Patent Publication Number: US-9902537-B2

Title: Multipurpose bottle cap and methods of making and using same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/516,210, titled “Multipurpose Bottle Cap and Methods of Making and Using Same”, filed Oct. 16, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/973,853 filed Apr. 2, 2014. The disclosure of each is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to the field of multipurpose bottle caps. More specifically, the invention relates to bottle caps configured to retain solids and liquids, and which allow these solids and liquids to be conveniently dispensed into the bottle. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment, a dual chambered receptacle configured to retain a first ingredient and a second ingredient comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a cover and a rupturing member. The cover includes a top portion and a side portion having threading. The rupturing member extends from the top portion and has an elongated member and a rupturing portion. The second portion has a cup and a perimeter portion. The cup is configured to retain the first ingredient, and comprises an upper side having an upper edge and a lower side having a lower edge. The upper side comprises threading. The perimeter portion surrounds the cup, is spaced apart from the cup, and has a top edge and a bottom edge. In a use configuration, the top edge is below the upper edge and the bottom edge is above the lower edge. A seal is coupled to the rupturing portion and the lower edge when the cover is threadingly secured to the upper side. The receptacle includes a vessel having a mouth. The vessel is configured to retain the second ingredient, and the mouth is configured to be plugged by the lower side. The seal is configured to detach from the lower edge to allow the first ingredient to fall into the vessel to mix with the second ingredient when the first portion is moved relative to the second portion. 
     According to another embodiment, a method of mixing a first ingredient with a second ingredient comprises the step of providing a dual chambered receptacle. The dual chambered receptacle comprises: a first portion having a cover and a rupturing member extending from the cover; a second portion having a cup and a perimeter member at least partially surrounding the cup; and, a vessel having a mouth. The method includes the step of removably securing the first portion to the second portion, and the step of situating the first ingredient in the cup and the second ingredient in the vessel. A seal is coupled to the rupturing member and the cup to temporarily seal the cup. The mouth is plugged with the cup. When the first portion is moved relative to the second portion, the seal ruptures, thereby causing the first ingredient to fall into the vessel. 
     According to another embodiment, a dual chambered receptacle configured to retain a first ingredient and a second ingredient comprises a first portion having a cover and a rupturing member. The receptacle includes a second portion having a cup and a perimeter portion. The second portion is configured to be removably secured to the first portion. The cup is configured to retain the first ingredient. A seal is coupled to first portion and the second portion when the first portion is removably secured to the second portion. The receptacle includes a vessel having a mouth. The vessel is configured to retain the second ingredient. The seal is configured to detach from the second portion to allow the first ingredient to fall into the vessel to mix with the second ingredient when the first portion is moved relative to the second portion. 
     According to yet another embodiment, a cap for a vessel configured to retain a first ingredient comprises a first portion having a cover and a rupturing member that extends from the cover. A second portion of the cap has a cup and a perimeter portion. The second portion is configured to be removably secured to the first portion. The cup is configured to retain a second ingredient. A seal is coupled to first portion and the second portion when the first portion is removably secured to the second portion. The seal is configured to rupture upon movement of the first portion relative to the second portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first portion of a first cap, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a second portion of the first cap; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a receptacle with the first cap secured thereon; 
         FIG. 3A  is a flowchart illustrating a method of using the first cap; 
         FIGS. 4A to 4B  are perspective views of a second portion of a second cap, according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an end piece of the second cap; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a first portion of the second cap; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a first portion of a third cap, according to yet another embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second portion of the third cap; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an end piece of the third cap; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a fourth portion of the third cap; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a protective jacket of the third cap; and 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a receptacle with the third cap secured thereon. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It is often desirable to mix or otherwise combine one consumer product (e.g., a food, drink, drug, dye, et cetera) with another prior to use. For example, cocoa powder and other powdered drink mixes (e.g., protein powder drink mixes) may be mixed with water or milk prior to consumption. Similarly, for example, alcohol (e.g., Vodka) may be combined with a flavored beverage (e.g., a fruit drink such as orange juice) prior to being drunk. In some instances, the two (or more) companion consumer products may be combined at any time (e.g., days, months, or even years) prior to use. In other instances, however, it may be preferable to combine the two (or more) companion products shortly (e.g., hours, minutes, or even seconds) before use. For example, it may be undesirable to pre-mix cocoa powder and milk long before consumption, as the thermal processing of the pre-mixed cocoa powder drink may cause the cocoa powder to lose many of its valuable nutrients. Similarly, it may be disadvantageous to mix alcohol with a flavored beverage long before consumption, as the flavored beverage may drastically reduce the shelf life of the alcohol. This need for combining the two or more companion products shortly before use is not limited to the food and drinks industry. Many pharmaceutical drugs, for example, sold in powdered form and intended to be consumed as a solution or suspension after the powder is mixed with a liquid (e.g., water, milk, et cetera), lose their effectiveness over time after the ingredients have been mixed. In such cases, it may be preferable to sell the two or more companion products in a solitary package having separate compartments for the storage of the two ingredients, so that the user may mix the ingredients together shortly before use. For the convenience of the user, it may further be beneficial to configure the packaging so as to reduce the effort that the user may otherwise have to expend to mix together the ingredients. The present invention is directed generally to such systems and methods. 
