Coffee Package

Abstract

Disclosed is a coffee package that includes a flavored coffee product, a container enclosing the flavored coffee product, and an aroma patch disposed on the container. The flavored coffee product includes a solid coffee material and a flavoring agent for providing a flavor of a tropical fruit. The aroma patch disposed on the container is capable of releasing an aroma of the flavored coffee product. Further disclosed is a coffee package including a flavored coffee beverage that includes a coffee material dissolved in a fluid.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a coffee package, and more particularly, to a coffee package that includes a flavored coffee product or a flavored coffee beverage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With an increase in demand of flavored food products or beverages, flavored coffee products and flavored coffee beverages have gained a significant popularity, thereby contributing to an increase in a daily consumption of coffee. In general, such flavored coffee products include ground forms or whole bean forms of coffee mixed with a flavoring agent. Such flavored coffee products may be used to prepare flavored coffee beverages at home, parties, restaurants, and the like. Alternately, ready-to-drink flavored coffee beverages have also gained an utmost popularity due to ease in consumption. By availing oneself to these ready-to-drink coffee beverages having a desired flavor, a coffee consumer is able to save a lot of time that may be required to prepare and subsequently flavor the coffee beverages. Examples of the flavored coffee beverages that may be available in a ready-to-drink form include, but are not limited to, mocha-flavored coffee, French vanilla-flavored coffee, and hazelnut-flavored coffee. The foregoing flavors may also be available for different flavored coffee products.

For enhancing flavor of any coffee product or coffee beverage, many synthetic and naturally isolated compounds are employed therein. However, flavor enhancement involves an extremely complex process as hundreds of compounds may be used to provide a specific flavor to a coffee product or a coffee beverage. Further, identification of different compounds or components thereof that are characteristic of producing a desirable flavor requires synthesis and screening of many compounds. Thousands of such compounds have been screened over the years in an attempt to isolate desirable flavoring components thereof that may be used for preparing flavored coffee products or flavored coffee beverages.

However, it has always been challenging to obtain coffee products or coffee beverages with pure and exotic flavors of naturally occurring fruits. In addition, packaging of the conventional flavored coffee products and flavored coffee beverages does not provide an easy means to smell flavors corresponding to the flavored coffee products or the flavored coffee beverages stored therein. This prevents a coffee consumer from selecting and buying a desired flavor of a flavored coffee product or a flavored coffee beverage in a judicious and a reliable manner.

Accordingly, there is a need for a coffee product or a coffee beverage that is enriched with natural and exotic flavors. Further, the coffee product or the coffee beverage should be enclosed in a package that provides an easy means for smelling a distinct flavor corresponding to the coffee product or the coffee beverage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a coffee package that includes a flavored coffee product or a flavored coffee beverage, which includes all the advantages of the prior art, and overcomes the drawbacks inherent therein.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a coffee package that includes a flavored coffee product having an exotic flavor of a tropical fruit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a coffee package that includes a flavored coffee beverage having an exotic flavor of a tropical fruit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a flavored coffee package that includes a flavored coffee product or a flavored coffee beverage, and a container for enclosing the flavored coffee product or the flavored coffee beverage such that the container includes an aroma patch to provide an easy means to smell a distinct flavor corresponding to the flavored coffee product or the flavored coffee beverage.

In light of the above objects, in one aspect, the present invention discloses a coffee package that includes a flavored coffee product and a container enclosing the flavored coffee product. The flavored coffee product includes a solid coffee material, and a flavoring agent for providing a flavor of at least one tropical fruit to the solid coffee material. Further, the coffee package includes an aroma patch that is disposed on the container. The aroma patch is capable of releasing an aroma of the flavored coffee product enclosed within the container.

In another aspect, the present invention discloses a coffee package that includes a flavored coffee beverage and a container enclosing the flavored coffee beverage. The flavored coffee beverage includes a coffee material dissolved in a fluid and a flavoring agent for providing a flavor of at least one tropical fruit to the coffee material. The coffee package further includes an aroma patch disposed on the container. The aroma patch is capable of releasing an aroma of the flavored coffee beverage enclosed within the container.

