Abstract:
A cap for making a soft drink in a threaded bottle includes an inner cap, an outer cap and a flavor container. The inner cap has external threads and internal threads that match the threads of the mouth of the bottle, and the outer cap has internal threads that match the external threads of the inner cap. The cap includes a first releaser for opening the flavor container into the bottle when the cap is being screwed onto the mouth of the bottle. The cap further includes a carbon dioxide container and a second releaser for opening the carbon dioxide container into the bottle when the outer cap and the inner cap are being screwed relative to each other. The disclosed embodiments also relate to a method for making a soft drink.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The aspects of the disclosed embodiments relate to a cap for making a soft drink as defined in the preamble of claim  1  and to a method for making a soft drink as defined in the preamble of claim  9 . 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    It is known to add different kinds of taste flavorants and dyes to water to make soft drinks. Ready-made soft drinks can be bought from a shop. In addition, to make soft drinks at home, devices are known for mixing different kinds of taste flavorants and dyes in water and for adding carbon dioxide to water. 
         [0003]    The problem with the known devices for making soft drinks is their cost. The user must, in addition to the device, separately buy carbon dioxide for carbonating the drink as well as the necessary flavorants. Carbon dioxide and flavorants and dyes are sold in large packages, so the user must make a large amount of soft drink with the same taste. 
         [0004]    There is thus a need to develop new devices for making soft drinks, allowing one to easily and economically make a soft drink at home in such a way that small amounts of soft drinks with different tastes can be made at a time. 
         [0005]    The aspects of the disclosed embodiments are directed to addressing the defects described above. 
         [0006]    Specifically, the aspects of the disclosed embodiments are directedto a new and simple cap for making a soft drink, allowing soft drinks with different tastes to be made at home without the user being forced to buy a large package of a specific flavorant. 
         [0007]    The aspects of the disclosed embodiments are also directed to a method for making a soft drink. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The cap and the method according to the disclosed embodiments are characterized by the features presented in the claims. 
         [0009]    The cap according to the disclosed embodiments for making a soft drink in a threaded bottle comprises an inner cap, an outer cap and a flavor container. The inner cap has external threads, and internal threads that match the threads of the mouth of the bottle, and the outer cap has internal threads that match the external threads of the inner cap. The cap comprises a first releaser for opening the flavor container into the bottle when the cap is being screwed onto the mouth of the bottle. The cap comprises a carbon dioxide container and a second releaser for opening the carbon dioxide container into the bottle when the outer cap and the inner cap are being screwed relative to each other. 
         [0010]    In the method according to the disclosed embodiments for making a soft drink by means of a cap that is screwable onto a bottle, liquid is added into the bottle and the bottle is closed with the cap which comprises an inner cap, an outer cap and a flavor container, by sealing the mouth of the bottle with the inner cap by screwing the outer cap, at the same time opening the flavor container and releasing the flavors. The cap also comprises a carbon dioxide container. After sealing of the mouth of the bottle with the inner cap, the bottle is turned upside down and carbon dioxide released to the liquid space of the bottle by screwing the outer cap further in the same direction. 
         [0011]    The bottle for use to make a soft drink may be a normal soft drink bottle sold in shops. In one embodiment the bottle is a half-liter soft drink bottle. The bottle may as well be of any other volume, the amount of the flavor in the flavor container and of the carbon dioxide in the carbon dioxide container being proportioned to the liquid volume of the bottle. In addition, the concentration of the soft drink can be adjusted by means of the liquid volume. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment the inner cap and the outer cap are made of plastic. The external threads of the inner cap refer to threads on the outer outer surface of the inner cap. In a corresponding manner, the internal threads of the inner cap or the outer cap refer to threads on the inner surface of the inner cap or the outer cap. The internal threads of the inner cap match the threads of the mouth of the bottle, so that the inner cap is screwable onto the mouth of the bottle. The external threads of the inner cap and the internal threads of the outer cap match each other, so that the outer cap is screwable onto the inner cap. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment the flavor container is made of plastic. The flavor container may be an integral part of the inner or the outer cap or a separate part. In one embodiment the flavor container is a bag. The flavor container may, in addition to flavor, also contain other substances, such as dyes or additives. The flavor container holds a dose of flavorants, dyes and/or additives in an amount proportioned to the liquid volume of the bottle being used. In a ready assembled cap the flavor container is closed. The flavor container opens when the cap is being screwed onto the mouth of the bottle, and the flavor flows into the bottle. 