     Attention is directed now to  FIG. 3 , which shows an embodiment  100  of a dual-chambered receptacle in line with the teachings of the present invention. The receptacle  100  includes a first portion (or “lid”)  110  (see  FIGS. 1, 3 ), a second portion (or “secondary container” or “plug”)  140  (see  FIGS. 2, 3 ), and a third portion (or “primary container” or “vessel”)  180  (see  FIG. 3 ). The lid  110  and the secondary container  140  may also collectively be referred to herein as a cap  102 C. 
     The first portion  110 , as best shown in  FIG. 1 , may include a cover  112  and a rupturing member (or “lever”)  114 . The cover  112  may have a side portion  116  and a top portion  118 . In some embodiments, the side portion  116  may be generally cylindrical and the top portion  118  may be generally circular, as shown in  FIG. 1 . It will be understood, however, that the side portion  116  and the top portion  118  of the cover  112  may take on other suitable regular or irregular shapes in different embodiments, as desired. In some embodiments, the side portion  116  and the top portion  118  of the cover  112  may be of a unitary construction. 
     The side portion  116  of the cover  112  may have an outer surface  1160 , an inner surface  1161  that opposes the outer surface  1160 , and a lower edge  116 E. The inner surface  1161  of the side portion  116  may include threading  120 T, which is represented in  FIG. 1  with dotted lines. The threading  120 T may in some embodiments extend for the entire height of the side portion  116 , whereas in other embodiments, only a part of the inner surface  1161  (e.g., the part of the inner surface  1161  proximate the rupturing member  114 ) may include the threading  120 T. In other embodiments still, the threading  120 T may be omitted entirely, as discussed in more detail below. 
     The top portion  118  of the cover  112  may have an upper surface  118 U and a lower surface  118 L (not clearly visible) that opposes the upper surface  118 U. The rupturing member  114  may be affixed to the lower surface  118 L of the top portion  118 . More specifically, the rupturing member  114  may have a generally cylindrical elongated portion  122  having opposing ends  122 A,  122 B (not clearly visible), and the end  122 B of the elongated portion  122  may be secured to the lower surface  118 L of the top portion  118 . In some embodiments, the lower surface  118 L of the top portion  118  may include a threaded receiving portion (not shown) configured to allow the elongated portion  122  to be threaded onto the lower surface  118 L of the top portion  118 . In other embodiments, the elongated portion  122  may be molded together with the top portion  118 , or secured to the lower surface  118 L via adhesive or other desirable means. 
     The rupturing member  114  may comprise a rupturing portion  124 , which may extend from the end  122 A of the elongated portion  122 . The rupturing portion  124  may be generally conical as shown, or may take on other shapes; for example, in some embodiments, the rupturing portion  124  may be cylindrical, or have fan like projections. In other embodiments still, the rupturing portion  124  may be threaded. The rupturing portion  124  may have a smooth bottom surface  126  that may extend generally parallel to the top portion  118 . 
     In some embodiments, the rupturing portion  124  and the elongated portion  122  of the rupturing member  114  may be of unitary construction; in other embodiments, however, the rupturing portion  124  may be a separate component that is secured to the end  122 A of the elongated portion  122 . For example, in some embodiments, the rupturing portion  124  and the end  122 A of the elongated portion  122  may be configured so as to allow the rupturing portion  124  to be threaded onto the elongated portion  122 . In other embodiments, the rupturing portion  124  may be secured to the end  122 A of the elongated portion  122  using adhesive or other suitable means. It will be understood that the rupturing member  114  shown in the figures is exemplary and that it may configured in other ways. For example, in some embodiments, the elongated portion  122  and the rupturing portion  124  constituting the rupturing member  114  may be of a unitary construction and may, for example, be generally cylindrical (and have the same or different diameters). In other embodiments, the rupturing member  114  may have fan like projections, or take on other suitable shapes. 
     Focus is directed now to  FIG. 2 , which shows the second portion or plug  140 . The second portion  140  may have a cup  142  having a wall  144 W. The wall  144 W may be generally cylindrical as shown, and form a generally continuous hollow chamber or cavity  146  having an upper opening  146 U and a lower opening  146 L. The chamber  146  may be configured to retain an ingredient, as discussed in more detail below. 
     The wall  144 W of the cup  142  may have an upper side  148  having an edge  148 E forming the upper opening  146 U, and a lower side  150  having an edge  150 E forming the lower opening  146 L. The edges  148 E,  150 E, at least in some embodiments, may be generally circular. The outer surface of the lower side  150  of the wall  144 W may be generally smooth, whereas the outer surface of the upper side  148  of the wall  144 W may include threading  152 T. The threading  152 T may be configured to correspond to the threading  120 T of the first portion  110  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     The second portion  140  may further have a perimeter member  154  outwardly adjacent the cup  142 . The perimeter member  154  may in some embodiments be generally cylindrical as shown, and may surround at least part of the wall  144 W. While not clearly visible in  FIG. 2 , the inner surface of the perimeter member  154  may be secured to the outer surface of the wall  144 W (e.g., via a generally horizontal wall that extends from the outer surface of the wall  144 W to the inner surface of perimeter member  154 ). The perimeter member  154  may have an upper edge  154 E that is downwardly adjacent the edge  148 E of the cup  142 , and a lower edge  155 E that is upwardly adjacent the edge  150 E of the cup  142 . The upper edge  154 E of the perimeter member  154  may generally correspond to the lower edge  116 E of the first portion  110 , as discussed in more detail below. 
