WO2001014220A1

WO2001014220A1 - Dispensing container and method for dispensing

Info

Publication number: WO2001014220A1
Application number: PCT/GB1999/002608
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthew John Sweetapple
Original assignee: Taste 2 Limited
Priority date: 1998-08-19
Filing date: 1999-08-19
Publication date: 2001-03-01

Abstract

A package includes two or more chambers (3) holding respective potable fluids having differing taste characteristics, and outflow ducts, for example in the form of straws (10), for extending from the respective chambers (3) towards the mouth of a consumer to lead respective streams of the respective fluids towards the mouth, so that the streams impinge concurrently upon respective groups of taste buds in the mouth, so giving differing taste sensations, and that the streams then mix in the mouth.

Description

Di spensi ng contai ner and method for di spensi ng

This invention relates to apparatus for use in consumption of potable fluids and to a consumption method . By

' potable fluids ' in this specification is meant any liquid, syrup, flo able paste, or particulate, intended to be drunk or ingested .

Various types of containers are known for holding fruit drinks, the containers being made of glass, plastics-coated paperboard or of moulded plastics. One type has in its top an outlet in the plastics-coated paperboard and covered by foil for keeping the contents intact and sealed from the atmosphere. When the drink is to be consumed, the foil is pierced by means of a drinking straw, of which one end is pushed αown into the container to enable its contents to be suckeα out of the container.

GB-A-2315057 describes a carbonated drinks can which is divided into two sections by an internal vertical divider which separates the can into two chambers of equal volume and containing two liquids. Each chamber is openable with a single multi-use ring-pull arrangement at the top of the can and comprising two chamber-accessing sections of the top wall of the can, one for each chamber, and a centrally located single ring-pull which is rotatably mounted on a rivet. The ring-pull and the accessing sections are arranged with tne ring-pull oetween ana slightly overlapping the accessing sections. In use, the ring-pull is rotateα in either direction to locate one end portion of the ring-pull over one of the accessing sections. The opposite end portion of the ring-pull is then lifted manually to apply an opening pressure on the chosen accessing section, which folds down into the respective chamber so that access can be gained to the liquid contained therein. Thus, if only half of the contents of the whole can are consumed, the other half will not go flat. GB-A-2291852 discloses a cylindrical unit in the form cf two or more containers, for example cans, which may be separable or inseparable from each other, for containing differing foodstuffs, liquids, or consumer durables. Each can is opened by a separate ring-pull, rupturing of a foil, or a screw cap. The unit may be used in microwave cookers if foodstuffs within the unit need heating or cooking or for drinks that require mixing such as alcoholic/non-alcoholic or non-alcoholic/ non-alcoholic combinations to be mixed in a separate drinking receptacle. The unit may also be used in such a way that liquid in one container is consumed at one point and the liquid in the or each other container kept fresh for later consumption. GB-A-2275666 discloses a container in the form of a bottle comprising two separate compartments, each compartment having its own opening and closing means and containing different liquids. In addition, one compartment is approximately twice the volume of the other. The larger of the two compartments may contain a dark-coloured liquor and the smaller compartment may contain a white cream liquor of a substantially different density from that of the dark- coloured liquor of the larger compartment. In use, the two liquors are poured into a drinking receptacle separately, the dark liquor first, followed by the cream liquor. Since the density of the cream liquor is less than that of the dark liquor, the cream liquor floats on top of the dark liquor.

GB-A-2182639 discloses a drinks carrier comprised of a plurality of plastics drinking vessels, each vessel containing a potable liquid and a drinking straw therein. The drinking vessels are readily separable, are sealable and are readily openable. Different vessels may contain the same or different-flavoured liquids. In use, the drinking vessels can be removed individually from the carrier. EP-A-0263211 discloses a package comprising two equal- volume containers, each with a hole for a drinking straw, which are made from a single blank and may contain the same or different-flavoured beverages. The two containers are joined at the mid-line of a common end wall so as to be turnable away from each other for consumption of their respective contents by two people simultaneously. In another example, the mid-line comprises a weakened tear line so that the two containers may be separated for consumption by two people simultaneously, or by one person consuming one container at a time, so leaving the contents of the unopened container fresh for later consumption. In another example, face-to-face side walls of the containers comprise foil- covered holes pierceable with a drinking straw inserted into a straw insertion hole located on an opposite side wall of one of the containers and in precise alignment with the foil- covered holes of the face-to-face walls. This enables two different liquids in the respective containers to mix to form a single beverage inside the containers.

