U.S. patent application number 16/156419 was filed with the patent office on 2020-04-16 for device and system for additive dispensing.
The applicant listed for this patent is Flavor Savor, Inc.. Invention is credited to Daniel F. Caputo, Ryan Golden, Benjamin Derek Litteral, Roy Paul Prosise.
Application Number | 20200115122 16/156419 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 70158942 |
Filed Date | 2020-04-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200115122 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Golden; Ryan ; et
al. |
April 16, 2020 |
DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR ADDITIVE DISPENSING
Abstract
This disclosure includes techniques, apparatuses, and
implementations for providing a beverage additive and mixing device
compatible with standard pre-packaged beverage containers, such as
cans, plastic bottles, or glass bottles. For example, in one
implementation, the beverage additive and mixing device may be
configured to releasably couple with an open beverage container.
Once coupled the beverage additive and mixing device may be used to
dispense pre-configured amounts of additives, such as a flavor,
national supplements, or sweeteners, into the open beverage
container.
Inventors: |
Golden; Ryan; (Austin,
TX) ; Prosise; Roy Paul; (Cedar Park, TX) ;
Litteral; Benjamin Derek; (Austin, TX) ; Caputo;
Daniel F.; (Cedar Park, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Flavor Savor, Inc. |
Austin |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
70158942 |
Appl. No.: |
16/156419 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3211 20130101;
B65D 17/4012 20180101; B65D 51/2857 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/28 20060101
B65D051/28 |
Claims
1. A device comprising: a dispensing cover; and an additive
cartridge including: a mating member, the mating member configured
to releasably couple the device to a beverage container; an
additive chamber housing including at least one additive; and a
nozzle for directing the additive into an opening of the beverage
container when the device is coupled to the beverage container; and
wherein the dispensing cover includes: a locking mechanism to
releasably couple the dispensing cover to the additive cartridge;
and an input device to cause the at least one additive to be
dispensed into the beverage container via the nozzle in response to
a user input.
2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the device is
substantially cylindrical.
3. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein when the additive
cartridge is coupled to the dispensing cover, a passage is formed
having at least a first portion of an interior wall formed by the
additive cartridge and at least a second portion of the wall formed
by the dispensing cover, the passage to allow a user to consume the
beverage within the beverage container through the device.
4. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the additive cartridge
includes a cover operable to receive additional additive.
5. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein: the additive chamber
includes a valve along a bottom surface of the additive chamber and
a contact surface along a top surface of the additive chamber; and
the user interface configured to cause a contact along the contact
surface and in response to the contact on the contact surface, open
the valve.
6. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the mating member is
removable from the additive cartridge.
7. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein a pre-determined
amount of additive is dispensed in response to the user input.
8. A device comprising: a mating member to releasably couple the
device to a beverage container; an additive chamber for housing an
additive; a dispensing nozzle configured to align with an opening
of the beverage container when the device is coupled to the
beverage container; and an activatable user interface to cause the
additive to be dispensed into the beverage container via the
dispensing nozzle when depressed.
9. The device as recited in claim 8, wherein the mating member
includes a silicone or rubber portion and a grooved portion.
10. The device as recited in claim 8, further comprising an
alignment assistance component to assist with aligning the opening
of the beverage container with an opening of the dispensing
nozzle.
11. The device as recited in claim 8, further comprising: a first
opening along a bottom surface of the device, the first opening to
align with the opening in the beverage container; a second opening
along a top surface of the device, the second opening aligned with
the first opening; and a passage between the first opening and the
second opening.
12. The device as recited in claim 8, wherein the device is formed
from a dispensing cover releasably coupled to an additive
chamber.
13. The device as recited in claim 8, wherein the device is formed
from an additive cartridge releasably coupled to a dispensing cover
and the mating member.
14. A device comprising: a mating member, the mating member
configured to releasably couple the additive cartridge to a
beverage container; a locking mechanism to releasably couple the
additive cartridge to a dispensing cover; an additive chamber
housing at least one additive; a valve to open and close the
additive chamber; and a nozzle for directing the additive from the
additive chamber into an opening of the beverage container when the
valve is open.
15. The device as recited in claim 14, wherein the additive chamber
includes two compartments, each compartment housing a different
additive.
16. The device as recited in claim 14, wherein the at least one
additive includes at least one of: a flavor; a nonritual
supplement; carbonation; sweeteners; or alcohol.
17. The device as recited in claim 14, further comprising a viewing
window along a side of the device, the viewing window allowing a
user to see into the additive chamber.
18. The device as recited in claim 14, further comprising a first
viewing window along a first side of the device and a second
viewing window on a second side of the device, the second side
opposite the first side, the first viewing window and the second
viewing window allowing a user to see into the additive
chamber.
