Multi-purpose cap for drink containers

Abstract

The present invention provides a multi-purpose cap for drink containers to facilitate mixing an additive with a liquid such as water. The cap includes a chamber for housing the additive and a mouthpiece from which the liquid can be consumed. The cap is preferably configured to mate with the mouth of a standard water bottle. In some examples of the invention, twisting a mouthpiece in a first direction urges a plunger downward and against a seal, breaking the seal to spill the contents of the chamber into the water. Openings in a housing forming the chamber allow water to flow through the mouthpiece even while the additive remains sealed within the chamber.

1 . A cap for a container holding a liquid, the cap comprising:
 a screw cap having internal threads and configured to mate with corresponding external threads provided on the container;   a mouthpiece formed on the screw cap, the mouthpiece having an opening in fluid communication with the liquid within the container;   a stopper coupled to the opening in the mouthpiece and adapted to selectively block or open the opening in the mouthpiece;   a housing extending downward from the screw cap, the housing forming a chamber containing an additive to be combined with the liquid, the chamber having an opening and a seal covering the opening such that the chamber is enclosed to prevent liquid from entering the chamber, the housing further having at least one passage formed on the housing to provide a path of fluid travel in which the liquid within the container may travel through the passage and out the opening in the mouthpiece; and   a plunger attached to the cap and configured within the housing, the plunger being operable by a user to open the seal, whereby the chamber and the container are in fluid communication such that the additive and the liquid may be mixed.   
   
   
       2 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the plunger further comprises an upper seal defining an upper end of the chamber and a tongue extending downward from the upper seal and into the chamber. 
   
   
       3 . The cap of  claim 2 , further comprising a screw attached to the cap and a stem secured between the screw and the upper seal, whereby rotation of the screw causes the stem and tongue to move in a direction toward the seal. 
   
   
       4 . The cap of  claim 3 , wherein the mouthpiece is rotatably attached to the screw cap such that rotation of the mouthpiece in a first direction causes the screw to rotate and rotation of the mouthpiece in a second direction causes the stopper to open the opening in the mouthpiece. 
   
   
       5 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the seal is formed from a metal foil. 
   
   
       6 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the seal is adhered to an opening in the housing. 
   
   
       7 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the additive is a powdered supplement and the liquid is water. 
   
   
       8 . A covering for a container holding a liquid, the covering comprising:
 a cap configured to mate with an opening on the container in order to provide a water-tight seal over the opening;   a mouthpiece attached to the cap, the mouthpiece having an opening in fluid communication with the liquid within the container;   a stopper positioned in a fluid path between an interior of the container and the opening in the mouthpiece and adapted to selectively block or allow the flow of liquid through the opening in the mouthpiece;   a housing extending downward from the covering, the housing forming a chamber containing an additive to be combined with the liquid, the chamber having an opening and a seal covering the opening such that the chamber is enclosed to prevent liquid from entering the chamber, the housing further being attached to the covering such that, external to the chamber, there is at least one path of fluid travel from the interior of the container through the opening in the mouthpiece; and   a piston attached to the covering and extending downward, the piston being operable by a user to open the seal, whereby the chamber and the container are in fluid communication such that the additive and the liquid may be mixed.   
   
   
       9 . The cap of  claim 8 , wherein the plunger further comprises an upper seal defining an upper end of the chamber and a tongue extending downward from the upper seal and into the chamber. 
   
   
       10 . The cap of  claim 9 , further comprising a screw attached to the cap and a stem secured between the screw and the upper seal, whereby rotation of the screw causes the stem and tongue to move in a direction toward the seal. 
   
   
       11 . The cap of  claim 10 , wherein the mouthpiece is rotatably attached to the screw cap such that rotation of the mouthpiece in a first direction causes the screw to rotate and rotation of the mouthpiece in a second direction causes the stopper to open the opening in the mouthpiece. 
   
   
       12 . The cap of  claim 8 , wherein the seal is formed from a metal foil. 
   
   
       13 . The cap of  claim 8 , wherein the seal is adhered to an opening in the housing. 
   
   
       14 . The cap of  claim 8 , wherein the additive is a powdered supplement and the liquid is water. 
   
   
       15 . The cap of  claim 8 , wherein the additive is a nutritional supplement and the liquid is water. 
   
   
       16 . The cap of  claim 8 , wherein the additive is a flavoring and the liquid is water. 
   
   
       17 . The cap of  claim 8 , wherein the additive is a tablet and the liquid is water.