Patent Publication Number: US-2004040260-A1

Title: Packaging for a potable liquid and method of providing said packaging

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] This invention relates to packaging for a liquid and a method of providing said packaging. More particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to a packaging for potable liquid, for example a beverage or alternatively a pharmaceutical.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] Typical packaging for potable liquids/beverages, includes bottles, cans, draught systems and gels containing the beverages.  
       [0003] In all the above cases the free flowing or, in the case of gels, semi-solid liquid are held within a container. Once opened or split the liquid can be poured, drained or drawn from the container in a continuous, or a near continuous fashion. This presents a problem in the event of accidental damage to the container, or if a non-resealable container is used and the beverage is not drunk immediately, in that the liquid/beverage can be spilt.  
       [0004] A further disadvantage with such packaging is that once the container is opened a significant surface area may be exposed from which evaporation can take place and liquid can be lost and/or the concentration of a solute increased.  
       [0005] There is also a large degree of waste packaging which must be dealt with, either by recycling or by disposal,  
       [0006] A further disadvantage of these types of packaging is that when it is desired to share the liquids/beverages they cannot be readily divided into portions and, in the case of cans, people often drink directly from the same outlet opening, which is clearly undesirable from a hygiene perspective,  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided packaging for a potable liquid including an inner core and an outer portion; said inner core comprising an edible matrix capable of retaining liquid, said outer portion substantially enclosing said core so as to prevent evaporation of said liquid, and said core retaining said liquid when said core is exposed such that substantially all of said liquid is retained therein upon removal of at least part of the said outer portion, in use.  
       [0008] The core may have interstices adapted to retain the liquid. The core may have a cellular matrix or a fibrous matrix. Liquid may be retained in cells of the matrix. Alternatively or additionally liquid may be retained between fibres/structures—not necessarily retained in closed cells. Surface tension of the liquid may assist in retaining it in the matrix.  
       [0009] The core may be edible, The outer portion may be edible. The outer portion may be a skin. The skin may be a wax or a glaze. Alternatively the skin may be a confectionery, for example, molten sugar sprayed onto the core. The outer portion may be a barrier material capable of preventing the ingress of dirt and/or some bacteria.  
       [0010] The core may be an edible solid foam material. The matrix may have a plurality of passages some of which open onto the outer surface of the core. The passages may provide pores by means of which the core can absorb the liquid. The pores may retain the liquid by capillary action, in use.  
       [0011] The core may have a cross-rib therein, so as to support the outer portion, in use. There may be a plurality of cross-ribs defining compartments within the core. The cross-ribs may define discrete compartments within the core and may each contain a different liquid.  
       [0012] The core may be formed of roughage, for example a cellulose based material. The core may remain substantially solid upon introduction of the liquid therein.  
       [0013] The dry core may have a mass of 10% or less, 8% or less, 6% or less, 4% or less, 2.5% or less, 2% or less than the mass of the packaging containing the liquid.  
       [0014] The core may be segmented, with the segments being detachable from each other, for example like an orange, in order to aid division of the liquid into portions. The segments may not be connected to each other, but may be separable once the skin has been removed. The skin may be similarly segmented or marked with portion indicators. Each segment may constitute a discrete, minor, package and each may deliver a different liquid.  
       [0015] The core may have a fluid retaining capacity of more than 100 litres, 100 litres or less, 50 litres or less, 14 litres or less, 10 litres or less, 5 litres or less, 1 litre or less, 750 ml or less e.g. a bottle of wine, 568 ml or less e.g. a pint of beer, 330 ml or less e.g. a soft drinks can, 125 ml or less or 25 ml or less e.g. a measure of a short or within range between any two of the preceding volumes. The core may be in the shape of a container which it is designed to replace.  
       [0016] In one preferred embodiment the container is about hand-sized, say the size of an apple (e.g. generally round with a diameter of about 3, 4 or 5 inches, or thereabouts).  
       [0017] The core may retain 95% or more by volume, or alternatively by weight, of the liquid retained therein when it is cleaved, cut or segmented. Preferably the core retains 96% or more, more preferably 97% or more, 98% or more, 99% or more of the fluid retained therein.  
       [0018] The core may be liquidisable, preferably by a straw adapted to liquidise the solid core and through which the liquidised core may be withdrawn. For example, movement of the straw within the package may break up the matrix material into a flow-able mush.  
       [0019] The liquid may be a beverage. The beverage may be an alcoholic beverage or may be a non-alcoholic beverage. The beverage may be carbonated. In the case of carbonated beverages the gas may be introduced into the core through a semi-permeable skin which may subsequently be made non-permeable, for example, by a curing process. The curing process may be a thermal and or a chemical curing process.  
       [0020] The liquid may be a pharmaceutical or a pharmaceutical in solution. The pharmaceutical may be for treating humans and/or for treating animals,  
       [0021] The package may have any combination, or all, of a lipid based skin, a carbohydrate core, and a consommé liquid, and may thereby supply nutrients substantially equivalent to a meal,  
       [0022] The package may, when ruptured, deliver a known volume of liquid. This will be particularly applicable to the mixing of cocktails, for example where a plurality of packages is placed in a cocktail shaker, possibly with a rupturing mechanism for the packages therein, and the packages are broken and a cocktail formed.  
       [0023] Either/both of the core/and the skin may dissolve in a second liquid. The second liquid may be at an elevated temperature relative to the ambient and may contain at least one component of the first liquid. This allows the dosing of the second liquid with the first liquid, for example brandy or other spirit drink in coffee (or other non-alcoholic beverage, such as cola, fruit juice, (e.g. orange juice) ginger ale etc.).  
       [0024] There may be further packaging external of the outer portion. This farther packaging may take the form of a coating which may be harder than the outer portion. The further packaging serves to prevent damage to the packaging during transportation and/or storage.  
       [0025] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing packaging for a liquid including:  
       [0026] providing an inner core in the form of a matrix capable of holding a liquid;  
       [0027] dosing said core with a liquid such that said liquid resides in said matrix; and  
       [0028] substantially enclosing said core in said outer portion so as to substantially prevent evaporation of said liquid.  
       [0029] Preferably the core can self-support the liquid: i.e. when dosed with liquid not much, or substantially none, of the liquid readily runs out of the core under the influence of gravity alone.  
       [0030] The dosing of the inner portion with the liquid may take the form of any one or any combination of; injection with the liquid, partial or complete immersion in the liquid, spraying of the inner portion with the liquid. The dosing may take place before, or after, the provision of the outer portion.  
       [0031] The outer portion may be provided by immersing the core in molten wax or spraying the core with a confectionery, for example sugar.  
       [0032] The dosed liquid may be a beverage. The beverage may be alcoholic or non-alcoholic.  
       [0033] There may be provided the additional step of passing a gas, for example CO 2  or N 2 , into the core in order to pressurise/‘carbonate’ the liquid.  
       [0034] Alternatively the liquid may be pre-pressurised ‘carbonated’/‘nitrogenated’ prior to the dosing of the core with the liquid.  
       [0035] The outer portion may allow the ingress of the gas into, but not the egress of the gas out of the inner portion.  
       [0036] The additional step of curing a semi-permeable outer portion may be provided for example, in order to prevent the outflow of the gas from the inner portion.  
       [0037] There may be provided the additional step of segmenting and/or portioning either or both of the inner/outer portions.  
       [0038] The additional step of providing cross-ribs internally of the inner portion in order to support the outer portion, in use, may be provided.  
       [0039] Additionally, or alternatively the additional step of providing further packaging externally of the system, for example a box or coating, may be provided.  
       [0040] According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid delivery, system including a plurality of packages, the plurality of packages being contained within a major package according to the first aspect of the present invention.  
       [0041] The packages may be in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, or they may be “skinless”, having a matrix but no individual outer encapsulating portion.  
       [0042] Several fruit flavoured cordials may be encapsulated in different matrix regions or sections to provide different taste sensations dependent upon whereabouts the matrix is bitten or sliced. Of course, the liquids need not be fruit flavoured, but could simple be differently flavoured liquids. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0043] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which.  
     [0044]FIG. 1 is a sectional view of packaging for a liquid according to the present invention;  
     [0045]FIGS. 2 a  to  2   d  are schematic representations of segmented packaging for a liquid according to the present invention;  
     [0046]FIG. 2 e  is a schematic representation of an edible matrix forming a core of packaging according to the present invention;  
     [0047]FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a pressurisation system for packaging for a liquid delivery system according to the present invention;  
     [0048]FIGS. 4 a  to  4   d  are schematic representations of embodiments of the present invention;  
     [0049]FIG. 5 a  is a schematic representation of packaging for a liquid, in accordance with the present invention, being placed in a vessel containing a potable liquid;  
     [0050]FIG. 5 b  is a schematic representation of a plurality of packages in accordance with the present invention and a blender;  
     [0051]FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an embodiment packaging according to the present invention being hung from a tree; and  
     [0052]FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of packaging according to the present invention as a Christmas decoration. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0053] Packaging  10  for a liquid is in the form of an apple, and includes a core  12  and an outer portion, typically in the form of a skin  14 .  
