Beverage additives and delivery systems

Abstract

Beverage additives and additive delivery systems are disclosed that include additives having relatively low pH, specific gravity, and / or viscosity, or other flow properties capable of facilitating mixing with a base liquid, while producing a sour or otherwise flavored beverage. Methods of mixing and forming a beverage comprising water, an additive, an acidulant, and a flavor system are disclosed.

Description

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This patent application claims the benefit under 35 USC §119 of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 402,694, filed on August 31, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] Embodiments disclosed herein relate to beverage additives. Background Art

[0004] Beverage additives are used to provide flavor properties or nutritional properties to beverages. Summary of the invention

[0005] Beverage additives and additive delivery systems as described herein and / or set out in the claims below.

[0006] In some embodiments, the beverage additive comprises: water in a proportion of about 40% to about 85% by weight of the additive; an acidulant in a total proportion of about 1% to about 20% by weight of the additive, the acidulant comprising phosphoric acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of the additive; and a flavor system in a proportion of about 10% to about 40% by weight of the additive.

[0007] In some embodiments, the beverage additive used in the additive delivery system comprises: water in a ratio of about 40% to about 85% by weight of the additive; an acidulant in a ratio of about 1% to about 20% by weight of the additive; and a flavor system in a ratio of about 10% to about 40% by weight of the additive. In some cases, the beverage additive may have a viscosity and / or specific gravity selected to promote mixing of the beverage additive with the base fluid in a mixing space of the additive delivery system. In some embodiments, the mixing space may couple the additive reservoir and the base fluid container fluid to the delivery system outlet. The additive delivery system may be configured to dispense the beverage additive from the additive reservoir and dispense the base fluid from the base fluid container into the mixing space in response to a user drawing fluid through the delivery system outlet.

[0008] In some embodiments, the beverage additive used in the additive delivery system comprises: water in a proportion of about 40% to about 85% by weight of the additive; an acidulant in a proportion of about 1% to about 20% by weight of the additive; and a flavor system in a proportion of about 10% to about 40% by weight of the additive, wherein the beverage additive has a velocity of between about 3 square millimeters per second (mm 2 / s) and about 7mm 2 / s kinematic viscosity.

[0009] In some embodiments, a beverage additive for use in an additive delivery system comprises: water in a proportion of about 40% to about 85% by weight of the additive; an acidulant in a proportion of about 1% to about 20% by weight of the additive; and a flavor system in a proportion of about 10% to about 40% by weight of the additive, wherein the beverage additive has a specific gravity of about 0.9 to about 1.3.

[0010] In still further embodiments, the beverage additive used in the additive delivery system comprises: water in a proportion of about 40% to about 85% by weight of the additive; an acidulant in a proportion of about 1% to about 20% by weight of the additive, the acidulant comprising: citric acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the additive, lactic acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the additive, and / or phosphoric acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of the additive; and a flavor system in a proportion of about 10% to about 40% by weight of the additive.

[0011] In some embodiments, the additive delivery system includes: an additive reservoir; a beverage additive contained in the additive reservoir, the additive comprising: water in a proportion of about 40% to about 85% by weight of the additive; an acidulant in a proportion of about 1% to about 20% by weight of the additive; a flavor system in a proportion of about 10% to about 40% by weight of the additive, and the additive has at least one of the following properties: a velocity between about 3 square millimeters per second (mm 2 / s) and about 7mm 2 / s, and a specific gravity between about 0.9 and about 1.3. The system may include a base fluid container; a delivery system outlet; and / or a mixing nozzle that fluidly couples the additive reservoir and the base fluid container to the delivery system outlet. The additive delivery system may be configured to dispense a beverage additive from the additive reservoir and dispense the base fluid from the base fluid container into the mixing nozzle in response to a user drawing fluid through the delivery system outlet.

[0012] In some embodiments, a method of mixing a beverage comprises: transferring a beverage additive from an additive reservoir of an additive delivery system to a mixing space of the additive delivery system, the additive comprising: water in a proportion of about 40% to about 85% by weight of the additive; an acidulant in a proportion of about 1% to about 20% by weight of the additive; a flavor system in a proportion of about 10% to about 40% by weight of the additive, and the additive having at least one property selected from the group consisting of: a velocity of about 10% to about 40% of the additive; a velocity of about 10% to about 40% of the additive; and a velocity of about 10% to about 40% of the additive. 2 / s) and about 7mm 2 / s, and a specific gravity between about 0.9 and about 1.3; transferring the base fluid from the base fluid container of the additive delivery system to the mixing nozzle; mixing the additive and the base fluid together in the mixing space to form a beverage; and transferring the beverage from the mixing space to the delivery system outlet.

[0013] In some embodiments, a method of mixing a beverage includes: transferring a beverage additive from an additive reservoir of an additive delivery system to a mixing nozzle of the additive delivery system, the additive comprising: water in a proportion of about 40% to about 85% by weight of the additive; an acidulant in a proportion of about 1% to about 20% by weight of the additive, the acidulant comprising: citric acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the additive; lactic acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the additive; and phosphoric acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of the additive; and a flavor system in a proportion of about 10% to about 40% by weight of the additive; transferring a base fluid from a base fluid container of the additive delivery system to the mixing nozzle; mixing the additive and the base fluid together in the mixing nozzle to form a beverage within a mixing space of the additive delivery system; and transferring the beverage from the mixing nozzle to a delivery system outlet.

[0014] In some embodiments, a method of forming a beverage additive includes: providing water in a proportion of about 40% to about 85% by weight of the additive; providing a flavor system in a proportion of about 10% to about 40% by weight of the additive; providing citric acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the additive; providing lactic acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the additive; providing phosphoric acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of the additive; the proportion of phosphoric acid being sufficient to maintain: a total proportion of acid between about 1% and about 20% by weight of the additive, a pH of the additive between about 2.0 and about 3.3, and at least one of the following properties: a specific gravity of the additive between about 0.9 and 1.3, a kinematic viscosity of the additive between about 3 square millimeters per second (mm 2 / s) and about 7mm 2 / s; then mix water, flavor system, citric acid, lactic acid and phosphoric acid to form a beverage additive.

[0015] It should be understood that the aforementioned concepts and the additional concepts discussed below can be arranged in any suitable combination, as the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. In addition, other advantages and novel features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of various non-limiting embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0016] In the event that this specification and the documents incorporated by reference include conflicting and / or inconsistent disclosures, this specification shall prevail. If two or more documents incorporated by reference include conflicting and / or inconsistent disclosures, the document with the later effective date shall prevail. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component shown in different figures may be represented by the same numeral. For clarity, not every component is labeled in every figure. In the drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of an additive delivery system;

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a cartridge assembly of an additive delivery system;

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 a perspective view of an additive reservoir of a cartridge assembly;

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 a top view of the additive reservoir; and

[0022] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an additive delivery system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Beverage additives can be added to beverages or other base fluids, or mixed with beverages or other base fluids, to change the characteristics of the base fluid and / or introduce characteristics into the base fluid. For example, some additives can change the flavor of beverages or base fluids, or introduce flavor into beverages or base fluids. Other additives can change nutritional properties or introduce new nutritional properties, for example, using vitamins, minerals or other nutrients. Some additives can change the stimulant effect of beverages or introduce stimulant effect into beverages, for example, using stimulants (such as caffeine) or another compound (such as taurine).

[0024] Beverage additives can be used in combination with additive delivery systems, wherein the additive delivery system is such as those systems configured to mix additives with base fluids (such as water). Some additive delivery systems (referred to herein as "point of use" systems) can hold a certain volume of additives and a certain volume of base fluid in separate containers or reservoirs, and can be configured to mix additives with base fluids, consume immediately or otherwise distribute the mixture subsequently. Some point of use systems (referred to herein as "flow-through" systems) can be configured to perform this mixing in one or more flow paths, which are connected between a certain volume of base fluid and / or a certain volume of additives and the distribution outlet of the system. The mixing of additives with base fluids can not be carried out in a manner that additives are introduced into a certain volume of base fluids or base fluids are introduced into a certain volume of additives. On the contrary, additives and base fluids can be provided from their respective containers or reservoirs, and are distributed after being mixed together.

