Containment device and method for packaging a first substance and a second substance intended to be mixed to obtain a product

Abstract

A containment device (1) is described comprising a first containment compartment (2) for containing a first substance and a second containment compartment (3) for containing a second substance, separating means (4) interposed between the first containment compartment (2) and the second containment compartment (3) for mutually keeping the first and the second substance separate, wherein the separating means (4) are at least partially removable for communicating the first containment compartment (2) with the second containment compartment (3) to effectively allow the union and mixing of the first substance with the second substance to easily obtain a product ready for use or consumption. In addition, a method for packaging a first substance and a second substance intended to be mixed to easily obtain a product ready for use or consumption is described.

Description

Containment device and method for packaging a first substance and a second substance intended to be mixed to obtain a productTechnical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a containing device and a method for packaging a first substance and a second substance intended to be mixed to obtain a product.

[0002] Specifically but not exclusively, the device and the method according to the invention can be used in the food field, in particular in the context of the preparation of a food product ready for use or consumption. A food product is a product that can be ingested, such as a drink or a meal.

[0003] In the following of the present description, explicit reference will be made to the preparation of a food product comprising a cocktail, in particular of the premixed type, and a portion of ice, without loss of generality.Background

[0004] Different ways of preparing drinks or beverages by combining and mixing together more substances are known. A first mode involves the use of a glass or tumbler, inside which a drink can be poured that can be contained in a bottle. The beverage can be already premixed or to be mixed with another beverage inside the glass. Ice can be placed in the glass in advance to keep the drink fresh.

[0005] Of course, the manual preparation of a drink requires the presence of an experienced bartender or operators and, in certain contexts or events, a high speed of preparation is often required to quickly serve the drinks. In addition, a whole series of ingredients or substances must be prepared to be mixed to obtain a certain variety of cocktails, which has implications for the logistical management (cost, space) of the first ingredients.

[0006] It is evident, therefore, that such a mode could prove economically disadvantageous for certain occasions.

[0007] A second mode involves the use of a tapping apparatus. Tapping apparatuses are known comprising one or more drum container devices, or drums, for a premixed beverage, such as for example a cocktail. The drums are connected to delivery turrets by means of a pipeline system. The known tapping apparatuses may further comprise a pressure power source (pressurized gas inside the drum, a pump or a compressor) that allows the beverage to be transported from the container to the respective dispensing turret.

[0008] The tapping apparatuses of the known art comprise a dispensing tap or plug provided in the turret or directly on the drum acting on which it is possible to dispense if necessary - at the user's request - the premixed beverage in a glass containing ice.

[0009] The drum containment devices are in themselves bulky and heavy, moreover, for their operation they require additional bulky components, such as turrets, empty glasses and ice and also require non-negligible times for installation and commissioning. It should be added that, for certain contexts of use, the use of such devices is economically disadvantageous due to the costs of purchase or rental, installation and management.

[0010] Secondly, the containment devices of the prior art need a source of pressure energy that allows the transfer and dispensing of the beverage from the container to the glass, this increasing the structural complexities (increased thicknesses to resist relatively high pressures) and functional (for example valves, taps) also making it necessary the presence of an operator or bartender who provides for both the replacement of the drum and the dispensing of the beverage when requested by the user.

[0011] The drawbacks described above make the containment devices of the prior art scarcely flexible in case they have to be transferred and installed in different places, to follow, for example, temporary events. Relevant prior art includes patent applications JP 2000 159275 A, and FR 2 536 251 Al . Patent application JP 2000 195275 A describes a container for food, in particular for instant "chow mein" that can drain water hygienically and easily at any point, where hot water is poured and, after the prescribed time has elapsed, the remaining water is drained to be consumed. This dual-structure instantaneous chow mein container 1 consists of an outer container 10, an inner container 20 and a cover member 50. A water-absorbent polymeric body 40 is housed between the lower part 12 of the outer container 10 and the lower part 22 of the inner container. A plurality of water-drainage holes or slots 30 are formed in the lower part 22 of the inner container. A tape member 60 with easy-removal characteristics is fixed to the lower outer surface 22a of the inner container, covering the water drainage holes or slots 30. The patent application FR 2 536 251 A1 discloses an industrial food and a method for preparing it quickly and conveniently, in the form of portions of a hot dish based on easily rehydratable dry foods. The ingredients of the food product object of the invention occupy two contiguous and hermetically sealed compartments. The first compartment is occupied by the food liquid, and the second is occupied by the dried and rehydratable food substances. A closed seal isolates the two compartments under normal conditions of storage of the food product of the invention. By heating the food liquid, in particular by electromagnetic waves, the gasket isable to open and drain the liquid into the compartment of the substances to be rehydrated. The invention also relates to the method and the machine that allow the quick and convenient preparation of a portion of a hot plate by applying an electromagnetic radiation field to the processed food product of the invention. The machine is mainly intended for the automatic distribution of hot food.

[0012] Furthermore, the containment devices of the prior art are inefficient from a beverage serving or dispensing speed point of view since the beverage dispensing time in the glass is relatively long. In addition, the time needed to insert the ice into the glass must be added to the dispensing time.

