SACHET FOR THE CONTAINMENT OF A FLUID FOODSTUFF, PARTICULARLY FOR GRANULAR, POWDERY, CREAMY, LIQUID PRODUCTS OR THE LIKE AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING SAID SACHET

Abstract

Apparatus (14) for the manufacture of a sachet (1) for the containment of a fluid foodstuff, particularly for granular, powdery, creamy, liquid products or the like, comprises at least one base frame (15) provided with: at least one supply and movement assembly (16) of at least one strip made of papermaking material (C); at least one forming assembly (17) of the strip of papermaking material (C) to obtain a containment casing (2) of a fluid foodstuff (3), particularly for granular, powdery, creamy, liquid products or the like; at least one dispensing assembly (18) of the fluid foodstuff (3); at least one insertion assembly (19) associated with the base frame (15) and adapted to allow the insertion of the scoop element (7) within the containment casing (2); and a sachet containing a fluid foodstuff and a scoop element.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a sachet for the containment of a fluid foodstuff, particularly for granular, powdery, creamy, liquid products or the like.

BACKGROUND ART

With special reference to the catering and dispensing sector of hot beverages such as, e.g., coffee, herbal teas, chocolate and cappuccinos, it is well known that the consumption of these is mainly done in the two ways detailed below.

The first of them requires the consumption of the beverage to be done by the use of both hands, i.e., the consumer has a tabletop to support the container containing the beverage itself.

This situation typically occurs during consumption in cafés where the beverage is usually served inside special cups provided with saucers, on which a teaspoon and one or more packets of sugar or sweetener are placed.

This type of consumption involves the consumer placing the cup and its saucer on a tabletop, grasps the sachet of sugar and sweetener with one hand, and with the other hand, opens and pours the latter inside the beverage.

Once the desired amount of sugar or sweetener has been poured in, the consumer then holds the teaspoon to stir the beverage and promote mixing with the sugar or sweetener themselves.

Having achieved solubilization of the sugar or sweetener, the consumer places the teaspoon back on the saucer and, grasping the cup, consumes the beverage. This type of consumption, requires the use of both hands and makes it particularly difficult and laborious to consume while standing or moving, e.g., walking.

A second type of consumption, on the other hand, concerns all those occasions when the beverage is consumed while standing, for example, as a result of the dispensing of the same by a vending machine, or while walking or, more generally, when it is not possible to have a tabletop for the support of the beverage container.

Under these circumstances, the beverage is generally served inside small disposable containers, e.g. paper cups, along with the sachet of sugar or sweetener and a scoop element packed in a special containment wrapper.

To carry out consumption, once again, the consumer is forced to perform very difficult operations and maneuvers.

In detail, through the use of just one hand, the consumer grasps the beverage container, and then grasps the sachet containing the sugar or sweetener and the containment wrapper of the scoop element with the other hand.

To open the sugar or sweetener sachet, the consumer seeks aid in the hand already engaged in grasping the beverage container, taking advantage of its small size.

The consumer pours the sugar or sweetener inside the container and, by performing operations quite similar to those carried out when opening the sugar or sweetener sachet, opens the containment wrapper of the scoop element, takes it out of the latter and inserts it in the container to solubilize the sugar or sweetener.

In this way, opening the sachet of sugar or sweetener along with the containment wrapper of the scoop element requires the intervention of both hands, exposing consumers to the risk of spilling the beverage on the ground, scalding themselves and wasting its contents.

Added to this is the fact that the need to have a sugar or sweetener sachet and, separately, a containment wrapper to contain the scoop element greatly increases the waste of packaging material of the latter, resulting in increased packaging and transportation costs that inevitably are passed onto the retail price.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a sachet for the containment of a fluid foodstuff, particularly for granular, powdery, creamy, liquid products or the like, which allows it to be opened and dispensed by the use of just one hand, thus promoting the consumption of beverages while standing or in the absence of a tabletop for the container of the same.

