WO2019016827A1

WO2019016827A1 - Single serve delivery container

Info

Publication number: WO2019016827A1
Application number: PCT/IN2018/050451
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nimalan NATARAJAN
Original assignee: Verirare Essential Oils And Spices Private Limited
Priority date: 2017-07-18
Filing date: 2018-07-10
Publication date: 2019-01-24

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable container for single serve delivery. More particularly, the present invention relates to a spoon or container for holding edible products. Further, the present invention relates to spoon or container that can be used in various areas like beverages, health products, food products, alternative treatment approaches and the like. The single serve delivery spoon or container [100] comprises at least one bottom unit [1] comprising a rim [la] and a containment portion [lb], at least one frame body [2] comprising a flange [2a], a handle portion [2b] and a hole [2c], and at least one sealable cover [3] with a small lip/flap [3a]. Advantageously, the present invention relates to a spoon or container designed for improved performance and cost effective production.

Description

SINGLE SERVE DELIVERY CONTAINER

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable container for single serve delivery. More particularly, the present invention relates to a spoon or container for holding edible products. Further, the present invention relates to spoon or container that can be used in various areas like beverages, health products, food products, alternative treatment approaches and the like. Advantageously, the present invention relates to a spoon or container designed for improved performance and cost effective production. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

Spoons that can store and dispense ingredients have been developed in prior art to provide convenience and an alternative to the awkwardness of using separate items. The developed dispensing spoons dispense ingredients from the bowl of the spoon. The ingredients are stored in the spoon handle such as disclosed in US 6,675,482, US 5,491,895 and US 5,154,318 or within the bowl of the spoon such as US 3,911,578, US 3,946,652 and US 4,338,338. These dispensing spoons suffer one or more disadvantages including being expensive to manufacture, not suitable for reuse, unable to reclose the container portion and aesthetically unappealing. US5377879 discloses a measuring spoon with a hollow cylindrical filler tube with level indicator and with a spoon extending from second end of the filler tube having a plunger with rubber tip and length longer than the cylindrical tube, and dispenses measured quantity of medicament to the spoon.

US3360121A discloses a spoon-shaped package element formed from sheet like material and comprising a bowl having a flange completely around its periphery and a handle integrally connected with said bowl through said bowl flange, said bowl flange being adapted to have a cover over said bowl sealed thereto, and having an elongated depressed portion on each side of the longitudinal centerline of said handle and said bowl flange extending substantially throughout the length of said handle and overlapping the length of said bowl for a substantial distance, an elongated undepressed portion centrally of and extending substantially throughout the length of said handle which is substantially narrower than said depressed portions and lies there between, and a flange around the outer periphery of said handle disposed laterally and outwardly along said depressed portions and merging into said bowl flange, said undepressed portions being substantially coplanar with said handle flange and said bowl flange and extending from said bowl flange to said handle flange at the end of said handle opposite said bowl. However filing and sealing is done separately.

US6595110 discloses a blending and bubble filtering container structure includes a spoon-shaped blending and bubble filtering container, and a filtering film layer bonded on the spoon-shaped blending and bubble filtering container. The spoon-shaped blending and bubble filtering container is formed with a receiving space and an air guide channel communicated with the receiving space. The filtering film layer is formed with an air vent communicating with the air guide channel, so that the blending bubbles contained in the spoon-shaped blending and bubble filtering container may be carried through the air guide channel and the air vent, and may be drained outward through the air vent. However filing and sealing is done separately and container is stackable.

