Consumable container

Abstract

A consumable container which provides for the rapid release of its contents in the mouth of a consumer. The consumable container comprises an outer shell defining a closed cavity and a closed inner container inside the outer shell, in which the outer shell comprises a tight fibrous substance that is liable to rupture upon being placed in the mouth of a human or animal subject.

1 . A container for consumption by a human or animal subject, comprising an outer shell of a tight fibrous substance of sufficient strength to withstand storage/handling and defining a closed cavity, a closed liquid impermeable inner container inside the cavity, which inner container is mechanically weak and protected by the outer container, containing contents of a liquid nature to be absorbed into the bloodstream of the subject, the nature of the tight fibrous substance being such that upon placing the container in the subject's mouth the tight fibrous substance breaks up in saliva and the nature of the closed inner container being such that it is liable to rupture in the subject's mouth, thereby releasing the contents to be absorbed in the subject's mouth.  
     
     
         2 . A container as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the tight fibrous substance is a paper, such as rice or maize paper.  
     
     
         3 . A container as claimed in  claim 1  or  claim 2 , in which the tight fibrous substance comprises a mixture of gum arabica and wood fibres.  
     
     
         4 . A container as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  3 , in which the container provides a substantially airtight seal for the contents.  
     
     
         5 . A container as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the container is substantially impermeable to an oxidising gas.  
     
     
         6 . A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the container is substantially opaque.  
     
     
         7 . A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the inner container comprises an ester of monohydric alcohols of the higher homologues.  
     
     
         8 . A container as claimed in  claim 7 , in which the inner container comprises beeswax.  
     
     
         9 . A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the container includes a substantially indigestible component.  
     
     
         10 . A container as claimed in  claim 9 , in which the inner container comprises one or more of a plastics material, paraffin wax and bakelite.  
     
     
         11 . A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the inner container is provided with a coating of a wax, such as beeswax.  
     
     
         12 . A container as claimed in any of  claims 9  to  11 , in which the substantially indigestible component is a fibrous material, such as cotton wool.  
     
     
         13 . A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the outer surface area of the inner container is coextensive with the inner surface area of the outer shell, whereby the inner container lines the outer shell.  
     
     
         14 . A container as claimed in  claim 13 , in which the inner container is a membrane formed on the inside of the outer shell.  
     
     
         15 . A container as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  12 , in which the outer surface area of the inner container is substantially less than the inner surface area of the outer shell.  
     
     
         16 . A container as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  12  or  15 , in which the inner container is a pouch provided loosely inside the outer shell.  
     
     
         17 . A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the inner container comprises a plurality of chambers.  
     
     
         18 . A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a plurality of inner containers are contained within the outer shell and each inner container defines a chamber.  
     
     
         19 . A container as claimed in  claim 17  or  18 , in which a different substance is contained within each chamber.  
     
     
         20 . A container as claimed in any of  claims 17  to  19 , in which upon consumption of the container, the disposition of the chambers within the outer shell is such that the contents of at least two chambers are released substantially simultaneously.  
     
     
         21 . A container as claimed in any of  claims 17  to  19 , in which upon consumption of the container, the disposition of the chambers within the outer shell is such that the contents of the plurality of the chambers are released in a predetermined sequence.  
     
     
         22 . A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the contents comprise one or more of a medicament, a food supplement, a cosmetic, or a confectionery product.  
     
     
         23 . A container as claimed in  claim 22 , in which the contents comprise one or both of royal jelly and honey.  
     
     
         24 . A drug or food supplement comprising a container as claimed in any preceding claim.  
     
     
         25 . A confection comprising a container as claimed in any preceding claim.