[0025] Some point-of-use systems or flow-through systems may store the additive and base fluid in separate containers or reservoirs until a user dispenses fluid from the system (e.g., drinks, pours, draws, squeezes, or otherwise dispenses). For example, some flow-through systems may be configured to dispense the additive from an additive reservoir and the base fluid from a base fluid container along a flow path in response to a user dispensing fluid from the system.

[0026] Additionally or alternatively, some point-of-use systems or flow-through systems may include a metering mechanism or other arrangement configured to allow a user to control the proportions in which the additive and / or base fluid are mixed together. For example, a flow-through system may include an adjustable metering space that can adjust the size or other properties to increase or decrease the flow rate of the additive through the system. Additionally or alternatively, some point-of-use systems or flow-through systems may include a mechanism, flow path, or other arrangement configured to promote, enhance, or otherwise control the mixing of the additive with the base fluid. For example, some flow-through systems may include a mixing section or mixing space along the flow path that may be configured to improve the homogeneity of the beverage mixture or increase the mixing rate of the beverage mixture.

[0027] The performance of additive delivery systems (including point-of-use systems or flow-through systems) as described herein can be improved in various ways when used in conjunction with beverage additives according to the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the viscosity, density, specific gravity, and / or other properties of the additive can be configured to facilitate or otherwise improve various processes within the additive delivery system, including dispensing the additive from an additive reservoir of the system, metering the additive from the additive reservoir, and / or mixing the additive with a base fluid.

[0028] For example, a first additive with a lower viscosity, lower density or lower specific gravity can be dispensed faster (e.g., at a higher flow rate) from an additive reservoir than a second additive, or can be dispensed more easily (e.g., can be dispensed in response to a user drawing fluid from an additive delivery system than a second additive (e.g., can be dispensed in response to a smaller force causing flow). In other examples, the first additive can flow at different flow rates or can flow through a smaller minimum metering space than a second additive, or has a flow rate that is more sensitive or responsive to changes in metering space than a second additive. In a further example, the first additive can be mixed with the base fluid faster than the second additive, for example, causing a more uniform beverage mixture to be delivered from the system. One or more of these characteristics of the first additive can be present, while providing a similar flavoring or other modifications to the base fluid characteristics as the second additive. Therefore, for example, a beverage having the same or similar taste as the second additive can be dispensed from an additive delivery system using the first additive, but while providing an improved flow rate, metering, mixing or other features of the first additive.

[0029] It should be understood that some additive delivery systems may need to mix additives and base fluids in a very short time and / or in a very small space or very short mixed flow path length. This may be especially true in the case of some point-of-use systems or flow-through systems, which may be configured to deliver beverage mixtures as required from a system that can approach the size, weight and / or portability of a typical bottle or other drinking vessel. Therefore, considering the time and space limitations present in some such systems, it may be necessary to significantly optimize various parameters in the beverage mixture delivered from the additive delivery system to achieve required concentration, mixture homogeneity or other characteristics, and additives according to the present disclosure may contribute to such optimization.

[0030] In view of the foregoing, the inventor has recognized that one or more characteristics of additives can affect the concentration of the beverage mixture, the homogeneity of the beverage mixture, the mixing rate of additives and base fluids, or other mixing or metering performance qualities of the additive delivery system. For example, one or more characteristics of additives can be selected to optimize the mixing and / or metering performance of additives in systems with known designs. Therefore, the inventor has recognized and understood the benefits of customizing one or more characteristics of additives to optimize the mixing or metering performance of additives in specific additive delivery systems (including point-of-use systems or flow-through systems, or parts thereof, such as mixing sections, mixing nozzles, metering sections, metering spaces, outlets or other parts).

[0031] For example, the inventors have recognized and appreciated the benefits of beverage additives having at least one property configured to improve mixing and / or metering in an additive delivery system. In some embodiments, the viscosity, density, and / or specific gravity can be configured to improve the mixing and / or metering performance of the additive in the additive delivery system. For example, in some embodiments, the viscosity, density, and / or specific gravity can be formulated (e.g., to have relatively low values) to increase the mixing rate in the additive delivery system, improve the homogeneity of the beverage mixture delivered from the additive delivery system, increase the dispensing rate of the additive from the additive reservoir, or increase the metering accuracy of the additive in the additive delivery system. For example, it has been found that having a viscosity of less than 7 mm 2 Additives with low kinematic viscosities of 1 / s and / or specific gravity close to 1 provide improved mixing, metering and flow in point-of-use systems.

[0032] In addition to the above, the inventors have recognized that the components, subcomponents or ingredients used in the beverage additive may affect the characteristics of the additive. For example, in various embodiments, the additive may include any of the following: a water component; an acidulant component including one or more acids; a flavoring component including one or more flavoring agents; a salt or buffer component including one or more salts or buffers; a stimulant component including one or more stimulants (such as caffeine or taurine); and / or any other suitable component. (For example, in some embodiments, a preservative may or may not be added to prevent microbial growth in the additive and / or in the mixing chamber or other flow paths including the additive and / or the base liquid (such as water).) In some embodiments, the beverage additive includes at least water, an acidulant and a flavoring component. The inventors have recognized that various components or subcomponents can be adjusted to produce desired characteristics in the beverage additive. For example, in an embodiment where it may be desirable to produce an additive with a relatively low pH and a specific gravity close to 1, the ratio of water and acidulant together with the type of acidulant used can be configured to give the additive a low pH and a specific gravity close to 1.

[0033] In addition, the inventors have recognized that various alternative subcomponents can be utilized to achieve a desired characteristic or combination of characteristics in a beverage additive. For example, it may be desirable to produce a water-based beverage additive having both a pH of about 3 (e.g., for flavoring purposes) and a specific gravity of about 1 (e.g., to improve mixing and / or metering performance in an additive delivery system). It should be understood that a desired pH of about 3 may require a large amount of an acidulant component, but many acids with relatively high densities may significantly increase the specific gravity to a range above the desired range. The inventors have recognized that in some such cases, it may be beneficial to configure one or more subcomponents of an acidulant component (or another component) to achieve both a desired pH and a desired specific gravity. In the above non-limiting examples, a specific acid subcomponent can be used to reduce the total volume or total mass of acid required to reduce the pH to the desired range, thereby mitigating the effect of the acidulant component on the specific gravity of the additive. For example, in some embodiments, a phosphoric acid subcomponent can be used in the acidulant component to reduce the total mass of acid required to achieve a desired pH of about 3, thereby allowing the specific gravity to remain closer to 1, which can improve the mixing and / or metering performance of the additive in the additive delivery system.

[0034] In some embodiments, the acidulant component may include one or more additional acids in addition to phosphoric acid, since phosphoric acid may destroy the desired flavor characteristics of the additive. For example, various embodiments may include one or more of citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, or other acids, along with phosphoric acid, to provide the desired mouthfeel characteristics, pH, and density of the additive.

[0035] In some embodiments, the beverage additive may include: water in a proportion of about 40% to about 95% by weight of the additive (e.g., about 45% to about 75% by weight); an acidulant in a proportion of about 1% to about 20% by weight of the additive (e.g., about 6% to about 15% by weight); and a flavor system in a proportion of about 0.5% to about 50% by weight of the additive (e.g., about 10% to about 40%, or about 12% to about 35%). In some embodiments, at least one property of the additive may be selected to facilitate dispensing, metering, and / or mixing with a base fluid in an additive delivery system. For example, in some embodiments, the additive may have a velocity of between about 1 square millimeter per second (mm 2 / s) to about 10mm 2 / s, for example, between about 3mm 2 / s to about 7mm 2 / s. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the additive may have a specific gravity between about 0.9 and 1.3 (in some embodiments, the specific gravity is relative to water). Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the additive may have a specific gravity between about 0.85 grams per cubic centimeter (g / cm 3 ) and about 1.3g / cm 3 The density between.

