A set for adding fragrance to beverages, a method for adding fragrance to beverages, and a beverage with added fragrance.

Abstract

To provide a set for adding fragrance to beverages, which allows for the fragrance of beverages using wood chips while simultaneously avoiding problems caused by the wood chips when pouring the beverage. [Solution] A set for imparting fragrance to a beverage, the set comprising a bag-in-box and a piece of wood, wherein the bag-in-box has a cap portion that fits onto an inlet for pouring the beverage into the bag-in-box, the bag-in-box further comprises a tap portion that fits onto an outlet for pouring the beverage from the bag-in-box to the outside, either in place of or separately from the cap portion, and the piece of wood is shaped to be inserted from the cap portion of the bag-in-box and not to flow out from the tap portion of the bag-in-box.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a set for imparting a fragrance to a beverage. More specifically, the present invention relates to a set for imparting the fragrance of wood to an alcoholic beverage, a method thereof, and an alcoholic beverage imparted with the fragrance of wood.

Background Art

[0002] In Japan, there has long been a culture of enjoying alcoholic beverages together with the fragrance of wood, such as sake stored in wooden barrels made of cedar or the like to impart the fragrance of wood, and masu sake in which sake is poured into a masu made of hinoki or the like and then drunk. Overseas, there has also been a culture of storing wine in barrels and enjoying it including the fragrance of the barrels, or storing and aging distilled spirits in barrels since even earlier times.

[0003] However, generally, barrels are large in capacity and not consumable by households. Also, it is not easy to discard the containers (barrels) after consumption. Therefore, various proposals have been made as to whether the fragrance of wood can be imparted to the fragrance of the manufactured beverage itself so that it can be enjoyed even by ordinary households.

[0004] The invention described in Patent Document 1 discloses a chip for the purpose of imparting a flavor to sake by putting it into a paper pack or a glass bottle filled with sake. This chip can be put into the container of sake purchased at a restaurant or home after purchasing the sake, and the sake can be enjoyed with the imparted flavor. However, the invention of Patent Document 1 is such that the chip is inserted into and removed from the inside of the container through the only outlet of the container. When the liquid volume inside the container decreases, in some cases, it may get caught at the outlet when pouring the beverage, come out together with the beverage, or become an obstacle to pouring the beverage.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a set for adding fragrance to beverages that allows for the fragrance of beverages using wood chips while simultaneously avoiding problems caused by the wood chips when pouring the beverage.

[0007] The inventors of this invention have been diligently working to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and have found that by sealing wood chips into the bag-in-box (BIB) at the same time as packing the manufactured beverage, the imparting of aroma to the beverage can begin from the initial stage of product manufacturing. Furthermore, by providing a separate tap for dispensing the beverage, in addition to the cap used when pouring the beverage into the bag-in-box and inserting the wood chips, and by adjusting the size of the wood chips so that they do not get caught in the tap or fall out of the tap, problems caused by the wood chips when dispensing the beverage can be eliminated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The invention according to claim 1 is, This is a set for adding fragrance to beverages. The aforementioned set includes a bag-in-box and a piece of wood. The bag-in-box is equipped with a cap portion that fits onto an inlet into which the beverage is poured into the bag-in-box. The bag-in-box further comprises a tap portion which is fitted to a spout for pouring the beverage from the bag-in-box to the outside, either in place of or separately from the cap portion. The present invention relates to a set in which the wooden piece is inserted from the cap portion of the bag-in-box and has a shape that prevents it from flowing out from the tap portion of the bag-in-box.

[0009] The invention according to claim 2 is, The set according to claim 1, wherein the beverage is an alcoholic beverage.

[0010] The invention according to claim 3 is, The set according to claim 1, wherein the longest diameter of the insertion cross-section of the wooden piece is smaller than the inner diameter of the cap portion and larger than the inner diameter of the cock portion.

[0011] The invention according to claim 4 is, The set according to claim 1, wherein the wood chips are cedar or cypress.

