EP2208686B1

EP2208686B1 - Snack dispenser for beverage container

Info

Publication number: EP2208686B1
Application number: EP10160165A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bill Loh; Robert S Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-11-23
Filing date: 2005-11-22
Publication date: 2012-10-17
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-22
Also published as: CA2595603A1; CN101913456B; CN101913456A; EP1814801A4; NZ555776A; WO2006057625A1; EP2216264A1; KR20070089816A; JP2008532854A; EP2208686A1; AU2005310080A1; EP1814801A1

Description

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to condiment packages and particularly to a package that engages the top of a beverage container.

Background of the Invention

Drinks and snacks have long been associated with one another. However, a unique problem exists with dispensing drinks and snacks in that they are often consumed when the consumer is involved in other activities such as walking, walking through a crowd, at a party, at a sporting event, using a telephone, driving a car, reading, socializing, at a party, and so forth.
Another scenario is where the eater is in the company of a number of people, such as at a bar or around a pool. The snacks are placed in an open dish. A problem with the "open dish" method of dispensing snacks is that, in the minds of many, the practice of many hands dipping into a common container can result in spreading bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants.
These snacks invariably generate a thirst for what is usually a popular beverage such as, for example, Coke, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Gatorade, or an alcoholic beverage.
The beverage industry distributes these beverages in any one of various sized containers - ranging from cans, cups, bottles and cartons.
The range of available sizes of containers is consistent with a market that includes small children overgrown adults, and everyone in between. One size of beverage container does not fit all customers. Popular sizes of beverage containers range from 300ml to 1 litre.
The market is always receptive to a novel idea such as a convenient way to snack. The "snack" industry has long been aware that novel and interesting packaging leads to increased market share.
US 6,425,480 discloses a mobile-dining mealholder with a plate-lid and detachable bottle, the bottle including a narrow cylindrical neck with projections at axially spaced positions, and the plate-lid including a horizontal cap portion having a) a downwardly extending cylindrical skirt with projections at axially spaced positions and b) a tray portion extending outwardly from the lower edge of the skirt and having food-holding areas about the cap portion. The mealholder is secured to the bottle via a mating threaded attachment. Accordingly, US 6,425,480 discloses a dispenser of the type defined by the preamble of the accompanying claim 1.
US 4,098,439 discloses a cup shaped vessel adapted to fit snugly over the rim of a conventional beverage can. The vessel includes a circular groove in a bottom surface for engagement with the rim of the can.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first preferred aspect there is provided a dispenser for containing a first product, said dispenser being adapted for mounting on a container for containing a second product; said container having a circular rim being any one of at least one standard size, said dispenser comprising:

a base plate having a circular opening and an outer circular rim;
an interior truncated cone having a largest diameter integrally joined to said circular opening;
said interior truncated cone having a cover over a smallest rim of said interior truncated cone, the cover having a hole;
characterised by
said base plate having a surface with a circular groove;
said circular groove concentric with said circular opening;
said circular groove having a diameter selected to enable one of said circular rims to mate with said circular groove;
an outer truncated outer cone having a smallest rim integrally formed with said outer circular rim of said base plate; said truncated cone extending from said base in a same direction as said truncated interior cone;
wherein said outer truncated cone has an outside surface comprising steps; each step comprising a riser surface and a step surface, said riser surface being a circular continuous tapered band concentric with a centerline of said base plate and said step surface being a continuous band perpendicular to said centreline.

The container for containing a second product may be a bottle having a neck with a bottle opening, said circular opening having a dimension that permits inserting said neck through said circular opening into said interior truncated cone and a drinking straw through said hole in said cover and into said bottle. The first product may be a doughnut with a doughnut hole, said smaller cone being dimensioned to fit through said doughnut hole.
The dispenser may further comprise a lid having a skirt around an outside rim of said lid; said skirt being dimensioned to engage a largest rim of said outside truncated cone.
The lid may have a depression being dimensioned to position one of a CD disk and DVD disk in said depression.
The outer truncated cone may have a side opening; a sheet of one of paper and plastic film being positioned inside said outer truncated cone and covering said side opening; said side opening having a size selected to permit a forefinger and thumb of a user of reach inside said side opening and withdraw said second product from inside said outer truncated cone.
The outer truncated cone may be dimensioned to permit depositing the first product inside said dispenser.

