Patent Abstract:
A cap dispenser for use with a liquid-holding container that separately stores concentrated mixes within one or more compartments. The mixes are selectively released within the outflow of the liquid contained by the liquid-holding container. By rotating the head assembly of the dispenser, the user can select which concentrated mix, if any, is to be released. The head assembly also offers a sealed position that seals the liquid within the container and the concentrated mixes within their respective storage compartments. The concentrated mixes are selectively dispensed into the outflow of the liquid from the container when the liquid is being poured out so that a mixed liquid, or flavored or fortified a drink is produced.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a cap for a beverage container and more particularly, to a drink mix dispensing apparatus adapted to store and controllably release selected drink mix ingredients from a plurality of compartments in order to combine with the out flow of the beverage as it is poured out. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Pre-mixed flavored or fortified drink beverages are commonly available and sold in grocery and convenience stores. Drink beverages are composed primarily of water. Beverage container caps are well known to prevent the contents of a beverage container from escaping. In addition to pre-mixed flavored or fortified beverages, concentrated mixes are available for preparing flavored or fortified beverages. These mixes are commonly in the form of powder or concentrated syrup. 
     To prepare a flavored or fortified beverage from concentrated syrup or powder, a large container such as a pitcher is commonly filled with water and the powder or syrup is mixed with the water in the container. A large container is commonly used to prepare multiple servings of the beverage so that the effort required to prepare the beverage is conserved. The prepared beverage is then poured into a glass or other drinking container and consumed. 
     To prepare a flavored drink, a flavored liquid syrup or powder must first be mixed with water in a container. The contents of the container are poured out and the flavored drink is consumed. To create a different-flavored drink, the same steps must be repeated with a different-flavored mix. A different flavored drink can be mixed in a separate container or can be mixed in the same container after the previously mixed drink has been consumed. The above method of preparing one flavored beverage after another is time consuming and requires the user to use a container, then re-use the container only after its contents have been emptied. 
     When a consumer wishes to purchase different flavored drinks, whether it is different flavored sodas, i.e. cherry soda or orange soda, or different flavored non-carbonated drinks, he or she must purchase each desired flavor. This proves to be quite costly. In families where there is a diversity of drink favorites, it becomes extremely costly to purchase drinks or sodas to please every family member. 
     In today&#39;s health conscious world, herbal and vitamin supplements are in vogue. Many of these supplements are water-soluble and dissolve easily in water, juice or tea. However, it would be cumbersome to add a supplement to a container of water, juice or tea, empty the bottle of its contents, consume the mixture and then re-fill the container again with water, juice or tea so a different supplement can be added. 
     What is needed is a drink mix bottle cap dispenser that can be easily attached to a liquid-holding container, and which contains compartments, each housing a different flavored syrup, liquid and/or powder, or a different vitamin and/or herbal supplement, where the user can simply select a flavor or supplement and tip the bottle over so the flavored mix or supplement from the selected container mixes with the liquid to instantly form a flavored drink or soda, or a vitamin-fortified drink. If any contents are remaining in the container, the process can be repeated for a different selection, or the cap can be easily and quickly removed, the beverage replenished, the compartments refilled with drink mixes, or a new cap reattached and the process repeated. A virtually unlimited number of flavored drinks or herbal-fortified beverages can be produced thereby eliminating the need to purchase different flavored beverages. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a beverage cap adapted to be removeably secured to the open end of a liquid-holding container that stores a plurality of concentrated mixes in separate compartments within the cap, which are selectively dispensed and combined with the outflow of the liquid stored in the container thereby producing a variety of liquid-concentrated mix combinations. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the liquid within the container is a drinkable beverage, such as water or carbonated water, and the concentrated mixes are different flavored liquid or powdered mixes, or different herbal or vitamin supplements. In an alternate embodiment, the mixes could each be a different type of oil. 
     A cap dispenser for use with a beverage container, which separately stores concentrated beverage mixes that are selectively released and combined with the outflow of the drinkable liquid contained in the beverage container. The resealable cap stores concentrated beverage mixes which are selectively dispensed within the outflow of the beverage container when the liquid is being poured out so that different flavored or vitamin fortified drinks are produced. The resealable cap includes a base, a selector disc and a head assembly. 
