Food product package having nested cup and cup holder

Abstract

A package for a food product that is packaged in dry form and is prepared by adding liquid such as hot water, comprises a primary container formed as a tapered plastic drinking cup, and a cup holder also formed as a tapered plastic cup. The primary container and cup holder are configured so they are nestable inside each other. The package is convertible between a packaged configuration in which the cup holder is nested inside the primary container, and a serving configuration in which the primary container is nested inside the cup holder. The food product can be contained in the primary container or in the cup holder. A membrane can seal the cup holder closed. An outer wrapper such as a shrink band or label can hold the cup holder in the primary container and provide tamper evidence, and can also serve as a moisture and / or oxygen barrier.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to a package for containing a dry food product, such as instant coffee, powdered cocoa, dehydrated soup, etc., wherein the package includes a cup in which the food product is served after mixing the food product with water. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Some convenience food products and hot beverages, such as coffee, hot cocoa, or soup, are often prepared from dry starting ingredients by adding hot water. For instance, one existing commercial product comprises dry soup mix contained in an expanded polystyrene (EPS) cup and sealed closed by a membrane. To prepare and serve the soup, the membrane is removed and hot water is added to the cup. The soup can be eaten out of the EPS cup. Expanded polystyrene offers the advantage of being a good thermal insulator, so that the cup can be held comfortably in the hand as the soup is consumed. [0003] Instant coffee and hot cocoa also are often prepared and served in expanded polystyrene ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] In one embodiment of the invention, the package comprises a primary container formed as a tapered plastic cup, and a cup holder also formed as a tapered plastic cup. The cup holder nests inside the primary container when the food product is initially placed in the package and the package is sealed. The food product can be contained in the bottom of the primary container, or alternatively in the bottom of the cup holder. A membrane is sealed across the top of the cup holder when it contains the food product. A shrink film can envelope an upper portion, or all, of the package to hold the primary container and cup holder together and also prevent infiltration of debris, water vapor, and gases. The package is convertible into a serving configuration by removing the shrink film and removing the cup holder from the primary container. If the food product is contained in the cup holder, the membrane is peeled off and the food product is poured from the cup holder into the primary container. Then the primary container is nested inside the cup holder, and hot or cold water is added and mixed with the food product. The cup holder provides thermal insulation so as to protect the consumer's hand from directly contacting the primary container when the package is held in the hand. Thus, hot beverages or food can be consumed from the package while the package is held comfortably in the hand.

[0007] The primary container includes a radially outwardly projecting rim at the top. The cup holder has a radially outwardly projecting flange at its top end, and a skirt depends from the flange to form an annular channel between the skirt and the side wall of the cup holder. In the packaged configuration of the package, when the cup holder is nested into the primary container, the rim of the primary container is received up into the channel of the cup holder. A snap fit between the cup holder and primary container can be provided, if desired. The skirt preferably is flared outwardly toward its lower end, and includes an outwardly projecting flange at its lower end, to form a relatively wide structure that is easily gripped. The skirt and flange also help provide stability to the package when inserted into an automobile cup holder.

Problems solved by technology

While EPS is a good thermal insulator, it has other drawbacks.

For instance, EPS by itself is a relatively poor oxygen and water vapor barrier.

Widespread recycling of consumer food packages made of barrier EPS has not yet taken hold, which means such packages wind up in landfills.

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