U.S. patent application number 11/670998 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-07 for bottle closure containing beverage concentrate.
Invention is credited to Christopher John Marshall.
Application Number | 20070125668 11/670998 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33159220 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070125668 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marshall; Christopher John |
June 7, 2007 |
BOTTLE CLOSURE CONTAINING BEVERAGE CONCENTRATE
Abstract
The present invention relates to controlled flow re-sealable
bottle closures containing a beverage concentrate for use in mixing
flavored water-based beverages at or near the point of consumption
by activation of a mixing mechanism allowing the contents of the
bottle to co-mingle with the beverage concentrate.
Inventors: |
Marshall; Christopher John;
(Ramona, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark H. Snyder, Esq.
Number 23
5020 Codorniz Way
Oceanside
CA
92057
US
|
Family ID: |
33159220 |
Appl. No.: |
11/670998 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10418931 |
Apr 18, 2003 |
7172095 |
|
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11670998 |
Feb 5, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/219 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 51/2892 20130101;
B65D 47/243 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/219 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/08 20060101
B65D025/08 |
Claims
1. A re-sealable, controlled flow bottle closure comprising: a
shell, a beverage concentrate reservoir, and a cap; said shell
having a bottle connector for sealably engaging a bottle; said
beverage concentrate reservoir including a mixing mechanism, a
dispensing aperture, and a beverage concentrate; said cap having an
aperture, wherein said cap is capable of allowing liquid flowing
from said dispensing aperture to flow through said aperture in said
cap.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mixing mechanism
comprises at least one opening in said beverage concentrate
reservoir.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bottle connector
is a threaded bottle connector.
4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bottle connector
is a snap-fit bottle connector.
5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said beverage
concentrate reservoir is at least partially disposed within said
shell.
6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mixing mechanism
comprises at least one opening in said shell.
7. A bottle closure comprising: a shell, a beverage concentrate
reservoir, and a resealable cap, said shell having a bottle
connector for sealably engaging a bottle, and said beverage
concentrate reservoir including a mixing mechanism, a dispensing
aperture, and a beverage concentrate, wherein displacement of said
resealable cap is capable of allowing liquid to flow out of said
dispensing aperture when said bottle closure is engaged with a
bottle containing liquid.
8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said cap contains an
aperture.
9. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said beverage
concentrate comprises a solid form of beverage concentrate.
10. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said beverage
concentrate comprises a liquid form of beverage concentrate.
11. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said beverage
concentrate comprises a nutritional supplement.
12. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said mixing mechanism
is capable of being activated by application of a twisting
force.
13. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said mixing mechanism
is capable of being activated by screw action.
14. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said mixing mechanism
is capable of being activated by application of a pushing
force.
15. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said mixing mechanism
is capable of being activated by application of a pushing force
followed by application of a twisting force.
16. A bottle closure comprising: a shell having a bottle connector
for sealably engaging a bottle, a beverage concentrate reservoir
including a dispensing aperture, a mixing mechanism comprising at
least one opening in said beverage concentrate reservoir and at
least one opening in said shell; and wherein said beverage
concentrate reservoir is at least partially disposed within said
shell.
17. The device as claimed in claim 16, wherein said beverage
concentrate reservoir includes a beverage concentrate.
18. The device as claimed in claim 16, wherein said beverage
concentrate reservoir is capable of being rotated with respect to
said shell.
19. The device as claimed in claim 16, wherein said beverage
concentrate reservoir is capable of being displaced with respect to
said shell.
20. The device as claimed in claim 16, wherein said mixing
mechanism is capable of being activated by relative rotation of
said beverage concentrate reservoir within said shell to at least
partially align said at least one opening in said beverage
concentrate reservoir and at least one opening in said shell.
