Patent Publication Number: US-8522968-B2

Title: Beverage flavoring applicator

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/334,768 filed May 14, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This application relates generally to the field of beverage flavoring devices and methods. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is often considered desirable to add small amounts of flavoring substances to beverage containers. For example, some beer consumers prefer to add lime juice and salt to certain types of beer. Normally, the addition of such flavoring substances involves a messy, unsanitary, and imprecise process, wherein slices of lime are squeezed and inserted directly into a bottle using one&#39;s fingers, and salt is poured from a salt shaker directly into a beverage bottle. This process allows the introduction of unsanitary materials and apparatuses into a beverage, waste of flavoring substances, and creates difficulty in controlling the portions of flavoring substances added to each beverage. Accordingly, there is a need for a device and method for the clean, sanitary, and consistent distribution of various flavoring substances into a beverage container. 
     SUMMARY 
     In some embodiments, a beverage flavoring applicator may have a housing having an internal channel, a cup assembly disposed in the internal channel, the cup assembly having a first cup having a first chamber with a first flavoring substance disposed in the first chamber, a second cup having a second chamber with a second flavoring substance disposed in the second chamber, the first and second cups being nested one within the other, and a plunger slidably engaged with the housing. The plunger may have a spike configured to rupture the first and second cups upon movement of the plunger from a first position to a second position with respect to the housing, thereby dispensing the first and second flavoring substances from the applicator. The applicator may engage with a bottle, can, or other container, either with or without an adapter. Some embodiments may have a bottle opener. 
     In some embodiments, a beverage flavoring applicator may have a housing, wherein the housing includes an internal channel extending from a top edge of the housing to a base of the housing, wherein the internal channel is open at the top edge and at the base, wherein the internal channel includes an upper portion having a frustoconical shape, wherein the internal channel further includes first, second and third annular ledges on an upper portion of the frustoconical shape and internal protrusions on a lower portion of the frustoconical shape; a cup assembly disposed within the upper portion of the internal channel, wherein the cup assembly includes: a first cup having a first annular flange and a first chamber, wherein the first flange extends from an upper edge of the first cup and wherein the first chamber includes a first flavoring substance; a second cup having a second annular flange, a recess, and a second chamber, wherein the second flange extends from an upper edge of the second cup and wherein the second chamber includes a second flavoring substance; the first cup being nested within the second cup such that the first flange of the first cup is disposed within the recess of the second cup, wherein a first upper surface of the first flange is substantially coplanar with a second upper surface of the second flange; a seal disposed on the first upper surface and the second upper surface, whereby the first flavoring substance is sealed within the first chamber and the second flavoring substance is sealed within the second chamber; a first shoulder and a second shoulder, wherein the first shoulder is disposed in the first annular ledge, the second shoulder is disposed in the second annular ledge, and the second flange is disposed in the third annular ledge; a base configured to rest on the internal protrusions; and a plunger configured to fit over and slidably engage the housing, the plunger including a spike configured to puncture the first and second cups upon movement of the plunger from a first position to a second position with respect to the housing, the plunger further including internal threads which mate with protrusions disposed on flexible tabs of the housing, wherein the protrusions and the internal threads are configured for twisting initial engagement of the plunger with the housing. 
     In some embodiments, a cup assembly for a beverage flavoring applicator may have a first cup having a first chamber, wherein the first chamber includes a first flavoring substance; and a second cup having a second chamber, wherein the second chamber includes a second flavoring substance; wherein the first and second cups are nested one within the other. 
     In some embodiments, a cup assembly for a beverage flavoring applicator may have a first cup having a first chamber and a first annular flange, wherein the first chamber comprises a first flavoring substance; a second cup having a second chamber and a second annular flange, wherein the second chamber includes a second flavoring substance and the second flange includes an annular recess; the first and second cups being nested one within the other such that the first flange is disposed within the recess, wherein a first upper surface of the first flange is substantially flush with a second upper surface of the second flange; and a seal attached to the first and second upper surfaces. 
     In some embodiments, an adapter for a beverage flavoring applicator may include a top surface having a center and an aperture offset from the center; a hollow boss extending from the top surface about the aperture, the boss including an open mouth on an upper portion of the boss, the open mouth being generally aligned with the aperture, wherein the boss is configured to mate with a beverage flavoring applicator; and a skirt extending downward from an outer edge of the top surface, wherein the skirt is configured to accept an upper end of a beverage can such that the mouth and the aperture are generally aligned with an opening of the beverage can. 
     In some embodiments, a beverage flavoring applicator and adapter may include a housing having an internal channel; a cup assembly disposed in the internal channel, the cup assembly including a first chamber having a first flavoring substance and a second chamber having a second flavoring substance, wherein the first flavoring substance is positioned above the second flavoring substance; a plunger slidably engaged with the housing, the plunger having a spike configured to rupture the first and second chambers upon movement of the plunger from a retracted position to a deployed position with respect to the housing; and an adapter having a top surface with an aperture therethrough, an open boss extending upwardly from the top surface about the aperture, and an open skirt extending downwardly from the top surface, the skirt being configured to mate with a top portion of a beverage can; wherein the boss is configured to accept the first and second flavoring substances from the internal channel and direct the first and second flavoring substances onto the beverage can. 
