Beverage package

A beverage package comprising an openable primary container containing a beverage and a gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure in a head space, and a secondary container within the primary container, the secondary container containing a component for adding to the beverage in the primary container prior to consumption thereof and a gas in equilibrium with the gas in the head space when the primary container is closed, the arrangement being such that the component is stored separately from the beverage when the primary container is closed and, when the primary container is opened, the pressure in the head space is released creating a pressure differential with the gas in the secondary container whereby the stored component in the secondary container is forced from the secondary container into the primary container for mixing with the beverage in the primary container prior to consumption thereof.

A beverage package according to any preceding claim wherein, the contents of the secondary container comprise a liquid or solid, and preferably include one or more of colouring agents, flavouring agents, vitamins, health supplements, glucose and high energy supplements.

A beverage package according to any preceding claim wherein, the beverage is carbonated or nor-carbonated.

A beverage package according to any preceding claims wherein, the beverage is non-alcoholic or alcoholic.

A method of packaging a beverage comprising providing a primary container and a secondary container of smaller volume than the primary container, charging the secondary container with a liquid or solid and locating the secondary container in the primary container, charging the primary container with a beverage and sealing the primary container under a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, whereby, when the primary container is opened the pressure is released causing the contents of the secondary container to be released into the beverage.

A method of packaging a beverage comprising providing a primary container and a secondary container of smaller volume than the primary container, charging the secondary container with a liquid or solid and locating the secondary container in the primary container, charging the primary container with a beverage and sealing the primary container to form a primary head space containing a gas at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure in the primary container, and charging the secondary container with gas from the primary container to substantially equalise the pressures in the primary and secondary containers so that, when the primary container is opened the primary headspace is vented to atmosphere creating a pressure differential between the primary and secondary containers whereby the contents of the secondary container are released into the beverage by the gas in the secondary container.

A beverage package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

A beverage package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings as modified by any of FIGS. 7 to 23 of the accompanying drawings.

A beverage package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 24 to 29 of the accompanying drawings.

A beverage package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 24 to 29 of the accompanying drawings as modified by FIGS. 30 and 31 of the accompanying drawings.

A beverage package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIG. 32 of the accompanying drawings.

A method of producing a beverage package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.