Container with preapplied applique

Abstract

A container having a preapplied appliqué, the appliqué being applied at a time that is significantly prior to the time of consumption. The appliqué may be an edible appliqué. The appliqué is applied to a portion of the container, such as to the rim of the container. The appliqué may be applied by applying an adhesive to the portion of the container and applying the appliqué to the adhesive. Alternatively, the appliqué is applied to the container directly with or without use of an adhesive.

1 . A container having a preapplied appliqué comprising: 
 a container; and    an attractant appliqué applied to a portion of the container such that there is an adherence between the appliqué and the portion of the container;    wherein the adherence between the appliqué and the portion of the container is sufficient to withstand conditions associated with shipping, storage, or handling of the container and appliqué without substantial appliqué degradation.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the appliqué is edible.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the appliqué is selected from the group consisting of salts, sugars, spices, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, nutraceuticals, vitamins, and candies.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is plastic.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive between the appliqué and the container portion, wherein the adhesive imparts durability to the adhered appliqué.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein the adhesive is carbohydrate-based, lipid-based, or protein-based.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein the adhesive is a maltodextrin-corn syrup blend.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the appliqué comprises an adhesive.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the container is the rim.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the portion of the container is configured to have an increased surface area for supporting appliqué.  
   
   
       11 . A beverage container having a preapplied appliqué comprising: 
 a plastic container having a rim; and    an edible appliqué applied to the rim such that there is an adherence between the appliqué and the rim;    wherein the adherence between the appliqué and the rim is sufficient to withstand conditions associated with shipping and handling of the container and appliqué without substantial appliqué degradation.    
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the appliqué is selected from the group consisting of salts, sugars, spices, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, nutraceuticals, vitamins, and candies.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 11 , further comprising an adhesive between the appliqué and the container portion, wherein the adhesive imparts durability to the adherence of the appliqué.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the adhesive is carbohydrate-based, lipid-based, or protein-based.  
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the adhesive is a maltodextrin-corn syrup blend.  
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the appliqué comprises an adhesive.  
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the appliqué comprises an adhesive containing an appliqué material and diluted to a selected viscosity by use of a solution saturated with a material that retards dissolution of the appliqué material.  
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 17  wherein the solution is saturated with salt.  
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 17  wherein the solution is saturated with sugar.  
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the adhesive is a malto-dextrin-corn syrup blend with negligible discernible flavor.  
   
   
       21 . A container having a preapplied appliqué comprising: 
 a container; and    an appliqué applied to a portion of the container;    a bonding between the appliqué and the portion of the container, the bonding being effective for preserving the appliqué and bonding reasonably intact under conditions associated with shipping and handling of the container.    
   
   
       22 . A method for making container having a preapplied appliqué comprising: 
 providing a container with a rim; and    applying an appliqué to at least a portion of the container rim; and    effecting bonding between the appliqué and the portion of the container rim, the bonding being sufficient to withstand conditions associated with shipping and handling of the container without substantial appliqué degradation.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the step of effecting bonding comprises applying an adhesive and curing the adhesive.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the step of effecting bonding comprises curing an appliqué that adheres to the rim during its application.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the step of effecting bonding comprises applying an appliqué to adhere to a softened, thermo-formable material of the container.