[0036] In some embodiments, the acidulant may include one or more of the following, including any combination of the following: phosphoric acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of the additive; citric acid in a proportion of about 1% to about 10% by weight of the additive; and / or lactic acid in a proportion of about 1% to about 10% by weight of the additive. The acidulant may be configured to provide the additive with a desired pH (and other properties) of about 2 to 3.5, about 2.3 to 3.2, about 2.4 to 3, about 2.6 to 3, or other values. In some cases, the acidulant may comprise about 6% to about 15% of the weight of the additive, wherein phosphoric acid comprises about 0.6% to about 1.3% of the weight of the additive, and the remainder of the acidulant comprises citric acid (about 3.5% to about 8.5% by weight) and lactic acid (about 2% to about 8% by weight). Such additives may have a specific gravity of about 0.95 to about 1.24 and a kinematic viscosity of about 3 mm2 / s to 7 mm2 / s.

[0037] In some embodiments, the flavor system may include a sweetener and / or at least one original flavor. The sweetener may include one or more natural sweeteners, such as fructose, glucose, sucrose or others; one or more artificial sweeteners, such as sucralose, aspartame, saccharin, stevioside (including any combination of steviol glycosides such as stevioside, rebaudioside A, rebaudioside D and / or any other suitable steviol glycosides); and / or one or more sugar alcohols, such as erythritol, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol or others. Original flavoring agents may include one or more natural flavoring agents (e.g., essential oils, oleoresins, essences or extracts, protein hydrolysates, distillates, or any product of roasting, heating or enzymatic hydrolysis, which contains flavoring ingredients derived from spices, fruits or fruit juices, vegetables or vegetable juices, edible yeasts, herbs, barks, buds, roots, leaves or similar plant materials, meats, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products or their fermented products, whose important function in food is flavoring rather than nutrition), and / or one or more artificial flavoring agents (e.g., one or more substances that are not derived from spices, fruits or fruit juices, vegetables or vegetable juices, edible yeasts, herbs, barks, buds, roots, leaves or similar plant materials, meats, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products or their fermented products, whose function is to impart flavor).

[0038] In some embodiments, the additive may also include a buffer, such as a salt buffer or other buffer, to maintain the desired acidity or pH level. For example, in some embodiments, the salt buffer may include sodium citrate dihydrate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium citrate monohydrate, sodium chloride, or any other suitable buffer salt or buffer. In some embodiments, the additive may include a salt buffer in a proportion of about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of the additive.

[0039] Some additive delivery systems may include certain structural or functional features that may be particularly suitable for use with beverage additives according to the present disclosure (although it should be understood that these features are discussed for the purpose of illustrating and understanding the benefits of the additives disclosed herein, these benefits may also be understood in conjunction with any other suitable structure or system). Some of these features will now be described, along with the beneficial interactions between the features and fluid properties achieved through the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0040] In some embodiments, the flow-through system may include a base fluid container (such as a bottle, a cup or another drinking vessel), and an additive reservoir or a volume of additive that may be attached to or at least partially positioned in the base fluid container. In one example, the system may include an additive reservoir or a volume of additive, and a straw or other conduit associated therewith that may be immersed in the container of the base fluid. In this example, the additive may be dispensed into the internal flow path defined in the straw in response to the user sucking fluid through the straw. The additive may be mixed with the base fluid in the internal flow path, and the beverage mixture may be delivered through the open end of the straw.

[0041] In another example, the additive delivery system may include a cartridge system that may define a container cap of a base fluid container or be supported by a container cap of a base fluid container. In some such embodiments, the base fluid container may be a bottle, and a container cap or bottle cap may be attached to the bottle. The cartridge system may include an additive reservoir assembly and may be attached to the bottle cap. In this example, the additive may be dispensed from the additive reservoir assembly in response to a user sucking from the bottle or otherwise dispensing fluid through the outlet of the cartridge system. The additive may be mixed with the base fluid in the flow path defined by the cartridge system, and the beverage mixture may be delivered through the outlet of the cartridge system.

[0042] In some such embodiments, the cartridge system can provide one or more flow paths, or one or more flow geometries, which can enhance the mixing of additive and base fluid when additive and base fluid flow through the cartridge system. Such flow geometries can for example include one or more convergence zones or mixing spaces, where additive and base fluid can mix. Such flow geometries can also be used in combination with one or more agitations or turbulence generating elements, which are incorporated into another part of the mixing space or cartridge assembly to further enhance the mixing of additive and base fluid before using or consuming beverages. Such flow geometries and agitations or turbulence generating elements can improve the mixing performance of the additive delivery system by providing faster or more sufficient mixing of additive and base fluid.

[0043] The inventors have recognized that the extent to which such flow geometries (e.g., mixing spaces, agitation elements, turbulence-generating elements) can improve mixing performance may be affected by one or more properties of the additive. For example, mixing performance may be related to turbulence caused by turbulence-generating elements within the flow arrangement. Turbulence may be related to the Reynolds number of the arrangement, which in turn may be related to at least the density and / or viscosity of the fluid in the arrangement. Therefore, the mixing performance produced by a particular flow geometry may be related to at least the density and / or viscosity of the additive in the arrangement.

[0044] In some embodiments, the cartridge system may include an additive reservoir assembly including a flexible additive reservoir, such as a bag, bag, bladder, or similar compliant structure. In some embodiments, the flexible additive reservoir may provide improved flow, metering, and / or mixing performance by allowing a certain volume of additive to be dispensed therefrom without replacing the dispensed volume with a certain volume of air. This may allow smoother, more uniform, and / or more consistent dispensing of additives from the reservoir. In some such embodiments, pressure may be applied to the flexible additive reservoir when a user squeezes, pours, sucks, or otherwise dispenses fluid from the system or a container (e.g., bottle) that holds the cartridge.

[0045] The inventors have recognized that the extent to which such a flexible reservoir can facilitate the dispensing of an additive may be affected by one or more properties of the additive. In one non-limiting example, a first additive having a first viscosity may be disposed in a first flexible reservoir, and a second additive having a second viscosity lower than the first viscosity may be disposed in a second flexible reservoir that is the same as the first flexible reservoir. In this example, if equal external pressure is applied to both the first flexible reservoir and the second flexible reservoir, the first additive having a higher viscosity may be less responsive to the pressure than the second additive. The second additive, due to its lower viscosity, may be dispensed faster than the first additive. It should be understood that similar examples may be envisioned using differences in various properties, including density, specific gravity, or other, as viscosity is not the only property that the inventors have recognized can affect the flow of additives from a flexible reservoir.

[0046] In some embodiments, the cartridge system can provide an additive to flow out of the additive reservoir adjustably. In some embodiments, the adjusting actuator can be moved by the user to adjust the size of the metering space in the cartridge system. The adjustment of the metering space can increase or decrease the additive flow that occurs when the fluid is distributed by the cartridge accordingly. This feature can allow the user to achieve the desired and repeatable ratio of additive to base fluid in the beverage mixture. The inventor has recognized that the accuracy or effectiveness of the control achieved by the additive flow arrangement may be affected by one or more characteristics of the additive. For example, an adjustable flow arrangement can achieve more accurate control or metering for a first additive with a lower viscosity or density than for a second additive with a higher viscosity or density.

[0047] Although the above-described adjustable flow arrangements, flexible additive reservoirs, and flow geometries have been described in conjunction with a cartridge system, it should be understood that these structural and functional features can be utilized in conjunction with any suitable additive delivery system, including any suitable point-of-use system or flow-through system. In addition, it should be understood that these features represent examples of structural and functional features that can have beneficial interactions with the beverage additives of the present disclosure, and the beverage additives of the present disclosure can have beneficial interactions with any other suitable structural or functional features of any suitable additive delivery system, including any suitable point-of-use system or flow-through system.

[0048] Turning to the drawings, specific non-limiting embodiments are described in more detail. It should be understood that the various systems, components, features, and methods described with respect to these embodiments can be used alone and / or in any desired combination, as the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein.