     [0054] The core  12  is made from a solid, absorbent, porous, edible material. The core  12  has a plurality of cross-ribs  15  extending throughout its extent in three mutually perpendicular directions. The cross-ribs  15  are typically made from a resilient, edible, material which may be of the same or a similar material to the core  12 .  
     [0055] The skin  14  completely encapsulates the core  12  and is typically made of an edible wax or confectionery, The entire packaging  10  may be edible such that it is possible to bite into the core  12  and chew a piece of the core  12  in order to obtain the liquid therefrom, this is similar to eating an apple.  
     [0056] Alternatively the core  12  may be liquidised and removed via a straw or through an opening in the skin  14 , A liquidising straw  16  is shown penetrating the skin  14  into the core  12 , thereby simulating the stem of the apple. The straw  16  has a plurality of teeth  18 , adapted to the break up the core  12 , at an end thereof which lies internally of the core  12 . The straw  16  is typically made of a plastics material and may be provided separately, with the packaging  10 , and inserted by the user. Alternatively the straw  16  may be integrally formed with the packaging  10 . Also, the straw  16  may not have teeth  18  at one end but may have a spoon, paddle, propeller, tines or an, other suitable implement adapted to liquidise the core  12  thereat. The core may be liquidised by mechanical movement of the straw in the breaking up the structure of the matrix to form a flow-able mush.  
     [0057] The matrix could, for example, be a structure of ice crystals which are broken up to make the liquid trapped flow-able within the smaller, ice crystals.  
     [0058] In use, the core  12  may be provided in a variety of sizes and dosed with a predetermined amount of liquid, for example 330 ml in the case of a soft drink, or 25 ml in the case of a spirit, which is appropriate to the size of the core  12 . The dosing can be typically carried out by immersing the core  12 , in the liquid, injecting the core  12  with the liquid or standing the core  12  in a bath or tray (not shown) of the liquid,  
     [0059] The skin  14  is applied to the outer surface of the core  12  in order to prevent evaporation of the liquid from the core  12  and in order to prevent the effusion of the liquid during transportation. The skin  14  is also important for hygiene considerations in that it helps prevent bacterial, microbial and fungal attacks on the liquid containing core.  
     [0060] The cross-ribs  15  add rigidity to the core and thereby retain the skin  14  in position, preventing the core  12  from being crushed during transportation/storage,  
     [0061] The straw  16  is shown inserted through the skin  14  into the core  12 . The action of the teeth  18  upon movement of the straw  16  breaks down the core  12  and the cross-ribs  15  so that a pulp is formed within the skin  14  which can be removed either via the straw  16  or draining the pulp from an opening (not shown) in the skin  14 . The straw could be used to form the drainage opening which could be the straw-introduction opening, Or it could be a second opening, for example generally opposite the straw-introduction opening.  
     [0062] It will be appreciated that it is possible to remove part or all of the skin  14  in order to expose the core  12  in order to remove part thereof or remove the liquid therefrom.  
     [0063] It will further be appreciated that an optional coating  20  can be applied over the skin  14  which will typically be harder than the skin  14 . The coating  20  can be used instead of/in addition to the cross-ribs  15  in order to ensure damage free transportation of the packaged liquids. This hard outer coating  20  is typically made from, for example, pectin, carrageenan, gelatin, alginates, starch, gellan, gum arabic or sugars, agar, guar, karaya, konjac, tara, tragacanth, xanthan, mineral oils e.g. paraffin.  
     [0064] Referring now to FIGS. 2 a  to  2   d  packaging  10  includes a plurality of curved, wedge shaped segments  22 . Each of the segments  22  includes a body portion  24  and an outer skin  26 . The segments could be frangibly attached to adjacent segments, or could be unconnected to each other.  
     [0065] The body portion  24  is made from a similar or the same material to, and serves the same purpose as, the core  12  of the embodiment of FIG. 1. The skin  26  is made from the same or a similar material to, and serves the same purpose as, the skin  14  and extends over the curved outer surface of the body portions  24 . Although not shown, the skin  26  may enclose the entire body portion  24 .  
     [0066] The provision of segments  22  allows the liquid to be dispensed in defined measures/portions and the liquid/beverage to be easily shared. It also allows different liquids to be in different segments.  
     [0067] The packaging  10  can be further covered in an outer coating (not shown) in order to prevent damage thereto during transportation.  
     [0068] Referring now to FIG. 2 e , the core  12  comprises a matrix  50 , usually an edible matrix formed from roughage, foam, compacted particulate matter or honeycomb type material. The matrix  50  has pores or passageways or channels  52  opening to a surface  54  thereof. The pores  52  defining opening to interstices  56  which may be in the form of channels  58 , voids  60  or both. A liquid dosed upon the matrix  50  resides in these interstices  56 , typically by capillary action. The matrix  50  is then encapsulated in the skin  14  so as to prevent evaporation of the liquid from the core  12 .  
     [0069] Referring now to FIG. 3, packaging  10  is adapted to contain a carbonated liquid, for example a sparkling beverage, includes a core  28 , and a semi-permeable skin  30 .  
     [0070] A gas supply  32 , typically CO 2  or Na is connected to a delivery mask  34  via a supply line  36 . The mask  34  is held in abutment with the skin  30 , effectively forming a sealed region  38 , the supply  32  is actuated and gas passes along the supply line  36  and is forced through the skin  30 , by pressure of the gas.  
     [0071] The skin  30  is then cured either, by chemical means, for example by the introduction of a curing gas into the ambient surrounding the system or by thermal means, in order to make it non-permeable and thereby retain the injected gas within the core  28 .  
     [0072] Some of the gas is liberated from solution within the core  28  upon rupturing the skin  30  in a similar manner to the liberation of gas from pressurised liquids upon the opening of the bottle of a pressurised liquid.  
     [0073] Alternatively in a further embodiment of the present invention (not shown), a core can be dosed with a carbonated liquid under a pressurised atmosphere in order to retain the gas in the core. The core is then coated with the skin, whilst still in a pressurised atmosphere and then removed from the atmosphere. The skin, in this case, is non-permeable therefore the gas is retained within the core by the skin.  
     [0074] Referring now to FIGS. 4 a  to  4   d , packaging can be produced in a shape that is representative of the flavour of the liquid that is contained therein, for example a strawberry  62 , a cherry  64 , a banana  66  or an orange  68 .  
     [0075] In a yet further application shown in FIG. 5 a , the packaging  70 , i.e. both the skin and the core, dissolves in a second liquid in a vessel  72 , the vessel  72  is typically a cup or a glass. The liquid contained in the packaging  70  is released into the second liquid. For example a measure of brandy, typically 25 ml, contained within the packaging  70  is released upon being dissolved in a cup  72  containing coffee to provide a liqueur coffee. Alternatively, the packaging  70  may contain whisky or bourbon and the vessel  72  contains cola. In a yet further alternative the vessel  72  contains beer and the packaging  70  contains a measure of cordial or lemonade.  
     [0076] Referring now to FIG. 5 b , a plurality of packages  74   a - d  each, typically, containing a different flavour of beverage are placed in a blender  76 . The blender  76  is actuated and the packages  74   a - d  are liquidised by a blade  78  to form a cocktail of the beverages contained in the packages  74   a - d . This allows pre-measured, packaged amounts of beverages to be served thereby reducing wastage and also the opportunity for bar staff to serve more or less than the correct measure of a beverage.  
     [0077] Referring now to FIG. 6, a package  80  is typically in the shape of a fruit, for example a cherry, has a straw  82  projecting therefrom, The straw  82  is bendable towards a free end  84  thereof. The straw  82  is shown with the free end  84  bend so as to define a hook portion  86 . The hook portion  86  is used to hang the package  80  from a branch  88  or other projection. The straw  82  has sufficient stiffness to prevent the free end  84  bending when the package  80  is depending from the branch  88  but can be straightened by a user in order to drink a beverage contained therein.  
     [0078] Referring now to FIG. 7, packaging can be produced in the form of a Christmas decoration  90 , having an outer skin  92  that has a design  94 , for example a snowman, upon it. The outer skin  92  can also have edible glitter  94  placed upon it in order to improve the eye appeal of the decoration  90 .  
     [0079] It will be appreciated that the packaging need not be in the shape of a fruit but may be in any convenient shape, for example a Valentine heart, a sporting trophy, a tree for example a Christmas tree, an Easter egg, a can, a vehicle for example a New York taxi or a container/bottle.  
     [0080] It will be further appreciated that the core need not have internal cross-ribs, there can be external further packaging in order to prevent damage to the system during transportation and storage.