GB2407805A

GB2407805A - Package for delivering different beverages

Info

Publication number: GB2407805A
Application number: GB0325878A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Bhimani; Martin Stanley Johnson
Original assignee: IMI Vision Ltd
Current assignee: IMI Vision Ltd
Priority date: 2003-11-06
Filing date: 2003-11-06
Publication date: 2005-05-11
Also published as: GB0325878D0

Abstract

A conduit arrangement 1 for the separate but simultaneous delivery of different beverages from a package to different parts of the mouth comprises side-by-side tubular members 2, 3 and 4 joined along the majority of their length and separated at one end into three spaced regions 2a, 3a and 4a each having an opening 5, 6 and 7 for immersion in three different beverages contained in respective, mutually isolated compartments in the vessel. At the opposite end, the tubular members 2, 3 and 4 have respective openings 8, 9 and 10 positioned such when that end is placed in the mouth and sucked by the consumer, the liquid flowing through opening 9 is delivered to the front of the mouth and the liquids flowing through openings 8 and 10 are deposited to the left and right sides of the mouth respectively, allowing the different beverages to be delivered to the areas of the mouth most sensitive to their respective flavours. Alternatively, the conduits may be concentric and may lead to a mouthpiece.

Description

1 2407805 Improvements Relating to the Consumption of Beverages.

This invention relates to the consumption of beverages. By the term "beverage", we mean any flowable foodstuff including soft and alcoholic drinks, flowable particulate solids and relatively thick flowable foodstuffs such as yoghurt and cream.

The mixing of one or more beverages to form a composite drink is a well known concept. Usually the beverages are mixed together mechanically and then dispensed for consumption or else are mixed together in the vessel from which they are to be consumed. These produce a beverage which has a uniform flavour when it enters the mouth. Some beverages are made of differently flavoured liquids of different densities such that they are contained in the vessel in distinct layers whereby, when consumed, different flavours are experienced sequentially.

US Patent Number 5,398,827 discloses a beverage container which stores two differently flavoured beverages which are then poured from the container into the mouth where they mix to provide a different taste sensation.

The arrangement of taste buds in the mouth, particularly on the tongue, into distinct areas which are more sensitive to a particular taste has been well researched and documented since Hanig's work in 1901. However, mixed drinks, by generally being offered to the mouth in a pre-mixed state, and the aforesaid US prior art container are unable to take advantage of the capabilities of different taste buds.

It is the object of this invention to provide beverage consumption method and means whereby the known attributes of the human taste system can be used to offer a unique drinking experience.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of consuming a beverage which comprises simultaneously consuming, for example by sucking or pouring, at least two different beverages contained discretely from one another in a container through respective conduits adapted to deliver the beverages, during consumption, to different regions of the mouth.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a package comprising at least two mutually isolated containers containing different beverages, and respective elongate conduits extending from said containers to, in use, a location external thereof where they each terminate in an outlet for location in the consumer's mouth, the outlets being arranged such that the respective beverages are, during consumption, delivered through their respective conduits to different areas of the consumer's mouth.

In accordance with the invention, the individual beverages may be delivered to different target areas of the mouth whereby the flavours of the beverages may be "matched" with the taste sensors best equipped for detecting them, thus maximising the intensity of the flavour and generating a "three dimensional" taste effect in the mouth.

Delivery of the beverages to the mouth may be effected by pouring. However, it is preferably effected by the consumer sucking on the ends of the conduits which may, for example, be in the nature of drinking straws.

The conduits may be of different internal cross-sectional areas, thus enabling a ratiometric volume delivery of the beverages.

Preferably, the containers and/or the conduits are constructed largely or wholly of a transparent or translucent material such that, where applicable, different colours of the different beverages can be seen.

Preferably, the conduits are arranged to deliver each individual beverage to the area of the mouth most sensitive to the flavour of the beverage. For example, where there is a sweet beverage and a bitter beverage, the sweet beverage is preferably directed towards the front of the tongue and the bitter one towards the sides of the tongue.

In one preferred arrangement, there are two conduits arranged concentrically with the central conduit being longer that the outer conduit such that the beverage in the outer Towpath is delivered to the front of the mouth and the beverage in the inner Towpath is delivered to the back of the mouth.

In another preferred arrangement, the outlets of the conduits are defined by a separately formed mouthpiece having respective outlets arranged to direct the respective beverages to desired areas of the mouth. Preferably this mouthpiece is provided with an indication of its intended orientation in use.

An air inlet may be provided in at least one of the conduits so that a small amount of air will be drawn into the beverage, where it is a liquid, flowing in that conduit so as to render it bubbly.