19. The device as recited in claim 14, further comprising a second
locking mechanism to assist the first locking mechanism in coupling
the device to the dispensing cover.
20. The device as recited in claim 14, wherein the mating member is
releasable form the device.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The number and variety of flavored beverages available on
the market continues to increase. At the same time, more and more
complex self-serve beverage dispensing and mixing machines are
being found in entertainment venues, restaurants, and bars and the
availability of at home beverage dispensing and mixing machines are
becoming more common place. Both the commercial and home beverage
dispensing and mixing machines allow a user to generate custom
flavor and nutritional profiles for each individual user's and/or
each individual beverage. However, the complex self-serve beverage
dispensing and mixing machines are not always compatible with
pre-packaged beverages, such as carbonated beverages (e.g., soft
drinks, sodas, or pops), alcohols (e.g., liquors, beers, and
wines), pre-packaged waters, or other pre-packaged beverages (e.g.,
juices, lemonades, teas, coffees, etc.). Additionally, the complex
self-serve beverage dispensing and mixing machines are often large
and only available at select establishments or at home. Thus, the
conventional complex self-serve beverage dispensing and mixing
machines are limited in the use and not available in all locations
or situations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] The detailed description is described with reference to the
accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a
reference number identifies the figure in which the reference
number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in
different figures indicates similar or identical components or
features.
[0003] FIG. 1 illustrates an example assembled beverage additive
and mixing device removed from a beverage container according to
some implementations.
[0004] FIG. 2 illustrates another example of the beverage additive
and mixing device of FIG. 1 releasably coupled to the beverage
container according to some implementations.
[0005] FIG. 3 illustrates an example top left view, front view,
right view, and top view of the assembled beverage additive and
mixing device of FIG. 1 according to some implementations.
[0006] FIG. 4 illustrates an example cross-sectional view of the
assembled beverage additive and mixing device of FIG. 1 according
to some implementations.
[0007] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the beverage additive and
mixing device of FIG. 1 having been disassembled into a dispensing
cover and an additive cartridge according to some
implementations.
[0008] FIG. 6 illustrates an example cross-sectional view and
perspective view of the assembled beverage additive and mixing
device of FIG. 1 according to some implementations.
[0009] FIG. 7 illustrates an example bottom perspective view of the
dispensing cover according to some implementations.
[0010] FIG. 8 illustrates another example of the beverage additive
and mixing device of FIG. 1 according to some implementations.
[0011] FIG. 9 is an example block diagram of the components of a
dispensing cover according to some implementations.
[0012] FIG. 10 is an example flow diagram showing an illustrative
process associated with the beverage additive and mixing device
according to some implementations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] This disclosure includes techniques, apparatuses, and
implementations for providing a beverage additive and mixing device
compatible with standard pre-packaged beverage containers, such as
cans, plastic bottles, or glass bottles. For example, in one
implementation, the beverage additive and mixing device may be
configured to releasably mate or couple with an open beverage
container. Once coupled to the open beverage container, the
beverage additive and mixing device may be used to dispense
pre-determined amounts of additives, such as a flavor (e.g.,
cherry, lime, lemon, etc.), vitamins (vitamin-B, calcium, folic
acid, citric acid, etc.), electrolytes, sugar, artificial sweaters,
alcohol, among others. In some cases, the beverage additive and
mixing device may release a pre-determined amount of additives for
each activation by the user. In this manner, the user may customize
the amount of additive per-container, per-beverage size,
per-beverage type and per taste.
[0014] The beverage additive and mixing device, discussed herein,
is portable (e.g., smaller than a user's hand) and, thus, may be
used in many situations or locations at which conventional counter
top or commercial beverage mixing machines cannot. For example, the
beverage additive and mixing device may be utilized at the beach,
on a boat, at a concert, the park, etc. Additionally, the beverage
additive and mixing device, discussed herein, may be used with any
available pre-packaged beverage and dispense a variety of flavors
or amounts to generate a custom flavor and nutritional profile for
each pre-packaged beverage, unlike conventional commercial beverage
mixing machines which require use of a limited supply of syrups,
additives, and formulas.
[0015] In one implementation, the beverage additive and mixing
device may be substantially cylindrical and formed from two
independent components: a dispensing cover and an additive
cartridge or packet. The two independent components of the beverage
additive and mixing device may be mated or releasably coupled prior
to the beverage additive and mixing device being releasably mated,
coupled, or otherwise attached to the top of an opened beverage
container. In another implementation, the beverage additive and
mixing device may be substantially cylindrical and formed from
three independent components: the dispensing cover, the additive
cartridge, and a mating member (each of which is configured to
couple with a particular type of pre-packaged beverage
container).
