Device and system for additive dispensing

Abstract

This disclosure includes techniques, apparatuses, and implementations for providing a beverage additive and mixing device compatible with standard pre-packaged beverage containers, such as cans, plastic bottles, or glass bottles. For example, in one implementation, the beverage additive and mixing device may be configured to releasably couple with an open beverage container. Once coupled the beverage additive and mixing device may be used to dispense pre-configured amounts of additives, such as a flavor, national supplements, or sweeteners, into the open beverage container.

1 . A device comprising:
 a dispensing cover; and   an additive cartridge including:
 a mating member, the mating member configured to releasably couple the device to a beverage container; 
 an additive chamber housing including at least one additive; and 
 a nozzle for directing the additive into an opening of the beverage container when the device is coupled to the beverage container; and 
   wherein the dispensing cover includes:
 a locking mechanism to releasably couple the dispensing cover to the additive cartridge; and 
 an input device to cause the at least one additive to be dispensed into the beverage container via the nozzle in response to a user input. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the device is substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
         3 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein when the additive cartridge is coupled to the dispensing cover, a passage is formed having at least a first portion of an interior wall formed by the additive cartridge and at least a second portion of the wall formed by the dispensing cover, the passage to allow a user to consume the beverage within the beverage container through the device. 
     
     
         4 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the additive cartridge includes a cover operable to receive additional additive. 
     
     
         5 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the additive chamber includes a valve along a bottom surface of the additive chamber and a contact surface along a top surface of the additive chamber; and   the user interface configured to cause a contact along the contact surface and in response to the contact on the contact surface, open the valve.   
     
     
         6 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the mating member is removable from the additive cartridge. 
     
     
         7 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a pre-determined amount of additive is dispensed in response to the user input. 
     
     
         8 . A device comprising:
 a mating member to releasably couple the device to a beverage container;   an additive chamber for housing an additive;   a dispensing nozzle configured to align with an opening of the beverage container when the device is coupled to the beverage container; and   an activatable user interface to cause the additive to be dispensed into the beverage container via the dispensing nozzle when depressed.   
     
     
         9 . The device as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the mating member includes a silicone or rubber portion and a grooved portion. 
     
     
         10 . The device as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising an alignment assistance component to assist with aligning the opening of the beverage container with an opening of the dispensing nozzle. 
     
     
         11 . The device as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a first opening along a bottom surface of the device, the first opening to align with the opening in the beverage container;   a second opening along a top surface of the device, the second opening aligned with the first opening; and   a passage between the first opening and the second opening.   
     
     
         12 . The device as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the device is formed from a dispensing cover releasably coupled to an additive chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The device as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the device is formed from an additive cartridge releasably coupled to a dispensing cover and the mating member. 
     
     
         14 . A device comprising:
 a mating member, the mating member configured to releasably couple the additive cartridge to a beverage container;   a locking mechanism to releasably couple the additive cartridge to a dispensing cover;   an additive chamber housing at least one additive;   a valve to open and close the additive chamber; and   a nozzle for directing the additive from the additive chamber into an opening of the beverage container when the valve is open.   
     
     
         15 . The device as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the additive chamber includes two compartments, each compartment housing a different additive. 
     
     
         16 . The device as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the at least one additive includes at least one of:
 a flavor;   a nonritual supplement;   carbonation;   sweeteners; or   alcohol.   
     
     
         17 . The device as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a viewing window along a side of the device, the viewing window allowing a user to see into the additive chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The device as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a first viewing window along a first side of the device and a second viewing window on a second side of the device, the second side opposite the first side, the first viewing window and the second viewing window allowing a user to see into the additive chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The device as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a second locking mechanism to assist the first locking mechanism in coupling the device to the dispensing cover. 
     
     
         20 . The device as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the mating member is releasable form the device.