An insert for a cup

Abstract

An insert for a cup is provided. The insert has a sleeve-shaped upper region configured to facilitate a snug fit of the insert inside the cup and a separation structure extending below the sleeve-shaped upper region. The separation structure is shaped to accommodate a frozen substance contained within the cup, thereby allowing the substance to be frozen or to remain frozen in an intended shape. The insert may also define a compartment wherein a variety of edible goods or potable liquids may be stored, preferably sealed with a membrane. The invention extends to a cup having an insert according to the invention secured therein. The cup may be filled with a frozen substance or a substance intended to be frozen inside the cup.

1 . An insert for a cup, comprising:
 a substantially sleeve-shaped upper region configured to facilitate a snug fit of the insert inside the cup; and   a separation structure extending below the sleeve-shaped upper region shaped to accommodate a frozen substance contained within the cup, thereby allowing the substance to be frozen or to remain frozen in an intended shape.   
     
     
         2 . An insert as claimed in  claim 1 , which defines a compartment which is fluidly separated from an interior of the cup when the insert is positioned inside the cup. 
     
     
         3 . An insert as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the separation structure constitutes, or forms part of, the compartment. 
     
     
         4 . An insert as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein an open end of the compartment is sealed with a tamper-evident, removable membrane. 
     
     
         5 . An insert as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the compartment is shaped and dimensioned to receive a beverage container inside it. 
     
     
         6 . An insert as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the separation structure comprises a plurality of planer projections intersecting at a common center and is configured to divide a bottom region of the cup into a plurality of segments. 
     
     
         7 . An insert as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the separation structure is wedge-shaped and tapers towards a bottom of the cup when positioned therein, and is configured to divide a lower region of the cup into two portions, each portion positioned between a major side surface of the wedge-shaped separation structure and the side of the cup. 
     
     
         8 . An insert as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the separation structure is cone-shaped and tapers towards a bottom of the cup when positioned therein, and is configured to terminate at or near the bottom of the cup. 
     
     
         9 . An insert as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the compartment contains a potable liquid or edible goods. 
     
     
         10 . An insert as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the compartment contains toys, trinkets, or promotional items. 
     
     
         11 . A cup having an insert as claimed in  claim 2  secured therein. 
     
     
         12 . A cup as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the insert is hermitically sealed inside the cup. 
     
     
         13 . A cup as claimed in  claim 11 , which is at least partially filled with a frozen substance, or a substance suitable for freezing, before the insert is positioned inside the cup. 
     
     
         14 . A cup as claimed in  claim 13 , which has at least one irregular surface configuration near an inner bottom edge thereof, which provides an area into which the substance can settle so as to increase the force needed to remove the substance in a frozen form from a bottom of the cup. 
     
     
         15 . A cup as claimed in  claim 11 , having an insert as claimed in  claim 9  secured therein, wherein an operatively bottom region of the compartment includes at least one frangible area configured to break and release contents of the compartment into the cup when the insert is removed from or twisted inside the cup.