[0049] Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of a flow-through system provided as an example of an additive delivery system that can be used in combination with a beverage additive according to the present disclosure. In some embodiments, it has been found that the beverage additive described herein is particularly effective when used with a Cirkul additive delivery system, for example, the Cirkul additive delivery system (hereinafter referred to as a Cirkul product) currently available from www.drinkcirkul.com. Therefore, some invention embodiments include any beverage additive described herein in combination with an additive delivery system (such as a Cirkul product). Such invention embodiments may include specific additive delivery components, as well as specific component sizes and / or shapes, flow path lengths, and details of any other selections of Cirkul products. It should be understood that, although a specific embodiment of an additive delivery system is shown and described below, beverage additives according to the present disclosure can be used in combination with many other additive delivery systems, including various point-of-use systems, flow-through systems, and other additive delivery systems, because the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, the bottle 10 may include a bottle cap 20 for sealing the interior space of the bottle 10. The threads that may be integrally formed on the bottle 10 may cooperate with the internal threads formed on the bottle cap 20 to provide a sealed fastening between the bottle 10 and the bottle cap 20. A handle 24 may be formed on the bottle cap 20, an umbrella-shaped check valve or a vent ( Figure 1 100) can be disposed in the bottle cap 20 in a known manner to reduce or eliminate the vacuum inside the bottle and prevent the base fluid from leaking from the vent hole when dispensing the base fluid or beverage mixture. In some embodiments, the bottle cap 20 may include a cartridge receiving port 22 having a threaded fastener formed on its outer surface for receiving the cartridge assembly 100. In some embodiments, the cartridge assembly 100 can be directly engaged with the bottle 20, for example, via a threaded engagement, thereby eliminating the need for a bottle cap 20.

[0051] Figure 2Depicted is an exploded view of an embodiment of a cartridge assembly of a flow-through system used with a beverage additive according to the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the cartridge assembly 100 may include a plurality of components assembled in a generally stacked arrangement using snap fits, press fits, threaded connections, or similar known engagement mechanisms. These components may include a cartridge top cover, which in some embodiments may include an additive flow regulating actuator 200 and a cartridge top cover base 250 mating therewith, the additive flow regulating actuator being mounted to perform limited rotational motion relative to the cartridge top cover base. The additive flow regulating actuator 200 may include a push-pull closure 230 having a dispensing spout, the push-pull closure 230 being mounted on the additive flow regulating actuator 200 for selectively allowing and preventing fluid from flowing out of the cartridge. In some embodiments, an additive flow metering component or metering insert 300 and a mixing nozzle 350 may be disposed between the additive flow regulating actuator 200 and the cartridge top cover base 250. In some embodiments, the metering insert 300 and the mixing nozzle 350 can cooperate to control the flow rate of the additive through the cartridge assembly, as will be further described below. In some embodiments, an annular one-way base fluid flow sealing element 320 can be included to provide one-way flow of the base fluid through the cartridge, thereby preventing backflow of the base fluid and / or the beverage mixture.

[0052] In some embodiments, the cartridge assembly may include a reservoir assembly, wherein the reservoir spout 400, the additive reservoir (e.g., see Figure 3 ) and protective housing 500 can be secured to the mixing nozzle 350 and, therefore, to the cap base 250. In some embodiments, the reservoir assembly can be secured within the cartridge cap base 250 using a snap fit or other fastening elements, such as threaded fasteners or friction fastening. In some embodiments, the reservoir assembly can be assembled onto the mixing nozzle 350. In some embodiments, the reservoir protective housing 500, which can be formed as a cage, a solid wall cover, or any other suitable geometric structure, can be snap-fitted to the flange of the bag reservoir spout 400 to protect the additive reservoir or flexible bag.

[0053] Figure 3 to Figure 4Shown are details of an additive reservoir and a reservoir spout for use with a beverage additive according to the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the spout 400 may include a stem 402 that defines an internal additive flow channel. The first flange 404 may be provided with a slot for receiving the reservoir retaining arm 374 of the mixing nozzle 300. A snap fit ridge or ring may be formed on the lower portion of the stem 402 and may be matched with an internal ridge on the lower portion of the mixing nozzle 350. In some embodiments and as shown, a second flange 406 and a third flange 408 may extend from the stem 402 for use with an automated filling device. The bottom flange 410 may provide a snap fit with the housing 500.

[0054] In some embodiments, the additive reservoir can include a flexible bag reservoir 420 configured to hold a volume of additive. The bag reservoir 420 can be fastened to the reservoir spout 400 in a sealing engagement. In various embodiments, the bag reservoir 420 can be fastened to the fastening adapter portion 412 of the reservoir spout 400 by heat welding or other fastening techniques to seal the bag wall to the bag reservoir spout 400. Figure 3 to Figure 4 In the bag storage container 420 Figure 3 to Figure 4 As will be appreciated, the bag reservoir 420, when filled with additive, may take on another shape to fit within the housing 500.

[0055] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of an example of an assembled additive delivery system is shown as an example of an additive delivery system that can be used in conjunction with a beverage additive according to the present disclosure. In operation, a user can draw, suck, pour, squeeze, or otherwise dispense fluid from the system to cause a pressure change in a base fluid and / or a volume of air within a bottle or container (not shown) of the system. In response to the user dispensing fluid from the system, the base fluid can travel along a base fluid flow path B. The base fluid flow path B can begin at the bottle 10 (see Figure 1 ) or other vessel, and / or in the space between the reservoir 420 and the housing 500, for example, the base fluid can flow into and out of the opening of the housing 500, for example, at the bottom of the housing 500 and / or near the location where the housing 500 joins the nozzle 400. In some embodiments, the flow from the vessel or housing 500 can travel through one or more base fluid orifices 358 formed in the mixing nozzle 350. In some embodiments and as shown, the base fluid flow path B can further travel between the annular one-way base fluid flow seal 320 and the annular seat 272 of the top cover base 250. It should be understood that although Figure 5The annular one-way base fluid flow seal 320 is depicted in a closed position, but the compliant nature of the seal 320 may allow the seal 320 to open to allow base fluid to flow substantially as shown in base fluid flow path B.

[0056] In some embodiments, the base fluid flow path B may then travel through the inner surface defined by the additive adjustment actuator 200 (see Figure 2 ) and the annular space between the outside of the mixing nozzle 350 and the metering insert 300. The base fluid flow path B can then advance to the mixing space 600 that is limited by the cooperation of the metering insert 300, the mixing nozzle 350 and the additive adjustment actuator 200 in some embodiments. In the mixing space 600, the base fluid advancing along the base fluid flow path B can converge and mix with the additive advancing along the additive flow path A, as will be further described below. The base fluid and the additive can be mixed to form a beverage mixture. The beverage mixture can leave the mixing space 600 along the beverage mixture flow path C, and in some embodiments, the beverage mixture can advance from the mixing space 600 to the push-pull top cover 230, and then be distributed via the distribution outlet arranged on the push-pull top cover 230.

[0057] In addition, in some embodiments, the user dispenses (e.g., draws, sucks, pours, squeezes, etc.) fluid from the system and can apply pressure P to the additive reservoir or bag reservoir 420. Pressure P can be applied via a base fluid (not shown) or a volume of air around the bag reservoir 420, which can experience pressure changes caused by the user drawing, sucking, pouring, squeezing or otherwise dispensing fluid from the system. In response to pressure P, additives can be dispensed from the additive reservoir or bag reservoir 420 and can then flow along the additive flow path A. In some embodiments, the additive flow path A can travel through the metering space between the metering insert 300 and the mixing nozzle 350, as will be further described below, and can converge with the base fluid flow path B in the mixing space 600 to form a beverage mixture. The beverage mixture can be dispensed from the system along the beverage mixture flow path C via the dispensing outlet in the push-pull top cover 230 as described above. In this regard, the mixing space 600 may fluidly couple both the additive reservoir (via additive flow path A) and the base fluid container (via additive flow path B) to the delivery system outlet.

[0058] In some embodiments, the metering space between the metering insert 300 and the mixing nozzle 350 may be adjustable. For example, in the embodiment shown, the additive flow adjustment actuator 200 (see Figure 2) can rotate relative to the cap base 250. Such rotation can additionally cause the metering insert 300 to rotate relative to the mixing nozzle 350.

[0059] The mating threads between the metering insert 300 and the mixing nozzle 350 may cause axial movement of the insert 300 (in other words, rotation of the metering insert 300 on the threads may cause the metering insert 300 to move upward or downward relative to the mixing nozzle 350 when viewed on the page, but it should be understood that the axis or direction of motion may be in any vertical or non-vertical orientation, depending on the orientation of the system at a given time). The axial movement of the metering insert 300 may change the spacing between the metering insert 300 and the mixing nozzle 350.

