WO2008103157A2

WO2008103157A2 - Instant beverage on stir stick

Info

Publication number: WO2008103157A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/023634
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ravi Roopnarine
Original assignee: Ravi Roopnarine
Priority date: 2007-02-22
Filing date: 2007-11-09
Publication date: 2008-08-28
Also published as: WO2008103157A3

Abstract

A stirring stick has a logo on a handle portion and a solidified or compacted dried instant beverage mix attached to an opposite end of the stick. The beverage mix is dissolvable in hot or cold water or other consumable liquid. A sealed wrap is provided around the beverage mix. Alternately, the beverage mix is placed in a disposable cup and the sealed wrap surrounds the cup and the instant beverage mix inside the cup with the stick's handle protruding showing the logo on the stick or packaged with a fold-up accordion disposable cup.

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION

INSTANT BEVERAGE ON STIR STICK

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to dry beverage articles added to liquid to produce a beverage and particularly to a stirring stick used as a handle with a logo on the stick and a solidified or compacted mass of instant coffee compacted on an end of the stick with any combination of solidified coffee, sweeteners, flavorings, milk, cream and creamers and a sealed wrap around the coffee or a disposable cup with a sealed wrap around the cup and the coffee inside the cup with the stick protruding showing a logo on the stick.

Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

Prior art instant coffees are sold in large quantities, and once the package is opened for the first cup, immediately after, aromas escape the remaining coffee day after day when it is opened. After a week or two, the freshness and potency of the coffee is significantly reduced. Furthermore, there is often a mess and utensils required in adding sugar and a creamer to the coffee without actually having a truly accurate measure of the ingredients to repeat the same desired flavor and strength of beverage each time. If the coffee is being prepared at a remote location away from normal kitchen facilities, a completely self-contained system of instant coffee ingredients and cup would be desirable. The prior art does not adequately address all these needs. Prior art U.S. Patent #3,869,555, issued March 4, 1975 to Heonis, is for a dry article for the preparation of instant beverages when combined with a liquid. The article comprises a stick, a first solid, liquid-soluble mass comprising beverage base material and at least one second solid, liquid-soluble mass comprising flavoring material for said base material. The first and second masses are bonded to the stick in side-by-side relationship, the second or flavoring mass being adjacent one end of the stick so that it can be removed if the user prefers to prepare the beverage without the flavoring material. The stick serves as a handle for the dry article and as a stirrer to facilitate dissolution of the base material and the flavoring material, if present, in the liquid. Prior art U.S. Patent #4,891,232, issued January 2, 1990 to Dahl, puts forth a beverage infusion device is set forth wherein a packaged stirring-type stick includes an attached porous bag at one terminal end of the stick with infusion solid particulates contained within the bag. Positioned adjacent the bag about the body of the stick are a further series of infusion solid particulates selectively utilized by an individual with a removable wrapper about each particulate type whereupon removal of a wrapper enables selective flavor enhancing of the beverage.

Prior art U.S. Patent #4,849,231, issued July 18, 1989 to Spee, concerns a beverage ingredient holder and stirrer comprising a disposable stirring rod which is easy to manufacture on which a sweetener or other substance for adding to beverages is held as a solid element.

Prior art U.S. Patent Application #20050244544, published November 3, 2005 by Lloyd, puts forth an article of manufacture useful for adding creamer base to hot beverages such as coffee or tea-based beverages comprises a center core comprising a creamer base (for example, the creamer base preferably comprising a high-intensity sweetener and a humectant), and an outer coating at least partially encapsulating the center core, the outer coating comprising chocolate. In a preferred embodiment the chocolate comprises not more than 10 percent by weight of cocoa butter and at least 20 percent by weight of vegetable oil, and with the chocolate coating preferably having a softening point of at least about lOO.degree. F. In a preferred embodiment, the article further comprises an elongate stirring member having a distal end portion, with the distal end portion connected to the outer coating.

