| US2194011A | 1940-03-19 | |||
| US20060037961A1 | 2006-02-23 | |||
| US2392479A | 1946-01-08 | |||
| US5823422A | 1998-10-20 | |||
| US20080067181A1 | 2008-03-20 | |||
| US2838220A | 1958-06-10 | |||
| US3921889A | 1975-11-25 | |||
| US2965274A | 1960-12-20 |
| 'CLAIMS 1. Ecological and easy to use system of liquid food consumption in single use packaging (figure 1) and hot and cold beverages cups (figure 6), characterized by its internal passage (figure 1) with adjoining pull-out folds (figure 18) or external passage (figure 1) with multiple narrowing points (figure 3) and built-in folding straw (figure 4) which is wider on the bottom (figure 6). Also an innovative air- stirring system, consisting of a double bottom on the basis of the packaging, with cuts on its upper side to vent the air entering from the passage (figure 1) through cuts (figure 2) on its end. 2. The liquid food consumption system on claim 1 is characterized by a single internal passage (figure 1) with integrated pull-out expanding folds (18). 3. The liquid food consumption system on claim 1 is characterized by an internal passage (figure 1). 4. The liquid food consumption system on claim 1 is characterized by an internal passage (figure 1) with multiple narrowing folds (figure 3) on its upper side. 5. The liquid food consumption system on claim 1 is characterized by placement of a pull-out reduced length straw (figure 4) inside of the passage (figure 1) as part of the packaging or by the user. 6. The liquid food consumption system on claim 1 is characterized by widening material of the straw on its bottom side (figure 6), which ascends to fit with the multiple narrow parts 9figure 3) and descends to be stabilized to the internal narrowing (figure 7) in the inner part of the passage (figure 1). 7. The liquid food consumption system on claim 1 is characterized by placement on the bottom of the cup/packaging of a stirring system by means of air (figure 10), creating a double bottom. 8. The liquid food consumption system on claim 1 is characterized by placement of openings (figure 15) to the upper side of the double bottom to vent the air blown from an opening (figure 2) at the ending of the passage (figure 1). 9. The liquid food consumption system on claim 1 is characterized by a slot (figure 5) to the upper part of the container. 10. The liquid food consumption system on claim 1 is characterized by placement of a flexible material membrane (8) on the upper side of the packaging. |
The present invention refers to an easy system of liquid food consumption for single use packaging, cups and bottles, with an internal articulated reduced size straw, or internal passage with adjoining extensible folds, and a smart air-stirring system.
The packages, single use cups and bottles in the market cannot be 100% recycled always, because their different parts are separate: cap, separate straw with plastic wrapping, stirrer, and makes recycling of all materials difficult. Because of their small volume they are easily lost and seldom end up at the recycling bins, but still contribute greatly to the pollution of our planet and the increase of greenhouse gases in their entire creation and life circle, even if they are made from recyclable materials. Added burden on the environment are polluting plastic drinking straws, used by large parts of the population, like children an elderly citizens. Consumption of liquid foods straight from packaging, single use bottles and aluminum cans is difficult by senior members of the society due to musculoskeletal problems in their neck, making the use of questionable quality straws in plastic packaging or single use cup necessary, thus contributing to the pollution of the environment.
The goal of this invention is to reduce environmental consequences from liquid food packaging, to eliminate the use of small plastic parts as autonomous products, to reduce recyclable materials through controlled production of the proposed system with ecological materials. This innovative system offers a new experience of consumption, reduces environmental burden, adds safety to consuming liquids while driving and eliminates separate single use products. The positive characteristics of this invention are:
A) All its parts are attached and not separated, making the whole packaging recyclable up to 100%.
B) It is practical and easy to use, with an easy opening and drinking procedure.
C) The materials needed for constructing the different parts are reduced, offering economy of scale and environmental benefits, reducing the cost of use for new ecological materials.
D) The mechanism adds value to the product contained within.
E) The innovative addition of the sugar air-stirring system eliminates the need for plastic stirrers.
F) Plastic caps in small single use bottles can be phased out.
G) It is still easy to use like straws.
H) It simplifies the use of liquid packaging to work environments, the street or in the car.