     In some embodiments, a beverage flavoring applicator may include a housing having an internal channel; a cup assembly disposed in the internal channel, the cup assembly including a chamber having a flavoring substance therein; a plunger slidably engaged with the housing, the plunger having a spike configured to rupture the chamber of the cup assembly upon movement of the plunger from a retracted position to a deployed position with respect to the housing, the plunger further including a bottle opener wherein the bottle opener includes: a wall extending from a cylindrical body of the plunger; a cavity located between the wall and the cylindrical body; a first nub extending partway into the cavity from the cylindrical body; and a second nub positioned opposite the first nub and extending partway into the cavity from the wall; wherein the first and second nubs are positionable about a bottle cap such that one of the first and second nubs is engaged with a lower edge of the bottle cap and the other of the first and second nubs is engaged with a top surface of the bottle cap so as to facilitate application of pressure to the bottle cap and thereby remove the bottle cap from the bottle. 
     In some embodiments, a method of using a beverage flavoring applicator may include loading a cup assembly into a housing, the cup assembly including a first cup having a first chamber with a first flavoring substance disposed in the first chamber, and a second cup having a second chamber with a second flavoring substance disposed in the second chamber, the first and second cups being nested one within the other; mounting a plunger to the housing, the plunger having a spike therein, the plunger being slidably engaged with the housing; placing the housing on a beverage container; and moving the plunger from a first position to a second position with respect to the housing such that the spike ruptures the first and second cups thereby dispensing the first and second flavoring substances into or onto the beverage container. 
     In some embodiments, a method of making a cup assembly for a beverage flavoring applicator may include loading a first flavoring substance into a first cup; placing a second cup into the first cup, the second cup having a volume smaller than the first cup; loading a second flavoring substance into the second cup; and applying a seal to at least one of the first and second cups thereby sealing at least one of the first and second flavoring substances within the cup assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of one embodiment of a flavoring applicator shown in a retracted position. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the flavoring applicator of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the flavoring applicator of  FIG. 1  taken in the direction of arrows  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the flavoring applicator of  FIG. 1  shown in a deployed position. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the flavoring applicator of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the flavoring applicator of  FIG. 1  taken in the direction of arrows  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5  and shown in the deployed position of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a cup assembly for use in the flavoring applicator of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the cup assembly of  FIG. 7  taken in the direction of arrows  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the cup assembly of  FIG. 7  taken in the direction of arrows  9 - 9  of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area within circular cross-sectional line  10  of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the flavoring applicator of  FIG. 1  installed on a beverage bottle. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the flavoring applicator and bottle of  FIG. 11  taken in the direction of arrows  12 - 12  of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of the flavoring applicator and bottle of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of the flavoring applicator of  FIG. 1  and an adapter for use with a can. 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the flavoring applicator and adapter of  FIG. 14  installed on a beverage can taken in the direction of arrows  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view of the flavoring applicator, adapter, and beverage can of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  is a cut-away side view of the plunger of the flavoring applicator of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 18  is a bottom view of the plunger of the flavoring applicator of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 19  is a bottom perspective view of the plunger of the flavoring applicator of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 20  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a flavoring applicator having a bottle opener. 
         FIG. 21  is a front view of the flavoring applicator of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 22  is a right side view of the flavoring applicator of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the flavoring applicator of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the flavoring applicator of  FIG. 20  with its bottle opener applied to a beverage bottle. 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of the flavoring applicator of  FIG. 20  shown in a retracted position applied to a beverage bottle. 
         FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view of the flavoring applicator of  FIG. 20  shown in a deployed position applied to a beverage bottle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As used herein, the following terms should be understood to have the indicated meanings: 
     When an item is introduced by “a” or “an,” it should be understood to mean one or more of that item. 
     “Annular” means ring-shaped and may involve any suitable shape of ring, including but not limited to circular, oval, polygonal, irregular, or a combination thereof. 
     “Beverage” means any drinkable liquid or semi-liquid, including for example flavored water, soft drinks, fruit drinks, coffee-based drinks, tea-based drinks, juice-based drinks, milk-based drinks, gel drinks, carbonated or non-carbonated drinks, alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, or a combination thereof. 
     “Boss” means a projection extending from a surface of an object. A boss may have any desired size and shape. 
     “Cavity” means a hollow space. 
     “Chamber” means a space that is at least partially enclosed. 
     “Channel” means a pathway through which solid, liquid, or gaseous materials, or a combination thereof, may pass. 
     “Comprises” means includes but is not limited to. 
     “Comprising” means including but not limited to. 
     “Cup” means a generally hollow container having an opening through which one or more substances may be placed in the container. Such opening may be left open or may be closed with a seal or other suitable cover. A cup may have any suitable size and shape. 
     “Flavoring substance” means any consumable substance that can be added to a beverage. A flavoring substance may be solid, liquid, gaseous, or a combination thereof. A flavoring substance may or may not involve flavor, carbonation, texture, or a combination thereof. 
     “Having” means including but not limited to. 
     “Hollow” means having a cavity within. 
     “Ledge” means an edge, a surface, or a combination of one or more edges, surfaces, or both edges and surfaces. A ledge may have any desired size, shape, texture, orientation, or other attribute. 
     “Nested” means forming a sequence with each member thereof at least partially containing or contained in the next. 
     “Nub” means a protrusion. A nub may have any suitable size and shape. 
     “Protrusion” means a portion of a structure that projects away from an adjacent portion of the structure. A protrusion may have any suitable size and shape. 
