WO2019086876A1

WO2019086876A1 - Drink and/or food container assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2019086876A1
Application number: PCT/GB2018/053163
Authority: WO
Inventors: John David White
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-11-01
Filing date: 2018-11-01
Publication date: 2019-05-09
Anticipated expiration: 2020-05-01
Also published as: GB201718079D0; GB2581710A; GB202006734D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a retail assembly (2) for a liquid and a foodstuff. The assembly includes a container (4) for the liquid and a lid package (18) for fitment thereto. The lid package (18) includes a locating portion (26) in which an item of foodstuff can be carried and sealed. The lid package (18) can be placed onto the container (4) to enclose the same and in one embodiment the lid package (18) includes an aperture (28) which allows the drink to be consumed without having to access the locating portion seal or remove the lid package from the container. The locating portion (26) can be provided in relation to the drink in the container so as to allow a condition of the drink, such as heat, to change the condition of the foodstuff when the lid package is in position on the container.

Description

Drink and /or food coiitainer assembly

The invention to which this application relates is a drink and/or food container assembly which allows the provision of both a drink and a foodstuff to be provided to a customer in a hygienic and efficient manner.

It is now well known to provide drinks for consumption, and particularly hot drinks, such as coffee or tea, which are prepared and/ or dispensed fresh at the time of the order being placed by a customer and, when prepared, the drink is dispensed into a container, most typically a paper, card and/or plastic based container which has a base and side wails depending upwardly towards an opening. The base and/or side wails may have some d egree of insulation b uilt in, or which can be provided by a separate sleeve into which the container is inserted. While of course it is then possible for the customer to consume the drink from the container at the top lip of the side wall at the opening, it is more commonly the case that, a lid is provided of a size such that the. lip of the lid can be pushed over the lip of the container and retention formations allow the lid to be retained in position on the container during the drinking of the liquid through an aperture provided in the lid and which is offset from an edge of the lid. The lids are typically formed of a plastics material.

At the time of ordering the drink the customer can often order an item of food at the same time and this typically leads to the customer having to carry the drinks container and a food packaging bag to the location of consumption which can often be external to the point of purchase such as in a car, in an office, or while walking, or the like. It will therefore be appreciated that there is a risk during the carrying action that the hot drink- is spilled which is at least frustrating or at worst. causes a risk of injury. The provision of food packaging of the current form can also be wasteful.

It is also known to provide a tray for foodstuffs which can be located around the lid when the same is located on the drinks container so as to allow a customer to grip the drinks container with one hand and use their other hand to consume the foodstuff from the tray located on the container. However it is found that the tray can have the effect of unbalancing the drinks contain er due to the weight of the foodstuff located on the tray (which may for example, be a hot dog) and therefore there is a risk that the drink and foodstuff is spilled. Furthermore, in order for the customer to be able to use the drinks container, lid and tray combination, the engagement means between the respective parts are required to be effective and placed accurately by the customer which may be difficult to achieve for many customers .

An aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a drinks and foodstuff assembly which allows for the provision, in an efficient manner, of a foodstuff to be located with the drink at the point of purchase in an efficient manner which allows the drink and foodstuff to then be carried safely by the customer to a location at which, they intend to consume the same.

A further aim is to provide the drinks container and foodstuff at the point of purchase in a form which allows the same to be efficiently combined to provide a retail assembly. .

A further aim is to allow provide a retail assembly for a drink and foodstuff to allow the condition of the foodstuff or drink to be beneficially altered when the same is located as part of the retail assembly.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided an assembly including a container having a base, side walls and an opening defining a cavity in which a liquid is held for consumption therefrom, a lid package which is provided to be selectively located around a lip of the opening so as to substantially enclose the opening, said lid package including a lid with engagement means to allow the lid package to be retained in position on the container and an aperture to allow consumption of the liquid therethrough and wherein the lid includes a locating portion which receives therein a foodstuff so as to retain the foodstuff in position until the consumption of the foodstuff is desired.

In one embodiment the said foodstuff is sealed in the locating portion of the lid such that the foodstuff then has a shelf life during which the sealed lid package with the foodstuff therein can be offered for purchase.