     In some embodiments, the perimeter member  154  may optionally include a slanting portion  156 . The slanting portion  156  may extend from the lower edge  155 E of the perimeter member  154 , slant towards the wall  144 W of the cup  142 , and terminate prior to reaching the wall  144 W. The slanting portion  156  may be configured to mate with a ridge  182  (see  FIG. 3 ) of the third portion or vessel  180 . 
     The vessel  180  may be a bottle as shown in  FIG. 3 , or another container configured to retain liquids and/or solids, such as a drinking glass, a mug, a bowl, et cetera. The vessel  180  may have a mouth  183  with an opening  184 , and a chamber  185  configured to receive an ingredient(s) via the opening  184  as is known in the art. The dimensions of the opening  184  may be configured such that the plug  140 , and more specifically the lower side  150  of the cup  142 , can be fitted snugly therein to plug the vessel  180 . In some embodiments, a diameter of the lower side  150  of the cup  142  may be greater adjacent the perimeter member  154  than at the edge  150 E, which may further facilitate the plugging of the vessel  180  by the plug  140 . 
     In some embodiments, the slanting portion  156  of the perimeter member  154  may be slid across the ridge  182  of the vessel  180  such that the slanting portion  156  grips the mouth  183  of the vessel  180 . Such an arrangement may help ensure that the cap  102 C remains firmly secured to the vessel  180  and prevents its contents from escaping, such as when the vessel  180  is turned upside down or otherwise agitated. It will be appreciated however that in some embodiments the ridge  182  of the vessel  180  may be omitted along with the slanting portion  156  of the perimeter member  154  so long as the lower side  150  of the cup  142  mates with and securely plugs the vessel  180 . 
     Attention is directed now to  FIG. 3A , which shows a method  200  of using the dual chambered receptacle  100 . The method  200  may begin at step  202 , and at step  204 , the lid (i.e., the first portion)  110  may be secured to the secondary container (i.e., the second portion)  140 . Specifically, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the rupturing member  114  of the first portion  110  may be passed through the upper opening  146 U of the chamber  146  of the second portion  140 , and side portion  116  of the cover  112  of the first portion  110  may be secured to the cup  142  (and more specifically, the upper side  148  of the wall  144 W of the cup  142 ) of the second portion  140  using the threading  120 T of the cover  112  and the corresponding threading  152 T of the cup  142 . When so secured: (1) the upper opening  146 U (see  FIG. 2 ) may be closed by the lower surface  118 L (see  FIG. 1 ) of the top portion  118  of the cover  112 ; (2) the lower edge  116 E (see  FIG. 1 ) of the side portion  116  of the cover  112  may correspond to and be adjacent the upper edge  154 E (see  FIGS. 2, 3 ) of the perimeter member  154 ; and (3) the lower surface  126  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the rupturing portion  124  of the rupturing member  114  may be adjacent and coplanar with the edge  150 E (see  FIGS. 2, 3 ) of the lower side  150  of the cup  142 . In embodiments where the threading  120 T,  152 T is absent, the cover  112  may be configured to sealingly mate with the upper side  148  of the cup  112  such that the lower edge  116 E of the cover  112  is adjacent and in contact with the upper edge  154 E of the perimeter member  154 . 
     At step  206 , the cap  102 C (i.e., the first portion  110  as secured onto the second portion  140 ) may be turned upside down such that the upper surface  118 U of the top portion  118  faces the ground (or another surface, such as a table for example) and the edge  150 E of the cup  142  faces away from the ground. It will be appreciated that this step  206  may be omitted where the first portion  110  is turned upside down (i.e., the upper surface  118 U faces the ground) before the first portion  110  is secured to the second portion  140  at step  204 . 
     Next, at step  208 , the chamber  146  may be filled (or partially filled) with a first ingredient  190 . Specifically, the first ingredient  190  may be filled into the chamber  146  via the lower opening  146 L. 
     At step  210 , the chamber  146  of the cup  142  may be hermetically sealed using a seal  158  (see  FIG. 3 ). More particularly, the seal  158  may be configured such that it: (1) bonds to the edge  150 E of the cup  142  and fully seals the lower opening  146 L of the chamber  146 ; and (2) bonds to the bottom surface  126  of the rupturing portion  124 . Care may be taken to ensure that the bond between the rupturing portion bottom surface  126  and the seal  158  is stronger than the bond between the edge  150 E and the seal  158 . The seal  158  may be so secured in any suitable fashion, such as by heat induction. 
     Once the lower opening  146 L is sealed at step  210 , the first ingredient  190  may be unable to escape from the chamber  146  (without user action, as discussed below). That is, the first ingredient  190  may be unable to escape via the lower opening  146 L because of the seal  158 , and may be unable to escape via the upper opening  146 U because of the first portion  110 . At step  212 , as is known in the art, the vessel  180  (and specifically the chamber  185  thereof) may be filled (or partially filled) with a second ingredient  192  via the opening  184  in the mouth  183 . This step  212  may also be performed before the chamber  146  is filled with the first ingredient  190 . 