21. The device as claimed in claim 16, wherein said mixing
mechanism is capable of being activated by relative displacement of
said beverage concentrate reservoir within said shell to at least
partially align said at least one opening in said beverage
concentrate reservoir and at least one opening in said shell.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 10/418,931, filed Apr. 18, 2003, the disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to re-sealable bottle closures
for use with bottled beverages. In particular, the present
invention relates to re-sealable beverage bottle closures that
contain at least one beverage concentrate for use by consumers in
mixing with the contents of the bottle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The popularity of bottled drinking water as an alternative
to tap water has been growing in recent years. In fact, bottled
water, which includes spring water, distilled water, purified
water, mineral water, and others, can be found in nearly every
country in the world today. Although water itself is a popular
beverage, many consumers prefer flavored water-based beverages,
such as those sold under the popular trademarks KOOL-AID.RTM. and
GATORADE.RTM.. Indeed, some flavored water-based drinks may enhance
the body's absorption of vitamins, minerals, and other substances,
as well as increase the body's rate of hydration.
[0004] One problem encountered by flavored beverage consumers has
been the availability of their favorite beverage at or near the
desired point of consumption. For example, the choice of available
flavored beverages from vendors is often limited when visiting
popular tourist attractions. Such vendors desire to maximize sales
with as small a product inventory and selection as possible.
Reduced product inventory and selection also reduces the risk that
a product will not sell before it's shelf life has been
exceeded.
[0005] One method of overcoming the problem of the limited
selection and availability of flavored water-based beverages at or
near the point of consumption is for the consumer to carry the
desired beverage on his person. The obvious problem with this
approach is that it can often be cumbersome, or burdensome to carry
one or more containers of liquid. For example, it may be difficult
for a mother or father to carry multiple beverage containers to a
remote point of consumption for a family having different beverage
preferences.
[0006] Another method of overcoming the problem of the limited
selection and availability of flavored water-based beverages at or
near the point of consumption is for the consumer to carry the
desired beverage drink mix on his person, for mixing with bottled
water available at the point of consumption. The large number of
producers of bottled water products, and their popularity among
consumers, has ensured that bottled water is often available as an
alternative to the most popular flavored beverages. As before, one
problem with this approach is that it can often be cumbersome, or
burdensome to carry one or more large containers of drink mix.
Another problem with this approach is that it is difficult to
measure and mix such drink mixes at the point of consumption using
water sold in bottles. Suitable mixing containers increase the load
that must be carried to the point of consumption. Mixing within the
water bottle itself is often impractical due to the need to
accurately measure and deposit the drink mix through the relatively
narrow neck of the water bottle.
[0007] As a result of the inadequacies of the existing solutions to
these problems, there is a need to provide increased availability
of flavored water-based beverages at the point of consumption.
There is a need to provide easy-to-use, point of consumption,
mechanism for measuring of flavored, water-based drink mixes. There
is a need to provide easy-to-use, point of consumption, mechanism
for mixing of flavored, water-based drink mixes. There is a need to
provide a point of consumption mechanism that incorporates all of
the above, and further contains closure features that allow the
consumer to control the flow of the beverage from the beverage
container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide
consumers with an easy-to use apparatus for mixing flavored
water-based beverages on demand, at or near the point of
consumption.
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
apparatus containing a pre-measured amount of beverage concentrate
for use by a consumer in mixing a flavored water-based beverages at
or near the point of consumption.
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
apparatus for mixing flavored water-based beverages at or near the
point of consumption that is contained within the beverage
container, and does not require the consumer to come into contact
with the beverage contents or beverage concentrate during
mixing.
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
apparatus for mixing flavored water-based beverages at or near the
point of consumption that contains dispensing features that allow
controlled flow of the mixed beverage.
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
apparatus for mixing flavored water-based beverages at or near the
point of consumption that is lightweight and of compact design,
allowing the user to carry numerous such items without significant
burden.
[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
apparatus for mixing flavored water-based beverages at or near the
point of consumption that contains all of the above advantages, and
which is simple to manufacture.
