BACKGROUND
Beverages are frequently sold or distributed using containers that will be referred to herein as “bottles”. For example, many beverages are sold or distributed using plastic water bottles. In the United States alone, in 2014, it has been estimated that over 100 billion plastic beverage bottles were sold. Of those, an estimated 57 billion were water bottles. Many other types of beverage bottles are sold or distributed, including containers designed to reduce the use of plastics. These beverage bottles (whether formed of plastic or other materials) are typically sold or distributed with caps that are designed to seal the beverage inside the bottle. Some have caps that seal as well as provide a resealable opening to access the beverage.
There is increasing demand for beverages that are functional—such as sports drinks that are formulated to improve an athlete's performance and which have been mixed with substances such as carbohydrates, minerals or electrolytes. In addition to athletic performance improvements, functional beverages may be formulated to provide benefits such as improvement of heart health, immunity, digestion, or joint health. These beverages that are mixed or infused with biologically active substances will generally be referred to herein as “functional beverages.” Many functional beverages are pre-mixed (e.g., they are sold and distributed in bottles in which the biologically active substance has already been mixed with liquid). Unfortunately, pre-mixing can lead to a reduction in the efficacy of many biologically active substances. For example, efficacy can be reduced due to the amount of time the mixed beverage sits in the bottle (which can vary based on supply chain and distribution issues), variations in temperature, exposure to ultraviolet light, or the like. In general, it is difficult to ensure that any biologically beneficial properties are not reduced or even substantially eliminated when functional beverages are pre- mixed.
Some functional beverages are mixed just prior to consumption by the user. For example, some manufacturers provide the biologically active substance in powder or other form shipped or distributed separately from the beverage in which the substance is to be mixed. The user is then responsible for measuring and mixing the substance with the liquid. Unfortunately, such an approach is inconvenient and potentially messy for the user. Further, a user may not mix the appropriate amount of substance with the appropriate amount of fluid which can further reduce the efficacy of the mixture. Even further, such powders are typically produced in bulk and are not customized for each individual user.
It would be desirable to provide improved systems, methods and apparatus that allow on- demand mixing and dispensing of functional beverages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Features and advantages of the example embodiments, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, will become more readily apparent with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser cap pursuant to some embodiments.
FIG. 2A is a partial cross section view of a dispenser cap pursuant to some embodiments.
FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a portion of the dispenser cap of FIG. 1A pursuant to some embodiments.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a dispenser cap pursuant to some embodiments.
FIG. 4 is a cross section view of a dispenser cap pursuant to some embodiments.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cartridge for use with a dispenser cap pursuant to some embodiments.
FIG. 6 is a cross section view of a cartridge pursuant to some embodiments.
FIG. 7 is a cross section view of a dispenser cap with a cartridge installed for use pursuant to some embodiments.
FIG. 8 is a cross section view of a dispenser cap with a cartridge installed in a dispensing position pursuant to some embodiments.
Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwise described, the same drawing reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. The relative size and depiction of these elements may be exaggerated or adjusted for clarity, illustration, and/or convenience.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various example embodiments. It should be appreciated that various modifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Moreover, in the following description, numerous details are set forth for the purpose of explanation. However, one of ordinary skill in the art should understand that embodiments may be practiced without the use of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and processes are not shown or described in order not to obscure the description with unnecessary detail. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.
Provided herein is dispenser cap. The dispenser cap can be removably fitted to a mouth of a container containing a fluid. The dispenser cap can be operated to dispense a compound into a body of the container to mix with the fluid. More particularly, pursuant to some embodiments, a dispenser cap comprises a body having a cap covering a first end and an opening formed by a second end, the opening sized to mate with a neck of a bottle or other container. The body includes a holding area positioned proximate the opening, the holding area holding a capsule containing a compound. The cap further includes a plunger positioned between the cap and the holding area, the plunger movable between a resting position and a depressed position, such that when the plunger is in the depressed position, the plunger causes the capsule to dispense the compound.
