SMALL PACKETS FOR MAKING INSTANT DRINKS

Abstract

The invention relates to a small package. More specifically, the invention relates to a small package (100) for the preparation of an instant beverage, which consists of a first compartment (101) containing a solid beverage component; and a second compartment (102) containing a liquid additive component, whereby a desired beverage of user-defined characteristics is produced by opening the small package (100) to combine the components from the first compartment (101) and the second compartment (102) in a liquid medium in the desired combination ratio.

Description

[0001] A SACHET FOR PREPARING AN INSTANT BEVERAGE

[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a sachet. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sachet for preparing an instant beverage.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Sachet is a packaging used to contain a small quantity of product, such as food ingredient, pharmaceutical or cosmetic ingredient, laundry detergent, and fragrance ingredient. Sachet is suitable for users who are interested to make purchase in small quantity for single use or bulk quality for multiple uses over time. Besides, sachet is convenient for the users due to minimal storage space requirement and disposable after use. Additionally, the users can customize the quantity by using two or more sachets.

[0006] For example, Switzerland Patent Number CH598068A5 disclosed a sachet for holding solid, semi-solid, or liquid substances related to pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The sachet comprises at least two closed chambers foldable relative to each other. Each of the closed chambers is provided with two notches such that each of the closed chambers can be selectively opened without overlapping the closed chambers or simultaneously opened by one opening process when the closed chambers are being overlapped. Additionally, each of the closed chambers is contained with the same substances such that dosage of the substances can be customized by opening a corresponding number of the closed chambers to avoid leftover of the substances in the opened chambers. Besides, sachet is used in food and beverage industry. For example, sachet can be used to contain a mixture of ingredients that can be used to make an instant beverage. The mixture of ingredients can include a powdered beverage together with other ingredients, such as sugar or creamer. However, the user cannot customize the resulting characteristic of the mixture of ingredients. Therefore, such sachet normally has a few variants, each having different pre-determined proportion of ingredients to provide different resulting characteristic. Yet, the variants may not satisfy the preference of the user.

[0007] Alternatively, individual sachets can be used to contain different ingredients such that a user can optimize resulting characteristic, such as level of flavour, aroma, smoothness, sweetness, caffeine content, acidity, and calories, of the instant beverage based on preference. However, it may be inconvenient for the user to prepare an instant beverage from two or more different ingredients with a satisfactory resulting characteristic as the user will need to purchase the individual sachets with different ingredients. The present invention provides a solution to the problem.

[0008] SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a sachet for preparing an instant beverage. Preferably, the sachet includes a plurality of compartments, each comprises a different type ingredient. The ingredients from the two or more compartments can be combined together in a liquid medium in a desired combination to form the instant beverage.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a sachet that includes a means provided by one or more of the compartments of the sachet to facilitate selective combination of the compartment ingredients.

[0011] At least one of the preceding aspects is met, in whole or in part, in which the embodiment of the present invention describes a sachet (100) for preparing an instant beverage, the sachet comprising a first compartment (101) comprising a beverage ingredient in solid form; and a second compartment (102) comprising an additive ingredient in liquid form, whereby a desired beverage having characteristics predetermined by a user is produced by opening the sachet (100) thereby to combine the ingredients from the first compartment (101) and the second compartment (102) in a liquid medium in a desired combination.

[0012] In another embodiment, the sachet (100) further comprises a means (103) provided by one or more of the compartments (101,102) of the sachet (100) to facilitate selective combination of the compartment ingredients.

[0013] Preferably, the means (103) to facilitate selective combination of the compartment ingredients is provided as a series of markings on one or more of the compartments (101,102) in which each marking indicates a proportion of the ingredient to be used in the compartment (101,102) and its resulting characteristic of the instant beverage.

[0014] Preferably, the beverage ingredient is coffee, juice, tea extract, fruit extract, cereal, or any combination of two or more thereof.

[0015] Preferably, the additive ingredient is a taste enhancer, a texture modifier, a supplement, or any combination of two or more thereof.

[0016] Preferably, the resulting characteristic is level of flavour, aroma, sweetness, caffeine content, acidity, calories, or any combination of two or more thereof of the instant beverage.

[0017] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compartments (101,102) are individually sealed and joined together to provide the sachet (100).

[0018] Further, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sachet (100) further comprises a tear initiator (108a, 108b) to facilitate opening the sachet(100).