     “Seal” means a covering that may or may not be completely airtight or watertight. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-19 , in order to facilitate the clean and accurate distribution of consistent quantities of flavoring substances  102 ,  103  into or onto a bottle  12 , can  12   a , or other beverage container, a flavoring applicator  10  may have three main components: (1) a cup assembly  100  with one or more quantities of one or more flavoring substances  102 ,  103  disposed therein; (2) a housing  200  for holding cup assembly  100  in a substantially static position over the beverage container; and (3) a plunger  300  shaped in a complementary manner to housing  200  such that plunger  300  may slidably move with respect to housing  200 . Plunger  300  may have a spike  302  disposed therein for piercing, puncturing or rupturing cup assembly  100  in order to dispense one or more of flavoring substances  102 ,  103  into or onto bottle  12 , can  12   a , or other beverage container. By way of non-limiting example, the component parts of flavoring applicator  10  may be made out of plastic, such as high-density polyethylene plastic or food-grade plastic, glass, fiberglass, rubber, aluminum, stainless steel or other metal, or any other suitable material. For example, in some embodiments, cups  114 ,  115  of cup assembly  100  may be made of FDA-approved APET plastic about 0.015-inch thick, which may be clear or colored. Components of flavoring applicator  10  may have a variety of wall thicknesses and may or may not be disposable. Additionally, although components of the flavoring applicator  10  are shown having generally circular cross-sectional shapes, the components may have any desired shape which is compatible with the corresponding beverage container with which flavoring applicator  10  may be used. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 ,  6 ,  12 - 13  and  15 - 16 , housing  200  may have an open crown  218  and an open base  204  with an internal channel  206  extending through housing  200  from base  204  through crown  218 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , starting from base  204  of housing  200 , a lower portion  208  of internal channel  206  may be sized and shaped to engage with a neck  14 ,  14   a  of bottle  12 , can  12   a , or other beverage container and may have a frustoconical shape. A middle portion  210  of internal channel  206  may be sized and shaped to act as a conduit for flavoring substances  102 ,  103  while they travel from cup assembly  100  to a mouth  26 ,  26   a  of bottle  12 , can  12   a  or an entry point of any other beverage container. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 6 , middle portion  210  of internal channel  206  is also frustoconical in shape, but in other embodiments middle portion  210  of internal channel  206  may be in any suitable shape. An upper portion  212  of internal channel  206  may be sized and shaped to receive cup assembly  100  and, in some embodiments, may have a frustoconical shape. Additionally, crown  218  of housing  200  may be sized and shaped to slidably engage an interior wall surface  318  of plunger  300 . 
     Upper portion  212  of internal channel  206  may comprise the section of internal channel  206  between crown  218  and middle portion  210  and may be open at its connection to crown  218  and at its connection to middle portion  210  such that it can receive cup assembly  100  through crown  218  and allow flavoring substances  102 ,  103  in cup assembly  100  to exit upper portion  212  into middle portion  210 . In some embodiments, housing  200 , and particularly upper portion  212  of internal channel  206 , may be configured to hold cup assembly  100  in a substantially fixed position with respect to housing  200  and may be sized and shaped such that cup assembly  100  fits within internal channel  206  and generally rests on mating surfaces of internal channel  206 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , upper portion  212  may include a series of annular ledges  214 ,  215 ,  216  near the junction of upper portion  212  of internal channel  206  and crown  218  of housing  200 . The series of annular ledges  214 ,  215 ,  216  may be configured to accept a corresponding series of shoulders  104 ,  105  and a flange  108  of cup assembly  100  (as best shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  9 , and  10 ), thus holding cup assembly  100  in a substantially static position within internal channel  206 . In some embodiments, shoulder  104  is disposed in annular ledge  214 , shoulder  105  is disposed in annular ledge  215 , and flange  108  is disposed in annular ledge  216 . In other embodiments, upper portion  212  of internal channel  206  may not have any annular ledges, or it may include any number of annular ledges or other features which are configured to mate with a corresponding number of shoulders, flanges, or other features of cup assembly  100 . Although upper portion  212  and other portions  208 ,  210  of internal channel  206  are shown in a series of generally frustoconical shapes, upper portion  212  and other portions  208 ,  210  of internal channel  206  may be shaped in any other desired shape, and corresponding shape changes may be applied to cup assembly  100 . 
     At the junction of upper portion  212  and middle portion  210 , internal channel  206  may also include one or more internal protrusions  222 , as best shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , for supporting cup assembly  100 . Internal protrusions  222  may protrude from a surface of internal channel  206  and may be spaced about a circumference or perimeter of internal channel  206 . Internal protrusions  222  may extend into a center area of internal channel  206  without blocking internal channel  206  so that flavoring substances  102 ,  103  may still pass by internal protrusions  222 . While three protrusions  222  are shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , internal channel  206  may include any suitable number of protrusions  222 . In some embodiments, protrusions  222  may contact a base  106  of cup assembly  100  when cup assembly  100  is placed in housing  200  and may help to hold cup assembly  100  in a substantially static position with respect to housing  200 . Additional elements may function together to hold cup assembly  100  in place. In some embodiments, upper portion  212  of internal channel  206  may itself contact cup assembly  100  to hold cup assembly  100  in a substantially static position. In some embodiments, cup assembly  100  may be held in a substantially static position by one or more of internal protrusions  222 , upper portion  212  of internal channel  206 , and annular ledges  214 ,  215 ,  216 . 
     Lower portion  208  of internal channel  206  may be connected to a lower end of middle portion  210  of internal channel  206  and may terminate at base  204  of housing  200 . In some embodiments, lower portion  208  may be configured to receive one or more of a rim  18 , ridges  20  and a portion of neck  14  of bottle  12  (see  FIG. 12 ). As such, in some embodiments, lower portion  208  may be sized and shaped to receive a standard sized bottle mouth  26  in order to hold housing  200  in a substantially static position with respect to bottle  12 . Lower portion  208  of internal channel  206  may be tapered and substantially smooth for engagement with neck  14  of bottle  12 . Alternatively, lower portion  208  of internal channel  206  may have one or more threads, grooves, ribs, protrusions, or a combination thereof, such that housing  200  may be firmly attached to neck  14  of bottle  12  having a complementary engagement structure. Although housing  200  is shown in  FIG. 12  installed on a beverage bottle  12 , persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that base  204  of housing  200  may be configured or adapted to receive, be attached to, or be installed on a can  12   a , a jug, a cup, or any other beverage container. Although a female embodiment of housing base  204  and lower portion  208  of internal channel  206  is shown, male embodiments of housing base  204  and lower portion  208  of internal channel  206  may be provided, if desired. In some embodiments, internal channel  206  may include a lower ledge  220  at an intersection between middle portion  210  and lower portion  208  of internal channel  206 . Lower ledge  220  may contact rim  18  of bottle  12  when bottle  12  is inserted into lower portion  208  to serve as a stop and further help hold flavoring applicator  10  in a substantially stable position over bottle  12 . 
