Abstract:
A package for transferring a powdered nutrient from the package into a water bottle without spilling the powdered nutrient during the process of transferring is disclosed. The package has an end portion which is sufficiently small to be inserted into the neck of the water bottle and the main portion which is sufficiently large so that the main portion cannot be inserted into the neck of the water bottle. To transfer the powdered nutrient from the package into the water bottle, the end portion is torn to create an opening through which the powdered nutrient is emptied from the package. The end portion is inserted into the neck of the bottle and an edge or step between the end portion and the main portion rests on an edge of the neck as a powdered nutrient is poured into the water bottle. Any remaining powdered nutrient in the package is transferred into the water bottle by lightly shaking the package.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The various aspects described herein relate to packaging with a powdered substance that facilitates spill proof transfer of the powdered substance into a bottle. 
         [0004]    Powdered edible substances for mixing with water are typically sold in large containers. By way of example and not limitation, powdered protein and fiber supplements are typically sold in bulk in at least a one liter container. To consume the powdered substance, the user scoops the powdered substance and transfers the powdered substance to a cup. However, in the process of transferring the powdered substance from the container to the cup, oftentimes, the powdered substances is spilled thereby requiring the user to clean up after mixing and consuming the powdered substance. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved method and apparatus for transferring powdered edible substances into water. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A package is disclosed wherein the package defines a main portion and an end portion. The main portion is sufficiently large so that the main portion cannot be inserted into a neck or opening of a water bottle. The end portion is sufficiently small so that the end portion can be inserted into the neck of the water bottle. The end portion also has the ability to be torn so that the contents within the package can be poured out of the opening formed in the end portion. To pour the powdered substance into a water bottle, the user tears the end portion, inserts the end portion into the neck of the water bottle. A step between the end portion and the main portion rests on the upper edge of the bottle opening. At this time, the powdered substance in the package flows into the water bottle. If any powdered substance remains in the package, the user can lightly shake the package in order to facilitate or encourage the remaining powdered substance to flow out of the opening of the end portion and into the water bottle. By inserting the end portion into the neck of the water bottle, the powdered substance does not spill and create a mess and does not need to be cleaned up by the user. 
         [0007]    More particularly, a package of pouring powdered substance into a water bottle without spilling the powdered substance is disclosed. The package may comprise a powdered protein nutrient and an elongate tube. The elongate tube may define a main portion and an end portion. The main portion may define a first cavity with less than 50 grams of the powdered protein nutrient disposed in the first cavity. The main portion of the elongate tube may have a length greater than a width when the main portion of the tube is filled with the powdered protein nutrient. The width of the main portion may be greater than ⅞ inch when filled with the powdered protein nutrient. The end portion of the elongate tube may have a width less than the main portion. The end portion may have a second cavity. The end portion of the elongate tube may have an outer circumference equal to or less than an inner circumference of a neck of a water bottle wherein the neck of the water bottle has an inner diameter of 13/16 inch so that the end portion may be inserted into the neck of the water bottle while an edge between the end portion and the main portion rests on an edge of the neck to ensure that the package does not inadvertently slip into the water bottle and the powdered protein nutrient is guided into the water bottle without spilling the powdered protein nutrient. 
         [0008]    The first cavity may more preferably be sized to fit about 30 grams of the powdered protein nutrient. 
         [0009]    The end portion may have a funnel shape. The funnel shaped end portion may be offset to a side of the width of the elongate tube. Alternatively, the funnel shaped end portion may be disposed medially with respect to the width of the elongate tube. 
         [0010]    The powdered protein nutrient may be powdered whey protein isolate. 
         [0011]    The package may further comprise a water impermeable inner lining disposed on an interior side of the elongate tube so that the first and second cavities are liquid tight. 
         [0012]    An outer circumference of an opening at the end portion may be equal to or less than an inner circumference of the neck of the water bottle. 
         [0013]    A slit may be located at a heat sealed edge portion of the end portion to facilitate tearing of the end portion and the outer circumference of the opening at the end portion is smaller than an inner circumference of the neck of the water bottle. 
         [0014]    In another aspect, a method of pouring a powdered protein nutrient into a water bottle without spilling the powdered protein nutrient is disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of providing a package having an elongate tube defining an end portion, the elongate tube sufficiently large to hold less than about 50 grams of powdered protein nutrient; removing a cap from a water bottle having a neck wherein an inner diameter of the neck is equal to or less than 13/16 inch; removing a sufficient amount of water from the water bottle to provide space within the water bottle so that the amount of powdered protein nutrient disposed in the package is entirely disposable within the water bottle when the cap is engaged to the neck of the water bottle; rupturing the end portion of the elongate tube of the package containing the powdered protein nutrient; inserting an edge of the ruptured end portion into the neck of the water bottle; and shaking the elongate tube so that the powdered protein nutrient flows down into the water bottle through the neck of the water bottle without spilling the powdered protein nutrient. 
