U.S. patent application number 14/377167 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-25 for flavor chamber.
The applicant listed for this patent is Renere Lopez, Phillip Martin. Invention is credited to Renere Lopez, Phillip Martin.
Application Number | 20140377415 14/377167 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48948159 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140377415 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martin; Phillip ; et
al. |
December 25, 2014 |
Flavor Chamber
Abstract
The invention is a flavor enhancement delivery system named The
Flavor Chamber. A bladder (A), (B), (C) that is attached to the
underside of a bottle cap (24) and is intended to replace the cap
seal (1). In a can, the bladder (D) is attached to the underside of
a multi-spout can top (E). The shape and color varies per the
function and visualization of the product such as a green, yellow
or orange citrus wedge bladder (A) to represent a lime, lemon or
orange citrus flavor respectively as seen through a clear bottle.
It may be a neutral colored dome shape bladder (B) for a generic
look that does not represent a flavor well by shape and may not be
seen such as in a darker bottle. It may be shaped to the dimensions
and circumference of the underside of a multi-spout can top (E) and
hold a flavor chamber (10) under each individual can top opening
(11). Its intent is to offer the option of choosing a flavor
enhancement to the beverage after opening the container or choosing
not to enhance the original flavor. Other substances can be
inserted into the bladders (A), (B), (C), (D) per design of the
manufacture and non-beverage applications and industries may adopt
the flavor chamber bladder idea for use with different products and
chemicals.
Inventors: |
Martin; Phillip; (Lake
Forest, CA) ; Lopez; Renere; (Santa Ana, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Martin; Phillip
Lopez; Renere |
Lake Forest
Santa Ana |
CA
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48948159 |
Appl. No.: |
14/377167 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
February 6, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US13/24948 |
371 Date: |
August 6, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61660671 |
Jun 15, 2012 |
|
|
|
61642028 |
May 3, 2012 |
|
|
|
61639194 |
Apr 27, 2012 |
|
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|
61595582 |
Feb 6, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
426/115 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 23/02 20130101;
A47J 31/0636 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/115 |
International
Class: |
B65D 23/02 20060101
B65D023/02 |
Claims
1. A beverage flavor enhancer system comprising a bladder with a
hollow internal cavity capable of holding a flavor enhancer in a
sealed manner with a cap seal the cap seal further attached to a
bottle cap and wherein the hollow bladder has a perforated slit at
the opposite end of the cap seal.
2. The beverage flavor enhancer system of claim 1 wherein the
bladder has a texture and a fruit shape.
3. The beverage flavor enhancer system of claim 1 wherein the
flavor enhancer is colored.
4. A beverage flavor enhancer system comprising a bladder with a
hollow internal cavity capable of holding a flavor enhancer in a
sealed manner with a cap seal the cap seal further removeably
attached to a bottle cap and wherein the hollow bladder has a
perforated slit in the cap seal.
5. The beverage flavor enhancer system of claim 4 wherein the
bladder has a texture and a fruit shape.
6. The beverage flavor enhancer system of claim 4 wherein the
flavor enhancer is colored.
7. A beverage flavor enhancer system comprising a bladder with a
hollow internal cavity capable of holding a flavor enhancer in a
sealed manner with a cap seal the cap seal further attached to a
bottle cap and wherein the hollow bladder has a perforated slit
that is sealed with a pull tab.
8. The beverage flavor enhancer system of claim 7 wherein the
bladder has a texture and a fruit shape.
9. The beverage flavor enhancer system of claim 4 wherein the
flavor enhancer is colored.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S.
provisional applications No. 61/595,582, filed Feb. 6, 2012, and
entitled Flavor Option (A), No. 61/639,194, filed Apr. 27, 2012,
and entitled Bottle Bladder (B), No. 61/642,028, filed May 3, 2012,
and entitled Bottle Bladder 2 (C), No. 61/660,671, filed Jun. 15,
2012, and entitled Multi-Spout Can Top (E) with Flavor Enhancement
Bladder (D).
[0002] The invention is a flavor enhancement delivery system named
The Flavor Chamber. A bladder (A), (B), (C) that is attached to the
underside of a bottle cap (24) and is intended to replace the cap
seal (1). In a can, the bladder (D) is attached to the underside of
a multi-spout can top (E). The shape and color varies per the
function and visualization of the product such as a green, yellow
or orange citrus wedge bladder (A) to represent a lime, lemon or
orange citrus flavor respectively as seen through a clear bottle.
It may be a neutral colored dome shape bladder (B) for a generic
look that does not represent a flavor well by shape and may not be
seen such as in a darker bottle. It may be shaped to the dimensions
and circumference of the underside of a multi-spout can top (E) and
hold a flavor chamber (10) under each individual can top opening
(11). Its intent is to offer the option of choosing a flavor
enhancement to the beverage after opening the container or choosing
not to enhance the original flavor. Other substances can be
inserted into the bladders (A), (B), (C), (D) per design of the
manufacture and non-beverage applications and industries may adopt
the flavor chamber bladder idea for use with different products and
chemicals.