     The cap  102 C may now be used to plug the third portion (i.e., the vessel)  180 . Specifically, at step  214 , the cap  102 C may be inserted into the opening  184  of the mouth  183  of the vessel  180  such that the lower side  150  of the cup  142  plugs the opening  184 . The slanting portion  156  of the perimeter member  154  may also be slid over the ridge  182  as shown in  FIG. 3 , and further ensure that the contents of the vessel  180  do not inadvertently escape. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the mouth  183  may include threading that correspond to threading (not shown) on the inner surface of the perimeter member  154 ; in these embodiments, the cap  102 C may be threaded onto the mouth  183  of the vessel  180  to close off the chamber  185  of the vessel  180 . 
     The receptacle  100  may now be ready for use. At step  216 , a user may rotate the first portion  110 , and specifically the cover  112 , so as to partially unthread and distance the first portion  110  from the second portion  140 . Such rotation of the cover  112  may cause the rupturing member  114  to rotate therewith, which rotation may consequently cause the seal  158  to rupture. More specifically, as the cover  112  is rotated, it may cause the elongated portion  122  of the rupturing member  114  secured thereto to also rotate, which may in turn cause the rupturing portion  124  of the rupturing member  114  (and the lower surface  126  of the rupturing portion  124  to which the seal  158  is bonded) to rotate and rupture the bond between the seal  158  and the edge  150 E of the cup  142  of the second portion  140 . The seal  158  may resultantly detach from the edge  150 E of the cup  142  but remain secured to the lower surface  126  of the rupturing portion  124 . Rupturing of the seal at step  216  may cause the first ingredient  190  to fall into the chamber  185  of the vessel  180  and mix with the second ingredient  192  at step  218 . 
     At step  220 , if desired, the user may agitate the receptacle  100  so as to allow the first ingredient  190  to better mix with second ingredient  192 . At step  222 , the user may fully separate the first portion  110  from the second portion  140  (i.e., unthread the first portion  110  from the second portion  140 ). The seal  158 , which may still be secured to the lower surface  126  of the rupturing portion  124 , may be detached therefrom and disposed. The user may now enjoy (or otherwise utilize) the second ingredient  192  along with the first ingredient  190 , and if desired, secure the first portion  110  back to the second portion  140  (using corresponding threading  120 T,  152 T) to prevent the remaining contents of the vessel  100  from escaping. The method  200  may end at step  224 . 
     Thus, as has been described, the receptacle  100  may provide a user with an easy and convenient way to combine the second ingredient  192  with the first ingredient  190  shortly prior to use. In some embodiments, the steps  202 - 214  may be effectuated by a manufacturer or retailer, whereas the remaining steps may be effectuated by an end user. 
     It will be appreciated that the first ingredient  190  and the second ingredient  192  need not each be a solitary substance, but may instead each be a combination of more than one ingredient. For example, the first ingredient  190  may be a powder mix comprising ground coffee and sugar, and the second ingredient  192  may be a mixture of water and milk. Of course, any suitable first ingredient  190  and second ingredient  192  may be employed with the invention. For instance: (i) the first ingredient  190  may be a powder drink mix (e.g., a cocoa drink mix, a fruit drink mix, protein powder or other meal replacement type powder, et cetera) and the second ingredient  192  may be water; (ii) the first ingredient  190  may be alcohol (e.g., Tequila, Vodka, Rum, et cetera) and the second ingredient  192  may be a drink mix (e.g., margarita mix, flavored orange juice, a carbonated beverage, et cetera); (iii) the first ingredient  190  may comprise pieces of fruit and the second ingredient  192  may be a drink mix (e.g., a smoothie, Sangria, et cetera); or (iv) the first ingredient  190  may be cereal and the second ingredient  192  may be milk. As noted, however, the use of the receptacle  100  is not limited to the food and drink industry, but may also extend to products such as pharmaceutical drugs, dyes, et cetera. 
     In one particular embodiment, the first ingredient  190  and the second ingredient  192  may be combined to form salad dressing. In this embodiment, the first ingredient  190  may be a combination of garlic and herbs, whereas the second ingredient  192  may be, for example, olive (or another type of) oil. Garlic and herbs, when mixed with oil for long periods of time, may cause Botulism upon consumption. Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness that may be fatal, and cases of Botulism have caused the Food and Drug Administration to issue Emergency Permit Control Requirements for all manufacturers of salad dressing. The dual chambered receptacle  100  disclosed herein may curb cases of Botulism because the garlic and herbs of the salad dressing need not be mixed with the oil until the salad dressing is ready to be consumed. 
     Indeed, the receptacle  100 , in addition to its convenience, may provide several other health benefits. For example, it is known that ready to drink protein drinks are generally thermally processed, which exponentially increases undesirable AGE formation therein. The present invention eliminates the need to thermally process such drinks, and provides an easy and convenient alternative for users to healthfully make their protein drinks by simply mixing the powdered protein with milk or water shortly prior to consumption. 