     In other embodiments, shown in  FIGS. 14-16 , lower portion  208  of internal channel  206  may be configured to mate with an adapter  400 . In some embodiments, adapter  400  may include a mouth  402  configured to receive flavoring substances  102 ,  103  from internal channel  206 , a hollow boss  403  connecting mouth  402  to an aperture in a top surface  404 , a ledge  406  configured to contact a rim  18   a  of can  12   a , and a skirt  410  configured to contact an exterior surface  22  of can  12   a . As shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the aperture in top surface  404  may be directly below mouth  402 . Both the aperture and mouth  402  may be located in an off-center position with respect to top surface  404  such that the aperture and mouth  402  may generally align with mouth  26   a  of can  12   a  when adapter  400  is applied to can  12   a . Boss  403  may extend from top surface  404  of adapter  400  and may be shaped to fit within lower portion  208  of internal channel  206 . In some embodiments, a friction fit may exist between boss  403  and lower portion  208  of internal channel  206 . Top surface  404  of adapter  400  may extend laterally from boss  403  and may act as a contact surface for base  204  of housing  200  when housing  200  is applied to adapter  400 . Skirt  410 , which may extend downward from an outer periphery of top surface  404 , may curve downwardly to a maximum diameter just larger than the diameter of a typical can  12   a , and may fit over an exterior surface  22  of can  12   a  with a friction fit. 
     In use, skirt  410  of adapter  400  may be fitted over can  12   a  such that exterior surface  22  of can  12   a  contacts an interior wall  408  of skirt  410 . In some embodiments, adapter  400  may be moved until a ledge  406  of adapter  400  contacts a rim  18   a  of can  12   a . Adapter  400  may be rotated if and as needed until mouth  402  of adapter  400  is positioned over mouth  26   a  of can  12   a , as shown in  FIG. 16 . Flavoring applicator  10  may be applied to adapter  400  by aligning lower portion  208  of internal channel  206  with mouth  402 , as shown in  FIG. 16 , and pressing flavoring applicator  10  onto adapter  400  until base  204  of housing  200  contacts top surface  404  of adapter  400 . In some embodiments, lower portion  208  of housing  200  and boss  403  of adapter  400  may form a friction fit when flavoring applicator  10  is applied to adapter  400 . Thus, when housing  200  is removed from can  12   a , adapter  400  may remain attached to housing  200 . Alternatively, a clearance fit may be employed between housing  200  and adapter  400 , and/or between adapter  400  and can  12   a.    
     Crown  218  of housing  200  may be configured to contact and slidably move within interior wall surface  318  of plunger  300 . As shown in  FIGS. 2-3 ,  6 ,  12 - 13  and  15 , crown  218  may be generally cylindrical and may connect with upper portion  212  of internal channel  206 . Crown  218  may be open to receive cup assembly  100  therethrough for loading cup assembly  100  into upper portion  212  of internal channel  206 . Crown  218  may include one or more flexible tabs  226  spaced peripherally about crown  218 . Each flexible tab  226  may include a protrusion  228  at a distal end of flexible tab  226 , as best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . In some embodiments, protrusions  228  of flexible tabs  226  may be configured to mate with corresponding internal threads  306  disposed on interior wall surface  318  of plunger  300  so that plunger  300  can initially be screwed onto housing  200 . Threads  306  may be configured for clockwise or counterclockwise twisting motion of plunger  300  with respect to housing  200 , and threads  306  may be configured for a partial turn (such as a one-third turn, as shown, for example), a full turn, or more than a full turn. Flexible tabs  226  may also permit protrusions  228  to leave threads  306  when downward force is applied to plunger  300  to force it to the deployed position, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The movement and flexing of flexible tabs  226  may allow protrusions  228  to rest on interior wall surface  318  of plunger  300 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , and also may cause protrusions  228  to spring outwardly when protrusions  228  align with threads  306  or when housing  200  is removed from plunger  300 . Thus, as plunger  300  is retracted from the deployed position with respect to housing  200 , flexible tabs  226  may again engage threads  306  and cause plunger  300  to stay connected with housing  200 . Plunger  300  may be twisted off from housing  200  as protrusions  228  are disengaged from internal threads  306 . Although threads  306  are shown on plunger  300  and protrusions  228  are shown on housing  200 , an opposite configuration may be employed in which one or more protrusions may be on plunger  300  for engaging one or more threads on housing  200 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  4 - 6 , and  11 - 19 , plunger  300  may have a top portion  304 , a spike  302  extending downward from an interior ceiling  316  of top portion  304 , and at least one internal thread  306  disposed on interior wall surface  318 . Spike  302  may be disposed within plunger  300 , extending from top portion  304  substantially vertically downward through plunger  300 . Spike  302  may be configured such that it extends through internal channel  206  of housing  200  a sufficient distance to pierce cup assembly  100  placed within housing  200  when plunger  300  is moved from the retracted position to the deployed position, thereby dispending flavoring substances  102 ,  103  into bottle  12 , can  12   a , or other container. In some embodiments, interior ceiling  316  of top portion  304  of plunger  300  may serve as a stop via engagement with upper edge  202  of housing  200  to limit further relative movement of plunger  300  with respect to housing  200 . Although spike  302  is shown with a generally cylindrical body  322 , spike  302  may be any suitable shape that fits within internal channel  206  of housing  200 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 17-19 , spike  302  may include one or more blades  312  and a wall  330 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 17-19 , four blades  312  intersect at a central axis of plunger  300 . Wall  330  intersects the four blades  312  at a substantially perpendicular plane, thus separating a central cavity  308  of spike  302  from compression chambers  320  of spike  302 . In some embodiments, compression chambers  320  may form pressurized air therein during at least a portion of the movement of plunger  300  as spike  302  is engaged with cup assembly  100  and plunger  300  is forced into the deployed position. The pressurized air may more forcefully expel flavoring substances  102 ,  103  from flavoring applicator  10 . In some embodiments, spike  302  may comprise a generally cylindrical body  322  which is separated into lour quadrants by the four blades  312 . Each blade  312  may contain a blade edge  324  which may be sufficiently sharp to puncture and/or cut seal  120  and cups  114 ,  115 . Each blade  312  may also contain an upper blade section  326  which extends up cylindrical body  322  of spike  302  from wall  330  to interior ceiling  316  of top portion  304 . Plunger  300  may also include a recess  314  on top portion  304  of plunger  300 , as best shown in  FIG. 3 . Recess  314  may encircle central cavity  308  of spike  302  and may provide a suitable location for the addition of a sticker or other label to plunger  300 . 
