WO2003088750A1

WO2003088750A1 - A food product

Info

Publication number: WO2003088750A1
Application number: PCT/AU2003/000455
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rafael Maric
Original assignee: Internet Agencies Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2002-04-16
Filing date: 2003-04-16
Publication date: 2003-10-30
Also published as: AUPS176102A0

Abstract

A food product which comprises a body and at least one curved valley formed in the body. The curved valley is preferably dimensioned and adapted to receive a rim of a drink or food vessel. The curved valley also forms a frangible line for separation of the body into separate elements. The curved valley may be formed by either or both of raising ridges adjacent to the valley and forming a recess in a surface of the body. The curved valley may be adapted to conform, even if loosely, to the bite of a person. It is preferred if two or more curved valleys are provided in the food product. Two of the curved valleys may be spaced and oppositely directed to engage diametrically opposed portions of the rim. An entire surface of the food product may be covered by sequential valleys which may increase or decrease in the degree of curvature. The food product is adapted to rest stably on the rim of the vessel and maintain a substantially horizontal orientation. The food product may include one or more hooks designed to allow the food product to be vertically suspended from the rim. The invention extends to a method of forming the food product and a method of supporting the food product on a rim.

Description

A FOOD PRODUCT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a food product configured for separation into pieces at one or more predefined positions. The food product may also, or alternatively, be configured for facilitating support by a vessel such as a glass, cup, bowl or similar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Food products such as biscuits, crackers, chocolate bars and other finger foods are generally in the form of shaped blocks with at least one relatively flat surface. Such blocks may be any suitable shape including discoid, in the shape of a square or a rectangle, circular or oval. Depending on the composition of such a preferred product, it may be difficult to divide it into smaller pieces for purposes such as sharing with others, extending the time of consumption, providing bite sized pieces, or to provide equal sized portions.

If the food product is relatively hard due to its formation from materials such as chilled butter, chocolate blocks or sugar blocks, confectionary or biscuit, it may be impossible to divide such a product without the assistance of a knife or other cutting implement. Attempts at eating such material may also prove challenging as the force necessary to bite a piece of the product off for chewing may be excessive resulting in discomfort to a person attempting to consume the bitten off piece. In certain situations, actual damage to a tooth or teeth may arise. Elderly people and people with oral prostheses such as dentures also often encounter special difficulties in consuming materials which are resistant to biting.

Many food products are designed or at least often used for consumption with drinks or soups held in vessels such as cups, glasses or bowls. Typically a person will either require a plate such as saucer or will support both a cup and one or more food products such as a savoury cracker or sweet biscuit in both hands. In a social context, it is common for people to have a glass of liquid such as wine, mineral water or soft drink and accept a savoury or sweet material for consumption by selecting and holding it in a free hand, thereby leading to both hands being occupied. If it is desired to free a hand, the person must either put the contents of one hand down or alternatively seek to restrain or hold both a drink and food product in the other hand. The latter process tends to be awkward with a higher risk of at least one of the held items being dropped. It is also common in social situations to require a free hand for activities such as shaking hands or gesturing while speaking.

If the drinking vessel is placed on a saucer, the food product may be rested on the side of the saucer. However, it is necessary to hold the saucer and balance the drinking vessel and the food product carefully, as the food product can easily slide off the saucer and the drink may spill onto the food product.

Some food products are used to gather other food items such as sauces, dips, creams, honey, sweetening agents or other products for consumption with the food products thereby enhancing the flavour and experience for a consumer. When using known food products to gather such food items, the food items may be spread or heaped on a surface of the food product with a resultant risk of displacement of the additional material either onto the floor or on occasion onto the clothes of the person consuming the food or onto their companions.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any country.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or integer or group of elements or integers but not the exclusion of any other element or integer or group of elements or integers. h one aspect, the invention resides in a food product comprising a body and at least one curved valley formed in the body.

The body may be any suitable shape but preferably has at least one substantially planar surface. The body may be formed with two opposite surfaces and an intermediate wall or rim connecting the two opposite surfaces.

The body may be substantially discoid. The body may be rectangular, square, hemispherical, spherical, triangular, pyramidal or any other suitable shape. The body may be formed in the shape of a character, real or fictional, or as a facsimile of an existing device or structure. The existing device may be any one of a tool, vehicle, toy or sporting implement.

The at least one curved valley may be formed between two ridges. The body may be separable along said at least one valley. Alternatively or additionally the at least one valley may be formed as a recess in a surface of the body. Preferably the valley forms a frangible line along which the food product may be easily or more easily broken into separate pieces.