[0012] The invention according to claim 5 is, The set according to claim 2, wherein the alcoholic beverage is sake or shochu.

[0013] The invention according to claim 6 is, A method for imparting flavor to a beverage, The process of pouring the beverage into the bag-in-box through the opening of the bag-in-box, The process of inserting a piece of wood into the bag-in-box through the aforementioned inlet, The process includes storing the beverage together with the wood chips in the bag-in-box, The bag-in-box comprises a cap portion that fits onto the inlet, and a tap portion that replaces or replaces the cap portion and fits onto a spout for dispensing the beverage from the bag-in-box to the outside. The wooden piece is inserted through the cap portion of the bag-in-box and has a shape that prevents it from flowing out of the tap portion of the bag-in-box. Regarding the method.

[0014] The invention according to claim 7 is, The present invention relates to the method according to claim 6, wherein the beverage is an alcoholic beverage.

[0015] The invention according to claim 8 is, The method according to claim 6, wherein the longest diameter of the insertion cross-section of the wooden piece is smaller than the inner diameter of the cap portion and larger than the inner diameter of the cock portion.

[0016] The invention according to claim 9 is, The method according to claim 6, wherein the wood chips are cedar or cypress.

[0017] The invention according to claim 10 The method according to claim 7, wherein the alcoholic beverage is sake or shochu.

[0018] The invention according to claim 11 A beverage having a fragrance imparted by wood chips in a bag-in-box, The bag-in-box includes a cap portion that fits into an inlet for pouring the beverage into the bag-in-box, The bag-in-box further includes a cock portion that fits into an outlet for pouring out the beverage in the bag-in-box, either in replacement of the cap portion or separately from the cap portion, The wood chips are inserted from the cap portion of the bag-in-box and have a shape that does not flow out from the cock portion of the bag-in-box, Relates to a beverage that is imparted with a fragrance by being stored together with the wood chips in the bag-in-box.

[0019] The invention according to claim 12 Relates to the beverage according to claim 11, which is an alcoholic beverage.

[0020] The invention according to claim 13 Relates to the beverage according to claim 11, wherein the longest diameter of the insertion cross-section of the wood chips is smaller than the inner diameter of the cap portion and larger than the inner diameter of the cock portion.

[0021] The invention according to claim 14 Relates to the beverage according to claim 11, wherein the wood chips are cedar or cypress.

[0022] The invention according to claim 15 Relates to the beverage according to claim 12, wherein the alcoholic beverage is sake or shochu.

Advantages of the Invention

[0023] According to the invention of claim 1, a set for imparting fragrance to a beverage is obtained, the set comprising a bag-in-box and a piece of wood, the bag-in-box having a cap portion that fits onto an inlet for pouring the beverage into the bag-in-box, the bag-in-box further comprising a tap portion that fits onto an outlet for pouring the beverage from the bag-in-box to the outside, either in place of or separately from the cap portion, and the piece of wood being inserted into the cap portion of the bag-in-box and having a shape that prevents it from flowing out of the tap portion of the bag-in-box, thereby providing the effect of sealing the beverage and the piece of wood inside through the cap portion and pouring out the beverage through the tap portion.

[0024] According to the invention of claim 2, the set described in claim 1 is obtained, wherein the beverage is an alcoholic beverage.

[0025] According to the invention of claim 3, the set described in claim 1 is obtained in which the longest diameter of the insertion cross-section of the wooden piece is smaller than the inner diameter of the cap portion and larger than the inner diameter of the tap portion, thus providing the effect that when pouring a beverage from the bag-in-box, the wooden piece will not get caught in the tap portion or come out of the tap portion.

[0026] According to the invention of claim 4, the set described in claim 1 is obtained, wherein the wood chips are cedar or cypress, thus providing the effect of imparting the aroma of cedar or cypress to the beverage.

[0027] According to the invention of claim 5, the set described in claim 2 is obtained, wherein the alcoholic beverage is sake or shochu.