US-A-4194619 discloses a flexible, light-weight, hard- wearing container for storing multiple rigid fluid storage decanters, each decanter being stored in an individualised compartment within the flexible container. The decanters are shaped to provide support, when arranged in the flexible container, to mixing and/or drinking receptacles into which the fluids contained within the decanters are poured.

US-A-4148417 discloses a plastics squeezable container for one or more viscous fluids (such as catsup, mustard, honey, salad dressing, mayonnaise, speciality dressings, and/or the like, with its internal volume divided into two roughly equal compartments by a suitable partition, or two separate containers having flat complementary wall surfaces held flush together by a suitable structure so as to appear to be one container. Each compartment or container comprises one or more screw cap assemblies each including one or two readily openable and closable dispensing nozzles through which the viscous fluid (s) is/are dispensed, when the compartments or containers are squeezed. One or both nozzles can be open to dispense one or both products. The containers are shaped to enhance the dispersement of the viscous fluids when squeezed.

US-A-4139114 discloses a composite unit of individual cont iners for liquids and/or solids wherein the individual containers are releasably connected together and thus readily separated from the unit and have independent opening means. The composite unit can be made up by connecting the separate containers along the longitudinal axis or alternatively by stacking the containers end-to-end. The containers are separate and independent in terms of their usage.

US-A-3954207 discloses a plastics dispenser, used particularly for the oral administration of pharmaceuticals, comprising a cup and a lid with a liquid-tight seal formed therebetween. The cup is of a collapsible form and the lid has a flexible, collapsible straw formed thereon communicable with the interior compartment of the cup. When not in use the straw is folded into a recess formed in the lid which closes off the interior of the cup from the outside atmosphere. In use, a specific measured dose of one or more solid (in the form of powder) and/or liquid substances is/are put into the cup before the lid is fitted. Once the lid is fitted the contents of the cup may be dispensed either by sucking the contents through the straw, or manually collapsing the walls of the cup to force the contents out through the straw.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus comprising first and second chambers bounded by walls and intended to hold respective first and second potable fluids which are of respective differing taste characteristics, said chambers not communicating with each other in relation to flow of said fluids, and first and second outflow ducts arranged to extend from respective chambers towards the mouth of a consumer and serving to lead respective streams of the respective fluids towards saiα mouth so that saiα fluids mix in said mouth.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising supplying first and second fluids having respective differing taste characteristics and as separate streams to the mouth of a consumer, said fluids mixing in said mouth.

Such differing taste characteristics can be not only differences of flavour, but also differences of other features, such as between sparkling and still, or between hot and cold, or such as differences of texture.

Owing to the invention, a greater variety of taste sensations is available since a consumer is able to introduce at least two streams of potable fluids into his mouth at the same time. The streams are preferably spaced apart as they impinge upon his taste buds. It is envisaged that consumers would be attracted by being able to imbibe two drinks which have significantly different effects on the consumer's taste buds, such as one giving rise to a 'sweet' sensation, while the other gives rise to a 'sour' sensation.

By 'container' in this specification is meant either an integral vessel having two or more compartments each holding a potable fluid, or two or more similar vessels connected together to be sold and used as a single unit.

The differing fluids can be selected from an enormously wide range, and could for example be an alcoholic drink and a non-alcoholic drink, such as gin and tonic water or whisky and soda water; a medicine of unpleasant taste and a drink of a pleasant taste; two differing medicines; two fruit uices, such as apple and blackcurrant; a flavoured dairy product (e.g. a milk-shake) and a fruit juice; or a liquid dairy product (e.g. milk) and coffee or tea.

In order that the invention may be clearly and completely disclosed, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a first embodiment of apparatus in use;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view, similar to Figure 1, of a second embodiment of the apparatus;

Figure 4 is a view, similar to Figure 2 , of the embodiment of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a view, similar to Figure 1, of a third embodiment of the apparatus;

Figure 6 is a view, similar to Figure 2, of the embodiment of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a view, similar to Figure 1, of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus;

Figure 8 is a view, similar to Figure 2, of the embodiment of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a rear elevation of a fifth embodiment of the apparatus;

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the embodiment of Figure 9;

Figure 11 s a view, similar to Figure 2, of the embodiment of Figures 9 and 10,

Figure 12 is a view, similar to Figure 1, of a sixth embodiment of the apparatus,

Figure 13 is a perspective view from above of a stage in the manufacture of a seventh embodiment of the apparatus, Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 13 of a later stage in the manufacture of the seventh embodiment,

Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 13 of a final stage in the manufacture of the seventh embodiment,

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 13 of a stage m the manufacture of an eighth embodiment of the apparatus,

Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 15 of a final stage in the manufacture of the eighth embodiment,

Figure 18 is a view similar to Figure 15 of a ninth embodiment of the apparatus, and Figure 19 is a view from above of the human tongue.