         [0014]    The carbon dioxide container contains carbon dioxide. In one embodiment the carbon dioxide container is made of metal. 
         [0015]    The purpose of the first releaser is to open the flavor container when the cap is being screwed onto the mouth of the bottle to release the flavor into the bottle. In one embodiment the first releaser also closes the flavor container before the cap is screwed onto the mouth of the bottle. In one embodiment the first releaser is a sealing ring which closes openings provided at the base of the flavor container when the cap has not been screwed onto the mouth of the bottle and opens the flavor openings at the base of the flavor container when the cap is screwed onto the mouth of the bottle in a sealing manner. 
         [0016]    The purpose of the second releaser is to open the carbon dioxide container when the inner cap and the outer cap are being screwed relative to each other so that carbon dioxide is released into the bottle. In one embodiment the second releaser is an integral part of the inner cap. In one embodiment the second releaser is a separate component and not part of the inner cap. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment the cap comprises a screw locking mechanism to prevent the inner cap and the outer cap from screwing relative to each other when the inner cap is being screwed onto the mouth of the bottle. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment the screw locking mechanism is arranged to prevent the inner cap and the outer cap that have been screwed to each other from unscrewing when they are together being screwed off the mouth of the bottle. When carbon dioxide has been released into the bottle, the screw locking mechanism locks the inner and the outer cap to each other so that the inner cap and the outer cap do not screw relative to each other, and thus allows the removal of the whole cap from the mouth of the bottle in one piece. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment the screw locking mechanism is embodied as matching projections and edged members on the outer surface of the inner cap and on the inner surface of the outer cap. In one embodiment the projections and edged members are disposed at the external threads of the inner cap and at the internal threads of the outer cap. In one embodiment the projections are shaped to be beveled. In one embodiment the edged members are shaped to be sharp. The projections and edged members are flexible and configured in shape and size to be slidable past each other. The stiffness, shape and size of the projections and edged members are configured to prevent screwing of the inner and the outer cap relative to each other before the mouth of the bottle has been sealed by the inner cap. The shape of the projections and edged members allows the screwing of the inner and the outer cap relative to each other in one direction while preventing the screwing of the inner and the outer cap relative to each other in the opposite direction. In one embodiment the edged members are grouped in pairs on the outer surface of the inner cap or on the inner surface of the outer cap so that the projections on the mating surface lock between a pair of edged members. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment the screw locking mechanism is configured by designing the tightness of the external threads of the inner cap and the internal threads of the outer cap to be such that the inner cap first screws around the mouth of the bottle and only after that does the outer cap screw relative to the inner cap. In one embodiment the tightness between the threads of the bottle and the internal threads of the inner cap is less than the tightness between the external threads of the inner cap and the internal threads of the outer cap, so that the mouth of the bottle becomes sealed by the inner cap before the outer cap and the inner cap screw relative to each other. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment the second releaser comprises a piercing member which is arranged to penetrate into the carbon dioxide container for opening the container when the outer cap and the inner cap are being screwed relative to each other, the piercing member having an opening which extends through the inner cap to convey carbon dioxide into the bottle. The length and position of the piercing member are designed to allow the piercing member to extend far enough to open the carbon dioxide capsule when the inner and the outer cap are being screwed relative to each other. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment the piercing member is made of metal. In one embodiment the piercing member is made of plastic. The piercing member may be a needle. In one embodiment the piercing member is hollow and carbon dioxide is conveyed into the bottle through the opening of the piercing member and through an opening of the inner cap which is connected thereto. In one embodiment the diameter of the opening of the inner cap is 0.3-0.7 mm. In one embodiment the diameter of the opening of the inner cap is 0.4-0.6 mm. In one embodiment the diameter of the opening of the inner cap is 0.5 mm. By means of the diameter of the opening of the inner cap, it is possible to adjust the speed at which carbon dioxide is discharged from the carbon dioxide container, and thus the carbonation of the drink. When the diameter of the opening of the inner cap is 0.5 mm, the liquid in the bottle becomes well carbonated. In one embodiment the diameter of the opening of the piercing member is larger than the diameter of the opening of the inner cap. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment the head of the piercing member is shaped as a truncated cone. In one embodiment the piercing member is shaped as a truncated cone. The head of the piercing member is beveled sharp in order to pierce the carbon dioxide container when the inner cap and the outer cap are being screwed relative to each other. In one embodiment the surface of the truncated cone shaped head of the piercing member is angled at 15-25 degrees to the central axis of the piercing member. In one embodiment the surface of the truncated cone shaped head of the piercing member is angled at 20 degrees to the central axis of the piercing member. In one embodiment the head of the piercing member is cut sharp with a beveled cut. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment the cap comprises an indicator which is arranged to indicate screwing of the inner cap onto the mouth of the bottle in a sealing way. The indicator gives a signal which may be based for example on the visual perception, tactile perception or auditory perception. The user of the cap knows due to the signal that the inner cap is screwed in a sufficiently sealing way onto the mouth of the bottle so that the bottle can be turned upside down to release carbon dioxide. The bottle must be turned upside down before releasing carbon dioxide in order that the liquid in the bottle becomes carbonated. When carbon dioxide is released into the liquid space of the bottle while the bottle is upside down, the liquid in the bottle becomes carbonated effectively. Carbon dioxide dissolves in the liquid in the bottle and as a result, when carbon dioxide and water react, carbonic acid is formed. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, sealing of the mouth of the bottle with the inner cap is noted due to a signal produced by the cap, and after that the bottle is turned upside down. 
         [0026]    The embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be freely combined with each other. Several embodiments may be combined to form a new embodiment. The cap or the method that is the object of the ipresent disclosure may comprise one or more of the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0027]    The cap and the method for making a soft drink according to the disclosed embodiments provide considerable advantages over the prior art. Making a soft drink by means of the cap according to the disclosed embodiments is very simple. To make a soft drink by means of the cap and the method according to the disclosed embodiments only requires the cap, tap water and a normal soft drink bottle available from a shop. In other words, the user does not have to carry home large amounts of ready-made soft drinks. Furthermore, the user is not forced to buy large amounts of carbon dioxide or taste flavorants and dyes to make a soft drink. The user of the cap is not restricted to the bottles of a specific manufacturer. In addition, the cap according to the disclosed embodiments is inexpensive. It is possible for the user to buy and make just one bottle of a soft drink with a specific taste at a time. 
     
    
     
       LIST OF FIGURES 
         [0028]    The aspects of the disclosed embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying figures which illustrate the embodiments by way of example. The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments of the figures. 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  illustrates an outer cap according to one embodiment, 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  illustrates an inner cap according to one embodiment, 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates an inner cap according to one embodiment as seen from the base, 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  illustrates an inner cap and a sealing ring according to one embodiment as seen from the base, 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cap according to one embodiment before screwing of the cap onto the mouth of a bottle, 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  illustrates a cap according to one embodiment screwed onto the mouth of a bottle in a position where the flavor container has opened, and 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  illustrates a cap according to one embodiment screwed onto the mouth of a bottle in a position where the carbon dioxide container has opened. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]      FIG. 1  illustrates an outer cap  2  according to one embodiment. The inner surface of the outer cap  2  is provided with internal threads  7  that match the external threads  5  of an inner cap  1 . In addition, projections  11  and edged members  12  are provided on the inner surface of the outer cap  2 , and together with edged members  12  of the inner cap  1  they form part of a screw locking mechanism  10 . A three-start thread is provided in the outer cap  2  according to  FIG. 1 , but there may as well be some other number of threads. The number of projections  11  and edged members  12  in the outer cap  2  according to  FIG. 1  is three, but there may as well be some other number of projections  11  and edged members  12 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  illustrates an inner cap  1  according to one embodiment. The outer surface of the inner cap  1  is provided with external threads  5  that match the internal threads  7  of the outer cap  2 . The outer surface of the inner cap  1  is also provided with edged members  12  which are grouped in pairs in the inner cap  1  according to  FIG. 2  so that the projections  11  and edged members  12  on the inner surface of the outer cap  2  lock between a pair formed by the edged members  12  of the inner cap  1 . In a ready assembled cap the projections  11  and edged members  12  of the outer cap  2  are provided between a first pair of edged members of the inner cap  1  so as to allow screwing of the inner cap and the outer cap relative to each other only in one direction but not in the opposite direction. The inner cap  1  according to  FIG. 2  has three groups formed by two pairs of edged members  12 , i.e. the total number of edged members is twelve. However, there may as well be some other number of edged members. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate an inner cap  1  according to one embodiment as seen from the base  21 . External threads  5  that match the internal threads  7  of the outer cap  2  are provided on the outer surface of the inner cap  1 . The outer surface of the inner cap  1  is also provided with edged members  12  which together with the projections  11  and edged members  12  of the outer cap  2  form a screw locking mechanism  10 . Internal threads  6  that match the threads of the mouth of the bottle  20  are provided on the inner surface of the inner cap  1 . In addition, an opening  23  is provided at the base  21  of the inner cap  1  in direct alignment with an opening  14  of a piercing member  13  for releasing carbon dioxide into the bottle  20  from a carbon dioxide container  3 . The piercing member  13  and its specific position are illustrated in  FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 . 
         [0039]    In  FIG. 3  the base  21  of the inner cap  1  has flavor openings  22  for releasing flavor from a flavor container  4  into the bottle  20 . In  FIG. 4  the flavor openings  22  are covered with a first releaser  8  which seals the flavor openings  22 . The purpose of the first releaser  8  is to release flavors by opening the flavor container  4  when the cap is being screwed onto the mouth of the bottle  20 . In the inner cap  1  according to  FIG. 4  the first releaser  8  is a sealing ring  17  which closes all three flavor openings  22  of the base  21 .  FIG. 4  illustrates, in the sealing ring  17 , sections  19  which are thinner than the rest of the sealing ring  17  and at which the sealing ring  17  tears when the cap is being screwed onto the mouth of the bottle. The operation of the sealing ring  17  as the first releaser  8  will be described with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
         [0040]      FIGS. 5, 6 and 7  illustrate a cap according to one embodiment. The cap is illustrated in  FIG. 5  before screwing of the cap onto the mouth of the bottle. The cap is illustrated in  FIG. 6  screwed onto the mouth of the bottle  20  so that the mouth of the bottle  20  is sealed by the inner cap  1  and the flavor container  4  has opened. The cap is illustrated in  FIG. 7  screwed onto the mouth of the bottle  20  so that the outer cap  2  and the inner cap  1  have been screwed relative to each other and the carbon dioxide container  3  has opened. 
         [0041]    The cap of  FIGS. 5, 6 and 7  comprises an inner cap  1 , an outer cap  2 , a carbon dioxide container  3  and a flavor container  4 . The inner cap  1  forms part of the wall of the flavor container  4 . Flavor is released into the bottle from the flavor container  4  through flavor openings  22  of the base  21  of the inner cap when the cap is being screwed onto the mouth of the bottle. External threads  5 , as well as internal threads  6  that match the threads of the mouth of the bottle, are provided in the inner cap. Internal threads  7  that match the external threads  5  of the inner cap  1  are provided in the outer cap  2 . The cap comprises a first releaser  8  which is a sealing ring  17  in the embodiment according to  FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 . 
         [0042]    In addition, the cap comprises a second releaser  9  which in the embodiment according to  FIGS. 5, 6 and 7  is a piercing member  13  with a central opening  14 . The opening  14  of the piercing member  13  extends through an opening  23  in the inner cap  1  into the bottle  20 . The head  15  of the piercing member  13  is sharply beveled and shaped as a truncated cone. The piercing member  13  is embedded in the inner cap  1  and its orientation and length are configured to be such that the piercing member  13  pierces the carbon dioxide container  3  when the inner cap  1  and the outer cap  2  are being screwed relative to each other so as to release carbon dioxide into the bottle  20 . 
