Abstract:
A sealed microwaveable container including a frozen beverage comprising ice chunks enclosed in a beverage solid is provided. The beverage has a freezing point below that of water allowing for the beverage to be thawed to a substantially liquid form using a prescribed microwave process while solid ice chunks are preserved to create an iced beverage. A plurality of opening for dispensing the beverage may be provided, such as one or more of a plurality of releasable or puncturable seals.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates in general to frozen beverages. More particularly, the present invention relates to beverages stored in a frozen state suitable for preparation in a microwave oven. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Beverages such as tea, soda, lemonade, cocktails, and many others have been enjoyed with ice for well over a hundred years. More recently, other beverages such as coffee have become popular when served on ice. Typically, iced beverages are prepared by combining ice cubes, commonly from an ice maker, and a pre-prepared liquid of choice in a cup, glass, or other appropriate container. 
         [0003]    Additionally, slush-like beverages have been a popular alternative to an iced beverage. Most often, the slush-like beverage is prepared by adding the necessary ingredients to water in a machine which cools the mix to an appropriate temperature while constantly mixing it in order to prevent it from freezing solid. Typically, fruit juices, flavoring, coloring, and acid solutions of fruit acids comprise the flavor and color mixture. The popularity of slush-like beverages has led to a desire to produce a beverage product suitable for re-creating the popular beverage at home. The most common solution has been a beverage sealed in a malleable container for freezing. The beverage inside the container is then removed from the freezer and heated in some fashion, such as by lying on the counter, or otherwise to attain a slush-like state. The beverage is then shaken and a somewhat satisfactory slush mixture can be achieved. However, the texture and consistency of its commercially produced counterpart is unmatched by these products, and as such, they have had limited success. 
         [0004]    While a great bit of attention has been paid to conveniently providing slush-like beverages within the home, very little if any attention has been placed on providing convenient pre-packaged beverages with ice included. A problem with the traditional notion of keeping a beverage in liquid form in a refrigerator and combining it with ice cubes from a freezer just prior to consumption is that oftentimes beverages, in liquid form, cannot be maintained in the refrigerator for extended periods of time. Additionally, preparing a beverage, such as a cocktail, or the like often takes too much time when only a single serving is desired. These limitations, amongst many others, indicate a need for an improved pre-packaged beverage suitable for convenient storage and rapid preparation, such as in a microwave oven. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    One embodiment of the present invention is a unique frozen beverage product suitable for storage in a low temperature environment, such as a freezer, and subsequent preparation in a microwave oven. Under specified microwave oven time and power levels, a beverage having a liquid component and significant ice chunks therein is provided. 
         [0006]    A further embodiment includes a frozen beverage product containing alcohol, such as ethanol from a spirit, which depresses the freezing point of the beverage allowing for ice chunks to be frozen therein and remain substantially intact during the thawing process carried out in a microwave oven. 
         [0007]    An alternate embodiment includes a method for manufacturing a frozen beverage comprising a liquid having a depressed freezing point and a plurality of sizeable ice chunks. The beverage is hermetically sealed within a container and frozen solid for transportation, sale, storage, and ultimate use. 
         [0008]    An additional embodiment includes a method for preparing a frozen beverage for consumption as a beverage including ice. The method includes a microwave step in which the entire beverage is irradiated with microwaves of a predetermined power level for a specified time in a microwave oven. 
         [0009]    This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are described in further detail in the detailed description and drawings contained herein. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Yet other forms, embodiments, objects, advantages, benefits, features, and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description and drawings contained herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a container suitable for use within the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  is an exploded perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating one set of steps for manufacturing a frozen beverage product containing ice chunks according to the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the container of  FIG. 1A  in its frozen state, taken along the line A-A in  FIG. 1A  and viewed in the direction of the arrows. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating one set of steps for preparing a frozen beverage product containing ice chunks for consumption according to the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the container of  FIG. 1A  in its prepared state, taken along the line A-A in  FIG. 1A  and viewed in the direction of the arrows. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a product containing several containers suitable for use within the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and modifications in the illustrated device, and further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are herein contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 1A , a representative embodiment of a pre-packaged frozen beverage takes the form of container  10 . Container  10  may be any suitable microwaveable packaging for storing liquid including, but not limited to, a semi-rigid bottle, a pouch, a carton or any other liquid storage device known to one of skill in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, container  10  is a sealed enclosure manufactured from microwaveable compositions suitable for preserving the beverage contained therein. In this preferred embodiment, container  10  is suitable for holding a single-serving, such as 6-16 ounces of a selected beverage. In alternative embodiments, container  10  may hold larger quantities, such as 24, 32, or 64 ounces, or any other desired quantity. Larger sizes of container  10 , such as 32 and 64 ounces may be desirable for use in preparing the beverage contained therein for a number of individuals, and/or for multiple servings for a single individual. 