Features of some embodiments will now be described by first referring to FIG. 1 which is a perspective view of a dispenser cap 100 pursuant to some embodiments. In FIG. 1, the dispenser cap 100 is shown installed on a neck of a bottle 150. The dispenser cap 100 includes a top 102, a flexible shell 104, and a body 106 which together form a sealed enclosure when mounted on a neck of a bottle 150. The bottle 150 may have a gasket 152 to provide an additional seal. In general, when the dispenser cap 100 is securely mounted on a bottle 150, liquid in the bottle is retained within the bottle 150 and an interior portion of the dispenser cap 100. The interior of the dispenser cap 100 may also include an area in which a capsule (not shown in FIG. 1) can be placed which holds one or more compounds.
In some embodiments, an optional external removable protective element (not shown) may be provided. For example, the external removable protective element may be shaped like a ring and may encircle the flexible shell 104 such that it provides a rigid connection between the top 102 and the body 106. This element may prevent accidental depression of the flexible shell 104 before use (e.g., during transit or storage). The protective element also could be formed as one or more vertical plastic elements (formed to connect the top 102 and the body 106. Once the (optional) external removable protective element(s) are removed, the dispenser cap 100 can be operated to dispense the compounds into the bottle 150 for mixing with a fluid as will be described further herein.
Further details of some embodiments of dispenser cap 100 will be described by reference to FIG. 2A which is a partial cross section view of dispenser cap 100. More particularly, FIG. 2A shows a cross section of the dispenser body 106. The dispenser body 106 may be generally cylindrical in shape. At one end of the dispenser body 106 is an opening 108 which receives, for example, an open mouth of a neck of a bottle 150 (not shown in FIG. 2). The dispenser cap 100 may be mounted on the neck of a bottle 150 using threaded stubs 112 which are sized and formed to allow the dispenser cap 100 to be screwed onto and off of a neck of a bottle 150. When screwed onto a bottle 150, the dispenser cap 100 forms a seal on the bottle 150 preventing any fluid from escaping.
The dispenser body 106 includes a holding area 120 which holds a capsule (not shown) from which a compound may be released to be dispensed into the bottle 150 (the compound is not shown in FIG. 2). More particularly, the compound is held in a capsule that keeps the compound dry and protected from other elements until the compound is dispensed (as will be described further below). The holding area 120 of dispenser body 106 has a top stop 124 which may be formed as a lip or ledge that surrounds an interior of the cylindrical dispenser body 106 at a top portion of the dispenser body 106. The holding area 120 is further defined by a bottom stop 122 which may be formed as a lip or ledge that surrounds an interior of the cylindrical dispenser body 106 at a bottom portion of the holding area 120. The holding area 120, in general, is shaped and formed to hold a capsule in the holding area 120. In some embodiments, the bottom stop 122 may be somewhat flexible, allowing a capsule to be inserted into the holding area 120 for use and to be removed from the holding area 120 after use. When the dispenser cap 100 is mounted on the neck of a bottle 150 (via threads 112), a top of the neck of the bottle 150 is positioned proximate the bottom stop 122. In some embodiments, a layer of elastic material (e.g., such as a rubber or silicone) of a gasket of same material is attached to the exterior side of the bottom stop 122 to seal the dispenser cap 100 and prevent liquid from leaking.
The dispenser cap 100 also includes a flexible shell 104 which is positioned proximate the holding area 120 of the dispenser body 106. Pursuant to some embodiments, the flexible shell 104 is flexible such that the flexible shell 104 can be depressed (in a direction toward the neck of a bottle 150). When the flexible shell 104 is depressed and then released, the flexible shell 104 returns to its original position (extended away from the neck of the bottle 150). The flexible shell 104 further has (or is connected to) a plunger 130 which extends towards the holding area 120. The plunger 130 has a tip 132 which is formed to pierce or otherwise open or puncture a capsule when the plunger 130 is moved by the action of the flexible shell 104. In some embodiments, the plunger 130 and the tip 132 may be formed of a hard plastic such that the tip 132 may be reused to pierce, open or puncture capsules more than once. The plunger 130 is sized such that the length of the plunger 130 extends beyond the bottom stop 122 of the holding area 120 when the flexible shell 104 is depressed. Referring briefly to FIG. 2B, a side view of one embodiment of a plunger 130 is shown. In the embodiment depicted, the plunger 130 is formed in a triangular or arrow shape extending from a base (at the top of the flexible shell 104) to a narrow tip 132. Other shapes and configurations of the plunger 130 may be used so long as the member operates as described herein in conjunction with the flexible shell 104 and the capsule.