     Turning now to cup assembly  100 , in some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  6 - 10 ,  12 - 13 , and  15 , cup assembly  100  may include a cup  114  and a cup  115 . Cup assembly  100  may be closed at its base  106  and sealed at its top at flange  108 . Alternatively, cup assembly  100  may be open at its top at flange  108 . By way of non-limiting example, cup assembly  100  may include a seal  120  fastened to cups  114 ,  115  by heat sealing, electrostatic sealing, adhesive, or other suitable scaling with foil, wax paper, plastic, or other thin sheet material. In some embodiments, as best seen in  FIG. 10 , seal  120  may contact an upper surface  110  of flange  108  of cup  115  and an upper surface  130  of cup  114 , thus sealing both cups  114 ,  115  with a single seal  120 . Alternatively, seal  120  may be attached only to one or the other of cups  114 ,  115 . For example, cup  114  may be sealed with seal  120 , and cup  115  may be effectively sealed by cup  114  being press fit into cup  115 . In some embodiments, ridges  116 ,  122  (discussed further below) may help facilitate such a press fit. 
     In some embodiments, cup  115  may have a shape that is generally complementary to upper portion  212  of internal channel  206  of housing  200 . Cup  115  and cup  114  may have one or more shoulders, flanges, recesses or ledges which allow cup  115  and cup  114  to fit together. As best shown in  FIG. 10 , in some embodiments, cup  115  may include flange  108  which may include recess  128 . In some embodiments, flange  126  of cup  114  may be disposed in recess  128 . In this manner, upper surface  130  of cup  114  and upper surface  110  of flange  108  of cup  115  may more easily be aligned and made substantially flush with one another, thus allowing cups  114 ,  115  to share a common seal  120 . Alternatively, each cup  114 ,  115  may have its own seal  120 , and flanges  126  and  108  of cups  114  and  115  may or may not be substantially flush with one another and may or may not be located at the top ends of cups  114  and  115 . For example, upper surface  130  may be above or below upper surface  110 , and the one or more seals  120  and upper surfaces  110 ,  130  may or may not be substantially flat. In some embodiments, cup  114  may be sealed by applying a seal to flange  126 , while flange  108  may not be sealed, and flavoring substances  102 ,  103  contained within cup  115  may be sealed within cup  115  by a friction fit between an internal surface of cup  115  and an external surface of cup  114 . In some embodiments, cup  114  may or may not include flange  126  or shoulder  132 , and cup  114  may nest completely within cup  115 . Cup  114  and cup  115  may be sealed by either applying a separate seal to each of cup  114  and cup  115  or by applying seal  120  to flange  108 , either alone or in conjunction with a friction fit between an internal surface of cup  115  and an external surface of cup  114 . Additionally, ledge  132  of cup  114  may align with shoulder  104  of cup  115  so that, in some embodiments, sufficient space is retained between ledge  132  and shoulder  104  so that the only point of contact between cup  114  and cup  115  is between flange  126  and recess  128 . Further, by way of non-limiting example, cup assembly  100  may be similar in shape and size to the small plastic cups commonly used for coffee creamers. Additionally, cups  114 ,  115  may be constructed of a material similar to that of a coffee creamer cup so that the material is easily punctured but yet is not so brittle as to break apart and fall into bottle  12 . In some embodiments useful in connection with standard 12-ounce beer bottles, cup  114  may have a base of about 0.75-inch diameter, a mouth of about 0.875-inch diameter, a flange  126  of about 1.0-inch outer diameter, a height of about 0.5 inch, and an internal volume of about 0.23 in. 3 ; and cup  115  may have a base of about 0.77-inch diameter, a mouth of about 0.92-inch diameter, a flange  108  of about 1.27-inch outer diameter, a height of about 0.8 inch, and an internal volume of about 0.38 in. 3 . 