[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0020] For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the present invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawing the preferred embodiments from an inspection of which when considered in connection with the following description, the present invention, its construction and operation and many of its advantages would be readily understood and appreciated.

[0021] Figure 1 shows an illustration of a sachet (100) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, the present invention shall be described according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention and by referring to the accompanying description and drawing. However, it is to be understood that limiting the description to the preferred embodiments of the present invention is merely to facilitate discussion of the present invention and it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications without departing from the scope of the appended claim.

[0024] The present invention relates to a sachet (100) for preparing an instant beverage. Preferably, the sachet (100) generally comprises a plurality of compartments (101,102), as depicted in Figure 1. The compartments (101,102) are preferably provided to contain different types of ingredients. When in use, a desired beverage having characteristics predetermined by a user can be produced by opening the sachet (100) to combine the ingredients from the two or more compartments (101,102) in a liquid medium in a desired combination.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sachet (100) comprises at least one first compartment (101) comprising a beverage ingredient in solid form, such as powder, cube, pellet, or tablet form. Preferably, the beverage ingredient is coffee, juice, tea extract, fruit extract, cereal, or any combination of two or more thereof. Alternatively, one or more additional first compartment (101) can be provided with different beverage ingredient such that the user can have options to choose when preparing the instant beverage.

[0026] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sachet (100) comprises at least one second compartment (102) comprising an additive ingredient in liquid form. Preferably, the additive ingredient is a taste enhancer, a texture modifier, a supplement, or any combination of two or more thereof.

[0027] The taste enhancer can be sweetener, such as sugar, stevia, syrup, molasses, caramel, or honey. On the other hand, texture modifier can be milk or creamer. The supplement can be protein or minerals. Alternatively, one or more additional second compartment (102) can be provided for containing different second ingredient to improve customizability of the instant beverage.

[0028] Further, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sachet (100) further comprises a means (103) provided by one or more of the compartments (101,102) of the sachet (100) to facilitate selective combination of the compartment ingredients. Preferably, the means (103) to facilitate selective combination of the compartment ingredients is provided as a series of markings on one or more of the compartments

[0029] (101.102). Preferably, each of the markings indicates a proportion of the ingredient to be used in the compartment (101,102) and its resulting characteristic of the instant beverage. The resulting characteristic can be level of flavour, aroma, sweetness, caffeine content, acidity, calories or any combination of two or more thereof of the instant beverage. Additional series of markings can be provided for each compartment

[0030] (101.102) to indicate additional resulting characteristic provided by the ingredient to be contained therein. By way of example, the series of markings can be formed from a plurality of lines, marks, or dots, together with at least one descriptive label or icon of the resulting characteristic. Advantageously, the series of markings can serve as a guidance to the user such that a desirable quantity based on preference of the user can be used when preparing the instant beverage. By way of example, when the second compartment (102) is used to contain creamer, the resulting characteristic can be level of smoothness of the instant beverage. On the other hand, when the second compartment (102) is used to contain sugar, the resulting characteristic can be level of sweetness of the instant beverage.

[0031] The sachet (100) in the present invention can be derived from a piece of flat sheet comprising one or more layers of different material. Preferably, the sachet (100) is formed from at least one polymeric layer comprising linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). Optionally, the sachet (100) comprises an additional polymeric layer comprising nylon on top of or underneath the polymeric layer comprising LLDPE to prevent leakage. Optionally, the sachet (100) comprises a foil layer, such as aluminium foil, on top of or underneath the polymeric layer or the additional polymer layer. The foil layer can prevent light penetration, moisture penetration, and bacterial growth, thereby improving shelf-life of the sachet (100). Advantageously, the sachet (100) further comprises a protective layer on top of any of the aforementioned layers to prevent physical damage, such as scratches, which may adversely affect aesthetic of the sachet (100). The protective layer can be derived from polyethylene terephthalate. The abovementioned layers can be sealed in respect of one another before forming the compartments (101,102).

