Methods and apparatus for providing edible substances with a beverage

Abstract

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods having a plurality for chambers for storing edible substances. More particularly, the present invention relates to container caps, storage units, kits, and methods for sealing and isolating a plurality of edible substances.

1 . A container cap comprising:
 (a) an exterior wall defining an interior volume and an opening;   (b) at least one interior wall surrounded by the exterior wall that divides the interior volume into a plurality of chambers;   (c) a removable cover engaged with the exterior wall and the at least one interior wall so as to seal and isolate each of the plurality of chambers; and   (d) a connector adapted for connecting the cap to an opening of a beverage container.   
   
   
       2 . The container cap of  claim 1  wherein the connector comprises an opening having an inner wall, and the inner wall comprises a threaded portion. 
   
   
       3 . The container cap of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of chambers is hermetically sealed by the removable cover. 
   
   
       4 . The container cap of  claim 1  wherein the cover is peelably removable from the exterior wall. 
   
   
       5 . A beverage assembly comprising the container cap of claim I and a beverage container, wherein the cap is connected to an opening of the beverage container, and the beverage container contains a liquid. 
   
   
       6 . A storage unit comprising:
 (a) an exterior wall defining an interior volume and an opening;   (b) at least one interior wall surrounded by the exterior wall that divides the interior volume into a plurality of chambers;   (c) a removable cover engaged with the exterior wall and the at least one interior wall so as to seal and isolate each of the plurality of chambers; and   (d) a connector adapted for connecting the storage unit to a beverage container.   
   
   
       7 . The storage unit of  claim 6  wherein the connector comprises a tabbed protrusion for connecting to a beverage container via a snap-fit connection. 
   
   
       8 . The storage unit of  claim 6  wherein each of the plurality of chambers is hermetically sealed by the removable cover. 
   
   
       9 . The storage unit of  claim 6  wherein the cover is peelably removable from the exterior wall. 
   
   
       10 . The storage unit of  claim 6  wherein the seal formed between the cover and the storage unit is tamper evident. 
   
   
       11 . A beverage assembly comprising the storage unit of  claim 6  and a beverage container, wherein the attachment is connected to the interior or exterior of the beverage container, the beverage container contains a liquid, and the storage unit does not serve as the cap for the beverage connector. 
   
   
       12 . A kit for providing a plurality of isolated edible substances with a beverage, the kit comprising:
 (1) a storage unit comprising:
 (a) an exterior wall defining an interior volume and an opening; 
 (b) at least one interior wall surrounded by the exterior wall that divides the interior volume into a plurality of chambers; 
 (c) a removable cover engaged with the exterior wall and the at least one interior wall so as to seal and isolate each of the plurality of chambers, such that the first edible substance is isolated from the second edible substance; and 
 (d) a connector adapted for connecting the storage unit to a beverage container; and 
   (2) a first edible substance stored within at least one of the chambers of the storage unit;   (3) a second edible substance stored within at least one of the chambers of the storage unit, provided that the second edible substance is in a different chamber than the first edible substance.   
   
   
       13 . The kit of  claim 12  wherein the removable cover is peelably removable. 
   
   
       14 . The kit of  claim 12  wherein the first edible substance and the second edible substance have a synergistic effect when consumed at substantially the same time. 
   
   
       15 . The kit of  claim 12  further comprising a beverage container containing a liquid, wherein the connector of the storage unit is connected to an opening of the beverage container, and
 the connector forms a liquid tight seal with the opening of the beverage container.   
   
   
       16 . The kit of  claim 15  wherein the seal formed between the connector and the beverage container is tamper evident. 
   
   
       17 . The kit of  claim 15  wherein the liquid provided in the beverage container and one or both of the first and second edible substances have a synergistic effect when consumed at substantially the same time. 
   
   
       18 . The kit of  claim 15  wherein the storage chamber is at least partially disposed within an interior volume of the beverage container. 
   
   
       19 . The kit of  claim 12  further comprising a beverage container containing a liquid, wherein the connector of the storage unit is connected to a connector portion of the beverage container. 
   
   
       20 . The kit of  claim 19  wherein the storage unit is connected to a recessed portion on the outside of the beverage container. 
   
   
       21 . The kit of  claim 20  wherein the storage unit is connected to the bottom of the beverage container. 
   
   
       22 . The kit of  claim 19  wherein the liquid provided in the beverage container and one or both of the first and second edible substances have a synergistic effect when consumed at substantially the same time. 
   
   
       23 . The kit of  claim 19  wherein the storage unit is at least partially disposed within an interior volume of the beverage container. 
   
   
       24 . The kit of  claim 19  wherein the storage unit is permanently affixed to the beverage container. 
   
   
       25 . The kit of  claim 13  wherein the first edible substance and the second edible substance are unstable when in physical contact. 
   
   
       26 . The kit of  claim 13  wherein the first edible substance is a liquid. 
   
   
       27 . The kit of  claim 13  wherein the first edible substance is a solid selected from the group consisting of powders and granules. 
   
   
       28 . The kit of  claim 13  wherein each of the isolated chambers is hermetically sealed. 
   
   
       29 . A method for providing a plurality of edible substances with a beverage, the method comprising:
 (a) disposing a plurality of edible substances in a plurality of isolated chambers within a storage unit, wherein at least one edible substance is isolated from all other edible substances;   (b) sealing the storage unit by placing a removable cover over an opening on the storage unit to close the storage unit and form a seal between each of the plurality of isolated chambers;   (c) physically connecting the storage unit to a beverage container;   wherein the container comprising a plurality of edible substances and the beverage container are provided as a single unit.   
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the storage unit is a container cap, and the container cap is physically connected to an opening on the beverage container so as to form a liquid impermeable seal between the container cap and the beverage container. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30  further comprising forming a tamper evident connection between the container cap and the beverage container. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the storage unit is physically connected to an external surface of the beverage container. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the storage unit is physically connected to a recessed portion on the outside of the beverage container. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the storage unit is attached to a connector located inside the beverage container. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 29  wherein at least two edible substances disposed in the isolated chambers have a synergistic effect when consumed at substantially the same time.