Abstract:
A selectable flavor dispenser comprises a base beverage container, an additive selecting and dispensing assembly, and a drinking cup. The additive selecting and dispensing assembly each comprises an additive dispensing vial, a dispensing mechanism, and a dispensing actuator. By selecting and activating a specific actuator, a user is able to dispense a desired additive into a base beverage and deliver the mixture to the drinking cup through a straw, a check valve, and a bifurcated nozzle. A vacuum breaker allows incoming air to replace the volume of the depleted base beverage.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/369,824 filed on Aug. 2, 2010, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a beverage container, and in particular, to a beverage container having an integral and selectively actuated flavor dispenser. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Personal flavored beverages are one (1) of the most popular consumable items in the world. Such beverages include a variety of teas, juices, sodas, and many other popular beverages. Flavored beverages are also enjoyed by purchasing larger quantities in large containers or by utilizing flavor mixes which can be combined with water to produce a more flavorful beverage. 
     Such beverages are popular due to the fact that the wide range of brands and variety of flavors even within particular brands or types of beverage means that individuals can experience a wide range of flavors and will not necessarily become tired of experiencing a particular taste. However, even the smallest commonly available beverage containers provide a full serving&#39;s worth of liquid, while not affording the user any variety during the consumption of that liquid. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide beverage containers with a means for introducing a flavor additive into a beverage within the container. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,931, issued in the name of Weir et al., describes a molded plastic closure providing a lid for a beverage container and having a plurality of integral, rupturable mix compartments for storing a plurality of beverage additives. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,564, issued in the name of Kimm, describes a beverage container with a plurality of rupturable tubular members for selectively imparting one (1) or more flavors into a beverage. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,612, issued in the name of Vlodek, describes a closure for a beverage receptacle with a plurality of selectively operable plungers that pierce a seal to dispense additives into the receptacle. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one or more disadvantages. Many such devices allow a user to customize a beverage by mixing one (1) or more flavors at a user-selected time. However, these devices generally introduce the flavor into a base liquid (typically water), and once the flavor is mixed within the water, the user is forced to consume the remainder of the liquid with that flavor. The only available variety is in adding additional flavors within the already mixed liquid. Accordingly, there exists a need for a beverage container that affords a user customizability and variety with regards to flavoring but without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a beverage container that enables a user to combine more than one (1) flavor with water in the context of a single serving while providing a means for switching back and forth between flavors. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a means for selectively flavoring a beverage during consumption by providing a beverage container that enables a user to mix one (1) or more liquid additives into a base fluid such as water within the container. The apparatus comprises a hollow beverage container, an additive dispensing section located at a top of the beverage container, and a drinking cup portion affixed to a top of the additive dispensing section. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide the additive dispensing section with a plurality of additive vials each containing a volume of an additive. The additive vials can each contain a different flavoring agent that can be selectively mixed with the base fluid. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a particular constructed straw that provides fluid communication between the hollow beverage container and the drinking cup portion. The straw has a lower section extending downwardly into the hollow beverage container from the additive dispensing section and an upper section extending from the additive dispensing section upwardly into the drinking cup portion. As the base fluid flows upwardly through the lower straw section, it passes through the additive dispensing section and past each of the additive vials before emptying into the drinking cup portion. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow a user to selectively introduce one (1) or more of the additives at a time into the base fluid by depressing a digit-operated bulb section of a corresponding additive vial. The bulb is located on an exterior of the apparatus and causes an interior split body portion of the bulb to open within the additive dispensing section, thereby releasing a portion of the contained additive into the additive dispensing section where it is contacted by and mixed with a flow of base fluid. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise the bulbs of a variety of colors to allow a user to discern and distinguish which bulb corresponds to which additive. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to enable a user to provide varying flavors from one (1) sip to another by releasing a small volume of one (1) additive into the flow of base fluid and mixing it into the drinking cup portion, consuming the flavored fluid, and releasing a small volume of a different additive prior to a subsequent drink. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a check valve within the lower straw section that prevents flavored base fluid from re-entering the beverage container and contaminating the unflavored base fluid. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a vent valve within the beverage container that allows air to backfill the beverage container after it is squeezed. This facilitates use by allowing a user to consistently squeeze the beverage container in order to force the base fluid upwardly through the lower straw section and into the additive dispensing section. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise a top end of the upper straw section of a bifurcated nozzle which directs the flavored base fluid into the drinking cup portion. The nozzle provides a final mixing means to ensure that a dispensed additive is thoroughly mixed within the base fluid prior to consumption. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a sealed packaging having a perforated pull tab to ensure that the cup portion and additive dispensing section of the apparatus remain sanitary prior to use and to further ensure that the apparatus is not tampered with. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of procuring a beverage using the apparatus and having a desired base fluid and flavor additives, removing the seal, dispensing a desired additive or multiple additives, squeezing the container to base fluid into the additive dispensing section for mixing, continuing to squeeze the container until a desired volume of mixed beverage is received into the drinking cup, consuming the mixed beverage, repeating the additive dispensing, and enjoying a convenient means of creating and consuming a custom-mixed beverage. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a selectable flavor dispenser for a beverage container  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a horizontal section view through an additive dispensing portion  12  of the selectable flavor dispenser for a beverage container  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a vertical section view through the additive dispensing portion  12  of the selectable flavor dispenser for a beverage container  10  taken along section line B-B (see  FIG. 2 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a selectable flavor dispenser for a beverage container  10  depicting a packaged state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 10 
                 selectable flavor dispenser  
               
