Beverage Container and Shaker Combination

Abstract

A beverage product has a beverage container, a quantity of a beverage in the beverage container, a flexible, compressible plug sealing the beverage container, and a contiguous molded lid having a cylindrical upper portion with a top having a matrix of openings, a cavity in the upper portion below the top, the cavity open to the underside, a shoulder facing downward, and a descending skirt below the shoulder, the descending skirt separated by a plurality of vertical slots into a plurality of flexible tabs having each a lowermost, inwardly facing lip, the contiguous molded lid engaged to the beverage container by the flexible tabs.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending application Ser. No. 17/083,925, filed 29 Oct. 2020, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 16/846,162 filed 10 Apr. 2020. All disclosure of the parent applications is incorporated herein at least by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the technical field of containers for beverages and pertains in one embodiment more particularly to a tall shot glass with an alcoholic beverage, and a top to convert to a salt or pepper shaker.

2. Description of Related Art

Shot glasses are well-known in the art. Shot glasses that may be filled with an alcoholic beverage and sealed such that the filled and sealed glass may be marketed as a separate product are less well-known. A shot glass that is filled and sealed, and combined with a removable lid that is adapted as a dispenser for salt or pepper, or both, or for another dispensable material, is not known by the inventor to be known in the art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the invention a beverage product is provided, comprising a beverage container having an upper rim with an inside diameter and a lip extending outwardly from the upper rim, a quantity of a beverage in the beverage container, a flexible, compressible plug having a lower cylindrical portion of a first diameter to be a press fit into the inside diameter of the upper rim of the beverage container and an upper cylindrical portion with a second diameter larger than the first diameter and a flat top, such that an outer region of the upper cylindrical portion overlies the upper rim of the beverage container with the plug press fit into the inside diameter of the upper rim of the beverage container, and a contiguous molded lid having a cylindrical upper portion with a top having a matrix of openings, a cavity in the upper portion below the top, the cavity open to the underside, a shoulder facing downward, and a descending skirt below the shoulder, the descending skirt separated by a plurality of vertical slots into a plurality of flexible tabs having each a lowermost, inwardly facing lip. The flexible, compressible plug is press fit into the inside diameter of the upper rim of the beverage container, sealing the beverage in the beverage container and covering the upper rim of the beverage container, and the contiguous molded lid is pressed onto the beverage container with the plurality of flexible tabs engaging beneath the lip extending outward from them upper rim, causing the shoulder facing downward to contact and compress the outer region of the cylindrical upper portion of the flexible, compressible plug, the flat top of the flexible, compressible plug forming a bottom to the cavity in the upper portion of the contiguous molded lid.

In one embodiment the beverage product further comprises a foil packet holding ingredients to be added to the beverage on consumption supported on the flat top of the compressible, compressible plug within the cavity in the upper portion of the contiguous molded lid. Also, in one embodiment the top of the contiguous molded lid having the matrix of openings is convex. In one embodiment the top of the contiguous molded lid having the matrix of openings is concave.

In one embodiment the beverage container is a tall transparent shot glass and the beverage is tequila. Also, in one embodiment the beverage container is a single-serve container of black ceramic, and the beverage is mezcal. Also, in one embodiment the beverage product further comprises a peelable foil seal joined by an adhesive to the top of the lid, covering the matrix of openings such that the internal volume is protected from dust and debris. Also, in one embodiment the beverage product further comprises a plastic cap adapted to snap over the lid, covering the matrix of openings such that the internal volume is protected from dust and debris. And in one embodiment the plastic cap is pivoted by a hinge to the shaker lid on one side and engages a snap clasp on the other side of the shaker lid, such that the plastic cap is opened and closed around the hinge.

In another aspect of the invention a method for producing a beverage product is provided, comprising filling a beverage container having an upper rim with an inside diameter and a lip extending outwardly from the upper rim with a predetermined quantity of a beverage, pressing a flexible, compressible plug having a lower cylindrical portion of a first diameter and an upper cylindrical portion with a second diameter larger than the first diameter, by the lower cylindrical portion into the inside diameter of the upper rim of the beverage container, leaving the upper cylindrical portion over the upper rim of the beverage container, pressing a contiguous molded lid having a cylindrical upper portion with a top having a matrix of openings, a cavity in the upper portion below the top, the cavity open to the underside, a shoulder facing downward, and a descending skirt below the shoulder, the descending skirt separated by a plurality of vertical slots into a plurality of flexible tabs having each a lowermost, inwardly facing lip, over the beverage container, such that the shoulder facing downward contacts and compresses the upper cylindrical portion of the flexible compressible plug as the lowermost inwardly facing lips of the flexible tabs engage over the lip extending outwardly from the upper rim of the beverage container.