[0016] The additive cartridge may be configured to include one or
more flavors, one or more alcohols, one or more vitamins, one or
more other additives, or a combination thereof. For example, the
additive cartridge may be an orange flavor-vitamin-C cartridge that
when utilized dispense a pre-configured amount of orange flavor and
vitamin-C into the beverage container coupled to the beverage
additive and mixing device.
[0017] The additive cartridge may also include a dispensing nozzle
along a bottom surface. The dispensing nozzle includes an opening
that is aligned with an opening in a beverage container when the
beverage dispensing and mixing device is attached thereto. In some
cases, the beverage dispensing and mixing device includes an
actuatable button or activatable user interface that is configured
to release the additive housed in the additive cartridge into the
beverage container via the nozzle. For example, the actuatable
button or activatable user interface may respond to a user input
associated with a twist, push, pull, tear, slide, swipe, tap, or
other tactile input.
[0018] In some examples, the actuatable button may be depressed by
the user and, in response, a movable arm coupled to the actuatable
button may cause a valve associated with the dispensing nozzle to
open and allow the additive to flow out of the nozzle and into the
beverage container. In some cases, the pre-configured amount of the
additive may be dispensed in response to each activation or
depression of the actuatable button by the user. In other cases,
the amount of additive dispensed may be controlled by the user
based on a length of time the actuatable button is depressed (e.g.,
the amount of additive is at a predefined ratio to a length of time
the actuatable button is depressed, such as 1 milliliter per
second, 1 microliter per second, 1 gram per second, 1 milligram per
second, etc.).
[0019] In some cases, each additive cartridge may include a
beverage container mating member. In these cases, the mating member
may differ based on the type of beverage container the beverage
additive and mixing device is attached to. For example, additive
cartridges may include mating members for water bottles, cans, beer
bottles (of various height necks), plastic bottles, among other. In
this manner, the user may use the beverage additive and mixing
device with a variety of types of containers and beverages by
replacing the additive cartridges. In one implementation, the
mating member may include a rubber or silicone interior that grips
or otherwise applies an inward pressure on a can when coupled. In
another example, the mating member may be threaded and sized to
screw on the threads of a glass, metal, plastic, or other type of
bottle.
[0020] In some cases, the additive cartridges may be reusable or
refillable. For example, the additive cartridges may include a
releasable lid or top opening that may be opened and additional
additive may be placed within the housing. In this manner, the same
cartridge may be used for different types of additives depending on
the situation. For instance, a user may fill a particular additive
cartridge with electrolyte supplements when attending a sporting
event. The user may then refill the particular additive cartridge
with the user's favorite cherry flavor when attending a party at a
friend's house. In other cases, the additive cartridges may be a
single use or disposable.
[0021] In one particular implementation, the additive cartridges
may be physically keyed or electronically keyed such that the
beverage additive and mixing device only dispenses additive if an
authorized additive cartridge is coupled thereto. In this manner,
the beverage additive and mixing device may prevent tampering, such
as at a party. In this manner, the user can be ensured that only
approved, safe, and/or guaranteed additives are being mixed with
the user's beverage.
[0022] In one implementation, the beverage additive and mixing
device may include a volume window that aligns with a window in the
additive cartridge. Thus, the user is able to visually monitor an
amount of additive consumed, mixed with a beverage, or remaining in
the cartridge. In another example, the volume window may be on the
wall of the additive cartridge at a location exposed to the
environment or visible to the user (e.g., a location not covered by
the beverage additive and mixing device).
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates an example 100 of an assembled beverage
additive and mixing device 102 removed from a beverage container
104 according to some implementations. As discussed above, the
beverage additive and mixing device 102 may be configured to
releasably mate or couple with an open beverage container 104. Once
coupled, the beverage additive and mixing device 102 may be used to
dispense pre-configured amounts of additives into the beverage
container 104 to alter the nutritional content and/or flavor of the
beverage.
[0024] For instance, the beverage additive and mixing device 102
may include an amount of additive viewable via a viewing window 106
within an additive chamber (not shown). The beverage additive and
mixing device 102 may also include an actuatable button or
activatable user interface 108 that allows the user to cause a
pre-determined amount of the additive within the additive chamber
to be dispensed into the beverage through an opening 110 in the
beverage container 104. For example, in some cases, the
pre-determined amount of the additive may be dispensed in response
to each activation or depression of the actuatable button 108 by
the user. In other cases, the amount of additive may be controlled
by the user based on a length of time the actuatable button 108 is
depressed (e.g., the amount of additive is at a predefined ratio to
a length of time the actuatable button is depressed). In either
case, the user may monitor the amount of additive dispensed into
the beverage via the viewing window 106.
