Tilt-activated drinking effect

Abstract

The tilt-activated beverage container is tilted to release an additive into a liquid. The additive is provided in an additive release housing coupled to an interior wall of the beverage container. The additive release housing includes a cap coupled to a base to form an additive release compartment. When the base and cap are coupled together, a flow path is formed between a lip of the cap and an annular rim of the base. When the container is tilted, the additive is released through the flow path into the liquid.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 374,816, filed September 7, 2022, entitled "TILT-ACTIVATED BEVERAGE EFFECTS," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. (Technical field) This application relates to tilt-activated beverage effects. [Background technology]

[0002] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and / or claimed below. This disclosure is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. As such, it should be understood that this description is to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

[0003] Amusement parks or theme parks include a variety of features, such as rides, shows, interactive activities, and meals, each of which provides a unique experience for amusement park guests, to enhance the unique experience provided to amusement park guests. Such features may be included in attractions and / or throughout the amusement park to entertain guests. As amusement park features become more sophisticated and complex, expectations for the quality and theming of entertainment have increased among amusement park patrons and guests. Thus, improved and creative amusement park features are desired. For example, guests may enjoy an immersive experience throughout the amusement park and themed souvenirs that function as part of the immersive experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A summary of certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimed subject matter is set forth below. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but rather are presented to provide a brief summary of certain embodiments. Indeed, the present subject matter may encompass a variety of aspects that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

[0005] In one embodiment, a tilt-activated beverage container is provided. The tilt-activated beverage container includes a beverage container and an additive release housing. The additive release housing forms a compartment, and the additive release housing is disposed on or within an inner wall of the beverage container. The additive release housing includes a cap with a lip that defines an inner diameter of the cap, the lip extending away from a cap top. The additive release housing also includes: a base including an annular rim extending away from a support surface, the annular rim defining an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter such that the annular rim of the base fits within the lip; and a post protruding from the support surface and coupled to the cap top, wherein when the post is coupled to the cap top, the lip extends beyond an upper edge of the annular rim toward the support surface and forms a flow path between the inner surface of the lip and the outer surface of the annular rim. The additive release housing further includes an additive disposed within the compartment of the additive release housing, and liquid in the beverage container does not flow into the compartment in a first orientation of the beverage container, but flows into the compartment via the flow path in a second orientation.

[0006] In one embodiment, a method for providing a tilt-activated beverage effect is provided, the method including providing a tilt-activated beverage container, the tilt-activated beverage container including an inner wall including an additive release housing forming a compartment. The additive release housing includes a cap including a lip forming an inner diameter of the cap, the lip extending away from a cap top. The additive release housing also includes a base including an annular rim extending away from a support surface, the annular rim forming an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter such that the annular rim of the base fits within the lip. The additive release housing further includes a post protruding from the support surface and coupled to the cap top, wherein when the post is coupled to the cap top, the lip extends beyond an upper edge of the annular rim toward the support surface, forming a flow path between the inner surface of the lip and the outer surface of the annular rim. The method also includes providing an additive disposed in the compartment, the additive release compartment fluidly coupled via the flow path to a beverage container holding a liquid in a first orientation of the beverage container and not fluidly coupled via the flow path to a beverage container holding a liquid in a second orientation of the beverage container.

[0007] In one embodiment, a tilt-activated beverage container system is provided. The system includes a tilt-activated beverage container, the tilt-activated beverage container having an inner wall including at least one mating feature configured to receive an additive release housing. The system also includes a plurality of additive release housings, each of which includes a cap including a lip that defines an inner diameter of the cap, the lip extending away from a cap top. Each additive release housing also includes a base, the base including an annular rim extending away from a support surface, the annular rim defining an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter such that the annular rim of the base fits within the lip; and a post protruding from the support surface and coupled to the cap top, the lip extending beyond an upper edge of the annular rim toward the support surface when the post is coupled to the cap top, forming a flow path between the inner surface of the lip and the outer surface of the annular rim. Each additive release housing further includes an additive disposed within a compartment formed by the housing, and each housing of the plurality of housings is configured to couple to the inner wall via at least one mating feature.