US8898912 discloses a device comprising a handle and a bowl shaped so the bowl fits easily into the mouth of a patient. The bowl has prepackaged within a mixture of a gelatin or natural food such as applesauce or pudding and in some embodiments having a medicament mixed with the carrier medium in a medically efficient amount. However this container is used only for medicinal purposes. US3287806 discloses a spoon having a handle portion and a bowl portion coupled to said handle portion, and said bowl portion defining a cavity, and said bowl portion having a rim around the upper edge thereof and said rim extending a preselected distance inwardly over said cavity; and a flexible, thin, sheet like member peelably detachably coupled to upper surface portion of said rim, and along a preselected section of said handle portion, and said flexible, thin, sheet like member having outer portions extending beyond said upper surface portions of said spoon, whereby said flexible member may be peeled away from said spoon to allow removal of the contents of said cavity. However the aluminum foil is easily removable and container is stackable. US20010045374A1 discloses a disposable sealed package with dual distinct functions of containing a consumable product and dispensing it through a knife-like handle. The package allows an individual to consume the product from the container or to dispense and apply it using the knife-like handle. The package seal is lifted from the handle-portion only to use the package as a dispenser and applicator. The package seal is lifted from the containment-portion only to use the package to hold the product for consumption. However aluminum foil is sealed only in the container and the container is stackable. It is desirable to provide a single serve, containers for storing ingredients of various types which are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, with various functionalities. Further, Provision of such limited serve sizes like single serve of a product (for example sugar for use by customers being served tea or coffee), or measured or metered amount of a product (for example a medicament) lessens the incidence of spoilage and the frequency of wastage, as each customer takes what is required and it does not become necessary to discard excess unused or spoiled quantities. Accordingly there exists a need for single serve sealable container which is simple and cost effective. OBJECTS OF INVENTION

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a portable disposable container for single serve delivery.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a spoon or container designed for improved performance and cost effective production.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a sealable single serve delivery spoon or container for instant mixing of powders, semisolids, liquids, jelly types and pastes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a sealable single serve delivery spoon or container which is easy to carry.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a sealable single serve delivery spoon or container that can be stored at all climatic conditions. It is another object of the present invention to provide a sealable single serve delivery spoon or container that can be used for beverages, health products, food products and also for alternative treatment approaches.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a spoon or container which is inexpensive to produce and is rigid enough to be used for storing and consuming contents of the package made there from. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

One or more of the problems of the conventional prior art may be overcome by various embodiments of the present invention.

It is the primary aspect of the present invention to provide a single serve delivery spoon or container [100] comprising:

at least one bottom unit [1] comprising a rim [la] and a containment portion [lb];

at least one frame body [2] comprising a flange [2a], a handle portion [2b] and a hole

[2c]; and

at least one sealable cover [3] with a small lip/flap [3a],

wherein the bottom unit [1] possess the containment portion [lb] for filling the contents or edible components or pre-mixed powders, and characterized in that, the bottom unit [1] is volumetric, wherein the radius/dimension of the flange [2a] is equal to the dimension of the rim [la], and

wherein the dimension of the bottom unit [1] can be varied for a specific quantity of the edible component.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the handle portion [2b] is coupled to the frame body [2].

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the containment portion [lb], the frame body [2] and the sealable cover [3] are manufactured as single component.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the containment portion [lb], the frame body [2] and the sealable cover [3] are individual components which are assembled together. It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the flap/lip [3a] is projected outwards which is peeled away from the frame body [2] to empty the contents of the containment portion [lb].

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the bottom unit [1] comprises a filtering unit for separating beverage mix from liquid.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the sealable cover [3] is formed from polypropylene (PP) virgin plastic and aluminum wad. The aluminum foil is heat sealed in modified room temperature. It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the sealable container [100] can be used for beverages, health products, food products, and alternative treatment approaches and the like and also for instant mixing of powders, semisolids, liquids, jelly types and pastes and the like.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the hole [2c] is configured to hang the container [100] from a hook.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the container [100] is disposable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:

So that the manner in which the features, advantages and objects of the invention, as well as others which will become apparent, may be understood in more detail, more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiment thereof which is illustrated in the appended drawings, which form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only a preferred embodiment of the invention and is therefore not to be considered limiting of the invention's scope as it may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

Figure la: illustrates the top view of elliptical shaped long axis sealable single serve delivery spoon or container according to the present invention. Top view shows the handle and the flange adhered to the containment portion. It depicts the spoon/container which is elliptical and is not sealed.