[0014] The present invention includes a re-sealable, controlled
flow bottle closure comprised of a threaded shell having a throat
portion and a container connector portion, with the throat portion
having an elongate wall connected at one end to the container
connector portion. The throat portion of the threaded shell
includes an interior space and a mixing aperture that extends
through the wall and into the interior space.
[0015] The bottle closures of the present invention further include
a beverage concentrate reservoir having a mixing mechanism, which
is at least partially inserted into the interior space of the
throat portion previously described. The beverage concentrate
reservoir is comprised of a tubular reservoir section that contains
a beverage concentrate, as well as an aperture that allows flow of
liquid in the beverage container to co-mingle with the beverage
concentrate when the mixing mechanism is activated and the aperture
in the beverage concentrate reservoir and the aperture in the
throat portion are at least partially aligned. The alignment of the
apertures can be achieved through a number of means. Such means
include, but are not limited to, snap-fit mechanisms, rotational
mechanisms, screw-type mechanisms, and combinations thereof.
[0016] The bottle closures of the present invention further include
features to allow consumers of a beverage to both re-seal the
beverage bottle and to control the flow of the beverage from the
bottle. In this regard, the bottle closures of the present
invention include a cap-and-stem assembly that allows the closure
to be repeatedly opened and re-sealed by a consumer. The
cap-and-stem assembly also serves as a valve to allow the consumer
to control the amount of flow of liquid for consumption from the
beverage container by adjustment of the cap relative to the
stem.
[0017] The present invention also includes methods for use of the
bottle closures of the present invention. Such methods include the
steps of engaging the bottle closures as taught herein with a
beverage bottle, activation of the mixing mechanism to allow the
beverage concentrate to co-mingle with liquid in the bottle to
created a mixed beverage, and adjusting the cap of the cap-and-stem
assembly to allow the mixed beverage to controllably flow from the
beverage bottle.
[0018] The foregoing summary of the invention and further
embodiments of the present invention can be better understood by
reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the
re-sealable bottle closures of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional, partial cut-away view of one
embodiment of the re-sealable bottle closures of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a is a cross-sectional, partial cut-away view of
the same embodiment of the bottle closures of the present invention
as shown in FIG. 2, after activation of the mixing features.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional, partial cut-away view of
another embodiment of the bottle closures of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a is a cross-sectional, partial cut-away view of
the same embodiment of the bottle closures shown in FIG. 4, after
activation of the mixing features.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional, partial cut-away view of
another embodiment of the bottle closures of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a is a cross-sectional, partial cut-away view of
the same embodiment of the bottle closures shown in FIG. 6, after
activation of the mixing features.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional, partial cut-away view of one
embodiment of the bottle closures of the present invention, after
opening of the dispensing features.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a side view of one embodiment of the bottle
closures of the present invention, as inserted and threaded onto
the neck of a beverage container.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of the methods of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] As described more fully below, the present invention is
directed toward re-sealable bottle closures for use with bottled
beverages. More specifically, the present invention relates to
re-sealable, controlled flow bottle closures containing a beverage
concentrate reservoir that can be activated by a consumer of the
bottled beverage at the point of consumption to mix the concentrate
with the bottle contents to create a mixed beverage.
[0030] As used herein, the term "bottle" refers to any beverage
container made of plastic, glass, metal or other material that
contains a threaded top designed for use with a threaded or
snap-fit closure. Such beverage containers are well known in the
beverage industry. There are an almost unlimited number of product
configurations and sizes. The term "bottle" as used herein is not
intended to be limited to any particular container size,
configuration, or material composition.
[0031] As used herein, the phrase "bottled beverage" refers to any
beverage contained in a bottle of the present invention as defined
previously herein. Such bottled beverages can include water,
including without limitation, tap water, purified water, distilled
water, spring water, mineral water, de-ionized water, or carbonated
water.
[0032] As used herein, the phrase "bottle closure" refers
generically to a closure for containers such as the bottles of the
present invention as described previously herein. Such bottle
closures include without limitation, threaded closures, and
re-sealable bottle closures. Such bottle closures need not,
however, be threaded closures, and in some embodiments can be
"snap-fit" type closures.
