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Container for a slush beverage

a technology for slush beverages and containers, applied in the field of containers for slush beverages, can solve the problems of structure fracturing and moving into the cavity, and achieve the effect of affecting the flexibility of product formulation

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-07-08
DIAGEO GREAT BRITAIN LTD
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The present invention seeks to primarily address the second problem; that of providing a convenient take-home package for a slush beverage that can be used with a domestic freezer. By its nature the invention may also affect (broaden) the flexibility of product formulation for a slush beverage.
[0009]This solution causes initial fracture of the accreted ice structure by manually squeezing (semi-rigid, elastic) packaging that results in the structure fracturing and moving into a cavity. The invention achieves a desired effect by creating a void in the frozen structure. By squeezing the pack either side of the void means that the force required to carry out the squeezing process is reduced as the accreted ice is no longer a single cylinder and the upwards movement permits more rapid structure failure in the ice network generating the ideal starting point prior to further shaking.
[0011]A cylindrical bottle of semi-rigid material such as PET, PP or LDPE is an ideal packaging for the invention. This permits initial disruption of the accreted network by squeezing the packaging which through its high elastic characteristics, returns to its original shape allowing the consumer to deliver further shear through shaping the product. This is known to deliver functionality where it is possible to carry out the initial squeezing of a pack. The restrictions to a consumer being able to carry out the initial squeezing of a pack are the ice content of the slush and the fact that crushing across a cylinder results in minimal fracture of the ice network.

Problems solved by technology

This solution causes initial fracture of the accreted ice structure by manually squeezing (semi-rigid, elastic) packaging that results in the structure fracturing and moving into a cavity.

Method used

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  • Container for a slush beverage
  • Container for a slush beverage
  • Container for a slush beverage

Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

first embodiment

[0019]a container according to the present invention is shown by FIG. 1 wherein the container 10 is formed by a tapered side wall 11 and a base 12 upon which it may stand upright on a flat surface.

[0020]An open rim 13 of container 10 is covered by a lid means 14, the detail of which will be described with reference to FIG. 3 below. Side wall 11 includes a longitudinal indented portion 15 that provides the collapsible means of the invention. Opposing indents 15 enable the container 10 to be squeezed by a user to partially collapse and crush contents (ice) in the container. By virtue of a rigid plastic construction the collapsible means will spring back to the form illustrated.

[0021]Indents 15 also form corresponding indents in the frozen contents of the container which facilitates ice break up in use.

[0022]The section drawings (i.e. all other figures) show that the indent 15 is a single channel extending from a mid-point on one side of the container under and around the base 12 to a ...

third embodiment

[0030]FIG. 4 illustrates a third embodiment where an alternative to the press button mechanism is employed.

[0031]Lid 14 is again formed as a dome shape 17 with a membrane seal 19 providing a compartment 18 to contain a second liquid. The rim 20 of lid 14 is initially spaced apart from rim 13 of container 10. This separation may be by virtue of a threaded engagement or bayonet type fitting, etc.

[0032]As a downward force is applied to area 23 of the dome 17 by the user, membrane 19 is brought into contact with a blade edge 24 fixed to the inside wall of the container 10 adjacent rim 13. There may be a plurality of such blades 24.

[0033]Continued pressing punctures membrane 19 and the second liquid escapes compartment 18. The lid 14 may then be twisted to make a circular cut in membrane 19 as it turns. The second liquid is then released more quickly.

[0034]In other respects the mixing process is the same; container 10 is squeezed by virtue of the collapsible means 15 and shaken.

[0035]All...

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Abstract

A container for a slush beverage (10) with a side wall (11) and a base (12). The side wall includes a collapsible means (15) to facilitate partial collapse such that a frozen beverage within the container is crushed by manual gripping in a bellows-like action. Preferably the container also includes a lid (14) that forms a second compartment (18) for a second liquid to be mixed with the first in use. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a slush for dispense whereby hollow regions are created in an accreted ice structure as it is freezing.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a container for a slush beverage, particularly a package for a beverage that is to be frozen to a slush in a home freezer.BACKGROUND ART[0002]Frozen or “slush” beverages are a large market. Such products are commonly provided at a beverage outlet, produced by dispensing flavoured crushed ice from a relatively large machine. Alternatively, a product can be specially formulated to have slush characteristics when placed in a domestic freezer. There is a science to how these formulations are understood and manipulated.[0003]When a slush formulation is quiescently frozen, the subsequent ice crystals will accrete over time forming a network that will require shear to disrupt the network and enable flow. The amount of shear required will increase as the ice content increases which is dictated by the slush formulation and the freezer temperature. Currently different forms of packaging exist that can be used to store a slush in a freezer ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B65D25/04B65D8/14F25D31/00B65D8/12
CPCA23G9/045B65D51/2835B65D85/78B65D11/02B65D25/00B65D43/0202B65D85/72
Inventor INGMAN, SIMON JOHNWINSTON, SCOTTHARBUTT, RICHARD PAULPRYOR, JAMES GARFIELDFARROW, SYLVIA
Owner DIAGEO GREAT BRITAIN LTD
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