[0013] Additionally, the dispensing of the beverage must take place at the time of the user's request. In fact, the containment devices and preparation methods of the prior art fail to guarantee the quality (taste) of the beverage overtime once the glass containing ice and cocktail has been served to the user, as the taste of the cocktail degrades over time due to the melting of the ice in the premixed beverage.

[0014] In light of the above, there is therefore ample room for improvement for current containment devices and methods for preparing products intended for use or consumption.

[0015] In particular, it would be desirable to have a containment device and a method for packaging a premixed beverage and a portion of ice which makes it possible to easily, quickly and effectively make a product which is ready for use or consumption and which at the same time has a higher level of quality than that achieved by the devices and methods of the prior art.Objects of the invention

[0016] An object of the invention is to improve current containment devices and methods of preparing a product ready for use or consumption.

[0017] A further object is to provide a containment device which is structurally simple and easy to use by a user.

[0018] Another object is to provide a containment device that is easily transportable from one place to another.

[0019] Another further object is to provide a packaging method and a containment device such as to provide a ready-to-use product of higher quality than that of prior art.

[0020] A still further object is to provide a packaging method and a containment device capable of obtaining an effective mixing between a first substance and a second substance in a reduced time.

[0021] These and further objects are achieved by a containment device and a method for packaging a first substance and a second substance intended to be mixed to obtain a product as defined in the appended claims.Brief description of the drawings

[0022] The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate an exemplifying and non-limiting embodiment thereof, in which: figure 1 is a section taken along a median plane of the containment device according to the invention in a sealing and watertight separation configuration; figure 2 is a first enlarged detail of Figure 1; figure 3 is a second enlarged detail of Figure 1 ; figure 4 is a perspective view of the containment device of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the containment device of Figure 1 in an opening and passing configuration; figure 6 is a section taken along a median plane of the containment device in the sealing and sealing configuration; figure 7 is a perspective view of the containment device in an intermediate opening configuration; figure 8 is a top view of the containment device in the opening and passage configuration; figure 9 is an upper view of the containment device in the intermediate opening configuration; figure 10 is a first perspective view of first container means of the containment device of Figure 1 in a watertight closure and separation configuration; figure 11 is a perspective view of second container means of the containment device of Figure 1 in a watertight closure and separation configuration; figure 12 is a second perspective view of the first container means in a watertight closure and separation configuration; figure 13 is a perspective view of the first container means with some parts removed; figure 14 is a bottom view of the first container means; figure 15 is a section of the first container means taken for the plane indicated by trace XV-XV in Figure 14; figure 16 is a perspective view of the first container means in an opening and passage configuration; figure 17 is a perspective view of the second container means in an open and through configuration;figure 18 is a sectional view of two container elements stacked on top of each other for a longitudinal median plane of the containment device; figure 19 is a sectional view for a longitudinal median plane of first container means stacked upon one another; figure 20 is a sectional view for a longitudinal median plane of second container means stacked upon one another; figure 21 is a side view of an outer container member 6 of the containment device; figure 22 is a perspective view of the outer container member 6 of Figure 21 ; figure 23 is a side view of a containment device according to the present invention, provided with a plurality of protrusions; figure 24 is a perspective view of the containment device of Figure 23; figure 25 is a top view of a containment device provided with grooves arranged radially with respect to the axis passing through the centre of the device.Detailed description

[0023] With reference to the aforementioned figures, a containment device is indicated by reference numeral 1 comprising a first containment compartment 2 adapted to contain a first substance and a second containment compartment 3 adapted to contain a second substance.

[0024] The containment device 1 further comprises separation means 4 adapted to keep the first substance and the second substance mutually separated and are interposed between the first containment compartment 2 and the second containment compartment 3 (Figures 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8). The separation means 4 are at least partially removable to put the first containment compartment 2 in communication with the second containment compartment 3 so as to allow the union and mixing of the first substance with the second substance in order to obtain a product ready for use or consumption.

[0025] In the illustrated version, the separation means 4 are partially removable, i.e. they are removable to such an extent as to allow the passage of the first substance from the first containment compartment to the second containment compartment (Figures 5, 6 and 8).

[0026] In a non-illustrated version, the separating means 4 may be completely removable.

[0027] In other words, the separation means 4 are configured, in particular, to achieve - when at least partially removed - a single total containment volume given by the union of the volumes of the first containment compartment 2 and the second containment compartment 3.

[0028] In other words, the separation means 4 are configured, in particular, to make the first containment compartment 2 and the second containment compartment 3 mutually accessible.

[0029] The first substance and / or the second substance may / may comprise a fluid, in particular a liquid. The first substance and / or the second substance may comprise a solid in a single block or in several parts, in powder or in grains or in flakes.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the first substance and / or the second substance may / may comprise a food. In this version, the material of the containing device 1 intended to come into contact with the first substance and the second substance is compatible with food use.