In the following description, parts common to the different Figures retain their original reference numerals.

The package of Figure 1 includes a container 2 navmg two equal-volume chambers 3 separated from each other in a fluid-tight manner by side wall means 4. Each chamber of the container is filled with a drink, with the taste characteristics of the two drinks being different from each other. For instance, it is envisaged that one chamber could contain milk, which the other could contain a fruit αrink. Although the container 2 could be an integral container with a central partition 4, the container may instead consist of two or more integral containers connected together m a suitable way, for example by having their side walls 4 bonded together in any suitable manner, as by an adhesive or thermally, or by suitably wrapping them together, such as by shrink wrapping, to form a unit which is sold and used as such.

As shown in Figure 2, each chamber has at the same end an opening 6 which is sealed by foil 8, the two openings being adjacent to but spaced apart from each other. The openings 6 are adjacent to respective corners of the two chambers 3, which two corners are themselves adjacent to each other. When the drinks are to be consumed, each foil 8 is pierced m known manner by one end of an outflow duct in the form of a drinking straw 10. Before use, the straws 10 may be contained in one or more envelopes suitably adhered to one or more external surfaces of the container 2. This package enables, for the first time, a consumer to imbibe both drinks at the same time in unmixed form. This is achieved by the consumer's putting the outer ends of both straws 10 in his mouth, and sucking on both concurrently. The physical separation of the outer ends of the straws can ensure that the streams of fluid issuing from the straws hit different, spaced-apart, groups of taste buds, giving rise to different taste sensations before the drinks mingle in the mouth to give rise to yet a different sensation. In this respect, the human tongue is the main organ of the sense of taste, although taste-buds are also found in the throat, the fauces and the palate. Referring to Figure 19, the tongue has different areas of taste discrimination, taste buds in the area A at the front of the tongue being especially responsive to sweet tastes, m the areas B immediately to the rear of the area A at the sides of the tongue being particularly responsive to salty tastes, in the areas C to the rear of the areas B and again at the respective sides of the tongue being particularly responsive to sour taste, and in the band-like area D to the rear of the areas C and extending from side-to- side of the tongue being particularly responsive to bitter taste. It is thus possible to heighten the taste sensations and/or the difference between them by directing the respective outflow ducts towards the appropriate more responsive areas of the tongue. This can be achieved by having the outflow ducts so fixed or mountable relative to the remainder of the apparatus that their outlet ends naturally come into the desired positions relative to the appropriate areas, and/or by giving appropriate instructions on the container 2 for the consumer to manoeuvre the outflow ducts to bring their outlet ends into the appropriate positions. Thus, outflow ducts leading from chambers 3 containing respectively a sour fluid and a salty fluid could be arranged with their outlet ends at respective opposite sides of the tongue. Alternatively, a relatively short outflow duct and a relatively long outflow duct leading respectively from chambers 3 containing a sweet fluid and a bitter fluid could be so arranged that their outlet ends are at respectively the front and towards the rear of the tongue. It is instead possible to create different taste sensations by stimulating one area of taste discrimination of the tongue and failing to stimulate another area, particularly the corresponding area of taste discrimination of the tongue. For example, the outflow ducts could guide respectively an acidic liquid, e.g. fruit juice, to one side of the tongue and one area of sour receptors, and a less acidic or alkaline liquid, e.g. milk, to the other side and the other area of sour receptors, which again would provide distinctly different reactions within the taste buds on the respective sides of the tongue.

Figures 3 and 4 show the container 2 with three chambers 3 holding respective different fluids. It has been found that users are able to exert suction on three (or even more) straws at one, especially if the straws include respective bends 11, which may be of bellows form, so that this embodiment can give rise to yet a wider range of taste sensations, although there is nothing to stop a user from drinking each drink separately, or only two at a time. The embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 6 is similar to those already described, except that the container 2 is made of individual hollow bodies 12 joined together by a web 14. While each body 12 may be of rectangular cross-section, as shown in the earlier Figures, it may have the shape shown in Figure 6. The web 14 is intended not to be broken prior to the consumer's finishing the drinks. It will also be appreciated that the chambers 3 and the bodies 12 could be of different cross-sectional shapes and sizes. The containers of Figures 1 to 6 are intended to be used with potable liquids or powders which may be easily imbibed by use of straws. However, the present invention is applicable to use with syrups or pastes, which do not lend themselves to being easily imbibed through straws.

