Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/156,182, filed March 3, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a system and method for storage and delivery of an item simultaneously with the delivery of a beverage. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to a system and method for storage and delivery of an item such as a breath freshener. More specifically, some embodiments of the present invention is concerned with the retail coffee cup and the incorporation of the invention into the disposable coffee cup so that a breath freshener is readily available to the consumer.

Background

[0003] Billions of beverages are served daily, oftentimes in one-time-use containers. While many of these beverages serve functional purposes, such as coffee, they oftentimes come with the lingering after-effect of bad breath. A high number of these beverages are served with the purpose of being taken to-go and the consumer is not provided with after-beverage services and amenities, such as breath fresheners in the forms of mints or the like. Further, it is impractical to include a breath freshener separate from the beverage, as the consumer is likely to not wish to carry around a separate item until after they finish their beverage. The outcome of this is experienced every day across the globe - bad breath throughout the day. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a way to include a item within the packaging or the container of the beverage itself, to provide a convenient, all-in-one solution to the post beverage bad breath. Summary

[0004] Some embodiments of the instant invention comprise a method to incorporate an item, such as a breath freshener into a beverage container, such as a disposable or non-disposable travel coffee cup. In some embodiments, the item storage mechanism is designed to become a part of the disposable cardboard thermal sleeve or disposable cup (such as a coffee cup) with a novel built in storage area gives the consumer access to a readily available item (such as a breath freshener) sold along with the beverage (such as coffee). In some embodiments, the storage mechanism is located as either part of the thermal sleeve around the diameter of the cup or on the underside of the cup.

[0005] It will be appreciated that the instant invention is capable of delivery of any item that is desired to be delivered simultaneously with the delivery of a beverage. The instant invention is particularly well suited to address a common problem of coffee breath. The invention solves the problem in which a coffee consumer will not always have a readily available breath freshener after having finished consuming a coffee beverage. Notwithstanding, it will be appreciated that other embodiments of the inventive concept are utilized to deliver items other than breath fresheners.

[0006] To solve the issue of bad breath, the present invention provides a container with a false bottom which houses a item, such as a bad breath. Further, the present invention considers incorporation of an item pouch into a thermal sleeve which are oftentimes provided with a beverage. The thermal sleeve item pouch houses an item, such as a breath freshener, which is capable of being selectively accessed by a user.

[0007] The foregoing and other objects are intended to be illustrative of the invention and are not meant in a limiting sense. Many possible embodiments of the invention may be made and will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and accompanying drawings comprising a part thereof. Various features and subcombinations of invention may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of this invention and various features thereof.

Brief Description

[0008] A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which the applicant has contemplated applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

[0009] Fig. l is a bottom perspective view of a cup with removable bottom according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of the cup of Fig. 1.

[0011] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a bottom component of a container system according to some embodiments.

[0012] Fig. 4 is a side view of the bottom component of Fig. 3.

[0013] Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a bottom component of a container system according to some embodiments.

[0014] Fig. 6 is a side view of a thermal sleeve with a container, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the thermal sleeve of Fig. 6, shown without the container.

[0016] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the thermal sleeve of Fig. 7.

[0017] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a thermal sleeve according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] Fig. 10 is a side view of at least a part of a thermal sleeve, shown with a pouch adjacent to an item, according to some embodiments.

[0019] Fig. 11a is a perspective view of at least part of a thermal sleeve, shown with a pouch covering an item, according to some embodiments. [0020] Fig. 10b is a perspective view of the thermal sleeve of Fig. 10a, shown with a see- through pouch.

Detailed Description

[0021] As required, a detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the principles of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

[0022] The instant invention provides access to an item 130, such as a breath freshener directly with the beverage container (e.g. a coffee cup) that is consumed. In some embodiments the breath freshener is chewing gum or a mint. It will be appreciated that this delivery mechanism and the utility of packaging a breath freshener (or other item 130) with the coffee cup (or other beverage container) includes various embodiments comprising any form factor depending upon the beverage container and the item 130 being delivered. In some embodiments, the breath freshener storage compartment is a permanent part of the beverage container/coffee cup and is integrated into the container during the manufacturing process. In various embodiments, the storage compartment is formed as part of the coffee cup side, as a thermal sleeve 220, and/or at the bottom on the underside of the cup itself.

[0023] Several different embodiments of breath freshener storage methods are disclosed herein, including, but not limited to the following locations and methods of packaging the breath freshener to the disposable coffee cup.

[0024] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a container system 100 is shown. In some embodiments, the container system 100 includes an upper component 110 and a lower and/or bottom component 120. The upper component 110 includes a conical section 112. In some embodiments, the conical section 112 is wrapped such that it defines a tube with interior 114 and at least one opening. In some embodiments, the conical section has a first and second end, and in some embodiments the diameter of the one of the first or second end is greater than the other.

