U.S. patent application number 11/110175 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-03 for hydrophilic substance dispensing device.
Invention is credited to Hamiel, Lee J., Liao, Shyhyuan, Sox, Thomas E..
Application Number | 20050241490 11/110175 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32989968 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050241490 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hamiel, Lee J. ; et
al. |
November 3, 2005 |
Hydrophilic substance dispensing device
Abstract
A device for dispensing into a liquid at least one hydrophilic
substance deposited thereon including a body having at least one
surface area enhancer and at least one hydrophilic substance
deposited on the at least one surface area enhancer, to form a
coated surface enhancer, and the body. The hydrophilic substance
deposited includes a high intensity sweetener, a nutritive
sweetener, a flavoring agent, a drug substance, a vitamin, a
mineral, and mixtures thereof.
Inventors: |
Hamiel, Lee J.; (Queensbury,
NY) ; Liao, Shyhyuan; (West Windsor, NJ) ;
Sox, Thomas E.; (Ambler, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PHILIP S. JOHNSON
JOHNSON & JOHNSON
ONE JOHNSON & JOHNSON PLAZA
NEW BRUNSWICK
NJ
08933-7003
US
|
Family ID: |
32989968 |
Appl. No.: |
11/110175 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11110175 |
Apr 20, 2005 |
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10403569 |
Mar 31, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
99/323 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61J 7/003 20130101;
A23L 2/60 20130101; A47G 21/004 20130101; A23P 10/10 20160801 |
Class at
Publication: |
099/323 |
International
Class: |
A47G 019/14 |
Claims
1. A device for dispensing into a liquid at least one hydrophilic
substance deposited thereon comprising a body having at least one
surface area enhancer and at least one hydrophilic substance
deposited on the at least one surface area enhancer, to form a
coated surface enhancer, and the body.
2. A device of claim 1, wherein the coated surface area enhancer is
selected from the group consisting of a crack, a fissure, a
crevice, a protrusion, and combinations thereof.
3. A device of claim 1, wherein the body has an interior and an
exterior and the coated surface area enhancer is located on the
interior, the exterior or both.
4. A device of claim 1, wherein the coated surface area enhancer is
located on an exterior of the body.
5. A device of claim 4, wherein the coated surface area enhancer is
selected from the group consisting of a surface crack, a fissure, a
crevice, a protrusion, and mixtures thereof.
6. A device of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a first
end portion and a second end portion and the first end portion, the
second end portion, or both contain the coated surface area
enhancer.
7. A device of claim 6, wherein the coated surface enhancer is
selected from the group consisting of a capillary, an internal
crack, a bore, a fenestra, a slit, and combinations thereof.
8. A device of claim 1 wherein the body is hydrophilic.
9. A device of claim 1 wherein the hydrophilic substance is
selected from the group consisting of a high intensity sweetener, a
nutritive sweetener, a flavoring agent, a drug substance, a
vitamin, a mineral, and mixtures thereof.
10. A device of claim 9, wherein the hydrophilic substance is
selected from the group consisting of a flavoring agent, a high
intensity sweetener, a nutritive sweetener, a flavoring agent, and
mixtures thereof.
11. A device of claim 10, wherein the high intensity sweetener is
selected from the group consisting of aspartame, neotame,
acesulfame, saccharin, neohesperidin, thaumatin, neohesperidin,
stevia, hernandulcin, monellin, mogroside, brazzein, sucralose
extract of Dioscorophyllum cumminsii, and extract of the fruit of
Pentadiplandra brazzeana.
12. A device of claim 11, wherein the high intensity sweetener is
sucralose.
13. A device of claim 10, wherein the nutritive sweetener is
selected from the group consisting of sucrose, glucose, fructose,
corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, lactose, trehalose, and
mixtures thereof.
14. A device of claim 10, wherein the drug substance is selected
from the group consisting of acetaminophen, famotidine,
chlorpheniramine, pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan,
diphenhydramine, brompheniramine, clemastine, phenylpropanolamine,
terfenadine, astemizole, loratadine, loperamide,
loperamide-N-oxide, ranitidine, cimetidine, tramadol, cisapride,
acetylsalicylic acid, doxylamine succinate, pharmaceutically
acceptable salts thereof and mixtures thereof.
15. A device of claim 10, wherein the flavoring agent is selected
from the group consisting of coffee, cocoa, tea, vanillin, butter,
butterscotch, tea, orange, lemon, lime, tangerine, almond, walnut,
pecan, caramel, chocolate, licorice, strawberry, banana, peach,
grape, plum, cherry, blueberry, pineapple, elderberry, currant,
cranberry, lingonberry, watermelon, bubblegum, cantaloupe, mango,
guava, kiwi, papaya, coconut, mint, spearmint, anise, caraway,
cardoman, cinnamon, ginger, cream, and mixtures thereof.