Within this aim, one object of the present invention is to devise a sachet for the containment of a fluid foodstuff, particularly for granular, powdery, creamy, liquid products or the like, which allows drastically reducing the consumption of raw materials required for packaging the latter and the scoop element.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a sachet for the containment of a fluid foodstuff, particularly for granular, powdery, creamy, liquid products or the like, which can overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art within the framework of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as affordable solution.

The aforementioned objects are achieved by this sachet for the containment of a fluid foodstuff, particularly for granular, powdery, creamy, liquid products or the like, having the characteristics of claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a sachet for the containment of a fluid foodstuff, particularly for granular, powdery, creamy, liquid products or the like, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the accompanying tables of drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the sachet according to the invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are a schematic representation of the sachet according to the invention in use;

FIG. 4 is an axonometric view of the plant according to the invention;

FIGS. 5-8 are detailed representations of the plant according to the invention in an operational phase.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With special reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes a sachet for the containment of a fluid foodstuff, particularly for granular, powdery, creamy, liquid products or the like.

Preferably, the fluid foodstuff is of the granular or powdery type.

Even more preferably, the fluid foodstuff 3 comprises one of: sugar, sweetener, cocoa-type flavoring compound or their mixtures.

It cannot, however, be ruled out from the scope of this disclosure that the fluid foodstuff 3 may be of the type of a liquid seasoning, such as, e.g., oil, vinegar, maple syrup and the like.

By way of example only, reference is made in this disclosure to the foodstuff 3 in the form of sugar or sweetener.

The sachet 1 comprises a containment casing 2 made at least partly of a papermaking material, adapted to contain a predefined amount of sugar or sweetener 3 and defining a containment volume 4.

Preferably, the containment casing 2 is made at least partly of paper laminated in polyethylene or other biodegradable material.

Advantageously, the containment casing 2 has an elongated conformation provided with a first ending portion 5 and with a second ending portion 6 opposite each other; in use, the first ending portion 5 is arranged above the second ending portion 6.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the containment casing 2 has a substantially cylindrical conformation.

In other words, the containment casing 2 has a stick conformation.

It cannot, however, be ruled out from the scope of this disclosure that the containment casing 2 may have different conformations, e.g. quadrangular.

According to the present invention, the sachet 1 comprises a scoop element 7 housed within the containment volume 4 and adapted to allow, as a result of an external pressure exerted on the containment casing 2 by one hand of a user, the tear-opening thereof to allow the outflow of the sugar or sweetener 3.

In detail, the scoop element 7 comprises a main body 8 having an elongated conformation provided with a first end 9 and with a second end 10 opposite each other.

Advantageously, one of either the first end 9 or the second end 10 has a mixing portion 11.

Preferably, the scoop element 7 is made at least partly of a biodegradable material. Advantageously, the scoop element is made at least partly of biopolymer.

It is specified that, within the scope of this disclosure, the term “biopolymer” refers to materials that are directly derived from organic materials or microorganisms, or can be obtained by classical chemical synthesis starting from renewable monomers.

It cannot, however, be ruled out from the scope of this disclosure that the scoop element is made of wood.

Preferably, the scoop element 7 has a predefined width, and the mixing portion 11 has a relevant greater width than the predefined width of the main body 8. This expedient allows increasing the surface area available for mixing the sugar or sweetener within the beverage, thus allowing it to contact and to move any residue within the beverage itself, thus promoting the solubilization thereof. In detail, the mixing portion 11 has a curvilinear profile.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the mixing portion 11 has a pointed conformation.

In other words, the mixing portion has a pointed apical portion so as to promote the opening of the containment casing 2.

It cannot, however, be ruled out from the scope of this disclosure that the mixing portion 11 may have a different conformation such as, e.g., quadrangular.

