IP Library Granted Patent US 7,790,211
Granted Patent B2
US 7,790,211 · App. 10/565,946 · Granted Sep 7, 2010

Package with partly foamable liquid by means of which a refreshment can be prepared

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,790,211
App. No.
10/565,946
Granted
Sep 7, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A package including a gas and an at least partly foamable liquid ( 2 ) by means of which a refreshment can be prepared, wherein the package is provided with manually operable means ( 7 ) with which a displacement of the gas and the liquid in the package can be effected such that foam formation occurs in the package.

Claims (41)

1. A package for preparing a refreshment, the package including a package space containing a gas and an at least a partly foamable liquid wherein the package is provided with at least one manually operable element with which a displacement of the gas and the liquid in the package can be effected such that foam formation occurs in the package space wherein the package space comprises at least two chambers mutually connected by a channel located there between, the liquid and the gas being displaceable between the at least two chambers via the channel, wherein the channel is associated with a fluid flow disturber for causing turbulence in fluid flowing between the at least two chambers, wherein each of the at least two chambers is configured for being varied by the at least one manually operable element at least as to shape, wherein the at least two chambers are each defined by a flexible wall, wherein alternating distortion of the flexible wall at least partially defining each of the at least two chambers, is configured to cause the liquid and gas to flow through the flow disturber to effect foam formation.

2. The package according to claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the package space has been formed from a material configured so as to be flexible.

3. The package according to claim 2 , wherein the flexible material is also elastic.

4. The package according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one manually operable element comprises a bellows.

5. The package according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one manually operable element comprises a piston within the package space and which can be operated from outside the package.

6. The package according to claim 1 , wherein the package space is provided with at least two separate parts which each comprise at least one of the at least two chambers and which at least two separate parts are connectable to each other.

7. The package according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid flow disturber comprises at least one of a constriction, a gauze, or grid.

8. The package according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least two chambers is at least partly filled with the gas.

9. The package according to claim 8 , wherein at least one of the at least two chambers is at least partly filled with the liquid.

10. The package according to claim 1 wherein at least a part of the package is configured to be transparent.

11. The package according to claim 1 wherein at least a part of the package is made from a plastic sheet.

12. The package according to claim 11 , wherein the plastic sheet is provided with at least one cup-shaped part.

13. The package according to claim 12 , wherein the cup-shaped part can be pressed in for displacing the gas and the liquid in the package.

14. The package according to claim 13 wherein the liquid comprises one of an extract and a concentrate.

15. The package according to claim 14 wherein the extract or the concentrate comprises a coffee extract.

16. The package according to claim 1 further comprising a provision for opening the package space so that the at least partly foamed liquid and the package can be separated from each other.

17. The package according to claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the package is made from a flexible material.

18. The package according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one manually operable element comprises a bellows.

19. The package according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one manually operable element comprises a bellows.

20. The package according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one manually operable element comprises a piston within the package space and which can be operated from outside the package.

21. The package according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one manually operable element comprises a piston within the package space and which can be operated from outside the package.

22. The package according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one manually operable element comprises a piston within the package space and which can be operated from outside the package.

23. The package according to claim 2 , wherein the package space is provided with at least two separate parts which each comprise at least one of the at least two chambers and which at least two separate parts are connectable to each other.

24. The package according to claim 3 , wherein the package space is provided with at least two separate parts which each comprise at least one of the at least two chambers and which at least two separate parts are connectable to each other.

25. The package according to claim 4 , wherein the package space is provided with at least two separate parts which each comprise at least one of the at least two chambers and which at least two separate parts are connectable to each other.

26. The package according to claim 5 , wherein the package space is provided with at least two separate parts which each comprise at least one of the at least two chambers and which at least two separate parts are connectable to each other.

27. The package according to claim 6 , wherein at least one of the at least two chambers is at least partly filled with the gas.

28. A package for creating a foam layer in a liquid refreshment, the package comprising:

a first chamber defined at least partially by a first flexible wall;

a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber and defined at least partially by a second flexible wall;

a flow disturber located between the first chamber and the second chamber and configured to disturb the liquid refreshment flowing between the first chamber and the second chamber;

wherein alternating distortion of the first flexible wall and the second flexible wall is configured to cause liquid refreshment to flow through the flow disturber between the first and second chambers to create the foam layer.

29. The package according to claim 28 , wherein pressure applied to the first flexible wall alters the volume and shape of the first chamber and pressure applied to the second flexible wall alters the volume and shape of the second chamber.

30. An apparatus to generate foam in a liquid, the apparatus comprising:

a first chamber configured to contain at least a first portion of the liquid, the first chamber defined by a side wall, an upper wall, and a bottom wall;

a second chamber coupled to the first chamber and configured to contain at least a second portion of the liquid, the second chamber defined by a side wall, an upper wall, and a bottom wall;

a channel between the first chamber and the second chamber to allow movement of liquid between the first chamber and the second chamber;

wherein at least one of the upper wall or the lower wall of the first chamber is made from a flexible material so that squeezing of the first chamber decreases the volume within the first chamber and forces liquid from the first chamber through the channel and into the second chamber;

wherein at least one of the upper wall or the lower wall of the second chamber is made from a flexible material so that squeezing of the second chamber decreases the volume within the second chamber and forces liquid from the second chamber through the channel and into the first chamber;

wherein movement of the liquid through the channel during use by alternating squeezing of the first chamber and the second chamber introduces gas in the liquid to generate foam.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30 , wherein squeezing of the first chamber changes the volume and space of the first chamber, and squeezing of the second chamber changes the volume and shape of the second chamber.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 29, 2012
From: SARA LEE/DE B.V.
To: KONINKLIJKE DOUWE EGBERTS B.V.
Reel/Frame 028469/0074 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 29, 2012
From: SARA LEE/DE N.V.
To: SARA LEE/DE B.V.
Reel/Frame 028469/0153 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 6, 2007
From: EIJSACKERS, ARMIN SJOERD; TANJA, AGE WILLEM
To: SARA LEE/DE N.V.
Reel/Frame 018862/0869 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 27, 2006
From: EIJSACKERS, ARMIN SJOERD; TANJA, AGE WILLEM
To: SARA LEE/DE N.V.
Reel/Frame 017857/0863 →