[0008] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a tilt-activated beverage container in a first, non-tilted configuration and the transition of the beverage container to a second, tilted configuration to trigger the release of an additive in a tilt-activated beverage effect, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a tilt-actuated beverage container in a non-tilted configuration according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a tilting beverage container in a tilted configuration according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a component showing the base and cap of an additive release housing for tilt-activated beverage effect according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled additive release housing for tilt-activated beverage effects according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the additive release housing of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of an additive release housing. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a housing component including a sealed additive reservoir according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a tilt-activated beverage container that can be used in combination with multiple housings to release multiple additives, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] One or more specific embodiments are described below. In the interest of providing a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described herein. It will be appreciated that, as with any industrial design or engineering project, the development of any such actual implementation will require numerous implementation-specific decisions to be made in order to achieve the developers' particular goals, including compliance with system-related and business-related constraints that may vary from implementation to implementation. It will further be appreciated that such development efforts may be complex and time-consuming, but will nevertheless represent a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0011] When describing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the element. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, references to "one embodiment" or "one embodiment" of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

[0012] Provided herein is technology for tilt-activated beverage effects that can be used in conjunction with a tilt-activated beverage container. The tilt-activated beverage container can include an additive-releasing housing that seals or holds an additive that is released into a fluid, such as a liquid beverage, when the beverage container is tilted during consumption. The release of the additive into the liquid changes a property of the liquid, such as one or more of the following: taste, odor, color, viscosity, thickness, or effervescence, as part of the tilt-activated beverage effect. In one embodiment, the additive-releasing housing can be implemented as a passive device that does not include a power source. Thus, the change in the liquid can appear magical, enhancing the sense of immersion.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1 , the tilt-activated beverage container 12 holds a liquid 14 and includes an additive release housing 16. In a first or non-tilted configuration (e.g., a non-tilted orientation), a bottom 17 of the beverage container 12 can rest on a surface 18 or can be held flat or substantially flat such that the bottom 17 is generally perpendicular to a vertical axis 19. In the non-tilted configuration, the additives 20 are held within the housing 16 and do not flow out of passages in the housing 16 to mix with the liquid 14. In the second or tilted configuration, the liquid 14 flows into the housing 16 and the additives are released into the liquid 14. The tilted configuration (e.g., a tilted orientation) can be tilted relative to the non-tilted configuration. For example, in the non-tilted configuration, the bottom 17 of the beverage container 12 can rest on a relatively flat or level table. In one example, the beverage container 12 can be filled in the non-tilted configuration while being served at a bar. A guest can lift the beverage container 12 to drink from it in the tilted configuration.

[0014] In one embodiment, the tilted configuration is relative to a fixed component in the environment, such as a floor or table. Thus, a non-tilted configuration can be a 180-degree angle of the bottom 17 of the beverage container 12 relative to the floor or surface 18. The tilted configuration can be a range of angles other than 180 degrees, illustratively indicated by angle 21, of the bottom 17 (or a line extending through the plane of the bottom 17) relative to the floor or surface 18. In one embodiment, the tilted configuration is relative to an absolute direction, such as the direction of gravity along the y-axis of the x-y-z axes, indicated by reference numeral 23. For example, the beverage container 12 may be in a tilted configuration when the bottom 17 is non-orthogonal to the direction of gravity or when the bottom 17 is within a range of angles other than 90 degrees relative to the direction of gravity. In one example, axis 19 is aligned with the direction of gravity, and the beverage container 12 can be considered tilted when the bottom 17 forms an angle with axis 19 of 80 degrees or less. In one embodiment, the beverage container 12 may be considered tilted when the bottom 17 forms an angle with the axis 19 that is between 0 and 80 degrees or between 0 and 60 degrees. It should be understood that in embodiments, the bottom 17 may be non-planar. Thus, a tilted or additive-releasing configuration may be achieved when an angle of 80 degrees or less is formed between the plane of the cap top 51 (see FIG. 4 ) and the axis 19. It should be understood that a predetermined angle formed between the bottom 17 and the axis 19 (e.g., 0-10 degrees, 0-30 degrees, 0-45 degrees) may be considered part of a non-tilted or additive-retaining configuration of the beverage container 12 if the additive 20 is not released when the beverage container 12 is tilted.