These together with the other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterized the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of the present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specified object attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a coffee package including various components thereof, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a container used for enclosing a flavored coffee product, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a coffee package including various components thereof, according to an alternate exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For a thorough understanding of the present invention, reference is to be made to the following detailed description, including the appended claims, in connection with the above-described drawings. Although the present invention is described in connection with exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The terms “a,” “an,” “outer,” and “inner” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

The present invention provides a coffee package that includes a flavored coffee product and a container enclosing the flavored coffee product. The flavored coffee product includes a solid coffee material and a ground flavoring agent for providing a flavor of at least one tropical fruit to the solid coffee material. The coffee package further includes an aroma patch disposed on the container. The aroma patch is capable of releasing an aroma of the flavored coffee product. The coffee package of the present invention is explained in conjunction with FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a coffee package, such as a coffee package 100, including various components thereof, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The coffee package 100 includes a flavored coffee product 102 and a container 104 for enclosing the flavored coffee product 102 therein. More specifically, the container 104 helps in storing and packaging the flavored coffee product 102 therein. The flavored coffee product 102 may be prepared using a solid coffee material (not shown) and a ground flavoring agent (not shown).

The flavored coffee product 102 is a soluble powder that is capable of being dissolved in a fluid to form a beverage. More specifically, the solid coffee material, present as a ground form of coffee, is treated or mixed with the ground flavoring agent. A ground form, a liquid form, or a semi-liquid form of the flavoring agent may be used for mixing with the solid coffee material to prepare the flavored coffee product 102 of the present invention. It should be understood that the ground flavoring agent may be sprinkled on top or mixed with the solid coffee material to imitate a specific flavor or taste thereof. More specifically, the ground flavoring agent provides a flavor of at least one tropical fruit, hereinafter referred to as a “tropical fruit,” to the solid coffee material. The tropical fruit used for flavoring purposes may be a mango, a guava, a papaya, a passion fruit, a pineapple, a banana or combinations thereof. It should be understood that the ground flavoring agent may provide a flavor of various combinations of the aforementioned tropical fruits. Further, it should be apparent that the solid form of the flavoring agent may be a ground form as obtained by drying the tropical fruit and thereafter grating or grinding the dried tropical fruit. Alternately, juices, syrups, or oils extracted from the tropical fruits may be used as the liquid or semi-liquid form of the flavoring agent.

Without departing from the scope of the present invention, it should be understood that a whole bean form of the coffee may be used as the solid coffee material. More specifically, coffee beans may directly be used for treatment with the flavoring agent. The coffee beans are capable of absorbing the flavoring agent to prepare the flavored coffee product 102 that may then be enclosed within the container 104. It should be understood that the ground form of the coffee may be obtained after grinding, or roasting and grinding the whole bean form of the coffee.

The container 104 includes an inner surface (not shown) and an outer surface 106. The flavored coffee product 102 is enclosed and packaged within the container 104 such that the flavored coffee product 102 is in direct contact with the inner surface of the container 104. It should also be understood that the flavored coffee product 102 may be vacuum packed within the container 104 to prevent oxidation and to lengthen shelf life thereof.

The container 104 enclosing the flavored coffee product 102 is in the form of a bag. More specifically and for the purpose of this description, a pouch bag is employed to enclose and thereby package the flavored coffee product 102. However, it should be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the container 104 may be a box, a bottle, a can, a jar, or a vessel. Further, the container 104 may be made of a structurally strong, lightweight, attractive, stackable, and disposable material. More specifically, the container 104 may be made of a plastic material, a cardboard material, or a paper material. Furthermore, the container 104 may exhibit a cylindrical shape, a conical shape, a rectangular shape, an oval shape, or any irregular shape. Moreover, the container 104 may be manufactured in standard or custom sizes and shapes in order to enclose a specific quantity of the flavored coffee product 102. Additionally, the container 104 may display or include various designs and figures on the outer surface 106.

The coffee package 100 of the present invention further includes an aroma patch (not shown). More specifically, the aroma patch is disposed on the outer surface 106 of the container 104. A container, such as the container 104, used for enclosing a flavored coffee product, such as the flavored coffee product 102, with the aroma patch disposed on an outer surface, such as the outer surface 106, is explained in conjunction with FIG. 2. Accordingly, the reference numerals used to refer components of the coffee package 100 of FIG. 1 may be referred for the description of the container of FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the container 104 used for enclosing the flavored coffee product 102, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 2 shows a front view of the outer surface 106 of the container 104. The outer surface 106 displays a typical design to provide an aesthetic appearance to the coffee package 100. Further, the outer surface 106 depicts a design of a tropical tree to represent use of tropical fruits for preparing the flavored coffee product 102. It should be noted that the container 104 may be manufactured to display various other designs made or imprinted on the outer surface 106 using different colors. Such designs may include figures of different tropical fruits. In addition to the figures, the outer surface 106 may include labels for identifying the enclosed flavored coffee product 102 or for specifying type of flavors corresponding to the different tropical fruits that may be used to prepare the flavored coffee product 102. Such exemplary labels may include “Mango,” “Guava,” “Papaya,” “Passion Fruit,” “Pineapple,” “Banana,” “Tropical Java,” “Exotic Flavored Coffee,” and the like