               
                   
                   
                 for a beverage container 
               
               
                   
                 11 
                 container 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 additive dispensing section 
               
               
                   
                 13 
                 additive 
               
               
                   
                 14 
                 drinking cup 
               
               
                   
                 15 
                 container base 
               
               
                   
                 16 
                 additive vial 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 vent valve 
               
               
                   
                 21 
                 lower straw section 
               
               
                   
                 22  
                 check valve 
               
               
                   
                 23 
                 bifurcated nozzle 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 base fluid 
               
               
                   
                 25 
                 mixed beverage 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 upper straw section 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 fluid flow 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 bulb 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 body 
               
               
                   
                 50 
                 shrink wrap seal 
               
               
                   
                 52 
                 pull tab 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a selectable flavor dispenser for a beverage container (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a point of use for mixing of a base fluid  24  such as water, and various liquid additives  13  to produce a mixed beverage  25  within a cup portion  14  of the apparatus  10 , which enables a user to consume therefrom. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a transparent or translucent plastic three-section assembly comprising a hollow beverage container  11 , a torus-shaped additive dispensing section  12  affixed along a top edge of said container  11 , and a drinking cup portion  14  affixed to an upper surface of said additive dispensing section  12 . Said portions  11 ,  12 ,  14  of the apparatus  10  are arranged vertically along a common center axis being joined using common plastic joining processes such as, but not limited to: plastic welding, adhesives, or the like. 
     The container  11  comprises a hollow flexible hourglass-shaped or cylindrical vessel further comprising an integral semi-rigid container base  15  and a vent valve  18  which provides a means to backfill said container  11  with air as the base fluid  24  is displaced. 
     The additive dispensing section  12  comprises a torus-shaped chamber in which the mixed beverage  25  is prepared by internally mixing a liquid additive  13  from said additive dispensing section  12  and a volume of base fluid  24  from the container  11 . The additive dispensing section  12  comprises a plurality of additive vials  16 , a lower straw section  21 , and an upper straw section  26 . Said additive vials  16  provide a means to contain and dispense a volume of liquid additive  13  into said base fluid  24  to produce the mixed beverage  25 . The additive vials  16  comprise a plurality of individual digit-operated devices permanently affixed and arranged in an equally-spaced manner along a top surface of the additive dispensing section  12  in a water-tight manner. Each additive  13  is envisioned to comprise a colored and flavored concentrated liquid which once mixed with the base fluid  24  provides an attractive and enjoyable mixed beverage  25  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     The apparatus  10  is envisioned to be introduced having at least one (preferably a plurality) of selectable additive vials  16  being pre-charged with liquid additives  13 , and a pre-determined volume of base fluid  24  within the container  11 . Finally, the upper portions of the apparatus  10  are packaged using a tamper-proof shrink-wrap seal  50  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , horizontal and vertical section views through the additive dispensing section  12  of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. Each of the additive vials  16  are operated by a respective digit-operated flexible button-shaped or hemispherical bulb  36  being disposed along an upper peripheral exterior portion of the additive dispensing section  12 . Each bulb  36  comprises indicia thereon or adjacent thereto, thereby indicating the type of additive  13  stored within. Preferably, each bulb  36  is envisioned to be correspondingly color-coded according to a particular contained additive  13  to be mixed with the base fluid  24 . As a user presses said bulb  36 , a metered quantity of additive  13  is dispensed downwardly from an integral split body portion  38  of the additive vial  16  internal to the additive dispensing section  12 . Said split body  38  comprises a molded rubber or plastic device which opens to release a quantity of additive  13  into the additive dispensing section  12  due to the pressure applied to the bulb  36 . Said split body  38  then returns to a closed-state to retain a remaining volume of additive  13  within. It is understood that the additives  13  may comprise a variety of liquid products such as, but not limited to: flavoring, coloring, vitamins, nutritional additives, and the like. 
