GB2190645A - A package for ingredients - Google Patents

Abstract

A package comprises a tube 40 of resilient material similar to a drinking straw. The tube 40 has a number of corrugations 41 towards a sealed end 43, the corrugations being slit along their outer edges. In this way a sealed container for (e.g.) drinks ingredients is provided. On stretching of the tube 40, the corrugations 41 open opening the apertures 42 and permitting release of ingredients from within the tube 40. Various mounting and packaging arrangements for the package are described, such as attachment of one or more tubes to the base of a cup, Fig. 21, mounting on a carrier strip, which may then coiled or zig-zagged for enclosure in a container (Figs. 15-20), use in a gas-pressurised paint system (Figs. 13), and use in plant watering and feed systems (Figs. 24). There is also disclosure of various mounting and mixing arrangements for tubes of the form disclosed in GB 2168027. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A package for ingredients The present invention relates to a package for ingredients and more particularly but not exclusively to a package for ingredients to be dispensed into a liquid.

It is often desirable for manufactures to package ingredients in premeasured quantities for subsequent use in mixing a liquid by a consumer.

Some examples of "convenience" food packaging are well known. For example tea bags are used in domestic situations to provide an individual cup of tea as well as pots of tea. Restaurants and cafes also supply individual cups oftea by immersing a tea bag in a cup of hot water and leaving the bag in place for the consumerto remove.

Once the tea bag is removed the consumer is faced with the problem of disposal, either placing the teabag inthesauceror in an ashtrayorother receptacle giving an untidy appearance. Such problems are rarely encountered with other drinks such as coffee where "instant" granules or powder are used. However, unlike coffee, tea contains very few soluble solids. Consequently "instant" tea requires "bulking" with other solids to prevent an excess being mixed in water giving an unacceptable strength.

Instant tea if not so bulked requires accurate dispensing to avoid such difficulties. One package suited for such use is disclosed in my co-pending Patent application No.8530446.

lndustriesotherthanthefood industryfacesimilar problems. For example in the paint industry it is possible to supply a base colour paint, usually white, to which a colouring pigment is added priorto use.

For consistency of colour it is usual for such systems to be employed by retailers who use complex pigment dispensing systems to add pigments to the base paint to meet customers requirements.

It is not usually convenient for the ultimate consumertobesuppliedwith basepaintand pigment for self mixing since such a consumer would be unlikelyto obtain the required colour consistency.

Other industries which supply the consumer with for example chemicals such asweedkillers, fertilisers and the like also need to provide premeasured quantities of ingredients for subsequent mixing.

It is one object ofthe present invention to provide a further package for ingredients capable of use in supplying premeasured quantities of ingredients and adapted to facilitate distribution and dispersion of the ingredients, and to show further uses forthe package of the aforementioned co-pending patent application.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a packageforingredients comprising a resilient tube which has a corrugated portion in which the apertures are formed in the outer edges ofthe corrugations, the corrugations in the closed position sealing the apertures and arranged such thaton stretching thetube opening of the corrugation effects opening of the apertures.

A plurality of tubes in accordance with the invention may be mounted on a strip for insertion in a carton or drum. Alternatively individual tubes may be adhesively attached to a disposable cup.

In one use of the invention gas pressure is used to dispense a colouring pigment into a base colour liquid paint. In an alternative usethetube is adapted for attachment to a domestic drill to facilitate agitation of a liquid.

The invention may also find use in hydroponic culture schemes in which a tube including a series of corrugated portions is provided with apertures which may include fertiliser or other chemicals.