[0033] As used herein, the phrase "re-sealable closure" refers
generically to a specific class of bottle closures as previously
defined. In general such closures include a cap having an aperture
that fits around and corresponds in shape to a central stem
extending from the closure. The stem and/or support structure for
the stem contain passageways for fluid to escape from the bottle
when the cap is placed in its "open" position, as more fully
described below. The cap can be axially adjustable relative to the
stem using a variety of mechanisms such as by pushing or pulling
the cap, or by screw action relative to the central stem. When the
cap is seated snugly to the stem, and the stem extends through the
aperture on the cap, it is in its closed position, and the bottle
is sealed. When the cap is unseated, and moved axially relative to
the stem, such that the stem does not extend through the aperture
on the cap, it is in its open position, and fluid is capable of
flowing out of the bottle. In this regard, the cap and stem act as
a valve for controlling flow from the bottle. By adjusting the
positioning of the cap axially relative to the stem, the fluid flow
from the bottle can be controlled as desired by the user. The
re-sealable closures of the present invention include this
controlled dispensing feature.
[0034] The re-sealable closures of the present invention include a
beverage concentrate reservoir. The beverage concentrate reservoir
is a cavity within the bottle closure that contains the beverage
concentrate within the bottle closure until it is exposed by the
consumer for mixing with the bottle contents, typically at or near
the point of consumption. Preferably, the beverage concentrate is
pre-measured for use with a specific volume of liquid, such as
water. In this manner, the re-sealable closure can be fitted to a
bottle of water containing an appropriate amount of water to be
mixed with an appropriate amount of beverage concentrate.
[0035] The re-sealable closures of the present invention include at
least one beverage concentrate for use by a consumer of a bottled
beverage in mixing with the contents of the bottled beverage. As
used herein, the phrase "beverage concentrate" refers to a
concentrate of a beverage mixture that is at least semi-soluble in
a bottled beverage of the present invention as described herein.
Such beverage concentrates can be in liquid form, solid form, or
mixtures thereof. Liquid form beverage concentrates include without
limitation, syrups. Solid form beverage concentrates include,
without limitation, powdered mixes, granulated mixes and the like.
Many such beverage concentrates are currently known and used in the
art of beverage mixing. Such beverage concentrates include, without
limitation, popular powdered beverage concentrates sold under
trademarks KOOL-AID.RTM., TANG.RTM., and GATORADE.RTM.. Additional
such beverage concentrates include powdered beverage concentrates
for coffee, juices, teas, and infant formula. Beverage concentrates
of the present invention can also include preparations of
nutritional supplements, such as vitamins and the like. Beverage
concentrates of the present invention can also include preparations
of orally-ingestible medications. Beverage concentrates of the
present invention can also include alcohol-based drinks. It is to
be expressly understood that the beverage concentrates of the
present invention must contain at least one of the above types of
components, but can also include any combination or mixtures
thereof.
[0036] One of the benefits of the bottle closures of the present
invention is the provision of a mechanism that allows a consumer to
mix the beverage concentrate with the bottle contents by activation
of a mixing mechanism incorporated in the bottle closure, and then
dispense the mixed beverage in a controlled fashion. Activation of
the mixing mechanism may occur by screw action, twisting action,
pushing action, and combinations thereof, on the mixing mechanism,
as more described below with regard to the figures and specific
embodiments.
[0037] The present invention will now be described in more detail
with respect to the drawings. As shown in the cross-sectional view
in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention includes a
threaded re-sealable bottle closure 1 having three components, a
circular threaded shell 2, an elongate beverage concentrate
reservoir 3 and a cap 4. It should be understood that the bottle
closures of the present invention are generally circular in shape.
