Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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COFFEE PACKAGE WHICH COMMUNICATES USAGE INDICIA
FIELD
This invention relates to a coffee package which communicates the amount of
usage
received from the product contained in the package.
BACKGROUND
Manufacturers of consumer products are successful when they understand how
consumers
measure what they desire in their products. Understanding this helps
manufacturers design
packages which communicate these desirable features and the consumer benefit
gained from the
product. Not communicating these certain desirable features in a way the
consumer can measure
can often hinder sales in a competitive market for consumer goods. In the
coffee industry,
consumers have a need to understand how many uses they can receive from
purchasing a
product. Providing the consumer this information can allow the consumer to
make an informed
decision and can provide a competitive advantage for the company.
Therefore, there is a continuing, unaddressed need for communication of a way
consumers can measure the consumer benefit particularly for coffee products.
SUMMARY
The present invention includes a coffee package comprising:
i. a coffee product comprising a compact density;
ii. a usage indicia associated therewith the coffee package; and
iii. a principle indicia having associated therewith the package.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and
distinctly
claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the present invention,
it is believed that
the invention will be better understood from the following description taken
in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a coffee package of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an alternative embodiment of the coffee package of the present
invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Section I. will provide terms which will assist the reader in best
understanding the
features of the invention but not to introduce limitations in the terms
inconsistent with the context
in which they are used in this specification. These definitions are not
intended to be limiting.
Section II. discusses the package of the present invention. Section III.
discusses the test method.
Section IV. discusses the process of making compact coffee coffee. Section V.
contains
examples of the present invention.
1. TERMS
The following are terms which will assist the reader in best understanding the
features of the
invention, but do not introduce limitations in the terms inconsistent with the
context in which
they are used in this specification. These definitions are not intended to be
limiting.
"10.5-ounce coffee", "11.5-ounce coffee", "13-ounce coffee" and "16-ounce
coffee" are
roasted coffee products having tamped densities, after vibratory settlement
into package, such
that 10.5, 11.5, 13 and 16 ounces (298, 327, 369 and 454 grams) of each
product, respectively,
has a dry volume of about 1000 cc. The bulk densities are respectfully
0.263g/cc, .288g/cc,
.325g/cc and 0.4g/cc.
As used herein, "consumer product" refers to any product which is typically
used by a
consumer, such as paper products, laundry products, kitchen products, bathroom
products,
automotive products, and personal products. Illustrative examples of such
"consumer products"
include solid laundry detergents (i.e., granules, tablets, powders, pastes,
and the like); liquid
laundry detergent (including gels, liquid-gels and the like); light duty
detergents; unit dose
laundry detergents; bleaching compositions; dryer sheets; fabric softening
compositions;
pretreater compositions; pre-treatment devices; dye trapping sheets; fabric
refreshing
compositions paper towels; toilet tissue; facial tissue; paper plates; paper
cups; writing paper;
greaseproof paper; disposable dusting sheets; wrapping paper; feminine hygiene
products (such
as tampons, pads, adult incontinence products, interlabial products and the
like); diapers;
disposable wipes; aluminum foil; polymeric kitchen films; dish detergent;
sponges; disposable
plates; disposable cups; disposable tableware; scouring pads; mops; buckets;
automatic
dishwashing detergent compositions; automatic dishwashing rinse aids; water
filters; water filter
cartridges tile cleaners; toilet cleaners; floor cleaners; automotive polish;
tire cleaner; automotive
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air fresheners; car wash; automotive washing systems; hand soap; razors;
shaving cream; body
wash; shampoo; conditioner; face wash; toothpaste; vitamins; medicaments;
deodorant; tooth
brushes; makeup; nail polish; lipstick; and makeup remover.
The term "coffee," as used herein, refers to roasted coffee that has been
treated with any
form of energy to have generated a "roasted" coffee flavor and has come from
the seeds of a
coffee plant or tree.
As used herein, the term "compact coffee" relates to roasted coffee which has
a tamped
density or dosing density of from about 0.46 to 1.05 gm/cc.
The term "density", as used herein, refers to bulk density, i.e., the overall
density of a
plurality of particles measured after freely flowing into a container of a
known volume.
The term "principle indicia," as used herein, refers to the principle indicia
selected from
trademarked product identifiers, store brands, private label brands,
trademarks, trade names,
flavors, branding, words, phrases, letters, characters, brand names, company
names, company
logos or symbols, logos, icons, designs, designer names, symbols, insignias,
shapes and
combinations thereof.
