Universal cap for dispensing materials by retrofit upon existing bottled beverage containers

• US 6,820,740 B1
• Filed: 06/18/2003
• Issued: 11/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donald Spector
• Original Assignee: Donald Spector
• Inventors: Spector, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): BUI, LUAN KIM
• Application Number:
  US10/463,927
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• Field of Search: 206/219-222, 206/568, 215/6, 215/250, 215/DIG.8
• US Class Current: 206/219
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/2828 said element being a film or a foil B65D51/2821, B65D51/2842 take precedence

Abstract

A bottle cap for universal retrofitting to one of a number of pre-existing beverage containers containing a beverage and having a removed cap and threaded aperture, having at least one container portion for containing at least one dispensable material, a screwable attachment portion for receiving the threaded aperture and creating, when threaded, a water-tight assembly; and a parseable membrane substantially planarly located within the plane defined by a cross-section of the screwable attachment portion, such that on said membrane'"'"'s one surface containment for said container portion is provided, and on its other surface an air barrier to the contained material is provided. Upon screwable attachment of the threaded aperture into the screwable attachment means, the threaded aperture parses at least a portion of the parseable membrane to permit feeding of the material into the beverage. A plurality of such caps are also shown packaged for commercial sale. The material contained in the cap is selected from the group consisting of vitamins, medicaments, teas, flavors, concentrates and water-soluble food material. Also shown is a universal cap further having a moveable aperture assembly creating an open, fluid-flowing state and a closed, fluid-stopped state, having a top portion containing a drinking aperture and an elongated, moveable fluid-flowing portion.

Claims

1. A bottle cap for universal retrofitting to one of a number of pre-existing beverage containers containing a beverage and having a removed cap and threaded aperture, comprising:

(a) at least one container portion for containing at least one dispensable material;

(b) screwable attachment means for receiving the threaded aperture and creating, when threaded, a water-tight assembly; and

(c) a parseable membrane substantially planarly located within the plane defined by a cross-section of the screwable attachment means, such that on said membrane'"'"'s one surface containment for said container portion is provided, and on its other surface there an air barrier to the contained material is provided, and wherein upon screwable attachment of the threaded aperture into said screwable attachment means, the threaded aperture parses at least a portion of said parseable membrane to permit feeding of said material into the beverage.

2. The universal cap of claim 1, wherein a plurality of such caps are packaged for commercial sale.

3. The universal cap of claim 1, wherein said at least one material is selected from the group consisting of vitamins, medicaments, teas, flavors, concentrates and water-soluble food material.

4. The universal cap of claim 1, further comprising a moveable aperture assembly creating an open, fluid-flowing state and a closed, fluid-stopped state, having a top portion containing a drinking aperture and an elongated, moveable fluid-flowing portion.