         [0043]    A screw locking mechanism  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 5, 6 and 7  prevents the outer cap  2  and the inner cap  1  from screwing relative to each other during screwing of the inner cap  1  onto the mouth of the bottle  20 . The screw locking mechanism  10  also prevents unscrewing of the inner cap  1  and the outer cap  2  that have been screwed on each other during screwing of the cap off the mouth of the bottle  20 , allowing this way the whole cap to be screwed as one piece off the mouth of the bottle  20 . The screw locking mechanism  10  is embodied as matching projections  11  and edged members  12  on the outer surface of the inner cap  1  and on the inner surface of the outer cap  2 . The projections  11  and edged members  12  on the outer surface of the inner cap  1  and on the inner surface of the outer cap  2  are better illustrated in  FIG. 1-4 . In addition, the tightness between the internal threads  7  of the outer cap  2  and the matching external threads  5  of the inner cap  1  may form part of the screw locking mechanism  10 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 5, 6 and 7  also illustrate an indicator  16  which is arranged to indicate screwing of the inner cap  1  onto the mouth of the bottle  20  in a sealing way. The projections  11  and edged members  12  of the locking mechanism  10  function as the indicator  16  in the cap according to  FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 . The projections  11  and edged members  12  on the outer surface of the inner cap  1  and on the inner surface of the outer cap  2  are better illustrated in  FIG. 1-4 . The projections  11  and edged members  12  indicate screwing of the inner cap  1  in a sealing way onto the mouth of the bottle  20  by sliding past each other and making a clicking sound at the same time. However, the indicator  16  may as well be of another type apart from that illustrated in the cap according to  FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 . The indicator  16  may be for example acoustic, optical or based on the tactile perception. The indicator  16  does not have to be part of the locking system  10 . 
         [0045]    The cap illustrated in  FIG. 5  has not yet been screwed onto the mouth of the bottle, so the flavor container  4  as well as the carbon dioxide container  3  are closed. The flavor openings  22  of the base  21  of the inner cap  1  are closed by the first releaser  8 . The cap is supplied to the user in this configuration. 
         [0046]      FIG. 6  illustrates the cap screwed onto the mouth of the bottle  20  so that the mouth of the bottle  20  is sealed by the inner cap  1  and the flavor container  4  has opened. When the cap is being screwed onto the mouth of the bottle, the sealing ring  17  tears and the flavor openings  22  of the base  21  of the inner cap  1  open, opening the flavor container  4  at the same time, so that flavors contained in the flavor container  4  are released into the bottle  20 . Tearing of the sealing ring  17  is caused by a flange  18  which is thicker than the rest of the sealing ring  17  as illustrated in  FIG. 6  and becomes attached above the mouth opening of the bottle  20  when the cap is being screwed onto the mouth of the bottle  20 . In addition, the flange  18  of the sealing ring  17  ensures that the inner cap  1  is screwed onto the mouth of the bottle  20  in a sealing way to allow turning of the bottle  20  upside down for releasing carbon dioxide. Sealing of the mouth of the bottle  20  by the inner cap  1  is noted due to a click made by the indicator  16 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 7  illustrates the cap screwed onto the mouth of the bottle  20  so that the outer cap  2  and the inner cap  1  have been screwed relative to each other and the carbon dioxide container  3  has opened. In the cap according to  FIG. 7  the inner cap  1  has screwed in a sealing way onto the mouth of the bottle  20 , and furthermore the outer cap  2  and the inner cap  1  have screwed relative to each other to the extent that the piercing member  13  has pierced the carbon dioxide container  3 . Carbon dioxide is released into the bottle  20  from the carbon dioxide container  3  through the opening  14  of the piercing member  13  and the opening  23  of the inner cap  1 . 
         [0048]    The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described examples of its embodiments; instead, many modifications are possible within the scope of the inventive idea defined by the claims.