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the outer surface 106 includes two ends 202 and 204. Each of the two ends 202 and 204 may be processed, tapered, or sealed in a specific manner to enclose and package the flavored coffee product 102 within the container 104.

Further, as illustrated, the outer surface 106 includes an aroma patch 206 disposed thereon. The aroma patch 206 may be disposed on the outer surface 106 of the container 104 using an adhesive. Further, the aroma patch may be disposed at any specific portion of the outer surface 106 to provide an aesthetic appearance to the coffee package 100. In one embodiment of the present invention, the aroma patch 206 is disposed at a center portion of the outer surface 106. It should be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the aroma patch 206 may be disposed on the outer surface 106 during manufacturing of the container 104. The aroma patch 206 is capable of releasing an aroma of the flavored coffee product 102, thereby acting as a means to easily smell distinct flavor corresponding to the flavored coffee product 102. The aroma patch 206 is a scratch-and-sniff aroma patch that releases aroma corresponding to the flavored coffee product 102. It should be noted that scratch-and-sniff™ is a trade name for a special kind of perfume or aroma saturated printing in which the aroma is enclosed in minute capsules that may be broken open by friction. Therefore, the scratch-and-sniff aroma patch, used for the purpose of description of the present invention, includes microcapsules of the flavoring agent or the flavored coffee product 102. More specifically, the aroma patch 206 releases the aroma of the flavoring agent on applying friction required to scratch the aroma patch 206. However, it should be understood that the aroma patch 206 releases an aromatic sample of the flavored coffee product 102 that provides the aroma of the flavoring agent employed therein.

The aroma patch 206 may be made of paper, plastic, and such similar materials that are easy to scratch. Further, the aroma patch 206 may be manufactured in the form of a sticker, a sticky paper strip, a non-sticky paper strip, and the like. Furthermore, the aroma patch 206 may be manufactured to display various designs made or imprinted thereon using different colors. Such designs may include figures of different tropical fruits. As shown in FIG. 2, the aroma patch 206 includes a figure of a mango made or imprinted thereon. In addition to the figures, the aroma patch 206 may include labels specifying type of flavor of the tropical fruit used to prepare the flavored coffee product 102. Such exemplary labels include “Mango,” “Guava,” “Papaya,” “Passion Fruit,” “Pineapple,” “Banana,” “Scratch and Sniff,” and the like. Moreover, the aroma patch 206 may be manufactured in standard or custom sizes and shapes. However, it should be understood that the aroma patch 206 may be manufactured in any specific size or shape such that the aroma patch 206 is easily disposed on the outer surface 106 of the container 104.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the flavored coffee product, such as the flavored coffee product 102, may be used to prepare a flavored coffee beverage using conventional coffee preparation methods. According to an illustrative exemplar and for the purpose of this description, a conventional method for preparing a flavored coffee beverage may include sprinkling on a top or mixing the coffee beans, available in a raw form, with the flavoring agent to form a flavored coffee product. Further, the method includes roasting the flavored coffee product. When the flavored coffee product is roasted, the coffee beans release oil and essence to provide a distinct flavor thereof. Furthermore, the roasted form of the flavored coffee product may then be ground.

In addition, the method includes mixing the ground form of the roasted flavored coffee product with a fluid such as hot water or cold water for a certain time-period. The foregoing step may be referred to as brewing that is used to prepare a soluble form of the flavored coffee product. The soluble form of the flavored coffee product may often be referred to as a flavored coffee beverage. Moreover, the method includes separating the soluble form of the flavored coffee product from the insoluble or unwanted ground form of the roasted flavored coffee product. It should be understood that a variety of flavored coffee beverages may be prepared depending on the type coffee desired and the type of raw materials being utilized.

