Patent Publication Number: US-2010116699-A1

Title: Supplement compartment for beverage container

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), to U.S. provisional patent application 60/941,122, filed on May 31, 2007, the contents of the entirety of which are incorporated by this reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to supplement containing and dispensing systems. It is particularly directed to a dispensing cap having a compartment that may be associated with a liquid container, and that is to contain supplements for ingestion with water or other beverage. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional beverage container and dispenser systems associated with compartments may be used with beverage supplements, such as a flavoring, an electrolyte, a vitamin, and a nutritional, mineral or medicinal additive. Dispenser systems are useful, particularly for ingredients that have a shortened shelf-life when mixed with a liquid. The dry or powdered ingredient may be stored in a compartment, and dispensed into the beverage immediately prior to consumption. 
     Conventional dispenser systems may include different features. For example, a two-piece sealed capsule that is inserted into a liquid bearing container wall or neck of a bottle is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,686 to Anderson. A cylindrical body includes a sealed bottom integrally formed with the cylinder through a weakened wall area which defines the perimeter of the bottom of the body. A plunger tube is integrally formed with the bottom of the sealed body, and may be activated by manually depressing the top of the capsule, and ripping away the bottom of the cylindrical body, thus dispensing the material contained therein. 
     The Anderson plunger tube may be difficult to manufacture, particularly in forming the integral tube and cylinder floor. In addition, because the capsule is inserted into the neck of the bottle, the system may not be used successfully with a full container of liquid. 
     Another cap for a container, wherein two components of a drink may be stored separately, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,884 to Coory. The cap includes a collar secured to the container and a two-part top. With the top in the open position, a basket between the top and the liquid holds the powdered component of the drink. The top is closed to release the seal between the liquid and the powder, the drink is shaken, and the top is reopened for consumption of the beverage. The cap disclosed in Coory requires an additional cover, releasable secured over the cap, to prevent the top from being closed accidentally and releasing the seal prematurely. 
     A need exists for a supplement containing and dispensing system that is configured to temporarily associate a supplement with a beverage container. A system that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and usable with a number of different conventional beverage containers is particularly desirable. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     Described herein is a dispensing cap for a container with a top opening, the dispensing cap comprising: a body having a wall with an inside facing surface and a floor at least partially defining a chamber, the floor having at least one weakness therein; a plunger disposed within the chamber and having distal edges in contact with the inside facing surface of the wall of the chamber; and a mounting structure separated from the chamber by the chamber floor, and configured to engage with the top opening of the container. The plunger may comprise a piston and a cover, and the inside facing surface of the wall of the chamber may include channels configured to engage with the distal edges of the plunger. The cover of the plunger may include a central, substantially circular protrusion for engaging with the piston, and the cover of the plunger may be removable from the chamber. 
     The weakness of the floor may comprise at least two intersecting lines of weakness, and the plunger may include a piston having four orthogonally disposed walls. The piston may be disposed within the chamber such that the walls of the plunger are offset from the at least two intersecting lines of weakness. 
     The mounting structure may be configured to be disposed within the top opening of the container, or may be configured to engage threadedly with the top opening of the container. 
     The chamber may include an inwardly protruding stop, which may be annular, and configured to engage with the plunger. 
     Another embodiment of a dispensing cap for a container with a top opening comprises a body configured to engage with the top opening of the container and having a wall with an inside facing surface and a floor at least partially defining a chamber, the floor having at least two intersecting lines of weakness therein; and a plunger disposed within the chamber. 
     The plunger may comprise a cover and a piston having four orthogonally disposed walls, and the inside facing surface of the wall of the chamber may include channels configured to engage with distal edges of the walls of the piston. The piston may be disposed within the chamber such that the walls of the plunger are offset from the at least two intersecting lines of weakness. 
     The chamber may include an inwardly protruding stop that is annular, and is configured to engage with the plunger. 
