Claims
- 1. An elongated packaging device for packaging at least one disc-shaped item with a beverage or other liquid refreshment in a container having a removable cover including a central opening adapted to receive and retain a straw, said device comprising:
a wafer having a first annular chamber and support means mounted within said first annular chamber to positively receive and retain said disc-shaped item within said first annular chamber and a raised annular rim extending around the perimeter of said wafer; a protective element adapted to be sealingly engaged with said support means and said raised annular lip so as to create a relatively water-tight annular chamber within said wafer; and said wafer further including attachment means for engaging the opening of said cover to positively secure said wafer to said cover.
- 2. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein said means for supporting and protecting includes means to limit said disc-shaped item from moving in a horizontal and vertical direction while allowing said disc-shaped item to rotate.
- 3. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein said support means comprises a cylindrical structure including a passageway corresponding to said central opening, wherein said passageway and said central opening are aligned so as to allow passage of said straw therethrough.
- 4. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein said means for supporting and protecting further includes a raised annular shoulder.
- 5. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein said means for sealing engagement comprises a heat seal.
- 6. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein said protective element includes penetration means disposed at the center thereof corresponding to said central opening, wherein said penetration means, said passageway and said opening are aligned so as to allow passage of said straw therethrough.
- 7. The packaging device of claim 6, wherein said penetration means comprises a cross-shaped incision.
- 8. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the height of said support means and said raised rim are greater than the thickness of said disc-shaped media.
- 9. The packaging device of claim 8, wherein the height of said support means and said raised rim are substantially the same such that the peak of said support means and said raised rim are substantially coplanar.
- 10. An elongated packaging device for packaging at least one disc-shaped item with a beverage or other liquid refreshment in a container having a removable cover including a central opening adapted to receive and retain a straw, said device comprising:
a wafer having a first annular chamber including support means mounted within said first annular chamber to positively receive and retain said disc-shaped item within said first annular chamber and a raised annular rim extending around the perimeter of said wafer, said support means comprising a cylindrical structure having a passageway corresponding to said central opening adapted to limit said disc-shaped item from moving in a horizontal and vertical direction while allowing said disc-shaped item to rotate; and a protective element adapted to be sealingly engaged with said support means and said raised annular rim so as to create a relatively water-tight annular chamber within said wafer, said protective element further including penetration means disposed at the center thereof corresponding to said central opening, wherein said penetration means, said passageway and said opening may be aligned so as to allow passage of said straw therethrough.
- 11. The packaging device of claim 10, wherein said wafer further includes attachment means for engaging the opening of said cover to positively secure said wafer to said cover.
- 12. A method for packaging a disc-shaped item and a beverage in a container having a removable cover including a central opening adapted to receive and retain a straw, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a wafer having a first annular chamber including support means mounted within said first annular chamber to positively receive and retain said disc-shaped item within said first annular chamber and a raised annular rim extending around the perimeter of said wafer; providing a protective element adapted to be sealingly engaged with said support means and said raised annular rim so as to create a relatively water-tight annular chamber within said wafer; inserting said disc-shaped item into said annular chamber and positively retaining it therein; sealing said chamber with said protective element; providing a beverage container for a beverage; filling said beverage container with a beverage; affixing said cover to said beverage container; and affixing said wafer to said cover.
- 13. A method for packaging a disc-shaped item and a beverage in a container having a removable cover including a central opening adapted to receive and retain a straw, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a wafer having a first annular chamber including support means mounted within said first annular chamber to positively receive and retain said disc-shaped item within said first annular chamber and a raised annular rim extending around the perimeter of said wafer, wherein said wafer further includes attachment means for engaging the opening of said cover to positively secure said wafer to said cover; providing a protective element adapted to be sealingly engaged with said support means and said raised annular rim so as to create a relatively water-tight annular chamber within said wafer; inserting said disc-shaped item into said annular chamber and positively retaining it therein; sealing said chamber with said protective element; providing a beverage container for a beverage; filling said beverage container with a beverage; affixing said cover to said beverage container; and affixing said wafer to said cover by engaging said attachment means with said central opening in said cover.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/565,396 filed on May. 5, 2000 in the names of Alexandra Gordon and Charles W. Grimes for “Wafer Packaging Device for Disc-Shaped Items and Related Materials and Method for Packaging Such Disks and Material” which, in turn, was a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/161,064 filed on Sep. 25, 1998 in the names of Alexandra Gordon and Charles W. Grimes for “Packaging Device for Disc-Shaped Items and Related Materials and Method for Packaging Such Disks and Material.”
Continuation in Parts (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09565396 |
May 2000 |
US |
Child |
09916852 |
Jul 2001 |
US |
Parent |
09161064 |
Sep 1998 |
US |
Child |
09565396 |
May 2000 |
US |