[0031] In the following of the present description, explicit reference will be made to the packaging of a mixture comprising a cocktail (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) as first substance, in particular a cocktail of premixed type, and a portion of ice as second substance, without thereby losing generality. By way of non-restrictive example, the ice portion may comprise an ice cube, in particular a cube having a side of 3 cm. Alternatively, multiple ice cubes may be provided.

[0032] The ready-to-use or ready-to-eat product may comprise the mixture including the cocktail and the ice portion. The portion of ice is intended to be combined with the cocktail to keep the latter fresh.

[0033] In the illustrated version, the containment device 1 further comprises an external container element 6 (Figures 1 and 2) inside which the first containment compartment 2 and the second containment compartment 3 are defined. In this version, the containment device 1 comprises first container means 5 (Figures 10, 12-16) which define the first containment compartment 2 and are shaped to be housed inside the container element 6 (Figures 1, 2 and 3).

[0034] In the illustrated version, the container element 6 comprises a cup-shaped body or a potshaped body. In this illustrated version, the container element 6 has an external conformation of the "tumbler" type. In a further version not shown, the container element 6 may have an external shape of another type of glass.

[0035] In the illustrated version, the container element 6 comprises an open upper zone and a closed lower portion with a flat resting surface for resting the container element 6 (and therefore the entire containment device 1) on a substantially horizontal resting plane (e.g. a table or a counter).

[0036] The containment device 1 may extend with its own longitudinal axis X (Figure 1). The longitudinal axis X, when the container element 6 (or equivalently the entire containment device 1) is positioned on the rest plane, has a substantially vertical orientation. Preferably, the outer container element 6, inside which the first containment compartment 2 and the second containment compartment 3 are defined, further comprises an outer edge 21, chamfered with a shaped chamfer 210 that improves the ergonomics of the containment device 1. As can be seenfrom Figures 21 and 22, which show the outer container 6. respectively in side view and in perspective view, the bevel 210 further facilitates the removal of any peelable sheet portion 18 near the edge 21 following the lifting of the lid means 17. This implies an advantage for the safety of the user who does not risk accidental cuts to the lips in contact with the upper edge of the containment device 1 with unwanted residues of the peelable sheet portion 18.

[0037] In the context of the present invention, the terms "top", "upper", "upper", "upper" and "lower", "lower", "lower" refer to the substantially vertical orientation of the containment device 1 on the support plane (this vertical orientation corresponds to that of the containment device 1 in Figure 1).

[0038] In the illustrated version, the first container means 5 comprise a capsule body. In this illustrated version, the first container means 5 comprise a hollow element that is tapered towards its own bottom portion 8. The first container means 5 have dimensions smaller than those of the container element 6.

[0039] The first container means 5 comprise a top zone 28 defining an upper access opening for the first containment compartment 2.

[0040] Removable closure means 17 may be applied to said top zone 28. In the illustrated version, the cover means 17 comprise a peelable sheet element provided with a pulling label intended to be grasped and pulled by the user for the removal thereof, so as to make the first containment compartment 2 accessible from the outside.

[0041] In an unillustrated version, the lid means 17 comprise a capsule or cap cover element that can be removably snapped onto the top zone 28 to prevent access to the first containment compartment 2.

[0042] In the illustrated version, the containment device 1 further comprises second container means 16 (Figures 11 and 17) defining the second containment compartment 3. The second container means 16 are shaped to be housed inside the container element 6 (Figures 1, 2 and 3).

[0043] In such an illustrated version, the second container means 16 comprise a cup-shaped body. The second container means 16 have smaller dimensions than those of the container element 6.

[0044] In the illustrated version (Figure 1), the first container means 5 and the second container means 16 are inserted (according to a direction of insertion defined by the longitudinal axis X) into the container element 6 one above the other, i.e. so that the first container means 5 are arranged above the second container means 16.

[0045] In the illustrated version, the separation means 4 comprise a peelable sheet portion 7.

[0046] The peelable sheet portion 7 is configured, in particular, to pass from a sealed closure and separation configuration C (Figures 1-4, 10 and 12 ) - in which the first containment compartment 2 and the second containment compartment 3 are mutually separated and not communicating - to an opening and passage configuration A (Figures 5, 6 and 8) in which the peelable sheet portion 7 is at least partially removed and in which the first containment compartment 2 and the second containment compartment 3 are communicating to enable the transfer of the first substance from the first containment compartment 2 towards the second containment compartment 3; this allows the first substance to join and mix with the second substance.

[0047] When in the closing and watertight sealing configuration C, the peelable sheet portion 7 extends with two prevailing orthogonal directions on a reference plane that is transverse, in particular orthogonal, to the longitudinal axis X.

[0048] In the transition between the closing and watertight separation configuration C to the opening and passage configuration A, the peelable sheet portion 7 can assume an intermediate opening configuration B (Figures 7 and 9) in which a communication lumen is defined between the first containment compartment 2 and the second containment compartment 3 that is lower than that defined in the opening and passage configuration A.