Figure lb: illustrates the isometric exploded view of elliptical shaped long axis sealable single serve delivery spoon or container according to the present invention. It depicts the independent parts i.e. the sealable cover with the small protrusion called the flap/ lip. The handle molded to the flange which forms a single unit.

Figure 2a: illustrates the top view of elliptical shaped short axis sealable single serve delivery spoon or container according to the present invention.

Figure 2b: illustrates the isometric exploded view of elliptical shaped short axis sealable single serve delivery spoon or container according to the present invention.

Figure 3a: illustrates the top view of hexagonal shaped sealable single serve delivery spoon or container according to the present invention.

Figure 3b: illustrates the isometric exploded view of hexagonal shaped sealable single serve delivery spoon or container according to the present invention.

Figure 4a: illustrates the top view of monoblock sealable single serve delivery spoon or container according to the present invention.

Figure 4b: illustrates the isometric exploded view of monoblock sealable single serve delivery spoon or container according to the present invention.

Figure 5a: illustrates the top view of rectangle shaped sealable single serve delivery spoon or container according to the present invention.

Figure 5b: illustrates the isometric exploded view of rectangle shaped sealable single serve delivery spoon or container according to the present invention.

Figure 6a: illustrates the top view of round shaped sealable single serve delivery spoon or container according to the present invention.

Figure 6b: illustrates the isometric exploded view of round shaped sealable single serve delivery spoon or container according to the present invention. Figure 7a: illustrates the top view of square shaped sealable single serve delivery spoon or container according to the present invention.

Figure 7b: illustrates the isometric exploded view of square shaped sealable single serve delivery spoon or container according to the present invention.

Figure 8a: illustrates the top view of triangle shaped sealable single serve delivery spoon or container according to the present invention.

Figure 8b: illustrates the isometric exploded view of triangle shaped sealable single serve delivery spoon or container according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION FOR DRAWINGS WITH REFERENCE NUMERALS:

[1] Bottom unit

[la] Rim

[lb] Containment portion

[2] Frame body

[2a] Flange

[2b] Handle portion

[2c] Hole

[3] Sealable cover

[3a] Small lip/flap

[100] Single serve delivery spoon or container DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

According to a preferred embodiment of present invention, the present invention relates to a portable and disposable food container for single serve delivery. Figure la: illustrates the top view of elliptical shaped long axis sealable single serve delivery spoon or container according to the present invention. Top view shows the handle portion [2b] and the flange [2a] adhered to the containment portion [lb]. It depicts the spoon/container [100] which is elliptical and is not sealed.

The figure lb illustrates the isometric exploded view of elliptical shaped long axis sealable single serve delivery spoon or container according to the present invention. The single serve delivery spoon or container [100] comprises at least one bottom unit [1] comprising a rim [la] and a containment portion [lb], at least one frame body [2] comprising a flange [2a], a handle portion [2b] and a hole [2c], and at least one sealable cover [3] with a small lip/flap [3a]. The bottom unit [1] possesses the containment portion [lb] for filling the contents or edible components or pre-mixed powders. The bottom unit [1] is volumetric. The radius/dimension of the flange [2a] is equal to the dimension of the rim [la]. The dimension of the bottom unit [1] can be varied for a specific quantity of the edible component.

The handle portion [2b] is coupled to the frame body [2]. The containment portion [lb], the frame body [2] and the sealable cover [3] are manufactured as single component. The containment portion [lb], the frame body [2] and the sealable cover [3] are individual components which are assembled together. The flap/lip [3a] is projected outwards which is peeled away from the frame body [2] to empty the contents of the containment portion [lb]. The bottom unit [ 1 ] comprises a filtering unit for separating beverage mix from liquid. The filtering unit is made up of non oven fabric which can be sealed between the rim [la] of the container. The sealable cover [3] is formed from polypropylene (PP) virgin plastic and aluminum wad.

The sealable container [100] can be used for beverages, health products, food products, and alternative treatment approaches and the like and also for instant mixing of powders, semisolids, liquids, jelly types and pastes and the like. The hole [2c] is configured to hang the container [100] from a hook. The container [100] is disposable.