In the embodiment of Figures 7 and 8, each hollow body

16 has at least one wall thereof resiliently or crushingly squeezable (being formed of a kneadable material) and is formed with its own outlet nozzle 18. After each chamber 3 has been filled with a suitable fluid (by means which will not be described) , the nozzles are kept sealed in any convenient manner during transport, display and purchase.

When the contents of the container 2 are to be imbibed, the nozzle seals are removed or otherwise broken. The outer ends of the nozzles 18 are then placed between the user's lips and the individual bodies 16 squeezed to expel the fluid in two

(or more) separate streams into the user's mouth.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 11, each individual chamber 3 has at its upper end a mouthpiece 20. Preferably the mouthpiece is one which is normally flat against the rear or top wall of the container 2, in which position it is sealed against the egress of the drink or the ingress of air. When the drink is to be imbibed, each mouthpiece is unfolded into its use position, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, in which the two mouthpieces may be inserted side-by-side between the user's lips and the container upended to cause the drinks to flow by gravity in two separate streams into the user's mouth.

Although Figures 1 to 11 show chambers 3 of equal volumes which can be used for drinks of similar concentrations, it is possible to make the compartments of different volumes, as shown diagrammatically in Figure 12. In this way, a drink of high concentration could be contained in the smaller chamber 25, with a drink of lower concentration in the larger chamber 23, and an outflow duct, in this case a straw 21 of smaller cross-section than the other outflow duct, such as a straw 10, could be used to supply smaller amounts of the stronger drink, to achieve a desired ratio in the relative proportions of the two (or three) fluids imbibed at the same time.

Referring to Figures 13 to 15, the container 2 here consists of two individual hollow bodies 12 each of approximately D-shape horizontal section which are made of plastics or glass and which are connected togetner, for example at their planar side walls 28 by adhesive or by thermal bonding, or by wrapping. At the top of each body 12 is a half 30 of an external screw thread 32 at the neck of the container 2 so produced, which is in the form of a two- chamber bottle. After filling of the respective chambers 3 with respective fluids having differing taste characteristics, a tamper-evident breakable or peelable seal 34 is placed o^er the mouths of the champers 3 and a screw cap 36 screwed onto tne thread 32. Straws 10 in transparent envelopes 38 may then be adhered to the respective bodies 12. To use the package of Figure 15, the consumer removes the screw cap 36, removes the straws 10 from their envelopes 38, breaks or peels off the seal 34, and inserts the straws 10 into the respective chambers 3 and then sucks the respective fluids from the chambers 3 concurrently through the straws 10. Alternatively, the consumer could drink straight from the bottle after removing the screw cap 36.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 16 and 17, the bodies 12 are of glass or plastics or plastics-coated paperboard and in the form of half-beakers of approximately D-shapeo horizontal section, with their planar, longitudinal walls 28 bonded together. The bodies 12 may have fixed relative thereto on the insides thereof respective straws 10 which extend in the chambers 3 from just above the bottoms 40 of the bodies 12 to significantly above the mouths of the oodies 12. Such an apparatus as shown in Figure 17 may be sold as such, for the consumer to pour his own selection of fluids into the respective chambers 3, so that he can freely select whatever taste characteristics he wishes. Instead of the bodies 12 being open-topped as shown, they could be sealed at their tops and contain respective fluids when sold to the customer. The embodiment shown in Figure 18 is extremely simple, being two half-beaker-shaped bodies 12 bonded together at their respective longitudinal planar walls 28. The consumer can pour into the respective chambers 3 whatever fluids he wishes and can then imbibe them through, for example, respective straws (not shown) .

Rather than the bodies 12 of the embodiments of Figures 13 to 18 being moulded separately from each other, each pair could be moulded in one piece. Although it may have been implied that the drinks are uncarbonated, it is possible for one or more drinks in the container 2 to be carbonated. In such a case, the or each respective component vessel may be of 'pressurised tin' character, having a tab in its lid which has to be at least partly removed from its sealing position to provide access to the vessel's contents, for example by means of a drinking straw.

Accordingly it will be understood that the packages described with reference to the drawings provide units by means . f which two or more potable fluids, with different taste characteristics, may be imbibed concurrently by the consumer. Each fluid stream falls on a set of taste buds different from those affected by the other fluid stream (s), giving rise to a new combination of taste sensations. The container may be of various shapes as seen in various orthogonal directions. For example, it may De rectangular in all such directions, as in the embodiments of Figures 1 to 4 and 9 to 12, or may be of approximately figure-of-eight form as seen in plan view, as in the embodiments of Figures 5 to 8, or may be of approximately figure-of-eight form as seen in front elevation, or may be of bottle shape as in the embodiment of Figures 13 to 15, or may be of circular cylindrical shape as in the embodiments of Figures 16 to 18.