     Similarly, for example, “Thandai”, one of India&#39;s more popular drinks, and which comprises flavored milk, almonds, pistachios, cashews, fennel seeds, and magaztari seeds, loses much of its nutritional value when the nuts and seeds are processed within the milk. The dual chambered receptacle  100  disclosed herein may allow the nuts and seeds to be packaged in the cup  142  as the first ingredient  190 , and may enable the end user to mix them with flavored milk, the second ingredient  192 , shortly before consumption. It will be understood that the various first ingredient(s)  190  and second ingredient(s)  192  specifically identified herein are merely exemplary and are not intended to be independently limiting. 
     In some embodiments, the first portion  110 , the second portion  140 , and the third portion  180  may each be manufactured using primarily the same material (e.g., plastic). In other embodiments, however, the components may be manufactured using different materials—for example, the cap  102 C may comprise primarily plastic and the vessel  180  may comprise primarily glass. The seal  158  may similarly be manufactured using any suitable material (e.g., foil). 
     Attention is directed now to  FIGS. 4A-6 , which show various components of another embodiment  300  of the cap  102 C. More specifically, in this embodiment  300 , a first portion  310  ( FIG. 6 ) replaces the first portion  110  of the cap  102 C, a second portion  340  ( FIGS. 4A-4B ) replaces the second portion  140  of the cap  102 C, and an end piece  370  ( FIG. 5 ) replaces the seal  158  of the cap  102 C. The vessel  180  shown in  FIG. 3  and discussed above with reference to the embodiment  100  may also be utilized with the embodiment  300 . 
     Focus is directed now to  FIG. 6 , which shows the first portion  310 . The first portion  310  may have a plate  312 , which may be circular as shown or of other suitable shapes. The plate  312  may have an upper surface  314 U and a lower surface  316 L. A holding portion  318  may be secured to or formed integrally with the upper surface  314 U of the plate  312 . The holding portion  318 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , may comprise ears  318 A,  318 B, which may allow a user to rotate the first portion  310  as discussed below. An elongated member  320 , such as a cylindrical rod, may be secured to the lower surface  316 L of the plate  312  and extend away from the plate  312 . 
     The elongated member  320  may have a proximal portion  322  proximate the lower surface  316 L of the plate  312 , and a distal portion  324  further away from the plate  312 . The elongated member  320  may comprise a first threaded member  326  at the proximal portion  322  and a second threaded member  328  at the distal portion  324 . In some embodiments, the first and the second threaded members  326 ,  328  may be formed integrally with the elongated member  320 , whereas in other embodiments, the first and second threaded members  326 ,  328  may be separate pieces that are respectively secured to the proximal portion  322  and the distal portion  324  of the elongated member  320 . The first threaded member  326  may have upper and lower sides  326 U,  326 L, and the second threaded member  328  may have upper and lower sides  328 U,  328 L, respectively. As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , in some embodiments, the first threaded member  326  may be slightly wider at the upper side  326 U than at the lower side  326 L, and the second threaded member  328  may similarly be slightly wider at the upper side  328 U than at the lower side  328 L. In some embodiments, the first threaded member  326  and the second threaded member  328  may be generally identical. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 4A-4B , the second portion  340  as shown may comprise a first cylindrical portion  342  and a second cylindrical portion (or “cup”)  344  adjacent thereto. The first and second cylindrical portions  342 ,  344  may, but need not, be of a unitary construction. A diameter of the first cylindrical portion  342  may in some embodiments be greater than a diameter of the second cylindrical portion  344 . The first cylindrical portion  342  may have an upper surface  346 U and a lower surface  348 L. The upper surface  346 U may have an opening  350  therein. While not required, in some embodiments, the opening  350  may comprise internal threading (not specifically shown). 
     The second cylindrical portion  344  may have an upper side  344 U and a lower side  344 L. The upper side  344 U of the second cylindrical portion  344  may extend from the lower surface  348 L of the first cylindrical portion  342 . The second cylindrical portion  344  may be generally hollow and have a chamber  352  (for the retention of the first ingredient  190  as discussed above). The opening  350  in the first cylindrical portion  342  may lead to the chamber  352 . 
     The second cylindrical portion  344 , at the lower side  344 L, may have an opening  354  that also leads to the chamber  352 . The lower side  344 L of the second cylindrical portion  344  may include a groove  356  (see  FIG. 4B ). The groove  356  may allow the end piece  370  ( FIG. 5 ) to be fixedly secured to the lower side  344 L of second cylindrical portion  344 . 
     The cap  300  may be generally used as follows. The first portion  310 , and more specifically, the distal portion  324  of the elongated member  320  of the first portion  310 , may be passed through the opening  350  in the first cylindrical portion  342  of the second portion  340 . The plate  312  or the holding portion  318  may then be used to push the elongated member  320  through the chamber  352  such that the distal portion  324  of the elongated member  320  is adjacent the groove  356  at the lower side  344 L of the second cylindrical portion  340 . This may cause the first threaded member  326  to mate with and seal the opening  350  in the upper surface  346 U of the first cylindrical portion  342 . The tapered configuration of the threaded member  326  (i.e., the fact that it may be slightly wider at the upper side  326 U than at the lower side  326 L) may facilitate the sealing of the opening  350  and ensure that the first threaded member  326  does not separate from the opening  350  (without user action, as discussed below). Where the opening  350  is threaded, the threaded member  326  may be secured within the opening  350  using the corresponding threading of the threaded member  326  and the opening  350  to close the opening  350 . 