The single use portable container [100] is manufactured with various shapes and sizes. The single serve delivery spoon or container [100] is manufactured to hold measured quantities of edible components. The spoon or container [100] is inexpensive to produce and is rigid enough to be used for storing and consuming contents of the package made there from. More particularly it is a single use container [100] that can be manufacture in various shapes, and the rim [la] of the container [100] is so designed to fit the given shape of the container [100]. The container [100] is used for packing edible components and further covered by a seal usually made up of pliable material like aluminum foil or sheet that has a flap/ lip [3a] that extends over the circumference of the flange [2a] so that it can be securely peeled away with ease and without causing spillage of the container components.

The invention is aesthetically appealing by means of the various shapes and sizes and colors in which it can be manufactured. More preferably the given container serves dual purpose of dispensing measured quantities of the edible products or medicaments, instant beverages, soups contents which can by emptied by peeling of the sealable cover, emptying the contents and also aid in stirring of the contents for instant consumption. The spoon shaped container, containing peelable cover is sturdy enough to remove the pliable seal using the extended lip/ flap. With reference to figures, there is shown a single container having handle integrated with the spoon bowl to form a single unit. Figures indicate perspective view of the spoon shaped container, which includes the bowl and handle. The rim is circular, elliptical, monoblock, triangular, rectangular, hexagonal or square shaped. Respective shapes which are molded as a single unit with the handle. The seal has a small extension or lip that extends over the handle but is disconnected from the handle to enable peeling of seal for dispensing the contents of the container. The container or cavity shapes are varied and in different sizes, giving adequate volume according to the quantity of the edible components to be packed. The single serve delivery spoon or container is used for Powders, Semi solids, Liquids, jelly types and Pastes. The container can be used in various areas for Beverages like tea, coffee, Herbal drinks etc, Health products like kanjee, Soups, Health mix etc, Siddha & Ayurveda products like Kasayam, Powder medicines etc, Food Products like Rare Pickles, Rare Masala Mix, etc.

The spoon or container is designed for improved performance and cost effective production. The sealable single serve delivery spoon or container is used for instant mixing of powders, semisolids, liquids, jelly types and pastes. The sealable single serve delivery spoon or container is easy to carry. The sealable single serve delivery spoon or container can be stored at all climatic conditions.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and additions may be made therein and thereto, without parting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A single serve delivery spoon or container [100] comprising:

at least one frame body [2] comprising a flange [2a], a handle portion [2b] and a hole [2c]; and

at least one sealable cover [3] with a small lip/flap [3a],

wherein the bottom unit [1] possess the containment portion [lb] for filling the contents or edible components or pre-mixed powders, and

characterized in that, the bottom unit [1] is volumetric,

wherein the radius/dimension of the flange [2a] is equal to the dimension of the rim [la], and

2. The single serve delivery spoon or container [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle portion [2b] is coupled to the frame body [2].

3. The single serve delivery spoon or container [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the containment portion [lb], the frame body [2] and the sealable cover [3] are manufactured as single component.

4. The single serve delivery spoon or container [100] as claimed in claim 3, wherein the containment portion [lb], the frame body [2] and the sealable cover [3] are individual components which are assembled together.

5. The single serve delivery spoon or container [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flap/lip [3a] is projected outwards which is peeled away from the frame body [2] to empty the contents of the containment portion [lb].

6. The single serve delivery spoon or container [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom unit [1] comprises a filtering unit for separating beverage mix from liquid.

7. The single serve delivery spoon or container [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealable cover [3] is formed from polypropylene (PP) virgin plastic and aluminum wad.

8. The single serve delivery spoon or container [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealable container [100] can be used for beverages, health products, food products, and alternative treatment approaches and the like and also for instant mixing of powders, semisolids, liquids, jelly types and pastes and the like.

9. The single serve delivery spoon or container [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hole [2c] is configured to hang the container [100] from a hook.

10. The single serve delivery spoon or container [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container [100] is disposable.