16. (canceled)
17. A device of claim 9, wherein the high intensity sweetener, the
nutritive sweetener or both provide a sweetness equivalent of from
about 1 to about 3 teaspoons of sucrose to the liquid.
18. The device of claim 9, wherein the high intensity sweetener has
a bulk density of more than about 0.5 grams per cubic
centimeter.
19. A device for dispensing into a liquid at least one hydrophilic
substance deposited thereon comprising an elongated body having at
least one surface area enhancer and sucralose deposited on the at
least one surface area enhancer and the body.
20. A device of claim 1, wherein sucralose is deposited in an
amount to provide a sweetness equivalent of from about 1 to about 3
teaspoons of sucrose to the liquid.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to devices for dispensing a
hydrophilic substance to a liquid.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Consumers differ considerably in the amount of sweetness
that they prefer in foods and beverages. The amount of sweetness
incorporated into a liquid during commercial production may not be
adequate to satisfy some consumers while other consumers may find
that the same amount of sweetness to be excessive. Therefore, there
exists a long-felt need for mechanisms that consumers can use to
increase the sweetness of a product at the time of consumption that
is consistent with their personal preference, without introducing
an additional caloric burden
[0003] Methods for dispensing hydrophilic substances into a liquid
are known. For example, adding sweetener to an unsweetened iced tea
beverage will typically involve several steps--adding the sweetener
to the unsweetened iced tea beverage followed by stirring to
incorporate the sweetener to create a sweetened iced tea beverage.
Such sweetener is typically in a powdered, liquid, or tablet form.
Similar effort is undertaken when adding powdered or liquid
beverage mix to a liquid, e.g., water, milk, alcohol, and the
like.
[0004] The availability of high intensity sweeteners (HIS) provides
novel technical routes to the delivery of sweeteners to individual
servings of beverages. These new technical approaches are made
possible by the minute quantities of these sweeteners needed to
achieve adequate sweetening of individual servings. For example,
sucralose is about 600 times as sweet as sucrose (table sugar or
cane sugar). Therefore, one teaspoon of sugar (about 4 g) can be
replaced by only about 6.7 mg of sucralose.
[0005] Although the very small quantities of high intensity
sweeteners needed to sweeten individual servings of beverages offer
new technical approaches, delivering this small amount of a
sweetener to a disposable serving device also presents challenges.
One common approach is the blending of the high intensity sweetener
with non-sweet, bland materials, and then adhering these materials
to a serving device. This introduces complexity in manufacture, and
also introduces possibly unwanted caloric intake to the user's
diet.
[0006] Sweetening individual servings of a beverage presents a
challenge in many food service situations. Frequently, an
individual packet of a sweetener is provided along with a serving
of a beverage. The packet may contain sucrose, or alternatively may
contain high intensity sweeteners such as sucralose, aspartame, or
saccharin. The user must open the packet and empty the contents
into the beverage, and then stir the beverage to obtain dissolution
of the sweetener and its complete dispersion in the liquid mass.
The residual packaging of the packet creates waste that may present
disposal problems under many situations. Also, a device is needed
to stir the liquid to which the sweetener has been added. This
stirring device may be a reusable or disposable spoon. More
frequently, especially in casual dining, convenience stores, or
fast food situations a simpler stir stick is provided. This stick
may be wooden, but more generally it is an extruded plastic
object.
[0007] The multi-step process involved in satisfactorily adding a
hydrophilic substance to a liquid has been addressed by many
methods. Most of these methods combine a stirring device with the
hydrophilic substance, e.g., sweetener, flavoring agent, coffee,
cocoa, tea, and the like.
[0008] One such approach is directed to placing a free flowing
hydrophilic substance inside a container having a receptacle for
holding the substance. This approach is described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,154,418; 4,860,929; 4,986,451; 5,125,534; 5,440,976; and
5,866,185.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,154,418, which is expressly incorporated
herein by reference, discloses, among other things, a spoon having
two cavities. One cavity is covered by a mesh and is used to
contain a material, such as, tea, coffee, or cocoa for making a
beverage. A second cavity was purported to be in a handle of the
spoon. This second cavity is used to deliver beverage components,
such as, sweetener. Delivery of material from the second chamber is
achieved by squeezing the spoon handle or shaft of the stir stick,
thereby breaking a seal and permitting the contents to flow into
the beverage by gravity.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 3,824,322, which is expressly incorporated
herein by reference, discloses a flavored tubular stirrer for
alcoholic beverages. The disclosed stirrer was described as having
stirring and handle portions, and flavoring means for aqueous
alcoholic beverages that is held to a stirring portion of the
stirrer with at least part of the flavoring communicable with an
alcoholic beverage in which it is placed through or at an exterior
surface of the stirring portion. The flavoring means were described
as being a natural extract, a solid, or be capable of being
converted to solid form by being deposited on or sorbed by a
carrier. The carrier was described as being a sugar, sorbitol,
manitol, corn syrup solids, milk solids, monoglycerides or
diglycerides, and the like. In addition, the perforations were
disclosed as being pushed inwardly so as to provide projections to
assist in holding the flavoring means in place therein.
