SEALABLE IVHN!-CUP FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a seaiabie 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 soiid/s for consumption after the consumption of 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

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 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 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 mouth. Long-term consumption of certain beverages provided in takeaway cups (e.g. coffee and tea} can also cause discolouration of teeth. 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 sealabie mini-cup, which can be used in a nested arrangement in an assembly comprising a sealabie mini-cup, moulded lid and takeaway cup. Specifically, the Applicant has developed a sealab!e-mini-cup thai can be located in the moulds commonly present in the lids of takeaway cups.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Seaiable mini-cup is In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sealabie mini-cup that can be located In a nested arrangement in the moulded lid of the takeaway cup. When the sealabie mini-cup is located on the moulded iid, it is surrounded at least in part by a raised section of the moulded lid.

The seaiable mini-cup can be constituted according to different principles. >o In one embodiment of the present invention, the sealabie mini-cup comprises:

a cup having a wail and a base; and

a iid 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 seaiable 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 0 outwards {i.e. it is curved downwards when the sealabie mini-cup is placed upright on a flat surface) and indented, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The seaiabie mini-cup can be made from different materials known to persons of ordinary skill in the art, including plastic, fo example, polyethylene terephthaiate. The material used should be food grade and, if plastic, free from bisphenol A. The material used can be compostable or biodegradable.

The seaiabie 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 sealab!e mini-cup has a rim. The seaiabie mini-cup preferably has a handle protruding outwards from the rim. in one embodiment, the rim has a handle that is an outwardly protruding tab.

The lid is attached to the rim of the seaiabie mini-cup by means of a seal, which can be peeled from the rim. The lid of the seaiabie mini-cup can be made from different materials known to persons of ordinary skill in the art, including polyethylene terephthaiate or metallised polyethylene terephthaiate. Where the lid is shaped to resemble the rim with an outwardly protruding handle, easy removal of the lid from the cup is facilitated.

The seaiabie mini-cup can be manufactured using either a manual single cup sealing machine, or a single lane or muiti-lane automatic rotary or linear filling and sealing machine.

The seaiabie 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 soiid/s can then be carbonated (in the case of a iiquid/s), measured or weighed and fed, dropped or poured using a filler into the seaiabie mini-cup(s).

in the final step of the manufacturing process, the lid is heat-sealed onto the rim of the seaiabie mini-cup containing the liquid/s or soiid/s. The result of this manufacturing process is a seaiabie mini-cup(s) with a sealed lid. Seaiabie mini-cup and takeaway cup assembly

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided 5 a seaiabie mini-cup and takeaway cup assembly, comprising:

a seaiabie mini-cup;

a takeaway cup iid with a mould; and

a takeaway cup,

wherein the seaiabie mini-cup can be located in a nested arrangement in the ■ o moulded lid of the takeaway cup. When the seaiabie mini-cup is located on the moulded iid, 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 seaiabie mini-cup falling out. is Figure 1 is a diagram showing a seaiabie mini-cup and takeaway cup assembly according to the invention described in the present specification, in Figure 1 (1 ) is the seaiabie lid of the mini-cup; (2) is the seaiabie mini-cup; (3) is the wall of the seaiabie rnini-cup; (4) is the iid of the takeaway cup and (5) is the takeaway cup.

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Sea!able mini-cup

The seaiabie mini-cup can be constituted according to the principles described above,

5

Takeaway cup lid

The takeaway cup lid used is only limited to the extent thai it has a mould in which the seaiabie mini-cup can be located in a nested arrangement. The takeaway0 cup lid can be made from different materials known to persons of ordinary skill In the art, including plastic. Takeaivay cup

The takeaway cup used is only limited to ihe extent that it has a rim onto which a takeaway cup lid snap-fits. The takeaway cup can be made from different materials known to persons of ordinary skiil in the art, including plastic and coated cardboard.

