BOTTLE CAP FLAVOR DISPENSER

Abstract

A bottle of beer may have a frangible capsule that is fabricated to resemble a slice of lime suspended in the beer. The frangible capsule may be suspended from a length of transparent string attached to a bottle cap of the beer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a visible flavor capsule disposed within a drink to encourage consumers to purchase the drink.

Currently, there are many different drinks in the marketplace to satisfy consumers in different ways. There are liquid replenishment drinks, alcoholic drinks, medical drinks, etc. Some of these drinks have a base liquid (e.g., water, alcohol, etc.) which is mixed with a flavoring component such as lime, salt and pepper immediately prior to consumption. For example, many Mexican beers are flavored with lime immediately prior to consumption. At a bar, the bartender typically has precut slices of lime to dispense to consumers that might order a bottle of Mexican beer such as Corona, Sol, Dos Equis, Tecate, Modelo Especial, Modelo Negra to name a few. Unfortunately, when beer is consumed at home in low quantities, it is cumbersome to cut a single slice of lime for a single bottle of beer. Oftentimes, consumers will forego the slice of lime thereby detracting from the enhanced taste of the beer with lime.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improving the method of flavoring a drink.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The embodiments disclosed herein addresses the needs discussed above and discussed below.

A frangible capsule having a visual appearance of a slice of lime may appear to be suspended in a bottle of beer. The frangible capsule may also contain lime flavored liquid which can be mixed with the beer after opening the bottle of beer immediately prior to consumption. In particular, the frangible capsule may be supported by a transparent string attached to the frangible capsule and a lid (e.g., cap) of the bottle of beer. After removing the lid, the consumer pulls up on the lid and the string to remove the frangible capsule from the bottle of beer. The consumer may rupture the frangible capsule and allow the lime flavored liquid to flow into the bottle of beer to mix the lime flavored liquid with the beer.

More particularly, a container with an integrated flavor dispenser is disclosed. The container may comprise a fluid tight body; a fluid in the fluid tight body; a lid securable to the fluid tight body; and a frangible capsule hung from the lid and disposed in the fluid tight body when the lid is secured to the fluid tight body.

The fluid tight body may be a beer bottle. The lid may be a beer bottle cap.

The frangible capsule may have a visual appearance of a slice of lime.

The container may further comprise a string between the frangible capsule and the lid for hanging the frangible capsule downwardly from the lid. The string may be sufficiently long so that the frangible capsule extends about one half of a height of the fluid tight body. The fluid tight body and the string may be generally transparent so that the frangible capsule may appear to be suspended in the liquid tight body.

The string may appear to be generally invisible.

The fluid tight container may be a sports drink bottle, beer bottle, or milk carton.

The frangible capsule may contain a juice, lemon flavored liquid, lime flavored liquid, seasoning, salt and pepper, flavoring, a food product, or combinations thereof.

The frangible capsule may have a weakened area which is rupturable upon application of finger pressure on the frangible capsule. The weakened area may be disposed at a bottom most tip of the frangible capsule. The frangible capsule may be fabricated from a latex or rubber material. The liquid in the liquid tight body may be beer, a liquid replenishment drink, or a premixed bloody mary cocktail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a fluid tight body with a frangible capsule depending downwardly from a lid from a transparent string to provide a visual appearance that the frangible. capsule (e.g. lime replica) is floating within the fluid tight body;

FIG. 2 illustrates the lid removed from the fluid tight body with the frangible capsule outside of the fluid tight body;

FIG. 3 illustrates fingers squeezing the frangible capsule to release contents in the frangible capsule into the fluid tight body;

FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of the frangible capsule; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a third embodiment of the frangible capsule.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the figures, a frangible capsule 10 which appears to be floating in a drink 12 is shown. Upon removal of a lid 14, the frangible capsule 10 can be removed from the fluid tight body 16 of the drink 12. The frangible capsule 10 may be a lime replica containing a liquid 18 such as a lime flavored liquid therein. The liquid 18 may be squeezed into the liquid 17 of the fluid tight body 16 by hand. By providing a lime in the beer bottle, the consumer is reminded of the enhanced taste of beer and encourages the consumer to make the purchase.