Typically this will avoid the need for further, additional packaging to be provided for the food stuff and also allows the lid and foodstuff and sealing means to form the lid package which can be stored and used in conjunction with the container when a drink is placed into the container.

In one embodiment the sealing means for the lid comprise one or both of a sheet material portion or cap which overlies and subs tantially seals the locating portion opening in which the foodstuff is placed.

In one embodiment the lid package includes an aperture through which the liquid can be acces sed to drink the same when the lid package is located on the container.

In one embodiment the aperture in the lid via which the drink can be accessed and drunk remains open and hence it is possible to drink the liquid from the container through the aperture, even when the foodstuff is in the locating portion and the sealing means therefore is intact. Alternativ ely the sheet material portion or cap also closes the said aperture. In this embodiment a part of the sheet material portion or cap can be removed to allow access to the aperture or locating aperture whilst retaining the o ther of the aperture or locating aperture in a sealed condition.

Typically when a sheet material portion is provided the same is adhered or heat sealed to the lid so as to retain the hygienic sealing of the foodstuff in the lid package until access to the foodstuff is required. Typically the locating portion is located with the periphery of the outer skirt of the lid and/or within the location of engagement means which allow the lid to he engaged to the container.

In one embodiment the lid package can be created at the point at which the foodstuff is prepared and placed into the locating portion of the lid. After that the lid package is sealed and the lid package is then in a condition to be subsequently transported to the location at which the lid package is available for sale.

In one embodiment at the point of sale the customer, ir they are purchasing a drink in a container, is provided with the option of having a conventional lid to be applied to close the opening of the container or alternatively a lid package in accordance with the invention can be used with their container along with an item of food in the locating portion of the lid.

In one embodiment the foodstuff is any of a product such as a biscuit, cake, sandwich, crisps or the like which can be selectively consumed along with the drink a foodstuff to be used in conjunction with the drink, such as sugar, milk or the like or any other item of foodstuff as desired.

Typically the lid package has the same or similar peripheral circular dimensions as that of a conventional container lid but has a depth so that the locating- portion for the foodstuff, which is typically inset from the edge of the lid, has a greater depth than th e central portion of the conventional container lid.

In one embodiment the lid package is provided so that, when in position on the container, the heat generated from a hot drink placed in the container has an effect on the condition of the foodstuff in the lid package. For example, if the drink is a hot drink and the foodstuff is a biscuit such as a chocolate chip cookie, the heat from the drink can be sufficient to allow the chocolate chips to at least partially melt. In another embodiment, the effect is that the warming of the foodstuff by the heat from the drink causes the foodstuff to emit a baking smell and/or texture which increases the attractiveness of the foodstuff.

In one embodiment the lid package is adapted to allow the heat effect to be emphasised by. for example, altering the thickness o f one or more walls of the package and/or providing the sheet material of a form or type so as to increase the heating effect.

In one embodiment when the lid package is placed in position for use on the container which contains a hot drink, the cons umer may be instructed to retain the lid package in a sealed condition for a period of time before removing the sealing means and acces sing the foodstuff, which allows the heat effect to be maximised.

In one embodiment the heating effect can be achieved or improved by activating a heating substance or forming a hole in the lid package to allow direct access of s team or the like from the hot drink container into the locating portion .

In one embodiment the lid package can be adapted by providing the wall of the lid package which lies between the foodstuff and the heated liquid in the cavity as having a relatively thin wall thickness, including a heating medium as part of the lid package which may be heated prior to the lid package being placed on the container, providing ribbed portion on the wall of the lid package adjacent the heated liquid to increase heat and /or to provide the sheet material or sealing cap and /or appropriate locations of the wall of the lid package with appropriate ins ulation so as to retain heat in the lid package.

In one embodiment the container is provided to contain a hot drink and the same is disposable after use. In one embodiment the container is made of paper or composite paper. In one embodiment the lid package is disposable after use.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provid ed a lid package for use with a container for a drink, said lid package provided with engagement means to allow the same to be selectively located on the container, and wherein the lid includes a locating portion on a first side of the lid which is provided for the placement therein of a foodstuff and retaining means are provided so as to retain the foodstuff in position until the consumption of the foodstuff is desired.

In one embodiment the lid package includes an aperture through which the liquid can be accessed and consumed by a customer when the lid package is located on a container in which the liquid is located.

