AU2014101195A4

AU2014101195A4 - Sealable mini-cup

Info

Publication number: AU2014101195A4
Application number: AU2014101195A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Daniel Moeschinger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-09-30
Filing date: 2014-09-30
Publication date: 2014-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-30
Also published as: WO2016049689A1

Abstract

A sealable mini-cup that can be fitted in a nested arrangement in the moulded lid of a 5 takeaway cup and can be used in a sealable mini-cup and takeaway cup assembly. Fig. 1

Description

EDITORIAL NOTE 2014101195 There are nine pages of description only 1 DESCRIPTION SEALABLE MINI-CUP 5 FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a sealable mini-cup, which can be used with a takeaway cup and moulded lid. The present invention also relates to a convenient method of providing a liquid/s or solid/s for consumption after the consumption of [0 beverages from takeaway cups or for mixing with beverages in takeaway cups before consumption. The present invention further relates to a method of providing a mouth freshener after the consumption of beverages from takeaway cups. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [5 The consumption of beverages from takeaway cups has grown in recent times. Takeaway cups often have a lid that snap-fits over the rim of the cup. The lid is often moulded, with a flat or slightly recessed section surrounded by a raised section. The raised section has a spout from which a person can drink the zo beverage. The drinking of beverages from takeaway cups can involve certain disadvantages for the consumer. One disadvantage of drinking beverages from takeaway cups is that, in addition to carrying the takeaway cup containing a beverage, it can be inconvenient 25 to carry a liquid (e.g. mouth freshening liquid, a spirit) or solid (e.g. sugar, cinnamon, croutons) for consuming separately to, or mixing with, the beverage in the takeaway cup. Another disadvantage is that drinking the beverage in the takeaway cup can leave the consumer with bad breath or an unpleasant feeling of dryness in the 30 mouth. Long-term consumption of certain beverages provided in takeaway cups (e.g. coffee and tea) can also cause discolouration of teeth.

2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The Applicant has now developed a novel means of overcoming at least in part one or more of the disadvantages described above by the invention of a 5 sealable mini-cup, which can be used in a nested arrangement in an assembly comprising a sealable mini-cup, moulded lid and takeaway cup. Specifically, the Applicant has developed a sealable-mini-cup that can be located in the moulds commonly present in the lids of takeaway cups. [0 DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Sealable mini-cup [5 In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sealable mini-cup that can be located in a nested arrangement in the moulded lid of the takeaway cup. When the sealable mini-cup is located on the moulded lid, it is surrounded at least in part by a raised section of the moulded lid. The sealable mini-cup can be constituted according to different principles. zo In one embodiment of the present invention, the sealable mini-cup comprises: a cup having a wall and a base; and a lid to seal the mini-cup; wherein said wall extends outwards and upwards from the base in a stepped configuration formed by at least two annular ridges. Said ridges provide the 25 container with structural integrity to assist withstanding deformation. The sealable mini-cup is able to withstand deformation and, as such, can be used to store carbonated liquids, such as carbonated water and the like. Preferably the wall has at least two annular ridges. Preferably the base is convex, by which is meant that the base is curved 30 outwards (i.e. it is curved downwards when the sealable mini-cup is placed upright on a flat surface) and indented, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

3 The sealable mini-cup can be made from different materials known to persons of ordinary skill in the art, including plastic, for example, polyethylene terephthalate. The material used should be food grade and, if plastic, free from bisphenol A. The material used can be compostable or biodegradable. 5 The sealable mini-cup has a volume between 10ml and 50ml. Preferably, the volume is between 20ml and 40ml. More preferably the cup volume is between 25ml and 30ml. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the mini-cup is 30ml. The sealable mini-cup has a rim. The sealable mini-cup preferably has a handle protruding outwards from the rim. In one embodiment, the rim has a handle [o that is an outwardly protruding tab. The lid is attached to the rim of the sealable mini-cup by means of a seal, which can be peeled from the rim. The lid of the sealable mini-cup can be made from different materials known to persons of ordinary skill in the art, including polyethylene terephthalate or metallised polyethylene terephthalate. Where the lid is [5 shaped to resemble the rim with an outwardly protruding handle, easy removal of the lid from the cup is facilitated. The sealable mini-cup can be manufactured using either a manual single cup sealing machine, or a single lane or multi-lane automatic rotary or linear filling and sealing machine. zo The sealable mini-cup(s) can be picked, gravity-fed, arranged one by one or arranged in a row into pre cast cup mould(s) on any type of the aforementioned automatic machines. The liquid/s or solid/s can then be carbonated (in the case of a liquid/s), measured or weighed and fed, dropped or poured using a filler into the sealable 25 mini-cup(s). In the final step of the manufacturing process, the lid is heat-sealed onto the rim of the sealable mini-cup containing the liquid/s or solid/s. The result of this manufacturing process is a sealable mini-cup(s) with a sealed lid.