More particularly, referring now to FIG. 1, the drawings illustrate a fluid tight body 16 of the drink 12. Corona beer is illustrated in the drawings. However, any type of drink 12 is contemplated. The fluid tight body 16 may be a transparent beer bottle so that the frangible capsule is viewable from the outside. By way of example and not limitation, the fluid tight body may be fabricated from glass, clear plastic, paper products with a transparent window for viewing of the frangible capsule. In the illustrations, the fluid tight body 16 is a bottle 10 of Corona beer. The frangible capsule is manufactured to visually represent a slice of lime. In use, when a consumer is selecting a beer to drink either at a bar, supermarket, liquor store, etc., the consumer will see the slice of lime in the beer (e.g., Corona beer) and remind him/her of the enhanced taste of the beer (e.g., Corona beer) due to the lime. As such, the consumer would be encouraged to purchase such beer (e.g., Corona beer).

The bottle cap 14 can generally be referred to as a lid which is secured to the fluid tight body 16 and closes off the liquid tight body 16 so that the liquid 20 is maintained in the liquid tight body 16 during transportation until consumption by the consumer. The frangible capsule 10 may be supported by the lid 14 and hung therefrom. The frangible capsule 10 may be attached to the underside surface of the lid 14. By way of example and not limitation, the frangible capsule 10 may be attached to a transparent string 22 such as a fishing line. One end of the transparent string 22 may be attached to the frangible capsule 10. The other end of the transparent string 22 may be attached to the underside of the lid 14. The string 22 is preferably transparent so that visually the frangible capsule appears to be floating in the liquid 17 (e.g., beer) contained in the fluid tight body 16. The string 22 may also encompass other types of materials other than a fishing line. By way of example, the string 22 may be fabricated from a latex or elastomeric material. Preferably, the latex or elastomeric material is transparent to maintain the visual appearance that the frangible capsule 10 is floating within the liquid 17. Other materials from which the string 22 may be fabricated include but are not limited to thread, metallic wire, transparent rigid rod, etc. Preferably, the material from which the string 22 is fabricated from is inert to the liquid 17 in that the string 22 does not alter the taste of the liquid to the consumer. The liquid 17 may also be sufficiently transparent so that the consumer may be able to view the frangible capsule 10.

As discussed above, the string 22 may be connected to the frangible capsule. By way of example and not limitation, the string 22 may be adhered, sonically welded, melted so that there is a rigid or a semi rigid connection between the string 22 and the frangible capsule 10. Alternatively, the string 22 may be pivotally connected to the frangible capsule. By way of example and not limitation, the string 22 and the frangible capsule 10 may be connected to each other with a living hinge or the string 22 may be tied to a hook formed at the upper end of the frangible capsule 10. In this manner, the frangible capsule 10 can pivot on the string 22 and will have a more realistic movement in the bottle. When the consumer holds the drink 12, the frangible capsule 10 will move and turn in a more natural manner.

The string 22 may also be connected to the lid 14. By way of example and not limitation, the upper end of the string 22 may be adhered, sonically welded or melted to the underside surface of the lid 14. Preferably, the string 22 and the connection with the string 22 by the frangible capsule 10 and the lid 14 is sufficiently strong so that the user can pull the frangible capsule 10 out through a neck 26 of the fluid tight body 16. For example, in certain situations, the frangible capsule 10 may be larger than the opening of the neck 26. In this instance, the user must tug on the lid before the frangible capsule 10 will exit out of the fluid tight body 16. Nonetheless, the string 22 and the connection to the lid 14 and the frangible capsule 10 may be sufficiently strong to pull the frangible capsule 10 out of the fluid tight body 16 through the neck 26.

The string 22 may be sufficiently long so that the frangible capsule 10 is disposed about midway along a height of the liquid tight body 16. Nonetheless, other lengths of the string 22 are also contemplated. For example, the string 22 may have a length so that the frangible capsule 10 rests on the bottom of the liquid tight body, is disposed within the neck 26 of the liquid tight body 16 or is wedged in the liquid tight body 16 immediately below the neck 26. Preferably, the string 22 is sufficiently long so that the frangible capsule 10 is below the, upper surface 20 of the liquid 17.

