Cap with integral flavour releaser

Abstract

The present invention discloses a cap with integral flavour releaser for a container, which comprises a cap body having an interior space, an opening, and a holder member disposed at the interior space. The holder member comprises a base member, one or more first support members extend from the base member towards the base wall and one or more spike members extend at an angle from the base member and towards the first support member. Each first support member is configured to support at least one capsule containing a flavour substance. Further, one or more pressable members are configured at a base wall of the cap body. Each pressable member is disposed linear to at least one first support member. Each pressable member is configured to push and press the capsule against spike members to perforate the capsule and release the flavour substance through the plurality of apertures.

Description

CAP WITH INTEGRAL FLAVOUR RELEASERTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a cap for a container, and more particularly, to a cap with integral flavour releaser for use with a container.BACKGROUND

[0002] Nowadays, many different drinks are available in the marketplace to satisfy consumers in different ways. A few examples include liquid replenishment drinks, alcoholic drinks, and medical drinks. Some of these drinks only have a base liquid (e.g., water, soda, alcohol, etc.) and are provided in a bottle. The base liquid can’t be mixed with a flavouring component such as lime, salt, and pepper immediately prior to consumption. The flavouring components are available in a flavour sachet, separately. People need to buy the sachets separately and need to buy a separate bottled drink, for example, plain soda for mixing the flavour substance into the bottled drink.

[0003] Oftentimes, it is cumbersome for people to search and buy the flavour sachet. At times, when the consumer cannot find the flavour sachet, they have to consume the drink without adding the flavour component. Sometimes, consumers will intentionally forego the search for the flavour substance as searching for the flavour sachet takes considerable time and effort.

[0004] Another type of drink that is available in the market is a flavoured bottled drink. This type of drink comes with a base liquid, which is pre-mixed with the flavour substance. However, this type of drink deprives the consumer of the decision of whether to combine the additive or flavour with the drink. Further, some consumers may not like the type of flavour mixed with the drink and may have to discard the complete drink. Further, the consumer has to buy all types of flavoured drinks to find the ones that suit their taste.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a solution that integrates the flavour releasing mechanism with a container and provides an option to mix the flavour with drinks to the consumer.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention discloses a cap with an integral flavour releaser for a container. The cap comprises a cap body having a base wall and a sidewall extending from a periphery of the base wall defining an interior space and an opening.

[0007] The cap further comprises a holder member disposed at the interior space. The holder member comprises a base member, one or more first support members extend from the base member towards the base wall and one or more spike members extend at an angle from the base member and towards the first support member. Each first support member is configured to support at least one capsule containing a flavour substance. In one embodiment, the first support member defines a continuous loop of a wall made of rigid material.

[0008] Further, one or more pressable members are configured at the base wall of the cap body. Each pressable member is disposed linear to at least one first support member. Each pressable member is configured to push the capsule against spike members to perforate the capsule and release the flavour substance into the container. In one embodiment, the pressable member is made of a flexible polymer integrally formed at the base wall. The pressable member is configured to depress or to press down for a predefined height, which enables the pressable member to contact and push the capsule against spike members to perforate the capsule and release the flavour substance. In one embodiment, the capsule at each first support member comprises same flavour. In another embodiment, the capsule at each first support member comprises different flavour.

[0009] The cap comprises a plurality of screw threads extending along a length of the interior side of the sidewall. The threads are configured to fasten the cap to the container / bottle. The cap further comprises a second support member that extends from the interior surface of the base wall and is perpendicular to the base wall. In one embodiment, the second support member defines a continuous loop of a wall made of rigid polymer material. Further, a diameter of the second support member is lesser than a diameter of the cap body to form a space between the second support member and the sidewall of the cap body. The space is configured to receive a neck of the container to fasten the cap body to the container.

[0010] Further, the base member has a diameter less than the diameter of the second support member. The base member comprises one or more leg members extend from a periphery of the base member and are fastened to the second support member. As the diameter of the base member is less than the diameter of the second support member, the holder member could lie within the second support member. Further, the dimensions of the holder member facilitate theholder member to lie within the second support member without obstructing the space that receives the neck of the container.

[0011] Further, the second support member comprises a plurality of notches at a free end portion. An arrangement of the notches on the second support member is complementary to the arrangement of the leg member at the base member to enable the respective leg member to receive within the respective notches. Further, the leg members are fastened to the notches.

[0012] The cap further comprises a divider plate disposed between at least two first support members. The divider plate extends from the base member towards the base wall. The cap further comprises one or more spike members extending from the second support member toward the first support member. The base member further comprises a plurality of apertures to enable passage of flavour substance dispensed from the capsule.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a cap with an integral flavour releaser, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a bottom perspective view of the cap of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a holder member of the cap of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cap with the integral flavour releaser of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 5 exemplarily illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 1 affixed to a container, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 6 exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of a cap with integral flavour releaser, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 7 exemplarily illustrates a bottom perspective view of the cap of FIG. 6.

[0020] FIG. 8 exemplarily illustrates another top perspective view of the cap of FIG. 6.

[0021] FIG. 9 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a holder member of the cap of FIG. 6, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 10 exemplarily illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cap with integral flavour releaser of FIG. 6.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Example embodiments of the disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments are shown. The concepts discussed herein may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope to those of ordinary skill in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements but not necessarily the same or identical elements throughout.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a cap 100 comprises a cap body 102 having a base wall 104 and a sidewall 106. The sidewall 106 extends from a periphery of the base wall 104 defining an interior space 108 and an opening 110. Referring to FIG. 2, the cap 100 further comprises a holder member 112. The holder member 112 is disposed at the interior space 108.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 3, the holder member 112 comprises a base member 114, one or more first support members 116 and one or more spike members 118. The first support members 116 extend from the base member 114 towards the base wall 104. According to this embodiment, the holder member 112 comprises at least one first support member 116. The spike members 118 extend at an angle from the base member 114 towards the first support member 116. Each first support member 116 is configured to support at least one capsule 124 containing a flavour substance. In one embodiment, the first support member 116 defines a continuous loop of a wall made of rigid material. The capsule 124 at each first support member 116 comprises same flavour. In another embodiment, the capsule 124 at each first support member 116 comprises different flavour.

[0026] The base member 114 further comprises a plurality of apertures 120. The base member 114 further comprises one or more leg members 122 extend from a periphery of the basemember 114.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the holder member 112 supporting the capsule 124 is attached to the cap body 102. The cap body 102 further comprises a second support member 126. The second support member 126 extends from the interior surface of the base wall 104 and is perpendicular to the base wall 104. In one embodiment, the second support member 126 defines a continuous loop of a wall made of rigid material. Further, a diameter of the second support member 126 is lesser than a diameter of the cap body 102 to form a space 128 between the second support member 126 and the sidewall 106 of the cap body 102. The space 128 is configured to receive a neck of container 138 to fasten the cap body 102 to container 138.

[0028] Further, the leg members 122 extend from a periphery of the base member 114 and fastened to the second support member 126. The base member 114 has a diameter less than the diameter of the second support member 126, so as to enable the holder member 112 to fit within the second support member 126. The holder member 112 is shaped to lie within the second support member 126 without obstruction of space 128. As the diameter of the base member 114 is less than the diameter of the second support member 126, the holder member 112 could lie within the second support member 126. Further, the dimensions of the holder member 112 facilitate the holder member 112 to lie within the second support member 126 without obstruction of space 128 that receives the neck of the container 138.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, further, the portion of base wall 104 that corresponds to the base member 114 has a raised configuration (also referred as elevated portion 132) with respect to a rest of a portion of the base wall 104. The cap 100 further comprises one or more pressable members 130 configured at the base wall 104. Each pressable member 130 is disposed linear to at least one first support member 116. Each pressable member 130 is configured to push and press the capsule 124 against the spike members 118 to perforate the capsule 124 and release the flavour substance. The pressable member 130 is made of a flexible polymer, integrally formed at the base wall 104 at the elevated portion 132. In one embodiment, the pressable member 130 has a dome shaped configuration. The pressable member 130 is configured to depress or to press down for a predefined height, which enables the pressable member 130 to contact and push the capsule 124 against spike member 118 to perforate the capsule 124 and release the flavour substance.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 5, the cap 100 having the capsule 124 with the flavour substance is fixed to the container 138. The pressable member 130 could be pressed to squeeze the capsule124 against the spike members 118 to perforate the capsule 124 and release the flavour substance. The apertures 120 at the base member 114 enable easy passage of flavour substance released from the capsule 124.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the cap 100 comprises the cap body 102 having the base wall 104 and the sidewall 106. The sidewall 106 extends from the periphery of the base wall 104 defining the interior space 108 and the opening 110. The cap 100 further comprises the elevated portion 132 having at least two pressable members 130.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the cap body 102 further comprises the second support member 126. The second support member 126 extends from the interior surface of the base wall 104 and is perpendicular to the base wall 104. Further, the diameter of the second support member 126 is lesser than the diameter of the cap body 102 to form the space 128 between the second support member 126 and the sidewall 106 of the cap body 102. The space 128 is configured to receive the neck of container 138 to fasten the cap body 102 to the container 138. Further, two capsules 124 are disposed in contact with each pressable member 130.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 9, the holder member 112 comprises a base member 114, at least two first support members 116, and one or more spike members 118. The first support members 116 extend from the base member 114 towards the base wall 104. The holder member 112 further comprises a divider plate 134 extending between the first support members 116.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 7 to FIG. 10, the spike members 118 extend at an angle from the base member 114, the divider plate 134, and the second support member 126 towards the first support member 116. Each first support member 116 is configured to support at least one capsule 124 containing a flavour substance. According to this embodiment, two capsules 124 are supported by two first support members 116, respectively.

[0035] The base member 114 further comprises the plurality of apertures 120. The base member 114 further comprises one or more leg members 122 extend from a periphery of the base member 114. Further, the leg members 122 extend from the periphery of the base member 114 and fastened to the second support member 126. The base member 114 has the diameter less than the diameter of the second support member 126, so as to enable the holder member 112 to fit within the second support member 126. The holder member 112 is shaped to lie within the second support member 126 without obstruction of space 128.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 2, the second support member 126 comprises a plurality of notches 136 at a free end portion. The arrangement of the leg members 122 on the base member 114 is complementary to the arrangement of the notches 136 to enable the respective leg member 122 to receive within the respective notches 136 for fastening the leg members 122 to the second support member 126. In one embodiment, the leg members 122 are locked at the notches 136 via a push lock mechanism.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 7 to FIG. 10, the cap 100 further comprises at least two pressable members 130 configured at the base wall 104. Each pressable member 130 is disposed linear to at least one first support member 116. Each pressable member 130 is configured to push and press the capsule 124 against the spike members 118 to perforate the capsule 124 and release the flavour substance. The pressable member 130 is made of a flexible polymer, integrally formed at the base wall 104 at the elevated portion 132. The pressable member 130 is configured to depress for a predefined height, which enables the pressable member 130 to contact and push the capsule 124 against spike members 118 to perforate the capsule 124 and release the flavour substance. In one embodiment, the spike members 118 are bend-resistant and could withstand the pressure of the capsule 124. In an embodiment, the spike members 118 are made of polymer material. According to this embodiment, the two capsules 124 could have different flavours.

[0038] The pressable member 130 is formed using heat and a ball-like stamp, which creates a dome (push button / pressable member 130). Due to the heat, the plastic material of the pressable member 130 expands, and becomes thinner and more flexible than the rest of the cap 100. The present invention is cheap in production because of the slight modification to existing caps by adding only the holder member 112 where the capsule 124 is placed and forming push buttons on top.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, the cap 100 comprises a plurality of screw threads 140 extending along a length of the interior side of the sidewall 106. The threads 140 are configured to fasten the cap 100 to the container 138. In another embodiment, the cap 100 could be configured with any other locking mechanism to lock with the container 138.

[0040] Advantageously, the cap 100 could be fixed to the container 138 having drinks, for example, sodas or drinking water, which offers a unique way for customers to enhance the beverage. The cap 100 could modify a standard bottled drink by simply pushing on top of the cap 100 having the pressable member 130. The cap 100 eliminates the need to manufacturedifferent flavoured drinks and saves costs. The cap 100 is both cost-efficient and provides a playful experience for customers. For instance, if not used with a soda, the cap 100 could be attached to a drinking water bottle to add flavour to the water. Further, the pressable member 130 enables to easily dispense the flavour and the consumer does not need to touch the capsule 124, directly.

[0041] Although the features, functions, components, and parts have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.

[0042] Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure set forth herein will be apparent having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific implementations disclosed and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 21 March 20241. A cap for a container, comprising: a cap body having a base wall and a sidewall extending from a periphery of the base wall defining an interior space and an opening; a holder member disposed at the interior space, wherein the holder member comprises a base member, one or more first support members extend from the base member towards the base wall and one or more spike members extend at an angle from the base member and towards the first support member, wherein each first support member is configured to support at least one capsule containing a flavour substance, and one or more pressable members configured at the base wall, wherein one or more pressable members is disposed linear to at least one first support member, wherein one or more pressable members is configured to push the capsule against one or more spike members to perforate the capsule and release the flavour substance.

2. The cap of claim 1 , further comprises a plurality of screw threads extend along a length of an interior side of the sidewall, wherein the plurality of screw threads enable to fasten the cap to the container.

3. The cap of claim 1, wherein the first support member defines a continuous loop of wall made of rigid polymer material.

4. The cap of claim 1 , wherein the pressable member is made of flexible polymer made of, and wherein the pressable member is integrally formed at the base wall.

5. The cap of claim 4, wherein the pressable member is configured to depress for a predefined height, which enables the pressable member to contact and push the capsule against one or more spike members to perforate the capsule and release the flavour substance.

6. The cap of claim 1 , further comprises a second support member extending from the interior surface of the base wall and perpendicular to the base wall, wherein the second support member defines a continuous loop of wall made of rigid material, wherein a diameter of thesecond support member is lesser than a diameter of the cap body to form a space between the second support member and the sidewall of the cap body.

7. The cap of claim 6, wherein the space is configured to receive a neck of the container to fasten the cap body to the container.

8. The cap of claim 1 or 6, wherein the base member has a diameter less than the diameter of the second support member, and wherein the base member comprises one or more leg members extend from a periphery of the base member and fastened to the second support member.

9. The cap of claim 1 or 6, wherein the holder member is shaped to he within the second support member without obstruction of the space that receives the neck of the container.

10. The cap of claim 1, further comprises a divider plate disposed between at least two first support members, wherein the divider plate extends from the base member towards the base wall.

11. The cap of claim 10, further comprises one or more spike members extending from the second support member towards the first support member.

12. The cap of claim 10, further comprises one or more spike members extending from the divider plate towards the first support member.

13. The cap of claim 1, wherein the base member further comprises a plurality of apertures.

14. The cap of claim 8, wherein the second support member comprises a plurality of notches at a free end portion.

15. The cap of claim 14, wherein an arrangement of the leg members on the base member is complementary to the arrangement of the notches to enable the respective leg member to receive within the respective notches, and wherein the leg members are locked at the notches via a push lock mechanism.

16. The cap of claim 1, wherein the capsule at one or more first support members comprises same flavour.

17. The cap of claim 1, wherein the capsule at one or more first support members comprises different flavour.

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