The valley is preferably configured to receive the rim of a vessel. The vessel may be a cup, glass, bowl or other vessel suitable for holding food or drink.

The valley may be square or rectangular in cross section. Alternatively, the valley may be curved or triangular in cross section or any other suitable shape. The valley is preferably adapted to limit sliding motion of the food product when located with a rim of a food or drink vessel positioned in the valley. The food product may be dimensioned to extend across a diameter of the vessel when located with the valley positioned over the rim.

The curve may be a regular curve. The curve may be formed to correspond, even if approximately, to the curve of a human bite. The valley may be circular. The valley may be oval, elliptical or any other suitable curve.

Preferably the food product is formed with two or more valleys. The valleys may be concentric. Alternatively or additionally, at least two of the valleys may be oppositely curved. In one embodiment, the food product may have at least two valleys, the first valley in an upper surface of the body and the second valley in a lower surface of the body, the first and second valleys formed with corresponding curves to thereby provide corresponding recesses of the upper and lower surface. This alignment may define a line of weakness which is formed by the aligned recesses or valleys in the upper and lower surfaces. As noted, the valley may be formed to receive a rim or lip of a vessel. The curve of the valley may be formed to a particular consistent size. Alternatively, two or more curves may be formed with respectively varying curves. The curves may decrease in radius regularly or irregularly, if they are formed as part of or entirely as a circle. Alternatively, the curves may increase or vary in tightness. The curve of any one valley may be regular or irregular. The curve may be circular or part thereof, oval or part thereof, elliptical or any suitable shape.

The body may further comprise at least one hook adapted to support the food product on the rim of the vessel. The hook may be formed from an indentation in the body. The hook may preferably have a free end inturned towards the body to attach the product to the vessel and provide three spaced contact points, the first contact point being between the free end and inner wall, the second contact point being between the rim and indentation and a third contact point being between the body and an external wall.

The body may further comprise at least one straight valley to facilitate separation of the body into two or more separate components. The body may comprise at least two straight valleys for such separation. The valleys may be substantially aligned at right angles to each other.

In a further aspect, the invention resides in a method of forming a food product, the method including the steps of forming a body of edible material, and forming a valley in the body wherein the valley is curved and forms a frangible line for separation of the body into two or more pieces. The method may further include the step of forming two or more of the valleys. The valleys may each be formed by creating a recess in a surface of the body and/or forming a ridge on either side of the valley. The ridges or valleys may be formed concentrically. The valleys may be formed substantially across an entire surface of the body. The valleys may each be formed with an upper and lower recess or valley, each aligned to the other.

The method may include the step of forming one or more hooks on the body, the hooks adapted for hanging the food product from the rim of a drinking vessel.

In yet another aspect, the invention resides in a method of supporting a food product such as a biscuit, cracker or similar on a first portion of the rim of a vessel, the method including the step of forming a food product with at least one curved valley adapted to receive a rim of the vessel and, positioning the food product with the rim of the vessel located in the valley. The method may further include the step of continuing the second valley or continuing the first valley for location simulanteously on a second portion of the rim spaced from a first portion.

The valley may continuously engage the rim throughout its perimeter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of a food product of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional side view of the embodiment of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a part sectional side view of the embodiment of Figure 1 when positioned on a cup.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of a second embodiment of a food product of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a sectional side view of the embodiment of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a part sectional side view of the embodiment of Figure 4 when located on a cup.

Figure 7 is a part sectional side view of the embodiment of Figure 4 when located on a different sized cup.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of a third embodiment of a food product of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a sectional side view of the embodiment of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a part sectional side view of the embodiment of Figure 8 when located on a cup.

Figure 11 is a bottom plan view of a fourth embodiment of a food product of the present invention.

Figure 12 is a sectional side view of the embodiment of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a bottom plan view of a fifth embodiment of a food product of the present invention incorporating hanging hooks.

Figure 14 is a bottom plan view of a sixth embodiment of a food product of the present invention also incorporating hanging hooks.

Figure 15 is a part sectional view of a food product with hanging hooks positioned on a cup. Figure 16 is a seventh embodiment of a food product of the present invention.

Figure 17 is an eight embodiment of a food product of the present invention.

Figure 18 is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of a food product of the present invention incorporating upper and lower aligned valleys.

Figure 19 is a bottom plan view of a tenth embodiment of a food product of the present invention.