     The cap  300  (i.e., the first portion  310  as secured to the second portion  340 ) may now be turned upside down such that the holding portion  318  faces the ground and the lower side  344 L of the second cylindrical portion  344  faces away from the ground. The chamber  352  may now be filled with the first ingredient  190  as discussed with respect to the embodiment  100 . 
     The end piece  370  ( FIG. 5 ) may include a body  372  having an edge  374 . The body  372 , at an upper side  372 U, may be generally concave, and may have a hole  376  therein. The hole  376  may be configured to sealingly mate with the second threaded member  328 . Specifically, once the chamber  352  is filled (or partially filled) with the first ingredient  190 , and while the lower side  344 L of the second cylindrical portion  344  is facing away from the ground, the end piece  370  may be used to close off the chamber  352 . More specifically: (i) the edge  374  of the end piece  370  may be inserted into the groove  356  at the lower side  344 L of the second cylindrical portion  344  to secure the end piece  370  to the second cylindrical portion  344 ; and (ii) the hole  376  of the end piece may be closed off by the passage of second threaded member  328  of the first portion  310  therethrough. 
     The first ingredient  190  may now be unable to escape from the chamber  354  irrespective of its orientation. Specifically, the first ingredient  190  may be unable to escape from the opening  350  in the first cylindrical portion  342  of the second portion  340  because the opening  350  is now sealed by the first threaded member  326  of the first portion  310 ; and further, the first ingredient  190  may be unable to escape from the opening  354  at the lower side  344 L of the second cylindrical portion  344  because of the end piece  370  (and the second threaded member  328  which seals the opening  376  of the end piece  370 ). 
     The chamber  185  of the vessel  180  (see  FIG. 3 ) may be filled with the second ingredient  192  as discussed above, and the cap  300 , and more specifically the second cylindrical portion  344  of the cap  300 , may now be inserted into the opening  184  of the mouth  183  of the vessel  180  to plug the vessel  180 . The second ingredient  192  may thus be unable to escape from the chamber  185  of the vessel  180 . 
     For use, a user may simply use the holding portion  318  of the first portion  310  to twist and distance the first portion  310  from the second portion  340 . That is, the user may use the ears  318 A,  318 B to pull the plate  312  of the first portion  310  away from the first cylindrical portion  342  of the second portion  340 . This may cause the second threaded member  328  to be pulled out of the hole  376  in the end piece  370 . The first ingredient  190  may resultantly pass through the hole  376  in the end piece  370  into the chamber  185  of the vessel  180  and mix with the second ingredient  192 . It will be appreciated that the concave surface of the body  372  of the end piece  370  may facilitate the passage of the first ingredient  190  through the hole  376  and into the chamber  185  of the vessel  180 , particularly where the first ingredient  190  is a solid (e.g., a powdered substance). As before, the user may agitate the vessel  180  if desired to better mix the ingredients  190 ,  192 . 
     To consume (or otherwise use) the second ingredient  192  as combined with the first ingredient  190 , the user may pull out the second cylindrical portion  344  of the second portion  340  from the opening  183  in the mouth  184  of the vessel  180  to expose the opening  183 . Alternatively, the user may pull out and fully separate the first portion  310  from the second portion  340  to expose the opening  350  of the second cylindrical portion  344 . If desired, the user may reinsert the first portion  310  in the opening  350  to reseal the vessel  180 . 
     Thus, as has been described, the cap  300 , like the cap  102 C, may allow a user to conveniently and quickly mix a first ingredient  190  with a second ingredient  192  shortly prior to use. In some embodiments, the cap  300  may be configured to be reusable; for example, the first portion  310  and the second portion  340  may be made primarily of plastic, and the end piece  370  may be made of metal (or another suitable material) to enable the cap  300  to be reused. In some embodiments, the cap  300  and the vessel  180  may be configured to be dishwasher safe to facilitate repeated use of the cap  300  with the vessel  180 . It will be appreciated that the size of the various components described herein may be varied to suit a particular application. 
     Attention is directed now to  FIGS. 7-12 , which show various components of another embodiment  400  of the cap  102 C. The cap  400  may include a first portion  410  (see  FIG. 7 ), a second portion  440  (see  FIG. 8 ), a third portion or vessel  460  (see  FIG. 12 ), an end piece  470  (see  FIG. 9 ), a fourth portion  480  (see  FIG. 10 ), and a protective jacket  490  (see  FIG. 11 ). The cap  400  may be particularly suited to retain powdered ingredients (e.g., dried powder baby food such as baby milk formula) used to prepare meals for babies. 
     The first portion  410  may have an inner portion  412 , a perimeter portion  414 , and a stopper portion  415 . As can be seen, the inner portion  412  and the perimeter portion  414  may each be generally cylindrical, and a diameter of the inner portion  412  may be smaller than a diameter of the perimeter portion  414 . 