         [0015]    The providing step may comprise the step of providing the package sufficient to hold 30 grams of powdered protein nutrient. 
         [0016]    The rupturing step may comprise the step of tearing the end portion at a slit. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates a package containing a powdered nutrient and a water bottle; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  illustrates a lid of the water bottle shown in  FIG. 1  removed from the water bottle and the package; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of a neck of the water bottle; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  illustrates a partial side view of the package shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an end portion of the package at a slit for facilitating tearing of the end portion; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the end portion compared to that shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an end portion of the package shown in  FIG. 6  at a slit for facilitating tearing of the end portion; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  illustrates the end portion of the package shown in  FIG. 1  inserted into the neck of the water bottle to transfer the powdered nutrient in the package to the water bottle without spilling the powdered nutrient. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    Referring now to the drawings, a package  10  for pouring a powdered substance  12  into a water bottle  14  having a narrow neck  16  without spilling the powdered substance  12  is shown. The package  10  has an end portion  18   a, b  which can be torn so that the powdered substance  12  disposed within the package  10  may be poured out of the end portion  18   a, b  directly into the water bottle  14 . The size of the end portion  18   a, b  is sufficiently small so that the end portion  18  may be inserted into the narrow neck  16  of the water bottle  14  and all of the powdered substance  12  poured into the water bottle  14  without spilling the powdered substance  12 . The package  10  may contain about 30 grams of the powdered substance (e.g., powdered whey protein isolate) to provide an optimal amount of nutrients to an adult human being. 
         [0027]    The package  10  may have an elongate tube configuration having a main portion  20  and the end portion  18   a, b , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The elongate tube may be a fin sealed package  10 . The main portion  20  of the elongate tube of the package  10  may also be sized to hold about 20 grams to about 50 grams of the powdered substance  12 . By way of example and not limitation, the powdered substance  12  may be a whey, protein, whey protein isolate, fiber, nutritional supplement, dietary supplement or combinations thereof. The main portion  20  of the elongate tube of the package  10  may define a first cavity which holds the powdered substance and is sized and configured to hold between about 20 grams to about 50 grams of the powdered substance  12 . Preferably, the first cavity is sized and configured to hold 30 grams of the powdered substance  12 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the end portion  18   a  of the elongate tube of the package  10  may have a funnel shape. The funnel shaped end portion  18   a  may have a reducing width  22  in which the width  22  is larger near the main portion  20  of the elongate tube compared to an end  24  of the funnel shaped end portion  18   a . Other configurations are also contemplated. By way of example and not limitation, the width  22  may be constant throughout the entire length from a part of the end portion  18   a  that joins with the main portion  20  to the end  24  of the end portion  18   a . It is also contemplated that the end  24  may be greater than a part of the end portion  18   a  closer to the main portion  20  of the elongate tube of the package  10 . 
         [0029]    The end portion  18   a  may be formed by simultaneously die cutting and heat sealing an edge portion  26  that defines the shape of the end portion  18   a . The funnel shape may be die cut into the end portion  18   a  during the filling and packaging process. Moreover, a slit  28  may be formed in the edge portion  26  so that a user can rip the funnel shaped end portion  18   a  at the slit  28  to form an opening at the end portion  18   a . A width  22   a  of the funnel shaped end portion  18   a  at the slit  28  may in all configurations of the funnel shaped end portion  18   a  be sufficiently small to allow the end  24   a  of the funnel shaped end portion  18   a  at the slit  28   a  to be inserted into the narrow neck  16  of the water bottle  14 . 
         [0030]    The width  22   a  of the end  24   a  may be less than an inner diameter  30  (See  FIG. 3 ) of the narrow neck  16  of the water bottle  14 . After the funnel shaped end portion  18   a  is ripped at the slit  28 , the user may slip the end  24   a  into the narrow neck  16  of the water bottle wall  14  and begin to shake the package  10  so that the powdered substance  12  in the first cavity begins to exit out of the funnel shaped end portion  18  into the water bottle  14  without any spillage of the powdered substance  12  outside of the water bottle. Alternatively, the end  24   a  of the funnel shaped end portion  18   a  at the slit  28  may define an outer circumference  32 . (see  FIG. 5 ). The outer circumference  32  may be less than an inner circumference  34  of the narrow neck  16  of the water bottle  14 . The fin  36  at the end portion  18   a  may be tucked in on the side of the funnel shaped end portion  18   a  so that the funnel shaped end portion  18  can be easily inserted into the narrow neck of the water bottle  14 . 