     Also disclosed herein is a dispensing system, comprising: a container with a top opening, a dispensing cap mounted on the container, the dispensing cap comprising: a body having a wall with an inside facing surface and a floor at least partially defining a chamber, the floor having at least one weakness therein; a plunger disposed within the chamber and having distal edges in contact with the inside facing surface of the wall of the chamber; and a mounting structure separated from the chamber by the chamber floor and configured to engage with the top opening of the container; and a supplement disposed within the chamber of the dispensing cap. The inside facing walls of the chamber may include channels configured to engage with the distal edges of the plunger. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a one embodiment of a dispensing cap including features of the invention; 
         FIG. 1B  depicts the dispensing cap of  FIG. 1  associated with a beverage container; 
         FIG. 2  is a cut-away view of the dispensing cap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the chamber of the dispensing cap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3B  is a close-up view of an annular stop of the dispensing cap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3C  is a close-up view of another annular stop of the dispensing cap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the piston of the plunger of the dispensing cap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the cover of the plunger of the dispensing cap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of a dispensing cap including features of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates another view of the dispensing cap of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a dispensing cap including features of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional view of still another embodiment of a dispensing cap of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  depicts the dispensing cap of  FIG. 9  with the plunger in the depressed position; and 
         FIG. 11  depicts a cross-sectional view of the dispensing cap of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1A  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a dispensing cap including aspects of the invention. As illustrated, the dispensing cap  10  includes a body  20  with a mounting structure  30 , and a plunger  70 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , the body  20  has a storage compartment  24  therein. The storage compartment  24  enables temporary storage of a supplement  50  for use in conjunction with a beverage  60  in a beverage container  65 . The supplement  50  may be in any form such as, for example, a granule or powder, a tablet or pill, or a paste, liquid or syrup. The supplement  50  may be applied to the beverage  60  as an additive prior to the beverage being imbibed. The supplement  50  may comprise one or more of, for example, a flavoring, an electrolyte, a vitamin, and a nutritional, mineral or medicinal additive. 
     The dispensing cap  10  may be matingly engaged with the beverage container  65 . The mounting structure  30  may be received by an opening  67  of the beverage container  65 . The mounting structure  30  may be a cylindrical channel sized and shaped to fit within the opening of a conventional beverage container. The supplement  50  may pass through the channel  33  of the mounting structure  30  into the beverage  60 . The diameter of the mounting structure  30  may be smaller than the diameter of the body  20 , enabling the mounting structure to fit within the opening of the beverage container  65 , with the body  20  positioned outside of the beverage container  65 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 2 , a cut-away perspective view of the dispensing cap  10 , the body  20  may be substantially cylindrical, and include a wall  23  having an inside facing surface  27  and an outside facing surface  28 . The inside facing surface  27  may partially define the storage compartment  24 . The body  20  may include an intermediate floor  25  connecting the wall  23  and the mounting structure  30 . The intermediate floor  25  may be funnel-shaped to enable the supplement  50  to enter the mounting structure  30  with the aid of gravity. Support walls  40  may extend radially from the intermediate floor  25  to provide a flat support surface  45  when the dispensing cap  10  is placed on a beverage container. The flat support surface  45  may seat against a rim  62  of the beverage container  65  ( FIG. 1B ). The dispensing cap  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  includes four support walls  40 , however a dispensing cap including any number of support walls is within the scope of the invention. A dispensing cap including a body wall having an outside facing surface extending to the edge of the flat support surface is also within the scope of the invention. 
     A dispensing cap having no support walls is also within the scope of the invention. In use, a dispensing cap having no support walls may be matingly engaged with the beverage container  65 . The mounting structure  30  may be received within the opening  67  of the beverage container  65 , and the outside facing surface of the funnel-shaped intermediate floor  25  may provide an annular seal with the rim  62  of the beverage container  65 . The funnel-shaped intermediate floor  25  may be desirable with a beverage container having an opening with a relatively small cross-sectional area, with respect to the cross-sectional area of the storage compartment. Dispensing caps configured for use with beverage containers having relatively large openings, and an opening with a cross-sectional area substantially similar to the cross-sectional area of the storage compartment, may not include a funnel-shaped intermediate floor, as described hereinbelow with respect to  FIGS. 6 through 11 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , the plunger  70  may comprise a cover  75  and a piston  80  positioned within the storage compartment. The supplement  50  may be sealed within the storage compartment  24 , between the inside facing surface  27  of the body  20 , the plunger cover  75 , the intermediate floor  25  and a floor  35  of the storage compartment  24 . The piston  80  may comprise four orthogonally disposed walls  82 . Each wall  82  may taper toward a central point  84  near the floor  35  of the storage compartment  24 . Each wall  82  has a distal edge  81  in contact with the inside facing surface  27 . The taper of the walls  82  may be configured to work with the funnel-shaped intermediate wall  25  of the body  20 . 
       FIG. 3A  depicts the body  20  without the plunger  70 , so the storage compartment  24  may be viewed. The body  20  includes an opening  21  at the top for receiving the plunger  70 . The opening  21  may be substantially round. 