However, it should be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the roasted form or the ground form of the flavored coffee product may directly be stored and packaged in a container, such as the container 104 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The container enclosing the roasted form or the ground form of the flavored coffee product may then be frozen or directly be purchased by a coffee consumer to prepare the flavored coffee beverage. Therefore, the flavored coffee product may be enclosed in the container in an unprocessed form, or already-roasted form, or already-roasted and ground form, or a flavored coffee beverage form.

Accordingly, the present invention also provides a coffee package including a flavored coffee beverage enclosed in a container, such as the container 104 of FIGS. 1 and 2. More specifically, such a coffee package is explained in conjunction with FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a coffee package 300 including various components thereof, according to an alternate exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The coffee package 300 includes a flavored coffee beverage 302 and a container 304 for enclosing the flavored coffee beverage 302.

The flavored coffee beverage 302 includes a coffee material (not shown) that is dissolved in a fluid. In one embodiment of the present invention, the coffee material used for preparing the flavored coffee beverage 302 is a solid coffee material. Further, a ground form of coffee may be employed as the solid coffee material to prepare the flavored coffee beverage 302 of the present invention. It should be understood that the ground form of the coffee is obtained after grinding, or roasting and grinding a whole bean form of the coffee.

It should be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the flavored coffee beverage 302 may be prepared from a flavored coffee product, such as the flavored coffee product 102, and further after preparation, the flavored coffee beverage 302 may be enclosed in the container 304. The ingredients for the flavor coffee beverage include but are not limited to such tropical fruits as mango, a guava, a papaya, a passion fruit, a pineapple, a banana and combinations thereof. Depending on the preparation requirements, hot water or cold water may be used as the fluid for dissolving the solid coffee material. Further, milk may also be used in addition to water to prepare the flavored coffee beverage 302 of the present invention.

Further, the flavored coffee beverage 302 includes a flavoring agent (not shown) for providing a flavor of at least one tropical fruit (hereinafter referred to as a “tropical fruit”), such as the tropical fruit as described in conjunction with FIG. 1. The flavoring agent provides the flavor of the tropical fruit to the solid coffee material. More specifically, the flavoring agent provides a distinct flavor of a mango, a guava, a papaya, a passion fruit, a pineapple, a banana or combinations thereof. In addition to the foregoing ingredients, the flavored coffee beverage 302 may include a sweetener for providing a distinct taste thereto. However, it should be understood that the flavoring agent may act as a source of a natural sweetener in the flavored coffee beverage 302. Moreover, other natural or synthetic additives may be included in the flavored coffee beverage 302. The flavored coffee with the flavoring agent included can be in frozen form or in ground form to be uses in a coffee maker

The container 304, used for enclosing the flavored coffee beverage 302, may be similar to the container 104 of FIG. 1 in shape, size, and properties thereof. Further, for the purpose of this description, the container 304 is a can for enclosing the flavored coffee beverage 302. However, it should be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the container 304 may be a box, a bottle, a bag, a jar, or a vessel. The container 304 may be made of metals such as tinplate or aluminum, glass, plastic laminates or composites of plastic and metal laminates.

The container 304 includes a sidewall 306, a retain tab top 308, and a bottom 310. The sidewall 306 includes an inner surface (not shown) and an outer surface (not shown). The outer surface of the sidewall 306 may include various designs and figures thereon for providing aesthetic appearance or for providing information about contents of the flavored coffee beverage 302. Further, the outer surface may include one or more labels for identifying the enclosed flavored coffee beverage 302 or for specifying type of flavor of the different tropical fruits that may be used to prepare the flavored coffee beverage 302. Such exemplary labels may include “Mango,” “Guava,” “Papaya,” “Pineapple,” “Banana,” “Passion Fruit,” “Tropical Java,” “Exotic Flavored Coffee,” and the like.

The retain tab top 308 forms a top portion of the container 304. Further, the retain tab top 308 includes a pouring section 312 and an opener tab 314. The pouring section 312 may easily be sealed during a packaging process, and further is an openable and a non-resealable section. Further, the pouring section 312 may be opened with the help of the opener tab 314. The opener tab 314 may be a rotatable tab. The opener tab 314 includes a breaking end 316 and a lifting end 318 attached opposite to the breaking end 316. Prior to opening the pouring section 312, a coffee consumer may rotate the opener tab 314 in a specific direction. The coffee consumer may then lift the lifting end 318 of the opener tab 314 causing the breaking end 316 to move downward, thereby puncturing the sealed pouring section 312. Subsequently, the flavored coffee beverage 302 may easily be dispensed from within the container 304. Further, the flavored coffee beverage 302 may directly be withdrawn by inverting the container 304 in an upside down direction or by utilizing a straw to sip the flavored coffee beverage 302. Without departing from the scope of the present invention, the flavored coffee beverage 302 may be dispensed in a glass, a cup, or a mug to which ice cubes may be added to provide a chilled and exotically flavored coffee beverage 302.