In one embodiment the method further comprises placing a sealed foil packet holding ingredients to be added to the beverage on consumption onto the flat top of the flexible, compressible plug, prior to pressing the contiguous molded lid over the beverage container such that the foil packet is within the cavity below the top with the contiguous molded lid engaged to the beverage container. Also, in one embodiment the method further comprises placing a peelable foil seal joined by an adhesive to the top of the lid, covering the matrix of openings such that the internal volume is protected from dust and debris, after the contiguous molded lid is engaged to the beverage container. In one embodiment the contiguous molded lid has a plastic cover adapted to snap over the lid, covering the matrix of openings such that the internal volume is protected from dust and debris, further comprising snapping the cover over the lid. And in one embodiment the contiguous molded lid has a plastic cover hinged to one side of the lid and having a clasp on the side opposite the hinge, the plastic cover adapted to snap over the lid, covering the matrix of openings such that the internal volume is protected from dust and debris, further comprising snapping the cover over the lid.

In yet another aspect of the invention a method for converting a beverage product to a condiment dispenser is provided, comprising removing a contiguous molded lid having a top with a matrix of openings from a beverage container, the contiguous molded lid engaged to the beverage container by plurality of flexible tabs engaging a lip extending outwardly from an upper rim of the beverage container, removing a flexible, compressible plug sealing the upper rim of the beverage container by an upper cylindrical portion pressed into an inside diameter of the upper rim, consuming the beverage in the beverage container, loading a condiment into the beverage container, and replacing the contiguous molded lid.

In one embodiment the method further comprises a step following the step for filling the shot glass with a condiment, for replacing the compressible plug. Also, in one embodiment the method further comprises a step for removing a sealed foil packet before removing the flexible, compressible plug. In one embodiment the method further comprises removing a peelable foil seal from over the matrix of openings. And in one embodiment the method further comprises removing a plastic cap from over the matrix of openings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tall shot glass associated with tequila.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shot glass of FIG. 1 filled with a beverage and having a top seal.

FIG. 3 is a section view of the shot glass of FIG. 1, with some approximate dimensions.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shot glass like that of FIGS. 1-3, with a salt-shaker lid in place in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a side view of the salt-shaker lid of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5B is a section view of the salt-shaker lid of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6A illustrates a salt-shaker lid integrated with a peel-off seal for a shot glass.

FIG. 6B is a section view of the lid of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a section view of a lid with a sealing element integrated with the lid and applied by applying the lid.

FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of the lid of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is an elevation view of a lid for a shot glass in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a section view of the lid of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a foil packet shown in side view in FIG. 8B.

FIG. 10A illustrates a lid having a foil seal added over the perforated convex dome of the lid.

FIG. 10B illustrate a lid with a plastic cap formed as an extra cover to snap over the lid.

FIG. 10C illustrates a plastic cap having a hinge on one side of the lid and having a snap clasp on the other side.

FIG. 10D illustrates the hinged cap open.

FIG. 11 is a perspective elevation view of a beverage product in an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is an elevation cross section of a portion of the beverage product of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a cross section of one element of the beverage product of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14A is a plan view of a plug in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14B is an elevation view of the plug of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram for a process in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram for a process in another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tall shot glass 100 associated with tequila. Glasses of this sort in the art are known to conform at least approximately to standard dimensions, and typically have a relatively thick base 103 which may help stabilize the shot glass in use. These glasses in the art are also quite often annotated as shown in area 102 with names and artwork. Some are etched on the outside surface. The different sorts of indicia and surface treatments are quite extensive.