The frangible capsule 10 may appear to float within the liquid 17. The frangible capsule 10 and the liquid 18 or solid contained in the frangible capsule 10 may collectively have a density which is greater than, equal to or less than the density of the liquid 17 within the liquid tight body 16. If the density of the frangible capsule 10 and the liquid 17 or solid in the frangible capsule 10 is collectively higher than the density of the liquid 17, then the frangible capsule would drop to the bottom and the string 22, 22a, 22b will regulate the position of the frangible capsule along a height of the liquid tight body 16. The length of the string 22, 22a, 22b can be lengthened or shortened as desired to produce the desired visual effect. If the density of the frangible capsule 10 and the liquid 17 or solid in the frangible capsule 10 is collectively equal to the density of the liquid 17, then the frangible capsule 10 would appear to be suspended within the liquid 17. If the density of the frangible capsule 10 and the liquid 17 or solid in the frangible capsule 10 is collectively lower than the density of the liquid 17, then the frangible capsule would rise. The frangible capsule 10 can be made to be slightly larger than the neck 26 of the liquid tight body 16 so that the frangible capsule 10 would be wedged into the bottom of the neck. Alternatively, the frangible capsule 10 can be made to be smaller than the neck 26 of the liquid tight body 16 so that the frangible capsule would rise to the upper surface 20 of the liquid 17.

The frangible capsule 10 may be designed to have a particular aesthetic appearance. For example, for Mexican beers, they are typically served with a slice of lime. As such, if the drink 12 is a Mexican beer such as Corona beer, the frangible capsule 10 may be fabricated to resemble a slice of lime. For example, the frangible capsule 10 may have a bright green peel and a yellow/green pulp. Other configurations are also contemplated. By way of example and not limitation, the frangible capsule 10 may be fabricated to resemble a packet of salt, salt and pepper, oil, cilantro, etc.

The contents of the frangible capsule 10 may correspond to the visual appearance of the frangible capsule 10. If the frangible capsule 10 is fabricated to resemble a slice of time, the frangible capsule 10 may contain lime flavored liquid or lime juice. If the frangible capsule is fabricated to resemble salt and pepper, then the frangible capsule 10 may be filled with salt and pepper.

The frangible capsule 10 may have a weakened area. The weakened area may be at a lower portion of the frangible capsule 10 so that the contents of the frangible capsule 10 will flow downwardly into the liquid tight body when ruptured upon application of pressure. In FIG. 3, the weakened area is shown as being located at the bottom most tip of the frangible capsule 10. However, it is contemplated that the weakened area may be located at other locations on the frangible capsule 10 along the vertical height of the frangible capsule 10 (e.g., upper portion). The weakened area may be a score line in the wall of the frangible capsule 10. When the frangible capsule is squeezed, the weakened area will be the first area to burst and release the built up pressure. As shown in FIG. 3, the consumer may squeeze an upper portion of the frangible capsule. In doing so, pressure is built up in the frangible capsule 10. The built up pressure is released upon rupture of the weakened area. Since the weakened area is disposed at the lower portion of the frangible capsule 10, the contents of the frangible capsule 10 is urged into the liquid tight body 16.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the frangible capsule 10 may be incorporated into a beer bottle such as Corona beer. The frangible capsule 10 may be incorporated into the beer at the beer bottling facility. The frangible capsule 10 may be fabricated to visually mimic a slice of lime so that the consumer can visualize a nice cold Corona with lime and be tempted to purchase the beer. After the user purchases the beer, the user will remove the lid 14 or cap from the liquid tight body 16. The frangible capsule 10 may be suspended in the liquid 17 by a length of string 22. Preferably, the length of the string 22 is transparent to further enhance the visual effect that the frangible capsule is being suspended in the liquid 17 or alcoholic liquid. When the lid 14 is removed from the liquid tight body 16, the user may pull on the lid 14 or the string 22 whichever is more convenient for the user and pull the frangible capsule 10 out of the liquid tight body 16 through the neck 26. Upon removal of the frangible capsule 10, the user may squeeze the frangible capsule 10 while pointing the weakened area of the frangible capsule toward the opening 28 of the liquid tight body 16.