     Cups  114  and  115  may include chambers  111  and  112 , respectively, which may each hold a quantity of flavoring substance  102 ,  103  or several different types of flavoring substances. Flavoring substances  102 ,  103  may be the same or different. In some embodiments, separate chambers  111  and  112  may be useful to keep flavoring substances  102  and  103  separate until cup assembly  100  is ruptured. As shown in  FIG. 9 , chamber  111  may hold a liquid flavoring substance  102  such as water, while chamber  112  may hold a dry solid flavoring substance  103  such as a flavoring powder or crystals. By way of non-limiting example, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , cup assembly  100  may have two nested cups  114 ,  115 , one containing a flavoring substance  103 , such as a quantity of salt, and the other containing a flavoring substance  102 , such as a quantity of lime juice. In some embodiments, the salt may be contained in either of cups  114 ,  115 , and the lime juice may be contained in either of cups  114 ,  115 . In some embodiments, more than one flavoring substance may be in the same cup  114  or  115 . Of course, any other desired flavoring substances  102 ,  103  may be used, such as Worcestershire sauce, pepper, lemon juice, orange juice, tomato juice, and/or michelada mix, for example. Flavoring substances  102 ,  103  are not shown in all figures for the sake of clarity of the figures. 
     With respect to beer beverages to be “dressed” with salt and lime flavorings, testing was conducted to observe the results of incorporating different flavoring substances, different quantities of each flavoring substance, and different positioning of each flavoring substance in cup  114  and cup  115 . Sample beverages included 12-ounce bottles of Corona Extra™, Corona Extra Light™, Imperial™, Tecate™, Tecate Light™, Carta Blanca™, Sol™, Pacifico™, Modelo Especial™, Dos Equis™, Land Shark™, and Victoria™ brand Mexican beers. Flavoring substances tested included H-E-B® brand squeezed lime juice available from H-E-B Central Market (San Antonio, Tex.), Santa Cruz™ organic lime juice available from Santa Cruz Natural, Inc. (Orrville, Ohio), ReaLime™ brand bottled lime juice available from Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Inc. (Plano, Tex.), fresh squeezed lime juice, True Lime™ dehydronated lime flavoring crystals available from True Citrus (Baltimore, Md.), coarse flake variety salt available from Cargill Inc. (Minneapolis, Minn.), sea salt available from Cargill Inc., Antifoam A Compound available from Dow Corning Corporation (Midland, Mich.), and CD-2020 powdered silicone antifoam available from New London Chemicals, Inc. (Lakeland, Fla.). Tests performed included lime taste tests, salt taste and appearance tests, and general taste and appearance tests. Additionally, to reduce the risk of excess foaming and foam expansion over mouth  26  of bottle  12  or other beverage container, foaming quantity and rate tests were conducted using various flavoring substances, ratios of flavoring substances, and anti-foaming agents. 
     For some beverages, such as beer, with which salt is used as a flavoring substance, it was discovered that the type and manufacture of salt may determine the coarseness of the salt grains, the taste of the salt, the prominence of the salt taste, the overall appearance of the salt, the ability of some of the salt to remain on rim  18  of bottle  12  or top surface  24  of can  12   a , and the amount of foaming caused by the salt. Salt included in flavoring substances  102 ,  103  may include table salt, iodized salt, rock salt, kosher salt, coarse flake variety salt, sea salt, or any other type of salt. In some embodiments, flavoring substances  102 ,  103  may include salt with an average grain size greater than about 210 microns, which may increase the salt taste, increase the ability of the salt to remain on rim  18  or top surface  24 , and minimize foaming caused by addition of flavoring substances  102 ,  103 . In some embodiments, flavoring substances  102 ,  103  may include sea salt with an average grain size between about 420 and about 840 microns. In some embodiments, using a sea salt with an average grain size between about 420 and about 840 microns may decrease foaming and/or foaming rate of the beverage and may also increase salt taste while using less sea salt. In some embodiments, the use of sea salt in flavoring substances  102 ,  103  may allow for the addition of less salt to flavoring substances  102 ,  103  while increasing salt taste and salt retention on rim  18  or top surface  24 . In some embodiments, if the amount of salt in flavoring substances  102 ,  103  is more than about 0.74 grams, there may be excess foaming. In some embodiments, the amount of salt in flavoring substances  102 ,  103  may be between about 0.55 grams and about 0.74 grams to yield desirable taste and foam levels. In some embodiments, the quantity of salt may be between about 0.5 grams and about 0.8 grams, and the quantity of dehydronated lime crystals may be between about 0.5 grams and about 0.7 grams. 
     For some beverages, such as beer, with which lime is used as a flavoring substance, the amount and type of lime flavoring included in flavoring substances  102 ,  103  may determine the overall lime taste and the balance of lime taste to the taste of the beverage and may affect the foaming amount and rate. Lime flavoring substances may include those noted above or any other suitable type of lime juice, lime crystals, or other lime flavoring. In some embodiments, flavoring substances  102 ,  103  may include less than about 0.6 grams of lime crystals to balance lime flavoring with the flavoring of the beverage. In some embodiments, including less than about 0.6 grams of lime crystals in the flavoring substances  102 ,  103  may also yield desirable taste and total foaming and/or foaming rate when flavoring substances  102 ,  103  are introduced into the beverage. In some embodiments, flavoring substances  102 ,  103  may include about ⅜ teaspoon lime juice, or other similar amount substantially equal to one-eighth (⅛) of a medium sized lime (e.g. a typical slice of lime), or lime crystals with sufficient water to produce about ⅜ teaspoon lime juice when mixed. In some embodiments, flavoring substances  102 ,  103  may include only lime juice, only lime crystals, lime crystals and lime juice, or lime crystals and water. In some embodiments, flavoring substances  102 ,  103  may include about 1 part salt/lime crystal mixture to about 13 parts water. In some embodiments, flavoring substances  102 ,  103  may include about 1 part salt to about 1.05 parts lime crystals. 