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings; wherein

Figure 1 illustrates a retail package assembly formed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 illustrates the container and lid package of Figure 1 separated;

Figures 3a-d illustrate views of the. lid package in accordance with first and second embodiments of the invention; and

Figures 4a-c illustrate views of a further embodiment of the lid package in accordance with the invention.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 there is illustrated a retail package assembly 2 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 2 there is illustrated a container 4 which is typically made from card or paper and has a base 6 and side walls 8 depending upwardly therefrom to define an opening 10 which leads to a cavity 12 within the container. The periphery of the opening is formed fay lip 14 which receives a lip 16 of the lid package 18. In accordance with the invention the lid package is provided as a self-contained pack and is described in more details with regard to Figures 3a-d and 4a-c.

As shown in the embodiment of Figures 3a and b, the lid package 18 includes a base wall 20 and side walls 22 which lead to an opening 24. The base wall and side walls define a location portion 26 and in the base wall 20 of the lid package 18 there is provided an access aperture 28 which is provided so as to form a passage in connection with the interior of the container so as to allow liquid to be drunk from the container through the aperture while the lid package, is still in position on the container, as is the case in conventional lids for disposable containers. In Figures 3c and d the location portion 26 does not extend across the entire area of the lid and is defined by the side walls 22 and an intermediate wall 25 which leaves a cavity 27 in which the aperture 28 is located. In either embodiment, a foodstuff, in this case in the form of a biscuit 34. is placed into the location portion 26, as shown in Figures 3c and d, and then the lid package is provided as a sealed item via, in this embodiment a sheet material 30 which may, in one embodiment, be a plastics sheet material sealed by, for example, heat sealing or adhesive to the flange 32 at the opening 24. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3c and d, a further sheet material portion 36 can also be provided over the aperture 28. This sealing step therefore allows the foodstuff 34 within the lid package to have a prolonged shelf life. These steps are typically performed at the location of manufacture or preparation of the foodstuff and the sealed lid package is then transported to the point of sale at which the same can be made available for sale, for example, as an optional "extra" to the customer or as a promotional item and used instead of the conventional lid. The customer may decide to purchase the lid package 18 j ust to be able to consume the foodstuff but more typically they will purchase a drink such as coffee which is poured into the container and they may then be given the lid package 1 8 as part of a promotion or, alternatively, choose to purchase the lid package 18 with the foodstuff as opposed to using a conventional lid for the container. Figures 4a-c illustrate a further embodiment of the invention and in this embodiment the lid package 118 is shown in Figure 4a in a condition in which the same would initially be formed and be available for sale and use. The foodstuff 134 is in position in the locating portion 126 and sealed therein by a sealing means sheet material 1 30 which in the embodiment shown passes around the periphery 131 of the locating portion and has a tab portion 137 to aid subsequent removal of the sealing sheet material. However it will be noted that the d rinking aperture 128 of the lid package is not covered by the sealing means 130 and therefore remains accessible for the drinking of liquid from the container at all times whilst, at the same time, the foodstuff item, 1 34, such as a biscuit, remains in the sealed locating portion 126 until the consumer desires to consume the same which may, for example, be once the heat from a hot liquid in the container to which the lid package has been applied has a heating effect on the. foodstuff item 134 through the wall 135 of the locating portion 126.

In Figure 4b the lid package is shown with the sealing sheet material 130 having been removed and the foodstuff item 134 still in the locating portion and it should be noted that the locating portion can be used as allocation for the foodstuff item when there is a need to place the same down on a hygienic surface during consump tion, in turn, having been removed from the locating portion 126 to be consumed. In this condition the lid package is still retained on the container via the lip 1 16 and the liquid from the container can be consumed through the aperture 128. Figures 4a and b illustrate the top side of the lid package which is consumer facing when the same is located on the container via lip 116 and Figure 4c illustrates the underside 1 1 8 of the lid package, i. e. the part of the lid package which is facing towards the interior of the container when the lid package is fitted thereto, and therefore shows that there is a direct passage between the aperture 128 and the liq uid in the container as illustrated by arrow 1 33, when the lid package is placed on the opening of the container for use. At the time of the cons umer obtaining the lid package the same is typically placed onto the container to form a retail package assembly 2 and is then provided to the consumer with the lid package 18,1 18 secured in position on the container 4. The customer can then safely carry the assembly to the location at which they wish to consume the same and at that time they only have to remove the sealing sheet material 30, 130 and remove the roods tuff 34, 134 from the location portion for consumption.

