Field ofthe Invention

The invention relates to a disposable packing and storage device for separate storage, but inside the same package, of effervescent tablets (powders, granules) as well as their liquid solvent materials, furthermore for uniting (dilution, mixture) these com¬ ponents just before consumption in hygienic and simple way, enabling that the so obtained drink can be consumed from the packing respectively storing device.

The effervescent tablets (respectively granules and powders) means mostly cure treatment, supplemental solid state nutriments soluble during gasification and suitable exclusively for human consumption, which contains vitamin and/or mineral sub¬ stance content. The liquid solvents are of water-base (water and mineral water), in the form of natural or coloured resp. flavoured form and have minimal gas content (during storage they contain solved in oxygen).

In various fields of life comes up the demand for application of disposable more functional packing and storing device, from which the foodstuff can be direct con¬ sumed. The package of more component foodstuff and drinks ready for consumption is prevented often by the fact that after mixing the components they will be unsuit¬ able for consumption within relative short period because their tasties considerably deteriorate (for example after mixing flakes, cereals with milk, yoghurt they get soaked and become pulpy) or lost their active ingredients (i.e. the effervescent tablets of vitamin content mixing with water within some hours deteriorate the vitamin dis- solving in water.)

In these cases each of the components has to be stored separated and they can be mixed just before consumption.

Prior Art

US-PS 4.549.389 patent specification describes the solution, wherein the lower com- partment of the storage device of glass-form having a sealing foil, and in this com-

partment alcohol is stored. The sealing foil prevents the evaporation of the volatile material, it can be broken just before the use, and the dimension of the glass enables to mix it with other materials. This solution however is unsuitable for separate stor¬ age ofthe two different components.

In trade there is available disposable plastic package and storage device, the internal space of which is separated into two compartments by rippable foil. Under this foils are placed the liquid, respectively foodstuff of soft state, e.g. natural yoghurt, while in the upper compartment in a sealed bag can be found the other component, for ex¬ ample, cereals or flavouring medium. The application of the solution is a little bit difficult as mixing ofthe components can be taken place just after opening the pack¬ age device by the aid of a mixer.

The HU-PS 204 185 describes a solution mainly for separate storage, mixture, and charge of "short-life mixture" up to the time of mixture and charge. It consists of two chambers, in their common separating walls there is a valve opening, which is closed by a plug having a valve shaft. One of the chambers can be pressed concertina-like way, then the moving valve shaft opens the valve-opening and the content of the chamber of decreasing volume flows into the other chamber, where they are mixing. This solution is developed mainly for mixture and dosage medicines, because it is suitable for sterile storage, mixture as well as dosage of liquid-liquid, respectively powder-powder or powder-liquid components.

Due to the expensive and difficult formation they cannot be applicated as mass- product in the case of effervescent powders resp. granules, the releasing gases mean unsolvable problems during the solution.

There are known furthermore such disposable storage devices provided with closing cover, which suit for the warming (resp. cooling) the stored foodstuffs (coffee, tea, drinks) just before use. In these solutions the internal space of the storage device is separated to a storing space and a reaction space and the reaction space is devided into two compartments by means ofa ribbable diaphragm, which without opening the storage device, can be destructed by the aid of external power effect and the two compartments of the reaction space can be united. Such kind of solution can be known from the DE 3.343.974 publication document as well as from the US-PS 4528.218 document. In this solution, in the two separated compartments of the reac¬ tion space there are such kind of chemicals placed, which on the course of their mix-

ing exothermic resp. endothermic reactions take place, and the releasing heat warms up the liquid in the storage part of the storage device (glass), respectively, in the case of heat extraction the liquid will be cooled down. In the case of this known solution, the ripping of the separating diaphragm takes place by means of perpendicular mo- tion of a crown-formed destructive element, which is operated by a cracking element arranged on the bottom ofthe glass.

For the same use - i.e. for heating foodstuffs resp. drinks - a solution is described by DE - A 3.148.758, wherein the diaphragm separating the two compartments of the reaction space is also ripped open by a movable, toothed destructive element by means of outer power effect, the motion of which is ensured by sliding the double wall ofthe storing device on each other.