[0025] In some embodiments, the upper component further includes an intermediary member 116. In some embodiments, the intermediary surface is attached to the conical section 112 at one end. In some embodiments, the conical section 112 attaches to the perimeter of the intermediary member 116. In some embodiments, the attachment is by way of glue or other adhesive means. In some embodiments, the intermediary member 116 includes a top surface and a bottom surface. In some embodiments, the top surface serves as the bottom of the interior 114 while the bottom surface of the intermediary member 116 defines a portion of a compartment, such as a compartment for storing an item 130. In some embodiments, a perimetral lip 118 extends outwards a first distance relative the bottom surface of the intermediary member 116. In some embodiments, the first distance is greater than at least one dimension of item 130. In some embodiments, the perimetral lip 118 defines at least a portion of a compartment. In some embodiments, the perimetral lip 118 is formed at least partially by the conical section 112, such that the intermediary member 116 is attached to an interior of the conical section 112 in an intermediate position, such as shown in Fig. 1.

[0026] In some embodiments, the container system 100 further includes a bottom component 120. In some embodiments, the bottom component 120 includes an upper surface 122 and a lower surface 124. In some embodiments, the upper surface 122 is configured to interface with at least a portion of the perimetral lip 118. In some embodiments, where the bottom component 120 interfaces with the perimetral lip 118, the bottom component 120, perimetral lip 118, and intermediary member 116 form a compartment. In some embodiments, the compartment is suitable for storing an item 130, such as a breath mint. In some embodiments, the bottom component 120 is removable relative to a perimetral lip 118, such that a user accesses the item 130 through removal of the bottom component 120.

[0027] In some embodiments, item 130 is located or otherwise affixed to a surface of the bottom component 120, such as shown in Fig. 2. In some embodiments, the surface is the upper surface of the bottom component 120. In some embodiments, item 130 is located or otherwise affixed on the underside of the intermediary member 116, such as is shown in Fig. 1. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the bottom component 120 is not included. In such embodiments, the perimetral lip 118 is configured such that the lip supports the entire container system 100 when placed on a surface and provides clearance for the item 130. In some such embodiments, the item 130 being stored is sized such that the item 130 thickness is less than or equal to the length of the perimetral lip 118 that extends from the cup bottom. In this manner, the container system 100 is capable of being placed on a surface without any interference from the item 130 being stored.

[0028] In some embodiments, the bottom component 120 is a transparent bottom, while in yet some embodiments the bottom component 120 is a paper bottom. In some embodiments, the bottom component 120 is secured via one of several methods, including, but not limited to; a perforated diameter edge that separates from the perimetral lip 118 itself when a tab or cutout 126 are pulled, a glued outer edge that wraps on the outside diameter of the container system 100 and/or a perimetral lip 118 of the container system 100, or a glued edge that is secured to the inside perimeter of the bottom component 120.

[0029] In some embodiments, an item 130 of the instant invention includes a connection mechanism, such as double-sided tape, that allows the item 130 to be attached to the container system 100. In some embodiments, the item 130 is attached to a storage location of an existing container, such as to the bottom of a cup with a rim. In some embodiments the storage location is sized and shaped to accommodate the item 130 being stored.

[0030] Referring to Fig. 5, in some embodiments the bottom component 120 includes one or more tab or cutout 126. In some embodiments, tab or cutout 126 is sized such as to be engagable by a digit of a user. In some embodiments, when a force is applied to the tab or cutout 126, the bottom component 120 separates from the perimetral lip 118, allowing access to the item 130.

[0031] Referring to Figs. 6-8, in some embodiments, a container system 200 with a sleeve 220 is considered. In some embodiments, the sleeve 220 is a thermal sleeve. In some embodiments, the sleeve 220 is configured to engage with a container component 210 in a manner generally traditional with thermal sleeves. In some embodiments, the thermal sleeve 220 is selectively removable from the container component 210, while in some embodiments the thermal sleeve 220 is manufactured as part of the container component 210 itself.

[0032] Referring to Fig. 7, a thermal sleeve 220 is shown in a disassembled configuration. To engage with the container component, the thermal sleeve 220 is formed into a cylindrical shape and opposing ends of the thermal sleeve 220 are affixed to one another via one or more affixation means, such as gluing. In some embodiments, the sleeve 220 includes an inner surface 222 and an outer surface 224. When formed into a cylindrical shape, the inner surface 222 is positioned proximate a surface of a container component 210.

[0033] In some embodiments, the sleeve 220 includes one or more engageable pouch 230. In some embodiments, the pouch 230 is positioned and/or affixed on an outer surface 224 of the sleeve 220, such that it is accessible when the sleeve 220 is in an assembled configuration. In some embodiments, the pouch 230 includes a first wall 231 which extends from the outer surface 224 of the sleeve 220. In some embodiments, the first wall 231 includes opposing ends which are connected to or otherwise abut a second wall 232 and a third wall 233, such that the first, second, and third walls comprise three sides of a compartment of the pouch. In some embodiments, the first, second and third walls extend from the outer surface 224 of the sleeve 220.