As used herein, "indicia" refers to scent, branding, packaging, properties,
sound, words,
phrases, letters, characters, brand names, company names, company logos or
symbols,
descriptions, logos, icons, designs, designer names, symbols, motifs,
insignias, figures, marks,
signals, colors, textures, shapes, tokens, advertisements, and combinations
thereof.
As used herein, "in association with" means the indicia are either directly
printed on the
consumer product itself, a container/package itself, or a label attached to
the consumer product
and/or container/package and/or are presented in a different manner including
a brochure, print
advertisement, electronic advertisement, and/or verbal communication, so as to
communicate the
indicia to a consumer.
As used herein, "label" refers to a convenient point-of-purchase site for the
principle
indicia, lesser indicia,and the like and combinations thereof. The term
"label" is used herein in
the broadest sense includes the tangible medium that may optionally contain
one or more of the
principle indicia, lesser indicia, and the like and combinations thereof may
be optionally
expressed including, by way of illustrative example, the placing of principle
indicia element
directly on to a container/package (e.g., printing or molding), the printing
of lesser indicia on a
substrate wherein the substrate is placed on the outside surface of the
container/package, or
packaging such as boxes that enclose the container/package. In one embodiment,
an olfactory
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scent descriptor may also be provided via a label (e.g., packaging). For
example, the label itself
may be scented, i.e., comprise the scent.
The optional labels of the present invention may generally mimic the shape of
the
container/package. Illustrative examples of suitable labels include partially
wrap-around labels,
wrap-around labels, shrink-wrap labels, stickers, in-mold labels hang-tags,
labels conveying the
name of the product and combinations thereof.
In one optional specific embodiment, the label is a clear substrate such that
the usage
indicia, the principle indicia, and/or lesser indicia may be printed on to the
label and the
container/package or composition therein. Without wishing to be bound by
theory, a clear label
may maximize the color of the product or the tint of the container/package in
communicating to
the consumer.
In another embodiment, the label has a background color to further communicate
to the
user. For example, if the flavor is chocolate, the label may have a chocolate
background color to
further communicate this flavor to the user given the visual association of a
chocolate color to
chocolate flavor. In another non-limiting example, if the coffee is positioned
as a premium
product, the canister may have a shiny maroon color, the cap may be a gold
color, and the label
may have a gold background color to further communicate that the coffee is
premium to the user
given the visual association of a gold color which indicates premium.
In one optional embodiment, the label is "shrink wrapped" on the
container/package. In
another optional embodiment, the label is adhered to the container/package by
an adhesive.
As used herein, "lesser indicia" is selected from flavor, scent, branding,
packaging,
properties, sound, words, phrases, letters, characters, brand names, company
names, company
logos or symbols, descriptions, logos, icons, designs, designer names,
symbols, motifs, insignias,
figures, marks, signals, colors, textures, shapes, tokens, advertisements and
combinations thereof.
As used herein, the term "1-pound coffee can" relates to a coffee container
which has a
volume of about 1000 cc. Historically, one pound (16 oz. ) of coffee was sold
in this volume
container. This corresponds to a bulk density of approximately 0.4g/cc.
The term "usage indicia," as used herein, refers to a benefit, property,
feature, image,
scenario, or the like that is generally recognized by consumers as being
beneficial in choosing a
product and associates a way of measuring a particular consumer product during
use for a
consumer.
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Illustrative examples of usage indicia include the number of cups provided in
a coffee
package; the number of loads received from using a detergent package; the
number of pumps
provided for by a soap package; and the number of uses gained from a shampoo
package.
5 II. PACKAGE
The unique combination of elements displayed on the coffee package translates
into an
immediate consumer impression upon seeing the package/container. A consumer
upon seeing
the principle indicia and the usage indicia would immediately realize that the
package/container
is providing information beneficial to the consumer. This almost immediate
communication of
the important consumer benefit enables savings in labor, time and reduced,
possibly even
substantial reduced investment in marketing, advertising and the like, as the
consumers upon
seeing the package/container already has been educated by the usage indicia
which
communicates the benefits of the coffee product therein. By communicating the
usage indicia to
the consumer, the consumer can make an informed purchase decision.
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an embodiment of the present invention which includes a
coffee
product 10 being products sold in a package/container with principle indicia
16. For example, as
shown in FIG. 1, the coffee product 10 is sold under the FOLGERSO brand name
and packaged
in a package 12 exhibiting on the package 12 a principle indicia 16, for
example, the
FOLGERSO mark.