Accordingly, as used in the discussion of the drawings, certain
terms as used herein, such as walls or fins, should be understood
to encompass a single wall or fin, having a circular shape. The
shell 2 includes a generally cylindrical throat portion 5, and a
threaded portion 6. The cylindrical throat portion 5 has elongate
walls 7 that terminate without meeting at one end to define an
open-ended, generally cylindrical space 8. Alternatively, the walls
may bend at the bottom to form a partially enclosed space. The
elongate walls 7 contain at least one aperture 9, as shown in FIGS.
2-8. The threaded portion 6 contains threads 10 for mating with the
opposed threads of a beverage bottle (not shown). The beverage
concentrate reservoir 3 includes a generally cylindrical reservoir
portion 15, and a dispensing portion 20. The cylindrical reservoir
portion 15 has elongate walls 25 that terminate at one end 30 to
create a closed end that define a generally cylindrical cavity
containing a granulated beverage mix 40. The elongate walls 25
terminate at the other end in the dispensing portion 20. As shown
in FIGS. 3-5 and 7-8, the elongate walls 25 include at least one
aperture 45 near the enclosed end 30 of the cylindrical reservoir
portion 15, that, when properly positioned for mixing, matches up
with at least a portion of the aperture(s) 9 in the cylindrical
throat portion 5 of the circular threaded shell 2. The dispensing
portion 20 contains a generally cylindrical stem 50 extending
therefrom, having a diameter smaller than that of the cylindrical
reservoir portion 15. Around the base of the stem 50 are a number
of small apertures 55 to allow passage of liquid from a beverage
container when the cap 4 is properly positioned. Also extending
transversely from the walls of the dispensing portion 20 is a fin
60 for activation of the mixing features in certain embodiments of
the present invention. The beverage concentrate reservoir 3 can be
friction-fit, but preferably, as shown, is snap-fit into the throat
portion 5 of the threaded shell 2. One or more retaining barb(s) 62
can be located on and extend around at least a portion of the
circumference of the walls 25 of the beverage concentrate reservoir
3 to keep the beverage concentrate reservoir 3 in fixed axial
position relative to the throat portion 5, which contains
corresponding depression(s) 85, 86 to accept the barb(s) 62. The
radial positioning of the beverage concentrate reservoir 3 can also
be maintained by a protrusion 64 located on the wall 25 of the
beverage concentrate reservoir 3, and which fits into a
corresponding depression in the wall 7 of the throat portion of the
threaded shell 2.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the re-sealable bottle closures
of the present invention also include features for controlled
dispensing of the beverages. A cap 4 having a central aperture 100
and which is axially adjustable about the stem 50 extending from
the dispensing portion 20. The axial movement of the cap 4 relative
to the stem 50 is limited in one direction by the shoulder 65
formed by the walls of the dispensing portion 20 of the beverage
concentrate reservoir 3. The axial movement of the cap 4 relative
to the stem 50 is limited in the other direction by the bead 70 of
cap 4, and the opposed bead 75 located on the walls of the
dispensing portion 20 of the beverage concentrate reservoir 3.
[0039] As shown in the cross-sectional, and partial cut-away view
in FIGS. 2 and 3, the elongate wall 7 of the circular threaded
shell 2 contains an aperture 9. With the mixing mechanism in its
closed position, the aperture 45 (not shown in FIG. 2) in the
elongate wall 25 of the beverage concentrate reservoir 3 is not
visible. As a result the beverage concentrate 40 is not allowed to
mix with the beverage bottle contents.
[0040] As shown in the partial cross-sectional view in FIG. 3, the
mixing mechanism in FIG. 2 has been activated by use of a force,
such as through pressure from a consumer's thumb and as shown by
arrows 80 on the fin 60 to rotate the beverage concentrate
reservoir 3 within the threaded shell 2. With the mixing mechanism
in its opened position, the aperture 45, now visible in the
elongate wall 25 of the beverage concentrate reservoir 3 and
aligned with aperture 9 of the threaded shell 2 allows co-mingling
of the beverage concentrate 40 with the beverage bottle contents.