Prior art U.S. Patent Application #20030079611, published May 1, 2003 by Panzo, concerns a dosage scaled beverage sweetener utensil, such as a spoon or stir stick. The water-soluble dosing and mixing utensil is formed of a cooked mixture of raw cane sugar and glucose, forming a crystal structure with interstitial point defects that toughen the utensil structure. A first end is an immersion portion configured with a width substantially greater than thickness. The opposite end is a handle portion, unitary with the first end. The quantity of material forming the utensil is limited to provide an equivalent sweetness to a dose of refined sugar on the order of two teaspoons (10 ml) or less. The interstitial point defects enable the utensil to have a useful structural integrity despite containing a small volume of forming material.

Packaging the utensil in an atmosphere of reduced oxygen content prolongs shelf life and protects from shipping damage.

Prior art U.S. Patent Application #20040062139, published April 1, 2004 by Pretious, illustrates a soluble stir stick composed of an edible material that is soluble in a beverage. The soluble stir stick is especially useful with hot beverages such as coffee or tea. The consumer stirs their hot beverage with the soluble stir stick and the soluble stir stick dissolves into the beverage, resulting in no waste. The soluble stir stick can be a solid stick made from one main soluble material. The soluble stir stick can be flavored or unflavored. For example, such flavorings could be chocolate or vanilla. The main soluble material of the soluble stir stick can also encapsulate columns of additives for the beverage.

Prior art U.S. Patent #6,966,252, issued November 22, 2005 to Hamiel, shows a device for dispensing into a liquid at least one hydrophilic substance deposited thereon including a body having at least one surface area enhancer and at least one hydrophilic substance deposited on the at least one surface area enhancer, to form a coated surface enhancer, and the body. The hydrophilic substance deposited includes a high intensity sweetener, a nutritive sweetener, a flavoring agent, a drug substance, a vitamin, a mineral, and mixtures thereof.

Two prior art U.S. Patents, #3,312,555 issued April 4, 1967 and #3,469,997 issued September 30, 1969 both to Rossi, claim a handle anchored solid sugar block designed to be used to stir and flavor a beverage in a container.

Prior art U.S. Patent #D349,209, issued August 2, 1994 to Smith, describes the, ornamental design for a combined condiment holder and stirrer.

Prior art U.S. Patent #6,399,126, issued June 4, 2002 to Weldon, Jr., discloses a flavored beverage stirrer which includes a carrier and a cartridge. The carrier includes a cap to which is attached an elongated member or wand with barbs or protrusions extending outwardly from the length thereof. The stirrer also includes a cartridge formed from a flavored material. The cartridge is generally in the shape of a cylinder with a hole extending therethrough. The cartridge is placed onto the wand so that the barbs of the wand fit within grooves formed within the hole of the cartridge thereby retaining the cartridge on the elongated member. The stirrer may now be placed within a cup or mug of a hot beverage. As the stirrer is swirled through the beverage, the flavored cartridge dissolves and adds flavor to the beverage.

Prior art U.S. Patent #D393,566, issued April 21, 1998 to Buehner, indicates the ornamental design for a beverage flavoring stirring stick. Prior art U.S. Patent #3,275,448, issued September 27, 1966 to Sommer, is for a cylindrical container with water soluble dry contents to dissolve in water to form a beverage, such as coffee or tea, which may be stirred with the container.

Prior art U.S. Patent #5,076,425, issued December 31, 1991 to Plone, provides a dispensing stick for selectively dispensing stick contained substance or substances into liquid in a container, the container having a dispensing lid through which the stick extends.

Prior art U.S. Patent #4,215,628, issued August 5, 1980 to Dodd, claims an infusion and stirring device comprising a handle member having a first and a second portion. A first and a second retaining element are respectively secured to the first and the second portion of the handle member to stir an infusion liquid upon movement of the handle member. The first and second retaining elements engage opposite sides of a porous bag containing an infusion solid, such as a tea bag. A latch interconnects the first and second portions of the handle member thereby encompassing the porous bag to retain the porous bag between the first and second retaining elements as the handle member is moved to stir the infusion liquid. The improved structure may be readily injection molded from a plastic material.