[0025] In the illustrated example 100, the user may also consume
the beverage while the beverage additive and mixing device 102 is
coupled to the beverage container 104. For instance, when coupling
the beverage additive and mixing device 102 to the beverage
container 104, the user may align an opening 112 in the beverage
additive and mixing device 102 with the opening 110 in the beverage
container 104. In this manner, the user may dispense additive into
the beverage, consume the beverage, then determine if more additive
is needed for the desired flavor profile.
[0026] In some cases, the beverage additive and mixing device 102
may include an alignment assistance component (not shown) to assist
the user in correctly aligning the opening 112 with the opening
110. For example, the alignment assistance component may be a
physical edge or lip that may be configured to mate with the
opening 110 in the beverage container 104. For instance, the user
may rotate the beverage additive and mixing device 102 along the
top of the beverage container 104 until the alignment assistance
component and/or the beverage additive and mixing device 102 drops
or locks into the opening 110. In this manner, the user is able to
ensure that the additive be correctly dispensed into the beverage
container 104 and that the user may consume the beverage via the
opening 112.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates another example 200 of the beverage
additive and mixing device 102 of FIG. 1 releasably coupled to the
beverage container 104 according to some implementations. In the
example 200, the user has aligned and coupled the beverage additive
and mixing device 102 with the beverage container 104, as discussed
above with respect to FIG. 1. Thus, the opening in the beverage
container 104 and the beverage additive and mixing device 102 have
been aligned by the user, such that the user may consume the
beverage via the opening 112 in the beverage additive and mixing
device 102.
[0028] In the illustrated example 200, the beverage additive and
mixing device 102 includes a mating member 202. In the example 200,
the mating member 202 may be formed from a polymer, silicone, or
rubber lining that grips and provides an inward pressure on the
beverage container 104 to maintain the beverage additive and mixing
device 102 attached to the beverage container 104 during use. In
the illustrated example 200, the beverage container 104 is a can
and the mating member 202 includes a short wide neck for coupling
to the can. However, it should be understood that in other
alternative examples, the beverage container 104 may take other
forms such as glass or plastic bottles. In the alternative
examples, the mating member 202 may include various sized necks
that may or may not be threaded such that the beverage additive and
mixing device 102 may screw onto the glass or plastic bottle in the
manner of the conventional removable lid.
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates an example top left view 302, a front
view 304, a right view 306, and a top view 308 of the assembled
beverage additive and mixing device 102 of FIG. 1 according to some
implementations. As discussed above, the beverage additive and
mixing device 102 may include an actuatable button or activatable
user interface 108 that may be depressed by a user to cause the
beverage additive and mixing device 102 to dispense a
pre-determined amount of additive into a beverage. In the current
example 300, the actuatable button 108 may be positioned opposite
the opening 112 that allows the user to consume the beverage via
the beverage additive and mixing device 102. In this manner, the
user may comfortably hold the beverage container when coupled to
the beverage additive and mixing device 102 at a position where the
actuatable button 108 is in easy access of the user's fingers or
may be easily depressed by the user even while consuming the
beverage.
[0030] In the current example 300, the beverage additive and mixing
device 102 may also include a viewing window 106 on each side
(e.g., along the left side and the right side of the device 102).
In this manner, one of the viewing windows 106 may be maintained in
view of the user while the user holds the beverage in either the
user's right or left hand. In the current example 300, the viewing
windows 106 may be labeled to provide amount indicators 310 to the
user. For instance, the amount indicators may be a measure, such as
1 milliliter, 2 milliliters, etc. In another instance, the amount
indicators 310 may be relative to the size of the additive chamber
on the beverage additive and mixing device 102. For example, the
indicators may include "Full", "Half Full", "One Third",
"One-Half", "One-Quarter", etc.
[0031] In general, the beverage additive and mixing device 102 may
be substantially cylindrical in shape. The beverage additive and
mixing device 102 may include a diameter 312 of approximately
between 2.71 and 2.77. In one specific implementation, the diameter
312 may be approximately 2.74. As discussed above, the beverage
additive and mixing device 102 may include a mating member 202 and
the size of the neck of the mating member 202 may vary based on the
type and size of the beverage container. For example, as shown, the
mating member 202 may be configured to releasably couple to a
standard can container. However, in other examples, the neck of the
mating member 202 may be much narrower to couple to, for instance,
a plastic bottle. Thus, the mating member 202 may include a second
diameter 314 that is less than the diameter 312 of the beverage
additive and mixing device 102. In the illustrate example, the
second diameter 314 may be approximately 2.26. In other examples,
the second diameter 314 may be between approximately 2.23 and
2.29.