[0060] The space between the metering insert 300 and the mixing nozzle 350 may be referred to as a metering space. Changes in the metering space caused by the axial movement of the metering insert 300 may cause corresponding changes in the flow rate of the additive through the metering space along the additive flow path A. For example, in some embodiments, if the metering insert 300 is moved into contact with the mixing nozzle 350, the metering space may be closed to cut off the additive flow path A so that the additive may no longer be dispensed from the additive reservoir or bag reservoir 420.

[0061] Additive delivery systems (including point-of-use systems or flow-through systems as described herein) can be improved in operation or performance when used in combination with beverage additives according to the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the viscosity of the additive can be selected to facilitate the dispensing of the additive from the additive reservoir of the additive delivery system. For example, in some embodiments, the viscosity of the additive can be selected to facilitate the dispensing of the additive from the bag reservoir 420 in response to the pressure P. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the viscosity can affect the responsiveness of the additive in the bag reservoir 420 to the pressure P, for example, by affecting the flow rate or flow rate of the additive flowing out of the bag reservoir 420 that can be generated by the pressure P. Therefore, in a non-limiting example, a first additive with a lower viscosity can be dispensed faster (i.e., with a higher flow rate or a higher flow rate) or can be dispensed at a lower pressure P than a second additive with a higher viscosity.

[0062] In some embodiments, the viscosity of the additive can be selected additionally or alternatively to promote the mixing of the additive with the base fluid in the additive delivery system or the flow-through system (such as the above-mentioned system). For example, in some embodiments, the viscosity of the additive can be selected to promote the mixing of the additive with the base fluid in the mixing space 600. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the viscosity of the additive can affect the homogeneity of the beverage mixture mixed in the mixing space 600, for example, by affecting the mixing rate of the additive and the base fluid. In a non-limiting example, the first additive with a lower viscosity can be mixed faster than the second additive with a higher viscosity. Therefore, since the space or time available for mixing may be limited in some point-of-use systems or flow-through systems, the first additive can be mixed more fully than the second additive within the mixing time allowed in a given space or a specific mixing space 600.

[0063] In some embodiments, the viscosity of the additive can be additionally or alternatively selected to facilitate more accurate metering of the additive in an additive delivery system (such as the above-mentioned system). For example, in some embodiments, the viscosity of the additive can be selected to facilitate more accurate metering of the additive through the metering space between the metering insert 300 and the mixing nozzle 350. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the viscosity of the additive can affect the flow rate of the additive through a given metering space, and / or the minimum metering space required for the additive to flow through. Therefore, in a non-limiting example, a first additive with a lower viscosity can flow through a smaller minimum metering space than a second additive with a higher viscosity, or can have a flow rate through the metering space that may be more sensitive to changes in the metering space than a second additive with a higher viscosity.

[0064] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the density of the additive can be selected to facilitate dispensing of the additive from the additive reservoir of the additive delivery system. For example, in some embodiments, the density of the additive can be selected to facilitate dispensing of the additive from the bag reservoir 420 in response to the pressure P. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the density can affect the responsiveness of the additive in the bag reservoir 420 to the pressure P, for example, by affecting the flow rate or flow rate of the additive out of the bag reservoir 420 that can be generated by the pressure P. Thus, in one non-limiting example, a first additive having a lower density can be dispensed faster (i.e., have a higher flow rate or higher flow rate) or can begin dispensing at a lower pressure P than a second additive having a higher density.

[0065] In some embodiments, the density of additive can be selected to promote additive and base fluid to mix in additive delivery system (such as above-mentioned system) additionally or alternatively.For example, in some embodiments, the density of additive can be selected to promote additive and base fluid to mix in mixing space 600.It should be understood that in some embodiments, the density of additive can affect the homogeneity of beverage mixture mixed in mixing space 600, for example, by affecting the mixing rate of additive and base fluid.In a non-limiting example, the first additive with lower density can be mixed faster than the second additive with higher density.Therefore, although the space or time that can be used for mixing may be limited in some point-of-use systems or flow-through systems, within the mixing time allowed in a given space or specific mixing space 600, the first additive can be mixed more fully than the second additive.

[0066] In some embodiments, the density of the additive can be additionally or alternatively selected to facilitate more accurate metering of the additive in an additive delivery system (such as the above-mentioned system). For example, in some embodiments, the density of the additive can be selected to facilitate more accurate metering of the additive through the metering space between the metering insert 300 and the mixing nozzle 350. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the density of the additive can affect the flow rate of the additive flowing through a given metering space, and / or the minimum metering space required for the additive to flow through. Therefore, in a non-limiting example, a first additive with a lower density can flow through a smaller minimum metering space than a second additive with a higher density, or can have a flow rate through the metering space that may be more sensitive to changes in the metering space than a second additive with a higher density.

[0067] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the specific gravity of the additive can be selected to facilitate dispensing of the additive from the additive reservoir of the additive delivery system. For example, in some embodiments, the specific gravity of the additive can be selected to facilitate dispensing of the additive from the bag reservoir 420 in response to the pressure P. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the specific gravity can affect the responsiveness of the additive in the bag reservoir 420 to the pressure P, for example, by affecting the flow rate or flow rate of the additive out of the bag reservoir 420 that can be generated by the pressure P. Thus, in one non-limiting example, a first additive having a specific gravity that is closer to 1 (when the specific gravity is taken as the ratio of the additive density to the base fluid density) can be dispensed faster (i.e., have a higher flow rate or a higher flow rate) or can begin dispensing at a lower pressure P than a second additive having a specific gravity greater than 1.

[0068] In some embodiments, the specific gravity of the additive can be additionally or alternatively selected to promote the mixing of additives with the base fluid in the additive delivery system or the flow-through system (such as the above-mentioned system). For example, in some embodiments, the specific gravity of the additive can be selected to promote the mixing of additives with the base fluid in the mixing space 600. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the specific gravity of the additive can affect the homogeneity of the beverage mixture mixed in the mixing space 600, for example, by affecting the mixing rate of the additive and the base fluid. In a non-limiting example, the first additive with a specific gravity closer to 1 (when the specific gravity is taken as the ratio of the additive density to the base fluid density) can be mixed faster than the second additive with a specific gravity greater than 1. Therefore, since the space or time available for mixing may be limited in some point-of-use systems or flow-through systems, the first additive can be mixed more fully than the second additive within the mixing time allowed in a given space or a specific mixing space 600.

[0069] In some embodiments, the specific gravity of the additive can be additionally or alternatively selected to facilitate more accurate metering of the additive in an additive delivery system (such as the system described above). For example, in some embodiments, the specific gravity of the additive can be selected to facilitate more accurate metering of the additive through the metering space between the metering insert 300 and the mixing nozzle 350. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the specific gravity of the additive can affect the flow rate of the additive through a given metering space, and / or the minimum metering space required for the additive to flow through it. Therefore, in a non-limiting example, a first additive having a specific gravity closer to 1 (when the specific gravity is taken as the ratio of the density of the additive to the density of the base fluid into which the additive can flow after flowing through the metering space) can flow through a smaller minimum metering space than a second additive having a specific gravity greater than 1, or can have a flow rate through the metering space that may be more sensitive to changes in the metering space than a second additive having a specific gravity greater than 1.

[0070] Although several embodiments have been described and shown herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily conceive of a variety of other means and / or structures for performing functions and / or obtaining results and / or one or more advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. On the contrary, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the teachings of the present invention encompass a variety of alternatives, modifications and equivalents. Therefore, the foregoing description and drawings are merely exemplary. More generally, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that all parameters, dimensions, materials and configurations described herein are intended to be exemplary, and actual parameters, dimensions, materials and / or configurations will depend on one or more specific applications using the teachings of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize many equivalents of the specific embodiments described herein, or will be able to use operations that do not exceed routine experiments to ascertain many equivalents of the specific embodiments described herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented only by way of example, and within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, the present invention can be practiced in a manner different from the schemes specifically described and claimed. The present disclosure relates to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods is included within the scope of the present disclosure, provided that such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent.

Claims

1. A beverage additive comprising: Water in a proportion of about 40% to about 85% by weight of the additive; an acidulant in a total proportion of about 1% to about 20% by weight of the additive, the acidulant comprising phosphoric acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of the additive; and The flavor system is present in a proportion of about 10% to about 40% by weight of the additive.