     The base is substantially cylindrical in shape with a top end, a bottom end, an inside surface and an outside surface. The bottom end is open and the inside surface is tapered in diameter from the bottom end to the top end so that at the bottom end the inside surface is substantially the diameter of the base and towards the top end the diameter is reduced so that a bottle aperture is formed. The inside surface of the bottle aperture is sized to accommodate the mouth of a conventional beverage container and is adapted with bottle threads to engage the mouth of a conventional beverage container. The threaded mouth of a conventional bottle is inserted into the bottom end of the base and is rotated upon engaging the bottle threads of the flow aperture until fully engaged and sealed. 
     Within the base are a plurality separate compartments which hold concentrated mixes. Each compartment is tapered in shape to conform to the tapered shape of the inside surface of the base. 
     A circular selector platform is disposed upon the base. The selector platform is adapted with six pairs of radially disposed alignment dimples and inner and outer circular ring channels. The inner circular ring channel surrounds the bottle aperture. The outer ring channel is positioned so that it separates pairs of alignment dimples. Compartment apertures are positioned within three pairs of alignment dimples so that compartment apertures alternate in occurrence within alignment dimple pairs. Each pair of compartment apertures open into a corresponding compartment. 
     A selector disk rotatably engages the selector platform. The selector disk is adapted with six pairs of radially disposed raised alignment flanges which are equally spaced apart along the bottom surface of the disk so that they may properly engage corresponding dimples located on the selector platform. Each pair of alignment flanges corresponds with a pair of alignment dimples so that when the selector disk engages the selector platform the corresponding alignment flanges engage the corresponding alignment dimples. The bottom surface of the selector disk is also adapted with a pair of raised circular ring tracks. The ring tracks are positioned so that when the selector disk engages the selector platform the corresponding tracks of the selector disk engage the corresponding channels of the selector platform. 
     The selector disc includes apertures, which allow access to the drink fluid of the attached bottle and the concentrated drink mixes contained within the compartments. A hollow flow spout extends from the top of the selector disc towards the outside perimeter of the selector disc. A mix spout extends from the top of the selector disc and is connected to the lower portion of the flow spout thereby allowing the selected drink mix to combine with the drink beverage. A vacuum spout extends from the top of the selector disc in the opposite direction of the flow spout to allow for unimpeded flow of the combined liquid and concentrated mix. 
     A head assembly holds the selector disk in engagement with the selector platform of the base. The head assembly is formed by a substantially cylindrical body and a top. The top of the head assembly is adapted in shape to receive the selector disc so that the flow spout is exposed through a pour aperture. When the head assembly fully engages the base, the raised ring tracks of the selector disc engage the cooperating ring channels of the selector platform and corresponding alignment flanges engage of the selector disc engage alignment dimples of the selector platform. 
     In use, the head assembly and selector disc enclosed therein are rotated in relation to the base. While rotating, the head assembly snaps into six unique positions that are created when the alignment dimples of the selector platform and the raised flanges of the selector disc engage. Each position is unique and is identified by indicator markings on the outside of the base and which are revealed through one or more windows in the head assembly as the head assembly is rotated into different positions. 
     Each position causes the alignment of apertures within the selector disc with respect to the selector platform to change. A closed position causes all apertures to be closed and sealed so that neither the bottle&#39;s liquid contents or the concentrated mixes can escape. 
     To pour out the contents of the attached container, the head assembly is rotated to one of the five positions that do not completely seal the container. The container is then simply tipped over so that gravity causes the bottle contents to flow out through the bottle aperture of the base through the flow spout. When a drink blended with a concentrated mix is desired the head assembly is rotated so that the aperture within the selector disc opens into the compartment containing the desired drink mix and as the container is tipped over the desired drink mix contained in the corresponding compartment are allowed to combine with and flow out along with the bottle contents. The concentrated mix is blended with the bottle contents within the outflow so that a flavored or fortified drink is formed as the container&#39;s contents are being poured out. To prepare a different-flavored drink, the head assembly is simply rotated so that the compartment containing the desired concentrated mix is selected and the contents of the container is blended with the concentrated mix as it is being poured out. 
     Another position can be selected to release the bottle&#39;s liquid contents, i.e. plain water or carbonated water, tea or juice, without releasing any of the drink mixes, thereby releasing only the bottle&#39;s contents, i.e. water, tea or juice. 
     In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top exploded perspective view of the drink mix dispensing apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a bottom exploded perspective view of the drink mix dispensing apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view showing the drink mix dispensing apparatus in use. 