     An interior portion of said additive dispensing portion  12  comprises integral plastic molded or otherwise assembled fluid conveying portions including a downwardly extending lower straw section  21  and an upwardly extending upper straw section  26 . The lower straw section  21  provides a plastic straw-like conduit which extends downwardly ending slightly above a bottom surface portion of the container base  15 . In use, a volume of base fluid  24  is propelled upwardly into the additive dispensing portion  12  and subsequently into the drinking cup interior  19  of the top-mounted drinking cup portion  14  as the container  11  is manually squeezed, thereby pressurizing the contained base fluid  24 . The lower straw section  21  further comprises an in-line check valve  22  which retains the upwardly propelled base fluid  24  within the additive dispensing section  12 . As said base fluid  24  is received within said additive dispensing section  12 , said base fluid  24  is propelled in a horizontal circular direction within said additive dispensing section  12  to provide a mixing fluid flow  30  to obtain mixing of the previously dispensed additive  13  and is in turn propelled upwardly into the upper straw section  26 . Said upward flow is generated each time a user squeezes the container  11  until the base fluid  24  is exhausted. The aforementioned vent valve portion  18  of the container  11  allows incoming air to replace a displaced volume of the base fluid  24 , thereby allowing said container  11  to restore its shape. 
     The upper straw section  26  comprises an integral “Y”-shaped bifurcated nozzle  23  at a top end portion, being positioned within the drinking cup portion  14 . The bifurcated nozzle  23  is envisioned to provide a final mixing means to the mixed beverage  25 . The drinking cup  14  is envisioned to comprise a flared or straight-sided vessel with an interior  19  suitable to provide a normal drinking means of the prepared beverage  25 . It is understood that the mixed beverage  25  may be replenished repeatedly as desired using a single additive vial  16  or a combination of additive vials  16  to provide various beverages  25  as desired until the volume of base fluid  24  is exhausted. 
     The various elements of the apparatus  10  are envisioned to be made of food grade plastic materials, wherein the container  11 , the additive dispensing section  12 , and the drinking cup  14  comprise a clear or attractively tinted translucent plastic. The lower  21  and upper  26  straw sections are envisioned to comprise a section of semi-rigid plastic tubing, wherein a lower open end portion clears a bottom interior surface portion of the container base  15 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of the apparatus  10  depicting a packaged state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  is envisioned to be packaged in a tamper-proof manner using a common shrink-wrap seal  50  envisioned to have a perforated pull tab feature  52  and encompassing an upper portion of the apparatus  10  including the additive dispensing section  12  and the drinking cup portion  14  for sanitary and safety purposes. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be utilized as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a single unit or a multi-packaged portion of the apparatus  10 ; removing the tamper-proof shrink wrap seal  50  from the apparatus  10  using the pull tab feature  52 ; selecting a desired additive  13 , or multiple additives  13 , according to the color-code of the respective bulb  36 ; pressing the bulb  36  to dispense a volume of additive  13  from the respective additive vial  16  into the additive dispensing section  12 ; dispensing additional additive  13  as described above, until a desired number and amount of additives  13  is dispensed; squeezing the container  11  to propel a desired volume of base fluid  24  into the additive dispensing section  12  for mixing; continuing to squeeze the container  11  until a desired volume of mixed beverage  25  is received into the drinking cup  14 ; consuming said volume of the mixed beverage  25  within the drinking cup  14  by tilting the apparatus  10  in a normal manner; repeating the additive dispensing, base fluid  24  propulsion, and drinking of the mixed beverage  25  as desired, or until such time as the base fluid  24  within the container  11  is exhausted; and, enjoying a convenient means of creating and consuming a custom-mixed beverage  25  afforded the user of the present invention  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.