[0015] 2 is a cross-sectional side view of beverage container 12 resting on surface 18 in a non-tilted configuration. In the non-tilted configuration, liquid 14 within the body of beverage container 12 is separated from additives 20 contained in housing 16. Housing 16 includes cap 30 coupled to base 32 via post 34. Base 32 is coupled to or incorporated into interior surface 33 of beverage container 12. In the illustrated example, interior surface 33 is opposite bottom 17.

[0016] The housing 16 forms a compartment 36 that holds the additive 20. The housing 16 includes at least one flow path 40 between the main chamber 24 of the beverage container 12 and the compartment 36. However, the liquid 14 does not flow through the flow path 40 into the compartment 36 in the non-tilted configuration due to the gas-liquid interface and existing air trapped within the housing 16. That is, the liquid 14 may only partially rise within the flow path 40, but the upper surface 41 of the liquid within the flow path 40 does not flow into the additive release compartment.

[0017] In one embodiment, the non-tilted configuration or additive retention configuration can include a configuration in which the beverage container 12 is flat or a configuration in which the beverage container is tilted to some degree relative to the floor or table (e.g., 0 to 10 degrees, 0 to 30 degrees, 0 to 60 degrees, 0 to 180 degrees, 10 to 90 degrees) or the direction of gravity, but not tilted sufficiently to overcome the surface tension of the liquid 14 within the flow passage 40. In one embodiment, the beverage container 12 can be in a non-additive release configuration. The additive release configuration is a configuration in which the beverage container 12 is tilted at an angle sufficient to allow liquid to enter the compartment 36. An inclined configuration may refer to a configuration in which the beverage container is tilted at an angle sufficient to allow liquid to flow into the compartment 36, with the compartment 36 and the main chamber 24 in fluid communication with the liquid 14. Thus, when the beverage container 12 is tilted, the compartment 36 and the main chamber 24 become fluidly coupled, and air trapped within the housing 16 and between the liquid 14 and the additives 20 is released. When the beverage container 12 is not tilted, the compartment 36 may be fluidly separated from the main body by air trapped within the housing and, in embodiments, tension on the top surface 41. Thus, when the beverage container 12 is not tilted, there is a gas or void or a gas or air-liquid interface within the flow path 40. When the beverage container 12 is tilted, liquid fills the compartment 36 and the flow path 40.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3 , tilting the tilt-activated beverage container 12 disrupts trapped air, causing the liquid 14 to flow through the compartment 36 and the additives 20 to mix with the liquid 14 in the main chamber 24. This tilting therefore causes a change in the properties of the liquid as part of the tilt-activated beverage effect. In one embodiment, the beverage container 12 holds a liquid 14. However, the beverage container 12 can hold one or more of a gas, a liquid, or a solid. In one embodiment, the beverage container 12 holds a frozen beverage or a blended beverage. In one embodiment, the beverage container 12 holds a heated beverage. The beverage container 12 can hold a composite beverage item, such as a liquid beverage having a gas component (e.g., carbonation) and a solid component (e.g., fruit or candy). In one embodiment, the beverage container 12 can hold dry ice, which is part of the beverage effect.