The compact coffee product 10 can be from about 0.46 g/cc to about 1.05 g/cc
(measured in
tamped density).
In addition to the principle indicia associated therewith on the package 12,
the package 12 has
a usage indicia 18. The usage indicia 18 communicates to a consumer reasons
why the consumer
might wish to purchase the products and can influence a purchasing decision by
the consumer. In
the embodiment shown, the usage indicia 18 can be used to communicate the
number of cups of
coffee in a package. . The cups can be measured in any size. In one non-
embodiment, the cups
are measured by 6 oz. In another non-limiting embodiment, the usage indicia
18, 24 can be used
to communicate the servings of a pre-determined cup size in a package. The
usage indicia should
be visible to the consumer at the point of sale.
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In addition to the principle indicia associated therewith on the package 12,
the package 12
can have a lesser indicia. Specifically, the package 12 can have a lesser
indicia 30. For example,
for the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, each principle indicia 16 can
have associated
with it a lesser indicia 30, such as flavor.
While the present invention is particularly useful in the product category of
coffee it can find
equal utility in other categories such as oral care products, baby care
products, fabric care
products, pet care products, health care products, floor care products, car
care products, laundry
care products, electronic products. Non-limiting examples can include as first
and second
products, respectively, toothpaste and mouthwash, diapers and wipes, detergent
and fabric
softener, toilet tissue and facial tissue, snack foods and beverages, shampoo
and conditioner,
razor blades and shaving cream, dry mops and floor cleaning compositions,
printers and ink
cartridges, coffee and coffee filters, electronic gear and batteries, dog food
and dog treats, and the
like. For each of the above, a product from the same brand names can be
identified and paired
together with a principle indicia and usage indicia for marketing at the point
of sale.
The package/container, may be of any size, shape, volume, material, texture,
opaque,
transparent/translucent, waste soluble, water insoluble, and the like. In one
optional embodiment
the container/package is an opaque container/package. This opaque
container/package more
specifically comprises a color and more specifically releasably contains a
coffee product
contained therein. In another optional embodiment, the package/container may
be
translucent/transparent. This translucent/transparent package/container more
specifically
releasably contains a colored coffee product contained therein.
The package/container may comprise a material. The material may be selected
from:
metal, such as aluminum, steel, brass, copper, tin, and the like; wood;
laminate, such as wood
laminates; polymeric laminates, such as carbon fiber laminates, and the like
and combinations
thereof; paper; cardboard, such as fiberboard, cardboard and the like and
combinations thereof;
polymer, such as polypropylene, polyacrylates, synthetic rubbers, natural
rubbers, polyethylene,
polycarbonate, polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylchloride,
polystyrene, high
density polyethylene, polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate, diethyleneglycol
bisarylcarbonate,
polyethylene naphthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, epoxy resin,
polyamide-based resins,
low density polyethylene, styrene butadiene copolymers, acrylonitrile,
acrylonitrile-butadiene
copolymer, cellulose acetate butyrate and mixtures thereof; fabric, such as
cotton, hemp,
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nonwoven materials, wool, polyester fabrics, poly cotton blends and the like
and combinations
thereof; ceramic, such as terracotta, china, "redware", majolica and the like
and combinations
thereof; glass, such as Pyrex, safety glass, laminated glass and the like and
combinations thereof;
film, such as polymeric film laminates, high density polyethylene films, low
density polyethylene
films, medium density polyethylene films, and the like and combinations
thereof; and
combinations thereof.
Clear or translucent plastics useful herein include those that are colored or
tinted in such a
manner that the light transmission of the plastic is preserved. Polyethylene
terephthalate is a
preferred plastic. Likewise the materials may be processed in single or
multiple layers. Because
a variety of different materials may be used in the construction of the
packages/containers of the
present invention the materials selected will be based on the intended end use
and characteristics
required of such a package/container.
As noted previously, when present, the package/container may be of any shape.
In one
more specific embodiment the package/container has a shape selected from
cylindrical, tubular,
conical, frustum of a cone, spheroidal, cubodial, pyramidoidal, and
combinations thereof.
III. DENSITY TEST METHOD
A. Principle
A fixed weight of coffee sample is allowed to fall freely from a funnel for a
fixed distance into a
cup of known volume. The excess coffee is removed with a straight edge and the
weight of the
coffee in the cup obtained. The density is calculated as the weight of the
material divided by the
volume in which the material is encapsulated.
B. Scope
This method is applicable to the measurement of bulk density of ground or
flaked vacuum
packed coffee. The precision of the method is based on the reproducibility of
the technique used
to fill the cup.