2. The beverage additive of claim 1, wherein the acidulant comprises citric acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the additive.

3. The beverage additive of claim 1, wherein the acidulant comprises lactic acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the additive.

4. The beverage additive of claim 1, wherein the beverage additive has a viscosity and / or specific gravity selected to promote rapid mixing of the beverage additive within a mixing space of a flow-through additive delivery system.

5. The beverage additive of claim 1, wherein the beverage additive has a flow rate of between about 3 square millimeters per second (mm 2 / s) and about 7mm 2 / s kinematic viscosity.

6. The beverage additive of claim 1, wherein the beverage additive has a specific gravity of about 0.9 to about 1.

3.

7. The beverage additive of claim 1, wherein the flavor system comprises a sweetener.

8. The beverage additive of claim 7, wherein the sweetener comprises at least one of erythritol, sucralose, or steviol glycosides.

9. The beverage additive of claim 1 further comprising a salt buffer in a proportion of about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of the additive.

10. The beverage additive of claim 9, wherein the salt buffer comprises at least one of sodium citrate or potassium dihydrogen phosphate.

11. The beverage additive of claim 1, wherein the beverage additive has a pH of less than about 3.

3.

12. The beverage additive of claim 1, wherein the acidulant comprises: Citric acid in a proportion of about 6% to about 9% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 4% to about 7% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 1.1% to about 1.4% by weight of the additive.

13. The beverage additive of claim 1, wherein the acidulant comprises: Citric acid in a proportion of about 3% to about 6.5% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 2% to about 4% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 0.5% to about 1.3% by weight of the additive.

14. The beverage additive of claim 1, wherein the additive has a pH of less than about 3.3, and wherein the acidulant comprises: Citric acid in a proportion of about 0.7% to about 0.8% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 0.4% to about 0.5% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 0.4% to about 0.5% by weight of the additive.

15. The beverage additive of claim 1, wherein the acidulant comprises about 6% to about 15% by weight of the additive and comprises about 0.6% to about 1.3% phosphoric acid by weight of the additive, about 3.5% to about 8.5% citric acid by weight of the additive, and about 2% to about 8% lactic acid by weight of the additive.

16. The beverage additive of claim 15, wherein the beverage additive has a thickness between about 3 mm 2 / s and about 7mm 2 / s, or a specific gravity of about 0.9 to about 1.

3.

17. A beverage additive for use in an additive delivery system, the beverage additive comprising: Water in a proportion of about 40% to about 85% by weight of the additive; An acidulant in a proportion of about 1% to about 20% by weight of the additive; and A flavor system in a proportion of about 10% to about 40% by weight of the additive, The beverage additive has a viscosity and / or specific gravity selected to facilitate mixing of the beverage additive with a base fluid within a mixing space of the additive delivery system, the mixing space fluidly coupling both an additive reservoir and a base fluid container to a delivery system outlet, the additive delivery system being configured to dispense the beverage additive from the additive reservoir and the base fluid from the base fluid container into the mixing nozzle in response to a user drawing fluid through the delivery system outlet.

18. The beverage additive of claim 17, wherein the beverage additive has a velocity between about 3 square millimeters per second (mm 2 / s) and about 7mm 2 / s kinematic viscosity.

19. The beverage additive of claim 17, wherein the beverage additive has a specific gravity of about 0.9 to about 1.

3.

20. The beverage additive of claim 17, wherein the flavor system comprises a sweetener.

21. The beverage additive of claim 20, wherein the sweetener comprises at least one of erythritol, sucralose, or steviol glycosides.

22. The beverage additive of claim 17, further comprising a salt buffer in a proportion of about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of the additive.

23. The beverage additive of claim 22, wherein the salt buffer comprises at least one of sodium citrate or monopotassium phosphate.

24. The beverage additive of claim 17, wherein the acidulant comprises phosphoric acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of the additive.

25. The beverage additive of claim 24, wherein the proportion of phosphoric acid is selected to reduce the viscosity of the beverage additive by reducing the overall proportion of the acidulant.

26. The beverage additive of claim 17, wherein the acidulant comprises citric acid in an amount of about 0.1% by weight of the additive to about 10% by weight of the additive.

27. The beverage additive of claim 17, wherein the acidulant comprises lactic acid in an amount of about 0.1% by weight of the additive to about 10% by weight of the additive.

28. The beverage additive of claim 17, wherein the beverage additive has a pH of less than about 3.

3.

29. The beverage additive of claim 17, wherein the acidulant comprises: Citric acid in a proportion of about 6% to about 9% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 4% to about 7% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 1.1% to about 1.4% by weight of the additive.

30. The beverage additive of claim 17, wherein the acidulant comprises: Citric acid in a proportion of about 3% to about 6.5% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 2% to about 4% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 0.5% to about 1.3% by weight of the additive.

31. The beverage additive of claim 17, wherein the additive has a pH of less than about 3.3, and wherein the acidulant comprises: Citric acid in a proportion of about 0.7% to about 0.8% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 0.4% to about 0.5% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 0.4% to about 0.5% by weight of the additive.

32. A beverage additive for use in an additive delivery system, the beverage additive comprising: Water in a proportion of about 40% to about 85% by weight of the additive; An acidulant in a proportion of about 1% to about 20% by weight of the additive; and A flavor system in a proportion of about 10% to about 40% by weight of the additive, The beverage additive has a volume of between about 3 square millimeters per second (mm 2 / s) and about 7mm 2 / s kinematic viscosity.

33. The beverage additive of claim 32, wherein the beverage additive has a specific gravity of about 0.9 to about 1.

3.

34. The beverage additive of claim 32, wherein the flavor system comprises a sweetener.

35. The beverage additive of claim 34, wherein the sweetener comprises at least one of erythritol, sucralose, or steviol glycosides.

36. The beverage additive of claim 32, further comprising a salt buffer in an amount of about 0.5% by weight of the additive to about 10% by weight of the additive.

37. The beverage additive of claim 36, wherein the salt buffer comprises at least one of sodium citrate or monopotassium phosphate.

38. The beverage additive of claim 32, wherein the acidulant comprises phosphoric acid in an amount of about 0.1% by weight of the additive to about 2% by weight of the additive.

39. The beverage additive of claim 38, wherein the proportion of phosphoric acid is selected to reduce the viscosity of the beverage additive by reducing the overall proportion of the acidulant.

40. The beverage additive of claim 32, wherein the acidulant comprises citric acid in an amount of about 0.1% by weight of the additive to about 10% by weight of the additive.

41. The beverage additive of claim 32, wherein the acidulant comprises lactic acid in an amount of about 0.1% by weight of the additive to about 10% by weight of the additive.

42. The beverage additive of claim 32, wherein the beverage additive has a pH of less than about 3.

3.

43. The beverage additive of claim 32, wherein the acidulant comprises: Citric acid in a proportion of about 6% to about 9% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 4% to about 7% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 1.1% to about 1.4% by weight of the additive.

44. The beverage additive of claim 32, wherein the acidulant comprises: Citric acid in a proportion of about 3% to about 6.5% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 2% to about 4% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 0.5% to about 1.3% by weight of the additive.

45. The beverage additive of claim 32, wherein the additive has a pH of less than about 3.3, and wherein the acidulant comprises: Citric acid in a proportion of about 0.7% to about 0.8% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 0.4% to about 0.5% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 0.4% to about 0.5% by weight of the additive.

46. ​​A beverage additive for use in an additive delivery system, the beverage additive comprising: Water in a proportion of about 40% to about 85% by weight of the additive; An acidulant in a proportion of about 1% to about 20% by weight of the additive; and A flavor system in a proportion of about 10% to about 40% by weight of the additive, wherein the beverage additive has a specific gravity of about 0.9 to about 1.

3.

47. The beverage additive of claim 46, wherein the beverage additive has a flow rate of between about 3 square millimeters per second (mm 2 / s) and about 7mm 2 / s kinematic viscosity.

48. The beverage additive of claim 46, wherein the flavor system comprises a sweetener.

49. The beverage additive of claim 48, wherein the sweetener comprises at least one of erythritol, sucralose, or steviol glycosides.

50. The beverage additive of claim 46, further comprising a salt buffer in an amount of about 0.5% by weight of the additive to about 10% by weight of the additive.

51. The beverage additive of claim 50, wherein the salt buffer comprises at least one of sodium citrate or monopotassium phosphate.

52. The beverage additive of claim 46, wherein the acidulant comprises phosphoric acid in an amount of about 0.1% by weight of the additive to about 2% by weight of the additive.

53. The beverage additive of claim 52, wherein the proportion of phosphoric acid is selected to reduce the viscosity of the beverage additive by reducing the overall proportion of the acidulant.

54. The beverage additive of claim 46, wherein the acidulant comprises citric acid in an amount of about 0.1% by weight of the additive to about 10% by weight of the additive.

55. The beverage additive of claim 46, wherein the acidulant comprises lactic acid in an amount of about 0.1% by weight of the additive to about 10% by weight of the additive.

56. The beverage additive of claim 46, wherein the beverage additive has a pH of less than about 3.

3.

57. The beverage additive of claim 46, wherein the acidulant comprises: Citric acid in a proportion of about 6% to about 9% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 4% to about 7% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 1.1% to about 1.4% by weight of the additive.

58. The beverage additive of claim 46, wherein the acidulant comprises: Citric acid in a proportion of about 3% to about 6.5% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 2% to about 4% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 0.5% to about 1.3% by weight of the additive.

59. The beverage additive of claim 46, wherein the additive has a pH of less than about 3.3, and wherein the acidulant comprises: Citric acid in a proportion of about 0.7% to about 0.8% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 0.4% to about 0.5% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 0.4% to about 0.5% by weight of the additive.

60. A beverage additive for use in an additive delivery system, the beverage additive comprising: Water in a proportion of about 40% to about 85% by weight of the additive; Based on the weight of the additive, the proportion of about 1% to about 20% of an acidulant, the acidulant comprising: Citric acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of the additive; and The flavor system is present in a proportion of about 10% to about 40% by weight of the additive.

61. The beverage additive of claim 60, wherein the beverage additive has a flow rate of between about 3 square millimeters per second (mm 2 / s) and about 7mm 2 / s kinematic viscosity.

62. The beverage additive of claim 60, wherein the beverage additive has a specific gravity of about 0.9 to about 1.

3.

63. The beverage additive of claim 60, wherein the flavor system comprises a sweetener.

64. The beverage additive of claim 63, wherein the sweetener comprises at least one of erythritol, sucralose, or steviol glycosides.

65. The beverage additive of claim 60, further comprising a salt buffer in an amount of about 0.5% by weight of the additive to about 10% by weight of the additive.

66. The beverage additive of claim 65, wherein the salt buffer comprises at least one of sodium citrate or monopotassium phosphate.

67. The beverage additive of claim 66, wherein the proportion of phosphoric acid is selected to reduce the viscosity of the beverage additive by reducing the overall proportion of the acidulant.

68. The beverage additive of claim 60, wherein the beverage additive has a pH of less than about 3.

3.

69. The beverage additive of claim 60, wherein the acidulant comprises: Citric acid in a proportion of about 6% to about 9% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 4% to about 7% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 1.1% to about 1.4% by weight of the additive.

70. The beverage additive of claim 60, wherein the acidulant comprises: Citric acid in a proportion of about 3% to about 6.5% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 2% to about 4% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 0.5% to about 1.3% by weight of the additive.

71. The beverage additive of claim 60, wherein the additive has a pH of less than about 3.3, and wherein the acidulant comprises: Citric acid in a proportion of about 0.7% to about 0.8% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 0.4% to about 0.5% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 0.4% to about 0.5% by weight of the additive.

72. An additive delivery system comprising: Additive reservoir; A beverage additive contained in the additive reservoir, the additive comprising: water in a proportion of about 40% to about 85% by weight of the additive, Acidulants in a proportion of about 1% to about 20% by weight of the additive, A flavor system in a proportion of about 10% to about 40% by weight of the additive, and The additive has at least one of the following properties: Between about 3 square millimeters per second (mm 2 / s) and about 7mm 2 / s, and a specific gravity between about 0.9 and about 1.3; Base fluid container; delivery system exits; and fluidly coupling the additive reservoir and the base fluid container to a mixing nozzle of the delivery system outlet, Wherein the additive delivery system is configured to dispense the beverage additive from the additive reservoir and dispense the base fluid from the base fluid container into the mixing nozzle in response to a user drawing fluid through the delivery system outlet.

73. The additive delivery system of claim 72, wherein the beverage additive has a specific gravity of about 0.9 to about 1.

3.

74. The additive delivery system of claim 72, wherein the beverage additive has a velocity between about 3 square millimeters per second (mm 2 / s) and about 7mm 2 / s kinematic viscosity.

75. The additive delivery system of claim 72, wherein the flavor system of the beverage additive comprises a sweetener.

76. The additive delivery system of claim 75, wherein the sweetener comprises at least one of erythritol, sucralose, or steviol glycosides.

77. The additive delivery system of claim 72, wherein the beverage additive further comprises a salt buffer in an amount of about 0.5% by weight of the additive to about 10% by weight of the additive.

78. The additive delivery system of claim 77, wherein the salt buffer comprises at least one of sodium citrate or potassium dihydrogen phosphate.

79. The additive delivery system of claim 72, wherein the acidulant of the beverage additive comprises phosphoric acid in an amount of about 0.1% by weight of the additive to about 2% by weight of the additive.

80. The additive delivery system of claim 79, wherein the proportion of phosphoric acid is selected to reduce the viscosity of the beverage additive by reducing the overall proportion of the acidulant.

81. The additive delivery system of claim 72, wherein the acidulant of the beverage additive comprises citric acid in an amount of about 0.1% by weight of the additive to about 10% by weight of the additive.

82. The additive delivery system of claim 72, wherein the acidulant of the beverage additive comprises lactic acid in an amount of about 0.1% by weight of the additive to about 10% by weight of the additive.

83. The additive delivery system of claim 72, wherein the beverage additive has a pH of less than about 3.

3.

84. The additive delivery system of claim 72, wherein the acidulant of the beverage additive comprises: Citric acid in a proportion of about 6% to about 9% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 4% to about 7% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 1.1% to about 1.4% by weight of the additive.

85. The additive delivery system of claim 72, wherein the acidulant of the beverage additive comprises: Citric acid in a proportion of about 3% to about 6.5% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 2% to about 4% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 0.5% to about 1.3% by weight of the additive.

86. The additive delivery system of claim 72, wherein the beverage additive has a pH of less than about 3.3, and wherein the acidulant of the additive comprises: Citric acid in a proportion of about 0.7% to about 0.8% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 0.4% to about 0.5% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 0.4% to about 0.5% by weight of the additive.

87. A method of mixing a beverage, the method comprising: A beverage additive is delivered from an additive reservoir of an additive delivery system to a mixing space of the additive delivery system, the additive comprising: water in a proportion of about 40% to about 85% by weight of the additive, Acidulants in a proportion of about 1% to about 20% by weight of the additive, A flavor system in a proportion of about 10% to about 40% by weight of the additive, and The additive has at least one property selected from the group consisting of: Between about 3 square millimeters per second (mm 2 / s) and about 7mm 2 / s, and a specific gravity between about 0.9 and about 1.3; transferring a base fluid from a base fluid container of the additive delivery system to the mixing nozzle; mixing the additive and the base fluid together in the mixing space to form a beverage; The beverage is conveyed from the mixing space to a delivery system outlet.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the additive having a specific gravity of about 0.9 to about 1.

3.

89. The method of claim 87, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the additive having a velocity between about 3 square millimeters per second (mm 2 / s) and about 7mm 2 / s kinematic viscosity.

90. The method of claim 87, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the flavor system of the beverage additive comprising a sweetener.

91. The method of claim 90, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the sweetener comprising at least one of erythritol, sucralose, or steviol glycosides.

92. The method of claim 87, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the beverage additive further comprising a salt buffer in an amount ranging from about 0.5% by weight of the additive to about 10% by weight of the additive.

93. The method of claim 92, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the salt buffer comprising at least one of sodium citrate or potassium dihydrogen phosphate.