[0028] According to the invention of claim 6, a method for imparting fragrance to a beverage comprises the steps of: pouring the beverage into the bag-in-box from the inlet of the bag-in-box; inserting a piece of wood into the bag-in-box from the inlet; and storing the beverage together with the piece of wood in the bag-in-box, wherein the bag-in-box comprises a cap portion that fits onto the inlet, and a tap portion that fits onto a spout for dispensing the beverage from the bag-in-box to the outside, either in place of or separately from the cap portion, and the piece of wood is inserted from the cap portion of the bag-in-box and has a shape that prevents it from flowing out from the tap portion of the bag-in-box, thus providing the effect of enabling the imparting of fragrance to begin when the beverage is packed.

[0029] According to the invention of claim 7, the method of claim 6 is used, and the beverage is an alcoholic beverage, thus providing the effect that the imparting of flavor can be started when the alcoholic beverage is being packaged.

[0030] According to the invention of claim 8, the method of claim 6 is such that the longest diameter of the insertion cross-section of the wooden piece is smaller than the inner diameter of the cap portion and larger than the inner diameter of the tap portion, thus providing the effect that when pouring a beverage from the bag-in-box, the wooden piece will not get caught in the tap portion or come out of the tap portion.

[0031] According to the invention of claim 9, the wood chip is cedar or cypress, and the method of claim 6 is used, so that the beverage can be imparted with the aroma of cedar or cypress.

[0032] According to the invention of claim 10, the alcoholic beverage is sake or shochu, and the method of claim 7 has the effect of being able to start imparting aroma when the sake or shochu is packed.

[0033] According to the invention of claim 11, a beverage is provided in which a wood chip is imparted with fragrance within a bag-in-box, wherein the bag-in-box comprises a cap portion that fits onto an inlet into which the beverage is poured, and the bag-in-box further comprises a tap portion that fits onto an outlet for pouring the beverage from the bag-in-box to the outside, either in place of or separately from the cap portion, and the wood chip has a shape that allows it to be inserted from the cap portion of the bag-in-box and not to flow out from the tap portion of the bag-in-box, and is imparted with fragrance by being stored together with the wood chip within the bag-in-box, thus providing the effect of obtaining a beverage that is continuously fragranced from the time of packing until the consumer finishes drinking it.

[0034] The invention according to claim 12 has the effect of providing the beverage described in claim 11, which is an alcoholic beverage.

[0035] According to the invention of claim 13, the longest diameter of the insertion cross-section of the wood chip is smaller than the inner diameter of the cap portion and larger than the inner diameter of the tap portion, as described in claim 11. Therefore, when pouring the beverage flavored with the wood chip from the bag-in-box, the wood chip will not get caught in the tap portion or come out of the tap portion.

[0036] According to the invention of claim 14, the beverage is as described in claim 11, and the wood chips are cedar or cypress, thus providing the effect of obtaining a beverage that is continuously flavored with cedar or cypress from the time of packaging until the consumer finishes drinking it.

[0037] According to the invention of claim 15, the alcoholic beverage is the beverage described in claim 12, which is either sake or shochu, and thus the effect is obtained in which sake or shochu that has been continuously flavored from the time of packaging until the consumer finishes drinking it is obtained. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0038] [Figure 1]This is a front view showing the state of a bag-in-box according to one embodiment of the present invention, before the beverage is poured into the bag. [Figure 2] This is a front view, a cross-sectional view, and a side view of the inlet of the cap portion according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of a cock section according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a front view showing a state in which a beverage has been poured into a bag of a bag-in-box according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] These are a front view and a cross-sectional view of a wooden piece according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] These are a front view and a cross-sectional view of a wooden piece according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] These are a front view and a cross-sectional view of a wooden piece according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view of a bag-in-box according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of a bag-in-box according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0039] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a set for imparting flavor to a beverage according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0040] Figure 1 is a front view showing the state of a bag-in-box (BIB) according to one embodiment of the present invention, before the beverage is poured into the bag (1). The outer casing (box portion) of the BIB is not shown. The bag (1) is equipped with an inlet (2) and a spout (3). After filling the inside with a beverage, the inlet (2) is sealed with a fitting cap (4), and the spout (3) is sealed with a fitting tap (5).