FIG. 2 illustrates shot glass 101 of FIG. 1 filled and sealed in an embodiment of the invention. Dotted line 203 is to represent the top surface od a beverage, such as tequila, in the glass. A peel-off seal 201 is sealed to the rounded top rim of glass 101 in this example. The sealant is an adhesive known to be safe for sealing beverage containers, and in this case to be resistant to ethyl alcohol in a beverage in the glass. The material of the seal may be paper, metallic foil or any of several kinds of plastic as are known in the art.

Peel-off seal 201 in this example has a tab 202 that a user may grasp to peel seal 201 from the upper lip of glass 101. This tab may be of about any convenient size, and there may in some circumstances be more than one such tab.

FIG. 3 is a section view of shot glass 101 of FIG. 1, with some approximate dimensions. In this example the height of the glass is 105 mm, and the outside diameter of the upper rim is 42 mm. The upper rim also has in inside diameter. View 301 is a magnified view of the upper rim on one side, showing that there is a rounded lip with a smaller diameter just under the lip. In this example the smaller diameter is 41.5 mm., which determines that the lip extends on one side by 0.25 mm, which in English measurement is about ten one-thousands of an inch. This quite a small dimension and is exaggerated in FIG. 3 to emphasize the fact of the shape of the lip. In one embodiment of the present invention this rounded lip is exploited for a purpose of the invention.

It is to be understood that not every shot glass of the sort depicted in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 have dimensions that are exactly the same. The inventor, having measured several such glasses with an electronic digital caliper has discovered that there are dimensional differences among glasses made by different manufacturers, and even among different groups of glasses made by a same manufacturer. Be that as it may, they all have the slight outward protuberance of the upper lip.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shot glass like that of FIGS. 1-3, with a salt-shaker lid 401 in place in an embodiment of the present invention. Lid 401 in this example has a somewhat convex domed top 402, and has a pattern of openings 403 that are sized for dispensing salt in one instance and pepper in another instance. In other embodiment top 402 may be flat, and even slightly concave. Lid 401 is especially adapted to fit onto the upper rim of shot glass 101 by individual flexible clips 404 in this example. Clips 404 may in some embodiments be implemented by cutting upward through the descending rim of the lid as shown at 405.

FIG. 5A is a side elevation view of lid 401 illustrating for example that convex domed top 402 extends above the rim of the lid. In other embodiment the top may be, as described above, flat. FIG. 5B is a section view of lid 401 taken along a vertical plane through the center of the lid. The section view shows the outermost tabs 404 in this view in section, illustrating a chamfered lead-in 407 that serves to flex the tabs outward as a user presses down on a lid to assemble the lid to a shot glass, and a circumferential shallow groove 406 molded on the inside of the lid. The outwardly extending lip of the shot glass, measured to be about 0.010 inch, is captured in this groove as a lid is pressed into place on the shot glass, securing the shaker lid in place. Again, top 402 is shown domed in this example, but may be flat.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a lid in an alternative embodiment in which there are no separate tabs and no cuts in the lid to implement such tabs. Lid 601 still has a chamfered lead-in 607 and an inside circumferential groove 606 to capture the lip of the upper rim of the shot glass. In the section view FIG. 6B the depth of the circumferential groove is exaggerated, and this groove need not in some implementations be more than about 0.005 inches deep. At that depth the groove would not actually show on the scale of FIG. 6B. Further, in FIGS. 6A and B the top of the lid is domed, bat as previously described may be flat.

Referring back again to FIG. 4, it will be understood that with a lid like that of FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, there will be no cut lines in the lid. In one embodiment of the invention a process of the invention proceeds as follows. Firstly, shot glasses are cleaned, then filled with a beverage. In one embodiment the alcoholic beverage is a high-quality tequila. Once filled, the filled glasses are sealed with a peel-off seal by adhesive as is known in the art, typically leaving a tag shown as tag 202 in FIG. 2. After filling and sealing, a shaker cap of the sort depicted in FIGS. 4, 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B and described with reference to these figures is pressed onto the glass and captured by the protruding lip of the glass. The filled glasses with lids may be packaged for distribution and sale. A user may remove the shaker lid, remove the seal 201 by tab 202, and consume the beverage. Then the glass may be cleaned, filled with salt or pepper, or even another material that a user may want to dispense, the lid replaced, and the glass becomes, with the lid, a shaker dispenser.