4 Sealable mini-cup and takeaway cup assembly In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided 5 a sealable mini-cup and takeaway cup assembly, comprising: a sealable mini-cup; a takeaway cup lid with a mould; and a takeaway cup, wherein the sealable mini-cup can be located in a nested arrangement in the [0 moulded lid of the takeaway cup. When the sealable mini-cup is located on the moulded lid, it is surrounded at least in part by a raised section of the moulded lid. When located in a nested arrangement in the moulded lid of the takeaway cup, the takeaway cup can be held at an angle of up to 60 degrees (to a vertical line extending perpendicular from the ground) without the sealable mini-cup falling out. [5 Figure 1 is a diagram showing a sealable mini-cup and takeaway cup assembly according to the invention described in the present specification. In Figure 1, (1) is the sealable lid of the mini-cup; (2) is the sealable mini-cup; (3) is the wall of the sealable mini-cup; (4) is the lid of the takeaway cup and (5) is the takeaway cup. 20 Sealable mini-cup The sealable mini-cup can be constituted according to the principles described above. 25 Takeaway cup lid The takeaway cup lid used is only limited to the extent that it has a mould in which the sealable mini-cup can be located in a nested arrangement. The takeaway 30 cup lid can be made from different materials known to persons of ordinary skill in the art, including plastic.

5 Takeaway cup The takeaway cup used is only limited to the extent that it has a rim onto which a takeaway cup lid snap-fits. The takeaway cup can be made from different 5 materials known to persons of ordinary skill in the art, including plastic and coated cardboard. Method of carrying consumable liquid/s or solid/s in addition to takeaway cup [0 In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of carrying liquid/s or solid/s for consuming separately to, or mixing with, the beverage in the takeaway cup, comprising: a sealable mini-cup that can be fitted in a nested arrangement in the moulded lid of the takeaway cup; [5 a takeaway cup lid with a mould; and a takeaway cup containing a beverage, in which the sealable mini-cup contains a consumable liquid/s or solid/s. The consumable liquid/s or solid/s may be consumed separately to the beverage in the takeaway cup or mixed with the beverage in the takeaway cup. zo The liquid/s or solid/s used are limited only to the extent that they are safe for consumption. Liquid/s or solid/s can be placed in the sealable mini-cup to be consumed separately to the beverage in the takeaway cup. These can include, for example, water, mouth fresheners, nuts and chocolate. As mentioned above, the sealable 25 mini-cup is able to withstand deformation and, as such, can be used to store carbonated liquids, such as carbonated water and the like. The mouth freshener is usually a liquid/s. The mouth freshener can be carbonated water, including carbonated spring water and carbonated mineral water. The mouth freshener can include one or more flavouring agents, which can impart, for example, fruit, tea and 30 herb-based flavours, including peppermint, spearmint, ginger, green tea, lime and lemon flavours.

6 Liquid/s or solid/s can also be placed in the sealable mini-cup to be mixed with the beverage in the takeaway cup prior to consumption. An example of a liquid mixed with a beverage in a takeaway cup is whiskey from the sealable mini-cup mixed with coffee to make an Irish coffee. An example of a solid mixed with a 5 beverage in a takeaway cup is croutons from the sealable mini-cup sprinkled on a soup. Method of freshening the mouth [0 As mentioned above, some beverages consumed from takeaway cups can leave the consumer with bad breath or an unpleasant feeling of dryness in the mouth and long-term consumption of certain beverages provided in takeaway cups (e.g. coffee and tea) can cause discolouration of teeth. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of freshening the mouth [5 after consumption of beverages from a takeaway cup, comprising: a sealable mini-cup; a takeaway cup lid with a mould; and a takeaway cup containing a beverage, in which the sealable mini-cup contains a consumable mouth freshener that is zo consumed after the consumption of the beverage in the takeaway cup. An example of this method is providing coffee in a takeaway cup to a customer, in the lid of which takeaway cup sits a sealable mini-cup as described above that contains a mouth freshener. After consuming the coffee from the takeaway cup, the customer can use the mouth freshener to rinse the mouth to help freshen the mouth and cleanse the 25 palate. This can assist in reducing unpleasant aftertaste or dry mouth and reduce the risk of unpleasant breath. It can also assist in removing residual coffee from teeth to reduce the risk of staining.

