Packaging for a potable liquid and method of providing said packaging

Abstract

Packaging for a potable liquid includes an inner core and an outer portion; said inner core comprising an edible matrix capable of retaining liquid; said outer portion substantially enclosing said core so as to prevent evaporation of said liquid, and said core retaining said liquid when said core is exposed such that substantially all of said liquid is retained therein upon removal of at least part of the said outer portion, in use.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Packaging for a potable liquid including an inner core and an outer portion; said inner core comprising an edible matrix capable of retaining liquid; said outer portion substantially enclosing said core so as to prevent evaporation of said liquid, and said core retaining said liquid when said core is exposed such that substantially all of said liquid is retained therein upon removal of at least part of the said outer portion, in use.  
     
     
         2 . Packaging as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said core has interstices arranged to retain said liquid.  
     
     
         3 . Packaging as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said outer portion is a skin.  
     
     
         4 . Packaging as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said core has a dry weight of 2.5% or less than a weight of said packaging containing said liquid.  
     
     
         5 . Packaging as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said core is formed from a plurality of segments.  
     
     
         6 . Packaging as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said outer portion is marked with segmentation indicators.  
     
     
         7 . Packaging as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said core retains at least 95%, of said liquid retained therein upon cleaving of said core.  
     
     
         8 . Packaging as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said core is formed of an edible solid foam material.  
     
     
         9 . Packaging as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said outer portion dissolves in a second liquid, in use.  
     
     
         10 . Packaging as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said core dissolves in a second liquid, in use.  
     
     
         11 . Packaging as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said second liquid is at an elevated temperature relative to ambient, in use.  
     
     
         12 . Packaging as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said second liquid is at an elevated temperature relative to ambient, in use.  
     
     
         13 . Packaging as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said core remains substantially solid upon the introduction of said liquid therein.  
     
     
         14 . Packaging as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said core has cross-ribs therein.  
     
     
         15 . Packaging as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said liquid is carbonated by introducing a gas into said core.  
     
     
         16 . Packaging as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said gas is introduced through said outer portion.  
     
     
         17 . Packaging as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said liquid retained therein is a pharmaceutical.  
     
     
         18 . Packaging as claimed in  claim 1  in combination with a straw.  
     
     
         19 . A combination as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said straw is adapted to liquidise said core, in use.  
     
     
         20 . A potable liquid delivery system wherein a plurality of minor packages are contained within a major package, said major package comprising an inner core and an outer portion; said inner core comprising an edible matrix capable of retaining liquid; said outer portion substantially enclosing said core so as to prevent evaporation of said liquid, and said core retaining said liquid when said core is exposed such that substantially all of said liquid is retained therein upon removal of at least part of the said outer portion, in use.  
     
     
         21 . A system according to  claim 20  wherein said minor packages comprise an inner core and an outer portion, said inner core comprising an edible matrix capable of retaining liquid; said outer portion substantially enclosing said core so as to prevent evaporation of said liquid, and said core retaining said liquid when said core is exposed such that substantially all of said liquid is retained therein upon removal of at least part of the said outer portion, in use.  
     
     
         22 . A method of providing packaging for a liquid including: 
 i) providing an inner core in the form of a matrix capable of holding a liquid;    ii) dosing said core with a liquid such that said liquid resides in said matrix; and    iii) substantially enclosing said core in said outer portion so as to substantially prevent evaporation of said liquid.    
     
     
         23 . A method-as claimed in  claim 22  including the step of passing A gas into the core.