     The inner portion may have a generally cylindrical wall  412 W having an outer surface  416 O, an inner surface  416 I that opposes the outer surface  416 O, an upper edge  416 E, and a top wall  416 T. The outer surface  416 O of the wall  412 W may include threading  418 T. The perimeter portion  414  may have a generally cylindrical sidewall  420 W that surrounds part of the inner portion  412 , and may have a wall  421  (not clearly shown) that extends generally horizontally. The wall  420 W may have an outer surface  422 O, an inner surface  422 I that opposes the outer surface  422 O, an upper edge  422 U, and a lower edge  422 L. The inner surface  422 I of the wall  420 W may include threading  423 T, as illustrated in  FIG. 7  with dotted lines. 
     The stopper portion  415  may include an elongated member  424  having ends  424 A and  424 B. The end  424 B of the stopper portion  415  may be secured to the lower surface of the wall  421  of the perimeter portion  414  (e.g., via adhesive or corresponding threading, as discussed above) or to the top wall  416 T. In other embodiments, the stopper portion  415  and the perimeter portion  414  may be of unitary construction. 
     The stopper portion  415 , at the end  424 A, may have a closing member  426  secured thereto. The closing member  426  may be generally conical as shown, or may take on other suitable shapes. The closing member  426  may at its lower side include a generally cylindrical wall  428 , which may, at its outer surface, include threading  428 T. The closing member  426 , in some embodiments, may be a separate a component that is secured to the elongated member  424  (e.g., using corresponding threading, adhesive, et cetera) of the stopper portion  415 . In other embodiments, the stopper portion  415  and the closing member  426  may be molded together. 
     Attention is directed now to  FIG. 8 , which shows the second portion  440 . The second portion  440  may be generally similar to the second portion  140  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the cap  102 C. Specifically, the second portion  440  may have a cup  442  having a wall  444 W. The wall  444 W may be generally cylindrical as shown, and form a generally continuous hollow chamber or cavity  446  having an upper opening  446 U and a lower opening  446 L. The chamber  446  may be configured to retain the first ingredient  190 . 
     The wall  444 W of the cup  442  may have an upper side  448  having an edge  448 E forming the upper opening  446 U, and a lower side  450  having an edge  450 E forming the lower opening  446 L. The edges  448 E,  450 E, at least in some embodiments, may be generally circular. The outer surface of the lower side  450  of the wall  444 W may be generally smooth, whereas the outer surface of the upper side  448  of the wall  444 W may include threading  452 T. The threading  452 T may be configured to correspond to the threading  423 T at the inner surface  422 I of the wall  420 W of the first portion  410 . A diameter of the cup  442  at the upper side  448  may be generally equal to a diameter of the inner member  412  of the first portion  412 . 
     The second portion  440  may further have a perimeter member  454  outwardly adjacent the cup  442 . The perimeter member  454  may in some embodiments be generally cylindrical as shown, and may surround at least part of the wall  444 W of the cup  442 . While not clearly visible in  FIG. 8 , the inner surface of the perimeter member  454  may be secured to the outer surface of the wall  444 W (e.g., via a generally horizontal wall that extends from the outer surface of the wall  444 W to the inner surface of perimeter member  454 ). The perimeter member  454  may have an upper edge  454 E that is downwardly adjacent the edge  448 E of the cup  442 , and a lower edge  455 E that is upwardly adjacent the edge  450 E of the cup  442 . The upper edge  454 E of the perimeter member  454  may generally correspond to the lower edge  422 L of the first portion  410 , as discussed in more detail below. While not clearly shown, the lower side  450  may include a groove  456 G similar to the groove  356  of the second portion  340  (see  FIG. 4B ) to facilitate the securement of the end piece  470  thereto. 
     Much like the perimeter member  154  of the second portion  140  (see  FIG. 2 ), the perimeter member  454  may optionally include a slanting portion  456 . The slanting portion  456  may extend from the lower edge  455 E of the perimeter member  454 , slant towards the wall  444 W of the cup  442 , and terminate prior to reaching the wall  444 W. The slanting portion  456  may be configured to mate with a ridge  462  (see  FIG. 12 ) of the third portion or vessel  460 . 
     The vessel  460  may be generally identical to the vessel  180  shown in  FIG. 3 . Specifically, the vessel  460  may have a mouth  463  with an opening  464 , and a chamber  465  configured to receive an ingredient(s) via the opening  464  as is known in the art. The dimensions of the opening  464  may be configured such that the second portion (or plug)  440 , and more specifically the lower side  450  of the cup  442 , can be fitted snugly therein to plug the vessel  460 . In some embodiments, a diameter of the lower side  450  of the cup  442  may be greater adjacent the perimeter member  454  than at the edge  450 E, which may further facilitate the plugging of the vessel  460  by the plug  440 . In some embodiments, the slanting portion  456  of the perimeter member  454  may be slid across the ridge  462  of the vessel  462  such that the slanting portion  456  grips the mouth  463  of the vessel  460 , as discussed above with respect to the slanting portion  156  of the cap  102 C. 