[0011] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,860,929 and 4,986,451, which are expressly
incorporated herein by reference, allegedly disclose a dispensing
device for soluble granular material. The device includes a tube
containing a solid granular material. The tube being closed at both
ends and having perforations along a portion of its length and
having a paddle formed at one end. In this design and in the dry
state, the granular material must be sized so as not to escape
through the perforations while the granular material is in a dry
state.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,534, which is incorporated herein by
reference, discloses a multiple compartment dispenser that is
capable of simultaneously dispensing multiple dry flavoring
ingredients into a fluid. The dispenser described contains a
chamber having a spine with a plurality of vanes or blades
projecting therefrom that extend into a lower housing to form
multiple compartments. The lower housing was described as being a
dissolvable film, such as, gelatin or methylcellulose, that is
formed to fit over the bottom portion of the spine and the
associated horizontally projecting vanes. Each of the multiple
compartments was described as being individually filled with a
flavoring ingredient prior to dispensing. Flavoring ingredients
included sugar, coffee, hot chocolate, and bouillon.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,976, which is incorporated herein by
reference, allegedly discloses a device for dispensing natural and
artificial sweeteners into a beverage. The device includes a tube
having perforations and at least one separator disk positioned
therein, and a solid sleeve formed to receive the tube. The tube is
in the sleeve such that the tube may be urged forward dispensing a
measured amount of sweetener into the beverage. Control of
sweetness intensity was allegedly described as being further
enhanced by providing calibration markers on the surface of the
tube.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,866,185, which is expressly incorporated
herein by reference, discloses a device including a tube including
a soluble or dispersible material and a soluble coating formed on
the outer surface of the tubular portion. The soluble coating can
be sugar or an artificial sweetener and is dissolved when the
coating comes into contact with liquid. The tube is also disclosed
as having perforations to control the rate that the soluble
material is dispersed in the liquid. The soluble material was
described as being a variety of substances that are soluble in
liquid, including flavors, such as, cherry, orange, grape, and
fruit punch.
[0015] Another approach is directed to attaching a solid mass to a
handle and dissolving the solid mass in a liquid. This approach is
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,869,555; 4,849,231; 6,399,126, and
U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 20010038871.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 3,869,555, which is incorporated herein by
reference, discloses a soluble solid mass secured to a wooden
stick. The solid mass was discloses as having a base mass and an
optional flavoring mass. The base mass was described as being
instant coffee crystals or particles, tea, cocoa, eggnog, and
chocolate with binder material. The flavoring mass was described as
being powdered milk and/or sugar that is held together by a binder
material, which could be sugar or may be taste-free.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No.4,849,231, which is expressly incorporated
herein by reference, discloses a stirring rod having a stirring
body that has a holder for holding a solid mass, e.g., sugar lump.
More than one holder can be included in the body of the stirring
rod. In addition to sugar lumps, sweetener tablets containing high
intensity sweeteners, such as, aspartame or saccharin, powdered
milk, coloring, and flavoring are disclosed. In another embodiment,
there is disclosed a wooden stirring body that was immersed in a
warm, liquid sugar or other substance, where a quantity of
substance has remained adhered thereto, the quantity corresponding
to a quantity of substance, for example sugar or sweetener, e.g,,
aspartame, geared to an amount of beverage. After cooling, the
solid piece of the substance is held by a holder. The quantity of
substance to be added to the beverage was disclosed as being
regulated by inserting the stirring rod more or less deeply into
the beverage that is to be stirred.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 6,399,126, which is incorporated herein by
reference, discloses a flavored beverage stirrer that includes a
carrier and a cartridge. The cartridge was disclosed as being
formed from a flavored material, which dissolves and adds flavor to
a beverage.
[0019] U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 20010038871, which is incorporated
herein by reference, discloses an embodiment wherein a
predetermined quantity of a water soluble extract is sprayed onto
the inner surface of a straw. The coated-interior of the straw will
provide an agent of choice to be incorporated into a liquid.
[0020] The above approaches suffer from a number of drawbacks. In
particular, due to the complexity of most of the above solutions,
manufacturing costs and difficulties present obstacles to adoption.