[0019] The change in property can be a change in taste, odor, color, viscosity, or effervescence of the liquid 14. The additive 20 can include a colorant or food-safe dye that causes a color change when added to the liquid 14. The additive 20 can include annatto extract (E160b), bixin, norbixin, astaxanthin, dehydrated beet (beet powder), beetroot red / betanin (E162), ultramarine blue, canthaxanthin (E161g), cryptoxanthin (E161c), rubixanthin (E161d), violaxanthin (E161e), rhodoxanthin (E161f), and the like. ), caramel (E150(ad)), β-apo-8′-carotenal (E160e), β-carotene (E160a), α-carotene, γ-carotene, β-apo-8′-carotenal ethyl ester (E160f), flavoxanthin (E161a), lutein (E161b), cochineal extract (E120); carmine (E132), carmoisine / azorubine (E122) Ingredients may include: sodium copper chlorophyllin (E141), chlorophyll (E140), toasted partially defatted cooked cottonseed flour, ferrous gluconate, ferrous lactate, grape pigment extract, grape skin extract (Enoki Mulberry), anthocyanins (E163), Haematococcus algae meal, synthetic iron oxides, iron oxides and hydroxides (E172), fruit juice, vegetable juice, dried algae meal, Tagetes (Aztec marigold) meal and extract, carrot oil, corn endosperm oil, paprika, paprika oleoresin, Phaffia yeast, riboflavin (E101), saffron, titanium dioxide, turmeric (E100), turmeric oleoresin, amaranth (E123), capsanthin / capsorubin (E160c), lycopene (E160d), or combinations thereof.Dyes may include FD&C (Food, Drug, and Cosmetic) Blue No. 1, FD&C Blue No. 2, FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, and FD&C Yellow No. 6, tartrazine (E102), quinoline yellow (E104), sunset yellow (E110), ponceau (E124), erythrosine (E127), patent blue V (E131), titanium dioxide (E171), aluminum (E173), silver (E174), gold (E175), pigment rubin / lithol rubin BK (E180), calcium carbonate (E170), carbon black (E153), black PN / brilliant black BN (E151), green S / acid brilliant green BS (E142), or aluminum or calcium salts of FD&C dyes.

[0020] The additives 20 can include agents that alter the viscosity or thickness of the liquid 14, such as natural and synthetic gums, e.g., locust bean gum, guar gum, gellan gum, xanthan gum, gum ghatti, modified gum ghatti, gum tragacanth, carrageenan, and the like; natural and modified starches, e.g., pre-gelatinized starch (corn, wheat, tapioca), pre-gelatinized high amylose content starch, pre-gelatinized hydrolyzed starch (maltodextrin, corn syrup solids), chemically modified starches such as pre-gelatinized substituted starch (e.g., octenyl succinate), and the like; cellulose derivatives, e.g., carboxymethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and the like; polydextrose; whey or whey protein concentrate; pectin; gelatin; or combinations thereof.

[0021] The additive 20 can include flavoring fragrances and / or oils, oleoresins and extracts, and combinations thereof, derived from plants, leaves, flowers, fruits, etc. The additive 20 can be a tingling agent such as jambu oleoresin or acme.

[0022] The additive 20 can be a liquid, gas, and / or solid additive. In one embodiment, the additive 20 is a gel, powder, or oil. In one embodiment, the additive 20 is a microcapsule that dissolves in a liquid to provide sustained release of the ingredients within the microcapsule. The additive 20 can be a spray-dried material, a powder, beads, capsules, and mixtures thereof. If particulate, the additive 20 can be sized or shaped to pass through the flow passage 40 and into the main chamber 24. In one embodiment, the additive 20 can be a phase change material, such as dry ice or liquid nitrogen. In one embodiment, the additive 20 can be a polymerization catalyst that, upon contact with the liquid 14, causes the liquid 14 to undergo a chemical change, such as polymerization.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the additive release housing 16 showing the cap 30 and base 32 uncoupled from one another. The cap 30 has a lip 50 extending away from a cap top 51. A wall 53 of the lip 50 forms an inner diameter 52 of the cap 30, and a wall height 54 defines at least a portion of the flow passage 40 (see FIG. 2). The cap top 51 can include a mating feature 66 that receives and couples with a complementary feature 68 on a post surface 64 of the post 34 to couple the cap 30 and base 32 together. For example, the mating feature 66 and the complementary feature 68 can include interlocking threads, which allows for a reversible threaded coupling configuration. In another embodiment, the coupling can be an interference fit, a magnetic fit, or a snap fit. In the illustrated embodiment, the posts 34 extend from the base 32 and couple to the cap 30, although it should be understood that the reverse arrangement is also contemplated, where the posts 34 extend from the cap 30 and couple to the base 32, for example, via complementary mating features. The base 32 includes an annular rim 70 that extends a height 76 away from a support surface 72. A thickness 73 of the annular rim and an inner diameter 71 of the annular rim 70 define an outer diameter 74 of the base 32.