[0049] In the illustrated version, an opening 8a (Figures 1, 2, 6 and 16) suitable for allowing - in the opening and passage configuration A (and in the intermediate opening configuration B) - the passage of the first substance from the first containment compartment 2 to the second containment compartment 3 is defined in the bottom portion 8 of the first container means 5. The opening 8a is defined in a lower zone of the container means 5 opposite to the top zone 28.

[0050] In use, the first substance - in the opening and passage configuration A (and in the intermediate opening configuration B) - can descend (for example by gravity) from the first containment compartment 2 to the second containment compartment 3 to occupy the empty space of the second containment compartment 3.

[0051] The peelable sheet portion 7 - when in the closing and watertight sealing configuration C - is removably applied to an edge surface 8b (Figures 1, 2 and 14) delimiting the opening 8a.

[0052] In one version, the peelable sheet portion 7 may be of thermoplastic material and may be applied to the edge surface 8b by heat sealing.

[0053] In a further version, the peelable sheet portion 7 can be applied to the edge surface 8b by adhesive means.

[0054] In the illustrated version, the peelable sheet portion 7 is flexible.

[0055] In the illustrated version, the peelable sheet portion 7 comprises a peel-off fdm or label.

[0056] In the illustrated version, the separation means 4 comprise a pull extension portion 12 of the flexible type extending from the peelable sheet portion 7. The pull extension portion is shaped to be grasped and pulled by a user to bring the peelable sheet portion 7 from the watertight closing and watertight sealing configuration C to the opening and passing configuration A.

[0057] In the illustrated version, the pull extension portion 12 has at least one face 13 that is geometrically conformable to be provided with a decoration and / or graphic elements that are visible when said face 13 is extracted upon reaching the opening and passage configuration A (Figure 7).

[0058] In other words, in the opening and passage configuration A, the pulling portion is partially extracted outside the container element 6 and shows a face 13 that can be decorated or have inscriptions.

[0059] In the illustrated version, the pull extension portion 12 comprises a belt member.

[0060] In an unillustrated version, the pull extension portion 12 comprises a thread-like element.

[0061] In a further non-illustrated version, the pull extension portion 12 comprises a chain element.

[0062] In the illustrated version, the pull extension portion 12 is integral with the peelable sheet portion 7.

[0063] In a non-illustrated version, the pull extension portion 12 and the peelable sheet portion 7 are two distinct pieces.

[0064] In the illustrated version, the pull extension portion 12 extends from a peripheral region of the peelable sheet portion 7.

[0065] In an unillustrated version, the pull extension portion 12 may extend from an inner region of the peelable sheet portion 7.

[0066] Between the first container means 5 and the outer container member 6 is defined a gap 10 through which the pull extension portion 12 can slide upon a pulling action by the user.

[0067] In the illustrated version, the cavity 10 is defined between an outer side surface of the first container means 5 (which faces outward of the first containing compartment 2) and aninner side surface of the container member 6 (which faces inward of the first containing compartment 2). In this illustrated version, the cavity 10 is shaped with a circular crown crosssection and surrounds the side surface of the capsule body. In a non-illustrated version, the cavity 10 may be shaped with a circular crown sector cross-section (i.e., it may develop to a certain angular extent less than the turn angle).

[0068] In other words, a clearance defining the cavity 10 is present between the first container means 5 and the container element 6.

[0069] In an illustrated version of the containment device, the peelable sheet portion 7 comprises a bottom surface 11 which is external with respect to the first containment compartment 2 (Figure 12). In this illustrated version, the outer bottom surface 11 faces the second container means 16.

[0070] Referring in particular to Figures 2, 3 and 12, the pull extension portion 12 - when in the watertight closing and separating configuration C - is partly folded towards the bottom surface 11 of the peelable sheet portion and partly extends passing through the cavity 10 until it protrudes out of the outer container element 6 to be easily grasped by the user. In other words, the pull extension portion 12 assumes in a section thereof closer to the peelable sheet portion 7 from which a folded position extends towards the peelable sheet portion 7, in particular below the peelable sheet portion 7.

[0071] The folded position of the pull extension portion 12 with respect to the peelable sheet portion 7 allows - to a pulling action by the user of the pull extension portion 12 - to effectively transmit a pulling force to the peelable sheet portion 7 with a component orthogonal to the edge surface 8b to facilitate the detachment of the peelable sheet portion 7 from the aforementioned edge surface 8b.

[0072] In the illustrated version, in the folded position, the pull extension portion 12 is spaced from the peelable sheet portion 7, so as to decrease a total sliding friction force acting on the separation means 4 when moving from the sealed closing and watertight sealing configuration C to the opening and passage configuration A.

[0073] In a non-illustrated version, in the aforementioned folded position, the pull extension portion 12 is in contact with the peelable sheet portion 7, favouring the compactness (along the longitudinal axis X) of the entire containment device 1, thus optimizing the width of the containment compartments 2, 3.

[0074] In the illustrated version, the first containing means 5 are provided - in a peripheral portion 14 of the bottom portion 8 - with a convex guiding surface 15 (Figures 1, 3, 12-15)shaped to guide the sliding of the draft extension portion 12. The convex guide surface 15 gradually joins the edge surface 8b and the outer side surface of the first container means 5.