Description of the Drawings

In order that the present invention may be fully understood and readily put into practical effect, there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only preferred embodiments whereby the present invention is described in fig. 8-15 only, the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings.
In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an assembly view of a first exemplary container poised for attachment to a can;
Figure 2A is a sectional view of Figure 1;
Figure 2B is a similar view to 2A but also showing a drinking straw positioned inside the can;
Figures 3A, B, C are views of the first exemplary container joined to the cup/can where the joining is by a sleeve;
Figure 4 shows the first exemplary container having a grooved bottom for engaging the cup/can;
Figure 5 is a sectional view showing an alternative exemplary container inserted into a cup filled with a beverage;
Figure 6 is a version of Figure 2 showing a seal adhered to the top edge of the container;
Figure 7 shows the container mounted on a peg for retail display;
Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of a dispenser according to the invention;
Figure 9 is a sectional view of Figure 8;
Figure 10 is an assembled view of Figure 8;
Figure 11 is an enlarged partial sectional view of Figure 10;
Figure 12 is an enlarged partial sectional view of Figure 10;
Figure 13 is an assembled view of corresponding to Figure 12;
Figure 14 is an enlarged view of the central portion of Figure 13;
Figure 15 is a perspective view of the dispenser with donut;
Figure 16A is a sectional view of Figure 17;
Figure 16B is a view of the bottom side of the container of Fig. 16A;
Figure 17 is an assembly view of a second exemplary container poised for attachment to a can;
Figure 18 shows a straw inserted through a groove in the side of the second exemplary container;
Figure 19A shows depressions in the lid for holding sauces;
Figure 19B shows the lid of Figure 19A laid open to hold sauces; and
Figure 20 shows a drinking straw extending through the side of the second exemplary container; and
Figure 21 shows a variation of Figure 20.

