The beverage package of the invention
The beverage packaging line may be formed with a body portion which also acts as the bottom of the package. Alternatively, the body portion may be of an essentially hollow construction in which case the beverage package will have a flexible bottom portion sealed to the body portion adjacent the periphery of the bottom thereof.
Preferably the top portion of the package is made from a flexible material such as aluminium foil or a laminated material, such as a laminate comprising a metal layer laminated to a barrier layer of a plastics material. Many laminates of this type are known in the art and an example thereof is a polyester/aluminium/polypropylene laminate. The optional bottom portion of the beverage packaging line may also be formed from a material of this type.
In one embodiment of the invention the beverage outlet channel is provided in a flange which forms part of the body portion. It is preferred, in this embodiment of the invention, that the flange provided in the body portion should totally surround the compartment containing the beverage ingredients, although it is contemplated that this will not always be necessary. Furthermore, it is also preferred that the beverage outlet channel should extend in the flange around the whole of the periphery of the compartment containing the beverage ingredients. However, the present invention also includes within its scope beverage packages in which the beverage outlet channel extends in the flange only along a part of the periphery of the compartment containing the beverage ingredients. For example, if the beverage packaging machine is of elongate form then the beverage outlet channel may extend along the length of one long edge only.
In another embodiment of the invention a beverage outlet channel is formed along at least a part of the periphery of the compartment containing the beverage ingredients. for a package which is of elongate form a beverage outlet channel may be formed along one or both longitudinal edges of the compartment containing the beverage ingredients. Alternatively, or in addition, a beverage outlet channel may span the compartment containing the beverage ingredients.
The beverage package of the invention may be of any desired shape, although essentially round, rectangular or square packages are preferred. In an embodiment of the invention the package of the present invention preferably has an area which is adapted, when in use, to form an outlet for the beverage from the package. Alternatively, the body portion of the package may also have an outlet formed therein which communicates with the beverage packaging line outlet channel. The outlet of the package may be designed to be opened, in use, by the user for example, by means of tear springs, tear strips or peelable tabs. Alternatively, the package of the present invention may be designed for use with a machine in which the outlet of the package is opened automatically by cutting or piercing, or by the pressure of the water introduced into the package and from which the beverage is made. In the embodiment of the invention in which the package has a region which is intended, in use, to form an outlet for the beverage from the package a V-shape channel may be formed which communicates with the beverage outlet channel so that the beverage is funnelled into a narrow stream for collection in an appropriate cup or other receptacle.
Preferably the top portion of the package is made from a flexible material such as aluminium foil or a laminated material, such as a laminate comprising a metal layer laminated to a barrier layer of a plastics material. Many laminates of this type are known in the art and an example thereof is a polyester/aluminium/polypropylene laminate. The optional bottom portion of the beverage packaging line may also be formed from a material of this type.
In one embodiment of the invention the beverage outlet channel is provided in a flange which forms part of the body portion. It is preferred, in this embodiment of the invention, that the flange provided in the body portion should totally surround the compartment containing the beverage ingredients, although it is contemplated that this will not always be necessary. Furthermore, it is also preferred that the beverage outlet channel should extend in the flange around the whole of the periphery of the compartment containing the beverage ingredients. However, the present invention also includes within its scope beverage packages in which the beverage outlet channel extends in the flange only along a part of the periphery of the compartment containing the beverage ingredients. For example, if the beverage packaging machine is of elongate form then the beverage outlet channel may extend along the length of one long edge only.
In another embodiment of the invention a beverage outlet channel is formed along at least a part of the periphery of the compartment containing the beverage ingredients. for a package which is of elongate form a beverage outlet channel may be formed along one or both longitudinal edges of the compartment containing the beverage ingredients. Alternatively, or in addition, a beverage outlet channel may span the compartment containing the beverage ingredients.
The beverage package of the invention may be of any desired shape, although essentially round, rectangular or square packages are preferred. In an embodiment of the invention the package of the present invention preferably has an area which is adapted, when in use, to form an outlet for the beverage from the package. Alternatively, the body portion of the package may also have an outlet formed therein which communicates with the beverage packaging line outlet channel. The outlet of the package may be designed to be opened, in use, by the user for example, by means of tear springs, tear strips or peelable tabs. Alternatively, the package of the present invention may be designed for use with a machine in which the outlet of the package is opened automatically by cutting or piercing, or by the pressure of the water introduced into the package and from which the beverage is made. In the embodiment of the invention in which the package has a region which is intended, in use, to form an outlet for the beverage from the package a V-shape channel may be formed which communicates with the beverage outlet channel so that the beverage is funnelled into a narrow stream for collection in an appropriate cup or other receptacle.