     FIG. 4 is a front view showing the drink mix dispensing apparatus of the present invention affixed to a conventional beverage container. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, an exploded view of the drink mix dispensing apparatus of the present invention is illustrated. The invention includes a base assembly  100 , a selector disc  200  and a head assembly  300  which together form a dispensing cap  10  used to seal a conventional beverage container  20  which contains a liquid drink as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. Container  20  can be off-the-shelf two-liter bottles, 500 ml bottles and other bottles or cans offered for sale containing soda, juice, water, carbonated water and other beverages. In the preferred embodiment, container  20  is a conventional water or soda bottle with a threaded spout. 
     Base  100  is substantially cylindrical in shape with a closed top end  102 , an open bottom end  104 , a tapered inside surface  106  and an outside surface  108  as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Bottom end  104  is open and inside surface  106  is tapered in diameter from bottom end  104  to top end  102  so that at bottom end  104 , inside surface  106  is substantially the diameter of base  100  and towards top end  102  the diameter of inside surface  106  is reduced so that a bottle receiving aperture  110  is formed. Bottle receiving aperture  110  is sized to accommodate the mouth of a conventional beverage container  20 . Inside surface  106  is adapted in size to accommodate the top portion of container  20 . Inside surface  106  at bottle aperture  110  includes bottle threads  112  to engage corresponding threads on the mouth of conventional beverage container  20 . 
     In use, the threaded mouth of container  20  is inserted into bottom end  104  of base  100  and is rotated upon bottle threads  112  until fully engaged and sealed within bottle aperture  110  as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. Top end  102  is substantially flat forming a circular selector platform  120 . 
     In FIG. 2, embedded within base  100  are three compartments  130 ,  132  and  134 , which hold concentrated mixes (preferably liquid). Each compartment  130 ,  132  and  134  is tapered in shape to conform to the tapered shape of inside surface  106 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, three mix-holding compartments  130 ,  132  and  134 , each containing a different flavored liquid drink mix or a different vitamin or herbal supplement, are embedded within base  100 . The concentrated drink mix combines with a liquid flowing out of the container to form a mixed liquid, preferably a drinkable mixed beverage. It is, however, within the scope of the invention to include either a greater or a fewer number of compartments, and for each compartment to house powdered or granular drink mixes, herbal or vitamin supplements, or various types of oils, each of which, when dispensed, combines with the liquid contents of the container as it exits the container. 
     Circular selector platform  120  is disposed upon and is an integral part of base  100 . In the preferred embodiment, platform  120  is adapted with three pairs of spaced apart radially disposed alignment dimples  122 . Each pair of alignment dimples is comprised of a mix dimple  122   a  and a vacuum dimple  122   b . Each mix dimple  122   a  is positioned radially around bottle aperture  110  creating an interior circle. Each vacuum dimple  122   b  is positioned adjacent and just outside a corresponding mix dimple  122   a . Each vacuum dimple  122   b  is positioned radially along an outer circle, said outer circle encircling the inner circle formed by mix dimples  122   a . Both inner circle of mix dimples  122   a  and the concentric outer circle of vacuum dimples  122   b , encircle bottle aperture  110 . 
     Circular selector platform  120  is also adapted with inner and outer circular ring channels  124   a  and  124   b . Inner ring channel  124   a  surrounds bottle aperture  110 . Outer ring channel  124   b  is positioned so that it separates each mix dimple  122   a  from its corresponding vacuum dimple  122   b.    
     Along with the alignment dimples  122 , and also disposed on the upper face of base  100 , are three pairs of compartment apertures  126 . Each pair of compartment apertures  126  is comprised of a mix compartment aperture  126   a  and a vacuum compartment aperture  126   b . Compartment apertures  126  alternate in occurrence within pairs of alignment dimples  122 . Each pair of compartment apertures  126  open into a corresponding compartment  130 ,  132  or  134 . Six alignment divots  123  are positioned radially between mix dimples  122   a  and mix compartment apertures  126   a.    
     Although both mix compartment apertures and vacuum compartment apertures open into a corresponding compartment, drink mix only flows out of mix compartment aperture, as can be seen more clearly in FIG.  3 . Due to gravity, the drink mix contents (indicated by the arrows) flow out of compartment  132  through mix compartment aperture  126   a  as seen in FIG.  3 . Vacuum compartment aperture  126   b  allows air to flow freely, facilitating the dispensing and flow of drink mix through mix compartment aperture  126   a  into mix spout  246 . 