     In some embodiments, such as beer, for example, one or more anti-foaming agents may be included in flavoring substances  102 ,  103  to reduce the amount of foaming caused when flavoring substances  102 ,  103  are added to the beverage container. In some embodiments, Antifoam A Compound available from Dow Corning Corporation (Midland, Mich.) or CD-2020 powdered silicone antifoam available from New London Chemicals, Inc. (Lakeland, Fla.) may be used. Such anti-foaming agents, which may be liquid, solid, or a combination thereof, may be placed in either or both of cups  114 ,  115  with either liquid or dry flavoring substances  102 ,  103 . For example, in some embodiments, about 0.03 grams of CD-2020 powdered silicone antifoam may be placed in cup  115  with about 0.55 grams of salt and about 0.58 grams of dehydronated lime crystals, and about 1 ml of water may be placed in cup  114 . In some embodiments, the loading apparatus may be agitated during the process of loading anti-foaming agents into cups  114 ,  115  to enhance mixing and effectiveness of the anti-foaming agents with the flavoring substances  102 ,  103 . In some embodiments, anti-foaming agents may not be incorporated in flavoring substances  102 ,  103  to preserve the natural flavoring of flavoring substances  102 ,  103 . In some embodiments, other compounds with anti-foaming or foam-eliminating properties may be included in flavoring substances  102 ,  103 . 
     By way of non-limiting example, cup  115  may contain approximately ¼ teaspoon of granulated salt disposed therein, and cup  114  may have approximately ¾ teaspoon of fresh lime juice disposed therein. In another example embodiment suitable for dressing Mexican beer, cup  115  may contain about 0.55 grams of salt and about 0.58 grams of dehydronated lime crystals, while cup  114  may contain about one-fourth of a teaspoon of water. Thus, the salt and lime crystals may remain intact in solid, dry form until mixed with the water when cup assembly  100  is pierced by spike  302  as plunger  300  is moved to the deployed position. The latter example yields a suitable taste and an acceptable amount of foam without the use of an anti-foaming agent. In the latter example, cup  114  may have an internal volume of about 0.23 in. 3  and cup  115  may have an internal volume of about 0.38 in. 3 . Of course, any desired volume and sizing of cups  114 ,  115  may be used, depending on the particular application. 
     In some embodiments, cup assembly  100  may have more than two cups  114 ,  115  or chambers  111 ,  112 . Cup assembly  100  may be adapted to accommodate any desired number of such cups or chambers containing any desired number of flavoring substances. Although cups  114 ,  115  illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  6 - 10 ,  12 , and  15  are shown in a nested arrangement such that chambers  111 ,  112  and flavoring substances  102 ,  103  are generally oriented one above the other, chambers  111 ,  112  may be arranged side by side or in any other desired arrangement. Additionally, plunger  300  may have one or more spikes  302  to penetrate one or more chambers, and any given spike  302  may be configured to penetrate only one chamber or multiple chambers. One or more spikes  302  may be integral to plunger  300  or may be separate components that are suitably attached to the body of plunger  300 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 8 , cup  115  may contain ridges  116  on sidewalls  118 , while cup  114  may contain ridges  122  on sidewalls  124 . Such ridges  116 ,  122  may help provide sufficient stiffness for sidewalls  118 ,  124 . While ridges  116 ,  122  are shown to be generally aligned with each other in  FIG. 8 , cups  114 ,  115  may be sized such that there is sufficient room between cups  114 ,  115  so that ridges  116 ,  122  need not align. In some embodiments, ridges  116 ,  122  may be nested one within the other. 
     Cups  114 ,  115  may be manufactured, loaded with flavoring substances  102 ,  103 , and assembled in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, an MR-35™ rotary fill and seal machine available from ORICS Industries, Inc. (Farmingdale, N.Y.) may be configured to load cups  114 ,  115  with flavoring substances  102 ,  103 , assemble cups  114 ,  115  in a nested arrangement, and apply a heat seal  120  to cups  114 ,  115  as shown in  FIG. 9 . The machine may have a round, rotary table mounted on an index drive, a motor, a gear reducer, and an adjustable speed controller. The machine may include a denester that may denest a cup  115  from a stack of cups  115  and place such cup  115  into a carrier disposed on the rotary table. The rotary table may index the cup  115  to the next station for loading with a first flavoring substance (such as salt, for example) via a first filler, such as a MICRO 14S™ servo-driven auger filler available from Per-Fil Industries (Riverside, N.J.). The rotary table may then index the cup  115  to the next station for loading with a second flavoring substance (such as lime crystals, for example) via a second filler, which may also be a MICRO 145™ filler or another suitable filler. The rotary table may then index cup  115  to the next station at which a cup  114  may be denested from a stack of cups  114  into cup  115 , thus forming a cup assembly  100 . The rotary table may then index the cup assembly  100  to the next station at which a liquid filler may load cup  114  with a liquid (such as water or lime juice, for example). The rotary table may then index cup assembly  100  to the next station at which a film seal  120  may be heat sealed to cups  114  and  115 . The rotary table may then index cup assembly  100  to a discharge station and onto an outfeed conveyor. A printer may be provided with the outfeed conveyor to print a label on seal  120  and/or an outer surface of cup  115 . The machine may include a rotary die cut film feed apparatus for cutting seal  120  from a sheet of film. The machine may include a programmable computer for controlling its operation. Of course, any other suitable manufacturing machines and processes may be employed, depending on the particular application. 