         [0031]    The width  36  of the main portion  20  may be greater than the inner diameter  30  of the narrow neck  16  of the water bottle  14 . The width  36  of the main portion  20  may be measured when the package  10  is empty and the main portion  20  is flat. Alternatively, the width  36  of the main portion  20  may be measured when the package  10  is filled with the powdered substance. In this case, the main portion  20  will be generally cylindrically shaped and the width  36  of the main portion  20  may be that of the main portion  21  filled with the powdered substance. Preferably, the width  36  of the main portion is greater than the inner diameter  30  of the narrow neck  16  of the water bottle  14  when the width  36  of the main portion  20  is measured when the powdered substance is filled in the main portion  20  so that the main portion  20  is not inserted into the water bottle when pouring the powdered substance into the water bottle. The purpose is to prevent full insertion of the elongate tube into the water bottle. The step  38  between the end portion  18   a  and the main portion  20  contacts the upper edge  40  of the narrow neck  16  of the water bottle  14  so that only the end portion  18   a  of the elongate tube of the package  10  can be inserted into the narrow neck  16  of the water bottle  14 . 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 6 , two different shapes for the end portion  18   a, b  are shown. In  FIG. 4 , the end portion  18   a  is skewed to one side of the width  36  of the main body  20 . In contrast, in  FIG. 6 , the end portion  18   b  is disposed in the middle of the width  36  of the main body  20 . Nevertheless, both shapes  18   a, b  function in the same manner. In particular, as discussed above in relation to the end portion  18   a , the end portion  18   b  may be formed by simultaneously die cutting and heat sealing an edge portion  26  that defines the shape of the end portion  18   b . The funnel shape may be die cut into the end portion  18   b  during the filling and packaging process. Moreover, a slit  28   b  may be formed in the edge portion and partially penetrate the edge portion  26  so that a user can grip the end portion  18   b  at the slit  28   b  to form an opening at the end portion  18   b . A width  22   b  of the funnel shaped end portion  18   b at the slip  28  be may be inserted into the narrow neck  16  of the water bottle  14 . 
         [0033]    The width  22   b  of the end  24   b may be less than an inner diameter  30  of the narrow neck  16  of the water bottle  14 . After the funnel shaped end portion  18   b  is ripped at the slit  28   b , the user may slip the end  24   b  into the narrow neck of the water bottle  14  and begin to shake the package  10  so that the powdered substance in the first cavity begins to exit out of the funnel shaped end portion  18   b  into the water bottle  14  without any spillage of the powdered substance  12 . Alternatively, the end  24   b  of the funnel shaped end portion  18   b  at the slit  28   b  may define an outer circumference  32   b  (see  FIG. 7 ) may be less than the inner circumference  34  of the narrow neck  16  of the water bottle  14 . The fim  36   b  at the end portion  18   b  may be tucked in on the side of the funnel shaped end portion  18   b  so that the funnel shaped end portion  18   b  can be easily inserted into the narrow neck  16  of the water bottle  14 . 
         [0034]    The width  36   b  of the main portion  20  may be greater than the inner diameter  30  of the narrow neck  16  of the water bottle  14 . The purpose is to prevent full insertion of the elongate tube into the water bottle  14  when the powdered substance  12  is being poured into the water bottle  14 . The step  38   b  between the end portion  18   b  and the main portion  20  may contact upper edge  40  of the narrow neck  16  of the water bottle  14  so that only the end portion  18   b  of the elongate tube of the package  10  can be inserted into the narrow neck  16  of the water bottle  14 . This permits for spill proof transfer of the powdered substance  12  from the package  10  into the water bottle  14 . 
         [0035]    To pour the powered substance  12  into the water bottle  14 , the user tears the end portion  18   a, b  at the slit  28 . The water bottle cap  42  is removed and some water is removed to allow room for the powdered substance  12 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The end portion  18   a, b  is inserted into the narrow neck  16  of the water bottle  14 . The package is now upside down, as shown in  FIG. 8 . The user can shake the package  10  to urge the powdered substance  12  out of the funnel shaped end portion  18   a, b  and directly into the water bottle  14 . The water in the water bottle  14  may be poured out or drunk to make room or space  43  inside the water bottle  14  so that the powdered substance  12  can be inserted or poured into the water bottle  14 , a cap or a lid  42  reengage to the threads of the narrow neck  16 , and the water bottle shaken to mix the powdered substance  12  with the water  44 . When the powdered substance  12  is poured into the water bottle  14 , the powdered substance  12  may initially float on top of the water  44  in the water bottle  14 . As such, after pouring the powdered substance into the water bottle  14 , the water bottle  14  is closed then shaken. 
         [0036]    The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein, including various ways of forming the package. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.