Detailed Description

Figures 1 to 5 show versions of a container 10 for nuts 11 configured for mounting on the top end 19 of a standard beverage cup or can 12.
The standard beverage can/cup 12, presently on the market has an outside ridge 19 around the upper edge of the cup/can 12.
In each version, the container 10 comprises an integrally formed (molded) cylinder 14 and may have a partial lid 24 that extends over about two thirds of the container 10 opening.
Figure 1 shows one version of the container in which a bottom side 16 (in phantom) is displaced from the lower edge 18 of the cylinder 14 so that a short skirt 20 is formed which includes the lower edge 18.
Figure 2A is a sectional view of Figure 1.
Figure 2B is the same as Figure 2A but shows a drinking straw 31 extending down through the cylinder 14 into the beverage 40.
The lower edge 18 of skirt 20 has an inside lip 21 dimensioned so that the lip 21 "snaps" onto the ridge 19 around the top edge of the cup/can 12.
Figure 3A is an exploded view of another version for mounting the container 10 on the can 12 in which the means for mounting the container 10 on the can/cup 12 is sleeve 45.
Figure 3B is an assembly view showing the container 10 inserted into one end of sleeve 45 and the can 12 inserted into the opposite end of sleeve 45.
Figure 3C is a sectional view of Figure 3B showing nuts 11 in the container 10 and drinking straw 31 extending through the container 10 into the beverage 40.
Figure 4 is a side view of a third version for mounting the container 10 on the can 12 in which the container 10 has a bottom side 16 with the molded groove 44 that mates with the ridge 19 on the top edge of can 12.
Figure 5 is a sectional view of a fourth version in which the container 10 is supported inside the can/cup 12 by a flange 13 extending outwardly from the top edge of container 10.
In each version of Figures 1 to 5, but shown to best advantage in Figures 1 and 2, the molded cylinder 14 has a partial lid 24 that extends over part of the open top of the cylinder 14. The partial lid 24 provides better control when pouring nuts from container 10.
In another example of each version, there is no partial lid 24.
In each version but shown to best advantage in Figures 1 and 2, a cover 26, being a thin foil or paper, is adhesively adhered to flange 13 of the cylinder 14 and the partial lid 24 and extends over the top opening of the cylinder 14. This feature provides a complete enclosure for the nuts before sale of the nuts occurs.
For access to the nuts 11, the cover 26 is peeled from off the partial lid 24 by grasping a tab 29 attached to this section of the cover and peeling back the cover 26.
Figure 6 is a perspective view showing cylinder 14 with flange 13 covered by cover 26. The side of cylinder 14 has a channel 30 extending from top edge to bottom edge of the cylinder 14.
As shown in Figure 3C, Figure 4, and Figure 5 when the container 10 of Figure 6 is mounted on the can/cup 12, the channel 30 provides a guide for positioning drinking straw 31 through hole 32 along channel 30, and through opening 23 in the can 12 down into the beverage 40 stored inside can 12.
As shown in Figure 7, hole 32 in container 10 also provides an opening for displaying a plurality of the containers 10 on a peg 36 for commercial display.
In use, the user selects his container 10 of favorite condiments from a peg 36 and places the container onto the top of a opened beverage can or cup. Then he peels off the cover 26 and inserts a straw 31 through the channel 30 and the opening 23, so that the lower end of the straw extends into the beverage 40 in the can (cup) 12.
The ability to peel off the cover (leaving the partial lid attached to the container) and pour the condiments directly into the mouth is a more dependable method of partaking the condiments than the present method for dispensing condiments (usually peanuts) which is to rip open a cellophone bag and try to empty the nuts directly in the mouth from the bag because a few of the nuts are invariably stuck in the bottom of the bag.
This construction provides several practicalities for the consuming public.
One convenience is that the beverage and/or condiments can be dispensed while holding the container / can in one hand.
Another convenience is that the condiments may be packaged (and sold) separately from the beverage so that the buyer may select any one of a number of condiments.
In the context of this invention, the word, "condiments", is any food including nuts, mints, chocolates, etc. that are dispensed as a "pea-sized" nuggets and as such, are well known to the public.
By following the disclosure of this invention, the nuts and beverage are fully protected from contamination until the consumer is ready to consume the condiments are beverage.
Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a dispenser, in accordance with the claimed invention. The dispenser 210 is a dish comprising an outer truncated cone 212 with its small end integrally joined to a base 214.
Figure 9 is a sectional view showing the cone section constructed as steps 216A, B, and C.
The outer truncated cone has an outside surface comprising steps.
Each step comprises a riser surface 217 and a step surface 219. The riser surface is a circular continuous flat band concentric with a centerline of the base. The step surface 219 is a continuous band perpendicular to the centerline.
A smaller interior inverted cone 218 is integrally joined to the base 214 at a concentric opening 221 in the base 214. The interior cone 218 has an opening 220 in its apex.
Figure 10 is a sectional view where the dispenser 210 is mounted onto a container 222 of beverage. The steps 216 of the dispenser 210 are dimensioned so that the dispenser 210 is supported by step 216B on the rim of the container 222.
The diameter of each step is selected to enable fitting the dispenser 210 onto the rim of a beverage cup having a standard size.
The riser surface 217 of each step 216 is tapered to permit a snug fit of the dispenser 10 into the beverage container.
The standard beverage cups are in 16oz, 22oz, 32 oz, 44 oz, 64 oz, 300ml, 440ml, 500ml, 11 and imperial pint size.
Figure 10 show the base having a concentric groove 224. The dispenser 10 is poised for mounting onto the rim 226 of a can 228 of beverage. The groove 224 is dimensioned to enable press fitting the rim 226 of a can 228 into the groove 224 as shown in Figure 11.
As shown in Figure 14, the size of the small cone 218 is selected to enable mounting a standard beverage bottle 230 into the cone 218.
In summary, the dispenser 210 is dimensioned to fit the dispenser 210 onto a beverage cup having any one of five sizes, a beverage can or a beverage bottle.