[0024] 5 shows the assembled additive release housing 16, with the cap 30 and base 32 bonded together. The annular rim 70 fits within the lip 50 to form a flow passage. Thus, the outer diameter 74 is smaller than the inner diameter 52 of the lip 50 (see FIG. 4). The outer diameter 78 of the cap 30 may provide a flared portion relative to the base 32.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 16 is assembled when the cap 30 and base 32 are coupled together. It is contemplated that the cap 30 and base 32 may be separated from one another, e.g., by hand, to allow the additive release housing 16 to be opened, cleaned, and refilled. In one embodiment, the coupling between the cap 30 and base 32 may be substantially fixed such that the cap 30 and base 32 cannot be separated by hand. For example, the cap 30 and base 32 may be glued or otherwise attached to one another. In an embodiment, the housing 16 may be attached or fixedly attached to the beverage container 12, or may be removable from the beverage container 12. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the base 32 may be integrally and fixedly attached to, adhered to, or formed within a wall of the beverage container 12. Thus, the cap 30 may be removable from the beverage container 12 to allow the additive 20 to be refilled.

[0026] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled additive release housing 16 of Figure 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the additive release housing 16 is empty, i.e., does not contain an additive 20. It should be understood that the additive release housing 16 can be provided with or without an additive 20. For example, an end user can fill the housing 16 with an additive 20 prior to use.

[0027] The housing 16 includes a flow channel 40 that allows fluid to enter and exit the compartment 36 when the beverage container is tilted (see FIG. 1). The flow channel 40 may be generally annular and is formed between a lip 50 and an annular rim 70 that are coaxially aligned with one another. When assembled, a gap 80 exists between the lip 50 and the annular rim 70. The gap 80 is the distance between an outer surface 82 of the annular rim 70 and an inner surface 84 of the cap top 51, and defines the width or diameter of the flow channel 40 (see FIG. 4). A length 88 of the flow channel is based on the overlap between the lip 50 and the annular rim 70. That is, along the length 88, an axis parallel to the support surface 72 or perpendicular to the flow channel 40 intersects the annular rim 70 and the lip 50. An intersecting axis 86 is illustratively shown.

[0028] The dimensions of the cap 30 and base 32 can be selected so that the liquid 14 retained by the beverage container 12 (see FIG. 1 ) only partially rises within the flow channel 40 when the beverage container is in an untilted configuration. In one embodiment, the outer diameter 74 of the base 32 and the inner diameter 52 of the cap 30 can be selected to define a gap 80 of at least 1 mm. In one embodiment, the gap 80 is 0.5 mm-1 cm. In one embodiment, the gap 80 is 2 mm-5 mm. In one embodiment, the gap 80 is 1 mm-3 mm. Additionally, the height 54 of the lip 50, the dimensions of the post 34, and the height 76 of the annular rim 70 can be selected to define a length 88 of the flow channel 40. A longer flow channel 40 can allow liquids 14 with different surface tension characteristics to be retained in the main chamber 24 of the beverage container 12 without flowing into the compartment 36 while the beverage container 12 is untilted. In one embodiment, the length 88 of the flow channel 40 is at least 2 mm or at least 5 mm. In one embodiment, length 88 is 2 mm-2 cm. In one embodiment, length 88 is greater than the width of gap 80. In one embodiment, length 88 of flow channel 40 is at least two times, at least five times, or at least ten times the width of gap 80. In one embodiment, lip 50 extends beyond annular rim 70 by an amount corresponding to at least 5% of height 76 of annular rim 70.