         [0019]    As illustrated, container  10  comprises a top  12  and bottom  13 . Bottom  13  includes side face  14  and side face  16  with corresponding opposing sides, and bottom  18 . Extensive experimentation has been conducted into the ideal shape of the container in order to optimize the distribution of the radiation during microwaving. This provides an even distribution of heat in order to effectively liquefy the desired portions of the solid container therein, namely the beverage, without overheating, and thus melting, the ice chunks of the solid which are desired to remain in the frozen state. Container  10  may be in a any number of various shapes, including but not limited to rectangular, circular, oblong, or elliptical. Preferably, container  10  measures at least 5″ in length by 4″ in width, while measuring at most 2.5″ in height. In a further preferred embodiment, container  10  measures about 6″ in length by about 5″ in width, while measuring about 1.5″ in height. Generally, the height of container  10  should not exceed 50% of the width or height. Preferably, the height of container  10  will not exceed 30% of the width or height in order to promote the even melting perceived during experimentation. It shall be appreciated that the length and width of container  10  are defined to be their maximum dimension in one of two perpendicular directions. When positioned within a microwave for heating, it is desired that these dimension be parallel to the bottom surface of the microwave oven and perpendicular to the height of the container. 
         [0020]    Additionally, container  10  may have rounded internal corners having a radius of at most 1″ and preferably at most 0.5″ to promote even heating of the beverage contained therein during microwaving. Additionally, container  10  may be appropriately sized to hold a selected quantity of the selected beverage, such as 4, 6, 8, 16, 32, or 96 ounces, depending upon desired use. In the preferred embodiment, single serving beverage quantities of between 8 and 16 ounces are utilized. Of course, any other beverage quantity may be provided for. 
         [0021]    Preferably, container  10  is hermetically sealed. A hermetical seal shall be defined for purposes of this disclosure to be an absolutely airtight container seal which prevents reentry of air or microorganisms into packaged foods products, such as those known to one of skill in the food industry. Reusable plastic containers alone, such as those market under the trademark Tupperware®, and cellophane wrapping commonly used in supermarket meat departments do not provide the requisite hermetic seal necessary to preserve the food product stored therein during shipment, storage, and resale. 
         [0022]    In the illustrated embodiment, container  10  includes pour opening  22 , slush opening  24 , strain opening  26 , and straw opening  28 . As shall be described further herein, pour opening  22  provides for complete emptying of the beverage from container  10 , inclusive of small solids, such as ice chunks, contained therein. Slush opening  24  allows for a slush like beverage to be dispended after proper preparations. Additionally, strain opening  26  allows for only the liquid to be poured from container  10  while any solids, such as ice chunks, are strained from the beverage. Finally, straw opening  28  allow for the insertion of a straw for direct consumption of the beverage from container  10 . 