FIG. 7A illustrates another lid 701 in yet another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of a portion of the lid of FIG. 7A. In this embodiment the lid is the same as shown and described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B. A seal 703 like peel-off seal 201 of FIG. 2, without tab 202, is prepared and inserted into the underside of lid 701 as shown in FIG. 7B. Prior to insertion an adhesive is applied either to a top side of seal 703 or to surface 704 on the underside of lid 701, or both. Seal 703 has adhesive on the underside where the seal will meet the upper lip of the shot glass. Seal 703 is inserted into the underside of the lid and seals to the lid. Then the lid is assembled to the shot glass with the seal in place on the lid, and the seal in the lid seals the shot glass to retain the alcoholic beverage.

The adhesive applied to the upper side of the seal to adhere to the underside of the lid, or to the underside of the lid to capture the seal in the lid, is a stronger adhesive than the adhesive of the seal that adheres to the upper rim of the shot glass. Therefore, when the lid is removed by a user who has purchased a shot glass with the lid, the seal stays with the lid, and is pulled from the upper rim of the shot glass. The seal may later be removed from the inside of the lid, so the lid may be reapplied to render the shot glass, with the lid, as a shaker dispenser.

In another aspect of the invention a beverage product is provided as a sealed shot glass containing a beverage, having a shaker lid perforated for dispensing such as salt or pepper, such that after the seal is removed and the beverage is consumed, the glass with the shaker lid may be used as a shaker dispenser. In one embodiment there is further a shaker lid that is implemented in a way that a compartment is formed above the seal over the shot glass and under the upper surface of the shaker lid, and a packet holding typically dry ingredients is carried in the compartment. In this embodiment a user may remove the shaker lid, remove and open the packet, remove the seal over the shot glass, and use the dry ingredients in the process of consuming the beverage.

In one embodiment the beverage may be tequila and the packet may contain salt, a dried citrus juice, such as perhaps lime, or a mixture of both. In other embodiments the beverage may be just about any beverage for which ingredients might be added by a user, and the packet may contain any ingredients that are suitable for consuming with the beverage. One example may be coffee and the dry ingredients may be coffee lightener or sugar or artificial sweetener or a mixture. In another embodiment the beverage may be coffee, and the packet may contain an additional charge of caffeine to be used at the user's discretion. Again, the top is shown as a convex dome, but may be flat.

FIG. 8A is a side elevation view of a lid 801 with a perforated top 802 that may domed as shown or flat. Lid 801 has slots 805 implemented upward in the descending rim 804 similar to the construction of lid 401 in FIGS. 4 and 5A and 5B. Lid 801 is seen to be of a greater vertical height than lid 401. This additional height is due to internal construction that implements a compartment in the interior of the lid.

FIG. 8B is a section view of lid 801 taken along a vertical plane through the center of the lid. Section view 8B shows the outermost tabs 804, showing a chamfered lead-in 807 that serves to flex the tabs outward as a user presses down on a lid to assemble the lid to a shot glass, and a circumferential shallow groove 806 molded on the inside of the lid. The outwardly extending lip of the shot glass, measured to be about 0.010 inch, is captured in this groove as a lid is pressed into place on the shot glass, securing the shaker lid in place.

Lid 801 has an internal shoulder 808 that engages the top rim of the shot glass when the lid is applied. An internal volume 809 is formed inside the lid, above the position of the seal of the shot glass, of a height “d”. In different embodiment height “d” may be from about one-eighth inch to as much as one-half inch. Compartment 809 is intended to enclose a foil packet of dry ingredients, as described above.

In the embodiments of the invention incorporating lid 801, the sealed container is the same as that shown in FIG. 2, containing a beverage. Products may be prepared using either lid 401 or 801 in different circumstances.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a foil packet 810 shown in side view in FIG. 8B. Packet 810 is made of aluminum foil in one embodiment, which may be coated with plastic or another film. Two rectangular pieces of film are sealed along outside edges 811 in this example. The packet in other embodiments may be round or of other shapes as well. The rectangular pieces are shaped before joining in this example to provide an internal volume as shown by curvature 812 of the outside walls. In one example three edges are sealed, then dry ingredients are placed in the internal volume, and the final edge is sealed. In some embodiment pictures, text and other indicia may be added to the outside of the packet.

