Portable system for dispensing controlled quantities of additives into a beverage

Abstract

A portable, self-contained beverage apparatus includes a container assembly having a known storage capacity for storing a consumable liquid, and a dispensing assembly disposed within the container assembly that dispenses variable, non-zero quantities of additives into the consumable liquid. The dispensing assembly includes multiple apertures structured and arranged to retain vessels containing the additives to be dispensed into the consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus also includes a level sensor disposed within the container assembly that determines a consumable liquid level of the consumable liquid stored in the container assembly. In certain embodiments, one or more positive displacement pumping mechanisms are configured to pump additive liquid from additive containers into a beverage chamber. Other features relate to audio engagement processing. Other features relate to situational processing. Other features relate to group engagement processing.

1 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A portable system for forming a beverage comprising:
 a base liquid container for containing base liquid;   a receptacle configured to receive an additive vessel containing additive; and   a user-actuated pressure applicator adapted to apply pressure to the additive received by the receptacle, wherein additive is dispensed from the additive vessel into the base liquid container in response to applied pressure.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising the additive vessel received in the receptacle. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the additive vessel comprises a nozzle assembly adapted to interface with the receptacle. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the additive vessel includes a cylindrical housing extending around a volume of additive, and the portable system further comprising a wall between the cylindrical housing and a volume for containing base liquid. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein an outlet of the additive vessel is configured to dispense additive along an axis parallel to a central axis of the base liquid container. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the additive vessel is offset from the central axis. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , comprising at least two additive vessels offset from the central axis and arranged symmetrically about the central axis. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the receptacle is configured to support the additive vessel in an upward orientation such that an outlet of the additive vessel faces upwards. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising a lid having a cap with a hinged connection to the lid. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the lid has an interior lid space configured such that additive dispensed from the additive vessel received by the receptacle moves through the interior lid space into the base liquid container. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the receptacle is configured to receive the additive vessel via a press-fit connection. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the portable system is configured to mix additive with the base liquid in the base liquid container to form the beverage. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the base liquid container includes a volume for containing base liquid, and wherein a portion of the volume for containing base liquid extends above the additive vessel between the additive vessel and an outlet of the base liquid volume. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the user-actuated pressure applicator includes a ratcheting mechanism. 
     
     
         34 . A portable system for forming a beverage comprising:
 a base liquid container for containing base liquid;   an additive vessel;   a receptacle configured to receive the additive vessel, the receptacle having an aperture for receiving the additive vessel configured to receive the additive vessel in a predetermined orientation; and   a wall positioned between a portion of the base liquid container and the receptacle having an outlet port through which additive is dispensed from the additive vessel into the base liquid container.   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the additive vessel includes a nozzle assembly adapted to interface with the aperture of the receptacle. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the additive vessel received in the orientation is constrained in all but one axis such that an input force operating on the additive vessel is operative to dispense additive from the additive vessel. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the receptacle is configured to support the additive vessel in an upward orientation such that an outlet of the additive vessel faces upwards. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 34 , further comprising a lid configured to cover the base liquid container, the lid having a cap with a hinged connection to the lid. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the receptacle is configured to receive the additive vessel via a press-fit connection. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the base liquid container includes a volume for containing base liquid, and wherein a portion of the volume for containing base liquid extends above the additive vessel between the additive vessel and an outlet of the base liquid volume. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein an outlet of the additive vessel is configured to dispense additive along an axis parallel to a central axis of the base liquid container. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the additive vessel is offset from the central axis. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , comprising at least two additive vessels offset from the central axis and arranged symmetrically about the central axis. 
     
     
         44 . A beverage system comprising:
 a vessel defining at least one longitudinal channel;   a cartridge assembly engaged with said longitudinal channel, said cartridge assembly including an elongated cartridge housing and an openable and closable door having a viewing window; and   a cartridge including a volume of concentrated matter, said cartridge engageable with said cartridge housing wherein said cartridge is viewable through said viewing window when said door is closed.   
     
     
         45 . The beverage system of  claim 44 , wherein said concentrated matter is a flavor concentrate. 
     
     
         46 . The beverage system of  claim 44 , wherein said cartridge assembly includes a sliding member for actuating the release of aliquots of said concentrated matter. 
     
     
         47 . The beverage system of  claim 46 , wherein said door defines a sliding member aperture, said sliding member accessible through said sliding member aperture when said door is in closed position. 
     
     
         48 . The beverage system of  claim 44 , wherein said vessel includes a chamber for storing a liquid diluent. 
     
     
         49 . The beverage system of  claim 48 , wherein said concentrated matter is incrementally dispensed into said chamber.