The sachet 1 in accordance with the present invention is movable, as a result of the external pressure exerted on the containment casing 2, between:

• • a closure position (FIG. 1) wherein the containment casing 2 is intact and stretched and the scoop element 7 is positioned within the containment volume 4; and
  • an opening position (FIG. 3) wherein the containment casing 2 is at least partly torn and folded back on itself and the scoop element 7 protrudes at least partly outside the containment volume 4;
    wherein the mixing portion 11, during the movement between the closure position and the opening position (FIG. 2), breaks at least one portion of the containment casing 2 by defining an opening 12 thereon to allow the outflow of the sugar or sweetener 3.

In detail, in the closure position, the containment casing 2 has the first ending portion 5 and the second ending portion 6 arranged away from each other. At the same time, the scoop element 7 has the main body 8 dipped at least partly within the sugar or sweetener 3.

At the same time, in the opening position, the containment casing 2 has the first ending portion 5 and the second ending portion 6 brought close to each other, so that the tear-opening of the containment casing 2 is allowed.

In detail, to promote the opening of the containment casing 2, the mixing portion 11 is arranged where the first ending portion 5 is located.

This means that the consumer, by grasping the containment casing 2 by means of one hand and by placing the sachet 1 inside the palm of the hand, with the help of the joined index finger and thumb where there is the first ending portion 5, exerts downward pressure and causes the sachet to open by tearing.

In this way, the sliding of the containment casing 2 downwards allows the mixing portion 11 to abut against the first ending portion 5, thus resulting in the ripping thereof and making of the opening 12.

It should be pointed out that the special expedient of providing the mixing portion 11 with greater width than the relevant width of the main body 8 allows, during the tearing of the containment casing 2, making the opening 12 immediately and precisely, without the risk of creating additional tears along the containment casing 2.

In this way, the opening 12 has a diameter substantially matching the width of the mixing portion 11 in order to facilitate the sliding downwards of the containment casing and the outflow of the sugar or sweetener 3.

Therefore, the scoop element 7 has the mixing portion 11 protruding externally from the containment casing 2 and available for use without having to incur the removal of the latter from the containment volume 4.

As visible in FIG. 3, in the opening position, the containment casing 2 is folded at least partly on itself to promote the outflow of the sugar or sweetener 3.

Additionally, the present invention relates to a plant 14 for the manufacture of the sachet 1 for the containment of the fluid foodstuff 3.

The plant 14 comprises at least one base frame 15 provided with:

• • at least one supply and movement assembly 16 of at least one strip made of papermaking material C, of the type known to the branch engineer and consisting, e.g., of motorized rollers;
  • at least one forming assembly 17 of the strip of papermaking material C to obtain a containment casing 2 of the fluid foodstuff 3;
  • at least one dispensing assembly 18 of the fluid foodstuff 3.

According to the invention, the plant 14 comprises at least one insertion assembly 19 associated with the base frame 15 and adapted to allow the insertion of the scoop element 7 within the containment casing 2.

In detail, the insertion assembly 19 comprises at least one storage portion 20 of a plurality of scoop elements 7.

Advantageously, the insertion assembly 19 comprises at least one storage portion 20 of a plurality of scoop elements 7.

Preferably, the storage portion 20 comprises at least one housing seat 21 of the scoop elements 7.

As visible in the figures, the housing seat 21 has a pair of side walls 22 configured to allow the scoop element 7 to be housed in a vertical position.

In more detail, the storage portion 20 comprises a plurality of housing seats 21 adjacent to each other.

The storage portion 20 is arranged substantially orthogonally to the forming assembly 17.

In order for the dispensing of a single scoop element 7 at a time to be carried out, the storage portion 20 comprises a comb element 23 coupled to movement means 24 adapted to allow the positioning of each of the scoop elements 7 in an insertion position.

In this regard, it is important to point out that the forming assembly 17 comprises a plurality of dispensing ducts 25 in fluidic communication with the dispensing assembly 18, so that the strip of papermaking material C, in use, is intended to adhere to each of the dispensing ducts 25.

Each of the dispensing ducts 25 comprises a positioning portion 26 of the scoop element 7.