         [0023]    Alternatively, container  10  may include a spout, such as in the form of a threaded cap, pull tab, or any other beverage opening known to one of skill in the art. In an alternate embodiment, the sealed opening is an annular opening having a threaded housing located on side face  14  or  16  to allow container  10  to stack with itself and includes a threaded cap for easy opening and resealing. It shall be understood that the sealed opening(s) may also be on the top or another face of container  10  in other embodiments. In yet another alternative embodiment, the container may be a three sided container having a hermetic seal over the top or a portion of the top. Additionally, a sealed opening may function to provide venting during the microwave oven warming process to prevent pressure build up. Alternatively, container  10  may include a smaller opening or otherwise to be opened prior to warming for purposes of venting. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1B  shows an exploded view of the container  10  shown in  FIG. 1A . As can be seen, top  12  of container  10  comprises cap  30  and foil  32 . In the preferred form, cap  30  and bottom  13  are formed from a microwaveable plastic or similar material. Cap  30  and bottom  13  may be formed as a single unit in an alternate embodiment. Cap  30  and bottom  13  may be formed by injection molding, thermoforming, extrusion blow molding, or other plastic molding processes known to one of skill in the art. Additionally, other processes may be utilized in alternate embodiments where microwaveable materials other than plastic are utilized. In the preferred form, cap  30  is electronically welded to bottom  13 . Other suitable methods for producing an airtight seal may be substituted as desired. 
         [0025]    In the illustrated embodiment, cap  30  includes openings, such as pour opening  22 , slush opening  24 , strain opening  26 , and straw opening  28  which each comprise a recess or plurality of recesses through cap  30 . Accordingly, foil  32  includes regions for covering these corresponding openings, which may be puncturable, such as in the case of straw opening  28 , or releasably adhered allowing the end user to peel back foil  32 , such as in the case of strain opening  26 . It shall be appreciated that the openings may be configured for use in any combination of the above recited or other opening methods. 
         [0026]    In the illustrated embodiment, foil  32  is a pre-printed plastic foil which is microwaveable and suitable for providing a hermetic seal to the interior of container  10 . In a further preferred form, foil  32  is adhered to cap  30  using a releaseable adhesive, so that a user may peel back the label to open a selected opening for dispensing the beverage in the desired fashion. Preferably, foil  32  includes tabs at each corner for allowing the user to easily peel back the appropriate section of foil  32 . 
         [0027]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , a flowchart illustrating one set of steps for manufacturing a frozen beverage containing ice chunks is shown. The process begins at start point  200  with a beverage mixture being prepared (step  202 ). The beverage mixture is preferably prepared in a liquid form, and may be in the form of, but not limited to, a cocktail, coffee, cola, milk, or energy drink. Exemplary cocktails include, but are in no way limited to, a margarita, martini, cosmopolitan, screwdriver, daiquiri, mai tai, Manhattan, whiskey sour, rob roy, bloody mary, pina colada, white russian, tequila sunrise, sex on the beach, rusty nail, rum sour, mint julep, mojito, vodka gimlet, or kamikaze. The illustrative cocktails preferably include alcohol, or more specifically ethanol, from one or more spirits used as an ingredient. 
         [0028]    It is essential to the present invention that the beverage mixture have a freezing point below 0° C., the freezing point of water, which allows the mixture to be returned to a liquid form while the ice chunks remain in a substantially frozen state after microwaving in a microwave oven. Preferably, the beverage mixture has a freezing point substantially below 0° C., such as −20° C. or lower. As such, beverages containing alcohol are well suited for this application. The freezing point of many spirits, such as those being  80  proof (40% alcohol (ethanol) by volume), is around −40° C. This characteristic is due to the freezing point depression caused by their ethanol content, which by itself has a freezing point of −114.3° C., well beyond any freezer in common use. 
         [0029]    In a preferred form, the beverage mixture is cooled to a temperature below 0° C. prior to use. In a further preferred form, the beverage mixture is cooled to a temperature just above its freezing point prior to use. Once prepared, a predetermined amount of the beverage mixture is combined with a predetermined volume/quantity of ice chunks (step  204 ). In one form, the beverage mixture is combined with the ice chunks in a container, such as container  10  of  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, the mixture may be combined with the ice chunks in a temporary container, such as a reusable container, mold, or otherwise depending upon the manufacturing method chosen. Preferably, the combination is maintained at a temperature below 0° C. to prevent melting of the ice chunks. 
