GB2380390A

GB2380390A - Chocolate container for holding alcoholic beverages

Info

Publication number: GB2380390A
Application number: GB0120376A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan William Powell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-08-22
Filing date: 2001-08-22
Publication date: 2003-04-09
Also published as: GB0120376D0

Abstract

A chocolate or composite chocolate/confectionery container 1 encases a standard retail measure 2 of commercial alcoholic liquor. The container is basically ovoid in shape, with a heavy flattened base for ease of handling, or setting down without causing spillage. The chocolate layer is thinner at the top of the container, so that the chocolate can be easily bitten or broken off. The solid component of the invention may incorporate heavier and less expensive edible materials. For example, the base of the container may be made of sugar. The alcoholic liquor may then be drunk straight from the container, or poured into another receptacle.

Description

CHOCOLATE CONTAINER FOR HOLDING AND DELIVERING FULL COMMERCIAL STRENGTH ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES The invention relates to a chocolate container as a vessel for alcoholic beverages (not alcohol beverages in syrup).

Liqueur chocolates, ie small individual chocolates containing commercial brands of alcoholic liquor as a syrup, have been produced for some considerable time. However, such chocolates are not, themselves, a means to contain and present an alcoholic beverage at full, or near full commercial strength.

The invention described herein provides a practical means for a chocolate container to convey a recognised (ie legal retail) measure of commercial alcoholic liquor. In addition to providing a new means to"deliver"the alcoholic beverage, the invention is so designed as to also provide a means to obtain excise duty relief on the total alcohol content of the product This duty relief, contained in European law, is available so long as the product does not exceed 8.5 litres of pure alcohol per 100kg of solid product. The excise duty relief is contained within Article 27 (1) (f) of Council Directive 92/83/EEC.

Accordingly, this invention provides a practical way to present commercial alcoholic drinks in an edible chocolate, or chocolate composite container. The container may itself act as a direct drinking vessel, as well as being edible. The design and composition of the invention provides for full excise duty relief to be obtained, since the construction of the container is such that, although a full strength alcoholic beverage may be contained inside, the ratio of alcohol to the finished product does not exceed 8.5 litres of pure alcohol per 100 kg of solid product.

The invention permits a variety of mixtures of chocolate and other confectionery to be used as the container for the alcoholic beverage. In order that the alcohol content remains well within the ratio of alcohol to solid product, the solid component of the invention may incorporate heavier and less expensive edible materials. For example, the base of the container may be surrounded by a sugar"finish", or may be made from fudge, nuts, toffee or other such confectionery.

The container is basically ovoid in shape (but other shapes may be utilised), with a heavy flattened base for ease of handling, or setting down without causing spillage. The chocolate layer is thinner at the top of the container, so that the chocolate can be easily bitten or broken off The alcoholic liquor may then be drunk straight from the container, or may be poured in to another receptacle. The container may also be capable of being seated in an outer container of plastic or similar material, for ease of packaging, more hygienic handling or setting down.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE I shows a section view of a solid chocolate container, which may or may not have a thin inner sugar coating (1). In this example, the weight of the chocolate (or chocolate

sugar composite) will be 60 grams The beverage contained within (2) would comprise 25 1 mi of a liqueur (ie a standard retail measure) of a strength of 17% alcohol by volume.

FIGURE 2 shows a section view of a solid chocolate container, which may or may not have a thin sugar inner coating (1), with a heavy sugar base (3). In this example, the weight of the chocolate (or chocolate sugar composite) will be 60 grams. The beverage contained within (2) would comprise 25 ml of a liqueur (ie a standard retail measure) of a strength of 17% alcohol by volume FIGURE 3 shows a section view of a solid chocolate container, which may or may not have a thin sugar inner coating, with a heavy fudge, or toffee or similar confectionery base. In this example, the weight of the chocolate (or chocolate sugar composite) will be 60 grams The beverage contained within would comprise 25 ml of a liqueur (ie a standard retail measure) of a strength of 17% alcohol by volume FIGURE 4 shows how the container may be fitted into a base or cup (4).

Claims

CLAIMS 1 A chocolate or composite chocolate/confectionery container to convey a recognised measure of commercial alcoholic liquor. The container is so designed as to provide a means to obtain excise duty relief on the total alcohol content of the product. This duty relief is available so long as the product does not exceed 8.5 litres of pure alcohol per 100kg of solid product. The excise duty relief is contained within Article 27 (l) (f) of Council Directive 92/83/EEC.
2. A chocolate or composite chocolate/confectionery container to convey a recognised measure of commercial alcoholic liquor as claimed in Claim 1 where the container may itself act as a direct drinking vessel, as well as being edible.
3. A chocolate or composite chocolate/confectionery container to convey a recognised measure of commercial alcoholic liquor as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2, where the solid component of the invention may incorporate heavier and less expensive edible materials. For example, the base of the container may be surrounded by a sugar"finish", or may be made from fudge, nuts, toffee or other confectionery.
4. A chocolate or composite chocolate/confectionery container to convey a recognised measure of commercial alcoholic liquor as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 and Claim 3 where the container is basically ovoid in shape (but other shapes may be utilised), with a heavy flattened base for ease of handling, or setting down without causing spillage. The chocolate layer is thinner at the top of the container, so that the chocolate can be easily bitten or broken off. The alcoholic liquor may then be drunk straight from the container, or may be poured in to another receptacle.
5. A container as claimed in any preceding claim where the container may also be capable of being seated in an outer container of plastic or similar material, for convenience of packaging, more hygienic handling or setting down.