Claims

CLMMS

1. Apparatus comprising first and second chambers bounded by walls and intended to hold respective first and second potable fluids which are of respective differing taste characteristics, said chambers not communicating with each other in relation to flow of said fluids, and first and second outflow ducts arranged to extend from respective chambers towards the mouth of a consumer and serving to lead respective streams of the respective fluids towards said mouth so that said fluids mix in said mouth.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, and further comprising a third chamber bounded by walls and intended to hold a third potable fluid of a taste characteristic differing from those of the first and second fluids, said third chamber not communicating with either of said first and second chambers in relation to the flow of said fluids, and a third outflow duct arranged to extend from said third chamber towards said mouth and serving to lead a stream of said third fluid towards said mouth so that said third fluid mixes in said mouth with said first and second fluids.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 c 2, wherein the chambers are not substantially displaceable relative to each other.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the chambers are of respective differing volumes.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the outflow ducts are of respective differing throughflow cross-sectional areas proportional to the respective volumes of their respective chambers.

6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the outermost walls of the chambers define a necked bottle.

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the outermost walls of the chambers define a beaker.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the outflow ducts are respective straws.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said straws have respective bends intermediate the ends thereof.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein each chamber is bounded also by a rupturable membrane pierceable by an end of its straw.

11. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the straws extend in their respective chambers from near bottoms of their respective chambers to significantly above tops of their respective chambers and are fixed to the walls of their chambers .

12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the outflow ducts take the form of respective nozzles integral with the walls bounding the chambers.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, in which at least some of the walls bounding the chambers are made of a kneadable material, whereby the contents of the chambers may be expressed through the outflow ducts by squeezing the kneadable walls.

14. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which each outflow duct takes the form of a mouthpiece movable from a closed position in which the mouthpiece is sealed to an opened position in which its fluid may be sucked or poured from its chamber by the consumer.

15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which at least one of the chambers is intended to hold a quantity of a carbonated liquid as its fluid and is closed by a removable pressure seal.

16. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein one of the outflow ducts is arranged to extend to an area of the tongue particularly responsive to one of bitter, salt, sour and sweet tastes and the other or another of the outflow ducts is arranged to extend to another area of the tongue which is particularly responsive to another of those tastes.

17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein one of the outflow ducts is longer than the other or another of the outflow ducts and is arranged to extend to a rearward area of the tongue and said other of the outflow ducts is arranged to extend to a forward area of the tongue.

18. A method comprising supplying first and second fluids having respective differing taste characteristics and as separate streams to the mouth of a consumer, said fluids mixing in said mouth.

19. A method according to claim 16 and further comprising supplying a third fluid having a taste characteristic differing from those of the first and second fluids and as a separate stream to said mouth, said third fluid mixing in said mouth with said first and second fluids.

20. A method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the separate streams are supplied to said mouth concurrently with each other.

21. A method according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein said supplying is preceded by providing chambers containing the respective fluids.

22. A method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the streams impinge upon respective groups of taste buds in said mouth.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein said groups are spaced apart from each other.

24. A method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein said groups provide respective areas of taste discrimination of the tongue.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the respective areas are selected from areas of the tongue particularly responsive to bitter, salty, sour and sweet tastes respectively .

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein one of said fluids significantly stimulates the taste buds of the area of taste buds upon which it impinges and the other or another of the fluids does not significantly stimulate the taste buds of the area of taste buds upon which it impinges.

27. A method according to any one of claims 18 to 26, wherein said fluids are supplied to said mouth at respective differing rates.

28. A method according to claim 21 or any one of claims 22 to 27 as appended to claim 21, wherein said supplying is preceded by rupturing membranes bounding the respective chambers .

29. A method according to claim 21 or 28 or any one of claims 22 to 27 as appended to claim 21, wherein said supplying is accompanied by squeezing bodies defining said chambers .

30. A method according to claim 21, 28 or 29, or any one of claims 22 to 27 as appended to claim 21, wherein said supplying comprises the consumer's sucking or pouring the fluids from their chambers while a mouthpiece is in an opened position .

31. A method according to any one of claims 18 to 30, wherein at least one of the fluids is a carbonated liquid.

32. A method according to any one of claims 18 to 31, wherein the fluids comprise an alcoholic drink and a nonalcoholic drink.

33. A method according to any one of claims 18 to 31, wherein the fluids comprise a medicine and a drink having a pleasant taste.

34. A method according to any one of claims 18 to 31, wherein the fluids comprise respective differing medicines.

35. A method according to any one of claims 18 to 31, wherein the fluids comprise a liquid dairy product and a fruit juice.