BACKGROUND
The Problem
[0003] Often times a situation arises where a bottled or canned
beverage is offered with no thought to bring a flavor enhancement
that may complement the beverage. Some enjoy a lemon in their tea
or water, a lime, orange, salt or chili powder in their beer,
vitamins and ginseng for their juice, chocolate or strawberry in
their milk, or any other liquid or dry-mix that may complement a
beverage. Many people like these substances with their beverages
but the availability of them is often scarce. Companies often
advertise with flavor enhancements such as a lime wedge in the top
of a beer bottle but don't provide it when sold. Some beverages
come with these enhancement flavors already added in them, but if
not desired there is no choice to deny the enhancement. There is
also a certain enjoyment to have a tingling on the lips when the
juice is at the rim of the bottle as opposed to have just a lime
flavored beverage. Another common concern is when a lime wedge may
be inserted when not requested, containing germs from the unknown
origins of the product. The answer to these problems is The Flavor
Chamber.
Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention is in the field of beverage and
pertains to squeezing, cutting, severing or perforating a plastic
bladder for releasing a flavoring into a beverage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Prototype Production
[0005] The prototype bladders (A), (B), (C),(D) were developed on a
rapid prototype machine from a three dimensional CAD design from
polymer type full cure 73/20 tango shore 50A material. The bladders
were made to be soft and squeezable with an opaque appearance that
can display a color change dependent upon the flavor enhancer in
the bladder.
[0006] The multi-spout can top (E) is a hard white plastic with a
rotating lift tab (12).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. A shows No. 61/595,582, filed Feb. 6, 2012, and
entitled Flavor Option
[0008] FIG. B shows No. 61/639,194, filed Apr. 27, 2012, and
entitled Bottle Bladder
[0009] FIG. C shows No. 61/642,028, filed May 3, 2012, and entitled
Bottle Bladder 2
[0010] FIG. D shows No. 61/660,671, filed Jun. 15, 2012, and
entitled Flavor Enhancement Bladder
[0011] FIG. E shows No. 61/660,671, filed Jun. 15, 2012, and
entitled Multi-Spout Can Top
[0012] FIG. 1 shows Cap seal
[0013] FIG. 2 shows Perforated split
[0014] FIG. 3 shows Pull tab
[0015] FIG. 4 shows Circumscribed perforation
[0016] FIG. 5 shows Horizontal ridges
[0017] FIG. 6 shows Compressed
[0018] FIG. 7 shows Expanded
[0019] FIG. 8 shows Perforated hole
[0020] FIG. 9 shows Hollow internal cavity
[0021] FIG. 10 shows Flavor chamber
[0022] FIG. 11 Can top opening
[0023] FIG. 12 shows Rotating lift tab
[0024] FIG. 13 shows Metallic drop down
[0025] FIG. 14 shows Vertical folds
[0026] FIG. 15 shows Rind
[0027] FIG. 16 shows Perforated flaps
[0028] FIG. 17 shows Lift tab pivot point
[0029] FIG. 18 shows Dimples
[0030] FIG. 19 shows Pulp
[0031] FIG. 20 shows Convex bumps
[0032] FIG. 21 shows Separators
[0033] FIG. 22 shows Lifted sides
[0034] FIG. 23 shows Drip canal
[0035] FIG. 24 shows Bottle Cap
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0036] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for
purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present
invention and not for purposes of limiting the same, a flavor
delivery system. All bottle bladders FIGS. (A), (B), (C), are
attached via adhesive or heat melding, as per the manufacture, to a
cap (24) as the cap seal (1) inside the beverage and house a flavor
enhancer in a hollow internal cavity (5). Bladder FIG. (A) has the
flavor enhancer delivered through a perforated split (2). Designed
as a one handed approach, the perforated split (2) will separate
upon pressure of being squeezed, allowing for the flavor enhancer
to be dispensed into the top of the beverage container.
[0037] In another preferred embodiment bladder FIG. (B) has a pull
tab (3) and requires a two handed delivery approach. One hand holds
the cap (24) above the bottle opening and the other pulls the pull
tab (3), tearing the perforation (4) and releasing the flavor
enhancer into the bottle.
[0038] In another preferred embodiment bladder FIG. (C) is
compressed (6) while in the bottle via collapsing vertical folds
(14) and becomes expanded (7) when removed from the bottle. When
the expanded (7) bladder (C) is pushed back down upon the rim of
the bottle rim, creating pressure within the bladder (C) which
squeezes the flavor enhancer through a perforated hole (8) in the
bottom center of bladder (C).
