BOTTLE CLOSURE CONTAINING BEVERAGE CONCENTRATE
The present invention relates to controlled flow re-sealable bottle closures containing a beverage concentrate for use in mixing flavored water-based beverages at or near the point of consumption by activation of a mixing mechanism allowing the contents of the bottle to co-mingle with the beverage concentrate.
This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/418,931, filed Apr. 18, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to re-sealable bottle closures for use with bottled beverages. In particular, the present invention relates to re-sealable beverage bottle closures that contain at least one beverage concentrate for use by consumers in mixing with the contents of the bottle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe popularity of bottled drinking water as an alternative to tap water has been growing in recent years. In fact, bottled water, which includes spring water, distilled water, purified water, mineral water, and others, can be found in nearly every country in the world today. Although water itself is a popular beverage, many consumers prefer flavored water-based beverages, such as those sold under the popular trademarks KOOL-AID® and GATORADE®. Indeed, some flavored water-based drinks may enhance the body's absorption of vitamins, minerals, and other substances, as well as increase the body's rate of hydration.
One problem encountered by flavored beverage consumers has been the availability of their favorite beverage at or near the desired point of consumption. For example, the choice of available flavored beverages from vendors is often limited when visiting popular tourist attractions. Such vendors desire to maximize sales with as small a product inventory and selection as possible. Reduced product inventory and selection also reduces the risk that a product will not sell before it's shelf life has been exceeded.
One method of overcoming the problem of the limited selection and availability of flavored water-based beverages at or near the point of consumption is for the consumer to carry the desired beverage on his person. The obvious problem with this approach is that it can often be cumbersome, or burdensome to carry one or more containers of liquid. For example, it may be difficult for a mother or father to carry multiple beverage containers to a remote point of consumption for a family having different beverage preferences.
Another method of overcoming the problem of the limited selection and availability of flavored water-based beverages at or near the point of consumption is for the consumer to carry the desired beverage drink mix on his person, for mixing with bottled water available at the point of consumption. The large number of producers of bottled water products, and their popularity among consumers, has ensured that bottled water is often available as an alternative to the most popular flavored beverages. As before, one problem with this approach is that it can often be cumbersome, or burdensome to carry one or more large containers of drink mix. Another problem with this approach is that it is difficult to measure and mix such drink mixes at the point of consumption using water sold in bottles. Suitable mixing containers increase the load that must be carried to the point of consumption. Mixing within the water bottle itself is often impractical due to the need to accurately measure and deposit the drink mix through the relatively narrow neck of the water bottle.
As a result of the inadequacies of the existing solutions to these problems, there is a need to provide increased availability of flavored water-based beverages at the point of consumption. There is a need to provide easy-to-use, point of consumption, mechanism for measuring of flavored, water-based drink mixes. There is a need to provide easy-to-use, point of consumption, mechanism for mixing of flavored, water-based drink mixes. There is a need to provide a point of consumption mechanism that incorporates all of the above, and further contains closure features that allow the consumer to control the flow of the beverage from the beverage container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to provide consumers with an easy-to use apparatus for mixing flavored water-based beverages on demand, at or near the point of consumption.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus containing a pre-measured amount of beverage concentrate for use by a consumer in mixing a flavored water-based beverages at or near the point of consumption.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for mixing flavored water-based beverages at or near the point of consumption that is contained within the beverage container, and does not require the consumer to come into contact with the beverage contents or beverage concentrate during mixing.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for mixing flavored water-based beverages at or near the point of consumption that contains dispensing features that allow controlled flow of the mixed beverage.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for mixing flavored water-based beverages at or near the point of consumption that is lightweight and of compact design, allowing the user to carry numerous such items without significant burden.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for mixing flavored water-based beverages at or near the point of consumption that contains all of the above advantages, and which is simple to manufacture.
The present invention includes a re-sealable, controlled flow bottle closure comprised of a threaded shell having a throat portion and a container connector portion, with the throat portion having an elongate wall connected at one end to the container connector portion. The throat portion of the threaded shell includes an interior space and a mixing aperture that extends through the wall and into the interior space.
The bottle closures of the present invention further include a beverage concentrate reservoir having a mixing mechanism, which is at least partially inserted into the interior space of the throat portion previously described. The beverage concentrate reservoir is comprised of a tubular reservoir section that contains a beverage concentrate, as well as an aperture that allows flow of liquid in the beverage container to co-mingle with the beverage concentrate when the mixing mechanism is activated and the aperture in the beverage concentrate reservoir and the aperture in the throat portion are at least partially aligned. The alignment of the apertures can be achieved through a number of means. Such means include, but are not limited to, snap-fit mechanisms, rotational mechanisms, screw-type mechanisms, and combinations thereof.
The bottle closures of the present invention further include features to allow consumers of a beverage to both re-seal the beverage bottle and to control the flow of the beverage from the bottle. In this regard, the bottle closures of the present invention include a cap-and-stem assembly that allows the closure to be repeatedly opened and re-sealed by a consumer. The cap-and-stem assembly also serves as a valve to allow the consumer to control the amount of flow of liquid for consumption from the beverage container by adjustment of the cap relative to the stem.