[0029] The illustrated example shows a straight or regular channel 40. However, in embodiments, the walls of the channel 40 may be shaped or curved to create different liquid flow characteristics and / or irregular contours. For example, in one embodiment, the width of the channel, e.g., gap 80, may be variable along the length 88. The annular rim 70 may be tapered or angled toward or away from the compartment 36, and / or the cap 30 may be angled or tapered.

[0030] 7 is a partial perspective view of the additive release housing 16 showing the flow passage 40 formed between the outer surface 82 of the annular rim 70 and the inner surface 84 of the cap 30. During drinking, when the axis 92 between the lower edge 94 of the lip 50 and the upper edge 96 of the annular rim 70 is tilted horizontally, the additive 20 flows out of the compartment 36 and into the beverage. The tilt angle can be changed by changing the offset and relative spacing of the lip 50 and the annular rim 70.

[0031] The additive release housing 16 can be formed from food-safe components such as metal, plastic, polymer, etc. In one embodiment, one or more surfaces of the housing 16 can be coated with or formed from a hydrophobic material, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The use of a hydrophobic material can alter the liquid-channel contact angle and result in increased surface tension, thus enhancing the separation of the additive 20 between non-graded configurations.

[0032] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an additive release housing 16, in which the additive 20 is provided in a sealed area that is broken or unsealed upon coupling of the cap 30 and base 32. For example, the additive 20 may be retained within the base 32 by a seal 100. The seal 100 may be a foil seal or a polymer film seal. In one embodiment, the seal 100 may be a meltable wax. In one embodiment, the seal 100 is transparent so that a user can see the additive 20 retained within the base 32. Coupling of the cap 30 by pressing the post 34 into the seal 100 punctures the seal 100. In certain embodiments, the post 34 or other features of the housing 16 act to break up or disperse the additive 20 during coupling. For example, if the additive 20 is provided as a capsule (e.g., a gelatin capsule), the post 34 may act to pierce or fracture the capsule, initiating dispersion of the additive from the capsule form. After the seal 100 is broken and the additive release housing 16 is assembled, the additive 20 can be released into the beverage liquid 14 during use due to the tilt-activation effect. By providing the additive 20 in the sealed area, the shelf life of the additive 20 can be extended. In another configuration, the assembled housing 16 can be sealed in a wrapper prior to use.

[0033] In another configuration, one or more components of the additive release housing 16 may be dissolvable over time to release the additive 20. In one embodiment, the seal 100 may include a valve or flap that is opened when the additive release housing 16 is coupled to the beverage container 12.

[0034] FIG. 9 is a partial cutaway view of a beverage container system 102 including a tilt-activated beverage container 12 and one or more additive release housings 16. In this manner, a user of the beverage container system 12 can select from different additive release housings 16 to customize a desired tilt-activated effect. In one embodiment, the tilt-activated beverage container 12 includes at least one mating feature 106 to enable coupling (e.g., releasable coupling) of at least one additive release housing 16 via a complementary feature 108 on or within the inner surface 33. For example, the mating feature 106 and / or the complementary feature 108 can be complementary protrusions and recesses, or a magnetic or snap coupling. The additive release housing 16 can include a suction cup that can couple along any location on the inner surface 33. In one embodiment, the inner surface 33 can include geometric features 110 (e.g., ribs, surface roughness) to provide additional dispersion of the additive 20. Additionally, the inner surface 33 may include contoured or angled surfaces including mating features 106 for orienting the additive release housing 16 at a desired angle for additive release during normal drinking operations.

