DESCRIPTION

Field of The Art

The invention relates to liquid receptacles. In particular, it relates to the hygienic composite element covering at least the part of the receptacle (glass, cup, etc.), in which the consumable item is found, which comes in contact with at least the mouth during the cold or hot consumption of tea, coffee and similar consumable items.

Description of the Known State of the Art and Known Problems of the Art

Nowadays, as a part of crowded society there is an increasing demand for hygiene against contagious diseases. Therefore the demand for disposable, customisable products which appeal to all users increases with each passing day. Various precautions can be taken in order to disseminate social consumption. An example thereof is the disposable plastic mouth tip inserted onto hookahs. Consumer's demands increase with products provided separately and offered in individual, enclosed packets. Thus, a significant economic profit is obtained with the provision of hygiene.

Due to the contact of the receptacle with the consumer during the consumption of liquids within receptacles such as glasses and cups, an unhygienic environment is created. Diseases may spread as a result of the unhygienic use of the receptacle by another person or as a result of an ill person touching the rim of the receptacle.

In general, may diseases can spread from the parts which our mouths contact during the use of receptacles that we use in our everyday life. The spreading of epidemics may occur as a result of the potential of germs (bacteria, viruses, etc.) spreading on the parts of the receptacles which our mouths come in contact with. In such a case, the spreading of contagious diseases that threaten society may come in question. In order to avoid this, hygiene rules need to be followed, especially in public areas.

In the patent application TR 20Ί 10Ό321Α2, titled "Disposable paper cup with an integral spoon", the invention provides practical use for the quickly prepared beverage industry and is a cup arrangement comprising at least one chamber with an opening area which houses the liquid to be drunk and contains a spoon handle, having a hanging fixed onto the opening area, within the said cup arrangement and a spoon containing a mixing surface having at least one fixed side stuck to the base of the said chamber. Also, the invention contains a storage where tea, coffee and sugar which can be mixed into the water in powder of pulp form is found and which has a permeable surface enabling it to mix with the liquid within the chamber on the base part of the cup arrangement. A disposable cup arrangement is provided as a solution.

In the European Patent document EP136700 B1 , titled "Cup-shaped receptacle and lid", the cup-shaped receptacle has an outer bead to be clipped onto the plastic lid on the opening area. A circumferentially extending clamping groove is present on the lid in order to receive the bead. The clamping groove continues outwardly with an elastically expandable constriction, and a U-web located below the height position of the constriction and an inner leg wall being a part of the dome wall of an upwardly protruding dome continues inwards with the outer leg wall of the U-shaped lid recess extending circumferentially.

Thus, a cup-shaped receptacle and lid is provided as a solution.

Description of the Objects of the Invention and the Problems Aimed to Be Resolved

Based upon the present art, the object of the invention is to resolve the problems within the present embodiments and to develop a hygienic composite element for a liquid receptacle to aid in protecting public health and to additionally provide many advantages.

Another object of the invention is to produce a hygienic composite element on the part of the liquid receptacle in contact with the mouth.

A further object of the invention is to prevent the spreading of diseases, which threaten human health, from the parts of the liquid receptacle in contact with the mouth. An even further object of the invention is to be able to provide different flavours and medications as the hygienic composite element mounted onto the opening area of the liquid receptacle is of a structure containing medications, sweeteners, various flavourings and sugar. Due to the composite structure, the areas of usage and the objects of the product are disseminated through the additional features added to the product during and/or after the production of the hygienic composite element. The desired features of consumable items which are consumed either hot or cold may be changed or developed with the product. For example, it will be possible to consume prepared plain (unsweetened) Turkish coffee with little, a mild amount or plenty of sugar, to adjust the amount of salt in serially produced Ayran according to individual preferences and standard levels, to easily and practically meet the hygiene demands of especially sensitive people with one application and to enable the release of specific sugars or controlled drug release in certain doses in patients, mainly diabetics. In order to carry out the objects of the invention, the hygienic composite element for a liquid receptacle providing many advantages has been developed.

Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is an illustration of a representative application of the invention.

Figure 2 is an illustration of a representative application of the invention from a different view.

Figure 3 is an illustration of a representative application of the invention from a different view and from above.

Figure 4 is an illustration of the hygienic element in a representative application of the invention.

Reference Numbers

1 Liquid receptacle 2 Hygienic composite element

3 Opening area Detailed Description of the Invention and Alternative Embodiments

A hygienic composite element (2) enabling the prevention of contact with the consumer during the consumption of the liquid within liquid receptacles (1 ) such as glasses and cups has been developed. Hygiene is enabled during consumption by means of the hygienic composite element (2) assembled onto the opening area (3) of the liquid receptacle (1) found in the consumption item. During consumption, the hygienic composite element (2) maintains its formal structure and does not disintegrate (degradation) structurally. It provides all the desired functions without being affected by external factors, mainly the heat and the coid and without causing a loss in the features of the consumable item.

Apart from the availability of producing a composite structure, hygienic composite elements (2) can be produced from present or innovative materials having a very low tendency to react such as polypropylene or polyethylene to be protected from external factors. Hygienic composite elements (2) having a hard or soft/f!exibfe structure may be produced using polymer processing methods being both suitable and unsuitable for present and innovative composites, particularly injection moulding, extrusion and electrospinning depending on the needs of the consumer. Thus, products having various contents, structures and forms may be produced according to the habits of use in addition to the place and method of use. For example, the product removed from the packet can be assembled ready for use without being touched. The direct contact of the consumer is prevented by means of the hygienic composite element (2) positioned onto the opening area (3) in contact with at least the mouth of the liquid receptacle (1) such as a glass, cup, etc. during the cold or hot consumption of consumable items such as tea, coffee, etc. Thus, the spreading of diseases is prevented during consumption from liquid receptacles (1) used in public and common areas.

Apart from being disposable, the product provides a major advantage by having varieties and being customisable. The hygienic composite element (2) may provide personal use by means of the aromatic and drug containing components within its structure. The consumption of various flavours or medications this way enabfes the overcoming of possible issues. Apart from having pleasing tastes, it enables taking medications at the right times. A hygienic composite element (2) of a liquid receptacle (1) containing at least one hygienic composite element (2) which enables a hygienic environment at the time of contact of the consumer with the liquid therein is formed on the liquid receptacle (1). At least one hygienic composite element (2) formed on the opening area (3) of the liquid receptacle (1) contains at least one functional chemical in the structure of the hygienic composite element (2). A composite structure is formed in which chemicals such as flavourings and medications that are not hazardous to human health and are suitable for use in the food industry are present.

A hygienic composite element (2) is mainly comprised of materials having a very low tendency to react such as polypropylene or polyethylene, and covers the opening area (3) on the liquid receptacle such as a glass or cup and is not affected by the consumption of the liquid.

A hygienic barrier is formed between the consumer and the liquid during the consumption of the liquid within the liquid receptacle (1) with the disposable hygienic composite element (2) containing various flavourings and/or medications according to personal preference.