Figure 20 is a bottom plan view of a prior art food product.

Figure 21 is a perspective view of a food product of the present invention being consumed.

Figure 22 is a perspective view of a food product of the present invention in use for dipping liquids.

Figure 23 is a part sectional view of a food product of the present invention in position on a wineglass.

Figure 24 is a top plan view of the arrangement of Figure 23.

Figure 25 is a perspective view of yet a further embodiment of a food product of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown an embodiment of a food product 10 in the form of an elongate savoury biscuit. The food product 10 comprises the body 12 having a first end 14, second end 16, a first planar face 18 and a second face 20 opposite to the first face 18. A wall intermediate the two faces 18, 20 forms the ends 14, 16 and sides (not seen). The second face 20 has a valley 22 between a pair of ridges 24. The valley 22 is configured with a curve as is readily apparent in Figure 1. The ridges 24 are also configured as curves, however this is not essential provided the walls forming the valley 22 are curved or create the effect of a curve. For example, the walls could be formed from small planar surfaces sequentially angled each to the adjoining surfaces to create a curved effect. While the walls are shown as continuous, it is also possible they can be formed as interrupted structures, for example, multiple fingers or blocks, although manufacturing is simplified by use of the continuous ridges.

As shown in Figure 3, the food product 10 can be supported on the rim 11 of a cup 13 containing a liquid 15 for consumption. Location of the rim 11 within the valley 22 leads to resistance to lateral displacement of the food product 10 from the top of the cup 13. The food product 10 is therefore presented for easy access by a consumer and may be returned to the holding position shown when required. Of course, in this embodiment, once the longitudinal length of the food product is decreased to a dimension shorter than the diameter of the cup 13, the product cannot be stably positioned as shown.

Figure 4 discloses an embodiment with a central straight valley 123 formed in the food product 110. The central valley 123 is bracketed by a series of successive valleys 122 which are mirrored by valleys 122 on the opposite side of the central valley 123. The valleys may be formed concentrically or may vary in the actual relative curvature of adjacent valleys as required. This embodiment may be broken along the central valley 123 to give two members each with curves that may be easily aligned with the curve of a person's teeth.

Figure 5 is a side sectional view of the arrangement of Figure 4.

Figure 6 highlights the advantages of the embodiment of Figure 4 in that spaced valleys

122A may be located over diametrically opposed portions of the rim 111 of a cup 113. This arrangement provides great stability for the food product 110 which may be a sweet biscuit for consumption with a beverage 115 such as coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Alternatively, the product 110 may be a savoury product for consumption with a beverage 115 such as soup. Outer pieces of the food product 110 may be broken off still leaving adequate coverage of the cup 113 for stabile location of the food product.

Figure 7 shows an arrangement in which the food product 110 is used on a different sized cup 113 A such that the spacing between the valleys 122 A does not correspond to the diameter of the cup 113A. This leads to a situation in which the rim 111A is received in one of the valleys 122 A whereas a ridge 124A is supported on an opposite side of the cup rim leading to a slightly slanted disposition of the food product 110. This still provides a stable and useful means of securing the food product 110 to the top of the cup 113 A. As noted, the vessel 113A is of a size that both the opposite sections of the rim cannot be received within valleys 122, the body 12 can then be positioned so that one section of the rim is in one valley and a ridge on the opposite side of the valley is contact with the rim providing a slight angle to the horizontal.

The embodiment of the food product 210 shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10 is a substantially oval shaped body 212 and has alternating valleys 222 and ridges 224 between ends 214 and 216. The valleys 222 are curved so that they can receive a section of the rim of the vessel in the shape of cup 213 seen in Figure 10. As has been previously noted, the valleys 222 may be formed by simply forming a recess in a planar surface thereby providing a ridge between adjacent valleys. In a situation where only a single valley is formed the term ridge may include a configuration of a side wall of a valley continuing into a substantially planar surface of the food product. That is, a recess may be formed without upraised ridges.

In Figure 10, the food product 210 is supported on the rim 211 of the vessel 213 and is also supported on the handle 217 of the vessel/cup 213. In this case, the top of the handle is just slightly lower to the rim 211 to provide a substantially horizontal position of the food product 210. However, the top of the handle can be higher or lower than that shown and the food product 210 may be supported at an angle to the horizontal. Figure 11 is a bottom plan view of the food product 310 formed with a series of concentric valleys 322 formed by ridges 324 and central plateau 325. This embodiment is seen in a cross sectional view and Figure 12.