     The inside facing surface  27  of the body  20  includes a longitudinal channel  22  for guiding the plunger  70 . A first indexing stop  90  may be annular, and inwardly protruding. The first indexing stop  90  may be configured to engage with the plunger cover  75 . During assembly of the dispensing cap  10 , the first indexing stop  90  may provide a positive reinforcement that the plunger cover  75  is in the proper position, and does not need to be pushed further into the body  20 . The first indexing stop may also provide a safety, requiring more force to depress the plunger  70 . In use, the plunger  70  is manually depressed to break the floor  35  and dispense the supplement  50 . It may be desirable to retain the plunger in the depressed position, for example, so the plunger  70  holds the floor  35  open, enabling fluid communication between the inside of the beverage container  65  and the storage compartment  24 . The first indexing stop  90  may engage with the top surface of the plunger cover  75 , and prevent the plunger  70  from backing out of the body  20 . The user may shake the beverage container  65  and dispensing cap  10 , and the beverage may wash the supplement out of the storage compartment  24 . The first indexing stop  90 , shown in more detail in  FIG. 3B , may include an engagement surface  92  which extends radially inwardly from the inside facing surface  27  of the body  20 . The engagement surface  92  may engage with the plunger  70 , and prevent the plunger from departing from the depressed position. An upper surface  94  of the inwardly protruding stop may taper outward, from the inside facing surface  27  to the inside perimeter of the engagement surface  92 . Thus, the plunger  70  may move past the first indexing stop  90  to the depressed position, but may not return to the original position. 
     Another embodiment of a first indexing stop  90 ′ is shown in  FIG. 3C . The first indexing stop  90 ′ may comprise an annular recess  91 ′ on the inside wall  27 ′ of the body, to mate with an annular protrusion  93 ′ of the plunger  70 . It is also within the scope of the invention for the first indexing stop  90 ,  90 ′ either in the form of a protrusion or a recess  91 ′ in the inside wall  27 ,  27 ′ to not be annular, or extend all the way around the inside wall  27 ,  27 ′, but to be independently positioned on the inside wall  27 ,  27 ′. A plurality of indexing stops, each circumferentially disposed at different locations about the inside wall, is also within the scope of the invention. In addition, a plurality of indexing stops, positioned at different depths, are also within the scope of the invention. A plurality of stops, positioned at different depths, may enable multiple predetermined set points for the plunger  70 . A second indexing stop may also prevent the plunger from traveling too far within the body  20 . 
     The inside facing surface  27  of the body  20  may include longitudinal channels  22  for guiding the distal edges  82  of the piston  80 , as shown in  FIG. 3A . In use, force may be applied by a user to the cover  75  of the plunger  70 , forcing the piston  80  to engage with and slide along the channels  22  toward the floor  35  of the storage compartment  24 . The floor  35  of the storage compartment  24  may include a weakness, such that under the force of the plunger  70 , the piston  80  may pierce the floor  35 . The floor  35  may open along the weakness, enabling the supplement to exit the storage compartment  24  via the mounting structure  30  to mix with the beverage. The weakness may comprise a scored or reduced thickness region of the floor  35 , as further described hereinbelow with respect to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     The piston  80  is depicted in  FIG. 4 . The piston  80  includes four orthogonally disposed walls  82 , however a piston  80  comprising a single planar body, as well as a piston comprising two, three, or more than four walls is also within the scope of the invention. The walls  82  may include the distal edges  81  configured to engage with the channels  22  of the storage compartment  24 . The walls  82  may taper at one end thereof to a point  84 . The point  84  is positioned at one end of the piston at the intersection of the walls  82 . 
     The piston  80  and the cover  75  of the plunger  70  may comprise discrete components as shown, however it is within the scope of the invention for the plunger  70  to comprise a unitary body. The cover  75  may provide a surface for a user to engage and depress the plunger, and may also retain a supplement within the chamber. 
       FIG. 5  depicts the cover  75  of the plunger  70 . The cover  75  may comprise a disc-shaped body  76  sized to fit within the inside facing surface  27  of the body  20 . The cover  75 , the inside facing surface  27 , the intermediate floor  25 , and the floor  25  define the storage compartment  24 . An annular rim  77  may extend from the perimeter of the disc-shaped body  76 . Optionally, the cover  75  may include a central protrusion  78  for engaging with the piston  80 . 
     The body  20  and the plunger  70  may be formed of a polymer, for example polypropylene, polyvinyl or polyethylene. The body  20  and the plunger  70  may be formed, for example, by a molding process such as injection molding, transfer molding, or compression molding. Subsequent to forming the body  20 , the piston  80  may be positioned within the body  20 , and the storage compartment  24  may be partially filled with the supplement  50 . The cover  75  of the plunger  70  may then be positioned within body  20 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  depict a second exemplary embodiment of a dispensing cap  100  including aspects of the invention. As illustrated, the dispensing cap  100  includes a body  120  having a storage compartment  124  therein and a mounting structure  130 , and a plunger  170 . The storage compartment  124  enables temporary storage of a supplement  50  for use in conjunction with a beverage  60 . The supplement  50  may be in any form such as, for example, a granule or powder, a tablet or pill, or a paste, liquid or syrup. The supplement  50  may be applied to the beverage  60  as an additive prior to the beverage being imbibed, such as with flavors, sweeteners or electrolytes. The plunger  170  may include a plunger cover  175  and a piston  180 . 