[0032] The beverage additive and mixing device 102 may also include
a combined height 316 between approximately 1.66 and 1.72. The
combined height 316 may be a combination of a beverage additive and
mixing device height 318 and a mating member height 320. In some
cases, the beverage additive and mixing device height 318 may be
substantially constant and between approximately 1.18 and 1.22.
However, as discussed above, the mating member 202 may vary in
width and height to accommodate various sized beverage containers.
Thus, the mixing device height 320 may vary between approximately
0.48 and 0.50. In the current example, the beverage additive and
mixing device height 318 is approximately 1.20 and the mixing
device height 320 may be approximately 0.49.
[0033] In the illustrated example 300, the beverage additive and
mixing device 102 may also include a sloped or angled top surface
322 to provide a more comfortable beverage consuming experience. In
some cases, the surface may be sloped at an angle 324 may be at an
angle relative to a front face 326 of the beverage additive and
mixing device 102. For example, the slope 324 may be between
approximately 78.degree. and 80.degree. and, in the current example
300, approximately 79.degree..
[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates an example cross-sectional view 400 of
the assembled beverage additive and mixing device 102 of FIG. 1
according to some implementations. In the current example, the
additive may be located within an additive chamber 402. In the
current example 400, the additive chamber 402 may be sealed as part
of an additive cartridge forming a bottom half of the assembled
beverage additive and mixing device 102. In other alternative
examples, the additive chamber 402 may be configured with an
opening or lid that may allow user access to the additive chamber
402 to restock, empty, change, or resupply the additive within the
additive chamber 402.
[0035] In general, the additive chamber 402 may house or contain a
pre-determined amount of additive that may be used to mix with a
pre-packaged beverage container, as discussed above. In the current
example 400, the user may depress or cause the actuatable button
108 to move towards the body of the beverage additive and mixing
device 102 in a direction, generally indicated by 404. The movement
of the button 108 toward the body of the beverage additive and
mixing device 102 causes an arm 406 to contact a contract surface
408 along the top of the additive chamber 402. The contact between
the arm 406 and the contract surface 408 depresses or lowers the
additive chamber 402 with respect to a valve 410, thereby, placing
a nozzle 412 in fluid communication with the additive chamber 402.
Thus, the additive within the additive chamber 402 may flow from
the additive chamber 402 and out of the beverage additive and
mixing device 102 via the nozzle 412. In some cases, the amount of
additive dispensed with respect to each depression of the button
108 may be pre-configured and/or time based (e.g., the longer the
button 108 is depressed the greater than amount of additive
dispensed).
[0036] In some cases, the opening in the nozzle 412 may narrow from
a point 422 with the additive chamber 402 until the end at an
orifice 420 on the end of the nozzle 412 may be smaller than
[0037] In the current example 400, the beverage additive and mixing
device 102 includes an open passage 414 to allow fluid to pass
between the opening 112 on the top surface of the beverage additive
and mixing device 102 from a second opening 416 on a bottom surface
418 of the beverage additive and mixing device 102. In some cases,
the openings 112 and 416 as well as the passage 414 allow the user
to consume a beverage while the beverage additive and mixing device
102 is coupled to a beverage container, such as container 104 of
FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates and example of the beverage additive and
mixing device 102 of FIG. 1 having been disassembled into a
dispensing cover 502 and an additive cartridge 504 according to
some implementations. In some cases, the dispensing cover 502 may
be reusable such that various different additive cartridges 504 may
be releasably coupled thereto to dispense different types of
additives as well as to change the mating member (not shown) on the
beverage additive and mixing device 102 to fit different types of
beverage containers. In the current example, the dispensing cover
502 includes a locking mechanism 508 that couples the additive
cartridge 504 to the dispensing cover 502. The user may then
utilize the locking mechanism 508 to release or de-couple the
dispensing cover 502 from the additive cartridge 504, as discussed
in more detail below with respect to FIG. 6.
[0039] In some implementations, the additive cartridge 504 may be
configured to include one or more flavors, one or more alcohols,
one or more vitamins, one or more other additives, or a combination
thereof. For example, the additive cartridge 504 may be an orange
flavor-vitamin-C cartridge that when utilized dispense a
pre-configured amount of orange flavor and vitamin-C into the
beverage container coupled to the beverage additive and mixing
device 102. In some cases, the additive cartridges 504 may be
reusable or refillable. For example, the additive cartridges 504
may include a releasable lid or top opening 506 that may be opened
and additional additive 504 may be placed within the additive
chamber. In this manner, the same cartridge 504 may be used for
different types of additives depending on the situation. For
instance, a user may fill a particular additive cartridge 504 with
electrolyte supplements when attending a sporting event. The user
may then refill the particular additive cartridge 504 with the
user's favorite cherry flavor when attending a party at a friend's
house. In other cases, the additive cartridges 504 may be single
use or disposable.