In a process of preparing a product a container may be filled with a beverage, and the upper seal may be added (see FIG. 2). A packet 810 holding dry ingredients may be placed on the top over the seal, and then lid 801 may be pressed into place. A user who purchases the product may remove lid 801 and set aside packet 810. The user may then peel the seal from the container, then tear open the packet 810 and add the dry ingredients to the beverage, then consume the beverage along with the added ingredients. In one example the product may have the shot glass filled with tequila, and the packet may hold salt and a dried citrus powder (a little salt and lime).

A number of other combinations are possible. For example, the beverage may be coffee and the dry ingredients may be sugar or an artificial sweetener, or a combination of both. As another example the beverage may be coffee and the packet may have a material rich in caffeine, enabling the user to adjust the amount of caffeine in the coffee. There are a large range of possibilities.

FIG. 10A illustrates a lid 801 having a foil seal 813 added over the perforated top of the lid. A purpose is to prevent dust or other debris from entering the lid through the perforations, between manufacture and use. The foil seal 813 has an extension 814 to one side that provides a fingerhold for a user to remove the seal from the top of the lid.

FIG. 10B illustrate a lid 801 with a plastic cap 815 formed as an extra cover to snap over the lid. Accomplishing the same purpose as seal 813.

FIG. 10C illustrates a plastic cap 816 having a hinge 817 on one side of lid 801 and having a snap clasp 818 on the other side, such that cap 816 may be opened to expose the perforations in the lid to enable dispensing salt or pepper. The hinged lid is closed in FIG. 10C. FIG. 10D illustrates hinged lid 816 open.

The inventor has made it clear in this disclosure that beverages, containers and additional ingredients may be widely varied. The skilled person is aware, for example, that tequila is made from the agave plant, native to hotter regions of the Americas. Another beverage made from agave is called mezcal, which differs from tequila by the way that is made. Tequila is typically produced by steaming the agave inside industrial ovens before being distilled two or three times in copper pots. Mezcal, on the other hand, is cooked inside earthen pits that are lined with lava rocks and filled with wood and charcoal before being distilled in clay pots.

Every tequila is considered a mezcal but not every mezcal is tequila, Mezcal is mainly produced in the state of Oaxaca in Mexico. Oaxaca is known for its mezcal, its black ceramic used for single serve and other containers and its food. Recently Casamigos™ and other tequila brands have branched out to include mezcals. At the time of filing this patent application mezcal is gaining popularity. Therefore, in another embodiment of the invention a product is provided wherein the container is not glass but ceramic, and in one embodiment black ceramic. In this embodiment the beverage is mezcal processed as described above. In the product with mezcal there is still a shaker lid added to the sealed container of beverage, enabling the container to be reused as a shaker dispenser.

In another aspect of the present invention a beverage product is provided, comprising a beverage container having an upper rim with an outside diameter, a quantity of a beverage in the container, a molded sealing element adapted to seal the beverage container, retaining the beverage in the container, and a shaker lid having a matrix of openings in a top for dispensing salt, pepper or other material, and an internal compartment of a first height and diameter, the internal compartment holding a sealed packet containing dry ingredients, the shaker lid, holding the sealed packet, being assembled over the upper rim of the container.

The inventor has determined that some beverages to be sealed in the product in an embodiment of the invention may not be securely retained, as some beverages may erode or chemically react with the adhesive used with a peel-off element, such as a foil cap. Accordingly, the inventor has developed a molded sealing element for the top of the container that does not depend on an adhesive.

FIG. 11 is a perspective elevation elevation view of a beverage product 1100 comprising a container 1101 and a snap on lid 1102 in an alternative embodiment of the invention. Dotted outline 1103 represents internal walls of container 1101. Beverage product 1100 holds an alcoholic beverage in some circumstances and has an independent sealing element under lid 1102 to seal the beverage in the container until used. The independent sealing element is not shown in FIG. 11. Lid 1102 has a unique internal volume for storing a foil packet, much as described above for foil packet 810. The internal volume and the foil packet are not seen in FIG. 11, but are described below in enabling detail, as is the independent sealing element. In one embodiment lid 1102 has a descending skirt that is sectioned into separate regions by a plurality of equally spaced vertical slots 1105.

