Flavor cap

Abstract

A bottle cap having a substance retained therein. The bottle cap engages threadedly a bottle containing a beverage therein. Such bottle cap includes a cylindrical member closed at a first end thereof and open at a second end thereof. There is a threaded portion disposed on an inner surface of the cylindrical member for engaging a threaded end of such bottle. A capsule like device is disposed inside the cylindrical member adjacent the closed end for retaining a substance to be dispensed into a beverage in such bottle. A device for piercing the capsule engages each of the threaded portion of the bottle cap and the capsule for piercing the capsule as the bottle cap is threaded onto such bottle thereby releasing contents of the capsule into such beverage for mixing therewith.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/870,978 filed Dec. 20, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to screw type bottle caps and, more particularly, this invention relates to a screw type bottle cap having a predetermined substance retained therein which substance is to be dispensed into the contents of the bottle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, as is generally well known in the prior art, screw type caps are in wide spread use throughout the beverage packaging industry. Such screw type bottle caps are used, for example, on water, pop, sport drinks and juice bottles.

None of the present day bottle caps which are presently being used have the ability to easily dispense a predetermined substance into the contents of the bottle for any desired purpose. Applicant is aware of some screw type bottle caps which do possess this capability, however, due to their complexity they are not, to the best of applicant's knowledge being used. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,820,740; 6,962,254; 6,569,329; 6,221,416; 7,005,152; 6,165,523 and 5,932,262.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a bottle cap having a predetermined substance retained therein. The bottle cap is engageable with a bottle containing a preselected beverage therein and having a threaded end for receiving a bottle cap. Such bottle cap includes a cylindrical member that is closed at a first end thereof and open at a second end thereof. The cylindrical member has each of a first predetermined length and a predetermined inside diameter. There is a threaded portion disposed on an inner surface of the cylindrical member, beginning adjacent such open end and extending inwardly a second predetermined length toward the closed end, for engaging such threaded end of the bottle. A first means is disposed inside the cylindrical member adjacent such closed end thereof for retaining a preselected substance therein to be dispensed into such preselected beverage contained within the bottle. Additionally, a second means is provided which is engageable with each of such threaded portion of the bottle cap and such first means for retaining the preselected substance for piercing the first means as such bottle cap is threaded onto such threaded portion of such bottle thereby releasing the contents of such first means into such beverage for mixing therewith.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a bottle cap similar to the embodiment described above except the second means is engageable with each of an upper surface of such bottle and such first means for retaining the preselected substance for piercing such first means as the bottle cap is threaded onto such threaded portion of such bottle thereby releasing contents of the first means into such beverage for mixing therewith. This embodiment of the invention further requires a retaining ring which engages with a bottom surface of such second means and an upper surface of such bottle for retaining the second means in position in such bottle cap.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a screw type bottle cap capable of dispensing a predetermined substance into a predetermined liquid contained in a bottle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a package of screw type bottle caps having a predetermined substance contained therein for screwing onto a bottle coating a predetermined beverage therein and thereafter dispensing such predetermined substance in to such predetermined beverage.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide screw type bottle cap having one of preselected flavorings, preselected vitamins and preselected medications contained therein for dispensing into a beverage contained within a bottle.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a screw type bottle cap capable of dispensing a predetermined substance into a predetermined liquid contained in a bottle which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a screw type bottle cap capable of dispensing a predetermined substance into a predetermined liquid contained in a bottle simple to use.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, which illustrates a bottle cap formed according to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention prior to being screwed onto the bottle;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, of the bottle cap, illustrated in FIG. 1, which is ready to be attached to the bottle top, but prior to piercing the capsule containing the substance to be dispensed;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, of the bottle cap, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, which has been attached to the bottle top and piercing of the capsule containing the substance to be dispensed has occurred;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, of an alternative embodiment for the bottle cap which is ready to be attached to the bottle top, but prior to piercing the capsule containing the substance to be dispensed;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, of the bottle cap, illustrated in FIG. 4, which has been attached to the bottle top and piercing of the capsule containing the substance to be dispensed has occurred; and

FIG. 6 is a top view of the device for piercing the capsule.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings. Illustrated therein is a presently preferred embodiment of a bottle cap, generally designated 10. The bottle cap 10 is preferably formed from plastic and has a predetermined substance retained therein. Such bottle cap 10 is engageable with a bottle 12 (see FIG. 5) containing a preselected beverage therein and having a threaded end 14 (see FIG. 5) for receiving the bottle cap 10.

The bottle cap 10 a cylindrical member 16 closed at a first end 18 thereof and open at a second end 20 thereof. The cylindrical member 16 has each of a first predetermined length and a predetermined inside diameter.

A threaded portion 22 is disposed on an inner surface 24 of the cylindrical member 16, beginning adjacent such open end 20 and extending inwardly for a second predetermined length toward the closed end 18, for engaging such threaded end 14 of the bottle 12.

Further, there is a first means, generally designated 30, disposed inside such cylindrical member 16 adjacent such closed end 18 thereof for retaining the predetermined substance therein which is to be dispensed into such preselected beverage contained within the bottle 12. Such first means 30 is preferably a capsule 26.

A second means, generally designated 40, is engageable with each of such threaded portion 22 of the bottle cap 10 and such first means 30 retaining such preselected substance for piercing such first means 30 as the bottle cap 10 is threaded onto such threaded portion of such bottle 12 thereby releasing the contents of such first means 30 into such beverage for mixing therewith. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention such second means 40 includes a pyramid shaped upper portion 28.