Embodiments of packages in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 shows the package of co-pending patent application No. 8530446; Figure2 shows the package of Figure 1 in use dispensing ingredients of a drink; Figure3showsthe package of Figure 1 in an open condition ready to dispense ingredients; Figures 4A to Ishows steps which may be used in one method of sealing the package of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a cross sectional view on the line V-V of Figure1; Figure 6shows an end ofthe package of Figure 1 aftersealing using the method of Figure4, Figures 7A and 7Bshowan adaptation of the package of Figure 1 to facilitate use using (e.g.) a domestic drill;; Figure8shows a further adaptation ofthe package of Figure 7 to improve distribution of ingredients; Figure 9 shows an alternative adaptation to that of Figure 8; Figure 10 shows the package of Figure 7 with a device to facilitate storage; Figure ii shows a method of using the packages of Figures7to 10with a hand brace; Figure 12 shows a method of using the packages of Figures7to 10with an electrically powered domestic drill; Figures 13A a nd B show a package and components adapted for dispensing pigment to an automated painting system such as Black and Decker's "Paintmate" (Trademark) system; Figures 14A to Dare cross sectional views of an end of a package in accordance with the present invention;; Figure 15shows the package in accordance with the present invention; Figure 16 shows a plurality of packages of the kind shown in Figure 15 prepared for insertion in a container; Figures 17A and B are plan and perspective views of a first container including packages prepared as shown in Figure 16; Figures 18A and B are plan and perspective views of a second container including packages prepared as shown in Figure 16; Figure 19 shows a plurality of packages mounted in an alternative manner to that shown in Figure 16; Figures 20A and B shows steps in the fu rther preparation of the packages of Figure 19; Figure2 lisa cross sectional view of a container including a package in accordance with the invention;; Figure 22 is a part cross sectional view of a plurality of containers ofthe kind shown in Figure 21 placed in a stack; Figure 23 is a perspective view of apparatus for using a plurality of packages in accordance with the invention in a single mixing operation; Figures24and 24A show an adaptation ofthe invention for use in automatic watering systems or hydroponic culture; and Figures25A, Band Cshowan adaptation ofthe package for industrial use.

Referring first to Figure 1, the package comprises tube 1 not unlike a common drinking straw,thetube having a diameter of approximately seven millimetres and a length of approximately one hundred millimetres. The lower end 2 ofthetube 1 is sealed whilstthe upper end 3 remains open to permit insertion ofthe dried ingredient.

Towards the lower end of the tube 1 several slits o channels 4 are provided, which, due to the resilience ofrthe tube material remain closed and retain the dried ingredient therein.

In use, referring also to Figures 2 and 3, when pressure is applied to the upper end 3 of the tube 1 why the lower end 2 is prevented from further movementforn example by contact with the base of a cup 5, the siits4Open as the material ofthetube 1 deforms. The dried ingredient may now leave the tube 1 through the open slits 4.

Afull description of the package of Figures 1 to 6 may be found in the specification of the aforementioned United Kingdom PatentApplication No 8530446 and further description herein is not deemed necessary.

Referring nowto Figure 7, in an adaptation of the package to facilitate mixing of materials such as a pigment into liquid paint or a chemical additive the upper end of the tube 1 is sealed buy a member 15 by adhesive or plastics welding for example. The member 15 includes a projecting stub 16 adapted for fitting to a chuck of a rotating machine.

The lower end of the tube 1 in the area 17may include a solid sealing memberfitted inside and plastics welded or held in place by adhesive to provide a portion not adversely affected by rotation againstthebaseofa mixing vessel.

Afurtheradaptation is shown in Figure8inwhich a spring member 19 is interposed between the sealing member 15 and the stub 16 which, on rotation, will allow the tube 1 to move angularly with respectto a chuck thereby enhancing the agitation of liquid in the mixing vessel.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 8 the stub 16 includes a removable spacer member 18 which allows an elongated stub to be used to permit deeper penetrations ofthe tube 1 into a mixing vessel while preventing the insertion of an excess length of stub into a chuck member. The spacer member 18 also serves to strengthen the stub 16 against stress fracture or bending.

Turning now to Figure 9 an alternative spring adaptation includes a hook member 21 whereby a rotating device with an eye (not shown) may be used.

Having hooked the hook member 21 to the eye, on rotation the spring member 19 will allow the tu be to be displaced as indicated to facilitate agitation of a liquid (such as paint) in a mixing vessel and assist dispersion ofthe ingredients (such as pigment) through the slots 4 of the tube 1. The hook member 21 also facilitates storage oftubes 1 on (e.g.) a rack.

An alternative storage mechanism is shown in Figure 10 to which reference is now made in which a clip 20 is integrally formed with the sealing member 15. With this adaptation a number of tubes 1 may be safely carried in a pocket since, until activation, the contents are securely sealed in the tube 1.