[0075] The convex guide surface 15 extends (along a circumference of the peripheral portion 14) with a transverse dimension equal to or larger than the transverse dimension of the pull extension portion 12.

[0076] The convex guide surface 15 is shaped, in particular, to return the movement of the draft extension portion 12 (and of the peelable sheet portion 7) from a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis X following the conformation of the edge surface 8b to a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X following the conformation of the cavity 10 (or equivalently that of the outer side surface of the first container means 5).

[0077] The configuration of the convex guide surface 15 allows to decrease the sliding friction force between the separating means 4 and the first container means 5 and to channel the pull extension portion 12 towards an interrupted edge section 27 of the first container means, which will be described in the following of the present description.

[0078] In the illustrated version, the separation means 4 comprise a further peelable sheet portion 18 applied to a top portion 19 of the second container means 16 to close the second container means 16 so as to make the second containment compartment 3 inaccessible (Figure 2).

[0079] The further peelable sheet portion 18 is at least partially removable to allow the bonding and mixing of the first substance with the second substance.

[0080] The further peelable sheet portion 18 may be of the same type (i.e. may share, for example, the material and mechanical properties) as the peelable sheet portion 7, in particular the further peelable sheet portion may be of the "peel-off” type.

[0081] Similarly to what is described for the peelable sheet portion 7, a further flexible pull extension portion 20 extends from a peripheral region of the further peelable sheet portion 18 which is shaped, in particular, to be grasped and pulled by a user to make the second containment compartment 3 accessible.

[0082] Unlike the peelable sheet portion 7, the further peelable sheet portion 18 is removably securable to the second container means 16. More in detail, the further peelable sheet portion18 is fixable at a top portion 19 of the second container means 16 (Figure 2). The top portion19 comprises an edge 21 that delimits a further opening 22 for access to the second containment compartment 3. The further peelable sheet portion 18 is removably applied to the edge 21 to further seal the first containment compartment 2 and the second containment compartment 3.

[0083] The further peelable sheet portion 18 comprises a top surface 23 facing the first container means 5 towards which the further pull extension portion 20 - when the second container means 16 are closed - is partly folded (Figure 2).

[0084] In the illustrated version, when the second container means 16 are closed, the further pull extension portion 20 partly extends passing through the cavity 10 defined between the first container means 5 and the container element 6 until protruding out of the latter. In this version, the draft extension portion 12 and the further pull extension portion 20 are distinct.

[0085] In the illustrated version, in the sealing configuration C, the draft extension portion 12, for the majority of its extension, is superimposed on the further draft extension portion 20 (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4).

[0086] In an unillustrated version, the draft extension portion 12 and the further draft extension portion 20 are in one-piece.

[0087] In non-illustrated versions, the draft extension portion 12 and the further draft extension portion 20 are joined in the vicinity of their free ends and / or at their intermediate stretches.

[0088] In aversion not illustrated, only the draft extension portion 12 comes out of the container element; in this version the draft extension portion 12 is joined at an intermediate stretch thereof to the further pull extension portion 20; in this version the draft extension portion 12 is longer than the further pull extension portion 20.

[0089] In the illustrated version, the first container means 5 have a radially extending upper coupling edge 26 for resting on and coupling with a mating resting portion of the container element 6, so as to upperly close the cavity 10 (Figures 1 and 14).

[0090] In the illustrated version, the mating support portion of the container element 6 is near the upper access mouth of the container element 6. In this version, the upper coupling edge 26 of the first container means 5 is configured to form an interlocking coupling with the conjugate support portion of the container element 6.

[0091] An interrupted passage section 27 (Figures 1 and 14) is formed on the upper coupling edge 26 to allow (and guide) passage of the draft extension portion 12 and / or the further draft extension portion 20. The interrupted passage section 27 defines a passage slot for the draft extension portion 12 and / or the further pull extension portion 20.

[0092] The convex guide surface 15 and the interrupted passage section 27 are arranged on top of each other so as to define a preferential path for the peelable sheet portion 7 and / or the further peelable sheet portion 18 in the transition from the sealed closing and watertight separation configuration C to the opening and passage configuration A.

[0093] In the illustrated version, the peelable sheet portion 7 and the further peelable sheet portion 18 are shaped so as to be (at least) partially inserted into the cavity 10 formed between the first container means 5 and the container element 6 in the opening and passage configuration A so as to perform a sealing action between the compartment resulting from the union of the two containment compartments 2, 3 and the external environment.

[0094] More in detail, in the opening and passage configuration A part of the peelable sheet portion 7 and part of the further peelable sheet portion 18 act as a seal in the interrupted passage section 27 so as to prevent the product from escaping through the interrupted passage section 27 (Figure 6).

[0095] However, it is possible to provide alternative versions of the containment device 1, in which only the peelable sheet portion 7 is present or the only further peelable sheet version 18 in which the sealing action is achieved by the peelable sheet portion 7 or by the further peelable sheet version 18.