7 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the present invention can be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings 5 wherein: Figure 2 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the sealable mini-cup; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a preferred embodiment of the sealable mini-cup; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side view; [0 Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view; and Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of the sealable mini-cup shown in a nested arrangement with a moulded plastic lid and a coated cardboard takeaway cup. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE OF THE INVENTION [5 Figures 2 to 6 Figures 2 to 6 show a preferred embodiment of the present invention. With reference to Figures 2 to 5 there is shown a sealable mini-cup (10). zo The sealable mini-cup (10) has a removable lid (not shown) and a cup (12). The cup (12) has a convex base (13). A wall (15) extends upwards and outwards from the convex base (13) to a rim (16). The wall (15) has two ridges (17). These ridges (17) together with the convex base (13) provide structural integrity to mitigate against deformation of the sealable mini-cup (10). There is a tab (18) extending from 25 the rim (16) with which to hold the sealable mini-cup (10). The lid (not shown) can be secured to the cup rim (16) by using a manual single cup sealing machine, or a single lane or multi-lane automatic rotary or linear filling and sealing machine with a heating element to heat two layers of polyethlyene - one layer on the rim (16) and the other layer on the base of the lidding film. When 30 heated, the two layers of polyethylene bond to make a seal. To obtain a seal suitable for storing carbonated liquids, the sealing time, sealing temperature and sealing pressure may be adjusted in a manner known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. An example of a manual single cup sealing machine that may be used is a 8 Semi-Auto Capping Machine, Model BZD95. With this machine, the lid can be secured to the rim of single cup by heating the heating element to a temperature of approximately 1550C to 1650C, gently pulling down the lever and holding for approximately 0.5 to 1.5 seconds. 5 The lid (not shown) may be made from polyethylene terephthalate or metallised polyethylene terephthalate, in each case laminated with linear low-density polyethylene. The lid can seal liquid/s or solid/s (not shown) in the sealable mini-cup (10). The contents of the sealable mini-cup (10) are removed by peeling the lid off from the rim (16). [0 The sealable mini-cup (10) may be made from one of the following food grade plastics materials: amorphous polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene or polystyrene, in each case laminated with linear low-density polyethylene. The sealable mini-cup (10) may be transparent, translucent, opaque or coloured. [5 In a preferred embodiment, the sealable mini-cup (10) contains a liquid mouth freshener. The liquid mouth freshener preferably comprises carbonated water and flavouring. The central portion (14) on the convex base (13) and the annular ridges (17) of the sealable mini-cup wall provide structural integrity to withstand pressure exerted when a carbonated liquid is sealed in the sealable mini-cup (10). zo The sealable mini-cup (10) containing the mouth freshener is provided to the purchaser of tea, coffee or a similar beverage. The purchaser can use the mouth freshener after consuming the beverage. Figure 6 25 With reference to Figure 6 there is shown an assembly of a sealable mini-cup (10) in a nested arrangement with a takeaway cup lid (20) for a coated cardboard takeaway cup (30). The sealable mini-cup (10) is of substantially complementary dimensions to the mould (23) of the takeaway cup lid (20) and is surrounded at least 30 in part by the raised section (21) of the moulded lid . The takeaway cup lid (20) has a spout (22).

9 VARIATIONS It will be realised that, while the above example illustrates the invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons 5 of ordinary skill in the art are deemed to fall within the scope and ambit of the invention described in this specification. Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims

1. A sealable mini-cup that can be located in a nested arrangement in the moulded lid of a takeaway cup. 5

2. A sealable mini-cup according to claim 1, in which the sealable mini cup can be used to store carbonated liquids and comprises: a cup having a wall and a base; and a lid to seal the cup; [0 wherein said wall extends outwards and upwards from the base in a stepped configuration formed by at least two annular ridges and wherein said base is convex.

3. A sealable mini-cup according to claim 1 or 2 and takeaway cup [5 assembly, comprising: a sealable mini-cup; a takeaway cup lid with a mould; and a takeaway cup. zo

4. A method of carrying liquid/s or solid/s for consuming separately to, or mixing with, the beverage in the takeaway cup, comprising: a sealable mini-cup according to claim 1 or 2; a takeaway cup lid with a mould; and a takeaway cup containing a beverage, 25 wherein the sealable mini-cup contains consumable liquid/s or solid/s and wherein the takeaway cup can be held at an angle of up to 60 degrees (to a vertical line extending perpendicular from the ground) without the sealable mini-cup falling out. 30

5. A method of freshening the mouth after consumption of beverages from a takeaway cup, comprising: a sealable mini-cup according to claim 1 or 2; a takeaway cup lid with a mould; and 10 a takeaway cup containing a beverage, in which the sealable mini-cup contains a consumable mouth freshener that is consumed after the consumption of the beverage in the takeaway cup. 5