Although not required, it is preferred that the beverage
concentrate reservoir 3 contain a headspace 110, comprising a
greater volume than is required for containing the beverage
concentrate 40 alone, which provides additional mixing volume for
enhanced ease in mixing the beverage concentrate and the beverage
container contents.
[0041] As shown in the partial cross-sectional view of another
embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 4, the elongate wall 25
of the beverage concentrate reservoir 3 contains barb 62 which runs
around at least a portion of the circumference of the outer surface
of wall 25. The inner surface of elongate wall 7 of the circular
threaded shell 2 contains two depressions 85, 86 spaced apart
axially along the elongate wall 7 for receiving the barb 62. As
shown with the mixing mechanism in closed position in FIG. 4, the
beverage concentrate reservoir 3 is partially inserted into the
threaded shell 2, and the barb 62 is engaged in the first of the
two depressions 85. With the mixing mechanism in its closed
position, the aperture 45 (partially shown in cut-away) in the
elongate wall 25 of the beverage concentrate reservoir 3 is not
visible. As a result the beverage concentrate 40 is not allowed to
mix with the beverage bottle contents.
[0042] As shown in the partial cross-sectional view in FIG. 5, the
mixing mechanism in FIG. 4 has been activated by use of a force as
shown by arrows 94 on the top of the dispensing portion 20 of the
beverage concentrate reservoir 3 and cap 4 to slide the beverage
concentrate reservoir 3 deeper within the threaded shell 2 until
the shoulder 65 of the beverage concentrate reservoir 3 contacts
the threaded shell 2 and the barb 62 releases from depression 85
along the inner surface of elongate wall 7, and engages lower
depression 86. With the mixing mechanism in its opened position,
the aperture 45, now visible in the elongate wall 25 of the
beverage concentrate reservoir 3 and aligned with aperture 9 of the
threaded shell 2 allows co-mingling of the beverage concentrate 40
with the beverage bottle contents. Although not required, it is
preferred that the beverage concentrate reservoir 3 contain a
headspace 110, comprising a greater volume than is required for
containing the beverage concentrate 40 alone, which provides
additional mixing volume for enhanced ease in mixing the beverage
concentrate and the beverage container contents.
[0043] As shown in the partial cross-sectional view of another
embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 6, the elongate wall 25
of the beverage concentrate reservoir 3 contains a thread 90 which
runs in generally spiral fashion around at least a portion of the
circumference of the outer surface of wall 25. The inner surface of
elongate wall 7 of the circular threaded shell 2 contains a
corresponding generally spiral depression 92 for receiving the
thread 90. As shown with the mixing mechanism in closed position in
FIG. 6, the beverage concentrate reservoir 3 is partially inserted
into the threaded shell 2, and the thread 90 is engaged in the
upper portion of the spiral depression 92. With the mixing
mechanism in its closed position, the aperture 45 in the elongate
wall 25 of the beverage concentrate reservoir 3 is not visible. As
a result the beverage concentrate 40 is not allowed to mix with the
beverage bottle contents.
[0044] As shown in the partial cross-sectional view in FIG. 7, the
mixing mechanism in FIG. 6 has been activated by use of a force,
such as through pressure from a consumer's thumb and as shown by
arrows 96 on the fin 60 to rotate the beverage concentrate
reservoir 3 within the threaded shell 2, causing the thread 90 to
bear along the depressions 92, and become further inserted in the
threaded shell 2 until the beverage concentrate reservoir 3 engages
the shoulder 65 of the threaded shell 2. With the mixing mechanism
in its opened position, the aperture 45, now visible in the
elongate wall 25 of the beverage concentrate reservoir 3 and
aligned with aperture 9 of the threaded shell 2 allows co-mingling
of the beverage concentrate 40 with the beverage bottle contents.