[0096] In the illustrated version, the containment device 1 also comprises centering means 24 (Figure 1) shaped to allow the coupling between the first container means 5 and the container element 6 in a specific mutual position. In this illustrated version, the centering means 24 comprise a centering recess 24b obtained on an inner (lateral) surface of the container element 6 and a respective centering protrusion 24a extending from the outer (lateral) surface of the container means 5.

[0097] In the illustrated version, the containment device 1 further comprises further centring means 25 (Figure 1) shaped to allow the coupling between the second container means 16 and the container element 6 in a specific mutual position. In this illustrated version, the further centring means 25 comprise a centring recess 25a obtained on an inner (bottom) surface of the second container means 16 and a respective centring protrusion 25b extending from the inner (bottom) surface of the container member 6.

[0098] The configuration of the centring means 24 and of the further centring means 25 allows to align (and superimpose) the peelable sheet portion 7 to the further peelable sheet portion 18 so that the latter can be channeled into the convex guide surface 15 and come out on the outside together with the peelable sheet portion 7 through the interrupted passage section 27. This configuration allows the user to grasp both of the respective shot extension portions 12, 20 and perform a single action to reach the opening and passing configuration A.

[0099] Between the second container means 16 and the container element 6 is defined athermal insulation cavity 9 (Figures 1 and 2) shaped to thermally insulate the second substance fromthe external environment. The thermal insulation cavity 9 is delimited by a lower inner surface of the container element 6 and by an outer surface of the second container means 16 that faces the lower inner surface of the container element 6.

[0100] In the illustrated version, the second container means 16 have their own upper coupling edge 30 that extends radially to rest on an intermediate support portion 31 of the container element 6 and couple with the latter, so as to upperly close the thermal insulation cavity 9. In this version, the upper coupling edge 30 of the second container means 16 is configured to form an interlocking coupling with the intermediate support portion 31 of the container element 6 (Figures 2 and 3).

[0101] The container element 6 comprises, in particular, a plurality of support protrusions 30 (or support feet) that extend radially inward of the container element 6 to provide support to the bottom surface of a further container element 6’ (Figure 18).

[0102] The first container means 5 comprise, in particular, a plurality of first support protrusions 28 (or first support feet) extending radially inside the first containment compartment 2 to provide support to the bottom surface of further first container means 5 ’ and allow stacking thereof (Figures 1 and 20).

[0103] The second container means 16 comprise, in particular, a plurality of second support protrusions 29 (or second support feet) extending radially inside the second containment compartment 3 to provide support to the bottom surface of further second container means 16’ and allow stacking thereof (Figures 1 and 19).

[0104] As mentioned the material of the containment device 1 may be suitable for food use. The material may comprise a plastic material, in particular HDPE, or a metallic material, in particular aluminium, or a cellulose material, such as paper.

[0105] In one version, the containment device 1 can be made of a single material, so that it can be easily recycled without having to be disassembled.

[0106] In a further version, the components of the containment device 1 may be of different materials from each other.

[0107] A method of packaging a first substance and a second substance intended to be mixed to obtain a product is described below.

[0108] The method includes the steps of: disposing the first substance inside a first containment compartment 2, disposing the second substance inside a second containment compartment 3, and interposing separating means 4 between the first containment compartment 2 and the second containment compartment 3 to mutually keep the first substance separated from thesecond substance, wherein the separating means 4 is intended to be at least partially removed to communicate the first containment compartment 2 with the second containment compartment 3 to allow the union and mixing of the first substance with the second substance and obtain the product to be used.

[0109] More specifically, according to a mode of packaging a cocktail, the first container means5 are filled with a mixed beverage, for example a cocktail, and are sealed above by the lid means 17 and below by the peelable sheet portion 7.

[0110] In parallel, the second container means 16 can be filled with a portion of ice and sealed at the top with the further peelable sheet portion 18.

[0111] Subsequently, the second container means 16 can be inserted and locked inside the container element 6 (in a bottom region of the container element 6) in the second containment compartment 3 so that the further pull extension portion 20 is folded over the further peelable sheet portion 18 and protrudes outside the container element 6. The second container means 16 are oriented with respect to the container element 6 by the further centering means 25.

[0112] Above the second container means 16, it is possible to insert the first container means 5 into the container element 6 and lock them in engagement with the latter. The first container means 5 are positioned so that the pull extension portion 12 is folded towards the peelable sheet portion 7 and - lying against the convex guide surface 15 - comes out of the container member6 at the broken edge portion 27. The first container means 5 are oriented with respect to the container element 6 by the centering means 24 so that the pull extension portion 12 and the further pull extension portion 20 are superimposed.

[0113] At this point, the separation means 4 are in the closing and watertight separation configuration C.

[0114] In use, a user grasps the container element 6 with one hand and can pull, with the other hand, in particular simultaneously, the ends of the pull extension portion 12 and of the further pull extension portion 20 coming out of the container element 6. In this situation the lid means 17 can still top close the first container means 5.