At a super market, liquor store or bar, the alcoholic drink 12 may be stocked on a shelf or in a cooler bin. The Corona beer or drink 12 will at first glance appear to have a slice of lime or frangible capsule 10 floating within the liquid 17 or beer. The visual appearance of the lime within the Corona beer will make the Corona beer more aesthetically pleasing and encourage consumers to purchase the Corona beer.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a second embodiment is shown. The frangible capsule 10a may be fabricated from a rubber or latex material. The frangible capsule 10a may be supported by the lid 14. In particular, the string 22a may be an extension of the frangible capsule 10a. Similar to the other embodiments, the frangible capsule 10a is capable of storing a liquid or solid and expelling the solid or liquid upon application of pressure on the exterior of the frangible capsule 10a. The contents stored in the frangible capsule 10a may be directed by pointing a weakened area of the frangible capsule 10a over a bottle opening or other desired location.

The string 22a may have a length so that the frangible capsule 10a is disposed at the upper half of the liquid tight body 16 when the lid 14 is still attached to the liquid tight body 16. Preferably, the frangible capsule 10a is disposed below the upper surface 20 of the liquid 17 and in the neck 26 of the liquid tight body 16. Although the embodiment illustrates a frangible capsule 10a attached to the lid 14 with a short length string 22a, it is also contemplated that the string 22a may be extended so that the frangible capsule 10a is located midway along a height of the liquid tight body 16 or rests on the bottom of the liquid tight body 16.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a third embodiment is shown. The lid 14 has a frangible capsule 10b extending downwardly from the lid 14 with a string 22b. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the string 22b may be short so that the frangible capsule 10b is located in the neck 26 of the liquid tight body 16 and below the upper surface 22 of the liquid 17. Alternatively, the string 22b may be lengthened so that the frangible capsule 10b is located about midway along a height of the liquid tight body 16 or rests on the bottom of the liquid tight body 16.

The frangible capsule 10b may contain solids such as solid seasonings (e.g., spices, salt and pepper, salt, pepper, etc.). To remove the solid contents from the frangible capsule the consumer may apply pressure to the outside of the frangible capsule 10b. By way of example and not limitation, the consumer may tear the bottom portion of the frangible capsule 10b off of the top portion of the frangible capsule 10b to release the solid content 28 out of the frangible capsule 10b as shown in FIG. 5. Solids may also be contained in the other frangible capsules 10, 10a discussed herein.

The various aspects of the bottle cap flavor dispenser was discussed herein in relation to a bottle of Corona beer. However, the various aspects may also be applied to any type of beer such as Sol, Dos Equis, Tecate, Modelo Especial, Modelo Negra to name a few. Moreover, the various aspects may he applied to hard liquor, mixed cocktails and non alcoholic drinks (e.g., milk, water, virgin drinks, etc.)

Although preferably, the liquid tight body 16 is transparent so that the consumer can view the frangible capsule, it is also contemplated that the liquid tight body may be opaque. Also, it is contemplated that the liquid tight body 16 may be opaque with a transparent window so that the consumer may view the frangible capsule 10 through the transparent window.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.

Claims

1. A container with an integrated flavor dispenser, the container comprising:

a fluid tight body;

a fluid in the fluid tight body;

a lid securable to the fluid tight body;

a frangible capsule supported from the lid and disposed in the fluid tight body when the lid is secured to the fluid tight body.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the fluid tight body is a beer bottle.

3. The container of claim 2 wherein the lid is a beer bottle cap.

4. The container of claim 3 wherein the frangible capsule has a visual appearance of a slice of lime.

5. The container of claim 4 further comprising a string between the frangible capsule and the lid for hanging the frangible capsule to the lid.

6. The container of claim 5 wherein the string has a length so that the frangible capsule extends about one half of a height of the fluid tight body.

7. The container of claim 5 wherein the fluid tight body and the string are generally transparent.

8. The container of claim 6 wherein the string appears to be generally invisible.

9. The container of claim 1 wherein the fluid tight container is a sports drink.

10. The container of claim 1 further comprising a juice, lemon flavor liquid, lime flavor liquid, seasoning, salt and pepper, solid or liquid flavoring, a food product, or combinations thereof disposed in the frangible capsule.

11. The container of claim 1 wherein the frangible capsule has a weakened area which is rupturable upon application of finger pressure on the frangible capsule.

12. The container of claim 11 wherein the weakened area is at a bottom most tip of the frangible capsule.

13. The container of claim 1 wherein the frangible capsule is fabricated from a latex or rubber material.

14. The container of claim 1 wherein the fluid is beer, a liquid replenishment drink, or a premixed bloody mary cocktail.