         [0030]    Once mixed, the beverage mixture and ice chunks are hermetically sealed into the container (step  206 ). Preferably the ice chunks have a mass of greater than 10 grams in their frozen state. In the most preferred form, the ice chunks have a mass of at least 20 grams in their frozen state, such as about 30 grams. The container may be sealed through any method suitable for the container type. For example, when the container is a carton, adhesive may be applied to seal the opening of the container. As discussed previously, during the sealing process the container is preferably held at a temperature below 0° C. Finally, the sealed container is frozen to a temperature below the freezing point of the beverage mixture (stage  208 ). As such, the beverage mixture is frozen into a solid state which at least substantially encloses the ice chunks within the container, and the process ends at stage  210 . 
         [0031]    Turning to  FIG. 3 , a cross sectional view of the container of  FIG. 1  in its frozen state, taken along the line A-A in  FIG. 1  and viewed in the direction of the arrows is shown. Container  10 , in its frozen state, includes a frozen solid  32  which is comprised of a frozen beverage mixture  34  which substantially encloses a plurality of ice chunks, such as ice chunk  36 . Additionally, inside container  10  is a predetermined volume of head space  38 . Preferably, solid  32  fills between 50% and 95% of the volume of container  10 . In a further preferred form, solid  32  fills between 70% and 80% of container  10 . Most preferably, solid  32  fills about 70% of container  10 , allowing ample head space to allow for shaking of beverage mix  34  and ice chunks  36  during preparation by the end user. 
         [0032]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , a flowchart illustrating one set of steps performed by an end user in preparing a frozen beverage for consumption is illustrated. The process begins at start point  250  with a beverage container being removed from the freezer (step  252 ). The beverage container is then placed in a microwave oven for a specified time period and irradiated with microwaves of a specified power (step  254 ). In one form, the specified time and power are printed on the container. Alternatively, the specified time and power may be derived based upon the power capability of the microwave oven used by the end user. Additionally, adjustments may be made based upon a variety of factors such as the type of beverage container or the altitude of the microwave oven. Once the microwave process is complete, the end user removes the beverage container from the oven and shakes the container (stage  256 ). Preferably, the end user shakes the container until the beverage is chilled. The beverage may then be poured into a drinking container (stage  258 ). The process ends at end point  260  and the beverage is ready for consumption. 
         [0033]    Extensive testing has been performed with numerous beverages utilizing the packaging apparatus and methods described herein. Favorable results have been found with microwave times ranging from 10-30 seconds depending upon microwave oven power, selected beverage, quantity, and other factors, such as storage temperature. In the preferred forms, the mass of each individual ice chunk was measured both during preparation and after the microwaving process, and each was found to maintain at least 90% of its original mass, with a substantial portion maintaining up to 95% of their original mass, while the surrounding beverage was substantially liquefied. In other forms, when utilizing different beverages, the ice chunks maintained at least 80% of their original mass after the microwaving process. 
         [0034]    Turning to  FIG. 5 , a cross sectional view of the container of  FIG. 1  in its prepared for consumption state, taken along the line A-A in  FIG. 1  and viewed in the direction of the arrows is shown. Container  10 , after undergoing the microwave warming process described in  FIG. 4 , includes a beverage  33  which is a mixture including a substantially liquid beverage mixture  35  and a plurality of ice chunks suspended therein, such as ice chunk  37 . 
         [0035]    Turning to  FIG. 6 , a representative embodiment of a pre-packaged frozen beverage product takes the form of package  40  which comprises a plurality of containers, such as  42   a ,  42   b ,  42   c , and  42   d , (collectively containers  42 ). It shall be understood that package  40  may include more or fewer containers  42 , such as, by way of non-limiting example, 2, 4, 6, or 8 containers. In order to facilitate efficient distribution, handling, and storage, containers  42  preferably are designed to be attached via connected top portions along perforated edges  44 . Alternatively, containers  42  may be bound together using a variety of techniques known to one of skill in the art including, but not limited to, shrink wrapping, adhesion, and strapping. In an alternate embodiment, containers  42  may be re-packaged within a cardboard container or the like, which may also provide some form of temperature regulation and/or insulation to protect the contents of the containers from thawing during shipping, transportation, and/or storage. 
         [0036]    While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. Only the preferred embodiment, and certain alternative embodiments deemed useful for further illuminating the preferred embodiment, have been shown and described. All changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.