In addition, none of the solutions address the problem of
increasing the dissolution rate of a hydrophilic substance while
maintaining the same compact size of the device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The present invention is directed to a device that satisfies
these needs. The device of the present invention is easy to
manufacture, convenient, and provides increased surface area for
loading of the hydrophilic substance. This disclosure provides new
individual serving sweetening compositions that can avoid the
incorporation of substantial amounts of carrier materials. In one
embodiment, the present invention includes a device for dispensing
into a liquid at least one hydrophilic substance deposited thereon
comprising, consisting essentially of, and consisting of a body
having at least one surface area enhancer and at least one
hydrophilic substance deposited on the at least one surface area
enhancer, to form a coated surface enhancer, and the body.
[0022] In another embodiment, the present invention includes a
device for dispensing into a liquid at least one hydrophilic
substance deposited thereon comprising, consisting essentially of,
and consisting of an elongated body having at least one surface
area enhancer and sucralose deposited on the at least one surface
area enhancer and the body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of device representing one
embodiment of the present invention and a vessel containing a
liquid;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of device representing one
embodiment of the present invention placed in a vessel containing a
liquid;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of device representing one
embodiment of the present invention and a vessel containing a
liquid after at least part of hydrophilic substance coating was
placed in the liquid;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the
present invention depicted in FIG. 4;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0034] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the
present invention depicted in FIG. 11;
[0035] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0036] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the
present invention depicted in FIG. 13;
[0037] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0038] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the
present invention depicted in FIG. 15;
[0039] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0040] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the
present invention depicted in FIG. 17;
[0041] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0042] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0043] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention in a package;
[0044] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0045] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0046] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0047] FIG. 25 is a perspective view, partially in section, of one
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0048] As used herein, the term "drug substance" denotes materials
with pharmacological or nutritional benefits. Such drug substances
include, but are not limited to, acetaminophen, famotidine,
chlorpheniramine, pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan,
diphenhydramine, brompheniramine, clemastine, phenylpropanolamine,
terfenadine, astemizole, loratadine, loperamide,
loperamide-N-oxide, ranitidine, cimetidine, tramadol, cisapride,
acetylsalicylic acid, doxylamine succinate, pharmaceutically
acceptable salts thereof and mixtures thereof.
[0049] As used herein, the term "hydrophilic substance" denotes any
substance that dissolves or can be suspended in a liquid. A
non-limiting list of hydrophilic substances includes HIS, nutritive
sweetener, sugar alcohol, a flavoring agent, a drug substance, a
vitamin, a mineral, and mixtures thereof.
[0050] As used herein, the term "high intensity sweetener(s)" or
"HIS", denotes substances, such as, aspartame, salts of acesulfame,
alitame, brazzein, cyclamic acid and its salts, dihydrochalcones,
extract of Dioscorophyllum cumminsii, and extract of the fruit of
Pentadiplandra brazzeana, glycyrrhizin, hernandulcin, monellin,
mogroside, neotame, neohesperidin, saccharin and its salts,
sucralose, stevia, thaumatin, and the like, alone or in
combination.
[0051] As used herein, the term "nutritive sweetener" denotes corn
syrup, glucose, fructose, high fructose corn syrup, lactose,
sucrose, trehalose, lactose, arabinose, trehalose, maltodextrin,
soluble starch, inulin, and the like, alone or in combination.
[0052] As used herein, the term "sugar alcohol" denotes erythritol,
hydrogenated isomaltulose, hydrogenated starch hydrolyzates,
lactitol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, and the like,
alone or in combination.
[0053] As used herein, the term "surface area enhancer" denotes any
contrivance in or on the device that is used to increase the
surface area of the device. Such contrivances include, but are not
limited to, a surface crack, a fissure, a crevice, a protrusion, a
capillary, an internal crack, a bore, a fenestra, a slit, and
combinations thereof. Where a smooth bore or capillary is imbedded
in the interior of the device, such capillary or bore does not
extend fully through the length of the device.
[0054] The present invention is directed to a device for stirring a
liquid while additionally dispensing a hydrophilic substance, e.g.,
HIS, nutritive sweetener, sugar alcohol, flavoring agent, coloring
agent, coffee, tea, cocoa, drug substance, and the like, alone or
in combination, into the liquid. The device of the present
invention contains at least one surface area enhancer and the
device can be loaded with a coating that is a solution containing a
hydrophilic substance and allowing the coating to dry by any known
method, e.g., heat to expedite drying.
[0055] Capillary or adhesive forces may be used to control the
amount of coating deposited on the device.