[0039] Bladder (D) is attached to the underside of the multi-spout
can top (E). The perforated chambers (10) are placed directly below
each of the can top openings (11). In the case of no flavor
enhancement being chosen, the original drink opening has no flavor
enhancement below it. When the rotating lift tab (12) is rotated to
a can top opening (11) other than the original flavor, the flavor
enhancement is released by the metallic drop down (13) tearing the
perforated flaps (16) and releasing the flavor enhancer.
[0040] The Shapes:
[0041] For bottles, the cap seal (1) of the bladders FIGS. (A), (B)
(C) are on top and made to replace and resemble the conventional
seal of the container, being circular and disk shaped while
conforming to the top rim of the container and attached to the
underside of the container cap (24).
[0042] Bladder FIG. (A) is shaped to resemble a slice of citrus
fruit and may be colored accordingly in manufacturing to green for
lime flavor, yellow for lemon flavor, orange for orange flavor or
any other shapes and colors that may be express the type of flavor
enhancer that is in the bladder (A). Also disclosed any fruit
shaped bladder such as grape or banana that can hold a flavor
enhancer and colored to represent fresh fruit.
[0043] Bladder FIG. (B) is a dome shape, intended to house flavors
that do not represent themselves well by shape and that may not be
readily visualized such as in a darker bottle. The bladder has a
pull tab (3) at the bottom that is also dome shaped with a thin
profile and horizontal ridges (5) to improve grip.
[0044] Bladder FIG. (C) is designed with four vertical folds (14)
along the sides increasing in depth from top to bottom allowing
distal contraction (6) of the bladder FIG. (C) when inside the
bottle and distal expansion (7) of the bladder (C) when removed
from the bottle. It contains a perforated hole (8) on the bottom
center of a convex protrusion for the release of the flavor
enhancer.
[0045] Bladder FIG. (D) is attached to the underside of the
multi-spout can top FIG. (E) and has flavor chambers (10) located
below each of the can top openings (11). The multi-spout can top
FIG. (E) has a centrally located rotating lift tab (12) which
rotates in circle around the lift tab pivot point (17) in order to
choose a desired flavor enhancer. The individual flavor chambers
(10) of the bladder FIG. (D) are pie-shaped within the
circumference of the multi-spout can top FIG. (E). The number of
flavor chambers (10) is dependent upon the number of can top
openings (11). The flavor chambers (10) converge in the center
under the lift-tab pivot point (17). Each flavor chamber (10)
includes perforated flaps (16) on the top and bottom of bladder
FIG. (D) that will tear and create two holes when the metallic drop
down (13) of the can top opening (11) protrudes through the flavor
chamber (10).
[0046] Texture:
[0047] Bladders FIGS. (A), (B), (C), (D) are made from flexible Oxy
cap CS 25 medical grade silicon representing the material used in
the seal of a beverage cap (24), or any other material considered a
soft, flexible polymer type plastic that can be used as a seal as
per the manufacturer.
[0048] Bladder FIG. (A) is a soft, flexible silicon rubber texture
that was scanned from an actual slice of lime so as to create the
look and contours of a slice of citrus. The rind (15) is consistent
in feel with a citrus peel which is smooth, combined with multiple
minute dimples (18) across the surface. The pulp (19) has numerous
convex bumps (20) consistent with the feel of real pulp. It is
flexible material allowing it to be squeezed.
[0049] Bladder FIG. (B) is smooth and uniform in feel, that being a
soft, flexible silicon rubber texture. On the bottom of bladder
FIG. (B) is a pull tab (3) that contains multiple indented
horizontal ridges (5) allowing for firm gripping and pulling. There
is a circumscribed perforation (4) just above the pull tab (3)
which creates a thinner area designed for tearing when the tab (3)
is pulled.
[0050] Bladder FIG. (C) is smooth and uniform in feel, that being a
soft, flexible silicon rubber texture with the seams of the
vertical folds (14) having a more solid expression in order to
maintain expansion (7) memory when removed. There is a perforated
hole (8) on the bottom of bladder FIG. (C) where the flavor
enhancer comes out during pressure.
[0051] Bladder FIG. (D) is smooth and uniform in feel, that being a
soft, flexible silicon rubber texture. The separators (21) between
the flavor chambers (10) and the center where the separators (21)
converge have a more ridged feel with a rounded contour extending
from the separators (21) to the surface of the flavor chambers
(10). The multi-spout can top FIG. (E) is an aluminum beverage can
top with lifted sides (22), a drip canal (23) along the rim, a
centrally located rotating lift tab (12), 2-4 multiple can top
openings (11) each with a metallic drop down flap (13).
[0052] Additional modifications and improvements of the present
invention may also be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus,
the particular combination of parts described and illustrated
herein in intended to represent only one embodiment of the
invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of
alternative devices within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *