Patent Proposes Paper Cup with Sealed Compartment for Powdered Drinks

Cup Ji Foods and Beverages Pvt has developed a paper cup concept with a sealed compartment at its base for storing powdered drink mixes. Featured in ThePackHub’s Patent Zone, the design is intended to keep the premix dry and protected until the consumer is ready to prepare the drink.

The Indian company’s concept uses a small polypropylene bucket fixed to the base of the cup. This holds the powdered premix and is covered with a heat-sealed aluminium foil layer for additional protection.

Published on 3 September 2026, the patent combines ingredient storage and drink preparation within a single cup format.

Keeping Powdered Ingredients Dry

Protecting the premix from moisture is central to the design. The powder is hygroscopic, meaning it readily absorbs moisture, which can cause clumping and spoilage.

To help prevent this, the premix is stored in the polypropylene compartment rather than loose within the cup. The compartment is fixed to the cup using ultrasonic sealing, which uses high-frequency sound waves to bond the materials without adhesives. An aluminium foil layer is then heat-sealed over the compartment.

Together, these components are intended to keep the powder sealed and protected until it is needed.

Combining Storage and Preparation

The concept is designed to make preparing powdered drinks more convenient by incorporating the premix into the cup itself. The consumer can simply add hot water to activate the premix.

The patent identifies potential applications including instant coffee, tea and soup products. In each case, the cup provides both a way to store the dry ingredient before use and a vessel for preparing the final product.

This brings the powdered ingredient and drinking vessel together within a single packaging system, rather than requiring them to be provided separately.

Convenience with an End-of-Life Consideration

ThePackHub’s Vanessa Newcomb sees the convenience of the format, particularly for consumers looking for a simple way to prepare an instant drink or snack. However, the combination of different packaging materials also raises an important consideration:

I love the convenience of this concept, particularly for on-the-go consumers who simply need to add hot water for an instant drink or snack. However, combining paper, polypropylene and aluminium foil does raise questions around recyclability, so I’d be interested to see how the different materials are managed at end of life.

The patent therefore presents an interesting balance between added functionality and packaging complexity. While integrating the premix into the cup could make preparation more convenient, the use of paper, polypropylene and aluminium foil would also need to be considered when assessing how the pack could be managed after use.