[0056] While the present invention is not dependent upon, bound to,
or limited by, any particular theory, surface tension is a property
of liquids, and the surface tension of a liquid or solution is
dependent on a number of factors, including temperature and solute
content. When a narrow diameter foramen, fenestra, or slit is
contacted to the surface of a liquid, the surface tension of the
liquid will frequently cause a small portion of the liquid to be
drawn up into the foramen or slit. This phenomenon has been
described as capillary force or capillary attraction, though it is
a derivative effect of surface tension. The volume of liquid bound
to the solid surface will depend on the surface tension of the
liquid, as well as the type of material or materials constituting
the surface, and the texture of the surface. However, as long as
all conditions remain constant, the amount of fluid so entrained
will be relatively constant; e.g., if a number of capillary tubes
are immersed to the same depth in a liquid, approximately the same
amount of liquid will be drawn up into each of these tubes. After
the foramen, capillary, or slit is withdrawn from the surface of
the liquid, a volume of liquid remains adherent.
[0057] When liquid contains a solute, such as, a HIS, the HIS
remains adhered to the surface. The liquid can then be removed by
common processes such as evaporation, thereby leaving a residue or
a coating of the HIS on the surface of the device. The coated HIS
can therefore be retained in stable form until the coated surface
of the device is again exposed to a liquid in which the solute is
soluble. In this case, a volume of the new liquid penetrates into
the foramen, capillary, or slit. The liquid serves to dissolve the
high intensity sweetener. Diffusion occurring within the liquid
results in the dispersion of the HIS into the bulk of the liquid.
Stirring the liquid with the device r will aid in the dissolution
and dispersion of the HIS into the liquid.
[0058] Any amount of hydrophilic substance can be coated onto the
device of the present invention. Typically, if one were loading an
HIS or a nutritive sweetener one would wish to coat the device such
that one, two, or three teaspoons equivalents of sucrose are on the
device. The concentration of the hydrophilic substance in the
liquid will impact the volume of solution loaded on the device.
Loading of the solution onto the device can be achieved by any
means known to those in the art. These include dipping the device
into the solution, spraying the device with solution, and brushing
the solution onto the device. The greater the surface area of the
device the more of the solution that can be loaded onto the
device.
[0059] In one specific embodiment of this invention, a rod or shaft
is fabricated that has a plurality of narrow diameter capillaries
in one or both of the ends of the rod or shaft. The capillaries may
be straight channels that are oriented parallel to the axis of the
rod or shaft. Alternatively, the capillaries may be curved
regularly or irregularly, or they may have a serpentine shape. The
capillaries may be circular in a cross section perpendicular to the
axis of the rod or shaft, or they may be oval or highly irregular.
For a given concentration of solution, the amount of solution that
will be loaded on the device is dependent on the shape and depth of
the capillaries.
[0060] Embodiments of this invention include devices in which only
a single foramen, capillary, or slit is present, as well as
embodiments in which a plurality of such cavities are present.
[0061] Furthermore, the embodiments of this invention include
devices in which the cavities are present in one end of the shaft
or rod, as well as embodiments in which the cavities are
incorporated in both ends. Incorporating the cavities into both
ends of the device offer a number of advantages.
[0062] The same amount of hydrophilic substance can be coated into
both ends of the devices, allowing the user to dispense the amount
of hydrophilic substance in one end or both ends of the device into
single serving of beverage, depending on the user's
preferences.
[0063] Alternatively, the user could add the hydrophilic substance
to one serving of beverage using one end of the device, and then
use the other end to add the same or different hydrophilic
substance to a second serving of a beverage. Alternatively,
different amounts of hydrophilic substance could be incorporated
into each end of the device. If a sweetener is the hydrophilic
substance, such a device could be labeled or marked to indicate the
less sweet end and most sweet end. The user could select which end
to use, depending on the sweetness preferences.
[0064] Another approach would entail loading different types of
hydrophilic substance into each end of the device. For example, one
end could be loaded with sucralose, whereas the other end could be
loaded with another sweetener, such as, saccharin, aspartame, or
neotame. Some consumers differ in their preferred sweetener, and a
sweetening device configured with different sweeteners at each end
would permit the user a choice of sweeteners.
[0065] The stirring devices of this disclosure are generally
rod-shaped, with rod shaped being broadly defined to include
elongated shapes that are generally circular or oval in cross
section. However, objects that are square in cross section or more
generally polygons with sides of generally equal length are also
functionally equivalent for stirring and are included within the
scope of being rod shaped. Specifically excluded from the intended
scope of rod shape are generally planar devices, i.e., in which the
length of two sides of the cross-sectional shape exceed the length
of the other sides by a factor of five times or greater. Generally
rod shaped devices as defined herein have a functional advantage
over planar devices in that the ability to adequately stir a fluid
comestible is independent of how the axial dimension of the device
is oriented with respect to the fluid. In contrast, in order for
adequate stirring to be obtained with a planar device, the device
must be oriented to that the broadest cross-sectional surface is
generally perpendicular to the direction of stirring.