[0115] The pulling action imparted by the user, causes the separation means 4 to pass from the closing and watertight separation configuration C to the opening and passage configuration A in which the substance contained in the first containment compartment 2 (the premixed cocktail) is allowed to pass into the second containment compartment 3 in which the second substance (the ice portion) is present.

[0116] If the volume of the first substance is greater than the empty space left by the second substance in the second compartment 3, the mixed product composed of the first substance and the second substance will also at least partially fill the first containment compartment 2.

[0117] In the opening and passage configuration A, the pull extension portion 12 and the further draft extension portion 20 are extracted (partially) for such a length as to be able to show a decoration or an inscription.

[0118] At this point, the user can remove the lid means 17 and consume the product.

[0119] The containment device of the present invention has the same reduced footprint and weight of a filled cocktail container or glass, and for its in situ operation does not require additional bulky components, for example turrets of tapping devices or bulky beverage containers (drums), this facilitating transport to different places of the containment device 1.

[0120] Furthermore, the containment device 1 has a particularly simple structure, being composed of a few easily assembled parts.

[0121] In addition, thanks to the specific configuration of the separation means 4 with the peelable sheet portion 7, the containment device 1 is also easy to use by a user.

[0122] Furthermore, thanks to the folded position of the draft extension portion 12 and / or of the further draft extension portion 20 it is possible to make the separating means 4 pass from the watertight closing and separating configuration C to the opening and passing configuration A by applying a relatively reduced force.

[0123] The containment device 1 is also particularly efficient from a point of view of the speed of service or distribution of the product in that the time of dispensing the beverage into the glass and the time necessary to insert the ice into the glass are eliminated.

[0124] Furthermore, the configuration of the support protrusions 30 and / or the first support protrusions 28 and / or the second support protrusions 29 allows stacking allows the storage of multiple components on top of each other so as to facilitate the transport and gripping of the various components by the user. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 23, the containment device 1 comprises a plurality of protrusions 32 and / or a plurality of grooves 33 arranged radially with respect to the axis X that crosses the centre of the base of the containment device 1. This arrangement has the dual advantage of facilitating the storage of the devices and allowing a more stable grip of the device. In fact, a device that alternates a plurality of protrusions 32 and / or a plurality of grooves 33 to a smooth surface increases its resting and gripping area. Similarly, Figure 24 shows, in perspective view, a containment device 1 provided with protrusions 32 arranged around the circumference of the containment device 1.Fig. 25 shows from above a solution for increasing the resting and gripping area, wherein a plurality of grooves 331, 33nare arranged radially around the axis X, wherein each groove is equidistant from adjacent grooves.

[0125] Furthermore, the configuration of the containment device 1, in particular thanks to the separation means 4 and the thermal insulation cavity 9, allows the consumption of the beverage by the user even at a distance of time from the request of the product, without allowing the melting of the ice in the beverage and therefore maintaining the flavour of the beverage unchanged.

[0126] Thus, in the light of the above described and shown with reference to the annexed drawings, it is evident that the containment device 1 successfully achieves all the above stated purposes.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Containment device (1) comprising a first containment compartment (2) adapted to contain a first substance and a second containment compartment (3) adapted to contain a second substance, separation means (4) interposed between said first containment compartment (2) and said second containment compartment (3) and able to mutually separate said first substance and said second substance, said separation means (4) being at least partially removable to communicate said first containment compartment (2) with said second containment compartment (3) to allow the union and mixing of said first substance with said second substance to obtain a product ready for use or consumption.

2. Containment device according to claim 1, comprising an external container element (6), inside which said first containment compartment (2) and said second containment compartment (3) are defined, and further comprising first container means (5) defining said first containment compartment (2) and which are shaped to be housed inside said container element (6).

3. Containment device according to claim 2, and further comprising second container means (16) defining said second containment compartment (3) and shaped to be housed inside said container element (6).

4. Containment device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said separation means (4) comprise a peelable sheet portion (7) configured to pass from a closing and watertight sealing configuration (C) - in which said first containment compartment (2) and said second containment compartment (3) are mutually separated and not communicating - to an opening and passage configuration (A) in which said peelable sheet portion (7) is at least partially removed and in which said first containment compartment (2) and said second containment compartment (3) are communicating to enable the transfer of said first substance from said first containment compartment (2) towards said second containment compartment (3) and allow the joining and mixing with said second substance.

5. Containment device according to claim 4 when dependent on claim 3 or claim 2, wherein said first container means (5) comprise a bottom portion (8) in which an opening (8a) suitable for allowing - in said opening and passage configuration (A) - the passage of said first substance from said first containment compartment (2) to said second containment compartment (3) is defined, said peelable sheet portion (7) - when in said closing and watertight sealing configuration (C) - being removably applied to an edge surface (8b) delimiting said opening (8a).

6. Containment device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said separation means (4) comprise a pull extension portion (12) of the flexible type extending from said peelable sheet portion (7) and which is shaped to be grasped and pulled by a user to bring said peelable sheet portion (7) from said closing and watertight sealing configuration (C) to said opening and passage configuration (A).