C. Apparatus
Weighing Container 1000 ml beaker
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Bulk Density Apparatus Ohaus bulk density equipment - Model 86-
38100
Filing hopper and stand (Part NO. 151)
Product Cup Ohaus product cup - 1 pint dry (Part No. 104)
Seedburo Equipment Co., 1022 West Jackson,
Chicago, IL 60607
Leveling Straight Edge 1 3/4" x 12' x 1/32" stainless steel straight edge
Template 5" x 5" square piece of 1/8" thick plexiglass
with a 1/4" hole drilled in the center
Balance 1000g capacity or greater, 0.lg sensitivity
Pipette 5-25 cc pipette recommended
D. Calibration of Product Cup
1. Tare the empty product cup and template on a balance. Once the product cup
and
template has been tared, remove the template and fill the product cup with
distilled
water (70 5 ).
2. Carefully place the template on top of water filled cup.
3. Using a pipette, pipette additional distilled water through the hole in the
template until
the water level in the product cup is completely touching the underside of the
template.
4. Read directly from the balance for weight (grams).
5. Volume calculation: Weight of distilled water (grams) x 1.002 = volume of
cup
6. The cup is in calibration if the volume is 550c cc 2.
E. Adjustment of Equipment
1. Set up the equipment following the instruction with the equipment and level
it. The
leveled bubble is located under the product cup.
2. Carefully set height from the bottom of the funnel to the top of the
product cup to one and
three quarter inches (1 3/4"). Tighten the set screws on the bracket that
holds the funnel
onto the stand. The leveling straight edge can be used to check this distance.
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F. Operation Procedures
1. Weigh out 220 2 grams of coffee to be measured into a beaker or suitable
container.
2. Close the funnel gate and pour the product into the center of the funnel.
3. Center the funnel over the product cup.
4. Open the funnel gate. This should be carried out with a quick single motion
to allow
the product to fall freely into the cup in the same manner each time. The cup
should
overflow. If it does not, the same was mis-weighed or the density is outside
the range
of this method.
5. Starting at the back of the cup, place the straight edge perpendicular to
the rim, draw
the blade across the cup in a smooth motion, scraping the excess coffee off
the cup.
Make sure all the coffee is off the rim before weighing.
6. Pour the product from the leveled cup into a pre-tared container and weigh
the
product
7. Density Calculation: weight of product (grams)/ Volume of Cup (550.00cc) =
bulk
density
8. Round off to the nearest .5 gram.
Tamped densities of coffee represent the densities of "roasted coffee"
particles, granules,
pellet(s), and coffee non-granules. 300 grams of coffee are vibrated by
conventional means in a
1000 ml graduated cylinder for 1 minute. The volume of coffee is then measured
to the nearest 5
ml graduation. The tamped density is determined by dividing the weight of the
coffee (grams) by
the volume (cc's) occupied by the particles in the cylinder after vibrating.
In the case of a single
pellet it is the weight (g) of the pellet divided by the volume of the pellet
(cc).
IV. PROCESS FOR MAKING COMPACT COFFEE
Any method which makes compact coffee can be used. One method which may be
used
to make compact coffee can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,227,188.
V. EXAMPLES
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The following are a listing of examples illustrating various embodiments of
the present
invention. It would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other
changes and
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
Example A:
5 A coffee package has principle indicia which is "Folgers;" the coffee
product has a
density of 0.285 g/cc; and a usage indicia which communicates cups messaging.
Example B:
A coffee package has a principle indicia which is "Folgers;" the coffee
product has a
density of 0.35 g/cc; and a usage indicia of cups per package. Specifically,
the user can make
10 270 6 oz cups of coffee from the package.
Example C:
A coffee package has a principle indicia which is "Folgers;" the coffee
product has a
density of 0.30 g/cc; and a usage indicia of cups per package. Specifically,
the user can make 90
6 oz cups of coffee from the package.
Example D:
A coffee package has a principle indicia which is "Millstone;" the coffee
product has a
density of 0.30 g/cc; and a usage indicia of cups per package. Specifically,
the user can make 90
6 oz cups of coffee from the package.
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being
strictly
limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise
specified, each such
dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range
surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is
intended to mean
"about 40 mm."
All documents cited in the Detailed Description are, in relevant part,
incorporated herein
by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an
admission that it is prior
art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or
definition of a term in
this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a
document
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incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in
this document shall
govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated
and
described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other
changes and
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is
therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and
modifications that are
within the scope of this invention.