     Flavoring applicator  10  may be used as follows: a user may place lower portion  208  of internal channel  206  over and onto mouth  26  of bottle  12  or other container and may place cup assembly  100  through crown  218  and into upper portion  212  of housing  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 12-13 . The user may position plunger  300  onto housing  200  and apply downward pressure to plunger  300 , thereby causing plunger  300  to telescope down over housing  200 , which causes spike  302  disposed within plunger  300  to puncture seal(s)  120  and cups  114 ,  115  of cup assembly  100 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , thereby releasing all or a portion of flavoring substances  102 ,  103  disposed within cup assembly  100  and allowing substances  102 ,  103  to be distributed into bottle  12  and/or onto rim  18  of bottle  12 . In the case of a can  12   a , flavoring substances  102 ,  103  may also be distributed onto a top surface  24  of can  12   a . In some embodiments, the various components of flavoring applicator  10  may be sized, shaped, and made of suitable materials such that the application of downward pressure to plunger  300  involves manually and abruptly hitting a top portion of plunger  300  to yield desired dispensing characteristics. 
     In some embodiments, flavoring applicator  10  may be pre-assembled, such that cup assembly  100  is pre-loaded into housing  200  and plunger  300  is pre-installed onto housing  200  and ready for immediate use. In some embodiments, such as single-use embodiments, for example, a ridge and groove, tab and recess, or other type of detent structure may be respectively provided on housing  200  and plunger  300  such that when plunger  300  is fully deployed, it may not be retracted. In other embodiments, plunger  300  may be readily removed from housing  200  such that housing  200  may be loaded with another cup assembly  100  and used again. 
     In some embodiments, flavoring applicator  10  may be configured to operate with an open beverage container  12 . In other embodiments, a flavoring applicator  500  may have a bottle opener, can opener, or other device to open a bottle  12 , or other beverage container, as well as dispense flavoring substances onto or into such beverage containers. For example.  FIGS. 20-26  illustrate an alternative embodiment of a flavoring applicator  500  having a bottle opener. In some embodiments, flavoring applicator  500  may include a housing  700  and a plunger  600 . Housing  700  may include a channel  705  which extends from a top edge  712  of housing  700  to a base  722  of housing  700 . Channel  705  may include an upper portion  706  configured to receive a cup assembly (not shown), a middle portion  708  attached to a lower end of upper portion  706  and configured to receive a lower end of the cup assembly (not shown), and a lower portion  710  attached to a lower end of middle portion  708  which is configured to receive mouth  26  and rim  18  of bottle  12 . Housing  700  may also include a series of ledges  702 ,  704 . Ledge  704  may be configured to hold the cup assembly (not shown) in a substantially stationary position while ledge  702  may be configured to direct the cup assembly into the correct position on ledge  704 . A top portion  714  of housing  700  may be attached to an upper end of upper portion  706  of channel  705  and may be open at its top and at its junction with upper portion  706  of channel  705  such that the cup assembly may be loaded through upper portion  706 . Housing  700  may also include a lower ledge  716  which may contact rim  18  of bottle  12  when housing  700  is installed on bottle  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 25 and 26 . 
     Flavoring applicator  500  may also include plunger  600  which slidably engages housing  700 , as shown in  FIGS. 25 and 26 . Plunger  600  may include a spike  610  which attaches to an interior ceiling  612  of plunger  600 . Spike  610  may include a sharp edge  622  and a point  620  which are configured to puncture a seal and base of the cup assembly (not shown) and to allow the contents of the cup assembly to escape the cup assembly. Spike  610  may also have a central cavity  616  which extends from interior ceiling  612  of plunger  600  to point  620  of spike  610 . 
       FIGS. 25 and 26  show flavoring applicator  500  in use. Housing  700  may be placed on mouth  26  and rim  18  of a bottle  12  such that rim  18  contacts a lower ledge  716  of housing  700  and ridges  20  of bottle  12  contact lower portion  710  of channel  705 . A cup assembly (not shown) may be placed within housing  700  such that it rests within upper  706  and middle  708  portions of channel  705 . Plunger  600  may be placed over housing  700  such that interior wall  614  of plunger  600  contacts exterior surface  724  of housing  700 . By applying downward force to plunger  600 , plunger  600  may be forced downward onto housing  700  and into the deployed position, as shown in  FIG. 26 . This allows spike  610  to puncture the cup assembly (not shown) and dispel the contents of the cup assembly into and onto bottle  12 . 
     Additionally, as shown in  FIGS. 20-24 , flavoring applicator  500  may act as a bottle opener. Plunger  600  may include a wall  608  which extends from the plunger&#39;s cylindrical body  618  to create a cavity  606 . Cavity  606  may include a nub  602  and a nub  604 , which act as force transferring elements to remove a bottle cap  28  from bottle  12 . Nub  602  may extend partway into cavity  606  and nub  604  may extend partway into cavity  606 . Each of nubs  602  and  604  may be configured to apply pressure to bottle cap  28 . As shown in  FIG. 24 , flavoring applicator  500  may be placed such that bottle cap  28  extends partway through cavity  606 . Nub  602  may contact a lower edge  30  of bottle cap  28  while nub  604  applies pressure to the top of bottle cap  28 . By applying pressure to flavoring applicator  500  while it is held in this position, bottle cap  28  can be forced off of bottle  12 . 
     Although the foregoing specific details describe certain embodiments of this invention, persons reasonably skilled in the art will recognize that various changes may be made in the details of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in view of the claims that may be drawn hereto and considering the doctrine of equivalents. Wording such as upper, lower, top, bottom, first, second, and the like are used only in a distinguishing sense and are not intended to imply a certain order, orientation, or other limitation of the apparatus or its elements, unless the context specifically so requires. Therefore, it should be understood that this invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described herein.