FIG. 12 is a partial section of an upper portion of beverage product 1100, taken on a section plane through a vertical central axis of the product, represented by section line 12-12 in FIG. 11. Lid 1102 is seen to have a flat upper surface in this implementation pierced by a matrix of holes 1104. The number and diameter of these holes are to accommodate dispensing of salt and pepper in one circumstance and may vary in number, placement and diameter in different embodiments. In one implementation lid 1102 may have a somewhat convex or somewhat concave upper surface, rather than flat as shown.

Beverage container 1101 has an upper lip 1206 that extends outward at the upper rim of the container, with an uppermost surface 1205 that may be flat in some embodiments. A molded flexible sealing element 1201 has a lower cylindrical portion that is inserted into the inside diameter of the beverage container and an upper rim portion 1204 that overlies uppermost surface 1205 of the beverage container. Lid 1102 has a descending skirt 1202, as described above, that is separated into individual flexible portions by slots 1105, and an inwardly facing rounded lip 1203 that is adapted to snap over upper lip 1206 of the beverage container as the lid is urged onto the container. Flat upper portion 1204 of sealing element 1201 is captured between the lid and the beverage container and compressed in the closed position of the lid. This action and the compression of the cylindrical portion of the sealing element in the neck of the beverage container thus seals any beverage in the container.

FIG. 13 is a re-creation of the cross section of lid 1102 as seen in FIG. 12, without showing the sealing element or the beverage container, with the section view annotated to describe several additional features and dimensions in one example. Lid 13 has an overall height H₁ and a maximum diameter D1. The lid has lowermost portion 1202 of an overall height of H3 that is separated into individual flexible tabs by slots 1105. H3 may vary somewhat in different embodiments, and the depth d₁ of slots 1105 may vary somewhat as well. The depth d₁ is less than H₃ in most embodiments of the invention.

Uppermost portion 1302 has a height H2 and comprises a top 1303 that is flat in this instance and has a thickness t₁. The top may be somewhat convex or concave in some other embodiments. There is a volume 1301 of diameter D₂ and height H₄ formed into the upper portion 1302 open to the bottom and closed by the top of the lid. An important purpose of this volume is the create a storage space for a foil packet 1209 of ingredients that may be added to a beverage in the beverage container of the beverage product, as is described above for another embodiment that has a beverage container that is sealed with a foil by adhesive.

Lid 1102 has in this example a horizontal shoulder 1207 at the junction of uppermost portion 1302 and lowermost portion 1202, that devolves by a radius R1 to an inside wall 1208 of a section of the lowermost portion of the lid, resulting in wall thickness t₂ for this section, intentionally thin enough that the flexible tabs may flex sufficiently to allow urging the lid onto the beverage container. Shoulder 1207 contacts flat upper rim portion 1204 of sealing element 1201 as seen in FIG. 12.

It may be seen with reference to FIG. 12 that volume 1301 annotated in FIG. 13 may support the foil packet mentioned but not shown in FIG. 12, on the top of the molded sealing element 1201 with the sealing element in place sealing the beverage container and the lid in place over the beverage container. Inwardly facing rounded lip 1203 that is adapted to snap over upper lip 1206 of the beverage container as the lid is urged onto the container is indicated as well in FIG. 13. Lip 1203 has in this example a height H₅.

FIG. 14A is a top plan view of molded sealing element 1201, and FIG. 14B is a side elevation view of molded sealing element 1201 in this example. both annotated and described here to provide additional detail. Sealing element 1201 has an overall diameter across the top in this example of 1.715 inches + or −0.010 inches. This diameter is determined for sealing a beverage container that has an upper rim with a diameter greater than 1.715 inches. This overall diameter may vary in many embodiments where the shot glass has an upper diameter less than 1.715 inches.

In the side elevation view 14B lip 1207 is illustrated as having a height of 0.047 inches. This height is considered by the inventor to be sufficient that adequate compression may occur to seal the beverage container. This height may vary in other embodiments. The overall height of the molded sealing element is illustrated to be 0.300 inches, such that a downward-facing plug portion of 1.339 inches diameter has a height of 0.253 inches, just a bit over a quarter of an inch. The diameter 1.339 inches is determined to be a compression fit into an inside diameter of a beverage container of at least 0.010 inches less that 1.339 inches. Corners of lip 1207 are rounded, and radii of 0.063 are implemented as shown.