Prior art U.S. Patent #D296,644, issued August 12, 1988 to Stevens, illustrates an ornamental design for a coffee brewing device.

Prior art U.S. Patent #3,287,806, issued November 29, 1966 to Kellerman, has a spoon containing a substance under a peelable cover for dissolving in liquid to produce a beverage. The spoon is then used to stir the beverage.

What is needed is individually sealed servings of dried instant coffee mix or other beverage mix and any added condiments or flavors attached to a stirring stick either separate or with a disposable cup which may be sealed together with a logo portion of the stirring stick protruding up through the sealed wrap. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide individually sealed servings of dried instant coffee mix or other beverage mix and any added condiments or flavors attached to a stirring stick either separate or with a disposable cup which may be sealed together with a logo portion of the stirring stick protruding up through the sealed wrap for measured portions of coffee or other beverage or other liquid mixture for consumption with a sweetener, creamer, flavoring, or other instant beverage mix, such as cocoa, instant tea or hot chocolate combined in a desired portion for an instant drink stirred with the stirring stick in water.

Another object of the present invention is to provide individually sealed servings of dried instant coffee mix or other beverage mix and any added condiments or flavors that remain in a sanitary condition until usage.

A further object of the present invention is to provide individually sealed precise dosages of solidified or compacted medicines on a stir stick which may be mixed with liquid. In brief, the present invention comprises the use of packed or solidified instant coffee mounted to a stick, formulated to dissolve in hot water with one or more components of: the coffee itself black or with a creamer, solidified sugar or other sweetener as well as any desired flavoring, individually formulated with the desired proportion of ingredients and desired strength of the coffee determined by the quantity of coffee on the stick. Thus you need only a cup of hot water which you can quickly stir the coffee ingredients in using the stir stick and it dissolves giving a fresh smelling and tasting cup of coffee consistently flavored with pre-measured quantities of ingredients as desired. The present invention may alternately be made with any flavored drink mix or precise dosages of dissolvable medicine affixed to the stir stick, which may then be dissolved in liquid. The other major component of the present invention (the Coffee Pop™), is the packaging. The Coffee Pop™ is individually shrink-wrapped in plastic or vacuum packed foil. The solidified mass of coffee, other beverage or condiments may be sealed with the handle of the stir stick left exposed. Alternately, the solidified mass may be inserted into a disposable cup and the cup and solidified mass both sealed with the handle of the stir stick remaining exposed. The packaging is provided with a tear strip for easy removal when the user is ready to enjoy a beverage. Every serving is individually vacuum wrapped, insuring that the aroma and freshness is kept in. Other benefits of the packaging include portability. It is perfect for the outdoors, boating, the office or factory, airplane flights, or a long road trip. The present invention provides the convenience of instant coffee, and takes it a step further, all the while keeping the coffee fresher than that of prior art products. Other coffees are sold in larger quantities, and once the package is opened for the first cup, the coffee begins to lose its aroma and freshness. After a week or two, the freshness and potency of the coffee is significantly reduced. With the Coffee Pop™, ^• every serving is at an optimum freshness without the use of a coffee machine.

The user is guaranteed a consistent tasting cup of coffee each time, using the Coffee Pop™ chosen for the desired combination of ingredients. The present invention negates the need for a coffee machine, leaving more room on the kitchen counter. The present invention makes instant coffee truly instant. Rather than spending 3 minutes or more in the morning preparing coffee, the present invention allows preparing the desired coffee beverage with condiments and or flavoring in only 30 seconds. With the present invention messy sugar bowls, spoons and coffee powders are no longer needed thereby saving time wasted on clean up.

The present invention may or may not include a fan like cup for the convenience of the customer. The beverage mix of the present invention can be dissolved in hot or cold water so it can make hot coffee or ice coffee and is individually packaged with enough for one cup of coffee.

An advantage of the present invention is that it is easy to use.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the individual portions remain fresh.

One more advantage of the present invention is that it saves time.

