Consumable items provided with scented packaging and using scent to reduce ingredients in consumable items

Abstract

Scented packaging may provide an aromatic gas to a consumer upon consumption, such as may be used to augment a flavor, and/or add a flavor to a consumable item. Consumable items configured for consumption in the presence of an aromatic gas may be reduced in caloric sweetener content, reduced in salt content, reduced in the content of another ingredient or a combination of ingredients may be reduced in content. Scented packaging may also provide a scent that acts to remove or block an undesirable scent provided from a consumable item or portion of packaging.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A beverage and packaging comprising:
 a container configured for holding said beverage;   said beverage comprising an ingredient that has a characteristic taste;   wherein said container is in fluid communication with a dispense opening configured to provide said beverage to a consumer; and   a component of packaging comprising aromatic material;   wherein said component of packaging is configured to release a portion of said aromatic material as an aromatic gas to a compartment;   wherein said compartment is in gaseous communication with a vent opening;   wherein said vent opening is configured to provide said aromatic gas to a consumer;   wherein said aromatic gas has a complementary scent to said characteristic taste.   
     
     
         2 . The beverage and packaging of  claim 1  wherein said beverage comprises at least one fruit component and at least one vegetable component. 
     
     
         3 . The beverage and packaging of  claim 2  wherein said complementary scent is a fruity scent. 
     
     
         4 . The beverage and packaging of  claim 3  wherein said fruity scent is selected from the group consisting of apple, grape, orange, grapefruit, lemon, banana, strawberry, mango, pear, pineapple, raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, peach, passion fruit, lychee, cherry, mangosteen, pomegranate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The beverage and packaging of  claim 1  wherein said beverage is a reduced-calorie beverage;
 wherein said characteristic taste comprises a sweet taste; 
 wherein said complementary scent comprises a vanilla, caramel, chocolate, coffee, or fruit-like scent or any combination thereof. 
 
     
     
         13 . The beverage and packaging of  claim 12  wherein said fruit-like scent is selected from the group consisting of an apple, grape, orange, grapefruit, lemon, banana, strawberry, mango, pear, pineapple, raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, peach, passion fruit, lychee, cherry, mangosteen, pomegranate scent and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The beverage and packaging of  claim 1  wherein said beverage is a reduced-salt beverage;
 wherein said characteristic taste comprises a salt taste; 
 wherein said complementary scent is selected from the group consisting of soy-sauce, anchovy, sardine, pretzel, cheese, popcorn, bullion, bacon, nut, olive, caper-like scent, and any combination thereof. 
 
     
     
         21 . The beverage and packaging of  claim 20  wherein said nut scent is selected from the group of almond, hazelnut, macadamia, peanut, pecan, pistachio, chestnut, walnut, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The beverage and packaging of  claim 1  wherein said component of packaging comprises a scent insert. 
     
     
         23 . The beverage and packaging of  claim 1  wherein at least one wall of said compartment is plastic and wherein said at least one wall includes said aromatic material. 
     
     
         24 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A beverage and packaging comprising:
 a container configured for holding said beverage;   said beverage comprising an ingredient that has a characteristic taste;   wherein said container is in fluid communication with a dispense opening configured to provide said beverage to a consumer;   a headspace region contained within said container between said dispense opening and said beverage;   a component of packaging comprising aromatic material;   wherein said component of packaging is configured to release a portion of said aromatic material as an aromatic gas to a compartment;   wherein said compartment is in gaseous communication with a vent opening;   wherein said vent opening is configured to provide said aromatic gas to a consumer;   wherein said aromatic gas has a complementary scent to said characteristic taste;   wherein said compartment and said headspace are not in gaseous communication with each other.   
     
     
         28 . The beverage and packaging of  claim 27  wherein the compartment is part of a cap. 
     
     
         29 . The beverage and packaging of  claim 28  wherein said cap comprises threads;
 wherein said threads are configured to permit a consumer to rotate said cap. 
 
     
     
         30 . The beverage and packaging of  claim 29  wherein the packaging is configured such that rotation of the cap initiates contact between a top portion of said container and a wall of said compartment of the cap;
 wherein said wall is configured such that said contact provides a deforming stress to said wall; 
 wherein the aromatic material is configured such that the deforming stress enhances the release of said aromatic material. 
 
     
     
         31 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A beverage and packaging comprising:
 a container having said beverage disposed therein;   said beverage comprising an ingredient that possesses a characteristic taste;   a cap comprising a dispensing hole in fluid communication with said beverage;   wherein a headspace compartment is defined within said container between said dispensing hole and said beverage;   a scent insert;   wherein said scent insert is configured for venting gas to said headspace;   wherein said gas possess a complementary scent to said characteristic taste.   
     
     
         39 . The beverage and packaging of  claim 38  wherein the cap further comprises a rim and threads;
 wherein said threads are configured for rotatable mounting of said cap upon said container; 
 wherein said rim and said scent insert are configured such that rotation of the cap compresses said scent insert. 
 
     
     
         40 . The beverage and packaging of  claim 39  wherein the scent insert is configured such that compression of the scent insert enhances a rate of venting gas to said headspace. 
     
     
         41 . The beverage and packaging of  claim 39  wherein the rotatable mounting of said cap is configured such that the cap may be rotated for a plurality of revolutions;
 wherein each revolution among said plurality of revolutions results in compression of said scent insert. 
 
     
     
         42 . The beverage and packaging of  claim 39  wherein the scent insert comprises a covering;
 wherein the scent insert is configured such that selected compression of said scent insert will puncture said covering. 
 
     
     
         43 . The beverage and packaging of  claim 42  wherein the scent insert is configured such that said puncturing of the covering initiates release of scent for a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         44 - 59 . (canceled)