A further view of a dispenser cap 100 pursuant to some embodiments is shown in FIG. 3 where a bottom perspective view of a dispenser cap 100 is shown. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the body 106 is substantially cylindrical in shape and is formed with ridges 107 to improve the grip when a user screws the dispenser cap 100 on or off a bottle. The body 106 has an opening 108 which would receive a neck of a bottle (not shown in FIG. 3). The body 106 is secured to the neck of a bottle using, for example, threaded stubs 112 which mate with corresponding threads on the neck of the bottle. A holding area 120 within the body 106 is shaped to hold a capsule (not shown in FIG. 3). The body area 106 extends from a bottom stop 122 to a top stop (not shown in FIG. 3). A flexible shell 104 extends from a top portion of the body 106 and, when depressed, drives an plunger 130 and a tip 132 towards the holding area 120 and the neck of the bottle.
Referring to FIG. 4, a cross sectional view of a dispenser cap 100 pursuant to some embodiments is shown. The dispenser cap 100 has a cap 102 which encloses an interior of a flexible shell 104 and body 106 such that when the dispenser cap 100 is mounted on a bottle, the fluid in the bottle is contained within the dispenser cap 100 and the bottle (as is any substance contained within a capsule mounted therein). In some embodiments, the components of the dispenser cap 100 may be formed from one or more molds and constructed of plastic. In some embodiments, one or more of the components may be formed using additive manufacturing processes.
In the dispenser cap 100 of FIG. 4, the plunger 130 is sized such that when the flexible shell 104 is in a resting or non-depressed state, the tip 132 extends well into the holding area 120. If a capsule were installed in the holding area 120 the top film of the capsule would be pierced by the plunger 130 as shown in FIG. 4, while the bottom film of the capsule would be intact (and would prevent the contents of the capsule from dispensing from the capsule). In some embodiments, different sizes of elongated members 130 may be used (and, in some embodiments, different travel lengths of plungers 104). For example, in some embodiments it may be desirable to prevent the top film of a capsule from being pierced before the capsule contents are to be used. In such embodiments, the flexible shell 104 may be formed such that it is capable of moving the plunger 130 over a greater travel distance when the flexible shell 104 is depressed, and the plunger 130 may be shorter than the plunger 130 shown in FIG. 4 (e.g., such that the plunger 130 does not extend past the top stop 124 when the flexible shell 104 is in a resting or non-depressed position). Those skilled in the art upon reading the present disclosure will now appreciate that different sizes and shapes of elongated members 130 and plungers 104 may be used to achieve the performance described herein.
Reference is now made to FIG. 5 where features of a capsule 200 that may be used in conjunction with the dispenser cap of the present invention are shown. In FIG. 5, a side perspective view of a capsule 200 is shown. The capsule may be formed with a body 204 and a top film 202 and a bottom film (not visible in FIG. 5). The body 204 is sized to fit within the holding area of a dispenser cap (such as, for example, the holding area 120 of FIG. 4). The body 204 may be formed of a plastic or other non-toxic material in which compounds may be stored without degradation. The top film 202 and bottom film may be a thin film material that hermetically seals the compound within the capsule 200. Preferably, the film material is sufficiently thin to allow the film to be punctured using the tip of the protruding member described above, yet thick enough to prevent the film from being unintentionally punctured during transit or storage.