It should be understood that the flavored coffee beverage 302 may be stored within a container that is then packaged as the container 304 using conventional canning techniques to form the coffee package 300. The packaging of the flavored coffee beverage 302 as the coffee package 300 allows for providing a commercially sterile flavored coffee product, for providing nutritional benefits and marketing convenience, and for preventing recontamination of the flavored coffee beverage 302 after preparation or during subsequent transport and storage.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the container 304 may include a cap or a cork that may be opened for withdrawing the flavored coffee beverage 302 from within the container 304.

The coffee package 300 further includes an aroma patch (not shown), such as the aroma patch 206 of FIG. 2. The aroma patch employed in the coffee package 300 is similar to the aroma patch 206 in shape, size, and properties thereof. More specifically, the aroma patch is disposed on the container 304. Even more specifically, the aroma patch is disposed on an outer surface of the sidewall 306 and is capable of releasing an aroma of the flavored coffee beverage 302. Accordingly, the aroma patch provides an easy means for a coffee consumer to smell a distinct flavor of the flavored coffee beverage 302.

Various embodiments of the present invention provide the following advantages. The present invention relates to a coffee package that provides a blend of traditional coffee with exotic tropical flavors. In one aspect, the present invention provides a coffee package that includes a flavored coffee product and a container for enclosing the flavored coffee product. The flavored coffee product includes a solid coffee material such as a ground form of coffee or a whole bean form of the coffee. The flavored coffee product includes a flavoring agent to provide a natural, refreshing, and an exotic flavor of a specific tropical fruit. Therefore, the present invention provides a variety of flavored coffee products having distinct flavors. Further, the coffee package includes an aroma patch disposed on the container. The aroma patch serves as an effective means for smelling aroma of the flavored coffee product, thereby enabling coffee consumers to judiciously select a flavored coffee product having a specific and a desirable flavor. In another aspect, the present invention provides a coffee package that includes a flavored coffee beverage. Such a coffee package provides a ready-to-drink form of a flavored coffee.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A coffee package comprising:

a flavored coffee product comprising, a solid coffee material, a flavoring agent for providing a flavor of at least one tropical fruit to the solid coffee material;

a container enclosing the flavored coffee product; and

an aroma patch disposed on the container, the aroma patch capable of releasing an aroma of the flavored coffee product.

2. The coffee package of claim 1, wherein the at least one tropical fruit is selected from the group consisting of a mango, a guava, a papaya, a passion fruit, a pineapple, a banana and combinations thereof.

3. The coffee package of claim 1, wherein the flavored coffee product is a soluble powder capable of being dissolved in a fluid to form a beverage.

4. The coffee package of claim 3, wherein the fluid is at least one of water and milk.

5. The coffee package of claim 1, wherein the solid coffee material is at least one of a ground form of coffee and a whole bean form of the coffee.

6. The coffee package of claim 1, wherein the container is at least one of a box, a bottle, a can, a jar, a vessel, and a bag.

7. A coffee package comprising:

a flavored coffee beverage comprising, a coffee material dissolved in a fluid, a flavoring agent for providing a flavor of at least one tropical fruit to the coffee material;

a container enclosing the flavored coffee beverage; and

an aroma patch disposed on the container, the aroma patch capable of releasing an aroma of the flavored coffee beverage.

8. The coffee package of claim 7, wherein the at least one tropical fruit is selected from the group consisting of a mango, a guava, a papaya, a passion fruit, a pineapple, a banana and combinations thereof.

9. The coffee package of claim 7, wherein the coffee material is a solid coffee material.

10. The coffee package of claim 9, wherein the solid coffee material is a ground form of coffee.

11. The coffee package of claim 7, wherein the fluid is at least one of water and milk.

12. The coffee package of claim 7, wherein the container is at least one of a box, a bottle, a can, a jar, a vessel, and a bag.

13. The coffee package of claim 7, wherein the flavored coffee beverage further comprises a sweetener.