Beverage package

Abstract

A beverage package comprises a primary container ( 1 ) for a beverage ( 6 ) and a secondary container ( 10 ) for a component ( 11 ) is positioned in the primary container ( 1 ) to add the component ( 11 ) to the beverage ( 6 ) prior to consumption of the beverage ( 6 ). The beverage

1 . A beverage package comprising an openable primary container containing a beverage under a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure and a secondary container within the primary container, the secondary container containing a component for adding to the beverage in the primary container prior to consumption thereof, the arrangement being such that the component is stored separately from the beverage when the primary container is closed and, when the pressure in the primary container is released, the stored component is released from the secondary container into the primary container for mixing with the beverage in the primary container prior to consumption thereof.  
     
     
         2 . A beverage package according to  claim 1  wherein, the secondary container is held closed to prevent release of the stored component into the beverage by the pressure in the primary container and, when the primary container is opened to release the pressure, the secondary container is automatically opened to release the stored component into the beverage.  
     
     
         3 . A beverage package according to  claim 1  wherein, both the primary and secondary containers are maintained under a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure when the primary container is closed and, when the primary container is opened, the pressure in the primary container is released creating a pressure differential with the pressure in the secondary container that causes release of the stored component into the beverage.  
     
     
         4 . A beverage package comprising an openable primary container containing a beverage and a gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure in a head space, and a secondary container within the primary container, the secondary container containing a component for adding to the beverage in the primary container prior to consumption thereof and a gas in equilibrium with the gas in the head space when the primary container is closed, the arrangement being such that the component is stored separately from the beverage when the primary container is closed and, when the primary container is opened, the pressure in the head space is released creating a pressure differential with the gas in the secondary container whereby the stored component in the secondary container is forced from the secondary container into the primary container for mixing with the beverage in the primary container prior to consumption thereof.  
     
     
         5 . A beverage package according to  claim 4  wherein, the secondary container is arranged to release the contents below the surface of the beverage when the primary container is opened.  
     
     
         6 . A beverage package according to  claim 4  or  claim 5 , wherein the secondary container is attached to the primary container so as to be submerged below the surface of the beverage in the normal upright position of the primary container, and is preferably attached to the base of the primary container to direct the contents upwards into the beverage  
     
     
         7 . A beverage package according to  claim 4  or  claim 5  wherein, the secondary container floats or is suspended in the beverage with suitable weighting or loading to release the contents below the surface of the beverage when the primary container is opened.  
     
     
         8 . A beverage package according to any of  claims 4  to  7  wherein, the secondary container has means such as a one-way valve or permeable membrane for equalising the gas pressures in the primary and secondary containers and creating the pressure differential when the primary container is opened to release the stored contents into the beverage.  
     
     
         9 . A beverage package according to  claim 8  wherein, the permeable membrane controls the rate of gas permeation so that the equilibration of the pressures occurs gradually over a period of time to prevent accidental or premature release of the contents of the secondary container, for example during a pressurised filling cycle.  
     
     
         10 . A beverage package according to any of  claims 4  to  9  wherein, the secondary container is provided with a pressure relief device such as a bellows to prevent accidental or premature release of the contents.  
     
     
         11 . A beverage package according to any of  claims 4  to  9  wherein, the secondary container has means for introducing the contents into the beverage when the primary container is opened, for example at least one orifice.  
     
     
         12 . A beverage package according to  claim 11  wherein, the size, shape, position and number of orifices is chosen to provide a desired effect when the liquid is added to the beverage.  
     
     
         13 . A beverage package according to  claim 11  or  claim 12  wherein, the gas in the secondary container is in contact with the contents to be released into the beverage when the primary container is opened, for example, in a head space above a liquid so that the pressure differential created when the primary container is opened acts to release the liquid into the beverage.  
     
     
         14 . A beverage package according to  claim 11  or  claim 12  wherein, the gas in the secondary container is kept separate from the contents to be released into the beverage when the primary container is opened.  
     
     
         15 . A beverage package according to  claim 14  wherein, the secondary container is provided with a flexible membrane or diaphragm separating the gas from the contents with the pressure differential created when the primary container is opened acting on the membrane to release the contents into the beverage.  
     