These known solutions can serve partly as a guide line for realizing the separate stor¬ age ofthe foodstuff (by uniting the separated compartments by means of external ef¬ fect), however, their simple adapting could not result in storing the effervescent tab- lets and their solving materials.

It is known namely that the solution of the effervescent tablets (effervescent grains, granules) is accompanied by a special accompanying symptom: due to the solution gases release, their upward force catches the effervescent tablet, it is floating, then on the surface ofthe drink foam is developing, the insoluble mineral content deposits on the bottom ofthe glass. Therefore, during drink making just before consuming (under normal circumstances) the mixture ofthe drink is expedient.

In the case of compact unit and of the storage devices opened just before the con¬ sumption, of course, it cannot be solved, more precisely, the aim of the invention is to eliminate the disadvantages ofthe mentioned known solution.

Summary ofthe Invention

The aim of the invention is furthermore to develop a well producible storage and package device as mass-product, which can simple be applied for separate storing the effervescent tablets and their solvent materials, then for their unifying, which ensures the quick solution as well as the proper mixture and the hygienic consumption ofthe so prepared drink.

The invention is based on the recognition that the proper dilution (solution and mix¬ ture) can be ensured in such way that the compartments containing the effervescent tablet and its solvent material is only partly united and by means of proper formed perforations will be ensured the natural circulation of the solvent materials at the same time restricting the motion of the effervescent tablet

An essential recognition is in furthermore that the overpressure coming from the gases releasing during the solution should be eliminated by means of proper auto¬ matic operation of the "safety valve" before opening the storage resp. package de¬ vice, otherway, the device itself can be damaged respectively, due to the overpressure developing by the opening the drink can spurt.

The main task to be solved by the invention is a storage and package device for stor¬ ing separated effervescent tablets, effervescent powders resp. granules and their sol¬ vent materials and mixing the components when use, wherein said storage and pack¬ age device being formed as a glass provided with an openable closing cover, the in- ner space of the glass being separated into two compartments by means of a destruc¬ tible closing element, furthermore the glass containing a destructive element

The essence ofthe invention is in that the bottom ofthe glass can be moved flexibly in perpendicular direction and to the movable bottom of the glass destructive ele¬ ments and positioning intemal mantle are fixed, furthermore it has a separating ele- ment provided with perforations, which together with the destructible closing ele¬ ments are arranged in the inner space of the glass above the destructive elements joining to the side wall ofthe glass and/or to the bottom ofthe glass.

It is preferred if the bottom of the glass and its side wall form a single construction unit.

It is also advantageous, if their destructive elements form a construction unit together with the bottom ofthe glass.

Besides the above it is preferred if the destructible closing element forms a construc¬ tion unit with the separating element provided with perforations representing its weakened parts.

In a preferred embodiment its destructive elements are arranged on the periphery of the positioning internal mantle.

In a further preferred embodiment its destructive elements are limited with curved ripping edges.

It is advantageous furthermore, if its destructive elements are of spike-formed.

In a further preferred embodiment according to the invention at least one of the de- structive elements is protruding from the compartment limited by the positioning in¬ ternal mantel.

Besides the above it is advantageous, if the weakened parts forming the destructible closing element seal the perforations ofthe perforated separating element.

In a preferred embodiment according to the invention the weakened parts forming the destructible closing elements are placed around the internal mantle provided with destructive elements and between them flexible supporting lugs are arranged.

It is advantageous in the sense of the invention if the perforations are placed on the mantle surface formed on the separating element in the space between the compart¬ ment ofthe destructible closing element and the bottom ofthe glass.

In a further preferred embodiment according to the invention on its side wall longi¬ tudinal ribs are arranged.

It is advantageous furthermore, if it is made of polypropylene by die-cast

It is advantageous finally if it consists of a double closing cover, comprising the in¬ ternal rippable closing foil and the extemal so-called cracking cover provided with a pricking spike, which is fixed by positive joining onto the side wall ofthe glass.

