Method and apparatus for adding an aroma to a beverage container

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for releasing an aroma from a beverage container to enforce or compliment the aroma of the beverage inside the container are disclosed herein. In a general embodiment, a beverage container ( 2 ) includes a pull tab ( 8 ) and a substance ( 20 ) applied to the pull tab. The substance includes a micro-encapsulated aroma. The micro encapsulated aroma can be released by applying a frictional force to the portion of the pull tab with the substance applied.

1 . A beverage container, comprising:
 a pull tab; and   a substance applied to the pull tab, the substance including a micro-encapsulated aroma that is released upon the application of friction.   
     
     
         2 . The beverage container of  claim 1 , wherein the substance is applied to a top surface of the pull tab. 
     
     
         3 . The beverage container of  claim 1 , wherein the substance is transparent. 
     
     
         4 . The beverage container of  claim 1 , wherein the substance includes a colored dye. 
     
     
         5 . The beverage container of  claim 4 , wherein the colored dye marks designates a specific aroma. 
     
     
         6 . The beverage container of  claim 1 , wherein the substance is applied to the pull tab by spraying the substance onto the pull tab. 
     
     
         7 . The beverage container of  claim 1 , further including an aroma release element. 
     
     
         8 . A method of manufacturing a beverage container, comprising:
 providing a beverage container that upon moving a pull tab from a first position to a second position releases an aroma.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further including applying a substance to a surface of the pull tab, the substance including a micro-encapsulated aroma that is released upon the application of friction. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further including coloring the substance with a colored dye. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein applying the substance to the surface of the pull tab includes spraying the substance onto the pull tab. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further including attaching the pull tab to the beverage container using a rivet. 
     
     
         13 . A method of manufacturing a plurality of beverage containers, comprising:
 applying a first substance to a first plurality of pull tabs, the first substance including a first micro-encapsulated aroma that is released upon the application of friction;   applying a second substance to a second plurality of pull tabs, the second substance including a second micro-encapsulated aroma that is released upon the application of friction;   attaching each of the first plurality of pull tabs to each of a first plurality of beverage containers; and   attaching each of the second plurality of pull tabs to each of a second plurality of beverage containers.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , including filling the first plurality of beverage containers and the second plurality of beverage containers with a beverage. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , including coloring the first substance with a first colored dye and coloring the second substance with a second colored dye. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , including at least one step selected from the group consisting of: (i) coloring the first plurality of pull tabs with a first color and coloring the second plurality of pull tabs with a second color; and (ii) coloring the first plurality of beverage containers with a first color and coloring the second plurality of beverage containers with a second color. 
     
     
         17 . A method of releasing an aroma from a beverage container, comprising:
 applying a substance to a surface of a pull tab, the substance including a micro-encapsulated aroma that is released upon the application of friction;   opening the beverage container using the pull tab; and   applying a frictional force to the surface of the pull tab to release the micro-encapsulated aroma.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , including applying the frictional force with a consumer's fingers. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , including applying the frictional force with an aroma release element. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , including applying the frictional force while opening the beverage container.