COMBINATION PACKAGE OF LIQUID AND SOLID FOODSTUFF
The invention is a new way to present the traditional snack of milk and cookies, all in the convenience of having it in one package. The packaging provides separate compartments to contain milk (liquid) and cookies (solid foodstuff), with the milk compartment accessible through a straw, or a peel-back opening allowing the consumer to dip their cookies in the milk. When packaged with soy milk, or ultra-pasteurized cow milk, the product can be stored on dry shelf with a shelf life of four to six months. For products packaged with organic or regular milk, which have a shorter cold-storage shelf life, the compartment storing the cookies can be detached and re-attached to a new milk compartment of their choice.
This application claims the benefit of prior filed U.S. provisional application No. 61/052,902, filed May 13, 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a revolutionary new way to enjoy cookies and milk anytime and anywhere all in one convenient packaging that enables the consumer to dip their favorite cookie in the milk. The milk containing portion of the package is equipped with a specially, cookie sized, slotted access opening in the packaging.
2. Background
Cookies and Milk are an iconic combination. The problem is that the combination necessarily requires disparate foodstuffs to be combined outside of the respective packaging, and usually in separate containers. Hence, the need for refrigeration for one product, dry shelf space for the other, and little flexibility owing to how the products are respectively sold, i.e., large boxes and containers of each. When enjoyment is desired, additional preparations need to be made, convenience is lost, a mess is made. This is especially the case in large groups of individuals (small children at snack time, etc.). Spilled liquids, mushy, dropped cookies, no means to stop and preserve a portion for later consumption.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing an original concept that provides convenience and portability to a favorite snack. The product allows the convenience of having the snack prepared and presented all together, while the unique packaging gives the snack the portability to be enjoyed almost anywhere at any time. Going beyond the Products' basic advantages, the innovative design of the packaging allows the consumer to dip the cookies in the milk, and/or drink the milk through a straw.
The invented product package has two separate compartments to house cookies in one space, and milk in another. The cookies are stored in a re-sealable container. The milk compartment has a hole that allows the consumer to enjoy the milk through a straw provided with the invention. Also, unique to the invention is the pull tab access to a slotted opening which also allows the consumer to dip the cookies in the milk, this is a key component that provides further uniqueness to this original concept.
Optional features derive from the product being presented with regular, organic or soy milk. The version featuring regular or organic milk have a detachable cookie compartment to allow the consumer to attach their cookies to a new milk compartment of milk. The soy milk version of the product allows for a four to six month shelf life, as well as pull-back string allowing access to the cookie compartment. Additional optional add-ons would be game cards of mascots and themed mascot friends creating a story with these cards for kids to collect, trade and enjoy with friends. These add-ons could be separately packaged and attached to one side of the milk packaging.
One version of this invention is made out of a material called “Tetra-Pak”. It has a convenient sizing for kids to easily carry and handle. The model has a pull tab access opening on the top and on one end it has a straw insert access for drinking with a straw. The straw is also supplied by us sealed and attached to the top or side portion of the package. The cookies are packaged in a sandwich like packaging that can be easily re-sealed back for freshness and later enjoyment.
This invention is attractive to the consumers' eye because of good graphic presentation possibilities on the packaging and the fact that the cookies are visible through packaging. This model can be used while being held (i.e., in transit on a school bus) or can be set on a small space (kiddie sized desk or work area) for enjoyment. Current Mascot themes are based on cartoon cows dressed in various costumes from cow cowboys, cow bikers, cow wrestlers, cow baseball players, cow president of the United States and so on.
Our “CooMilk™” version comes in many sizes: one houses ½ pint and the other, for example, one pint of milk with cookies.
Another version of this invention is made from a TUPPER-WARE like (plastic) model for consumers to purchase for packing their own combination of foods, or home-cooked meals with dipping needs. This would be a two compartment container to keep liquids and foods separate, with an insulation feature for the liquid side for relative coolness over time away from refrigeration.
The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
Each of
The packaging also advantageously includes a straw 22 hot glued to the exterior. This straw 22 can be detached and extended through sealed passage 30 for access to the liquid contents of the first chamber for consumption with or without the cover 16 having been previously removed.
The milk (or other perishable liquid) will be packaged through an aseptic process, that when combined with an ultra-high-temperature process (UHT) allows the liquid to be stored at room temperature for a long period of time, and the cookies will be stored through a similar air-sealed process.
While the present invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.
Claims
1. A combination package, comprising:
- a 1st compartment capable of sealing liquid therein, and having a pair of accessible openings on an upper surface of said compartment so as to access an interior portion of said first compartment, a first one of said pair of openings being sized to accept a drinking straw thrust therethrough, and a second of said pair of openings being slotted so as to be considerably longer than it is wide and having a pull tab cover thereover to facilitate removal of said cover therefrom and exposing only a portion of a surface area of said liquid contained therein, and,
- a 2nd openable compartment containing non-liquid foodstuffs attached to said 1st compartment and having at least one wall portion thereof being easily removed so as to provide rapid access to said foodstuffs contained therein.
2. A package as in claim 1, further comprising:
- a sheet cover attached along a single edge of an upper surface of said 1st compartment and folding over and covering both 1st and 2nd compartment accessible openings.
3. A package as in claim 2, wherein:
- said sheet cover includes graphics on an inner surface thereof.
4. A package as in claim 1, wherein:
- said 2nd openable compartment further includes at least one wall portion thereof which is translucent providing direct viewing of the foodstuffs contained therein.
Type: Application
Filed: May 12, 2009
Publication Date: Nov 19, 2009
Inventor: Percival Po Reyes (Burlingame, CA)
Application Number: 12/464,430
International Classification: B65D 81/32 (20060101);