An additional advantage of the present invention is that is convenient and portable.

Another advantage of the present invention is that each cup of coffee is consistently flavored.

A further advantage of the present invention is that each serving is kept in a sanitary condition prior to use.

A contributory advantage of the present invention is it may be sold in vending machines. Still another advantage of the present invention is that it may provide a variety of drinks or condiments.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it may have advertising or a logo thereon.

A final advantage of the present invention is that it creates no dishes or messes to clean up after.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other details of my invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the combination logo imprinted handle and stirring stick with attached instant beverage mix of the present invention showing just a measured quantity of the instant beverage mix with no added ingredients;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the combination logo imprinted handle and stirring stick with attached instant beverage mix of the present invention showing a measured quantity of the instant beverage mix with one added ingredient;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the combination logo imprinted handle and stirring stick with attached instant beverage mix of the present invention showing a measured quantity of the instant beverage mix with one added ingredient; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the combination logo imprinted handle and stirring stick with attached instant beverage mix of the present invention showing a measured quantity of the instant beverage mix with two added ingredients;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the combination logo imprinted handle and stirring stick with attached instant beverage mix of the present invention showing a measured quantity of the instant beverage mix with three added ingredients;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the combination logo imprinted handle and stirring stick with attached instant beverage mix of the present invention showing a measured quantity of the instant beverage mix with three added ingredients;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the combination logo imprinted handle and stirring stick with attached instant beverage mix of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the combination logo imprinted handle and stirring stick with attached instant beverage mix of the present invention showing a measured quantity of the instant beverage mix with three added ingredients and a sealed wrapping with a tear strip around the dried beverage mix and part of the stick; FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the combination logo imprinted handle and stirring stick with attached instant beverage mix of the present invention showing a measured quantity of the instant beverage mix with three added ingredients in a disposable cup with a sealed wrapping with a tear strip around the cup and dried beverage mix and part of the stick; FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the combination logo imprinted handle and stirring stick with attached instant beverage mix of the present invention showing a measured quantity of the instant beverage mix with three added ingredients and packaged with a fold-out accordion disposable cup. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIGS. 1-10, a combination stirring stick and attached dissolving instant beverage mix beverage product 20, 2OA and 2OB has a combined handle and stirring stick 21 with a logo 27 imprinted thereon at one end and a dried beverage mix 19 attached to an opposite end.

The combination handle and stirring stick 21 comprises an elongated waterproof stick, preferably a flat thin piece of wood with rounded ends, bearing a logo 27 imprinted, burned, embossed, or otherwise applied to one or both sides thereof and plainly visible at a first handle end of the stick 21.

The dried beverage mix 19 is attached to a second end of the stick 21. The dried beverage mix 19 comprises an instant beverage ingredient 22-25 dissolvable in liquid to produce a consumable beverage and a dissolvable binder ingredient to bind the a instant beverage mix together 19 and bind the beverage mix 19 to the stick 21 so that when the instant beverage mix 19 is placed in contact with a consumable liquid, the instant beverage mix 19 dissolves in the consumable liquid facilitated by agitation using the stick 21 to form a consumable beverage. The dried beverage mix 19 may be formulated with a desired quantity of ingredients 22-25 to produce a desired flavor of consumable beverage when mixed in a specified quantity of consumable liquid.

In FIG. 1, the dried beverage mix 19 comprises an instant coffee mix 22 and the consumable liquid comprises hot water.

In FIGS. 2-6, the dried beverage mix 19 further comprises one or more of the following dried ingredients taken from the list of dried ingredients including instant coffee 22, a sweetener 24, a creamer 23, and a flavoring ingredient 25, which may be hazelnut, vanilla or other desired flavoring or may be another beverage mix such as cocoa.