[0040] In one particular implementation, the additive cartridges
504 are physically keyed or electronically keyed such that the
dispensing cover 502 only dispenses additive if an authorized
additive cartridge 504 is coupled thereto. In this manner, the
dispensing cover 502 may prevent tampering, such as at a party. In
this manner, the user can be ensured that only approved, safe,
and/or guaranteed additives are being mixed with the user's
beverage.
[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates an example cross-sectional view 602 and
perspective view 604 of the assembled beverage additive and mixing
device 102 of FIG. 1 according to some implementations. As
discussed above, the beverage additive and mixing device 102 may
include a dispensing cover 502 and an additive cartridge 504.
[0042] In the current example, the additive cartridge 504 may
include the mating member 202. In the current example, the mating
member 202 may be formed from a grooved portion 606 and a leak
protection portion 608. In general, when the mating member 202 is
coupled to a beverage container, such as a can, the grooved portion
606 may lock or mate with the rim of the can to hold the can in
contact with the beverage additive and mixing device 102. The leak
protection portion 608 may form a barrier to prevent the liquid
contents of the beverage container from spilling or leaking while
the user consumes the beverage via the opening 112, as discussed
above. In some cases, the grooved portion 606 and the leak
protection portion 608 may be formed from the same material, while
in other cases, the grooved portion 606 and a leak protection
portion 608 may be formed from different materials. In some cases,
the mating member 202 may also form a cavity, generally indicated
by 610. The cavity 610 may be recessed into the bottom of the
beverage additive and mixing device 102 and sized to receive the
beverage container. As discussed above, the height or depth of the
cavity 610 as well as the diameter of the cavity 610 may vary based
on the type of beverage container. For instance, the diameter of
the cavity 610 may be wider and shorter when the container is a can
and longer and narrower when the beverage container is a bottle.
For example,
[0043] The additive cartridge 504 may also include a dispensing
nozzle 412 and the additive chamber 402 as discussed above. Again,
the dispensing nozzle 412 includes an opening or orifice 420 that
is aligned with an opening in a beverage container when the
beverage dispensing and mixing device 102 is attached thereto.
[0044] The dispensing cover 502 includes the locking mechanism 504
that allows the user to couple and de-couple the dispensing cover
502 with the additive cartridge 504. In this example 500, the
locking mechanism 508 includes a male-female mechanism, generally
indicated by 614, such that the female mechanism is on the cover
502 and a male mechanism is on the additive cartridge 504.
[0045] FIG. 7 illustrates example 700 bottom perspective view of
the dispensing cover 502 according to some implementations. In the
current example 700, the locking mechanism 504 is shown including a
latch 702 that may lock with the additive cartridge. In the current
implementation, the cover 504 also includes a second locking
mechanism 704 that may couple to an additive cartridge. In some
cases, the second locking mechanism 704 may assist with stabilizing
the connection of the dispensing cover 502 to the additive
cartridge to reduce risk of the user damaging either the dispensing
cover 502 or the additive cartridge when coupling, de-coupling, or
using the beverage additive and mixing device 102.
[0046] As discussed above, the dispensing cover 502 may also
include an actuatable button 108 that may be coupled to the arm 408
which is triggered in a response to a depression of the actuatable
button 108. When the arm 408 is triggered it may depress or move
the additive chamber of the additive cartridge to cause the
additive to be dispensed.
[0047] FIG. 8 illustrates another example of the beverage additive
and mixing device 102 of FIG. 1 according to some implementations.
In the current example 800, the mating member 202 has been
configured to couple and de-couple with a bottle. For example, the
mating member 202 may be configured to fit and screw onto the
threads of the bottle as would a bottle cap or top. As illustrated,
the user may still consume the beverage while the beverage additive
and mixing device 102 is coupled to the bottle via the opening 112.
Likewise, additive may still be dispensed into the beverage
container via the nozzle 412, as discussed above.
[0048] In the illustrated example, the additive cartridge is
partitioned into two chambers 802 and 804. In this manner, the
additive cartridge may house or contain more than one additive. In
this example, the viewing window on each side of the additive
cartridge may be used by the user to monitor the additive within
each respective chamber 802 and 804. While the current example
illustrates two chambers it should be understood that the additive
chamber may be divided into any number of chambers such as three or
more. In some cases, the button 108 may also be divided such that
different buttons or different activatable user interfaces may
control dispensing of additives from the different chambers 802 and
804.