The packaging (figure 1) consists of a single use box, with an adjustable shape according to the needs of different companies. Usually these types of packaging are used to store juice, milk, tea e.t.c. This patent will have an internal passage placed on a cornet or a side, with diameter appropriate for the liquid contained, running from the surface to the bottom, allowing for one or two holes or ending a little above the bottom of the container to allow for full consumption of the liquid. In these types of packaging the internal passage can be added to one corner of the packaging during manufacturing, so that when folded it can be created automatically. The passage on its upper side will have multiple liquid proofing folds (3) with two uses: a) it can be used as multiple barriers for the internal pull-out straw and, b) it can function as air and liquid airlock during the extraction of liquid from the packaging.
The added pull-out straw (4) will be from a recyclable material, folding in the container and retracted into the passage (1). It will protrude in a special slot inside the packaging (5) with an appropriate to the use length. The upper end of the straw will have some extra ring to the outer side (6), which in combination to the multiple folds (3) it will fit to create a barrier. In the internal part of the passage (1) there will be a narrowing (7), creating a base for the added straw (4), in combination with the added material (6) in one point or throughout all the length of the passage.
The packaging in figure 2 has a pull-out straw (4) in the slot (5) closed airtight with a membrane of flexible material (8) aluminum membrane or a retractable part, adjoining to the straw and the package with an inbuilt free material to pull out and open the packaging (9), while opening the air hole that naturalizes the internal air in the container (16). The slot (5) is fully adjusted to the packaging and allows for compact storing and transportation of the containers on pallets, and can be adjusted for use in different shapes of containers, such as cylindrical, conical or other.
Figure 5 demonstrated the simplified system of internal passage pull-out (1), where it is uniform in all its length, with adjoining pull-out or non- pull-out folds in one or two levels (18) and not necessarily cylindrical. By pulling the top of the passage (1) the folds are stretched internally to the packaging and it folds out of the packaging in a controlled length, offering an easy drinking experience and substituting traditional straws. It can be added or automated into the packaging production sequence in the production line. The internal passage can be half incorporated to the packaging, with the other half forming cylindrical pull-out folds.
Figure 3 demonstrates the application of the simplified fold-out system (1) where the material is folded (18) in a way that when pulled out to drink it can be controllably elongated fit the use. This simplified system can be adjusted for packaging of different liquids, such as juice, milk, tea, coffee cups and different kinds of hot and cold beverages.
The whole construct can be placed to the external part of the packaging, with the passage (1) into the packaging/cup to the bottom side. Aluminum cylindrical cans can benefit from the same type of design. The patent can be applied in single use bottles for water, juice or other beverages, as well as in new packaging solutions aiming at eliminating plastic caps and increasing practicality. The pull-out straw system (figure 6) and elongating passage (figure 5) with analogus materials e.g. silicone, can be adjusted to be retractable (17) in multiple use coffee cups and containers for beverages, juices, athletic or baby liquid containers with the addition of safety stoppers.
The stirring system (10) can be incorporated into a double bottom in the cup or packaging and vents to the upper part throughout (15). It functions as the user blows through the pullout straw (4). The air goes through the passage (1) to the vents (2) and the double bottom system (10). The air exiting from the vents (15) on the upper side of the bottom stirs any elements in the bottom (sugar or fruit fibers). The air vents from the holes (13) on the straw kai the hole (14).the system can be manufactured with controlled air circulation channels on the bottom of the container (figures 1, 2, 3) for liquid foods that need stirring before consumption.
Figure 3 demonstrated the addition of the sugar stirring system with air (figure 10) and the application of integral internal passage with pull-out folding (18), applicable also in single use paper or plastic cups, used for hot or cold beverages (figure 6) and with the appropriate cap (figure 7). We are redesigning the cap (figure 7) with a slim and form membrane made from biodegradable material. The construction can be very slim on its upper side with stronger bonding to its circumference and a double fixture channel on the cup (12), so that it is difficult to pull out even with ill use. On the upper side there is an opening (13) made to insert the tip of the pull-out straw (figure 4) with an internal opening (8) and end (9) to the opening. Opposite will be an ergonomically designed spout (figure 14) to drink liquid from the cup.
The patent cup adjusts to its external shape: it creates an external channel-slot running through its height in a way that fits to the internal system, so that it is easy to store in packs on vending spots. This patent can be used for off- the- shelf products, like liquid coffee, juice e.t.c., sold refrigerated, allowing for a new consuming experience.