The consumable beverage mix 19 may alternately comprise a hot chocolate mix, instant tea, flavored drink or a precise dosage of a dissolvable medicine, which may be dissolved in hot or cold consumable liquid. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the device 2OA further comprises an outer sealing wrap 29 enclosing the dried beverage mix 19 and a portion of the stick 21. The sealing wrap 29 comprises a waterproof airtight enclosure encircling the dried beverage mix 19 to seal out air to retain the freshness of the beverage mix 19. The sealing wrap 29 has a pull tab 26 preferably positioned on the stick for easy grasping and an interconnected tear strip 28 along a portion of the sealing wrap 29 for opening the sealing wrap 29 to remove the sealing wrap 29 for use of the dried beverage mix 19. The sealing wrap 29 may comprise a plastic or a foil wrap.

In FIG. 9, the present invention 2OB further comprises a disposable cup 30 housing the second end of the stick 21 and the attached dried beverage mix 19 with the first end of the stick 21 having a logo 27 thereon protruding above the disposable cup 30. A sealing wrap 29A is provided which encloses the disposable cup 30 and the dried beverage mix 19 and a portion of the stick 21. The sealing wrap 29A may comprise a plastic or a foil wrap. In FIG. 10, the present invention 2OB is packaged with a fold-out accordion disposable cup inside the sealed wrap 29A around the dried beverage mix 19.

The present invention 20, 2OA, and 2OB, which may be referred to herein as a Coffee Pop™, can take the form of a rounded cylindrical pop, round lollipop, cylinder, rectangle, square, twisted shape, or any variation of these. The combination handle with a logo 27 and stirring stick 21 is 4-6 inches long. The stick 21 material is preferably wood, a standard popsicle stick, which aids in stirring to dissolve and mix the product 19 is in liquid.

The packaging 29, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is a shrink-wrapped foil or plastic about 1.5 inches wide by 6-7 inches long. The packaging 29 A used to enclose the disposable cup 30 and device 2OB shown in FIG. 9, would require a larger shrink- wrapped foil or plastic. The packaging 29 and 29A can be clear or opaque plastic. The sealing wrap preferably comprises a vacuum seal wrap to insure the freshness of the beverage mix.

The packaging 29 and 29A, shown in FIGS. 7-9, is provided with is an easy tear open method, which comprises holding the pull tab 26 and pulling until the tear strip 28 separates from the packaging 29 and 29A, leaving a portion of the packaging 29 and 29A open for easy removal of the packaging 29 and 29A from the dried beverage mix 19 or the disposable cup 30. This is essential because the present invention 20, 2OA, and 2OB may be used away from home where the consumer does not have knives and scissors available. In use, the outer sealing wrap 29 and 29A, shown in FIGS. 7-9, is removed by holding the pull tab 26 and pulling downwardly until the tear strip 28 separates from the packaging 29 and 29A, leaving a portion of the packaging 29 and 29A open. The packaging 29 and 29A is then easily removed from the dried beverage mix 19 or the disposable cup 30. Once the packaging 29 is removed from the Coffee Pop™ 2OA, shown in

FIGS. 7 and 8, the dried beverage mix 19 is placed in a cup provided by the user and hot water is added in the cup. The stir stick 21 is grasped by the end with the logo 27 and moved in a stirring fashion to dissolve and mix the dried beverage mix 19 in the liquid. The wood stir stick 21 is thrown away when done. In an alternate embodiment 2OB, shown in FIG. 9, the packaging 29A is removed from around the cup 30 and dried beverage mix 19, and hot water is added to the cup 30. The stir stick 21 is used to dissolve the coffee 22 and condiments 23 and 24 and/or flavoring 25 into the hot water to create the hot coffee beverage.

There is no need to add sugar or cream because it is all included in the Coffee Pop™ chosen for the desired combination of ingredients 22-25. No coffee machine is needed in the preparation of a cup of coffee. The present invention 20, 2OA and 2OB allows instant preparation of the desired coffee beverage 22 with condiments 23 and 24 and or flavoring 25 in only 30 seconds.