[0034] In some embodiments, the pouch 230 further includes a first panel 234 hingedly coupled to the first wall 231 such that the first panel 234 rotates about the connection point to the first wall 231. In some embodiments, the first panel 234 is dimensioned such that it is the same width as a width of the first wall 231. In some embodiments, a second panel 235 is connected to the first panel 234 at an end opposite the hinge. In some embodiments, the second panel 235 is connected at approximately a 90 degree angle and is resiliently flexile with respect to the connection point. In some embodiments, a third panel 236 is connected to the second panel 235 at an end opposite the second panel’s 235 connection to the first panel 234. In some embodiments, the third panel 236 is connected at an approximately 90 degree angle, and is resiliently flexile with respect to the connection point. In some embodiments, the third panel 236 is relatively planar to the first panel 234. In some embodiments, the first, second, and third panels are formed from the same piece of material, which has been creased to create the connection hinges. In some embodiments, the first, second, and third panels, together, form a tab member.

[0035] In some embodiments, a brace 237 is included. In some embodiments, the brace 237 is a piece of material which is positioned proximate one end of at least one of the second and/or third wall. In some embodiments, the brace 237 spans the length of the gap between the second and third walls opposing the first wall. In some embodiments, the brace 237 is formed separately from the sleeve 220, while in some embodiments the brace 237 is integrated within the sleeve 220. In some embodiments, the brace 237 is integrated within the sleeve 220 and formed by one or more perforations and/or cuts in the material of the sleeve 220. In some embodiments, the brace 237 is constructed to selectively engage with at least one panel of the tab member, such as the third panel 236. In some embodiments, the brace 237 is dimensioned such as to receive the entirety of the third panel 236 and capture the third panel through friction.

[0036] In some embodiments, the pouch 230 and/or tab member is movable between open and closed configurations. In the open configuration, the tab member and its panels are disengaged from the brace 237, such that the interior of the pouch 230 is accessible. In the closed configuration, the tab member and its panels are engaged with the brace 237, such as by way of the third panel 236 being friction locked within the brace 237. In such a configuration, the first panel 234 abuts top edges of the second and third walls and the second panel 235 defines a fourth wall of the pouch 230, such that the first panel, second panel, first wall, second wall, and third wall define a compartment in which an item is secured. Moving between these two configurations involves engaging a panel of the tab member, such as the second or third panel, and applying a deflecting force to the panel, such that the panel temporarily deflects around one connection point. This deflection displaces the third panel relative to the brace, such that the tab member is free to rotate around the hinge connection between the first panel and the first wall. In some embodiments, moving the pouch between from the open configuration to the close configuration involved displacing the third panel relative to the brace, rotating the tab member relative to the first wall about the hinge connection until the third panel abuts an opening associated with the brace, and then releasing the force deflecting the third panel, such that the tab member resiliently returns to its pre-configured shape, forcing the third panel to engage with the brace in a friction fit.

[0037] In some embodiments, the pouch and its components are formed separately from the sleeve, while in some embodiments the pouch and its components are formed along with the sleeve. [0038] Referring to Fig. 9- 10b, in some embodiments, the item is wholly contained within a pouch 240 affixed to a thermal sleeve 220. In some embodiments, the pouch 240 includes a first panel 242 and perimetral panels 244, which in some embodiments further include one or more attachment surface. In some embodiments, the perimetral panels are positioned and affixed to a perimeter of the first panel, such as to form a compartment when the pouch 240 is affixed to the thermal sleeve. In some embodiments, the pouch is affixed to the thermal sleeve through an adhesive, while in some embodiments, the thermal sleeve is manufactured in such a way that the pouch is embedded into the sleeve material. In some embodiments, the pouch 240 is configured to house an item, which is selectively accessible to a user. In some embodiments, the pouch is a permanent part of the thermal sleeve and will be part of the manufacturing process. In some embodiments the pouch is removable and capable of being pulled open by a user to gain access to the item. Some embodiments of the removable piece include, but are not limited to, a perforated edge that separates when pulled open from a top pull tab.

[0039] In addition to the previous examples of the utility of incorporating the item into the container system and/or sleeve, it will be appreciated that various embodiments of the inventive concept cover the incorporation of the item into a lid of the container system, utilizing a separate storage cavity for the item and accessing the item via a removable top or access door of some type.

[0040] Various embodiments of the inventive concept include the incorporation, storage, and accessibility of a breath freshener (or other item) with a disposable cup, travel cup, or other beverage container.

[0041] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the description and illustration of the inventions is by way of example, and the scope of the inventions is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

[0042] Although the foregoing detailed description of the present invention has been described by reference to an exemplary embodiment, and the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that certain changes, modification or variations may be made in embodying the above invention, and in the construction thereof, other than those specifically set forth herein, may be achieved by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that such changes, modification or variations are to be considered as being within the overall scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is contemplated to cover the present invention and any and all changes, modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall with in the true spirit and scope of the underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein. Consequently, the scope of the present invention is intended to be limited only by the attached claims, all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0043] Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the invention is constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations, are set forth in the appended claims.

[0044] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.