94. The method of claim 87, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the acidulant of the beverage additive comprising phosphoric acid in an amount ranging from about 0.1% by weight of the additive to about 2% by weight of the additive.

95. A method according to claim 94, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space includes transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, and selecting a proportion of phosphoric acid to reduce the viscosity of the beverage additive by reducing the total proportion of the acidulant.

96. The method of claim 87, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the acidulant of the beverage additive comprising citric acid in an amount ranging from about 0.1% by weight of the additive to about 10% by weight of the additive.

97. The method of claim 87, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the acidulant of the beverage additive comprising lactic acid in an amount ranging from about 0.1% by weight of the additive to about 10% by weight of the additive.

98. The method of claim 87, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the beverage additive having a pH less than about 3.

3.

99. The method of claim 87, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the acidulant of the beverage additive comprising: Citric acid in a proportion of about 6% to about 9% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 4% to about 7% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 1.1% to about 1.4% by weight of the additive.

100. The method of claim 87, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the acidulant of the beverage additive comprising: Citric acid in a proportion of about 3% to about 6.5% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 2% to about 4% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 0.5% to about 1.3% by weight of the additive.

101. The method of claim 87, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the acidulant of the beverage additive comprising: Citric acid in a proportion of about 0.7% to about 0.8% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 0.4% to about 0.5% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 0.4% to about 0.5% by weight of the additive.

102. A method of mixing a beverage, the method comprising: delivering a beverage additive from an additive reservoir of an additive delivery system to a mixing nozzle of the additive delivery system, the additive comprising: water in a proportion of about 40% to about 85% by weight of the additive, Based on the weight of the additive, the proportion of about 1% to about 20% of an acidulant, the acidulant comprising: Citric acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the additive, and phosphoric acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of the additive, and A flavor system in a proportion of about 10% to about 40% by weight of the additive; transferring a base fluid from a base fluid container of the additive delivery system to the mixing nozzle; mixing the additive and the base fluid together in the mixing nozzle to form a beverage within a mixing space of the additive delivery system; The beverage is conveyed from the mixing nozzle to a delivery system outlet.

103. The method of claim 102, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the additive having a specific gravity of about 0.9 to about 1.

3.

104. The method of claim 102, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the additive having a velocity between about 3 square millimeters per second (mm 2 / s) and about 7mm 2 / s kinematic viscosity.

105. The method of claim 102, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the flavor system of the beverage additive comprising a sweetener.

106. The method of claim 105, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the sweetener comprising at least one of erythritol, sucralose, or steviol glycosides.

107. The method of claim 102, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the beverage additive further comprising a salt buffer in an amount ranging from about 0.5% by weight of the additive to about 10% by weight of the additive.

108. The method of claim 107, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the salt buffer comprising at least one of sodium citrate or potassium dihydrogen phosphate.

109. The method of claim 102, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the acidulant of the beverage additive comprising phosphoric acid in an amount ranging from about 0.1% by weight of the additive to about 2% by weight of the additive.

110. The method of claim 109, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, wherein a proportion of phosphoric acid is selected to reduce the viscosity of the beverage additive by reducing the total proportion of the acidulant.

111. The method of claim 102, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the beverage additive having a pH less than about 3.

3.

112. The method of claim 102, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the acidulant of the beverage additive comprising: Citric acid in a proportion of about 6% to about 9% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 4% to about 7% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 1.1% to about 1.4% by weight of the additive.

113. The method of claim 102, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the acidulant of the beverage additive comprising: Citric acid in a proportion of about 3% to about 6.5% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 2% to about 4% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 0.5% to about 1.3% by weight of the additive.

114. The method of claim 102, wherein transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space comprises transferring the beverage additive from the additive reservoir to the mixing space, the acidulant of the beverage additive comprising: Citric acid in a proportion of about 0.7% to about 0.8% by weight of the additive, Lactic acid in a proportion of about 0.4% to about 0.5% by weight of the additive, and Phosphoric acid is present in a proportion of about 0.4% to about 0.4% by weight of the additive.

115. A method of forming a beverage additive, the method comprising: providing water in a proportion of about 40% to about 85% by weight of the additive; providing a flavor system in a proportion of about 10% to about 40% by weight of the additive; providing citric acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the additive; providing lactic acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the additive; Phosphoric acid is provided in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of the additive, the proportion of phosphoric acid being sufficient to maintain: The total proportion of acid is between about 1% and about 20% by weight of the additive, The additive has a pH between about 2.0 and about 3.3 and at least one of the following properties: The specific gravity of the additive is between about 0.9 and 1.3, and The kinematic viscosity of the additive is between about 3 square millimeters per second (mm 2 / s) and about 7mm 2 / s; and The water, the flavor system, the citric acid, the lactic acid, and the phosphoric acid are mixed to form the beverage additive.

116. The method of claim 115, wherein providing phosphoric acid comprises providing phosphoric acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of the additive, the proportion of phosphoric acid being sufficient to maintain a specific gravity of the additive between about 0.9 and 1.

3.

117. The method of claim 115, wherein providing phosphoric acid comprises providing phosphoric acid in a proportion of about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of the additive, the proportion of phosphoric acid being sufficient to maintain the kinematic viscosity of the additive at a range of about 3 mm 2 / s and about 7mm 2 / s.

118. The method of claim 115 further comprising providing a salt buffer in a proportion of about 0.5% by weight of the additive to about 10% by weight of the additive, and wherein mixing the water, the flavor system, the citric acid, the lactic acid, and the phosphoric acid to form the beverage additive comprises mixing the water, the flavor system, the citric acid, the lactic acid, the phosphoric acid, and the salt buffer to form the beverage additive.

119. The method of claim 118, wherein providing the salt buffer comprises providing at least one of sodium citrate or potassium dihydrogen phosphate.

120. The method of claim 115, wherein providing the phosphoric acid comprises providing the phosphoric acid in a proportion of about 1.1% to about 1.4% by weight of the additive.

121. The method of claim 115, further comprising selecting a proportion of phosphoric acid to reduce the viscosity of the beverage additive by reducing the overall proportion of the acidulant.

122. The method of claim 115, wherein providing the citric acid comprises providing the citric acid in a proportion of about 6% by weight of the additive to about 9% by weight of the additive.

123. The method of claim 115, wherein providing the lactic acid comprises providing the lactic acid in a proportion of about 4% by weight of the additive to about 7% by weight of the additive.

124. The method of claim 115, wherein: Providing the citric acid comprises providing the citric acid in a proportion of about 6% by weight of the additive to about 9% by weight of the additive, Providing the lactic acid comprises providing the lactic acid in a proportion of about 4% by weight of the additive to about 7% by weight of the additive, and Providing the phosphoric acid includes providing the phosphoric acid in a proportion of about 1.1% to about 1.4% by weight of the additive.

125. The method of claim 115, wherein: Providing the citric acid comprises providing the citric acid in a proportion of about 3% by weight of the additive to about 6.5% by weight of the additive, Providing the lactic acid comprises providing the lactic acid in a proportion of about 2% by weight of the additive to about 4% by weight of the additive, and Providing the phosphoric acid includes providing the phosphoric acid in a proportion of about 0.5% to about 1.3% by weight of the additive.

126. The method of claim 115, wherein: Providing the citric acid comprises providing the citric acid in a proportion of about 0.7% by weight of the additive to about 0.8% by weight of the additive, Providing the lactic acid comprises providing the lactic acid in a proportion of about 0.4% by weight of the additive to about 0.5% by weight of the additive, and Providing the phosphoric acid includes providing the phosphoric acid in a proportion of about 0.4% to about 0.5% by weight of the additive.

127. The method according to claim 115 also includes selecting the ratio of the citric acid, the ratio of the lactic acid and the ratio of the phosphoric acid to maintain the pH of the beverage additive below about 3.3 and to maintain the specific gravity of the beverage additive between about 0.9 and 1.

3.

128. The method of claim 115, further comprising selecting the ratio of the citric acid, the ratio of the lactic acid, and the ratio of the phosphoric acid to reduce the viscosity of the beverage additive by reducing the total ratio of the acidulants required to achieve a pH below about 3.3.

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