Stirrer comprising a sealed package which holds therein a liquid

Abstract

There is provided a pack ( 10 ) in the form of a stirrer for a hot or cold beverage. The stirrer comprises first and second films ( 13, 14 ) sealingly connected around a periphery to enclose a volume in which is disposed a liquid. The liquid is conveniently disposed in an elongate channel ( 15 ) formed in one of the films. Openable portions ( 17, 55 ) are provided at respective ends of the stirrer, one openable portion ( 17 ) allowing the liquid to flow out once opened and the other openable portion ( 55 ) acting as a vent. Each openable portion is opened by peeling apart the two films and has a stronger connection ( 52, 57 ) provided to limit the opening of the ends.

1 . A stirrer comprising a sealed package which holds therein a liquid and which comprises a first film and a second film sealingly joined to each other, said films being fluid tight and fully enclosing therebetween an elongate volume in which the liquid is sealingly retained, wherein the package has a first openable portion at one end and a second openable portion at an opposite end such that when both openable portions are opened the liquid is able to flow out of the opened first openable portion and the second openable portion acts as a vent, wherein each openable portion comprises at least one of the two films having a grippable tab which can be manipulated to peel apart the joint between the films, and wherein the connection between the films is weaker in the region of each openable portion compared to the connection on either side of the openable portion, thereby resisting separation of the films beyond a predetermined amount at each openable portion. 
     
     
         2 . A stirrer as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the films are made from food-grade plastics materials, the first film is flexible and the second film is sufficiently rigid to maintain its shape during and after dispensing of the liquid via the first openable portion. 
     
     
         3 . A stirrer as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the maximum opening of the first openable portion is greater than that of the second openable portion. 
     
     
         4 . A stirrer as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the joint between the first and second films includes a first seal portion in the region of the first openable portion which is relatively weak compared to second seal portions on each side of the first seal portion whereby the second seal portions effect said resistance to further separation to limit the opening of the first openable portion. 
     
     
         5 . A stirrer as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the joint between the first and second films includes a third seal portion in the region of the second openable portion which is relatively weak compared to fourth seal portions on each side of the third seal portion whereby the fourth seal portions effect said resistance to further separation to limit the opening of the second openable portion. 
     
     
         6 . A stirrer as claimed in  claim 5  wherein each of the second seal portions is contiguous with a respective one of the fourth seal portions, the first openable portion being at an opposite end of the stirrer to the second openable portion. 
     
     
         7 . A stirrer as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the first and third seal portions are parts of a continuous peripheral seal between the two films to enclose said volume and the second and fourth seal portions are in the form of additional joints between the two films. 
     
     
         8 . A stirrer as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the second and fourth seal portions are spaced from said peripheral seal. 
     
     
         9 . A stirrer as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the second film incorporates a closed-ended channel in which the liquid is disposed, the first film sealing all around the periphery of the channel to retain the liquid, the first film being peelable from the second film at each end of the channel to open the two openable portions. 
     
     
         10 . A stirrer as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the stirrer comprises one or more further sealed elongate volumes, each having a first and a second openable portion and each containing a liquid, wherein the sealed elongate volumes extend in the same lengthwise direction as each other and are laterally offset from each other. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A stirrer as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the stirrer comprises one or more further sealed elongate volumes, each having a first and a second openable portion and each containing a liquid, wherein the sealed elongate volumes extend in the same lengthwise direction as each other and are laterally offset from each other, and wherein the openable portions of each elongate volume are separately openable to dispense separately the individual liquids contained in the elongate volumes and wherein the separate elongate volumes are defined by a single second film and an individual first film for each elongate volume. 
     
     
         14 . A stirrer as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the lengths of the elongate volumes are different such that the first openable portions are at different locations in the lengthwise direction. 
     
     
         15 . A stirrer as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein a single grippable tab of a single first film opens the first openable portions sequentially. 
     
     
         16 . A stirrer as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said second film is arranged in the shape of an elongate triangular cylinder, at least one of the three sides incorporating one or more of said channels bulging inwardly into the interior of the cylinder. 
     
     
         17 . A stirrer as claimed in  claim 16  wherein each side of said cylinder incorporates one or more of said channels. 
     
     
         18 . A stirrer as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the or each elongate volume has straight parallel lengthwise sides. 
     
     
         19 . A stirrer as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the or each volume has a main volume and an elongate secondary volume extending therefrom and communicating therewith, the first openable portion being provided at the end of the secondary volume remote from the main volume, and an elongate tertiary volume which extends from the main volume and in communication therewith, the second openable portion being provided at the end of the tertiary volume remote from the main volume, the secondary and tertiary volumes extending in opposite directions from the main volume. 
     
     
         20 . A method of using a stirrer as claimed in  claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:
 opening the first and second openable portions, the opened second openable portion acting as a vent to facilitate flow of the liquid out of the first openable portion;   placing the opened first openable portion into a beverage; and   using the stirrer to stir the liquid into the beverage.   
     
     
         21 . A method of using a stirrer as claimed in  claim 10 , the method comprising the steps of:
 opening the first and second openable portions of at least one of the elongate volumes, the opened second openable portion or portions acting as a vent to facilitate flow of the liquid out of the first openable portion or portions;   placing the opened first openable portion or portions into a beverage; and   using the stirrer to stir the liquid from the at least one opened elongate volume into the beverage.   
     
     
         22 . A method of using a stirrer as claimed in  claim 13 , the method comprising the steps of:
 opening the first and second openable portions of at least one of the elongate volumes, the opened second openable portion or portions acting as a vent to facilitate flow of the liquid out of the first openable portion or portions;   placing the opened first openable portion or portions into a beverage; and   using the stirrer to stir the liquid from the at least one open elongate volume into the beverage.