can be reduced against the spring force.
• the liquid and gas present in chamber 4 will be urged to flow via channel 5 to chamber 4'.
• the volume of chamber 4 will increase again. It is possible that then, a sucking effect occurs such that at least a part of the liquid and gas present in chamber 4' flows back again into the chamber 4 of a package 1.
• a sucking effect occurs such that at least a part of the liquid and gas present in chamber 4' flows back again into the chamber 4 of a package 1.
• the means designed for manually varying, at least as to shape, a package space for the liquid and the gas can comprise a piston 12 which is included in a package and which can be operated from an outside of a package 1.
• the piston 12 links up to the relatively rigid upper wall 9 and lower wall 10 of a package as drawn in Fig. 4.
• a spring 11 can be included in chamber 4, between the piston 12 and the channel 5, also a spring 11 can be included.
• the means of the embodiment as shown in Fig. 4 can be operated as follows. The piston 12 is moveable in the direction of the chamber 4'.
• the piston can be operated by applying a force in the direction of the chamber 4' to a projecting part 14 of the package 1 in which a driving part 19 of the piston is included.
• the driving part 19 is connected, preferably on an inside of the package, to a part of the flexible material 7.
• the driving part can be provided with a pulling member (not shown) which, optionally, reaches beyond the package and which serves for returning the piston 12.
• a spring (not shown) can cause the piston, when released after being pressed in, to move such that the content of the chamber 4 is increased again.
• the fluid flow disturber comprises a grid 6 included in the package at a position where chamber 4 is connected to chamber 4'.
• chamber 4 and chamber 4' can be considered to be one whole and that approximately in the middle of this whole a gauze, or grid, is included for disturbing a fluid flow which can occur when a package space 3 is manually varied, at least as to shape.
• the package is manufactured, at least partly, from a flexible material.
• each of the chambers 4, 4' of the package 1 comprises a downwardly directed bulge UB, UB'.
• each bulge UB, UB' is manufactured from a flexible material. Therefore, it is possible to press the bulge in, in upward direction, such as for instance in the direction of the arrows S.
• the liquid and the gas present in the package will flow from chamber 4 to chamber 4', and from chamber 4' back to chamber 4, respectively. In this case, this fluid flow will also have to take place via channel 5.
• the above-described effects that occur when the fluid flows through the fluid flow disturber such as channel 5 will, in this case too, lead to foam formation.
• This package is designed to be symmetrical and can moreover be manufactured in a relatively inexpensive and simple manner.
• the part of the package shown in Fig. 6b can comprise a plastic top sheet provided with two cup-shaped parts each comprising a bulge UB, UB'.' Channel 5 too can be included in the part shown in Fig. 6b.
• the part of the package shown in Fig. 6a can be provided with an, optionally transparent, plastic top sheet closing off the bulge UB, UB' and the channel 5 on the top side shown in Fig. 6, so that a closed package is involved.
• a top plan view of a similar package as the one shown in Fig. 6a is represented.
• the channel 5 is also provided with turbulence means for causing turbulence in the fluid flow.
• the turbulence means comprise a widening of the channel 5 included in the channel 5. It is also possible that the turbulence means comprise obstacles in channel 5. In the embodiments shown in Figs, la, 2, 3, 4 and 5, a level of liquid
• this level of liquid VS is such that the level of liquid extends through the fluid flow disturber.
• an amount of gas is taken along into the fluid flow disturber so that mixing of the gas and the liquid can take place and can lead to foam formation.
• This method is directed to obtaining foam in a package including a gas and an at least partly foamable liquid. The method comprises displacing the liquid and the gas in the package. The method also comprises varying, at least as to shape, a package space of the liquid and the gas.
• the variation as to shape also entails a variation as to volume.
• a package according to the invention and method can be used in a method, also according to be invention, for preparing coffee directly suitable for consumption which is provided with a foam layer.
• Such a method also comprises separating the at least partly foamed liquid from the package and adding a drinkable liquid such as, for instance, water and/or milk to the at least partly foamed liquid. With this, it is possible to prepare from an extract a cup of coffee with a foam layer, for which there is a need nowadays.
• the invention is not limited in any manner to the exemplary embodiments shown.
• the means are provided with at least two separate parts, each comprising at least one chamber 4, 4' and being connectable to each other.
• the package is preferably designed to be transparent.
• the liquid in the package can comprise an extract.
• a coffee extract is involved here, in which, optionally, a coffee milk extract is included.
• a cappuccino extract can be involved. If desired, such an extract can be aromatized.
• cocoa extract, fruit juice extract and soup extract can be considered.
• the liquid can also comprise a concentrate or other instant products which can be foamed.
• the package can also comprise a provision for opening the package so that the at least partly foamed liquid and the package can be separated from each other.
• the chambers 4, 4' can be designed such that, upon reduction of the chamber volume, each of them already urges the liquid and the gas in the direction of the fluid flow disturber. Such variants are all understood to fall within the framework of the invention.

Landscapes

• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Food Science & Technology (AREA)
• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
• Manufacture Of Porous Articles, And Recovery And Treatment Of Waste Products (AREA)
• Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)
• Vacuum Packaging (AREA)
• Tea And Coffee (AREA)
• Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)
• Non-Alcoholic Beverages (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)

Priority Applications (7)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=34102047

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (11)

Cited By (16)

Families Citing this family (3)

Citations (6)

Family Cites Families (10)

• 2003
  • 2003-07-28 NL NL1024012A patent/NL1024012C2/nl not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2004
  • 2004-07-22 ES ES04774833T patent/ES2366786T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-07-22 EP EP04774833A patent/EP1660388B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-07-22 AU AU2004259603A patent/AU2004259603B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2004-07-22 AT AT04774833T patent/ATE509859T1/de active
  • 2004-07-22 PT PT04774833T patent/PT1660388E/pt unknown
  • 2004-07-22 JP JP2006521796A patent/JP2007501639A/ja active Pending
  • 2004-07-22 PL PL04774833T patent/PL1660388T3/pl unknown
  • 2004-07-22 DK DK04774833.0T patent/DK1660388T3/da active
  • 2004-07-22 WO PCT/NL2004/000525 patent/WO2005009865A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2004-07-22 US US10/565,946 patent/US7790211B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

Patent Citations (6)

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