In detail, the positioning portion 26 comprises at least one interlocking seat 27 of the scoop element 7, the insertion position being defined where there is the interlocking seat 27.

As visible in the figures, the dispensing ducts 25 are associated with the rotational means 28 and are adapted to allow the rotation thereof between:

• • the insertion position wherein the scoop element 7 is housed in the interlocking seat 27 facing the storage portion 20; and
  • a dispensing position wherein the scoop element 7 is housed in the interlocking seat 27 opposite the storage portion 20.

In other words, the interlocking seat 27 rotates by 180° as a result of the actuation of the rotational means 28.

This means that, the strip of papermaking material C adheres to the dispensing ducts 25 by wrapping around the interlocking seat 27. In this way, the scoop element 7 is inserted within the containment casing 2.

In this regard, the forming assembly 17 comprises movement means 24 of the containment casing 2 from a forming position wherein the strip of papermaking material C is arranged where there is the storage portion 20 to a sealing position wherein the containment casing 2 is arranged where there is a sealing assembly 29 positioned inferiorly to the storage portion 20.

Preferably, the sealing assembly 29 comprises sealing means 30 adapted to make at least one of either a longitudinal seal or an ending seal on the containment casing 2.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the plant 14, the sealing means 30 make a longitudinal seal and an ending seal.

In detail, the sealing means are of the type known to the industry engineer and consist of sealing bars.

Advantageously, the dispensing assembly 18 comprises at least one containment body 31 of the fluid foodstuff 3 coupled to the forming assembly 17, the dispensing ducts 25 being arranged inferiorly to the containment body 31.

In detail, the dispensing assembly 18 is arranged above the storage portion 20 and the forming assembly 17.

Preferably, the dispensing assembly 18 comprises dosing means of the fluid foodstuff 3.

The dosing means comprise at least one rotating body arranged where the bottom of the containment body is located and provided with a plurality of dosing seats.

Each dosing seat has a predefined volume depending on the amount of fluid foodstuff 3 to be placed in the sachet 1.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects.

Emphasis is placed on the fact that the special expedient of providing a single sachet containing both sugar or sweetener and the scoop element inside it allows for the sachet to be opened, for the sugar or sweetener to be dispensed and mixed using only one hand.

In addition, this expedient saves a lot of packaging material, reducing their costs of production, packaging and dispensing.

In more detail, this makes a significant impact on saving 50 percent of containment material such as sachets and the like, as well as a significant impact on energy and waste item disposal savings.

Claims

1. Plant (14) for the manufacture of a sachet (1) for the containment of a fluid foodstuff, particularly for granular, powdery, creamy, liquid products or the like, comprising at least one base frame (15) provided with: characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one insertion assembly (19) associated with said base frame (15) and adapted to allow the insertion of said scoop element (7) within said containment casing (2).

at least one supply and movement assembly (16) of at least one strip made of papermaking material (C);

at least one forming assembly (17) of said strip of papermaking material (C) to obtain a containment casing (2) of a fluid foodstuff (3), particularly for granular, powdery, creamy, liquid products or the like;

at least one dispensing assembly (18) of said fluid foodstuff (3);

2. Plant (14) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said insertion assembly (19) comprises at least one storage portion (20) of a plurality of scoop elements (7).

3. Plant (14) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said insertion assembly (19) comprises at least one storage portion (20) of a plurality of scoop elements (7).

4. Plant (14) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said storage portion (20) comprises at least one housing seat (21) of said scoop elements (7).

5. Plant (14) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said housing seat (21) has a pair of side walls (22) configured to allow said scoop element (7) to be housed in a vertical position.

6. Plant (14) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said storage portion (20) comprises a plurality of housing seats (21) adjacent to each other.

7. Plant (14) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said storage portion (20) comprises a comb element (23) coupled with movement means (24) adapted to allow the positioning of each of said scoop elements (7) in an insertion position.