     Selector disc  200  is a substantially flat, circular disk having a top surface  200   a  and a bottom surface  200   b . Selector disc  200  and selector platform  120  are substantially the same diameter. Selector disc  200  rotatably engages selector platform  120 . Selector disc  200  is adapted with six pairs of radially disposed circular raised alignment flanges  210  which are equally spaced apart along bottom surface  200   b . Each pair of raised alignment flanges  210  is comprised of a mix flange  210   a  and a vacuum flange  210   b  which are sized to properly engage mix dimples  122   a  and vacuum dimples  122   b  respectively. Each pair of alignment flanges  210  corresponds with a pair of alignment dimples  122  so that when selector disk  200  engages selector platform  120 , corresponding alignment flanges  210  engage corresponding alignment dimples  122 . 
     Additionally, selector disc  200  is adapted with a biased alignment finger  125  which projects from the bottom surface  200   b  of disk  200 . Alignment finger  125  engages an alignment divot  123  located on base  100 , when corresponding alignment flanges  210  properly engage corresponding alignment dimples  122 . Bottom surface  200   b  is adapted with raised inner and outer ring tracks  220   a  and  220   b  which correspond in position with the inner and outer ring channels  124   a  and  124   b  so that when selector disk  200  engages selector platform  120 , corresponding inner ring track  220   a  engages inner ring channel  124   a  and corresponding outer ring track  220   b  engages ring channel  124   b  thereby providing an additional sealing mechanism of disc  200  upon base  100 . 
     Selector disc  200  provides apertures which allow access to the drink fluid contained in the attached bottle  20  and the concentrated mixes contained within compartments  130 ,  132  and  134 . Referring to FIG. 2, a mix selector aperture  236  and a vacuum selector aperture  238  are positioned between a pair of alignment flanges  210 . One mix selector aperture  236  is positioned between one mix flange  210   a  and one vacuum selector aperture  238  is positioned between a corresponding vacuum flange  210   b . Mix selector aperture  236  allows the out flow of the selected mix from its compartment via mix spout  246  when a selector aperture  236  is aligned directly over a compartment aperture  126 . This is accomplished by simply rotating the head assembly  300 , which in turn, rotates disk  200  upon base  100 . Vacuum selector aperture  238  allows for the transfer of air and the unimpeded flow of liquid mix through mix spout  246 . 
     A bottle flow aperture  232  is disposed within inner ring track  220   a . A bottle vacuum aperture  234  is located inside inner ring track  220   a  substantially adjacent to inner ring track  220   a  and substantially opposite bottle flow aperture  232 . Three vacuum stopper dimples  235  are disposed inside inner ring track  220   a  so that bottle vacuum aperture  234  and vacuum stopper dimples  235  form a circle around the center of selector disc  200 . 
     A hollow flow spout  242  is disposed upon the top surface  200   a  of selector disc  200  covering bottle flow aperture  232 . Flow spout  242  extends from the top of selector disc  200  towards the outer perimeter of selector disc  200  opposite mix and vacuum selector apertures  236  and  238 . Mix spout  246  is connected to the top surface  200   a  of selector disc  200  covering mix selector aperture  236 . Mix spout  246  is connected at one end to top surface  200   a  of selector disc  200  and at the opposite end to flow spout  242 . A vacuum spout  244  is connected to the top  200   a  of selector disc  200  covering bottle vacuum aperture  234  and extends towards the outer perimeter of selector disc  200  in substantially the opposite direction of flow spout  242 . Vacuum spout  244  does not reach the outer edge of selector disc  200 . 
     Vacuum spout  244  allows for the flow of liquids through and out of flow spout  242 . Vacuum spout  244  is bent towards the back of disk  200  away from and in the opposite direction of flow spout  242  so that when bottle  20  is tipped in pouring position, liquid does not flow inadvertently out of vacuum spout  244  instead of flow spout  242 . 
     A head assembly  300  holds selector disk  200  in engagement with the selector platform portion  120  of base  100 . Head assembly  300  is formed by a hollow substantially cylindrical body  310 , top end  312  and is open at its opposite end. The interior of head assembly  300  is adapted in shape to receive selector disc  200  so that flow spout  242  extends through a pour aperture  314 . The diameter of body  310  is substantially equivalent to the diameter of base  100  at bottom end  104 . The upper portion of outside surface  108  of base  100  is reduced in diameter forming collar  150 . Body  310  is adapted with periodically occurring raised rotator flanges  316  located along the inside surface of body  310  substantially adjacent to the open end of body  310  as seen in FIG.  2 . Alternatively, rotator flanges  316  can be a continuous raised ring along the inner circumference of the open lower end of body  310 . The outer circumference of collar  150  is adapted with a rotator channel  152  which is adapted to receive rotator flanges  316 . Head assembly  300  engages collar  150  so that body  310  overlaps collar  150  and rotator flanges  316  engage rotator channel  152 . The engagement of rotator flanges  316  and rotator channels  152  lock head assembly  300  onto base  100  while allowing it to rotate in either direction in relation to base  100 . When head assembly  300  engages base  100 , selector disc  200  fully engages selector platform  120  so that inner and outer raised ring tracks  220   a  and  220   b  engage cooperating inner and outer ring channels  124   a  and  125   b.    