[0032] Preferably, the compartments (101,102) are individually sealed and joined together to provide the sachet (100). Preferably, each of the compartments (101,102) are joined together in a side-by-side manner. Further, each of the compartments (101,102) can be sized differently and arranged in a manner convenient for the user to use the sachet (100). The compartments (101,102) of the sachet (100) in the present invention can be formed using a sealing process known to a person skilled in the art, such as a hot sealing or a cold sealing based on ultrasonic vibration or water-based cohesive coating. By way of example, the flat sheet is folded to form a front portion and a back portion, in which the front portion and the back portion are joined together by the sealing process hence forming the two compartments (101,102) divided by a seal (104). Additional compartments (101,102) can be formed by further subjecting another location of the front portion and the back portion to the sealing process.

[0033] Optionally, the seal (104) can be incorporated with a weaken section so that each compartment (101,102) can be separated from one another easily without breaking the compartments (101,102) adjacent to the tear line. By way of example, the weaken section can be a plurality of perforations formed along a center line of the seal (104).

[0034] Preferably, the sachet (100) further comprises at least one skirt (105a, 105b) extending along at least one opposing edge (106a, 106b) of the compartments (101,102). The skirt (105a, 105b) can be formed by further subjecting the front portion and the back portion of the folded sheet that are in proximity to the opposing edge (106a, 106b) to the sealing process. Preferably, the skirt (105a, 105b) has a width of at least 3 mm, more preferably at least 5 mm. Excess width can be trimmed. The skirt (105a, 105b) can serve as a barrier that is air impermeable to prevent loss of fragrance and liquid impermeable to prevent leakage of the ingredients contained within the compartments (101,102).

[0035] In another embodiment of the present invention, the sachet (100) further comprises an end seal (107a, 107b) separating the opposing edge (106a, 106b) of the compartments (101,102) and the skirt (105a, 105b). The end seal (107a, 107b) can be formed by inserting a sealant material, such as food grade silicone sealant, between the front portion and the back portion of the folded sheet that are in proximity to the opposing edge (106a, 106b) before subjecting them to the sealing process. Advantageously, the end seal (107a, 107b) has a higher tear resistance as compared to the skirt (105a, 105b) so as to prevent the compartments (101,102) to be opened from accidental tearing. Additionally, a resealable zipper can be provided below the skirt (105a, 105b) or the end seal (107a, 107b) such that the compartments (101,102) can be resealed after being opened.

[0036] Further, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sachet (100) further comprises a tear initiator (108a, 108b) to facilitate opening the sachet (100). Preferably, the tear initiator (108a, 108b) is positioned in proximity to, or on each of the compartments (101,102). The tear initiator (108a, 108b), preferably in the form of a debossed line, can be positioned on the front portion and the back portion of the folded sheet that are in proximity to the opposing edge (106a, 106b). Alternatively, the tear initiator (108a, 108b), preferably in the form of a slit or a V-shaped notch, can be positioned on the skirt (105a, 105b). The tear initiator (105a, 105b) can facilitate a manual tearing process by concentrating a tearing force on a point or region of the tear initiator (108a, 108b) such that a tear is initiated and propagated along the tear initiator (108a, 108b) and subsequently towards the compartments (101,102).

[0037] One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiment described herein is not intended as limitations on the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A sachet (100) for preparing an instant beverage, the sachet (100) comprising: a first compartment (101) comprising a beverage ingredient in solid form; and a second compartment (102) comprising an additive ingredient in liquid form, whereby a desired beverage having characteristics predetermined by a user is produced by opening the sachet (100) thereby to combine the ingredients from the first compartment (101) and the second compartment (102) in a liquid medium in a desired combination.

2. The sachet (100) according to claim 1 further comprising a means (103) provided by one or more of the compartments (101,102) of the sachet (100) to facilitate selective combination of the compartment ingredients.

3. The sachet (100) according to claim 2, wherein the means (103) to facilitate selective combination of the compartment ingredients is provided as a series of markings on one or more of the compartments (101,102) in which each marking indicates a proportion of the ingredient to be used in the compartment (101, 102) and its resulting characteristic of the instant beverage.

4. The sachet (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the beverage ingredient is coffee, juice, tea extract, fruit extract, cereal, or any combination of two or more thereof.

5. The sachet (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the additive ingredient is a taste enhancer, a texture modifier, a supplement, or any combination of two or more thereof.

6. The sachet (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the resulting characteristic is level of flavour, aroma, sweetness, caffeine content, acidity, or calories of the instant beverage.

7. The sachet (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compartments (101,102) are individually sealed and joined together to provide the sachet (100).

8. The sachet (100) according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a tear initiator (108a, 108b) to facilitate opening the sachet (100).

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