Additive storage and selective release apparatus

Abstract

The desires of consumers and those of drink manufacturers are not always the same. On the one hand, it can be more economical for manufacturers to provide flavoring agents and drink mixes in powdered and/or concentrated forms. On the other hand, consumers have grown accustom to purchasing ready-made drink products that do not require further mixing before consumption. Provided by aspects of the present invention are apparatus for storing and selectively releasing additives into liquids such as, for example, water and coffee. In accordance with some embodiments of the invention an apparatus for storing and selectively releasing additives is incorporated into a bottle-cap. In accordance with other embodiments an apparatus for storing and selectively releasing additives is incorporated into another portion of a vessel/container, such as for example, a sleeve that is fitted around a sidewall of a specific vessel.

1 . An apparatus for storing and selectively releasing additives to a container, the apparatus comprising:
 a body defining at least one reservoir, the body further having at least one panel displaceable from a sealed position to a ruptured position so as to provide at least one access opening to the reservoirs;   at least one actuator adapted to engage the panel and displace the panel from the sealed position to the ruptured position.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cam element provided on the panel, and wherein the actuator engages the cam element to displace the panel. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is collapsible. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the cam element extends into the reservoir. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator is arranged to crush the collapsible body of the at least one reservoir. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one actuator has a lobe element for engaging the cam element. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the panel is defined by lines of weakness around the perimeter of the panel. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  integrated into a cap for a bottle, wherein the cap comprises:
 a base portion that includes a cylindrical sidewall, a number of spaced-apart upwardly extending wall segments provided as extensions to the cylindrical sidewall, and a generally planar seal panel extends over the circular opening defined by the cylindrical sidewall to abut the upper lip of the bottle opening when assembled thereon; and   a reservoir portion having a generally annular frame sized to be sealed against the upper peripheral surface of the seal panel of the base portion, and a number of collapsible reservoirs for storing respective additives, wherein each of the collapsible reservoirs extends radially inwardly from the frame and is disposed over a respective one of the panels.   
   
   
       9 . An apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the seal panel has a plurality of panels, each defined by lines of weakness. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the lines of weakness are provided on the upper surface of the seal panel. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the lines of weakness are provided on the lower surface of the seal panel. 
   
   
       12 . An apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the reservoir portion further comprises a number of actuators in the form of lever-shaped elements extending upright from the frame, and wherein the actuators are arranged to fit in the gaps between the upwardly extending wall segments and are connected to the frame by a lower hinge line. 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the base portion further comprises a number of actuators in the form of lever-shaped elements extending upright from the base portion, and wherein the actuators are arranged to fit in the gaps between the upwardly extending wall segments and are connected to the base portion by a lower hinge line. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  integrated into a sleeve for a vessel, wherein the sleeve comprises the at least one reservoir defined by a collapsible body and a panel, wherein the panel is defined by lines of weakness and includes a cam element extending into the reservoir; the at least one actuator arranged to crush the collapsible body of the at least one reservoir, and the at least one actuator has a lobe element for engaging the cam element of the panel. 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for storing and selectively releasing additives to a container, the apparatus comprising:
 a body defining at least one reservoir, the reservoir having an access opening;   a panel sealingly fastened over the access opening of the reservoir;   at least one actuator adapted to exert a force on the panel sufficient to separate the panel from the access opening of the reservoir.   
   
   
       16 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the reservoir is collapsible. 
   
   
       17 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the at least one actuator is arranged to crush the collapsible body of the at least one reservoir. 
   
   
       18 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the at least one actuator has a lobe element adapted to crush the collapsible body. 
   
   
       19 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the panel is sealingly fastened over the access opening. 
   
   
       20 . An apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the panel is a sealing film. 
   
   
       21 . A kit of parts comprising:
 a base portion including at least one panel, wherein the panel includes a cam element;   a reservoir portion including at least one reservoir, wherein the reservoir has an open end that is sized to create a seal around a corresponding panel on the base portion; and   at least one actuator connectable to one of the base portion or the reservoir portion, the at least one actuator having a lobe element for engaging the cam element of the panel.   
   
   
       22 . A kit of parts according to  claim 21 , further comprising an additive to be stored in the at least one reservoir. 
   
   
       23 . A kit of parts according to  claim 21 , wherein the base portion is integral with a bottle-cap. 
   
   
       24 . A kit of parts according to  claim 21 , wherein the base portion is integral with a sealing lid for a vessel. 
   
   
       25 . A kit of parts according to  claim 21 , wherein the base portion is integral with a sleeve sized to sealingly fit around a vessel. 
   
   
       26 . A kit of parts according to  claim 21 , further comprising a vessel having at least one opening in a position corresponding to the placement of the panel on the base portion. 
   
   
       27 . A kit of parts comprising:
 an apparatus for storing and selectively releasing additives, the apparatus including at least one body defining at least one reservoir, the body further having at least one panel displaceable from a sealed position to a ruptured position so as to provide at least one access opening to the reservoir, and at least one actuator adapted to engage the panel to displace the panel from the sealed position to the ruptured position; and   
     at least one vessel, the vessel adapted to receive the apparatus for storing and selectively releasing additives.