In embodiments of the invention molded sealing element 1201 is molded from a material flexible and compressible to an extent that the plug portion will be compressed in the inside of the beverage container to seal. and lip 1207 will be compressed against the upper rim of the beverage container as the lid is urged on to the beverage container and latches in place.

Material for sealing element 1201 is selected to be resistant or even impervious to ethyl alcohol, which is an ingredient in many beverages that might be in beverage container 1101 in many embodiments of the beverage product of the invention. One candidate material for the sealing element is a high fluorine grade of Viton. EPDM rubber is also a candidate and is an M-Class rubber under ASTM standard D-1418. The M class comprises elastomers having a saturated chain of the polyethylene type (the M deriving from the more correct term polymethylene). EPDM is made from ethylene, propylene, and a diene comonomer that enables crosslinking via sulfur vulcanization.

Another candidate material for the sealing element is PTFE (Teflon) or HDPE (High density polyethylene) and both are good for high proof ethanol storage. They don't have added plasticizers to make the material softer or less brittle.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram for a method of creating a beverage product according to an embodiment of the invention. At step 1501 one obtains or makes a tall shot glass with an outward lip on an upper rim. At step 1502 the shot glass if filled to a predetermined depth with a beverage, which may be an alcoholic beverage. At step 1503 a cylindrical portion of a compressible plug is urged into the neck of the shot glass with a thin lip of the plug extending over the upper rim of the shot glass. At step 1504 a foil packet enclosing ingredients to be added to the beverage is placed on top of the plug. And at step 1505 a cap having a perforated top is urged into the shot glass with lips of separated tabs of a downwardly extending skirt engaging the outward lip of the shot glass, compressing the thin lip of the plug against the upper rim of the shot glass, sealing the beverage within.

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for consuming a beverage from a beverage product according to an embodiment of the invention. At step 1601 a user obtains a beverage product according to an embodiment of the invention. At step 1602 a perforated cap is removed from a top of the beverage product. At step 1603 a foil packet found on a compressible plug is retrieved and set aside. At step 1604 the compressible plug is removed from the shot glass. At step 1605 the foil packet is opened and ingredients in the packer are added to the beverage. At step 1606 the user consumes the beverage. At step 1607 the shot glass is cleaned and dried. At step 1608 the cleaned shot glass is filled with salt, pepper or other condiment. At step 1609 the compressible plug may be replaced. At Step 1610 the perforated cap is replaced. And at step 1611 the filled shot glass is used as a condiment dispenser.

In some embodiments of the invention a foil or plastic seal is placed over the matrix of holes in the cap, and held there by a peelable adhesive, to prevent debris from entering the volume that holds the foil packet of ingredients, and this seal is removed before the filled shot glass with the cap replaced may be used as a dispenser.

The embodiments described here are exemplary only, and not limiting to the scope of the invention. Embodiment of the invention may be implemented using any of the examples described, or any combination of the examples described. Further, it is to be understood that a wide variety of beverages may be used, and a wide variety of beverage containers as well. The invention is not limited to shot glasses or to glass containers but may be implemented with containers of other shapes and sizes.

The scope of the invention is limited only by the breadth of the claims.

Claims

1. A beverage product, comprising:

a beverage container having an upper rim with an inside diameter and a lip extending outwardly from the upper rim;

a quantity of a beverage in the beverage container;

a flexible, compressible plug having a lower cylindrical portion of a first diameter to be a press fit into the inside diameter of the upper rim of the beverage container and an upper cylindrical portion with a second diameter larger than the first diameter and a flat top, such that an outer region of the upper cylindrical portion overlies the upper rim of the beverage container with the plug press fit into the inside diameter of the upper rim of the beverage container; and

a contiguous molded lid having a cylindrical upper portion with a top having a matrix of openings, a cavity in the upper portion below the top, the cavity open to the underside, a shoulder facing downward, and a descending skirt below the shoulder, the descending skirt separated by a plurality of vertical slots into a plurality of flexible tabs having each a lowermost, inwardly facing lip;

wherein the flexible, compressible plug is press fit into the inside diameter of the upper rim of the beverage container, sealing the beverage in the beverage container and covering the upper rim of the beverage container; and

wherein the contiguous molded lid is pressed onto the beverage container with the plurality of flexible tabs engaging beneath the lip extending outward from them upper rim, causing the shoulder facing downward to contact and compress the outer region of the cylindrical upper portion of the flexible, compressible plug, the flat top of the flexible, compressible plug forming a bottom to the cavity in the upper portion of the contiguous molded lid.