7. Containment device according to claim 6, wherein a cavity (10) is defined between said first container means (5) and said external container element (6), through which cavity (10) said pull extension portion (12) can slide upon a pulling action by the user.

8. Containment device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said peelable sheet portion (7) comprises a bottom surface (11) which is external with respect to said first containing compartment (2) and said pull extension portion (12) protrudes from a peripheral region of said peelable sheet portion (7), and wherein said pull extension portion (12) - when in said closing and watertight sealing configuration (C) - is partly folded towards said bottom surface (11) and partly extends passing through said cavity (10) until protruding out of said external container element (6) to be easily graspable by the user.

9. Containment device according to one of the claims 6 to 8, wherein said first container means (5) are provided in a peripheral portion (14) of said bottom portion (8) with a convex guide surface (15) shaped to guide the sliding of said pull extension portion (12).

10. Containment device according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein said pull extension portion (12) has at least one geometrically conformable face (13) to be provided with a decoration and / or graphic elements that are visible when said at least one face (13) is extracted upon reaching said opening and passage configuration (A).

11. Containment device according to claim 3 or according to one of claims 4 to 10 when dependent on claim 3, wherein said first container means (5) and said second container means (16) are inserted into said container element (6), said first container means (5) being arranged above said second container means (16).

12. Containment device according to claim 3 or according to one of claims 4 to 11 when dependent on claim 3, wherein a thermal insulation cavity (9) is defined between said second container means (16) and said container element (6), for thermally insulating said second substance from the external environment.

13. Containment device according to claim 3 or according to one of claims 4 to 12 when dependent on claim 3, wherein said separation means (4) comprise a further peelable sheet portion (18) applied to, and arranged to close, a top portion (19) of said second containermeans (16) to render said second containment compartment (3) inaccessible, said further peelable sheet portion (18) being at least partially removable to allow the joining and mixing of said first substance with said second substance.

14. Containment device according to claim 13, wherein a further flexible pull extension portion(20) extends from a further peripheral region of said further peelable sheet portion (18), said further flexible pull extension portion (20) being shaped to be grasped and pulled by a user to make said second containment compartment (3) accessible.

15. Containment device according to claim 14, wherein said top portion (19) comprises an edge(21) that delimits a further opening (22) for access to said second containment compartment (3), said further peelable sheet portion (18) being removably applied on said edge (21) to achieve a further watertight seal between said first containment compartment (2) and said second containment compartment (3); wherein said further peelable sheet portion (18) comprises a top surface (23) facing said first container means (5) and wherein said further pull extension portion (20) - when said second container means (16) are closed - is partly folded towards said top surface (23).

16. Containment device according to claim 15, wherein said further pull extension portion (20) partly extends through said cavity (10) until it protrudes out of said external container element (6).

17. Containment device according to claim 2 or according to one of claims 3 to 16 when dependent on claim 2, further comprising centering means (24) shaped to allow coupling between said first container means (5) and said container element (6) in a specific mutual position.

18. Containment device according to claim 17 when dependent on claim 3 or when dependent on one of claims 4 to 16 when dependent on claim 3, comprising further centring means (25) shaped to allow coupling between said second container means (16) and said container element (6) in a specific mutual position.

19. Containment device according to claim 7 or one of claims 8 to 18 when dependent on claim 7, wherein said peelable sheet portion (7) and / or said further peelable sheet portion (18) is / are shaped so as to be at least partially inserted in said cavity (10) between said first container means (5) and said container element (6) in said opening and passage configuration (A) so as to perform a sealing action.

20. Containment device according to claim 7 or according to one of claims 8 to 19 when dependent on claim 7, wherein said first container means (5) have a radially extendingupper coupling edge (26) for resting on, and coupling with, a conjugated resting portion of said container element (6) so as to upperly close said cavity (10) that is between said first container means (5) and said container element (6), and wherein on said upper coupling edge (26) there is obtained an interrupted passage section (27) shaped to allow the passage of said pull extension portion (12) and / or said further pull extension portion (20), in said opening and passage configuration (A) at least part of said peelable sheet portion (7) and / or of said further peelable sheet portion (18) acting as a seal in said interrupted passage section(27).

21. Containment device according to claim 2 or according to one of claims 3 to 20 when dependent on claim 2, wherein removable closure means (17) are applied to a top zone(28) of said first container means (5).

22. Containment device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the material of said containment device (1) intended to come into contact with said first substance and said second substance is compatible with food use, and is suitable for containing a first substance comprising a cocktail and a second substance comprising ice.

23. Method for packaging a first substance and a second substance intended to be mixed to obtain a product, comprising the steps of arranging said first substance inside a first containment compartment (2), arranging said second substance inside a second containment compartment (3) and interposing separation means (4) between said first containment compartment (2) and said second containment compartment (3) to keep said first substance mutually separated from said second substance, said separation means (4) being intended to be at least partially removed to put said first containment compartment (2) in communication with said second containment compartment (3) to allow the union and mixing of said first substance with said second substance and obtain the product to be used.

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