[0041] Bag (1) is prepared using materials generally suitable for beverage storage, such as nylon, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, linear low-density polyethylene, and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer. Among these, linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) is preferred due to its excellent flexibility and toughness. Typically, multiple material films from the above are layered and bonded together by lamination or other processes to create a film that combines gas barrier and low-odor functions. This film is then processed into a bag by sealing on all four sides, sealing with a gusset, or blow molding. The film may be coated with aluminum, or the outer surface of the bag may be paper; the material is not limited as long as it can store beverages. Since it is related to the aroma of the beverage, a low-odor material is desirable for the inner surface of bag (1). When forming the bag from the film using a sealing method, heat sealing or impulse sealing methods are preferably selected. Blow-molded bags (1) allow air to easily enter the interior during filling and consumption, and sealed bags (1) are preferable because they facilitate automated filling and prevent beverage deterioration. A gusseted seal is preferable to a four-sided seal for stability of shape when the bag (1) is filled with beverage. A gusseted seal is preferably adopted for compactness before filling with beverage or after the beverage has been consumed.

[0042] The size of bag (1) is not limited to this, but in the example in Figure 1, a size of approximately 150mm-400mm x 300mm-600mm is suitable. A capacity of approximately 1L-30L would be convenient for consumption and distribution in restaurants and general households. The thickness of bag (1) is typically 100 μm to 160 μm. More preferably, 120 μm to 150 μm is selected.

[0043] The bag (1) has a cap (4) and a tap (5) attached to the inlet (2) and outlet (3), respectively. The inlet (2), outlet (3), cap (4), and tap (5) are each manufactured by resin injection molding or the like. The filling port (2) and the pouring port (3) are heat-sealed to the bag (1) in advance. The filling port (2) and the pouring port (3) may also be heat-sealed to the bag (1) as a single unit with the cap portion (4) and the tap portion (5), respectively. The pouring port (2) and the pouring port (3) may be the same. In that case, the cap (4) is attached during filling, and the beverage and wood chips are sealed inside. After that, the cap (4) is replaced with the tap (5) for use.

[0044] The cap portion (4) is prepared to fit snugly onto the inlet (2) and create a tight seal, as shown in Figure 2. Suitable materials include thermoplastic resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene. It is necessary that the material does not deteriorate upon contact with beverages or alcoholic beverages. The fitting method can be either a press-fit or screw-on type, but a screw-on cap portion (4) is shown here. With a screw-on type, even if the inlet (2) and spout (3) are the same, consumers can easily replace the cap portion (4) with the tap portion (5) to consume the sealed beverage.

[0045] The tap section (5), as shown in the example in Figure 3, has a tap and a faucet. When the tap is closed, it seals the spout (3), and when the tap is turned in the open direction, the outlet hole for the faucet is exposed on the spout (3) side, allowing the beverage to be dispensed to the faucet. Any structure is acceptable as long as it has the function of sealing the spout (3) and the function of dispensing the beverage when desired. Similar to the cap section, it is preferable to prepare it from readily available materials such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The diameter of the outlet hole in the cock section (5) is selected from 3 mm to 20 mm, and preferably from 5 mm to 12 mm.

[0046] Figure 4 shows the state in which the beverage (6) is poured into the bag (1) through the inlet (2) and the cap (4) is closed. Further, wooden pieces (7) as shown in Figures 5 to 7 are placed into the bag (1) through the inlet (2). The beverage (6) can be filled into the bag (1) manually, but various filling machines are known. For hygiene reasons and to ensure product homogeneity, it is desirable to use a filling machine that can perform aseptic filling. There are filling machines that, when a bag (1) with the cap still attached is set in place, remove the cap, fill with a predetermined amount, re-cap it, and pack it into a box. The process of inserting a piece of wood (7) into the bag (1) before re-capping it can be incorporated into the design.