As shown in Figure 12 in use, condiments 233, such an nuts, chips, crackers or packed ice cream are stored in the dispenser 210. Dispenser 210 is mounted on the beverage container. A drinking straw 231 is inserted through the opening 220 in the small cone into the beverage container.
The user is thereby enabled to hold the combined beverage container and dispenser 210 in one hand, drink through the straw 231 or take food 233 out the dispenser 210 with the other hand. This is a great convenience for one who is not seated at a table.
Figure 10 shows a circular lid 232 with a shoulder 234 dimensioned to enable pressing the lid 232 onto the rim of the dispenser 210. The circular lid 232 has a depression 236 dimensioned to permit storing a CD/VCD/DVD disk 238 into the depression 236.
The CD disk 238 is retained in the depression by film 240 that extends over the lide and is secure to the rim of the disk 238.
The inclusion of the CD disk 238 with the dispenser 210 is an added attraction for marketing the dispenser 210 containing condiments particularly to the younger members of the market.
Figure 15 shows another version in which the dispenser 210 is adapted for dispensing a doughnut 244. The doughnut 244 is positioned in the dispenser with the small cone extending through the central hole of the doughnut. The dispenser 210 has a side opening 242 that permits withdrawing the doughnut by removing the lid 232, grasping the doughnut 244 between the thumb and forefinger and lifting the doughnut 244 out the dispenser. In this version, a small sheet 246 of paper of film covers the side opening 242.
This construction enables the user to remove the lid 232, grasp the doughnut with the sheet 246 between his forefinger and the thumb while he lifts the doughnut 244 out of the dispenser 210.
In the version of Figure 12, a preferred container for dispensing beverage is the standard well-known styrene foam cup. This would permit serving the doughnut in the dispenser 210 mounted on a cup 216 of hot coffee. (Styrene foam is an effective heat insulator.)
Figure 13 shows another version for dispensing the doughnut with a bottle of beverage in which the dispenser 211 is simply a base with a central small cone. The bottle is mountable onto the small cone 218 as discussed above.
There has been described a dispenser for packaging of one product onto a container of another product where the container is available in a variety of sizes and shapes. This principle can be applied to combinations of products other than condiments and beverage, such as soaps and soap emulsifiers, etc.
For example the dispenser 10 may be manufactured from a variety of materials - polyethylene, polystyrene, etc.
Figure 17 shows a container 310 for a hot dog configured for mounting on the top end of a standard beverage cup or can 322.
The container comprises an oblong box 316 having a continuous side extending from a substantially rectangular bottom side 320.
The dimensions of the box 316 are selected to enable storing a hot dog and bun 312 inside the box 316.
A lid is shown poised for positioning onto the opening of the box 316. The edge 328 of the lid 326 is configured to mate with the edge of the box 316 so that the lid "snaps" onto the box 316.
The box 316 is poised over a standard cup/can 322.
The standard cup/can has an outside ridge 324 around the upper edge of the cup/can 322.
Figure 16A is a sectional view of the box 316 showing a ridge on the bottom side 320 of the container for mounting ("snapping") the box 316 onto the top end of beverage can 322.
Figure 16B is a view of the bottom side 320 of the box 316 showing the ridge 330 that engages the rim 324.
The bottom of the box 316 also has an opening 332 so that, when the can is opened, a straw may be inserted into through an opening in the can 322.
Alternatively, as in Figure 18, a side of the box has an indentation 323 that permits inserting a drinking straw 66 into an opening in the can 322.
Figure 17 is a view of the lid poised for mounting onto the box 316 so as the enclose the hot dog inside the closed container 310.
Figures 19A, B is a version in which one edge 338 of the lid 326 is joined to an edge of one side of the tray 316. A hot dog is stored or transported in the container 310 when the lid 326 is closed.
In use, the lid is folded (rotated) away from the box 316 as shown in Figure 19B.
A flange 342, partially cut out of lid 326 is folded (along dotted line 344) that braces the lid 326 in the open position.
Figure 19 shows compartments 346 (depressions) formed in the lid 326. Each sauce may be deposited in its own compartment. The diner dispenses the sauce into its own compartment to start his feast. Then he may dip the end of his hot dog into the sauce (in the compartment).
Initially, packets of sauces may be placed inside the closed tray with the hot dog. Packaging catsup and mustard in envelopes is well known in the art of packaging.
This construction provides several conveniences of the consuming public.
One convenience is that the beverage and/or hot dog can be dispensed while holding the container in the one hand.
In the context of this specification, the term "sauce" is any semi-liquid appetizer normally applied to hot dogs (catsup, mustard and relish, well known to the public.)
Variations and modifications of this invention may be contemplated after reading the specification and studying the drawings that are within the scope of this invention.
For example, Figure 20 shows a drinking straw whose lower end (lower end not shown) is inserted into the can and whose upper end extends through an opening in the side of the container.
By following the disclosure of this invention, the hot dog and beverage are fully protected from contamination until the consumer is ready to consume the hot dog and beverage.
Figure 21 shows a variation where a cup 422 with a an inserted tray 416 has a hole 432 in its side. A straw 466 can be inserted through hole 432 below tray 416. Hole 432 may be covered by a chad, peel-off-cover, tape, or the like when not in use. Tray 416 may be used to hold snacks and is an interference fit in cup 422, due to the taper of cup 422, at a height relative to cup 422 intermediate its top and its bottom.
In that context of this specification, the term, bulk item of food, is intended to mean food that is not liquid and which a user can pick up with this fingers and bite off a portion. Such a bulk item means particularly a hot dog having an oblong shape and intended for the user to hold the item in one hand and bite portions of the item.
In view of these variations, it is therefore wished to define the scope of the invention by the appended claims.
Whilst there has been described in the foregoing description preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications in details of design or construction may be made without departing from the present invention.