[0035] In one embodiment, the beverage container 12 may include multiple mating features 106 distributed at different locations along the inner surface 33 to enable mating with complementary features 108 of the additive release housings 16. In one embodiment, an end user may choose to couple one or more additive release housings 16 to the inner surface to achieve various effect combinations, such as different flavor, aroma, and / or color combinations. Furthermore, even among the same selected set of additive release housings 16, the end user may choose from different relative positions of the additive release housings 16 for different effects. That is, sets of the same additive release housings 16 arranged in different positional patterns can produce different types of tilt-activated beverage effects. For example, certain additive release housings 16 may have a relatively heavy additive 20, such as an oil-based additive, that tends to sink to the bottom of the tilt-activated beverage container 12, while other additive release housings 16 may include a lighter additive 20 that tends to rise to the top of the tilt-activated beverage container 12. Placing an individual additive release housing 16 containing a heavy oil-based additive toward the top of the tilt-activated beverage container 12 may lead to a visible downward sinking effect of the color-based additive 20. Placing the same additive release housing 16 toward the bottom or bottom portion of the tilt-activated beverage container 12 may lead to the creation of a bottom color layer.

[0036] Additionally, the tilt direction may affect the beverage effect. Tilting toward the additive release housing 16a may move liquid through the additive release housing 16a without activating the opposite additive release housing 16b. Therefore, the tilt-activated beverage container 12 may include a guide or indicator to indicate the desired tilt direction to achieve different effects. For example, the indicator may be printed on the tilt-activated beverage container 12 to indicate the mouth position corresponding to the different effects associated with different additive release housings 16 and respective different additives 20 (e.g., DRINK HERE FOR MINT! DRINK HERE FOR LEMON!). Other contemplated indicators may include an indicator of the desired tilt angle. In one embodiment, the tilt-activated beverage container 12 may include an LED indicator that activates when the desired tilt angle is achieved.

[0037] In one example, the different additive release housings 16 (denoted using the reference numerals 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e) can each have a different additive type, e.g., a different color. When the beverage container 12 is tilted during consumption, the different additives 20 can be released at different times and to different degrees, creating a rainbow effect within the main chamber 24. The mating features 106 and / or complementary features 108 can differ from one another so that only certain types of additive release housings 16 can be mated in certain locations. The orientation of the additive release housings 16 can be selected to release the additives during tilting.

[0038] The system 102 can be reused with one or more new additive release housings 16. Thus, after use with a particular set of additive release housings 16, an end user can remove the used additive release housings 16, clean the tilt-activated beverage container 12, and attach one or more additive release housings 16 to the interior surface. In one embodiment, the system 102 can be provided as a kit, and refill additive release housings 16 can be provided to allow the end user to select different tilt-activated beverage effects for subsequent uses.

[0039] While only certain features of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the present disclosure.

[0040] The technology shown and claimed herein refers to and applies to tangible objects and specific examples of a practical nature that will materially improve the art, and thus are not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical. Furthermore, where any claim appended at the end of this specification contains one or more elements designated as "means for [performing] ... [function]" or "step for [performing] ... [function]," such elements are to be construed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 112(f). Conversely, for any claim containing elements designated in any other manner, such elements are not to be construed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 112(f). [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 12 Beverage containers 14 liquid 16 Additive release housing 17 Bottom 18 Surface 19 Vertical axis 20 Additives 21 angle

Claims

1. A tilt-activated beverage container, A beverage container; an additive release housing disposed on or within an interior wall of the beverage container to form a compartment; Equipped with The additive release housing comprises: a cap including a lip that defines an inner diameter of the cap, the lip extending away from a top of the cap; A base and an additive disposed within the compartment of the additive release housing; Equipped with The base portion is an annular rim extending away from a support surface, the annular rim defining an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the cap so as to fit within the lip; a post protruding from the support surface and configured to be coupled to the cap top, such that when the post is coupled to the cap top, the lip extends beyond an upper edge of the annular rim toward the support surface and forms a channel between an inner surface of the lip and an outer surface of the annular rim; Equipped with wherein liquid in the beverage container does not flow into the compartment in a first orientation of the beverage container, and flows into the compartment through the flow path in a second orientation of the beverage container; Tilt-activated beverage container.

2. 2. The tilt-activated beverage container of claim 1, wherein the width of the flow path formed by the gap between the inner surface of the lip and the outer surface of the annular rim is 2 to 5 mm.

