The invention relates to a single-dose container for liquids and/or solids,

In particular the container is preferably made in a sachet shape and is useful for the conservation and transport of fruit juices, integrators or other drinks including medical or pharmaceutical drinks.

The prior art describes sachet containers of many and various shapes, all having in common an external wrapper made of a deformable material and provided with an opening which generally exhibits a spout having a cap through which the contents of the wrapper can be poured or drunk directly. The spout is generally external of the deformable wrapper and exhibits a small portion by which it is associated to the wrapper.

Obviously the known-type containers are suitable for containing liquid substances which can be consumed either by drinking through the spout thereof; but they function much less effectively in conservation of solid substances, for example when the liquid in the container is frozen.

An example of prior art container is disclosed in US 6076664, wherein a pouch for holding liquids includes a pre-inserted straw within the pouch. A top end of the straw is exposed by removing a portion of the pouch. A single straw of suitable length to fit within the confines of a resulting pouch is cut from a continuous length of straw material. The single straw is placed onto the web of packaging material in a location that will be on the inside surface of a single wall of the pouch and there it is secured in place preferably by a heat seal between one side of the straw and the inside surface of the pouch wall. The straw of US 6076664 is therefore not suitable to be used as a stick for holding the content of the pouch, if such content is frozen. Furthermore the pouch is not suitable to be completely removed in order to free completely the content of the pouch when forzen.

A second example of prior art container is disclosed in GB 980859, wherein a bag or package for liquids comprises a temporarily sealed top opening or a portion designated to be removed to form an opening, communicating with a channel extending to the adjacent bag bottom, the channel in one embodiment receiving a straw during use. The channel may be formed by seals between opposed bag walls and a further seal may be provided to give an air inlet duct. The package may be opened by pulling apart the corners to rupture the seal or the corner may be cut off.

A third example of prior art container is disclosed in JP 9295675, wherein a container body is formed in such a manner that a laminate sheet formed by layering a heat melting resin of aluminum foil and polyethylene on a synthetic resin film of a polyester or polyimide is formed into a cylindrical shape and formed into a bag-like shape by three-way sealing. An end part of a break tape is arranged in a manner to slightly protrude from a sealing part provided vertically in the container body. Further, a mouth is molded from a synthetic resin such as a polyethylene and a mouthpiece which is detachably covered with a lid is provided on the upper part. A nearly oblong attaching part is provided at the top end edge of the peripheral face of the container body by heat sealing or adhering. Also, at the lower side of the mouthpiece of the mouth, a straw for sucking a drink in the container body from the top end of the mouthpiece is integrally attached.

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a single-dose container which is practical and functional both when it contains a liquid and when it contains a solid. In the first case the container is suitable for drinking the liquid direct from the container through a straw, and in the second case the container is very easy to remove, while the straw can function as a handle for the frozen product.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will better emerge from the detailed description made here with reference to the accompanying figures of the drawings, offered purely by way of non-limiting example and in which;

• Figure 1 is an overall view of the container;
• Figure 2 is the container in a first use configuration;
• Figure 3 is the container in a second use configuration.

With reference to the figures of the drawings, the container of the invention comprises a wrapper 2, provided with at least an opening 3, and at least a straw 4, i.e. a relatively slim tubular element arranged sealedly through the opening 3 in order to extend internally of the wrapper 2 and project partially externally of the wrapper 2. The wrapper 2 is constituted by a deformable sachet, realised in laminate for food use, which can be easily compressed to encourage the exit of the liquid contained internally thereof through the straw 4. The straw 4 extends for a considerable length internally of the wrapper 2, close up to an opposite edge of the wrapper 2 from the edge thereof affording the opening 3. When the contents of the wrapper 2 are frozen, the straw 4 is imprisoned in the solid frozen mass and can very practically be used as a support stick for the contents. If on the other hand the contents of the wrapper 2 are liquid, the straw 4 can be used for its classic purpose, to dispense the contents.

The wrapper 2 comprises a removable appendix 5 predisposed hermetically to close the portion of straw 4 which projects externally of the wrapper 2. The removable appendix 5 obviously has a hygienic purpose and serves to protect the straw 4 from possible contaminations, as well as to close the wrapper 2 and prevent exit of the contents (if the contents are liquid). The appendix 5 can be removed, the removal thereof being facilitated by the presence of perforated lines and/or peripheral incisions.

The wrapper 2 is predisposed to be at least partly opened in order to dispense its contents. As can be seen in figure 3, the wrapper 2 is realised by coupling two layers of laminated material for food use, which exhibit a joining edge which is detachable by traction of two shaped limbs or two corners 2a left unjoined. Additionally, tear lines or recesses can for example be positioned along the sides of the wrapper 2 to facilitate opening of the wrapper by tugging on the shaped limbs. Where the contents of the wrapper 2 are solid, the whole wrapper can be removed to reveal an iced-lollipop type product. Freezing the contents of the wrapper 2 can be particularly useful where the flavour of the contents is particularly intense, as the taste of a frozen item is considerably less strong than that of the same item when in the liquid state; this is particularly worth bearing in mind when the item is to be given to a child.