     
         16 . A beverage package according to  claim 15  wherein, the secondary container is ruptured by the membrane to release the contents, for example the membrane is provided with a spike or similar formation that is operable in response to the pressure differential acting on the membrane to rupture a weakened portion of the secondary container such as a foil membrane and release the contents.  
     
     
         17 . A beverage package according to  claim 15  wherein, the secondary container is self-opening to release the contents, for example the secondary container is provided with a one-way valve or an openable flap or other suitable device operable in response to the pressure differential acting on the membrane to open and release the contents.  
     
     
         18 . A beverage package according to  claim 14  or  claim 15  wherein, the stored component, e.g. a liquid or flowable solid such as a powder or granules, is contained in a rupturable capsule within the secondary container that is arranged to break open and release the component for mixing with the beverage when the primary container is opened.  
     
     
         19 . A beverage package according to  claim 18  wherein, the capsule is self-rupturing in response to the pressure differential created when the primary container is opened, for example the capsule incorporates a bursting disc which is operable to rupture the capsule at a pre-determined pressure differential.  
     
     
         20 . A beverage package according to  claim 18  wherein, a puncturing device is provided to rupture the capsule, for example the capsule is brought into contact with a blade, prong or similar puncturing device to pierce the capsule and release the contents.  
     
     
         21 . A beverage package according to any of  claims 18  to  20  wherein, the capsule deforms and collapses when ruptured under the pressure differential to discharge the contents into the beverage, for example the capsule comprises a flexible container such as a bag, bellows or the like.  
     
     
         22 . A beverage package according to any preceding claim wherein, the contents of the secondary container comprise a liquid or solid, and preferably include one or more of colouring agents, flavouring agents, vitamins, health supplements, glucose and high energy supplements.  
     
     
         23 . A beverage package according to any preceding claim wherein, the beverage is carbonated or nor-carbonated.  
     
     
         24 . A beverage package according to any preceding claims wherein, the beverage is non-alcoholic or alcoholic.  
     
     
         25 . A method of packaging a beverage comprising providing a primary container and a secondary container of smaller volume than the primary container, charging the secondary container with a liquid or solid and locating the secondary container in the primary container, charging the primary container with a beverage and sealing the primary container under a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, whereby, when the primary container is opened the pressure is released causing the contents of the secondary container to be released into the beverage.  
     
     
         26 . A method of packaging a beverage comprising providing a primary container and a secondary container of smaller volume than the primary container, charging the secondary container with a liquid or solid and locating the secondary container in the primary container, charging the primary container with a beverage and sealing the primary container to form a primary head space containing a gas at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure in the primary container, and charging the secondary container with gas from the primary container to substantially equalise the pressures in the primary and secondary containers so that, when the primary container is opened the primary headspace is vented to atmosphere creating a pressure differential between the primary and secondary containers whereby the contents of the secondary container are released into the beverage by the gas in the secondary container.  
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 26  wherein, gas evolved from the beverage produces or assists in producing the pressure in the primary headspace.  
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 26  wherein, a liquid gas such as nitrogen or other inert gas is introduced into the primary container to produce or assist in producing the pressure in the primary headspace.  
     
     
         29 . A method according to any of  claims 26  to  28  including the step of arranging the secondary container to release the contents below the surface of the beverage in the primary container to mix directly with the beverage prior to consumption.  
     
     
         30 . A method according to any of  claims 26  to  29  wherein, the contents of the secondary container comprise a liquid or solid, and preferably include one or more of colouring agents, flavouring agents, vitamins, health supplements, glucose and high energy supplements.  
     
     
         31 . A beverage package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS.  1  to  6  of the accompanying drawings.  
     
     
         32 . A beverage package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS.  1  to  6  of the accompanying drawings as modified by any of FIGS.  7  to  23  of the accompanying drawings.  
     
     
         33 . A beverage package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS.  24  to  29  of the accompanying drawings.  
     
     
         34 . A beverage package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS.  24  to  29  of the accompanying drawings as modified by FIGS. 30 and 31 of the accompanying drawings.  
     
     
         35 . A beverage package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIG. 32 of the accompanying drawings.  
     
     
         36 . A method of producing a beverage package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
     
     
         37 . A secondary container for a beverage package according to any of  claims 1  to  24  and  claims 32  to  35 .  
     
     
         38 . A beverage package when made by the method according to any of  claims 25  to  31  and  claim 36.