[0066] Capillaries penetrating into the body of the rod or stir
device are contemplated, as are generally smooth exterior surfaces.
Also contemplated are surface cracks, fissures, or crevices that
are incorporated into the ends of the device, or into the sides of
the device. Such cracks or crevices also present solid surfaces in
close juxtaposition, and surface tension of some liquids will cause
a portion of these liquids to become adherent to the surface
cracks, fissure, or crevices. Devices containing such cracks,
fissures, or crevices may similarly be loaded with a sweetener
solution by immersing the appropriate surface into the sweetener
solution. The use of relatively shallow surface cracks, fissures or
crevices may diminish the drying time needed to remove solvent
adhering to the surfaces, and this will also decrease the amount of
time needed to obtain dissolution of the sweetener.
[0067] The hydrophilic substance coating of this disclosure will
generally have a bulk density of greater than about 0.5 g per cubic
centimeter, in contrast to porous crystalline lattice materials
with bulk densities of about 0.2 g/cc. or less.
[0068] The embodiments contemplated by this disclosure are by no
means limited to HIS. For example, a flavor agent may be
incorporated into the sweetener solution that is used for coating
the device. When the device is suitably dried and later immersed
into an appropriate liquid, the sweetener and the flavor agent are
released into the liquid.
[0069] HIS are generally non-volatile and no loss of sweetener
should occur during the drying of the contemplated devices.
However, some flavor components are quite volatile, and the
incorporation of some flavor components will necessitate careful
control of the drying conditions so that the aesthetic impact of
the flavor material is not compromised. The flavor material used
can be selected based on the type of beverage that will be
sweetened with the device. For example, flavors that may be
consumed with coffee include cream, vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon,
almond, pecan, or anise. In contrast, flavors that may be used when
the device is used to sweeten tea include lemon, lime, raspberry,
peach, or mango. Blends of flavors are also suitable for these
applications. Flavors contemplated as being useful include the
above flavors and the following non-exhaustive list vanillin,
butter, butterscotch, tea, orange, lemon, lime, tangerine, almond,
walnut, pecan, caramel, chocolate, licorice, strawberry, banana,
peach, grape, plum, cherry, blueberry, pineapple, elderberry,
currant, cranberry, lingonberry, watermelon, bubblegum, cantaloupe,
mango, guava, kiwi, papaya, coconut, mint, spearmint, anise,
caraway, cardoman, cinnamon, ginger, cream, and mixtures
thereof.
[0070] In addition to flavors, other materials may also be loaded
into the device of the present invention. Contemplated materials
include pharmaceutical agents, vitamins, or antioxidants; the
principal technical challenges involved in inclusion of these other
materials include the amount of material that must be ingested to
obtain a therapeutic or physiologic benefit, and the stability of
the additional material in the loading solution, stability in the
dry state, and stability in the solution in which the device is
finally used.
[0071] A further contemplated embodiment of this invention is the
provision of graduations or markings that allow the user to control
the amount of sweetness dispensed. For example, the devices may be
marked by a series of axially oriented lines, dots, letters,
numbers, or other means. The user can use these markings to control
the depth of insertion of the device into the ingestible beverage
or fluid. This controls the amount of sweetener delivered, and
hence the user is provided with a mechanism for controlling
sweetness. This provides a benefit in comparison to packets of high
intensity sweeteners, since it is difficult to use only a portion
of such a packet in a controlled manner.
[0072] The sweetening devices of this invention may be packaged in
a number of ways. For example, the devices in quantity may be
placed into boxes, envelopes or pouches or other suitable packages.
A small number of sweetening devices, for example, about 2 to about
50, may be placed in a suitable package for the convenience of a
single user. The incorporation of these into a pouch or an envelope
may be particularly convenient for the user. A larger number of
sweetening devices, for example from about 50 to about 5000, may be
packaged into a single container. This approach may be especially
suitable for food service applications.
[0073] The sweetening devices may also be individually packaged
into a suitable protective container. This container may be a
sealed pouch or sleeve made from plastic film or paper. The
container may also be a tube formed of plastic or cardboard. The
container may also be formed from a metal foil, or a combination of
the materials disclosed above. Individually packaged containers may
be especially useful in situations where hygiene may be
compromised, such as camping trips, outdoor activities, or crowded
conditions.
[0074] A further contemplated embodiment is the incorporation of
these sweetening devices in a dispenser that simplifies their use.
In particular, the dispenser facilitates the release of a single
device. One example is a device containing a sliding or hinged
opening. The diameter of the opening permits only one sweetening
device to be released at a time. A further embodiment is a device
with a depressible or sliding button or tab. Each actuation of the
sliding button or tab results in the ejection of a single
sweetening device. These dispensing devices have a benefit of
requiring only one hand for their use; this permits the user to
simultaneously hold a container of beverage in the other hand.
