A BEVERAGE CUP LID FOR ENHANCED ORGANOLEPTIC PROPERTIES

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a lid (1) for closing the upper opening of a cup (2), said cup (2) containing a cold or hot, liquid or semi-liquid, food or beverage product, said lid (1) comprising a substantially flat body (3) and a peripheral rim extending downwardly for attaching said lid to the upper edge (5) of the cup, said lid further comprising a drinking spout (6), characterized in that it comprises a coating (7) comprising at least one volatile aromatic product, said coating (7) being adapted to release said volatile aromatic product with the air that is mixed to said liquid or semi-liquid edible product, at the time the latter is sipped through said drinking spout (6).

Claims

1. A lid for closing the upper opening of a cup, said lid comprising a substantially flat body and a peripheral rim extending downwardly for attaching said lid to the upper edge of the cup, said lid further comprising a drinking spout and comprising a coating comprising at least one volatile aromatic product, said coating being adapted to release said volatile aromatic product with the air that is mixed to said liquid or semi-liquid edible product, at the time the latter is sipped through said drinking spout and/or release said aromatic product by contact with steam generated by said product if the latter is hot.

2. A lid according to claim 1, wherein the volatile aromatic product is microencapsulated in the coating.

3. A lid according to claim 1, wherein the volatile aromatic product is entrapped in a jellified matrix coating for controlled release mechanism.

4. A lid according to claim 1, wherein the volatile aromatic product is stored within a capsule which is coated or similarly attached to the surface of the lid, said capsule being adapted to melt at a predetermined temperature to release the volatile active product.

5. A lid according to claim 1, wherein the volatile aromatic product is selected from the group consisting of: aroma, extract or essential oil of fruits, flowers, plants, spices, green or roasted coffee, chocolate, candies, and a mixture thereof.

6. A lid according to claim 1, which is manufactured from a sustainable material selected from the group consisting of: cellulosic fibers, paper (white or Kraft), cardboard, bamboo fibers, apple fibers, sugarcane fibers, bagasse, avocado fibers, rice or wheat fibers, pectin, a mineral powder, (such as stone powder or sand), biodegradable polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalcanoate (PHA), polybutyrate adipate terepthalate (PBAT), polysuccinate butylene (PBS), or recycled polyolefin or polyesters, and a mixture thereof.

7. A lid according to claim 1, which is manufactured by thermoforming a flat blank of material into the desired shape of a lid.

8. A lid according to claim 1, wherein the internal surface of the lid body is coated with a thin hydrophobic coating.

9. A closed package for packing and dispensing a food or beverage liquid or semi-liquid product, said package comprising a cup closed by a lid for closing the upper opening of a cup, said lid comprising a substantially flat body and a peripheral rim extending downwardly for attaching said lid to the upper edge of the cup, said lid further comprising a drinking spout and comprising a coating comprising at least one volatile aromatic product, said coating being adapted to release said volatile aromatic product with the air that is mixed to said liquid or semi-liquid edible product, at the time the latter is sipped through said drinking spout and/or release said aromatic product by contact with steam generated by said product if the latter is hot.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the description of the presently preferred embodiments which are set out below with reference to the drawings in which:

[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a lid according to the invention and a cup to be closed by such a lid;

[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective top view of a lid according to the invention;

[0034] FIG. 3 is a perspective underneath view of a lid per the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] In FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2 is depicted a lid 1 for closing the upper opening of a cup 2. In the embodiment depicted in the drawing, the cup 2 is adapted for containing a hot liquid beverage product. The lid 1 comprises a substantially flat body 3 and a peripheral rim 4 extending downwardly for attaching said lid to the upper edge 5 of the cup. The lid 1 further comprises a drinking spout 6.

[0036] According to the principle of the invention, the lid 1 comprises a coating 7 comprising at least one volatile aromatic product. The coating 7 is adapted to release said volatile aromatic product with the air that is mixed to said liquid or semi-liquid edible product, at the time the latter is sipped through said drinking spout 6 and release said aromatic product by contact with steam generated by the hot product.

[0037] The coating 7 can be placed on the external surface of the lid body 3, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Alternatively, and preferably, the coating is deposited onto the internal surface of the lid, as shown in FIG. 3. It does not necessarily cover the entire surface, but only a portion of said surface. In the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 3, the coating 7 covers a small portion (illustrated with hashed lines) of the surface of the lid, that is adjacent to the drinking spout 6.

[0038] In the embodiments depicted in the drawing, the lid (1) is manufactured from a mixture comprising 95% cellulosic fibers, about 1% of a mineral powder (such as stone powder or sand), and 4% of a biodegradable polymer such as polylactic acid (PLA), or polyhydroxyalcanoate (PHA) to liaise the fibers and ensure structural integrity of the material. The material is thermoformed from a flat blank to form the lid. Alternatively, it can be made from moulded or pressed pulp.

[0039] When a hot liquid is poured into the cup 2 which is then closed by the lid 1 of the invention, two sensory effects are generated in a sequence.

[0040] First, steam generated by the hot liquid flows upwardly from the hot liquid surface in the cup towards the outside of the cup, through the drinking spout 6. Doing this, it contacts the coating 7 which is adjacent the spout 6, and by contact with steam, aromatic compounds contained therein are released and mix with the steam. Aromatic steam flows around the cup, which provides a nice scent, that is appealing to the consumer.

[0041] Second, when the consumer sips the product from the cup 2 covered by the lid 1, liquid passes through the spout 6 and towards the mouth. On its way, it is also mixed with the steam and air contained in the cup 2. Aromatic steam is sipped together with the liquid, which enhances the sensory perception within the mouth, by allowing a better mixing of the liquid product 9 with aromatized air that is sipped at the same time by the consumer, said air having entrapped aromas taken from the coating 6.

[0042] Notably, hot liquid contained in the cup is not necessarily aromatized itself, and can be hot water only, which generates steam for releasing aromas contained in the coating as described above. This provides the impression to the consumer that the liquid itself contains flavours, hence providing a nice sensory experience, while providing excellent nutritional and hydration value.

[0043] It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.