[0047] The wooden piece (7) may be prepared as a sphere as shown in Figure 5, as an elongated ellipsoid as shown in Figure 6, or as a rod as shown in Figure 7. It is necessary that it be sized to be inserted and removed from the cap and not get caught or pinched in the cock, so a shape with no corners and rounded ends is preferable. The wooden piece (7) is not limited to the three-dimensional shape shown in the illustration; it may be flat, as long as it can be inserted and removed from the cap and does not get caught on the cock. It can also be wavy, arched, boomerang-shaped, or any other shape that can be freely selected.

[0048] The size of the wooden piece (7) is adjusted according to the inner diameter of the cap (4) and the cock (5). If the inner diameter of the cap (4) is 32 mm and the inner diameter of the cock (5) is 5 mm, then the diameter a of the wooden piece (7) in Figure 5, the minor axis a of the wooden piece (7) in Figure 6, and the diameter a of the wooden piece (7) in Figure 7 are all made to be greater than 10 mm and less than 28 mm. More preferably, it is desirable that it be at least 10 mm larger than the inner diameter of the cock (5). Although not shown in the diagram, the function of imparting fragrance can also be enhanced by increasing the surface area of ​​the wood chip (7) by making notches, grooves, holes, etc., and thereby increasing the contact area with the beverage (6).

[0049] The wooden pieces (7) may be made from cedar or cypress used for sake barrels, or from oak used for wine or whiskey barrels. Depending on the type of beverage (6), cherry, beech, alder, linden, oak, walnut, etc., which are used as smoking materials, may also be used, as well as other woods used as timber, such as Japanese cypress, oak, chestnut, zelkova, or woods of the laurel family, including bay laurel. Since the wood chips (7) can be made using thinned wood or scraps, the type of wood used should be appropriately selected to impart an aroma that matches the type of beverage (6) enclosed in the bag (1) and the consumer's preferences. As mentioned above, if the beverage (6) is sake, using cedar or cypress will allow you to enjoy an aroma similar to that of barrel-aged sake. The shape and number of wooden pieces (7) to be sealed inside the bag (1) along with the beverage (6) are appropriately selected according to the capacity of the bag (1). For example, when the amount of sake sealed inside the bag (1) is 5L, it is preferable to put in 10 spherical wooden pieces (7) with a diameter of 25mm.

[0050] As shown in Figure 8, the bag (1) is stored in the box (8), forming a bag-in-box (BIB). Cardboard is preferably used for the box (8). If the box (8) is made of paper or plastic cardboard, the bag (1) inside the box (8) can be protected during transport, and when used in restaurants or homes, the tap (5) can be extended and secured outside the box (8) through an opening at the bottom of the box (8), allowing the beverage (6) to be poured from the tap (5) of the box (8) into a glass or cup, etc., wherever desired. Since the wooden piece (7) floats on water, it does not normally get caught on the tap (5). However, to prevent it from obstructing the dispensing of the beverage (6) even when the amount of beverage (6) decreases, the wooden piece (7) has a diameter a that is larger than the inner diameter of the tap (5).

[0051] The box (8) can be fitted with a handle as shown in the diagram, and it can also be divided internally to accommodate two or more bags. The surface of the box (8) can be printed with labels for the beverages (6) inside the bag (1), or it can be decorated with colors and patterns to enhance its aesthetic appeal. For example, if a cylindrical box made of corrugated plastic is printed with a barrel pattern, it can be enjoyed visually as well as evoke the flavor of barrel-aged sake.

[0052] In the example shown in Figure 9, the sealed beverage can be dispensed by replacing the cap (4) protruding from the box (8) with the tap (5).