Claims

A dispenser (210) for containing a first product (233;244), said dispenser (210) being adapted for mounting on a container (222;228;230) for containing a second product; said container having a circular rim being any one of at least one standard size, said dispenser comprising:
a base plate (214) having a circular opening (221) and an outer circular rim;

an interior truncated cone (218) having a largest diameter integrally joined to said circular opening (221);

said interior truncated cone (218) having a cover over a smallest rim of said interior truncated cone, the cover having a hole;

characterised by

said base plate (214) having a surface with a circular groove (224);

said circular groove concentric with said circular opening (221);

said circular groove (224) having a diameter selected to enable one of said circular rims (216) to mate with said circular groove;

an outer truncated outer cone (212) having a smallest rim integrally formed with said outer circular rim of said base plate (214); said truncated cone extending from said base in a same direction as said truncated interior cone (218);

wherein said outer truncated cone (212) has an outside surface comprising steps (216); each step (216) comprising a riser surface (217) and a step surface (219), said riser surface (217) being a circular continuous tapered band concentric with a centerline of said base plate (214) and said step surface (219) being a continuous band perpendicular to said centreline.
The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said container for containing a second product is a bottle (230) having a neck with a bottle opening, said circular opening (221) having a dimension that permits inserting said neck through said circular opening into said interior truncated cone (218) and a drinking straw (231) through said hole in said cover and into said bottle (230).
The dispenser of claim 2, wherein said first product is a doughnut (244) with a doughnut hole, said interior truncated cone (218) being dimensioned to fit through said doughnut hole.
The dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a lid (232) having a skirt (234) around an outside rim of said lid; said skirt (234) being dimensioned to engage a largest rim of said outside truncated cone (212).
The dispenser of claim 4, wherein said lid (232) has a depression (236) being dimensioned to position one of a CD disk (238) and DVD disk in said depression (236).
The dispenser of claim 4, wherein said outer truncated cone (212) has a side opening (242); a sheet (246) of one of paper and plastic film being positioned inside said outer truncated cone (212) and covering said side opening (242); said side opening having a size selected to permit a forefinger and thumb of a user of reach inside said side opening and withdraw the first product (233;244) from inside said outer truncated cone.
The dispenser of claim 6, wherein said outer truncated cone (212) is dimensioned to permit depositing the first product (233;244) inside said dispenser (210).