Figure 13 shows an embodiment of a food product 410 incorporating two hooks 426, 427 spaced at adjacent ends of the food product and adapted for location over a rim of a vessel such as a cup, mug, glass, bowl or other suitable rimmed device. The hook 426 has an indentation 428. The indentation is preferably configured to provide a 3 point contact with the rim of the vessel. The indentation may be formed with an inturned free end 429 and a lower spaced contact point or region 430 for location on the external wall of the vessel. This configuration provides three point contact with the vessel being the inturned point with the outer wall, the indentation with the rim and the lower contact point with an outer wall of the vessel. The food product 410 has a body 412 with a series of concentric valleys 422 which are mirrored on an opposite side of the midline or central point.

Figure 14 shows a variation of the embodiment of Figure 13 wherein the body 512 includes a central straight valley 531 with mirrored valleys 522 on either side of the central valley 531. In this case the valleys extend into the hooks 526, 527. As is apparent, a user may locate the indentation 528 over a rim of a drinking vessel and may reverse the orientation of the food product 510 to use the hook at the opposite end. Pieces of the food product 510 may then be broken off from a distal end towards the centre as required. The pieces may be consumed or used to dip into sauces or other accompaniments.

Figure 15 shows the embodiment of a food product 610 with a central valley 631 and mirrored valleys 622 on either side of the central valley 631. A rim 611 of a cup 613 is positioned in the index 628 of the hook 626 with the food product 610 hanging substantially vertically from the cup 613. The three point contact is shown in the accompanying magnified view in Figure 15 A.

Figure 16 shows an embodiment of a food product 710 with a series of successive valleys 722 formed between adjoining ridges 724 and with increasing curvature of the valleys 722. The valleys and ridges may be concentric or alternatively may be designed to increase from a tight curve to a gentle curve without concentricity. One advantage of this embodiment is that a consumer may progressively nibble across the body of the food product 710 or alternatively select a curve that most approximates the curve of the individual consumer's bite. The arc shaped valley 722 and ridges 724 extend over an entire face of the body 712.

The body in any of the above embodiments may be arranged as one of a plurality of bodies in a block of food product with break lines for facilitating separation of the bodies. Figure 17 shows a food product 810 with a series of linear valleys 850 providing frangible break lines which result in the separation of components of the food product 810 into an embodiment somewhat similar to that of Figure 4. The separate components may be more conveniently and economically produced as a plurality of interconnected members which can be broken off as required.

Figure 18 shows a perspective view and an alternative embodiment 910 in which the frangible lines are formed by an upper valley 922A and lower valley 922B which are substantially aligned to provide an intermediate weakened web 941 which provides a point for biting or breaking. While the valleys are shown as substantially rectangular or square in cross section, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that any suitable shape such as curved or triangular may be recruited as required.

Figures 19 and 20 demonstrate one of the advantages of the present invention. An embodiment of a food product 110 substantially similar to that of Figure 4 is shown. A line of applied force 142 is apparent and such a force may be accidentally applied during transport, packing or other handling. The curved nature of the frangible lines leads to resistance to breaking when such a force is applied. Figure 20 shows a prior art of the food product 160 with linear valleys 161. When the same force is applied along the line 142, the prior art food product is more prone to breakage with resultant damage to the merchantability of the product. Figure 21 shows a food product 110 of Figure 1 when located between the upper teeth 71 and lower teeth 72 of a consumer. The teeth may be easily located in the curve 122 and application of force used to cause fracture/separation of a piece of the food product 110. While the food product 110 is shown with curves which are concave when viewed from a centre point of the food product, it is also clearly possible to provide curves which are convex when viewed from the same position. That is the curve of the valleys will more naturally align with the bite of a person when one of the ends of the food product are placed in that person's mouth.

Figure 22 shows an embodiment of the food product 80 in the hand 81 of a user. The food product 80 has two valleys 83, 84 which are oriented for dipping into the liquid 85 in a cup 86. The user may thereby retain some of the liquid in the valleys 83, 84 to enhance the flavour of the food product 80. The more tenacious the liquid 85 the more likely that a user will retrieve a substantial component of the liquid. For example, a thick dip or cream cheese type consistency may lead to filling of the valleys 83, 84 and a higher proportion of dip to food product 80.