[0049] FIG. 9 is an example block diagram of the components of the
beverage dispensing and mixing device 102 according to some
implementations. As discussed above, the beverage dispensing and
mixing device 102 may include a dispensing cover coupled to an
additive cartridge. The beverage dispensing and mixing device 102
may be further coupled to a beverage container and dispense
additives, such as nutrient supplements and/or flavors into a
pre-packaged beverage container. In some cases, the beverage
dispensing and mixing device 102 may include a power source (not
shown) that may be reusable or disposable. In some cases, the power
source may be charged via various known systems, such a universal
serial bus connectors.
[0050] The beverage dispensing and mixing device 102 may include a
user interface 902 such as an actuatable button or other user input
device, such as a touch screen, capacitive based sensors, resistive
based sensors, etc. In general, the user interface may be any
device or component able to detect the presence or input of the
user. In some cases, the user interface 902 may include or be
equipped with various input/output (I/O) components. Such I/O
components may include a touchscreen sensors and various controls,
speakers, microphones, image devices, and so forth. For example,
the user interface 902 may include a touch enabled display that may
present information, such as a list of dispensing options, and
receive user selections, such as a selection of one or more of the
dispensing options.
[0051] The beverage dispensing and mixing device 102 may also
include a measurement unit 904. The measurement unit 904 may be a
component or device configured to measure an amount of additive
being dispensed into a beverage. For example, the measurement unit
904 may be a mechanical unit placed within the nozzle of the
additive cartridge to measure flow of additive into the beverage
container. In some cases, the measurement unit 904 may include
positive-displacement flow meters, piston meters, rotary piston
meters, oval gear meters, helical gear meters, nutating disk
meters, cone meters, linear resistance meters, current meters, a
combination thereof, etc.
[0052] The beverage dispensing and mixing device 102 may also
include one or more communication interfaces 906 to facilitate
communication between one or more networks, other nearby devices
(such as a mobile computing device or smart phone), and/or one or
more cloud-based system. The communication interfaces 906 may also
facilitate communication between one or more wireless access
points, a master device, and/or one or more other computing devices
as part of an ad-hoc or home network system. The communication
interfaces 906 may support both wired and wireless connection to
various networks, such as cellular networks, radio, WiFi networks,
short-range or near-field networks (e.g., Bluetooth.RTM.), infrared
signals, local area networks, wide area networks, the Internet, and
so forth. In some cases, the communication interfaces 906 may be
configured to receive recipes of formulas for dispensing additives
into designated pre-packaged beverages.
[0053] The beverage dispensing and mixing device 102 may also
include one or more processors 908, such as at least one or more
access components, control logic circuits, central processing
units, or processors, as well as one or more computer-readable
media 910. Additionally, each of the processors 908 may itself
comprise one or more processors or processing cores.
[0054] Depending on the configuration, the computer-readable media
910 may be an example of tangible non-transitory computer storage
media and may include volatile and nonvolatile memory and/or
removable and non-removable media implemented in any type of
technology for storage of information such as computer-readable
instructions or modules, data structures, program modules or other
data. Such computer-readable media may include, but is not limited
to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other computer-readable media
technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical
storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, solid state storage,
magnetic disk storage, RAID storage systems, storage arrays,
network attached storage, storage area networks, cloud storage, or
any other medium that can be used to store information and which
can be accessed by the processors 908.
[0055] Instructions, data stores, and so forth may be stored within
the computer-readable media 910 and configured to execute on the
processors 908. For example, as illustrated, the computer-readable
media 910 may store additive cartridge authentication instructions
912, additive formula/recipe instructions 914, and dispensing
instructions 916. The computer-readable media 910 may also store
data such as collected data 918 (e.g., the data from the
measurement units 904), various formulas 920 for dispensing
additives, and/or various recipes 922 for flavoring beverages.
[0056] The additive cartridge authentication instructions 912 may
be configured to determine if an additive cartridge coupled to the
dispensing cover is authentic. For example, the additive cartridge
may be configured to generate a unique key or code that the
additive cartridge authentication instructions 912 may verify. In
some cases, the additive cartridge may be configured such that any
tampering or opening of the additive chamber may cause the unique
key or code to be altered such that additive cartridge
authentication instructions 912 may fail to authentic the additive
cartridge that was tampered with. In some implementations, the
additive cartridge authentication instructions 912 may also be
configured to receive or verify a signal indicating the contents or
type of additive in the cartridge. For example, the unique key or
code may be per-additive or per-cartridge type. Thus, a cartridge
with orange flavor may have a different code than a cartridge with
vitamin-B12. In some instances, the additive cartridge
authentication instructions 912 may also receive an indication of
an amount of additive remaining in the cartridge. In these
implementations, the beverage dispensing and mixing device 102 may
utilize the type of additive and/or the amount when dispensing
additive based on a formula or recipe.