[0075] A process for making a device for delivering a high
intensity sweetener composition to an ingestible liquid, the
process comprising: providing a generally rod shaped device,
providing a solution of a high intensity sweetener contained in one
or more solvents, immersing at least a portion of the rod shaped
device into the high intensity sweetener solution so that a portion
of the high intensity sweetener solution is adherent to the rod
shaped device, and removing the one or more solvents such that high
intensity sweetener in solid form remains on the surface of the
device.
[0076] Turning to the Figures, FIGS. 1-3 depict an embodiment of
the present invention before, during, and after use. FIG. 1 depicts
device 10 having surface area enhancers 20 thereon. Hydrophilic
substance coating 30 is depicted as deposited on device 10 and a
plurality of marking 60 included on device 10 to provide indicia of
amounts of hydrophilic substance that are loaded onto device 10.
Vessel 40 is depicted as containing liquid 40.
[0077] FIG. 2 depicts device 10 placed in liquid 50. As device 10
is moved in the liquid, the removal of hydrophilic substance
coating 20 is facilitated and the hydrophilic substance coating
dissolves into liquid 50.
[0078] FIG. 3, As a result of dissolving or removing hydrophilic
substance from device 10, any portion of device 10 not
[0079] FIG. 4 depicts a magnified view a device having bearing two
types of surface area enhancer 20 elements. As seen in this figure,
the surface area enhancer element 20 may be located on the exterior
of device 10 and on the interior of device 10. Alternately, surface
area enhancer 20 can be located on either the exterior or on the
interior of device 10.
[0080] Also depicted in FIG. 4 is marking 60. In this particular
embodiment, the material for marking 60 does not permit hydrophilic
substance 20 be adhere to it. Thus, marking 60 is automatically
produced upon coating of device 10 with hydrophilic substance 20.
Alternately, marking 60 may be ink, pigmentation, photolithograph,
physical surface alterations, e.g., ribs, and the like.
[0081] Device 10 can be any shape or size, but must contain at
least one portion that is solid throughout a transverse section. In
the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, device 10 is an elongated shape,
e.g., rod or stick. While the materials used to construct device 10
are not important, such materials must permit the hydrophilic
substance 30 to be coated, deposited and/or loaded thereon and
permit hydrophilic substance 30 to enter the liquid upon exposure
to the liquid. Such materials include wood, plastic, and cork.
[0082] A cross section of device 10 is depicted in FIG. 5 where a
plurality of surface area enhancers 20 is found in the interior and
the exterior of device 10. FIGS. 6-10 depict alternate embodiments
for the shape of a cross section of device 10 having a bore or
capillary embedded in the interior as the surface area enhancer 20.
Such a design will permit the opening of the bore or capillary to
be exposed to the liquid and permit any hydrophilic substance that
is coated thereon to dissolve into the liquid.
[0083] Surface area enhancer 20 can be any shape. As depicted in
FIGS. 1-4, the surface area enhancer 20 can be raised dots.
However, the surface area enhancer can take on a variety of shapes
and sizes, including, but not limited to, a surface crack, a
fissure, a crevice, a protrusion, a capillary, an internal crack, a
bore, a fenestra, a slit, tree bark-shaped, and mixtures thereof.
FIGS. 11-18 depict various surface area enhancers 20 that are
positioned on the exterior of device 10. FIGS. 12, 14, 16, and 18
depict views of cross-sections 12,14,16, and 18 of FIGS. 11, 13,
15, and 17.
[0084] FIG. 19 depicts an embodiment of the present invention where
opposite ends of device 10 have surface area enhancers 20 and have
hydrophilic substance coating deposited thereon. This embodiment
provides the ability to use device 10 in another liquid or to
incorporate hydrophilic substance coating 30 in a single liquid by
dissolving both coated ends in the liquid.
[0085] FIG. 20 depicts an embodiment of the present invention where
handle 70 located on an end of device 10 opposite surface area
enhancer 20 and hydrophilic substance coating 30. The handle can be
unitary with device 10 or can be a separate piece that is affixed
or attached to device 10. The size and shape of handle 70 is not
critical to the present invention. Handle 70 an be used to depict
words, images, and the like.
[0086] FIG. 21 depicts an embodiment of the present invention where
device 10 is placed in an individual package 80. Individual package
80 can be made of any materials known in the art, including
polypropylene, polyethylene and other polymers used in the
packaging arts, foil, and combinations thereof. As depicted in FIG.
21, individual package 80 may include at least one notch 100. Notch
100 is intended to facilitate opening individual package 80. Other
methods of facilitating opening of package 80 can also be used.
Such methods include, but are not limited to, perforations,
embossments, and the like.