The present invention 20 may be made with the dried beverage mix 19 having the following variations: plain black coffee 22, as in FIG. 1 ; coffee 22 with creamer 23 or sweetener 24, as in FIGS. 2 and 3; coffee 22 with portions of creamer 23 and sweetener 24, as in FIG. 4; or coffee 22 with portions of creamer 23, sweetener 24, and flavoring 25 as in FIGS. 5 and 6. The creamer portion 23 may be formed by creamer powders processed to make a liquid that is solidified onto the stick 21. The flavor portion 25 may be a flavor taken from the list of flavors including: vanilla, chocolate, hazelnut, mint, cinnamon almond, Irish cream, caramel, fruit, coconut, toffee, pumpkin spice, butter rum, eggnog, anise, praline or any other desired flavoring desirable in coffee.

The present invention 20, 2OA and 2OB may have any of a variety of solidified or compacted compositions which are mixed with hot or cold liquid including instant coffee, instant tea, hot chocolate, flavored drinks, instant juice drinks, or a precise dosage of dissolvable medicine or any other dried mixture to be dissolved in a hot or cold liquid.

The dried beverage mix is preferably provided in a sufficient quantity for a single serving of the consumable beverage, such as a single cup of coffee. The present invention 20, 2OA and 2OB may be sold at regular retail grocers or may be sold using a vending machine.

It is understood that the preceding description is given merely by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention and that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

L A combination stirring stick and attached dissolving instant beverage mix beverage product with a logo on the stirring stick, the beverage product comprising in combination: a combination handle and stirring stick comprising an elongated waterproof stick bearing a logo plainly visible at a first handle end of the stick; a dried beverage mix attached to a second end of the stick, the dried beverage mix comprising at least one instant beverage ingredient dissolvable in liquid to produce a consumable beverage and a dissolvable binder ingredient to bind the at least one instant beverage mix together and bind the beverage mix to the stick so that when the at least one instant beverage mix is placed in contact with a consumable liquid, the at least one instant beverage mix dissolves in the consumable liquid facilitated by agitation using the stick to form a consumable beverage, the dried beverage mix formulated with a desired quantity of ingredients to produce a desired flavor of consumable beverage when mixed in a specified quantity of consumable liquid; a sealing wrap enclosing the dried beverage mix and a portion of the stick, the sealing wrap comprising a waterproof airtight enclosure encircling the dried beverage mix to seal out air to retain the freshness of the beverage mix, the sealing wrap having a pull tab and interconnected tear strip along a portion of the sealing wrap for opening the sealing wrap to remove the sealing wrap for use of the dried beverage mix.

2. The beverage product of claim 1 wherein the dried beverage mix comprises an instant coffee mix and the consumable liquid comprises hot water.

3. The beverage product of claim 2 wherein the dried beverage mix further comprises at least one of the following dried ingredients taken from the list of dried ingredients including a sweetener, a creamer, a flavoring ingredient, and a consumable beverage mix.

4. The beverage product of claim 3 wherein the consumable beverage mix comprises a hot chocolate mix.

5. The beverage product of claim 1 wherein the consumable beverage mix comprises a dissolvable dried medicinal substance.

6. The beverage product of claim 1 wherein the sealing wrap comprises a plastic wrap.

7. The beverage product of claim 1 wherein the sealing wrap comprises a foil wrap.

8. The beverage product of claim 1 wherein the sealing wrap comprises a vacuum seal wrap.

9. The beverage product of claim 1 further comprising a disposable cup housing the stick and the attached dried beverage mix with the first end of the stick having a logo thereon protruding above the disposable cup and the sealing wrap encloses the disposable cup and the dried beverage mix and a portion of the stick.

10. The beverage product of claim 1 further comprising a disposable cup folded up and packaged with the beverage product.

11. The beverage product of claim 1 wherein the stick is an elongated flat piece of wood rounded at each end.

12. The beverage product of claim 1 wherein the dried beverage mix is provided in a sufficient quantity for a single serving of the consumable beverage.

13. The beverage product of claim 1 where the dried beverage mix is dissolvable in hot water and the consumable liquid is hot water.

14. The beverage product of claim 1 where the dried beverage mix is dissolvable in cold water and the consumable liquid is cold water.