[0057] The additive formula/recipe instructions 914 may be
configured to receive, store and allow a user to edit a formula or
recipe for a specific mix. For instance, the computer-readable
media 910 may store a recipe 922 for an orange-cherry cola. The
additive formula/recipe instructions 914 may allow the user to
download new recipes or change/edit a recipe either via a computing
device in communication with the beverage dispensing and mixing
device 102 via the communication interface 906 or via the user
interface 902.
[0058] The dispensing instructions 916 may be configured to
dispense additive based on the formula 920 or recipe 922 selected
by the user. For instance, the computer-readable media 910 may
store a recipe 922 for an orange-cherry cola. The additive
formula/recipe instructions 914 may then dispense a pre-defined
amount of orange and/or cherry flavor into a beverage container
when the user selects, for instance, via the user interface 902 the
orange-cherry cola recipe. In some instance, the orange-cherry cola
recipe may be specific for a brand of pre-packaged cola, such as a
different amount of orange and/or cherry flavor to be dispensed if
the beverage dispensing and mixing device 102 is coupled to a
Pepsi.RTM. cola than if the beverage dispensing and mixing device
102 is coupled to a Coca-Cola.RTM. cola.
[0059] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating example processes
associated with the beverage dispensing and mixing device discussed
above. The processes are illustrated as a collection of blocks in a
logical flow diagram, which represent a sequence of operations,
some or all of which can be implemented in hardware, software or a
combination thereof. The order in which the operations are
described should not be construed as a limitation. Any number of
the described blocks can be combined in any order and/or in
parallel to implement the process, or alternative processes, and
not all of the blocks need be executed. For discussion purposes,
the processes herein are described with reference to the
frameworks, architectures and environments described in the
examples herein, although the processes may be implemented in a
wide variety of other frameworks, architectures or
environments.
[0060] FIG. 10 is an example flow diagram showing an illustrative
process 1000 associated with the beverage additive and mixing
device according to some implementations. As discussed above, a
beverage additive and mixing device is disclosed herein. The
beverage additive and mixing device may be configured to couple to
a beverage container and dispense additive of various amounts and
types into a pre-packaged beverage container.
[0061] At 1002, the dispensing cover may be coupled to the additive
cartridge. For instance, the beverage additive and mixing device
maybe formed as two individual components to allow the beverage
additive and mixing device to dispense various different types of
additives (e.g., the dispensing cover is reusable while the
cartridges are disposable).
[0062] At 1004, the dispensing cover may verify that the additive
cartridge is authentic and has not been tampered with. For
instance, the dispensing cover may include a physical key that may
prevent locking between the dispensing cover and an unauthentic
additive cartridge. In other cases, the additive cartridge and the
dispensing cover may be in electrical commination when coupled,
such that the dispensing cover may receive or read a unique
identify from the additive cartridge and the unique identifier may
be used to determine authenticity. In some cases, when the additive
cartridge and the dispensing cover are in electrical commination,
the additive cartridge may provide or the dispensing cover may read
an amount of additive remaining and/or a type of additive
associated with the additive cartridge.
[0063] At 1006, the beverage additive and mixing device may be
coupled to an open beverage container. For example, the additive
cartridge may include a mating member that may be configured to
couple to a specific type of beverage container. In one specific
example, the mating member may also be releasable from the additive
cartridge such that the beverage additive and mixing device is
formed from three individual components. In this case, the mating
member and the dispensing cover may be reusable and the additive
cartridge may be disposable. In this manner, the user may reuse the
mating member based on the type of beverage container at hand.
[0064] At 1008, the beverage additive and mixing device may receive
a user input to dispense additive. For instance, the user may
depress a button on the dispensing cover and/or provide an input on
a user interface, such as a touch screen. In the case of a touch
screen, the user may specify an amount or specific recipe to use
when dispensing the additive.
[0065] At 1010, the beverage additive and mixing device may
dispense the desired amount of additive into the beverage
container. In some cases, the beverage additive and mixing device
may first determine that the beverage container is coupled and/or
correctly aligned with the beverage additive and mixing device
prior to dispensing the additive.
[0066] Although the subject matter has been described in language
specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the
subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily
limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific
features are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the
claims.
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