[0053] Thus, the present invention allows consumers to easily enjoy beverages with a woody aroma by packaging a piece of wood together with the beverage in a bag-in-box. Through careful consideration of the size of the cap and tap, and the shape of the piece of wood, the piece of wood will not get caught in the tap or come out of the tap until the consumer has finished consuming the beverage. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the examples described above, but can be applied to a variety of embodiments, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art. [Industrial applicability]

[0054] The beverage fragrance-adding set according to the present invention takes the form of a bag-in-box, allowing fragrance to be added with wood chips from the time the beverage (6) is packaged, and simplifying handling during delivery, storage, consumption, and after consumption. After consuming the beverage (6), the box (8) can be opened, the bag (1) removed, and the wood chips (7) can be removed from the cap (4) or from the opening of the bag (1), allowing for complete separation. The box (8) can be recycled if it is made of paper or plastic, or reused by the consumer. The bag (1) can be recycled as plastic waste, and the wood chips (7) can be dried and used to add fragrance to another beverage or enjoyed as a decorative object. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 1 bag 2 Inlet 3 spout 4. Cap section 5. Cock section 6 Beverages 7 piece of wood 8 boxes

Claims

1. This is a set for adding fragrance to beverages. The aforementioned set includes a bag-in-box and a piece of wood. The bag-in-box is equipped with a cap portion that fits onto an inlet into which the beverage is poured into the bag-in-box. The bag-in-box further comprises a tap portion which is fitted to a spout for pouring the beverage from the bag-in-box to the outside, either in place of or separately from the cap portion. The set includes a wooden piece that is inserted through the cap portion of the bag-in-box and does not flow out through the tap portion of the bag-in-box.

2. The set according to claim 1, wherein the beverage is an alcoholic beverage.

3. The set according to claim 1, wherein the longest diameter of the insertion cross-section of the wooden piece is smaller than the inner diameter of the cap portion and larger than the inner diameter of the cock portion.

4. The set according to claim 1, wherein the wood chips are cedar or cypress.

5. The set according to claim 2, wherein the alcoholic beverage is sake or shochu.

6. A method for imparting flavor to a beverage, The process of pouring the beverage into the bag-in-box through the opening of the bag-in-box, The process of inserting a piece of wood into the bag-in-box through the aforementioned inlet, The process includes storing the beverage together with the wood chips in the bag-in-box, The bag-in-box comprises a cap portion that fits onto the inlet, and a tap portion that replaces or replaces the cap portion and fits onto a spout for dispensing the beverage from the bag-in-box to the outside. The wooden piece is inserted through the cap portion of the bag-in-box and has a shape that prevents it from flowing out of the tap portion of the bag-in-box. method.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the beverage is an alcoholic beverage.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the longest diameter of the insertion cross-section of the wooden piece is smaller than the inner diameter of the cap portion and larger than the inner diameter of the cock portion.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the wood chip is cedar or cypress.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the alcoholic beverage is sake or shochu.

11. A beverage in which wood chips have been added to impart fragrance within a bag-in-box, The bag-in-box is equipped with a cap portion that fits onto an inlet into which the beverage is poured into the bag-in-box. The bag-in-box further comprises a tap portion which is fitted to a spout for pouring the beverage from the bag-in-box to the outside, either in place of or separately from the cap portion. The wooden piece is inserted through the cap portion of the bag-in-box and has a shape that prevents it from flowing out of the tap portion of the bag-in-box. A beverage that is imparted with fragrance by being stored together with the wood chips in the bag-in-box.

12. The beverage according to claim 11, which is an alcoholic beverage.

13. The beverage according to claim 11, wherein the longest diameter of the insertion cross-section of the wooden piece is smaller than the inner diameter of the cap portion and larger than the inner diameter of the tap portion.

14. The beverage according to claim 11, wherein the wood chip is cedar or cypress.

15. The beverage according to claim 12, wherein the alcoholic beverage is sake or shochu.

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