[0087] FIG. 22 depicts an embodiment of the present invention where
handle 70 is located in a center portion of device 10. At opposite
ends of device 70 are depicted surface area enhancers 20 and
hydrophilic substance coating 30. FIG. 22 also depicts a plurality
of devices 10 in seriatim such that when formed handle 70 from a
first device 10 is attached to handle 70 of a second device 10. The
attached handles 70 can be separated before packaging or just prior
to use.
[0088] FIG. 23 depicts an embodiment of the present invention where
area of weakness 90 traverses handle 70 of device 10. In this
embodiment, area of weakness 90 permits the user to bring opposite
ends of device 10 together as depicted in FIG. 24. Such an
embodiment permits the user to increase the amount of hydrophilic
substance coating 30 to dissolve in to a liquid. Alternatively, the
each of the ends of device 10 may have a different hydrophilic
substance coating 30 deposited thereon. For example, one end may
have a sucralose coating and the opposite end may have a flavor
coating. This embodiment may facilitate manufacturing of device 10
where a plurality of hydrophilic substances are to be coated.
[0089] FIG. 25 depicts an embodiment of the present invention where
device t10 includes exterior and interior surface area enhancers 20
that have hydrophilic substance coating deposited thereon. As shown
in FIG. 25, the interior surface area enhancer 20 does not extend
end to end, thereby leaving a portion of device 10 solid.
[0090] The following examples are provided to further illustrate
the device of the present invention, as well as certain physical
properties and uses thereof. These examples are illustrative only
and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any
way.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0091]
1 Coating 1 %, w/w Sucralose 12 Water 88
[0092] After the sucralose is dissolved in the water, a wooden rod
with a slit parallel to the axis is dipped into the solution to a
depth of about one inch so that about 50 microliters of solution
formed a thin film on the surface of the rod and in the slit. The
solution is then dried. After drying, the rod contains about 6 mg
of sucralose, which is equivalent to one teaspoon of sugar.
[0093] Dipping the rod into the solution to a depth of about 2
inches will result in the deposition of about 12 mg of sucralose on
the rod, which is equivalent to 2 teaspoons of sugar in
sweetness.
Example 2
[0094]
2 Coating 2 %, w/w Sucralose 24 Water 76
[0095] After the sucralose is dissolved, a rod with a slit parallel
to the axis is dipped into the solution to a depth of about one
inch so that about 50 microliters of solution formed a thin film on
the surface of the rod and in the slit. The solution is then dried.
After drying, the rod contains about 12 mg of sucralose, which is
equivalent to two teaspoons of sugar.
[0096] Dipping the rod into the solution to a depth of about 2
inches will result in the deposition of about 24 mg of sucralose on
the rod, which is equivalent to 4 teaspoons of sugar in
sweetness.
Example 3
[0097]
3 Coating 3 %, w/w Sucralose 12 Sucrose 50 Water 38
[0098] The sucralose and sucrose are dissolved in the water, and a
rod with slit was dipped into the solution to a depth of about one
inch so that about 50 microliters of the solution formed a thin
film on the rod. The solution is then dried. This results in a rod
with about 6 mg of sucralose, which is equivalent to one teaspoon
of sugar. The incorporation of sucrose into the composition
provides better adherence, and also conveys a shining
appearance.
[0099] When dipped to a depth of about 2 inches, the rod contains
about 12 mg of sucralose, which is equivalent to 2 teaspoons of
sugar in sweetness.
Example 4
[0100]
4 Coating 4 %, w/w Sucralose 12 Ethanol 88
[0101] The sucralose is dissolved in the ethanol, and a rod
containing a slit is immersed in the solution to a depth of about
one inch; which results in approximately 50-microliters of the
solution forming a thin film on the rod. The rod is dried, which
results in a rod having 6 mg of sucralose and is equivalent to one
teaspoon of sugar. Ethanol was found to provide a better fluid
adhesion to provide more precise control of the loading or coating;
also, the ethanol evaporates more readily than water.
[0102] When dipped to a depth of about 2 inches deep, about 12 mg
of sucralose is adhered to the rod, which is equivalent to 2
teaspoons of sugar in sweetness.
Example 5
[0103]
5 Coating 5 %, w/w Sucralose 3 Sucrose 70 Water 27
[0104] A solution of sucralose and sucrose is prepared by adding
these materials to water and heating with stirring until complete
dissolution had occurred. A rod was dipped into the slurry to
obtain a layer on the end of the rod. The rod is dried, and then
repeatedly dipped into the slurry and dried. This results in a
glassy shining rock on the tip of the stick. Depending on the size
of the resulting rock, the rod can deliver the sweetness equivalent
of one to two teaspoons of sugar when it is used to stir a
container of beverage.
* * * * *