Brief Description ofthe Drawings

The invention is described in detail with the aid of the enclosed drawings presenting the embodiments of the solution according to the invention by way of example, in which: on

Figures la -lb show the effervescent tablet and the glass containing the sol¬ vent material in the stage of storage and unifying, the

Figures 2a - 2b illustrate another simple embodiment in section, while

Figures 3a - 3d show the embodiment wherein the separating element with perforations as well as the destructible closing element form a common component unit, the

Figures 3e - 3f are part drawings in section resp. in top- view, while

Figures 4a - 4d illustrate the solution developed for effervescent powders resp. granules, and also in this solution the perforated separat¬ ing element forms a common unit with the destructible clos¬ ing element,

Figures 4e - 4f the embodiment according to Figures 4a - 4d can be seen in section and in top-view.

Description ofthe Preferred Embodiments

In the case of the embodiments can be seen in Fig. la resp. Fig. lb the side wall 1 and the bottom 2a ofthe storage and package device of glass-formation are separated parts, which are fixed to each other by means of gluing. Between the mutually ar- ranged surfaces ofthe separated parts a round destructible closing element 7a formed as foil is fixed also by gluing. The speciality ofthe embodiment is in that its separat¬ ing element 3a provided with perforations 4a and the side wall 1 are formed as one unit as a perforated bottom plate, and the perforations 4a are arranged on the dome- shaped part in the centre.

The bottom 2a ofthe glass is of dome-shaped surface, made of properly flexible ma¬ terial and has a positioning cylindrical internal mantle 6a placed in the direction of the internal cavity of the glass, the periphery of the internal mantle 6a is formed like saw-tooth. This encircled toothed rim forms the destructive element 9a of the em¬ bodiment according to the invention.

Fig. la illustrates furthermore the stored materials, the effervescent tablet 8 resting in the compartment being enveloped by the positioning internal mantle 6a on the mounting base 5, as well as the liquid being in the compartment above the destructi¬ ble closing element 7a.

The glass is sealed by the flexible, rippable sealing foil 10 fixed by gluing to the in- teraal rim ofthe side wall 1.

By the aid of Fig. lb the dilution ofthe effervescent tablet 8 with its solvent material (in our example it is mineral water) can be followed. In the direction indicated by ar¬ row to effect of force onto the bottom 2a of the glass its central part of dome-shaped becomes pressed in, the destructive element 9a formed around the periphery of the internal mantle 6a rips open concentrically the destructible closing element 7a and the liquid through the perforations 4a flowing in resp. out the bottom compartment lim¬ ited by the separating element 3a, wherein the effervescent tablet with intensive bubbling starts to dissolve.

Spectacular phenomenon can be followed through the expediently coloured wall of the glass. After the complete solution the sealing foil 10 can be ripped open, and the so prepared drink can be consumed.

The separating element 3a with perforations 4a ensures the intensive mixture, its dome-shaped part ensures sufficient reaction space, and at the same time preventing that the effervescent tablet 8 should flow out of the glass (should break open to the air). The mounting base 5 protects the easily damaging effervescent tablet 8 from the effect of direct force effected from hits, while the inner overpressure resulted from the gases released during the solution is equalized by the flexible protecting sealing foil 10 fixed onto by gluing.

In the case ofthe embodiment can be seen in Fig. 2a resp. 2b the bottom 2b and the side wall 1 ofthe glass are formed as a common component unit, while its separating element 3b with the perforations 4b is a separate unit which is embedded into the seat on the side wall 1 and fixed by gluing or welding. In this embodiment according to the invention in the middle of the separating element 3b a mantle surface 11 is formed protruding from the direction of the bottom 2b of the glass whereon the per- forations 4b are arranged concentrically. The mantle surface 11 protrudes up to the bottom 2b of the glass and is provided with fastening groove 12 coming round. The separating element 3b along the border line touching with the flat-plate 13b of the separating element 3b of the mantle surface 11 is weakened (its wall is thinned) and this weakened part forms the destructible closing element 7b of the embodiment ac- cording to the invention.

The effervescent tablet 8 is placed also onto the compartment enveloped by the posi¬ tioning internal mantle 6b formed on the bottom 2b ofthe glass.