2. The beverage product of claim 1 further comprising a foil packet holding ingredients to be added to the beverage on consumption supported on the flat top of the compressible, compressible plug within the cavity in the upper portion of the contiguous molded lid.

3. The beverage product of claim 1 wherein the top of the contiguous molded lid having the matrix of openings is convex.

4. The beverage product of claim 1 wherein the top of the contiguous molded lid having the matrix of openings is concave.

5. The beverage product of claim 1 wherein the beverage container is a tall transparent shot glass and the beverage is tequila.

6. The beverage product of claim 1 wherein the beverage container is a single-serve container of black ceramic, and the beverage is mezcal.

7. The beverage product of claim 1 further comprising a peelable foil seal joined by an adhesive to the top of the lid, covering the matrix of openings such that the internal volume is protected from dust and debris.

8. The beverage product of claim 1 further comprising a plastic cap adapted to snap over the lid, covering the matrix of openings such that the internal volume is protected from dust and debris.

9. The beverage product of claim 8 wherein the plastic cap is pivoted by a hinge to the shaker lid on one side, and engages a snap clasp on the other side of the shaker lid, such that the plastic cap is opened and closed around the hinge.

10. A method for producing a beverage product, comprising:

filling a beverage container having an upper rim with an inside diameter and a lip extending outwardly from the upper rim with a predetermined quantity of a beverage;

pressing a flexible, compressible plug having a lower cylindrical portion of a first diameter and an upper cylindrical portion with a second diameter larger than the first diameter, by the lower cylindrical portion into the inside diameter of the upper rim of the beverage container, leaving the upper cylindrical portion over the upper rim of the beverage container; and

pressing a contiguous molded lid having a cylindrical upper portion with a top having a matrix of openings, a cavity in the upper portion below the top, the cavity open to the underside, a shoulder facing downward, and a descending skirt below the shoulder, the descending skirt separated by a plurality of vertical slots into a plurality of flexible tabs having each a lowermost, inwardly facing lip, over the beverage container, such that the shoulder facing downward contacts and compresses the upper cylindrical portion of the flexible compressible plug as the lowermost inwardly facing lips of the flexible tabs engage over the lip extending outwardly from the upper rim of the beverage container.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising placing a sealed foil packet holding ingredients to be added to the beverage on consumption onto the flat top of the flexible, compressible plug, prior to pressing the contiguous molded lid over the beverage container such that the foil packet is within the cavity below the top with the contiguous molded lid engaged to the beverage container.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising placing a peelable foil seal joined by an adhesive to the top of the lid, covering the matrix of openings such that the internal volume is protected from dust and debris, after the contiguous molded lid is engaged to the beverage container.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the contiguous molded lid has a plastic cover adapted to snap over the lid, covering the matrix of openings such that the internal volume is protected from dust and debris, further comprising snapping the cover over the lid.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the contiguous molded lid has a plastic cover hinged to one side of the lid and having a clasp on the side opposite the hinge, the plastic cover adapted to snap over the lid, covering the matrix of openings such that the internal volume is protected from dust and debris, further comprising snapping the cover over the lid.

15. A method for converting a beverage product to a condiment dispenser, comprising:

removing a contiguous molded lid having a top with a matrix of openings from a beverage container, the contiguous molded lid engaged to the beverage container by plurality of flexible tabs engaging a lip extending outwardly from an upper rim of the beverage container;

removing a flexible, compressible plug sealing the upper rim of the beverage container by an upper cylindrical portion pressed into an inside diameter of the upper rim;

consuming the beverage in the beverage container;

loading a condiment into the beverage container; and

replacing the contiguous molded lid.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising a step following the step for filling the shot glass with a condiment, for replacing the compressible plug.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising a step for removing a sealed foil packet before removing the flexible, compressible plug.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising removing a peelable foil seal from over the matrix of openings.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising removing a plastic cap from over the matrix of openings.