Patent Publication Number: US-11655095-B1

Title: Additive applicator system and method of use

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to beverage systems, and more specifically, to an additive applicator system for transporting and then facilitating the mixture of a substance in a beverage. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Beverage systems are well known in the art and are effective means to produce, transport, sell and enjoy fluids for consumption. Commonly, beverages are prepared and then placed on containers such as bottles and cans for storage and later consumption. For example, aluminum cans are used to hold beverages as they are light easy to carry and moderately resilient. 
     One of the problems commonly associated with common beverage systems is its limited use. For example, metallic cans are not conducive to carry beverages that have corrosive properties such as resulting from high salt content. So, while cans are capable of carrying alcohol, carbonated beverages they are limited in what they can hold. While liners and other coatings have been developed, they do not solve in an efficient manner the need to store, hold and carry corrosive beverages. 
     Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of beverage systems, many shortcomings remain. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a front view of an additive applicator system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional side view of the carrier of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the carrier of  FIG.  1   ; and 
         FIG.  4    is a flow chart of a method of consuming an additive with a beverage. 
     
    
    
     While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional beverage systems. Specifically, the present invention provides means of carrying an additive with a beverage that after mixing would not safely carry in a can. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise. 
     The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings. 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views,  FIG.  1    depicts a side view of an additive applicator system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system  101  overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional beverage systems. 
     In the contemplated embodiment, system  101  includes a carrier  103  configured to attach to a ring  107  of a can  105 , as depicted by motion A, so that it rests therein as depicted by  FIG.  2   . The carrier  103  includes a body  201  that encloses a space  203  therein. The space  203  is configured to hold an additive substance and is accessible via an opening  205 . The body  201  also includes a retainer  207  configured to hold the body  201  against the top of the can  105 . 
     It is contemplated that the body  201  is configured to not interfere with the normal function of the can such as stacking, opening or drinking. It is further contemplated that the carrier  103  could be transported or dispensed separately from the can  105  and that they are only joined at the point of use. 
     The additive substance could be anything to be added to the can  105  with or without a beverage. 
     In use, an additive substance, such as salt is stored in space  203  and the carrier  103  is attached to the top of can  105  with a beverage therein. When consumption is desired, the opening  205  is accessed and the additive transferred to the open can, mixed therein and the beverage with the additive is consumed. 
     It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is that carrier  103  allows for the separate storage and transportation of an additive and beverage without inconvenience. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3    an alternative embodiment of the carrier  103  is depicted. Embodiment  301  includes similar features as carrier  103  wherein the body includes a passageway  305  in the body  303  that is configured to sit over the orifice of the can  105  to access to the beverage. The opening  307  is depicted to cover the portion of the passageway  305  between the orifice and the edge of the can  105  and accessible by a pull tab  308 . It will be understood and appreciated that any means of access to and from the space  203  is contemplated. These embodiments are provided as examples. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4    a method of including a supplemental material in a portable beverage. Method  401  includes selecting an additive  403 , storing the additive in the space of the carrier  405 , attaching the carrier within the top ring of a can  407 , carrying the can with the carrier  409 , opening the can  411 , opening the carrier  413 , transferring the additive to the can  415  and consuming the additive with a beverage  417 . 
     The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.