Whilst each beverage may be liquid, at least one may be a particulate solid, for example sugar or ground nuts whereby a liquid beverage and a solid one may be consumed simultaneously whilst being delivered to different regions of the mouth.

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is a diagram of a triple, side-by-side conduit arrangement of a package of the invention; Figure 2 is a cross section of the conduit arrangement shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a diagram of an alternative conduit arrangement in which there are two concentric conduits; Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross section of an alternative conduit arrangement in which an air inlet is provided in the side of one of the conduits; Figures 5 and 6 are diagrams of a separately formed mouthpiece forming part of a conduit arrangement of a package of the invention, the mouthpiece having passageways therein with outlets orientated to direct respective beverages to different areas of the tongue.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, a conduit arrangement I is shown for the separate but simultaneous delivery of different beverages from a vessel (not shown) to different parts of the mouth. The conduit arrangement comprises three side-by-side tubular members 2, 3 and 4 joined along the majority of their length and separated at one end into three spaced regions 2a, 3a and 4a each having an opening 5, 6 and 7 for immersion in three different beverages contained in respective, mutually isolated compartments in the vessel. At the opposite end, the tubular members 2, 3 and 4 have respective openings 8, 9 and 10 positioned such when that end is placed in the mouth and sucked by the consumer, the liquid flowing through opening 9 is delivered to the front of the mouth and the liquids flowing through openings 8 and 10 are deposited to the left and right sides of the mouth respectively.

As can be more clearly seen from Figure 2, the cross-sectional area of the central tubular member 3 is larger than those of the tubular members 2 and 4 resulting in a differential flow rate of the liquids during consumption.

Referring to Figure 3, the conduit arrangement 11 comprises two concentric conduits 12 and 13, the inner one 12 extending beyond the outer one 13 at both ends whereby, with the openings 14 and 15 placed in the mouth, the beverage sucked up the inner conduit 12 will be delivered to the back of the mouth and the different beverage sucked up the outer conduit 13 will be delivered to the front of the mouth.

Referring to Figure 4, the conduit arrangement comprises two side-by-side conduits 16 and 17 for the delivery of two different beverages to different parts of the mouth via openings 18 and 19. One (16) of the conduits is provided with a small inlet 20 for air such that, when the consumer sucks on the openings 18 and 19, air is drawn into the conduit 16 so as to impart a bubbly texture to the beverage sucked up that conduit..

Referring to Figure 5 and 6, there is shown a separately-formed mouthpiece 21 forming part of a triple conduit arrangement. The mouthpiece 21 is provided with an inlet 22 for a multiple channel flowpath and three internal channels 23, 24 and with associated outlets 26, 27 and 28 each positioned to deliver the respective beverages to different areas of the mouth when the consumer sucks on the mouthpiece 21.

Claims

Claims 1 An package comprising at least two mutually isolated containers

containing different beverages, and respective elongate conduits extending from said containers to, in use, a location external thereof where they each terminate in an outlet for location in the consumer's mouth, the outlets being arranged such that the respective beverages are, during consumption, delivered through their respective conduits to different areas of the consumer's mouth.
2 The package according to Claim 1 wherein the conduits are adapted for transfer of the beverages from the containers to the consumers mouth by means of the consumer sucking on the ends of the conduits.
3 The package according to Claims 1 or 2 wherein the conduits are of different internal cross-sectional areas such that a desired ratiometric mixture of beverages is consumed in use
4 The package according to any of the preceding claims wherein the containers and/or the conduits are constructed at least partially from a transparent or translucent material such that, where applicable, the colour of the different beverages can be seen.
The package according to any of the preceding claims wherein the conduits are arranged to deliver each individual beverage to the area of the mouth most sensitive to the flavour of the beverage.
6 The package according to any of the preceding claims wherein there are two conduits arranged concentrically with the central conduit being longer that the outer conduit such that the beverage in the outer flowpath is delivered to the front of the mouth and the beverage in the inner flowpath is delivered to the back of the mouth.
7 The package according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the outlets of the conduits are defined by a separately formed mouthpiece having respective outlets arranged to direct the respective beverages to desired areas of the mouth.
8 The package according to Claim 7 wherein this mouthpiece is lO provided with an indication of its intended orientation in use.
9 The package according to any one of Claims l to 8 wherein an air inlet is provided in at least one of the conduits so that a small amount of air will be drawn into the beverage flowing in that conduit so as to render it bubbly.

A method of consuming a beverage which comprises simultaneously consuming, for example by sucking or pouring, at least two different beverages contained discretely from one another in a container through respective conduits adapted to deliver the beverages, during consumption, to different regions of the mouth.

l l The method according to Claim 10 wherein the individual beverages are delivered to different target areas of the mouth whereby the flavours of the beverages are "matched" with the taste sensors best equipped for detecting them.