Figure 23 is a side sectional view of a further embodiment of a food product 90 which is also seen in Figure 24. The food product 90 is formed in a substantially triangular shape and has two valleys 95, 96 one of which is located around a rim 91 of a wineglass 92. The relative sizes of the food product 90 and the wineglass 92 are such that the triangular food product 90 sits stably on the rim 91. This stability may be enhanced by the addition of a weight in the form of added food such as cheese 97. The presentation to a user is therefore of both a snack and a liquid refreshment with a stylish and efficient use of ingredients and containers.

Figure 25 shows an embodiment of a further food product 150 formed with a valley that communicates externally and has no outer wall. The valley is defined by an inner wall 151 and a bottom surface of the food product 150. This results in a plate like appearance. The inner wall 151 may be dimensioned to fit neatly inside the top of a wineglass 152. Accompaniments such as savouries in the form of cheese, cocktail onions and similar 153 may be located on the food product 153 which is subsequently positioned on the wineglass for stable aesthetic presentation. A user may grasp the food product 150 with their fingers 154 and consume the contents as required while also partaking of liquid refreshments.

The advantages of the present invention are manifold and readily apparent. A food product may be stably and reliably positioned on top of the vessel such as cup, glass, bowl or similar. This position may provide ready access to a user and also broaden the scope of presentation of food. The aesthetic visual presentation in food has long been important and has become increasingly so. The present invention provides a chef, private or commerical, with the option to provide a whole package of snack and drink in a stylish, novel and safe fashion. The present invention also provides an alternative product and application of that product in the market place thereby providing consumers with a broader choice.

In addition, the presence of curved frangible valleys provides real advantages to a person eating a product, particularly if that product is tough or resistant to biting. This advantage is magnified for people with compromised biting ability, such as the old and infirm.

While the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the present invention, many variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad amber and scope of the invention as set out.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A food product comprising: a body; and at least one curved valley formed in the body.

2. The food product of claim 1 wherein the body has at least one substantially planar surface, and wherein the at least one curved valley is formed in the at least one substantially planar surface.

3. The food product of claim 2 wherein the body is formed with a second planar surface, opposite from the at least one substantially planar surface and an intermediate wall or rim connecting the two surfaces.

4. The food product of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the at least one curved valley is formed between two ridges.

5. The food product of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the at least one curved valley is formed, at least in part, by a recess in a surface of the body.

6. The food product of any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one curved valley forms a frangible line along which the food product may be broken into separate pieces.

7. The food product of any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one curved valley is configured to receive a rim of a vessel, to thereby resist sliding motion of the food product relative to the rim.

8. The food product of claim 7 wherein the body is dimensioned to extend across a diameter of the rim.

9. The food product of any one of the preceding claims wherein the body has two or more curved valleys.

10. The food product of claim 9 wherein at least two of the curved valleys are concentric.

11. The food product of claim 9 wherein at least two of the curved valleys are oppositely curved.

12. The food product of claim 9 wherein at least one of the two or more curved valleys is formed as a circle.

13. The food product of claim 12 wherein the circular valley has no outer wall.

14. The food product of claim 13 wherein an inner wall of the circular valley is positioned on a perimeter of a central plateau.

15. The food product of any one of the preceding claims further comprising one or more straight valleys each defining a frangible line for separation of the body into separate components.

16. The food product of any one of the preceding claims further comprising at least one hook adapted for hanging the food product from a rim of a vessel.

17. The food product of claim 16 wherein the at least one hook is formed as an indentation with an inturned free end directed towards the indentation and forming a first contact point with a vessel, a second contact point in the indentation and spaced from the first contact point and a third contact point on the body and being configured to contact an outer wall of the vessel.

18. The food product of claim 16 wherein two hooks are provided, each at opposite ends of the body from the other.

19. A method of forming a food product, said method comprising the steps of: forming a body of edible material; and forming a valley in the body wherein the valley is curved and forms a frangible line for separation of the body into two or more pieces.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of forming a two or more valleys in the body.

21. The method of either one of claims 19 or 20 wherein the valley is formed by configuring ridges each side of each of the valleys.

22. The method of either one of claims 19 or 20 wherein forming the valley or valleys includes the step of forming a recess in a surface of the body.

23. A method of supporting a food product, such as a biscuit, a cracker, a crouton, a chocolate, a solid dairy product or similar, on a rim of a vessel comprising the steps of placing a food product according to any one of claims 1 to 18 with at least part of the rim located in at least one curved valley.

24. The method of claim 23 further including the step of locating a portion of the food product in contact with a portion of the rim, said portion of the rim spaced from the at least part of the rim.