Two possible methods of use of the tubes of Figures 7to 10 are shown in Figures 11 and 12. In Figure 11 it may be seen thatthe stub 16 of a tube has been inserted in the chuck of a hand brace 25. A sealed container 22 of, say, a base colour paint such as is provided in the Black and Decker "Paintmate" (trademark) system has the seal (not shown) removed from a smaller aperture 24 in the lid 23. The aperture 24 is usually used for connection to a device allowing gas pressure to be used to force paint from within the containerthrough a tube to (e.g.) a paint roller. As, in the sealed state,thetube 1 has a small diameter it is readily passed through the aperture 24 until the strengthened portion 17 reaches the base of th container 22.Further downward pressure on the tube 1 now causes the slots 4to open to permit dispersion of pigment held in the tube 1 and, as with the embodiment of Figures 1 to 6to form awhisk facilitating mixing. Rotation ofthe handle ofthe brace now assists dispersion ofthe pigment in the base material.

Alternatively an electrically powered domestic drill 26 such as shown in Figure 12 may be used. In use the drill 26 is preferably but not essentially mounted in a stand 27. Although it is suggested that the package of Figures 7 to 10 is used with a rotating machine for mixing purposes it will be appreciated thatthe stub 16 may be in the form of a handleto enable a manual whisking action to be used.

As has been stated with regard to Figure 11 the cartridge pigment mixing arrangement is particularly suited for use with automatic paint dispensing systems. An adaptation for use with the aforementioned Black and Decker Paintmate (trademark) system is shown in Figure 13 to which reference is now made.

As has been stated in the Paintmate system, a tube connected to a paint roller or other paint application means (not shown) passes through a sealing means intoacontainerofliquid paint.Thecontaineristhen slightly pressurised to cause paint to pass through thetubeto the application means allowing continuous painting without reloading by dipping in the container or using a painttray.

In the present arrangement the container 28 contains a base paint to which pigment contained in the tube 1 is to be mixed. The tube 1 readily passes through aseal 29 and an adaptor30 intothe container 28 and acts firstly as a pigment dispenser and latterly as a feed pipe.

The upper end of the tube 1 carries a connector member 31 fitted thereto by adhesive or plastics welding for example, the connector member31 being adapted for sealing to a Tconnector32. TheT connector 32 includes a sealing member33which is adapted to cooperate with the container seal 29 to holdthetube 1 in place and seal the system.

Two taps 34,35 are provided one on either side of the tube of the T con nector to control application of gas pressure to the container 28 and permit paint egress to an outlet tube 36 respectively. The tap 34 is in a linefrom an adaptor37which isarrangedfor connection to a gas bulb 38 ofthe kind often used to charge soda drinks dispensers.

In usethetube 1 is fitted to the container 28 using the con nector 32. The tube from the paint a ppl icator is fitted to the outlet36 and thetap 35 closed. The gas charging bulb 38 is fitted to the adaptor37 and the tap 34 is opened. Gas pressure from the bulb 37 now causes the slots 4 to open and forces the pigment fromthetube 1 into the surrounding liquid paint effecting distribution and mixing thereof. The gas also serves to pressure charge the container 28. The tap 34 may now be closed and the tap 35 opened to enable painting to be commenced. It will be realised thatthetube 1 now acts as a feedertubewith liquid paint leaving the container by way of the slots4.

Although the foregoing description relating to Figure 13 is based upon the package of Figure 1,the package of Figure 15 described hereinafter is equally or better suited to operation inthemannerdetailed above since gas pressure will perform an acceptable activiation ofthat package.

Itwill be apparent that, sincethetube 1 is disposable there is no requirementforcleaningthe feeder tube after use as would occurwith a reuseable feeder tube system.

Having considered a package of a first kind I now propose a preferred package for use particularly for drinks dispensing.

Accordingly with reference to Figure 15the invention uses a tube 40 having corrugations 41 formed therein by use of a die during manufacture.

The manufacture of drinking straws including such corrugations is well known for straws of the kind which may be bent in use to improve the drinking angle.

In accordance with the invention the outer edge of the corrugations 41 is slit. Thus referring also to Figure 14in Figure 14Aan enlarged cross sectional view of normal corrugations in a tube wall in the unstretched position is shown. When a straw is bent or stretched the corrugations adopt the arrangement shown in Figure 14B.