The present invention also includes methods for use of the bottle closures of the present invention. Such methods include the steps of engaging the bottle closures as taught herein with a beverage bottle, activation of the mixing mechanism to allow the beverage concentrate to co-mingle with liquid in the bottle to created a mixed beverage, and adjusting the cap of the cap-and-stem assembly to allow the mixed beverage to controllably flow from the beverage bottle.
The foregoing summary of the invention and further embodiments of the present invention can be better understood by reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
As described more fully below, the present invention is directed toward re-sealable bottle closures for use with bottled beverages. More specifically, the present invention relates to re-sealable, controlled flow bottle closures containing a beverage concentrate reservoir that can be activated by a consumer of the bottled beverage at the point of consumption to mix the concentrate with the bottle contents to create a mixed beverage.
As used herein, the term “bottle” refers to any beverage container made of plastic, glass, metal or other material that contains a threaded top designed for use with a threaded or snap-fit closure. Such beverage containers are well known in the beverage industry. There are an almost unlimited number of product configurations and sizes. The term “bottle” as used herein is not intended to be limited to any particular container size, configuration, or material composition.
As used herein, the phrase “bottled beverage” refers to any beverage contained in a bottle of the present invention as defined previously herein. Such bottled beverages can include water, including without limitation, tap water, purified water, distilled water, spring water, mineral water, de-ionized water, or carbonated water.
As used herein, the phrase “bottle closure” refers generically to a closure for containers such as the bottles of the present invention as described previously herein. Such bottle closures include without limitation, threaded closures, and re-sealable bottle closures. Such bottle closures need not, however, be threaded closures, and in some embodiments can be “snap-fit” type closures.
As used herein, the phrase “re-sealable closure” refers generically to a specific class of bottle closures as previously defined. In general such closures include a cap having an aperture that fits around and corresponds in shape to a central stem extending from the closure. The stem and/or support structure for the stem contain passageways for fluid to escape from the bottle when the cap is placed in its “open” position, as more fully described below. The cap can be axially adjustable relative to the stem using a variety of mechanisms such as by pushing or pulling the cap, or by screw action relative to the central stem. When the cap is seated snugly to the stem, and the stem extends through the aperture on the cap, it is in its closed position, and the bottle is sealed. When the cap is unseated, and moved axially relative to the stem, such that the stem does not extend through the aperture on the cap, it is in its open position, and fluid is capable of flowing out of the bottle. In this regard, the cap and stem act as a valve for controlling flow from the bottle. By adjusting the positioning of the cap axially relative to the stem, the fluid flow from the bottle can be controlled as desired by the user. The re-sealable closures of the present invention include this controlled dispensing feature.
The re-sealable closures of the present invention include a beverage concentrate reservoir. The beverage concentrate reservoir is a cavity within the bottle closure that contains the beverage concentrate within the bottle closure until it is exposed by the consumer for mixing with the bottle contents, typically at or near the point of consumption. Preferably, the beverage concentrate is pre-measured for use with a specific volume of liquid, such as water. In this manner, the re-sealable closure can be fitted to a bottle of water containing an appropriate amount of water to be mixed with an appropriate amount of beverage concentrate.
The re-sealable closures of the present invention include at least one beverage concentrate for use by a consumer of a bottled beverage in mixing with the contents of the bottled beverage. As used herein, the phrase “beverage concentrate” refers to a concentrate of a beverage mixture that is at least semi-soluble in a bottled beverage of the present invention as described herein. Such beverage concentrates can be in liquid form, solid form, or mixtures thereof. Liquid form beverage concentrates include without limitation, syrups. Solid form beverage concentrates include, without limitation, powdered mixes, granulated mixes and the like. Many such beverage concentrates are currently known and used in the art of beverage mixing. Such beverage concentrates include, without limitation, popular powdered beverage concentrates sold under trademarks KOOL-AID®, TANG®, and GATORADE®. Additional such beverage concentrates include powdered beverage concentrates for coffee, juices, teas, and infant formula. Beverage concentrates of the present invention can also include preparations of nutritional supplements, such as vitamins and the like. Beverage concentrates of the present invention can also include preparations of orally-ingestible medications. Beverage concentrates of the present invention can also include alcohol-based drinks. It is to be expressly understood that the beverage concentrates of the present invention must contain at least one of the above types of components, but can also include any combination or mixtures thereof.
One of the benefits of the bottle closures of the present invention is the provision of a mechanism that allows a consumer to mix the beverage concentrate with the bottle contents by activation of a mixing mechanism incorporated in the bottle closure, and then dispense the mixed beverage in a controlled fashion. Activation of the mixing mechanism may occur by screw action, twisting action, pushing action, and combinations thereof, on the mixing mechanism, as more described below with regard to the figures and specific embodiments.
The present invention will now be described in more detail with respect to the drawings. As shown in the cross-sectional view in
As shown in
As shown in the cross-sectional, and partial cut-away view in
As shown in the partial cross-sectional view in
As shown in the partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention in
As shown in the partial cross-sectional view in
As shown in the partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention in
As shown in the partial cross-sectional view in
The incorporation of features which control flow of the mixed beverage upon being dispensed from the beverage container is an important aspect of the invention. As shown in the partial cross-sectional view in
As shown in the side view in
One advantage of the present invention is that it can be easily manufactured with known techniques, such as plastic molding, used in the manufacture of bottle closures.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the three components, the cap, the beverage concentrate reservoir, and the threaded shell remain together before and during use, so as not to create refuse for disposal prior to disposal of the beverage container.
Another advantage of the present invention is its light weight and small size when compared to a bottled beverage. A consumer can easily carry a number of the re-sealable bottle closures on their person to a point of consumption without significant burden. A unique feature of the present invention is that the re-sealable bottle closure is compatible with, and can be used by a consumer, on demand, in conjunction with almost any bottled beverage, particularly bottled water, to create a mixed beverage.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it allows the user to mix a pre-measured amount of beverage concentrate with a liquid, such as water, in a beverage container without having to come into contact with either the beverage concentrate or the beverage container contents.
The methods for using the re-sealable, controlled flow bottle closures of the present invention are described more fully with respect to
The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Further, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and the skill or knowledge in the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiment described hereinabove is further intended to explain modes for practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications required by their particular applications or uses of the invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternate embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
Claims
1. A method comprising the steps of:
- providing a beverage container having screw threads for receiving a threaded closure, said beverage container further containing a liquid;
- providing a re-sealable threaded closure having a valve, said valve comprising a cap and a stem extending from said closure, wherein said cap further includes an aperture, and wherein said cap is seated over said stem, allowing said stem to extend at least partially through said aperture in said cap, said threaded closure further including a beverage concentrate reservoir containing a beverage concentrate, and a mixing mechanism for allowing said beverage concentrate to co-mingle with said liquid;
- screwing said re-sealable threaded closure onto said screw threads of said beverage container to sealably engage said re-sealable threaded closure with said beverage container;
- activating said mixing mechanism to allow said beverage concentrate to co-mingle with said liquid to create a mixed beverage;
- adjusting said cap relative to said stem to allow said mixed beverage to controllably flow from said beverage container.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of activating said mixing mechanism comprises applying a twisting force to said mixing mechanism.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of activating said mixing mechanism comprises applying a pushing force to said mixing mechanism.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of activating said mixing mechanism comprises applying a pushing force followed by applying a twisting force to said mixing mechanism.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of adjusting said cap comprises pulling on said cap to at least partially withdraw said stem from said aperture in said cap.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of adjusting said cap comprises twisting said cap to at least partially withdraw said stem from said aperture in said cap.
7. A method comprising the steps of:
- providing a beverage container, said beverage container further containing a liquid;
- providing a re-sealable closure having a valve, said valve comprising a cap and a stem extending from said closure, wherein said cap further includes an aperture, and wherein said cap is seated over said stem, allowing said stem to extend at least partially through said aperture in said cap, said closure further including a beverage concentrate, and a mixing mechanism for allowing said beverage concentrate to co-mingle with said liquid;
- connecting said re-sealable closure with said beverage container;
- activating said mixing mechanism to allow said beverage concentrate to co-mingle with said liquid to create a mixed beverage;
- adjusting said cap relative to said stem to allow said mixed beverage to controllably flow from said beverage container.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said step of activating said mixing mechanism comprises applying a twisting force to said mixing mechanism.
9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said step of activating said mixing mechanism comprises applying a pushing force to said mixing mechanism.
10. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said step of activating said mixing mechanism comprises applying a pushing force followed by applying a twisting force to said mixing mechanism.
11. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said step of adjusting said cap comprises pulling on said cap to at least partially withdraw said stem from said aperture in said cap.
12. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said step of adjusting said cap comprises twisting said cap to at least partially withdraw said stem from said aperture in said cap.
13. A method comprising the steps of:
- providing a beverage container, said beverage container further containing a liquid;
- providing a closure including a beverage concentrate, and a mixing mechanism for allowing said beverage concentrate to co-mingle with said liquid;
- connecting said closure with said beverage container;
- activating said mixing mechanism to allow said beverage concentrate to co-mingle with said liquid to create a mixed beverage;
- opening said closure to allow said mixed beverage to flow from said beverage container.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said step of activating said mixing mechanism comprises applying a twisting force to said mixing mechanism.
15. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said step of activating said mixing mechanism comprises applying a pushing force to said mixing mechanism.
16. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said step of activating said mixing mechanism comprises applying a pushing force followed by applying a twisting force to said mixing mechanism.
17. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said step of adjusting said cap comprises pulling on said cap to at least partially withdraw said stem from said aperture in said cap.
18. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said re-sealable closure comprises a valve.
19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein said valve comprises a cap and a stem extending from said closure.
20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein said cap further includes an aperture, and wherein said cap is seated over said stem, allowing said stem to extend at least partially through said aperture in said cap.
21. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein said step of adjusting said cap comprises twisting said cap to at least partially withdraw said stem from said aperture in said cap.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 5, 2007
Publication Date: Jun 7, 2007
Inventor: CHRISTOPHER MARSHALL (Ramona, CA)
Application Number: 11/670,997
International Classification: B65D 81/32 (20060101);