Mixing cap and method for use thereof

• US 20080067084A1
• Filed: 09/13/2007
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abrigo, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Abrigo, Ltd.
• Inventors: Patterson, Randy, Patterson, Brent
• Granted Patent: US 7,909,160 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/219
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/2892 the element, e.g. a valve, opening an aperture of the auxiliary container B65D51/2864, B65D51/2878 take precedence

Abstract

A mixing cap and method for use thereof, wherein the mixing cap is preferably pre-loaded during time of manufacture with selected dry or liquid ingredients to facilitate subsequent consumer use. The mixing cap comprises an apertured inner tube threadably-engageable to the mouth of a bottle, and an outer housing cooperatively-engaged with the inner tube and slidably-restricted thereover via a ridge and slotted flange arrangement. Preloaded ingredients contained within the outer housing may be introduced or discharged into the bottle by simply depressing the outer housing over the inner tube when the ridge is aligned with the slot, thereby permitting the ingredients to flow through the apertures of the outer housing and inner tube and into the liquid contents of the bottle. The combined ingredients and liquid within the bottle may subsequently be shaken without fear or risk of leakage or spillage.

Claims

1. A mixing cap comprising:

an outer housing comprising a storage compartment for storing an ingredient to be mixed; and

an inner tube cooperatively engaged with said outer housing, said inner tube comprising a central bore through which the ingredient may be dispensed.

2. The mixing cap of claim 1, wherein axial movement of said outer housing relative to said inner tube allows a position to be selected, wherein the ingredient can flow though said central bore.

3. The mixing cap of claim 1, further comprising means for controlling relative movement between said outer housing and said inner tube.

4. The mixing cap of claim 3, wherein said means for controlling comprises a ridge formed on a first surface of said mixing cap and a slot formed in a second surface of said mixing cap, said ridge engageable with said slot to allow motion of said ridge within said slot.

5. The mixing cap of claim 4, wherein said ridge comprises means for preventing passage of said slot over said ridge in at least one direction.

6. The mixing cap of claim 4, wherein said ridge comprises means for increasing a force necessary to slide said slot over said ridge in at least one direction.

7. The mixing cap of claim 3, wherein said ridge comprises a tab, wherein said slot comprises a channel, and wherein said tab travels within said channel, said channel limiting a direction of the travel of said tab, thereby limiting a direction of relative motion between said outer housing and said inner tube.

8. The mixing cap of claim 7, wherein placement of said tab within said channel at a first end of said channel closes said storage compartment from said central bore.

9. The mixing cap of claim 8, wherein travel of said tab within said channel from said first end along said channel opens said storage compartment.

10. The mixing cap of claim 7, wherein said storage compartment comprises a first storage compartment separated from a second storage compartment.

11. The mixing cap of claim 10, wherein placement of said tab within said channel at a first end of said channel closes said first storage compartment and said second storage compartment from said central bore.

12. The mixing cap of claim 11, wherein travel of said tab within said channel from said first end to a second end of said channel opens said first storage compartment and said second storage compartment to said central bore.

13. The mixing cap of claim 12, wherein said opening is sequential, said first storage compartment being opened by travel of said tab from said first end to a medial portion of said channel, said second storage compartment being opened by travel of said tab from said medial portion to said second end.

14. The mixing cap of claim 1, wherein said outer housing comprises at least one aperture providing access to said storage compartment, and wherein said inner tube comprises at least one aperture providing access to said central bore.

16. The mixing cap of claim 8, wherein said second open position has said at least one aperture of said outer housing at least partially aligned with said at least one aperture of said inner tube, whereby the ingredient may flow through said at least one aperture of said outer housing and said at least one aperture of said inner tube into said central bore.

15. The mixing cap of 7, wherein said mixing cap is movable between a first closed position and a second open position, said first closed position having said at least one aperture of said outer housing disposed adjacent and sealed by said inner tube.

17. A mixing cap comprising:

a first storage receptacle for storing a first ingredient;

a second storage receptacle for storing a second ingredient, said second storage receptacle being separate from said first storage receptacle; and

means for selectively dispensing at least one of said first ingredient and said second ingredient through a common neck.

18. The mixing cap of claim 17, wherein said first ingredient is dispensed from said first storage receptacle at a first time, and said second ingredient is dispensed from said second storage receptacle at a second time.

19. The mixing cap of claim 17, wherein said means for selectively dispensing prevents simultaneous dispensing of ingredients from said first storage receptacle and said second storage receptacle.

20. A mixing cap for removable engagement with a container, said mixing cap comprising:

a housing defining a compartment and at least one aperture allowing access to said compartment; and

a conduit cooperatively engaged with said aperture to selectively seal said aperture,

wherein unsealing said aperture allows a material contained within said housing to flow through said conduit.