Method of carrying, consumabie ii¾uid s or sgjid^ accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of carrying !iquid/s or solid/s for consuming separately to, or mixing with, the beverage in the takeaway cup, comprising:

a seaiable mini-cup that can be fitted in a nested arrangement in the moulded lid of the takeaway cup;

a takeaway cup lid with a mould; and

a takeaway cup containing a beverage,

in which the seaiable mini-cup contains a consumabie iiquid/s or solid/s. The consumable Iiquid/s or solid/s may be consumed separately to the beverage in the takeaway cup or mixed with the beverage in the takeaway cup.

The !iqiHd/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 seaiable 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 seaiable 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 iiquid/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 herb-based flavours, including peppermint, spearmint, ginger, green tea, lime and lemon flavours. Liquid/s or soiid/s can also be placed in the seaiabie mini-cup to be mixed with the beverage in ths takeaway cup prior to consumption. An example of a liquid mixed with a beverage in a takeaway cup is whiskey from the sea!ab!© 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 seaiabie mini-cup sprinkled on a soup.

Method of freshening the mouth so 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 seaiabie mini-cup;

a takeaway cup lid with a mould: and

a takeaway cup containing a beverage,

in which the seaiabie mini-cup contains a consumable mouth freshener that iso 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 seaiabie 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 the5 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. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAVV!NGS

In order thai ins present invention can be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference wiii now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 2 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the ssalabie mini-cup; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a preferred embodiment of the sealabie mini-cup;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side view;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view; and

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of the seaiable 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

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 seaiable mini-cup (10).

The seaiable mini-cup (10) has a removable iid (not shown) and a cup (12).

The cup (12) has a convex base (13). A wail (15) extends upwards and outwards from the convex base (13) to a rim (16). The wail (15) has two ridges (17). These ridges (17) together with the convex base (13) provide structural integrity to mitigate against deformation of the seaiable mini-cup (10). There is a tab (18) extending from the rim (16) with which to hold the seaiable mini-cup (10).

The !id (not shown) can be secured to the cup rim (16) by using a manual single cup sealing machine, or a single iane or multi-lane automatic rotary or iinear filling and sealing machine with a heating element to heat two layers of polyeth!yene - one layer on the rim (16) and the other layer on the base of the lidding film. When heated, the two layers of polyethylene bond to make a seal. To obtain a seal suitable for storing carbonated liquids, the sealing time, seaiing 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 Semi-Auto Capping Machine, Model BZD95. With this machine, ihe lid can be secured to the rim of single cup by heating the heating element to a temperature of approximately 155"C to 165 ^* 0, gently pulling down the lever and holding for approximately 0.5 to 1 .5 seconds.

The lid (not shown) may be made from polyethylene terephthalats or metallised polyethylene terephtha!ate, in each case laminated with linear low-densit polyethylene. The lid can seal iiquid/s or solid/s (not shown) in the seaiable mini-cup (10). The contents of the seaiable mini-cup (10) are removed by peeling the lid off from the rim (16).

The seaiable mini-cup (10) may be made from one of the following food grade plastics materials: amorphous polyethylene ferephtha!aie, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene or polystyrene, in each case laminated with linear low-density polyethylene. The seaiable mini-cup (10) may be transparent, translucent, opaque or coloured.

In a preferred embodiment, the seaiable 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 ( 7) of the seaiable mini-cup wail provide structure! integrity to withstand pressure exerted when a carbonated liquid is sealed in the seaiable mini-cup (10).

The seaiable 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. f ig e s

With reference to Figure 6 there is shown an assembly of a seaiable mini-cup (10) in a nested arrangement with a takeaway cup lid (20) for a coated cardboard takeaway cup (30). The seaiable mini-cup (10) is of substantially complementary dimensions to the mould (23) of the takeaway cup lid (20) and is surrounded at ieast in part by the raised section (21 ) of the moulded lid . The takeaway cup lid (20) has a spout (22). 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 of ordinary skiii in the art are deemed to faii 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.