Beverage product and methods and devices for producing beverage products

Abstract

A beverage product includes a container having an interior volume and a frangible block of a frozen beverage material formed in the interior volume. The beverage product can further include a liquid beverage material disposed in the interior volume. In use, the frangible block of a frozen beverage material can be broken prior to consuming the beverage. The container can be made of a resilient material so as to allow the frangible block of a frozen beverage material to be broken. Another aspect of the present invention provides a vending machine capable of dispensing beverage products having frangible blocks of a frozen beverage material formed therein.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]A wide variety of beverages sold in cans or bottles are currently available to consumers. In addition to traditional soft drinks such as soda, fruit juices, lemonade, and iced tea, newer beverages like sports drinks and energy drinks are becoming increasingly popular. Furthermore, bottled water products such as spring water, mineral water, and filtered water have also become enormously popular.[0002]The great demand for these products has led to increased competition. Advertising is the primary technique for producers to promote their products, but extensive advertising is expensive. While various attempts have been made at making beverage products more desirable through attractive container designs, the fact is that container design is somewhat limited due to standardized container requirements for shipping, storing, and vending purposes. Thus, other than the taste and quality of the beverage itself, there is little currently available to distributo...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The great demand for these products has led to increased competition.

Advertising is the primary technique for producers to promote their products, but extensive advertising is expensive.

While various attempts have been made at making beverage products more desirable through attractive container designs, the fact is that container design is somewhat limited due to standardized container requirements for shipping, storing, and vending purposes.

Thus, other than the taste and quality of the beverage itself, there is little currently available to distributors to distinguish their products from those of their competitors.

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