8. Plant (14) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said dispensing assembly (18) comprises at least one containment body (31) of said fluid foodstuff (3) coupled to said forming assembly (17), said dispensing ducts (25) being arranged inferiorly to said containment body (31).

9. Plant (14) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said forming assembly (17) comprises a plurality of dispensing ducts (25) in fluidic communication with said dispensing assembly (18), said strip of papermaking material (C) being intended, in use, to adhere to each of said dispensing ducts (25).

10. Plant (14) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said storage portion (20) is arranged substantially orthogonally to said forming assembly (17).

11. Plant (14) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that each of said dispensing ducts (25) comprises a positioning portion (26) of said scoop element (7).

12. Plant (14) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said positioning portion (26) comprises at least one interlocking seat (27) of said scoop element (7), said insertion position being defined where there is said interlocking seat (27).

13. Plant (14) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said dispensing ducts (25) are associated with rotational means (28) and are adapted to allow the rotation thereof between:

said insertion position wherein said scoop element (7) is housed in said interlocking seat (27) facing said storage portion (20); and

said dispensing position wherein said scoop element (7) is housed in said interlocking seat (27) opposite said storage portion (20).

14. Plant (14) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said forming assembly (17) comprises movement means (24) of said containment casing (2) from a forming position wherein said strip of papermaking material (C) is arranged where there is said storage portion (20) to a sealing position wherein said containment casing (2) is arranged where there is a sealing assembly (29) arranged inferiorly to said storage portion (20).

15. Plant (14) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said dispensing assembly (18) is arranged above said storage portion (20) and said forming assembly (17).

16. Plant (14) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said dispensing assembly (18) comprises dosing means of said fluid foodstuff (3).

17. Plant (14) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said dosing means comprise at least one rotating body arranged where the bottom of said containment body (31) is located and provided with a plurality of dosing seats.

18. Plant (14) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said sealing assembly (29) comprises sealing means (30) adapted to make at least one of either a longitudinal seal or an ending seal on said containment casing (2).

19. Sachet (1) for the containment of a fluid foodstuff, particularly for granular, powdery, creamy, liquid products or the like, comprising at least one containment casing (2) made at least partly of a paper-like material, adapted to contain a predefined amount of a fluid foodstuff (3) and defining a containment volume (4), characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one scoop element (7) housed within said containment volume (4) and adapted to allow, as a result of an external pressure exerted on said containment casing (2) by a hand of a user, the tear-opening thereof to allow the outflow of said fluid foodstuff (3).

20. Sachet (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said scoop element (7) comprises a main body (8) having an elongated conformation and provided with a first end (9) and with a second end (10) opposite each other.

21. Sachet (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that at least one of either said first end (9) or said second end (10) has a mixing portion (11).

22. Sachet (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it is movable, as a result of said external pressure exerted on said containment casing (2) between: wherein said mixing portion (11), during the movement between said closure position and said opening position, breaks at least one portion of said containment casing (2) by defining an opening (12) thereon to allow the outflow of said fluid foodstuff (3).

a closure position wherein said containment casing (2) is intact and stretched, said scoop element (7) being positioned within said containment volume (4); and

an opening position wherein said containment casing (2) is at least partly torn and folded back on itself, said scoop element (7) protruding at least partly outside said containment volume;

23. Sachet (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said containment casing (2) has an elongated conformation provided with a first ending portion (5) and with a second ending portion (6) opposite each other, in use, said first ending portion (5) being arranged above said second ending portion (6).

24. Sachet (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that, in use, said mixing portion (11) is arranged where said first ending portion (5) is located.

25. Sachet (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said containment casing (2) has a substantially cylindrical conformation.

26. Sachet (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said mixing portion (11) has a curvilinear profile.

27. Sachet (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said main body (8) has a predefined width, said mixing portion (11) having a relevant greater width than said predefined width of said main body (8).

28. Sachet (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said mixing portion (11) has a pointed conformation.