Such second predetermined length of the threaded portion 22 is at least sufficient to force such second means 40 up far enough to pierce the first means 30.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the predetermined substance is selected from the group consisting of preselected flavors, liquid vitamins and liquid medications. Such preselected flavors are selected from the group consisting of cherry, strawberry, butterscotch, vanilla, chocolate, raspberry, lemon, lime and orange. The liquid vitamins are multi-vitamins and baby vitamins. The liquid medications include aspirin, cough medicine and antibiotics. Additionally, the preselected beverages include water, juices and soda.

Reference is now made more particularly to FIGS. 3-6. Illustrates therein is an alternative embodiment of a bottle cap, generally designated 10, having a predetermined substance retained therein. As described above, in the first embodiment, the bottle cap 10 is engageable with a bottle 12 containing a preselected beverage therein and having a threaded end 14 for receiving the bottle cap 10.

In this embodiment of the invention, each of the cylindrical member 16, the threaded portion 22 and the a first means 30 disposed inside such cylindrical member 16 are the same as in the embodiment provided supra.

However, in this embodiment, there is a second means, generally designated 50, which engages with each of an upper surface 32 of such bottle 12 and such first means 30 for retaining the preselected substance for piercing the outer surface of first means 30 as such bottle cap 10 is threaded onto such threaded portion 14 of such bottle 12 thereby releasing the contents of such first means 30 into such beverage for mixing therewith.

In this embodiment of the invention there is a retaining ring 34 that engages with a bottom surface 36 of such second means 30 and an upper surface 32 of such bottle 12 for retaining such second means 50 in position in such bottle cap 10 to pierce a capsule 26 containing a predetermined substance selected from the group consisting of preselected flavors, liquid vitamins and liquid medications. The presently preferred preselected flavors, liquid vitamins and liquid medications are the same as the ones discussed above with respect to the first embodiment.

Likewise in this second embodiment, the preselected beverages include water, juices and soda. Also the second predetermined length of such threaded portion 22 is at least sufficient to force such second means 50 up far enough to pierce such first means 30.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bottle cap having a predetermined substance retained therein, said bottle cap engageable with a bottle containing a preselected beverage therein and having a threaded end for receiving a bottle cap, said bottle cap comprising:

(a) a cylindrical member closed at a first end thereof and open at a second end thereof, said cylindrical member having each of a first predetermined length and a predetermined inside diameter;

(b) a threaded portion disposed on an inner surface of said cylindrical member, beginning adjacent said open end and extending inwardly a second predetermined length toward said closed end, for engaging such threaded end of such bottle;

(c) a first means disposed inside said cylindrical member adjacent said closed end thereof for retaining said predetermined substance therein to be dispensed into such preselected beverage contained within said bottle; and

(d) a second means engageable with each of said threaded portion of said bottle cap and said first means for retaining said preselected substance for piercing said first means as said bottle cap is threaded onto such threaded portion of such bottle thereby releasing contents of said first means into such beverage for mixing therewith.

2. A bottle cap, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined substance is selected from the group consisting of preselected flavors, liquid vitamins and liquid medications.

3. A bottle cap, according to claim 2, wherein said preselected flavors are selected from the group consisting of cherry, strawberry, butterscotch, vanilla, chocolate, raspberry, lemon, lime and orange.

4. A bottle cap, according to claim 2, wherein said liquid vitamins are multi-vitamins.

5. A bottle cap, according to claim 2, wherein said liquid vitamins are baby vitamins.

6. A bottle cap, according to claim 2, wherein said liquid medications include aspirin, cough medicine and antibiotics.

7. A bottle cap, according to claim 1, wherein said preselected beverages include water, juices and soda.

8. A bottle cap, according to claim 2, wherein said second predetermined length of said threaded portion is at least sufficient to force said second means up far enough to pierce said first means.

9. A bottle cap, according to claim 1, wherein said first means is a capsule.

10. A bottle cap, according to claim 1, wherein said second means includes a pyramid shaped upper portion.

11. A bottle cap having a predetermined substance retained therein, said bottle cap engageable with a bottle containing a preselected beverage therein and having a threaded end for receiving a bottle cap, said bottle cap comprising:

(a) a cylindrical member closed at a first end thereof and open at a second end thereof, said cylindrical member having each of a first predetermined length and a predetermined inside diameter;

(b) a threaded portion disposed on an inner surface of said cylindrical member, beginning adjacent said open end and extending inwardly a second predetermined length toward said closed end, for engaging such threaded end of such bottle;

(c) a first means disposed inside said cylindrical member adjacent said closed end thereof for retaining a preselected substance therein to be dispensed into such preselected beverage contained within said bottle; and

(d) a second means engageable with each of an upper surface of such bottle and said first means for retaining said preselected substance for piercing said first means as said bottle cap is threaded onto such threaded portion of such bottle thereby releasing contents of said first means into such beverage for mixing therewith.

12. A bottle cap, according to claim 11, wherein said predetermined substance is selected from the group consisting of preselected flavors, liquid vitamins and liquid medications.

13. A bottle cap, according to claim 12, wherein said preselected flavors are selected from the group consisting of cherry, strawberry, butterscotch, vanilla, chocolate, raspberry, lemon, lime and orange.

14. A bottle cap, according to claim 12, wherein said liquid vitamins are multi-vitamins.

15. A bottle cap, according to claim 12, wherein said liquid vitamins are baby vitamins.

16. A bottle cap, according to claim 12, wherein said liquid medications include aspirin, cough medicine and antibiotics.

17. A bottle cap, according to claim 11, wherein said preselected beverages include water, juices and soda.

18. A bottle cap, according to claim 11, wherein said second predetermined length of said threaded portion is at least sufficient to force said second means up far enough to pierce said first means.

19. A bottle cap, according to claim 11, wherein said first means is a capsule.

20. A bottle cap, according to claim 1, wherein said second means includes a pyramid shaped upper portion.