3. The tilt-activated beverage container of claim 1 , wherein the additive comprises a liquid additive or a solid additive.

4. 2. The tilt-activated beverage container of claim 1, wherein the lip extends beyond the annular rim by an amount equal to at least 5% of the height of the annular rim.

5. The tilt-activated beverage container of claim 1 , wherein the additive release housing is at least partially removably coupled to the interior wall of the beverage container.

6. The tilt-activated beverage container of claim 5 , wherein the base is fixedly coupled to the interior wall of the beverage container, and the cap is removable from the base.

7. 10. The tilt-activated beverage container of claim 1, wherein the base is removable from the cap to allow the additive release housing to be refilled with additional additives.

8. 2. The tilt-activated beverage container of claim 1, wherein the additive release housing is coupled to the bottom of the beverage container such that the top of the liquid is generally parallel to the plane of the cap top.

9. The tilt-actuated beverage container of claim 1 , wherein the liquid extends at least partially into the flow path in the first orientation and the liquid fills the flow path in the second orientation.

10. 10. The tilt-activated beverage container of claim 9, wherein the first orientation is a non-tilted orientation and the second orientation is a tilted orientation.

11. The tilt-activated beverage container of claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the post mates with a mating feature on the top of the cap.

12. The tilt-activated beverage container of claim 1 , wherein the post couples to the cap top by an interference fit with a recess formed in the cap top.

13. 1. A method of providing a tilt-activated beverage effect, comprising: providing a tilt-activated beverage container having an interior wall including an additive release housing that defines a compartment; providing an additive disposed within the compartment; Including, The additive release housing comprises: a cap including a lip that defines an inner diameter of the cap, the lip extending away from a top of the cap; A base and Equipped with The base portion is an annular rim extending away from a support surface, the annular rim defining an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the cap so as to fit within the lip; a post protruding from the support surface and configured to be coupled to the cap top, such that when the post is coupled to the cap top, the lip extends beyond an upper edge of the annular rim toward the support surface and forms a channel between an inner surface of the lip and an outer surface of the annular rim; Equipped with the compartment is not fluidly coupled via the flow path to the beverage container holding the liquid in a first orientation of the beverage container, and is fluidly coupled via the flow path to the beverage container holding the liquid in a second orientation. method.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein providing the additive comprises disposing the additive in the cap or the base and coupling the base and the cap via the post.

15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the additive is sealed in a reservoir in the cap or the base, and the post breaks the seal when the base and the cap are joined to place the additive in the compartment.

16. The method of claim 13 , comprising coupling the additive release housing to the interior wall via complementary mating features.

17. 17. The method of claim 16, including removing the additive-releasing housing from the interior wall and attaching a new housing containing a different additive.

18. 14. The method of claim 13, including filling the tilt-activated beverage container with the liquid.

19. 1. A tilt-activated beverage container system comprising: a tilt-activated beverage container having an interior wall including at least one mating feature configured to receive an additive release housing; a plurality of additive release housings; Equipped with Each of the additive release housings comprises: a cap including a lip that defines an inner diameter of the cap, the lip extending away from a top of the cap; A base and an additive disposed within a compartment formed by the additive release housing; Equipped with The base portion is an annular rim extending away from a support surface, the annular rim defining an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the cap so as to fit within the lip; a post projecting from the support surface and coupled to the cap top, wherein when the post is coupled to the cap top, the lip extends beyond an upper edge of the annular rim toward the support surface and forms a channel between an inner surface of the lip and an outer surface of the annular rim; Equipped with each additive release housing of the plurality of additive release housings is configured to couple to the interior wall via at least one mating feature; Tilt-activated beverage container system.

20. 20. The tilt-activated beverage container system of claim 19, wherein each respective additive release housing of the plurality of additive release housings has a different type of additive.

21. 20. The tilt-activated beverage container system of claim 19, wherein the at least one mating feature comprises a plurality of mating features distributed about the interior wall.

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