Methods and apparatus for providing edible substances with a beverage

Abstract

The present technology relates to apparatus and methods having a plurality for chambers for storing edible substances. More particularly, the present technology relates to container caps, storage units, kits, and methods for sealing and isolating a plurality of edible substances. Certain embodiments present storage units comprising a plurality of sealed and isolated substances that connect to the cap of a beverage container using a snap-fit or a friction fit connection.

1 . 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 about the cap of 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.   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the first edible substance and the second edible substance have a synergistic effect when consumed at substantially the same time. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the storage unit comprises an interior void, wherein the void receives the cap of a beverage container when the kit is connected to the beverage container. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the connector forms a snap-fit connection about the cap of a beverage container. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 4 , wherein the connector is adapted to connect to a protrusion on the neck of the beverage container such that, when connected to the beverage container, the kit surrounds the cap of the beverage container. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the connector forms a friction-fit connection with the cap of the beverage container. 
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the seal formed between the removable cover and the exterior wall of the storage unit is tamper evident. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 7  wherein the removable cover is peelably removable. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 1  further comprising a beverage container containing a liquid, wherein the connector of the storage unit is connected to the beverage container at the cap of the beverage container. 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 9  wherein the liquid provided in the beverage container and at least one of the first and second edible substances have a synergistic effect when consumed at substantially the same time. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the first edible substance and the second edible substance undergo at least one of a chemical or physical change when the first and second edible substances are in physical contact. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first edible substance and the second edible substance has a reduced shelf life when the first and second edible substances are in physical contact. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the first edible substance is a liquid. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the first edible substance is a solid selected from the group consisting of powders and granules. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein each of the isolated chambers is hermetically sealed. 
     
     
         16 . 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) providing a connector adapted for attaching the storage unit about the cap of a beverage container.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising forming a tamper evident connection between the container cap and the beverage container. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing a void in the storage unit, wherein the void is adapted to fit around the cap of a beverage container. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising connecting the storage unit to a beverage container by placing the cap of the beverage container into the void of the storage unit. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising pressing on the storage unit to establish a snap-fit connection with the beverage container. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising pressing on the storage unit to establish a friction-fit connection with the beverage container.