     The end piece  470  ( FIG. 9 ) may include a body  472  having an edge  474 . The body  472 , at an upper side  472 U, may be generally concave, and may have a hole  476  therein. The hole  476  may be configured to sealingly mate with the threading  428 T of the closing member  426  (see  FIG. 7 ) of the first portion  410 . 
     The fourth portion  480  ( FIG. 10 ) may have a cylindrical member  482  having an outer surface  482 O, an inner surface  482 I (not clearly visible) that opposes the outer surface  482 O, an upper edge  482 U, and a lower edge  482 L. As best shown in  FIG. 12 , the inner surface  482 I may comprise threading  484 T which is illustrated in this figure with dotted lines. The threading  484 T may be configured to mate with the threading  418 T on the outer surface  416 O of the wall  412  of the first portion  410 , as well as the threading  452 T of the second portion  440 , as discussed in more detail below. 
     The fourth portion  480  may further have a nipple  484 N upwardly adjacent the upper edge  482 U. The nipple  484 N may have an opening  4860  to dispense fluids at a relatively low rate, as is known in the art. The fourth portion  480 , in some embodiments, may be a standard nipple attachment that can be secured to commercially available baby bottles. The protective jacket  490  ( FIG. 11 ) may be configured to fit over the nipple  484 N to protect the nipple  484 N from the elements. 
     The cap  400  may be used as follows. The first portion  410  may first be secured to the second portion  440 . More specifically, the stopper portion  415  of the first portion  410  may be passed through the upper opening  446 U of the second portion  440 , and the perimeter portion  414  of the first portion  410  may be secured to the upper side  448  of the wall  444 W of the cup  442  of the second portion  440  using the threading  423 T and the corresponding threading  452 T. When so secured, the lower edge  422 L of the first portion  410  may be adjacent and correspond to the upper edge  454 E of the second portion  440  (see  FIGS. 7, 8 and 12 ), and the wall  428  of the closing member  426  may slightly extend beyond the lower edge  450 E of the second portion  440 . 
     The first portion  410 , as secured to the second portion  440 , may now be turned upside down such that the upper edge  416 E of the first portion  410  faces the ground (or another surface) and the lower edge  450 E of the second portion  440  faces away from the ground. The cup  442  may then be filled with instant baby formula (or another suitable powdered substance), and the end piece  470  may be secured to the second portion  440  and the first portion  410 . More specifically, the end piece  470  may be fitted within the groove  456 G of the second portion  440 , and secured to the closing member  426  of the first portion  410  such that at least part of the wall  428  of the closing member  426  passes through and seals the opening  476  of the end piece  470 . 
     The first ingredient  190  may now be unable to escape from the cup  442 . Specifically, the first ingredient  190  may be unable to escape from the cup  442  via the lower opening  446 L because of the end piece  470  and the closing member  426 , and may be unable to escape the cup  442  via the upper opening  446 U because of the wall  421  of the first portion  410  or the top wall  416 T. If desired, the fourth portion  480  may be secured to the wall  412 W of the first portion  410  using the threading  418 T (see  FIG. 7 ) and the corresponding threading  484 T of the fourth portion  480 ; and the protective jacket  490  may be removably secured to the fourth portion  480 . 
     The chamber  465  of the vessel  480  may now be filled with the second ingredient  192 , and the cap  400  may be used to seal off the chamber  465 . Specifically, the cap  400  may be inserted into the opening  464  of the mouth  463  of the vessel  460  such that the lower side  450  of the cup  442  plugs the opening  464  of the vessel  460 . The slanting portion  456  may be slid over the ridge  462  as shown in  FIG. 12 , and further ensure that the contents of the vessel  460  do not inadvertently escape. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the mouth  463  may include threading that correspond to threading  454 T on the inner surface of the perimeter member  454 ; in these embodiments, the cap  400  may be threaded onto the mouth  463  of the vessel  480  to close off the chamber  465  of the vessel  460 . 
     When it is time to feed a baby, the first portion  410  may be rotated to fully detach (i.e., unscrew) the first portion  410  (along with the fourth portion  480 , which is secured to the first portion  410 ) from the second portion  440 . This may cause the closing member  426  to come out of the opening  476  in the end piece  470 . The first ingredient  190  may resultantly fall from the cup  442  into the chamber  465  of the vessel  460  via the opening  476  and mix with the second ingredient  192 . The fourth portion  480  may now be unscrewed from the first portion  410  and screwed onto the second portion  440  using the threading  484 T of the fourth portion  480  and the corresponding threading  452 T of the second portion  440 . The vessel  460  may hence be used as a conventional baby bottle. The cap  400  may be reused as desired along with the vessel  460  to house the first ingredient  190  and the second ingredient  192 , respectively. 
     Thus as has been described, because each of the first portion  410 , the second portion  440 , the end piece  470 , the fourth portion  480 , the jacket  490 , and the vessel  460  may be carried and transported together as one unit, the cap  400  may allow a parent (or other guardian) to conveniently form milk from baby formula on the go, without the need to carry a separate bottle with a nipple and an additional container to carry the baby formula. 
     Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described. Directional labels such as up, down, left, right, upwardly adjacent, downwardly adjacent, et cetera, are meant to describe the invention in a typical configuration or orientation, but are not intended to be independently limiting.