The glass similarly to the previous cases, is sealed with glued (or welded) sealing foil 10. In the Figure an arrow indicates the direction ofthe actuating force on use.

The "operation" ofthe device can be followed through in Fig. 2b. The mantle surface 11 seating on the bottom 2b of the glass performs positive motion on moving up- wards the bottom 2b. As the separating element 3b is fixed concentrically in the side wall 1, the weakened destructible closing element 7b rips concentrically open, the mantle surface 11 with the perforations 4b freely move upwards as long as the flat- plate 13b of the separating element 3b engages into the fastening groove 12. In this position the perforations 4b partly (or wholly) get above the flat-plate 13b of the separating element 3b, so the liquid can flow into the compartment between the sepa¬ rating element 3b and the bottom 2b of the glass and in accordance with the previ¬ ously described way the solution ofthe effervescent tablet 8 takes place. In the case of this embodiment there is no need for separate destructive element, as the mantle surface 11 having internal mantle 6b seating on the bottom 2b during the motion gen- erated by force effect comes off from the flat-plate 13b along the weakened part.

The embodiment according to the invention represented on Figures 3a-3d similarly to the previous examples, the side wall 1 of the glass and its bottom 2c are formed common component unit, and the bottom 2c joins flexibly (movably) to the rigid side wall 1. On the bottom 2c ofthe glass a positioning internal mantle 6c is arranged, the upper rim of which are of curves bordered, spike-formed destructive element 9c. In this solution the separating element 3c is fixed to the side wall 1 ofthe glass by ultra¬ sonic welding. For realizing the ultrasonic welding on the side wall 1 an edge pro¬ vided with an energy-collector rim is formed around it, furthermore, cracking lugs are arranged along the side wall 1 for the sake of proper positioning while inserting the separating element 3 c. The Figures show furthermore that on the side wall 1 longitudinal 21 ribs are arranged, which has of great importance on the one hand in the case of fastening the side wall 1, on the other hand in the case of the storage of semi-finished products as well as in the case of insertion ofthe separating element 3c. (The still empty glasses can be placed into each other, however a ribs 21 hold proper distance and prevent the getting wedged ofthe glasses in each other.)

While Fig. 3a illustrates the embodiment of the empty glass formed as one unit with the side wall 1 and the its bottom 2c, Fig. 3b represents the embodiment according to the invention in ready-packed state, e.g. sealed after being filled with the effervescent tablet 8 and its solvent material.

The separating element 3c is round plate, the external part of which is a flat-plate 13c provided with stiffening rims 16, which has weakened part (forms the destructible closing element 7c) along the proper circular arc of the position of the destructive elements 9c and between the weakened parts flexible supporting lugs are arranged. The separating element 3 c in its mid-part similarly to the previously shown embodi¬ ment, forms a mantle surface l ie protruding towards the bottom 2c of the glass, and on the mantle surface 1 lc are arranged the perforations 4c.

In Fig. 3b the separating element 3c forms one closed unit as the perforations 4c are arranged in the compartment sealed by the flat-plate 13c.

Fig. 3c shows the storage and package device according to the invention in the mo¬ ment of beginning the operation. Onto the effect of the pressing force the bottom 2c is impressed and the curved pricking spikes (destructive element 9c) formed on the periphery ofthe internal mantle 6b breaks through the weakened part of the separat¬ ing element 3c.

Fig. 3d shows the glass after the breaking. The mid-part ofthe separating element 3c lifts-up in dome-shaped, however the flexible supporting lugs 17 fixes it to the exter¬ nal flat-plate 13c. In this position the perforations 4c become accessible, the solvent material can flow through the broken parts as well as through the perforations 4c in and out, and the effervescent tablet dissolves.

The perforations 4c are favourably arranged around the mantle surface 1 lc so that the circulation undisturbedly takes place under the supporting lugs 17. Figures 3b - 3c show a special embodiment ofthe closing element having two functions.