     Head assembly  300  is rotatable in relation to base  100  so that one of a plurality of positions may be selected. In the preferred embodiment, six selections are available: three drink mix selections; two selections to allow only the contents of the beverage container  20  and not any drink mixes to flow, and one selection to prevent any liquid or drink mix from exiting. Selector disk  200  rotates along with head assembly  300 . Selector disk  200  is held in alignment with head assembly  300  by four protrusions  320  which extend from top  312  and are received by grooves  250  in selector disc  200 . While rotating, head assembly  300  snaps into six unique positions which are created when alignment dimples  122  engage raised alignment flanges  210  and alignment finger  125  engages alignment divot  123 . Each unique position may be identified by indicator markings  154  located along collar  150  which are revealed by an indicator window  322  within body  310  as shown in FIG.  4 . 
     Each discrete position causes mix selector aperture  236  and vacuum selector aperture  238  to be positioned over either a pair of (closed) alignment dimples  122  or (open) compartment apertures  126 . Alignment over the dimples  122  causes all apertures to be closed and sealed so that the concentrated mixes cannot escape from the compartments  130 ,  132 , and  134 . In one or more of the alignment positions, not only do mix selector aperture  236  and vacuum selector aperture  238  cover closed dimples  122  preventing egress of the drink mix from the compartment, but flow stopper  127  also covers bottle flow aperture  232  thereby preventing liquid from exiting container  20 . 
     Therefore, in the closed position, bottle flow aperture  232  and bottle vacuum aperture  234  are closed by a biased flow stopper  127  and vacuum stopper  128 , respectively, which extend from selector platform  120  within bottle aperture  110 . In the closed position, compartment apertures  126  are sealed by engagement with alignment flanges  210 , which do not contain apertures. In the closed position, mix and vacuum selector apertures  236  and  238  are sealed by engagement with dimples  122 , which do not contain apertures. When not in a closed position, vacuum stopper  128  may engage vacuum stopper dimples  235 . 
     To pour out only the contents of the attached bottle, without any drink mixes, head assembly  300  is rotated to one of the positions where bottle flow aperture  232  and vacuum aperture  234  are not blocked by flow stopper  127  and vacuum stopper  128 . Bottle  20  is simply tipped over horizontally so that gravity causes the bottle contents to flow out the bottle mouth through bottle aperture  110 , bottle flow aperture  232  and out flow spout  242  as seen in FIG.  3 . When a drink blended with a drink mix is desired, mix selector aperture  236  and vacuum selector aperture  238  are aligned over one of the three pairs of compartment apertures  126  which open into compartments  130 ,  132  or  134 . As bottle  20  is tipped over, the concentrated drink mix contained in the corresponding compartment  130 ,  132  or  134  is allowed to flow out into the mix spout  246  and combine with the out-flowing liquid from the bottle in flow spout  242 , as seen in FIG.  3 . The concentrated mix is blended with the bottle contents within flow spout  242  so that a flavored or fortified drink is produced as the bottle contents are poured out. 
     Each of the six functional positions including the closed position may be marked so that the desired position is easily located by placing indicator markings  154  along collar  150  which are correspondingly revealed through window  322  as head assembly  300  is rotated so that the function of each position is easily identified. For example, indicator markings  154  could be “1”, “2”, and “3”, each representing a different compartment containing a different drink mix; “w”, representing water only (or whatever the liquid is within container  20 ), without the release of a drink mix; and “x” representing no exit of either the liquid within the container or a drink mix, i.e. a “sealed” selection. 
     Head assembly  300 , selector disc  200  and base  100  may be constructed of any resilient waterproof material such as plastic or resin. 
     In an alternate embodiment, head assembly  300  and selector disk  200  are one integral component. 
     The instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to persons skilled in the art.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1