Now by providing a slit down the outside of a corrugation a cross sectional view of one wall ofthe tube 40 on the slit shows that with the corrugations unstretched the interior ofthetube 40 is still sealed from the outside world preventing ingress of contaminants and egress of ingredients held in the tube. This situation is shown in Figure 14C. However, when the tube 40 is activated by stretching as shown in Figure 1 4D a series of apertures 42 open to permit ingredients to leave the tube. The tube 40 may now be used to agitate hotwater or milkfor example thereby distributing the ingredients through the surrounding liquid.

Referring again to Figure 15, the lower end of the tube 40 is sealed, by heat crimping for example providing a seal 43. Below the seal 43 perforations44 are provided the reason for which will become apparent from the description hereinafter. Finally the base of the tube 40 may be attached to a surface by adhesive or other means as indicated in the area 45.

Having considered the basic package consideration is now given to packaging and filling the tubes 40 for distribution. Thus with reference to Figure 16, the tubes 40 are adhered to a strip 46 in a single row. Using a funnel arrangement 47 on a filling machine ingredients enter the tubes 40 from thetopwhich may be sealed subsequenttothefilling operation. The strip 46 and tubes 40 may now be eithercoiled forfitting in a drum 48 (as shown in Figures 17A and B) orfolded for insertion in a rectangular package 49 similarto a cigarette pack.

To use one of the tubes 40 on the strip 46 it is first pulled upwards opening the corrugations 41 to "activate" thetube. Further pulling orturning ofthe tube 40 causes the perforations 44 in the flattened lower end to breakoffgiving a singletube readyfor use. Alternatively, thetube 40 may betwisted to break the perforations 44 and then activated by subsequently stretching the tube 40. The latter method of operation may be preferred ifthetube content is powder or liquid ratherthan of granular form.

As an alternative to perforating the tubes, the strip 46 may be perforated as shown at 48. In this case the tubes may be individually separated from the strip 46 and used including the torn of strip portion. It will be appreciated that the seal 43 may be omitted, the tubes 40 being sealed and adhered to the strip 46 in one operation.

In this form, shown to the right of Figure 1 6the tubes may be supplied in a form similarto a strip of matches. An alternative form for supplying the tubes in strips is shown in Figures 19 and 20. In the form shown at the bottom of Figure 19 individual tubes as previously described are adhered on either side of a strip 50. However, in a preferred manufacturing process thetubes 40 are constructed in pairs as shown inthetop of Figure 19,the pairs being centrally bonded to the strip. Subsequently, as shown in Figures 20A and B the pairs are bent upwardsforfilling from thetop ofthe tubes 40 as previously described.

Referring now to Figure 21, in an adaptation suited to use particularly in the catering industrythe tube 40 may conveniently be adhered to the base of a disposable cup 51 for example. Thus individual tubes may be filled and then sealed to the cup 51 base. Activation is in the same manner as described for the packaged version that is an upward pull to release the ingredients and a twist to break the perforations 44. The tube 40, once detached may be used for stirring. Several tubes may be incorporated in the cup individually including for example coffee, a sweetening agent and a whitener, the user activating only those tubes required for his or her own preference. Unactivatedtubes may be either twisted to break the perforation 44 without stretching to activate or left in place.

Flattening the tube 40 above the corrugations 41 allows stacking ofthe cups 51 as shown in Figure 22 and if a heat sealing operation is used on the upper portion ofthe tube 40 provides a flat stirring object.

Further consideration is now given to industrial applications ofthe invention such as in chemical, paint and agricultural industries. One adaptation of the rotating machineryforbatch manufacturing is shown in Figure 23 to which reference is now made.

In the adaptor shown four rotating cogs 52 are provided driven from a main cog 53 having a shaft 54 for connection to a chuck.

The cogs 52 each have a shaft 56 protruding through a platform 55. In use one tube 1 is attached to each shaft 56 (for example by push fitting) and then activated. All ofthetubesthen actto mix and dispensetheircontents in a surrounding liquid. In this manner multipart chemical mixes for example may be individually packaged for transport between for example a chemical plant and the end userwhere fresh batches of complete mixes are required. Thus safe transport of two or more part mixtures can be made.

Similarly in retailing paints for example where a base paint is to be mixed with a predetermined selection of pigments to meet an individual customers colourspecification, all ofthe pigments may be mixed to the base paint in one operation.

The invention may also be used in agriculture in both hydroponic cu!ture and "drip" watering systems. This use will now be discussed with reference to Figure 24 in which a tube dispenser of the kind discussed with reference to Figure 15 may be used.

