I would like to see a sugar packet that doesn't take two hands to use. When I get my morning coffee and bagel, it's always the same thing. There's a line of people waiting for milk and sugar. When it's my turn I grab 3 packets at one end, flip back and forth several times flubba flubba flubba to force the sugar down, rip all three open with two hands, pour some in my coffee, some on the counter, throw the packets away with sugar still in them, etc.
How about a clever packet that you simply squeeze at one end and the other end pops open. It would be faster, less spillage, less wait, and you could even do it while walking.
This would also be helpful in combating the chaos around the coffeepot at break time at a conference.
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How would it work? This "simply squeeze at one end and the other end pops open" bit. What did you have in mind for the way it would work?
What if the sugar container were a fairly rigid tube with a seam or serration at around the midpoint. It might be possible to crack it open using one hand by bending it against a middle finger in some cool nonchalant manner.
It's a decent idea but isn't it sort of covered by the upright glass sugar dispenser? But, then again, maybe people don't like using those things and prefer the supposedly sanitary individual packets. Alright, you swayed me, I'm for it.
A large ampule of flexible plastic tear-drop shaped with a nipple at one end, the tip of which was more susceptible to pressure might work. If it was filled with a sweet sugar syrup a squeeze on the main body would fracture the tip and a squirt of syrup would be the equivalent to a teaspoon of sugar. this could easily be managed with one hand and the empty container discarded.
I do think that it's a good idea, but the problem would be with shipping it, I think. Right now, you can drop a carton of sugar-filled paper packets and nothing much happens. But what happens if you drop a cartonful of rigid containers with perforations specially designed to crack under pressure?
If the ampule of syrup was made as a small square sheet of two identical vacuum formed flexible plastic adhered with the tear drop cavity in the center with the nipple towards one edge or corner, there should be no trouble with fragility as the pressure to cause the squirt would be far larger than that caused by an accidental drop. The packets could be dispensed as a ribbon with perforations in the ribbon for easy tear off.
How about a sugar "pill" that you can dispense like a PEZ dispenser (surely you remember PEZ candy, don't you?). Each "pill" would be worth one teaspoon of sugar, and you can easily dispense the pills with one hand. When finished, simply stick the dispenser in your pocket. Anyone for Pez-flavored coffee????
My basic (time consuming) problem is not opening the sugar packets, but reopening the top of the coffee cup, and then finding a stirrer to stir the sugar in the coffee, with a lot of spillage opportunities in between. Maybe a sugar pill (like the idea above)that is small enough to enter the coffee cup through the sipper hole that "explodes" in the coffee upon impact, so that stirring is not necessary.
Manufacturing / unit cost might be just a slight issue. :)
How about a sugar dispenser that dispenses exact lumps instead?
I added a possible implementation of your wish to the ideas in this category. It's at How to improve sugar packets
Hope you like it.
Put the sugar in similar packages as the cream is.
How about a clever dispenser that you simply squeeze the handle with one hand and it dispenses pre-measured quantity of 1/2 a teaspoon at a time. Well, I invented one and I called it the Tspooner. The "One Hand Squeeze and Release Dispensing System" will ensure consistency, accuracy, cleanliness and speed. Go see it at www.tspooner.com It
One of the fast food joints has salt in packages like this. Wendy's, maybe. The centre of the packet bulges a bit and is more rigid. The end snaps back to let you pour your salt out. I don't see why they couldn't do the same thing for sugar. Packets, though, are easier for those of us who don't use a full packet at a time. I use half a packet of sweetener for my tea.
They stopped making them for some reason but Splenda used to make a solid capsule. I'd love it if they carried that again.