Above the sealing foil 10 fixed by the gluing (or / by heat-weld) a relative rigid, ex¬ ternal so-called cracking cover is arranged, in the middle of which a pricking spike 19 is formed. The cracking cover 18 is fixed sealingly to the rim ofthe side wall 1 of the glass, this positive joining however does not ensure hermetically seal and can be released easily by hand. Under relative rigidity of the cracking cover meant that by the effect of a shock and/or lower pressing force said cover 18 will not deformed, so the pricking spike 19 does not destruct the easily damagable sealing foil 10. As it can be seen in Figure 3d, the gases releasing during the solution ofthe effervescent tablet deform the sealing foil 10 and before obtaining the dangerous (destructive) overpres¬ sure it is pressing onto the pricking spike 19 and gets holed and the releasing gases

- 10 -

get away along the side wall 1 of the glass. (The proper operation can be ensured by choosing proper dimension as well as material.)

Figures 3e and 3f illustrate the formation ofthe separating element 3c in section and in top-view. The shown embodiments according to the invention comprises advanta- geously three supporting lugs 17, and the stiffening rims 16 are arranged radial in the same distance. The cuts 20 are made along periphery of the separating element 3c forming in accordance with the position ofthe ribs 21, arranged on the side wall 1 of the glass, so it can be ensured that the separating element 3c provided with perfora¬ tions 4c , weakenings and supporting lugs 17 should be inserted in accordance with the position of the destructive rims, spikes of the destructive element 9c formed on the bottom 2c ofthe glass.

Figures from 4a to 4d show an embodiment according to the invention suitable for storage and mixture for effervescent grains, granules as well as their solvent materi¬ als.

Fig. 4a represents the formation ofthe side wall 1 and bottom 2d ofthe glass forming one single unit which solution is different from the embodiment according to Fig. 3a that the positioning internal mantle 6d seating on the bottom 2d is provided with spike-formed destructive element 9d along its periphery and in its centre there is a further spike formed destructive element 9d. Fig. 4b shows the ready for use storage and package device. Into the compartment limited by the internal mantle 6d the effervescent granule 8b is placed, and similarly to the previous example, this compartment is hermetically sealed by a round form element, which realizes both the separating element 3d with perforations 4d and the destructible closing element 7d in one single unit so that the perforations 4d of the separating element 3d are sealed by the weakened wall of the separating element 3d. (Naturally, the essence ofthe invention is not changed either in this embodiment or in the previous embodiments, if the destructible element 7c resp. 7d are not formed as a thinned wall, but rather as a foil glued to the separating element 3c resp. 3d.)

In the compartment above the separating element 3d the solvent material, in our ex- ample mineral water, can be found and the glass, similarly to the previously men-

tioned example, is closed by a double cover comprising an internal sealing foil 10 and an external cracking cover 18.

The formation of the round separating element 3d can be seen in Figures 4e as well as 4f in section resp. in top view. On the flat-plate 13d of the separating element 3d radial stiffening rims 16 are arranged and its perforations 4d are formed on the circu¬ lar arc corresponding to that of the internal mantle 6d of the bottom 2d of the glass respectively, in the centre in accordance with the spike-shaped destructive element 9d. In the rim of the round plate cuts 20 can be seen, which serves the proper posi¬ tioning, and such way it can be ensured that the perforations 4d should be arranged on the proper place in accordance with the pricking spike 19.

In Fig. 4c the destruction of the destructible closing element 7d can be seen, which takes place manually so that the pricking spikes 19 of the destructive element 9d penetrates the walls thinned at the perforations 4d.

Fig. 4d illustrates the dissolution of the effervescent grains. The circulation of the solving material is ensured by the perforations 4d arranged concentrically and be¬ come clear in the centre of the separating element 3d. The pricking spike 19 of the cracking cover 18 ensures the drainage ofthe intemal overpressure in this case.

In the previously described example, the glass-formed storage and package device as well as its cracking cover 18 are made of polypropylene by die-cast. This material is suitable for the food industry, suitably flexible, shockproof in cold. It is expedient if it is coloured, namely the colouration descreases the light passing ability of the ma¬ terial, so the storage period of the vitamins of decomposing to light increases as well as the microorganisms being in the liquid dissolvent (in water) are less propagated, so the product can be stored further without any impairment.