Patents by Inventor Todd G. Buchholz

Todd G. Buchholz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8152017
    Abstract: A closure with an additive reservoir is mounted on a container for a consumable liquid. The closure has a base, which includes the additive reservoir; a spout mounted on the base; a plunger positioned in the additive reservoir, and an outer cap. Upon advancing the plunger, an additive in the reservoir is released into the consumable liquid after the additive or plunger ruptures or otherwise opens a barrier provided by a foil, membrane or plug. Upon moving the spout from a first position on the base to a second position, a passageway through the base is opened and the consumable liquid flows to the consumer without having to remove the closure. The additive chamber is mounted in a support column of the base with the passageway for the consumable liquid being disposed between the additive chamber and the support column. In a preferred embodiment the additive is the sole pressure link between the plunger and barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventors: Eric K. Lizerbram, Gerry R. Krippner, Todd G. Buchholz, William S. Anapoell
  • Publication number: 20090236303
    Abstract: A closure with an additive reservoir is mounted on a container for a consumable liquid such as a beverage liquid or health drink. The closure has four components; a base, which includes the additive reservoir; a spout mounted on the base; a plunger positioned in the additive reservoir, and a tamper proof, dust resistant outer cap. Upon advancing the plunger, an additive in the reservoir is released into the consumable liquid upon the additive or plunger rupturing a membrane barrier. Upon moving the spout from a first position on the base to a second position on the base, a passageway through the base is opened so that the consumable liquid can flow to the consumer without having to remove the closure. Preferably, the additive chamber is mounted in a support column of the base with the passageway for the consumable liquid disposed between the additive chamber and the support column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Eric K. LIZERBRAM, Gerry R. Krippner, Todd G. Buchholz, William S. Anapoell
  • Publication number: 20090194533
    Abstract: A closure with an additive reservoir is mounted on a container for a consumable liquid such as a beverage liquid or health drink. The closure has three components; a base, which includes the additive reservoir; a spout mounted on the base, and a plunger received in the additive reservoir. Upon depressing the plunger, an additive in the reservoir is released into the consumable liquid and upon moving the spout from a first position on the base to a second position on the base, a passageway through the base is opened so that the consumable liquid can flow to the consumer. Preferably, the additive chamber is mounted in the support column of the base with the passageway disposed between the additive chamber and the support column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Eric K. Lizerbram, Gerry R. Krippner, Todd G. Buchholz, William S. Anapoell
  • Publication number: 20040050865
    Abstract: A closure element for a beverage container is in the form of a sports cap, other closer, or initially closed straw, and provides a chamber for containing colorants in the form of liquids, gels, granules, powders, tablets or other solid bodies. Closures such as valves, rupturable membranes, hinged doors, clamps or undersized holes provide closer structure for initially keeping the chambers closed with respect to the colorant so that colorant does not flow into the beverage until released to do so by the customer. Upon opening ends of the chambers, colorants flow into beverages in the containers, which containers are made of see-through/clear or partially see-through materials. In a preferred embodiment, the colorant is a material enclosed in at least one capsule which flows through openings in the chamber within the closure element when the capsule is ruptured or perforated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Eric K. Lizerbram, Todd G. Buchholz, William S. Anapoell
  • Publication number: 20040050868
    Abstract: A closure element for a beverage container is in the form of a sports cap, or other closer, or initially closed straw and provides a chamber or reservoir for containing colorant in the form of liquids, gels, granules, powders, tablets or other solid bodies. Closures such as valves, rupturable membranes, hinged doors or clamps provide closer structure for initially keeping the chambers closed. Upon opening the bottom ends of the chambers, colorants flow into beverages in the containers which are see-through/clear or partially see-through/clear. Coloration of the beverage is voluntarily initiated by the consumer and the thus colored beverages are then consumed by passage through the closure element. In one embodiment of the invention, the colorant is a medicinal agent which can be colored or may be clear. The medicinal agent is released into liquid, which may be water, for ingestion by a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Eric K. Lizerbram, Todd G. Buchholz, William S. Anapoell
  • Patent number: 6705490
    Abstract: A closure element for a beverage container is in the form of a sports cap, or other closer, or initially closed straw and provides a chamber or reservoir for containing colorant in the form of liquids, gels, granules, powders, tablets or other solid bodies. Closures such as valves, rupturable membranes, hinged doors or clamps provide closer structure for initially keeping the chambers closed. Upon opening the bottom ends of the chambers, colorants flow into beverages in the containers which are see-through/clear or partially see-through/clear. Coloration of the beverage is voluntarily initiated by the consumer and the thus colored beverages are then consumed by passage through the closure element. In one embodiment of the invention, the colorant is a medicinal agent which can be colored or may be clear. The medicinal agent is released into liquid, which may be water, for ingestion by a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventors: Eric K. Lizerbram, Todd G. Buchholz, William S. Anapoell
  • Patent number: 6705491
    Abstract: A closure element for a beverage container is in the form of a sports cap, other closer, or initially closed straw, and provides a chamber for containing colorants in the form of liquids, gels, granules, powders, tablets or other solid bodies. Closures such as valves, rupturable membranes, hinged doors, clamps or undersized holes provide closer structure for initially keeping the chambers closed with respect to the colorant so that colorant does not flow into the beverage until released to do so by the customer. Upon opening ends of the chambers, colorants flow into beverages in the containers, which containers are made of see-through/clear or partially see-through materials. In a preferred embodiment, the colorant is a material enclosed in at least one capsule which flows through openings in the chamber within the closure element when the capsule is ruptured or perforated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventors: Eric K. Lizerbram, Todd G. Buchholz, William S. Anapoell