Although not required, it is preferred that the beverage
concentrate reservoir 3 contain a headspace 110, comprising a
greater volume than is required for containing the beverage
concentrate 40 alone, which provides additional mixing volume for
enhanced ease in mixing the beverage concentrate and the beverage
container contents.
[0045] The incorporation of features which control flow of the
mixed beverage upon being dispensed from the beverage container is
an important aspect of the invention. As shown in the partial
cross-sectional view in FIG. 8, the cap 4 is opened to allow flow
of liquid from the beverage container and through flow restricting
apertures 55, and aperture 100. Cap 4 is opened by application of a
force such as through pressure from a consumer's thumb and as shown
by arrows 98 on the sides of cap 4, causing it to slide upward from
the dispensing portion 20 of beverage concentrate reservoir 3 and
to disengage stem 50. The axial movement of the cap 4 relative to
the stem 50 is limited in one direction by the shoulder 65 formed
by the walls of the dispensing portion 20 of the beverage
concentrate reservoir 3. The axial movement of the cap 4 relative
to the stem 50 is limited in the other direction by the bead 70 of
cap 4, and the opposed bead 75 located on the walls of the
dispensing portion 20 of the beverage concentrate reservoir 3.
[0046] As shown in the side view in FIG. 9, re-sealable bottle
closure according to the present invention is threaded on to a
water bottle 120. The threaded shell 2 containing the beverage
concentrate reservoir in the throat portion 7 can be seen extending
down through the neck of the water bottle 120. The fin 60 extending
outwardly from the beverage concentrate reservoir for activating
the mixing mechanism is visible. Also visible, are stem 50
extending through cap 4.
[0047] One advantage of the present invention is that it can be
easily manufactured with known techniques, such as plastic molding,
used in the manufacture of bottle closures.
[0048] Another advantage of the present invention is that the three
components, the cap, the beverage concentrate reservoir, and the
threaded shell remain together before and during use, so as not to
create refuse for disposal prior to disposal of the beverage
container.
[0049] Another advantage of the present invention is its light
weight and small size when compared to a bottled beverage. A
consumer can easily carry a number of the re-sealable bottle
closures on their person to a point of consumption without
significant burden. A unique feature of the present invention is
that the re-sealable bottle closure is compatible with, and can be
used by a consumer, on demand, in conjunction with almost any
bottled beverage, particularly bottled water, to create a mixed
beverage.
[0050] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it
allows the user to mix a pre-measured amount of beverage
concentrate with a liquid, such as water, in a beverage container
without having to come into contact with either the beverage
concentrate or the beverage container contents.
[0051] The methods for using the re-sealable, controlled flow
bottle closures of the present invention are described more fully
with respect to FIG. 10. Such methods include taking a sealed
bottled beverage, such as water, which can be purchased from a
vendor at or near a point of consumption, and removing the
container's original closure. After the beverage container is
opened, a re-sealable bottle closure of the present invention is
inserted into the neck of the beverage container and threaded, or
snap-fit depending upon the attachment mechanism, to the exposed
threads on the beverage container 200. Once sealed in this manner,
the mixing mechanism can be activated by the user, allowing the
components to co-mingle and mix together to create a mixed beverage
210. Because mixing occurs within the sealed bottle, the consumer
does not come into contact with either the beverage concentrate or
the beverage container contents until it is desired to dispense
them. As a further step for consuming the mixed beverage, the
consumer can open the bottle closure by adjusting the cap axially
along the stem, allowing the beverage contents to be dispensed in a
controlled fashion 220. If desired, the beverage container can be
re-sealed for later repeated use by the consumer by resealing the
cap on the stem.
[0052] The foregoing description of the invention has been
presented for purposes of illustration and description. Further,
the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form
disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications
commensurate with the above teachings, and the skill or knowledge
in the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention.
The embodiment described hereinabove is further intended to explain
modes for practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in
the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with
various modifications required by their particular applications or
uses of the invention. It is intended that the appended claims be
construed to include alternate embodiments to the extent permitted
by the prior art.
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