In some embodiments, the film material may be formed using one or more (or a combination of) materials such as: aluminum foil, paper, polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl nylon (OPA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyamide (PA), fiberglass, rubber, silicone. Other suitable materials also could be used. In some embodiments, the capsule may be manufactured using food grade plastic materials that are sufficiently strong to withstand transportation and handling. In some embodiments, instead of or in addition to the top film and bottom film a plastic reinforcing plate could be attached to the film (or used instead of a film). For example, the plastic reinforcing plate may be provided with a hole in the shape of the cross-section of the plunger 130. The hole would be covered with a film. In use, when a cartridge 200 is inserted into the area 120 the plunger 130 will enter the hole in the reinforcing plate and break the film covering the hole. The broken film may act as a seal between the edge of the plunger 130 and the hole, thus preventing powder or other substances within the capsule 200 from entering the upper part of the cap and ensuring that the powder is available to be properly dispensed into the container once the plunger 130 is further depressed (to break the bottom film).
A cross section view of the capsule 200 is shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the capsule 200 has an interior 206 defined as the space between the walls of the body 204 and the top film 202 and the bottom film 208. The interior 206 may be filled (either partially or fully depending on a dosage) with a compound that is to be mixed with a fluid in a bottle to achieve a desired functional beverage. The compound may be any of a number of different compounds. For example, substances in various aggregate states and degrees of humidity can be placed in the capsule 200. For example, the compound may be formed of powders or monodisperse or polydisperse systems (such as colloids, emulsions, suspensions or gels). In some embodiments, different color coding or other labeling conventions may be used to mark capsules 200 so that users can easily identify which compound(s) are contained therein. Further, in some embodiments, different sizes of capsules 200 may be provided for use with different sizes of bottles and fluid amounts. By sealing the compounds in the capsule 200, embodiments improve the shelf life and efficacy of compounds for use in functional beverages.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 7 and 8 where cross sectional views of a dispenser cap 300 are shown in which a capsule 200 is installed within the holding area 120 of the body 106. As shown, the capsule 200 sits in the body 106 in the area between the lower lip 122 and the upper lip 124. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, when the capsule 200 is pushed into position within the body 106, the plunger 130 pierces the top film 202 of the capsule 200. However, the compound in the capsule 200 does not get dispensed into the bottle (which may be attached to the body 106 at the opening 108 using the thread stubs 122) because the compound is sealed from the bottle by the lower film 208 and the lower lip 122. In general, the position of the flexible shell 104 and the plunger 130 in the capsule 200 shown in FIG. 7 may be referred to herein as “the resting position” of the flexible shell 104 and the plunger 130.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the flexible shell 104 and the plunger 130 are shown in a second “depressed position” in which the flexible shell 104 has been depressed (e.g., by a user's thumb or finger or the like) thereby causing the tip 132 of the plunger 130 to pierce the bottom film 208 of the capsule 200. When the flexible shell 104 is released, the action of the flexible shell 104 causes it to return to the “resting position” shown in FIG. 7. With a hole now punctured in the bottom film 208, the contents of the capsule 200 may be dispensed into the bottle via the opening 108. The user may shake the bottle while the dispensing cap 300 is mounted on the bottle to mix the contents of the capsule 200 with the liquid in the bottle to achieve a desired functional beverage.
While the above embodiments have been described in conjunction with a dispenser cap 100 having a sealed top 102, in some embodiments, the dispenser cap 100 may be modified to allow fluid to be dispensed through the top 102. For example, a nipple may be attached to the top 102 allowing the dispenser cap 100 to be used with baby formula or other compounds to feed an infant without having to remove the dispenser cap 100 from the bottle. In some embodiments, the plunger 130 may be modified to allow fluid to flow through or past the plunger 130 into a hole in the top 102.
The above descriptions and illustrations of processes herein should not be considered to imply a fixed order for performing the process steps. Rather, the process steps may be performed in any order that is practicable, including simultaneous performance of at least some steps. Although the disclosure has been described in connection with specific examples, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations apparent to those skilled in the art can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.
Patent Application
20220267063