In hydroponic culture plant root systems collect nutrients from a liquid medium to which the nutrients have been added. The liquid medium may be held in a header tank 57 with flow controlled by a valve 58. The invention provides two alternative liquid transmission systems. In the first a continuous length oftubing includes corrugations 60 having one or more slits in the outer edge as previously discussed with reference to Figure 14. Once the tubing has been laid out on a preferred route, the tubing 59 may be gripped either side of a set of corrugations 60 to activate only those sections required. Thus some corrugations 60 may be opened to permit liquid to pass the others left closed for subsequent use. It will be realised thatthe corrugations 60 may be reclosed by application of pressure from either side.However with a drinking straw kind of construction of the tubing 59 the actions of opening and closing individual corrugation sets may only be performed a limited numberoftimes.

As an alternative the tube 59 may be adapted to fit over disposable tubes including the corrugated section 60 by providing connection portions 61 as shown in Figure24A.Thetubesshown in Figure24A mayincludeagranularfertilizerforexamplesuch that slow release ofthe fertilizer is achieved on passage of water from the header tank 57 or from a main water supply. The ends of the tubes 62 may be capped or sealed fortransit.

Finally, with reference to Figure 25 a heavy duty package suited to industrial use may be provided. In this embodiment of a package according to the invention top and botton disc members 63,64 are provided with strands 65 (of wire for example) attached therebetween. The strands 65 are lightly soldered or glued together to provide a sealed package enclosing ingredients for subsequent release. A rod 66 passes through an aperture 67 in the upper disc 63, the rod 66 being firmly attached to the lower disc 64. To activate the package the rod 66 is pulled through the disc 63 (or the disc 63 is pushed down with with respect to the rod 66 thereby causing the release of the adhesion between the strands 65 which form a whisk and release the contents.

To facilitate use when the rod 66 is to be attached to a chuckofa rotating machine a spacer member 68 may be provided. The spacer 68 may have a screw threaded interior, the rod 66 carrying a corresponding external screwthreadwherebythe package is activated by rotation ofthespacer member.

Claims (14)

1. A package for ingredients comprising a tube of resilient material, the tube being formed with a plurality of corrugations, the corrugations including a plurality ofapertureswhich are maintained in a closed position when the corrugations are closed and which open on opening ofthe corrugations whereby application of a longitudinal stretching force to the tube permits dispensation of ingredients containedtherein.

2. A package according to Claim 1 wherein the apertures are formed by slitting outer edges of the corrugations.

3. A package according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein one end ofthetube is sealed, the corrugations being disposed towards the sealed end.

4. Apackageaccordingto Claim3whereinthe end opposed the sealed end includes sealing means, the sealing means linking to a connectorfor connecting the package to a rotating device whereby mixing of ingredients in a liquid medium is facilitated.

5. A package according to Claim 4wherein spring means is interposed between the tube and the connector whereby on rotation ofthe package, the mixing action is enhanced.

6. A package according to any preceding claim wherein a slip is attached to the tubewhereby storage ofthe package is facilitated.

7. A package according to Claim 3 wherein the end opposed the sealed end includes an adaptor for connection to a source of pressurising material whereby the apertures open and dispense contents ofthetube on application of pressure thereto.

8. A package according to Claim 7 wherein the adaptor comprises a T connector and means to seal thetube to a liquid container, the T connector having a first connector portion for connection to a source of pressurising material and a second connector portion for connection to an outlet whereby after pressurisation, liquid from the container may exit by way of the apertures.

9. A package according to Claim 3 wherein the sealed end is attached to a strip memberwhich carries a plurality of the packages.

10. A package according to Claim 9 wherein the strip member includes a weakened section between each pair of packages whereby separation ofthe packages from each other is facilitated.

11. A package according to Claim 9 wherein the tube includes a weakened section intermediate the sealed end and the strip memberwhereby separation ofthe package from the strip member is facilitated.

12. A package according to Claim 3 including a mounting portion adjacent the sealed end,the mounting portion being attached to the base of a container internally thereof.

13. A package according to Claim 12 wherein the tube includes a weakened section intermediate the sealed end and the mounting portion whereby separation of the package from the container is facilitated.

14. A package for ingredients substantially as herei nbefo re described with reference to Figures 14 and 15 of the accompanying drawings.