     The mounting structure  130  of the body  120  may be configured to matingly engage with another container, for example a beverage bottle. The mounting structure  130  may include interior threads  134  on an inside surface thereof, for matingly engaging with a beverage container having exterior threads. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the mounting structure  230  may have an inside surface which is substantially smooth, and be configured to rest over, or snap onto a container. 
     The body  120  of the dispensing cap  100  includes a wall  123 . The inside facing surface  127  of the wall, a floor  135  of the body  120 , and the plunger cover  175  may define a storage compartment  124 . The floor  135  may include a weakness  26 , pierceable by the plunger  170 . 
     The weakness  26  may comprise two troughs in the material of the floor  135 , arranged in a cross-shape, or “+” shape. The trough depth may be sufficient to enable to floor  135  to rupture at the weakness  26 , yet provide a fluid tight seal prior to the rupturing. Alternatively, the weakness  26  may comprise scoring along the desired breaking points. The weakness  26  may be offset from the “+” shape of the piston  80 . The piston  80  may contact the floor  35  at the point of intersection of the “+” and in locations between the weakness  26 , and push the floor toward the channel, severing the floor  35  along the weakness  26 . 
     Channels  122  on the inside facing surface  127  of the body wall  123  may be configured to engage with the distal edges of the piston  180 . The channels  122  do not extend the entire length of the body  120 , rather, the channels extend from the proximal edge of the mounting structure  130  to the bottom of the distal edges of the piston  180 . It is also within the scope of the invention for the channels  122  to extend to the opening of the body  120 , as shown in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3A . The channels  122  may enable the piston to remain in the desired alignment with respect to the weakness  26  of the floor  135 . The piston  180  may be aligned such that the four walls of the piston  180  are offset from the four arms of the cross-shaped weakness  26 . 
     The first indexing stop  190  on the inside facing surface of the body wall  123  may be configured to engage with the plunger cover  175 . A second indexing stop  195  on the inside facing surface of the body wall  123  may be configured to engage with an upper surface of the piston  180  when the piston  180  is depressed. The indexing stop  190  may prevent the piston  180  from returning to the position shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The indexing stop  190  may be configured as a protruding structure, as shown in  FIG. 3B , or a recessed structure, as shown in  FIG. 3C . Alternatively, or in addition, the second indexing stop may be configured to engage with the plunger cover  175 , preventing the plunger cover  175  from traveling too far within the body  120  of the dispensing cap  170 . 
       FIGS. 8 through 11  depict another exemplary embodiment of a dispensing cap  200  including aspects of the invention. As illustrated, the dispensing cap  200  includes a body  220  having a storage compartment  224  therein and a mounting structure  230 , and a plunger  270 . The storage compartment  224  enables temporary storage of a supplement  50  for use in conjunction with a beverage  60 . The plunger  270  may include a plunger cover  275  and a piston  280 . 
     The mounting structure  230  may have an inside facing surface  232  which may be substantially smooth. The distal perimeter of the mounting structure  230  may include annular engagement structures  234 . The engagement structures  234  may be configured to mate with the rim of a beverage container, for example to “snap-on” to a beverage container. 
     The wall  223  of the body  220  may increase in thickness at an annular transition location  295 . The increase in thickness of the wall  223  reduces the inside diameter of the body  220 . With the plunger  270  in a depressed position, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the plunger cover  275  may be prevented from traveling farther down the body  220  by reduction in inside diameter. Alternatively, a second indexing stop  295  may prevent the plunger cover  275  from traveling father down the body  220 . A first indexing stop  290  is also depicted in  FIG. 10 . 
     In use, the original cap of the beverage container  65  may be removed, and the dispensing cap  10 ,  100 ,  200  may be matingly engaged with the beverage container  65 . A user may press on the plunger cover  75 ,  175 ,  275 , in turn depressing the piston  80 ,  180 ,  280 . The piston  80 ,  180 ,  280  may break the floor  35 ,  135  of the storage compartment  24 ,  124 ,  224 , enabling the supplement  50  to mix with the beverage  60 . The piston  80 ,  180 ,  280  may remain depressed, holding the floor  35 ,  135  open to allow the supplement to completely mix with the beverage  60 . 
     Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but merely as providing illustrations of some embodiments of the invention. Similarly, other embodiments of the invention are contemplated and may be devised that do not depart from the spirit or scope of the invention. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated and limited only by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the foregoing description. All additions, deletions, and modifications to the invention, as disclosed herein, which fall within the meaning and scope of the claims, are to be embraced thereby.