Patent AU-2017200981-A1 (AU)
Title: Aspect of packaging for use with a beverage container
Inventor: CRANE BEN
IPC: B65D75/00
Filed: 2017-02-14
Abstract: ASPECT OF PACKAGING FOR USE WITH A BEVERAGE CONTAINER FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to beverage containers, and more particularly to an aspect of packaging suitable for use with beverage containers. The aspect of packaging finds particular application in conveniently providing a consumable item, such as an item of confectionary, to a consumer of a beverage. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] Retail establishments providing beverages for take-away, are popular, numerous and the demand for these take-away beverages is increasing. Since take-away beverages are for the most part, sold in disposable beverage containers or cups, the use of these disposable beverage cups has also increased. Some estimates indicate the number of coffee cups used annually in the USA to be in the many millions, potentially in excess of 10 billion, with many more being used globally. [0003] These disposable beverage cups are typically made from a paperboard material. When a hot beverage, such as coffee or tea, is introduced into the cup, heat is transmitted from the beverage through the paperboard material. As a result, various sleeve or collar products, typically made from cardboard, have been devised to insulate the heat of the beverage from the hand of the consumer. These sleeves, which are generally composed of an insulating material such as corrugated cardboard, fit onto and wrap around the disposable container, providing insulation at least around a region of the container likely to be held by the consumer. [0004] Offering coffee and other beverages in these disposable cups provides the convenience of a take-away beverage which consumers can enjoy at any location, including whilst they travel or commute. However, after drinking these beverages, particularly after drinking coffee, the consumer can be left with an undesirable aftertaste and/or odour in their mouth. This can be particularly disadvantageous or inconvenient if the consumer intends to meet or be located in close proximity with other people. In these circumstances, a consumer may wish to take steps to mitigate this aftertaste and/or odour not only for their own comfort, but also to avoid having breath which is disagreeable to others. [0005] There are of course a range of products available that a consumer can use or consume to mitigate undesirable aftertaste and/or odour following consumption of a beverage. These include toothpaste, oral care strips, gum and breath mints. Oral care strips, gum and breath mints are available in many types of packaging. A consumer may for example, purchase a packet of gum to mitigate aftertaste/odour of a beverage, but may in fact only require a single piece of gum for their purposes. Further, packages of gum or mints may not be readily available at the time a consumer consumes a beverage, particularly if the beverage is consumed while the consumer is not carrying other items such as money and/or bag. [0006] There is therefore a need to provide convenient and effective means by which a consumer can mitigate undesirable aftertaste and/or breath following consumption of a beverage. It is an objection of the present invention to provide such means. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] With the aforementioned objects in mind, according to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an aspect of packaging for use with a beverage container, comprising a sleeve arranged to receive a beverage container, the sleeve including a removable compartment adapted to hold a consumable product therein, whereby the compartment is removed from the sleeve to access the consumable product. [0008] The compartment can hold at least a single serving of the consumable product. Ideally, the consumable product is of a type that can be used to mitigate undesirable aftertaste and/or odour from consumption of a beverage. [0009] In a preferred embodiment, the consumable product is sealed within the compartment, securing the consumable product therein and substantially protecting it from external contaminants. [0010] Advantageously, the compartment that holds the consumable product is formed at least partially by a blister package. In a preferred embodiment, the blister package with consumable product retained therein is part of a removable tab which can be removed from the sleeve upon a consumer desiring to access the consumable product retained in the compartment. [0011] The removable tab includes a blister portion, forming a hollow into which the consumable item can be held, and a portion of flexible substrate. The portion of flexible substrate forms a back to the blister portion. Together, blister portion and flexible substrate form a compartment which can retain the consumable item securely and hygienically. [0012] In a preferred embodiment, removal of the removable tab can be assisted by one or more cuts and/or perforations defining an outer perimeter of the removable tab. The removable tab can be conveniently pulled or torn away from the sleeve to enable the consumer to access the consumable product retained therein. [0013] It is preferred that one or more cuts or perforations are provided in a back of the removable tab to assist in removal of the consumable product. Conveniently, the consumable product can be forced through the flexible surface once the removable tab has been torn or pulled from the sleeve. [0014] It will be appreciated that the present invention provides a convenient way to provide beverage consumers with a consumable product useful for mitigating undesirable taste and/or odour that is readily available after consuming the beverage and without any need to separately carry any additional aspect of packaging. ,20 Figure 1 Figure 2