In one embodiment the lid package 1 8,1 1 8 can be adapted and/ or may be in structed to be retained in position on the container for a sufficient period of time, in order to allow the heat from the liquid in the container cavity to be used to change and improve the condition of the foodstuff whilst it is retained in the location portion and prior to consumption. The particular adaptation and / or whether the foodstuff is exposed to steam from the liquid as well as the heat which passes into the location portion as a result of the proximity of the foodstuff to the heated liquid and/or passes through the wall 1 35 of the locating portion 26,126 can be determined with respect to the type of foodstuff provided in the lid package.

There is therefore provided in accordance with the invention a foodstuff package which allows the efficient and safe provision of a food stuff in conjunction with a hot drink which can be led as part of the same retail package assembly whilst also allowing for the possible adaptation of the foodstuff to be a chieved.

Claims

1. An assembly including a container having a base, side walls and an opening defining a cavity in which a liquid is held for consumption therefrom, a lid package which is provided to be selectively located around a lip of the opening so as to substantially enclose the opening, said lid package including a lid with engagement means to allow the lid package to be retained in position on the container and an aperture to allow consumption of the liquid therethrough and wherein the lid includes a locating portion which receives therein a foodstuff so as to retain the foodstuff in position until the consumption of the foodstuff is desired.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the said foodstuff is sealed in the locating portion of the lid.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the sealing means for the foodstuff in the locating portion of the lid comprise one or both of a sheet material portion and/or cap which overlies the locating portion and foodstuff therein.

4. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein the said aperture remains accessible for the consump tion of liquid when the locating portion is sealed.

5. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein the said aperture is also sealed when the locating portion is sealed.

6. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein the sealing means includes a feature to allow a part of the same to be removed and allow access to one of the locating portion or aperture whilst retaining the other in a sealed condition.

7. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the sealing means is adhered or heat-sealed to the lid so as to retain the hygienic sealing of the foodstuff in the locating portion of the lid package until access to the foodstuff is required.

8. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the lid package is created at a location at which the foodstuff is prepared and placed into the locating portion of the lid and sealed therein and subsequently transported to the location at which the lid package is attached to the container.

9. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the locating portion position when the lid package is placed onto the container is such as to allow the condition of the liquid in the container to cause a change in condition of the foodstuff in the locating portion.

10. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the lid package is adapted such that when located with the container including a hot liquid, heat generated from the hot liquid heats the foodstuff contained in the locating portion of the lid package.

11. An assembly according to claim 10 wherein the effect of the heat is to at least partially melt at least part of the foodstuff.

12. An assembly according to claim 10 wherein the lid package is retained in position on the container when containing the hot liquid, for a period of time so as to cause the change of condition to occur.

13. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the lid package is adapted to allow the condition of the foodstuff to be altered by the liquid in the container by providing the wall of the lid package which lies between the foodstuff and the heated liquid in the cavity of a relatively thin wall thickness and/or of a heat transition material, and/or including a heating medium as part of the lid package and/or providing ribbed portions on the wall of the lid package adjacent the heated liquid to increase heat and/or provide the sheet material or sealing cap and/or appropriate locations of the wall of the lid package with insulation so as to retain transfer heat to, and retain heat in, the lid package.

14 . An assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the said locating portion is located within the external periphery of the lid.

15 . An assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the container is provided to contain a hot drink and the same is disposable after use.

16. An assembly according to claim 15 wherein the lid package is disposable after use.

17. A lid package for use with a container for a drink, said lid package provided with engagement means to allow the same to be selectively located on the container, and wherein the lid includes a locating portion on a first side of the lid which is provided for the placement therein of a foodstuff and retaining means are provided so as to retain the foodstuff in position until the consumption o f the foodstuff is desired.

18. A package according to claim 17 wherein the lid package includes an aperture through which the liquid can be accessed and consumed by a customer when the lid package is located on a container in which the liquid is located.