SELF CONTAINED ADDITIVE RESERVOIRS FOR USE WITH BEVERAGE CONTAINERS
First Claim
1. A closure element for attachment to a dispensing opening of a beverage container, the closure element comprising:
- a coupling for attaching the closure element to the dispensing opening of the beverage container;
a chamber within the closure element, the chamber initially containing a colorant agent and having a first portion and a second portion, at least the first poriton being in communication with a beverage through the dispensing opening of the beverage container for allowing the colorant agent to flow into the beverage, and at least the second portion being configured to dispense the beverage therethrough as the beverage passes through the chamber;
a first closer for closing the first portion of the closure element;
a second closer for closing the second portion of the closure element;
a first opener for opening at least the first closer to let the colorant flow therethrough into the beverage, and the second closer being openable for dispensing the beverage mixed with the colorant therethrough to the consumer.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A closure element for a beverage container is in the form of a sports cap, other closer, or initially closed straw, and provides a chamber for containing colorants in the form of liquids, gels, granules, powders, tablets or other solid bodies. Closures such as valves, rupturable membranes, hinged doors, clamps or undersized holes provide closer structure for initially keeping the chambers closed with respect to the colorant so that colorant does not flow into the beverage until released to do so by the customer. Upon opening ends of the chambers, colorants flow into beverages in the containers, which containers are made of see-through/clear or partially see-through materials. In a preferred embodiment, the colorant is a material enclosed in at least one capsule which flows through openings in the chamber within the closure element when the capsule is ruptured or perforated. Coloration of the beverage is voluntarily initiated by the consumer, and the thus colored beverages are then consumed by passage through the closure element. In one embodiment of the invention, the colorant is a medicinal agent which can be colored or may be clear. The medicinal agent is released into liquid, which may be water, for ingestion by a patient.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A closure element for attachment to a dispensing opening of a beverage container, the closure element comprising:
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a coupling for attaching the closure element to the dispensing opening of the beverage container;
a chamber within the closure element, the chamber initially containing a colorant agent and having a first portion and a second portion, at least the first poriton being in communication with a beverage through the dispensing opening of the beverage container for allowing the colorant agent to flow into the beverage, and at least the second portion being configured to dispense the beverage therethrough as the beverage passes through the chamber;
a first closer for closing the first portion of the closure element;
a second closer for closing the second portion of the closure element;
a first opener for opening at least the first closer to let the colorant flow therethrough into the beverage, and the second closer being openable for dispensing the beverage mixed with the colorant therethrough to the consumer. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A closure element for attachment to a dispensing opening of a beverage container, the closure element comprising:
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a coupling for attaching the closure element to the dispensing opening of the beverage container;
a chamber within the closure element, the chamber containing a colorant agent within at least one capsule and having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being in communication with a beverage through the dispensing opening of the beverage container, and the second portion being configured to dispense the beverage therethrough as the beverage passes through the chamber;
a first closer for closing the first portion of the closure element;
a second closer for closing the second portion of the closure element;
an opener associated with the chamber for opening the capsule to let the colorant flow therefrom into the beverage, and the second closer being openable for dispensing the beverage mixed with the colorant therethrough to the consumer. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification