Apparatus and method for manufacturing a package that includes edible substances

Abstract

An apparatus may manufacture a package that includes edible substances. The apparatus may include a first provider for providing a first edible substance into a first space and include a second provider for providing a second edible substance into a second space, at least one of the two edible substances including ready-to-eat cereal. The apparatus further includes a partition mechanism for implement a partition for separating the two edible substances. The apparatus further includes a sealing mechanism for sealing a container that encloses the first space and / or the second space. The apparatus further includes a tube-handling mechanism for combining a tube with the container for forming a combination, an internal width of the tube being larger than an average unit width of units of the ready-to-eat cereal, wherein the package comprises the combination. The apparatus further includes a controller for controlling at least one of the above-mentioned members.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention is related to apparatuses and methods for manufacturing one or more packages that include edible substances. Examples of edible substances may include ready-to-eat cereals (or “cereals”, for conciseness), beverages, etc.[0002]In various situations, it may be desirable to mix two or more edible substances immediately before the intake of the mixture of the edible substances, instead of pre-mix the edible substances long before the intake, for purposes such as optimizing the taste of the mixture and / or avoid shortening the time to expiration of the edible substances. For example, it may be desirable to mix cereal and milk right before the intake of the mixture, so that the cereal will not become too soggy.[0003]Typically, cereal and milk come in separate packages, and intake of cereal and milk typically requires the use of a spoon. The use of the spoon may cause spill of the cereal, the milk, and / or the mixture, and therefore may ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is related to an apparatus for making a package with edible substances. The apparatus has several features such as a first provider to provide a first edible substance, a second provider to provide a second edible substance, a partition mechanism to separate the first and second edible substances, a sealing mechanism to seal the package, and a tube-handling mechanism to handle a tube and combine it with the package. The invention also includes a controller to manage these features. The technical effects of the invention are to provide an apparatus that can make a package with two edible substances separated by a partition and sealed in a container, and can also handle a tube and combine it with the package.

Problems solved by technology

The use of the spoon may cause spill of the cereal, the milk, and / or the mixture, and therefore may incur costs for cleaning and may cause waste of edible substances.

The existing packages may also be impractical for users who would like to have cereal and milk (for example, for breakfast) when they are on the move.

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