Systems and Methods for Selectively Adding Additional Ingredients Through a Secondary Compartment to a Liquid Beverage

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Prov. Pat. App. Ser. No. 63/701,265, filed Apr. 11, 2024, and U.S. Prov. Pat. App. Ser. No. 63/632,841, filed Sep. 30, 2024. The provisional patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety herein, including without limitation: the specification, claims, and abstract, as well as any figures, tables, appendices, or drawings thereof.

The present disclosure relates generally to being able to selectively add additional ingredients to a fluid in a container, and more particularly to doing so for a beverage in a can.

The background description provided herein gives context for the present disclosure. The work of the presently named inventors, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art.

An exceptionally large number of aluminum containers, e.g., cans, used for beverages such as beer, soda, energy, flavored and unflavored water, and coffee drinks are produced in the United States as well as Canada, Australia, Europe, Asia, and South America each year. It has been estimated that the output of aluminum beverage containers (which may also be referred to herein as “cans” for simplicity) in the U.S. amounts to more than one hundred billion cans per year. Beverage containers of numerous sizes and shapes, have been known for many years in the consumption of drinks such as soda, beer, energy drinks, water, and juice. One of the most common beverage cans currently used by manufacturers is a twelve-ounce cylindrical can with a “stay-on pull tab” opening. Other popular can sizes range from 200 to 500-milliliter liquid capacities and may go by industry terms such as “slim,” “sleek,” and “standard,” with varying-sized openings, and lid diameters from 200 to 211 millimeters or greater.

The container provides convenient and sanitary access to our most popular beverages and involves numerous steps. An example of a canis shown in. The process of producing a canincludes the assembly of a bottom portion, e.g., dome bottom of a can, as well as a top portionof a container, known in the industry as the “end”of the can, and may be referred to herein as the “lid.”

Typically, when forming sidewallsof the container, e.g., can body,, first a press punches out a cup, and then through a drawing process, the containersare ironed out and the bottom portionis pressed into the sidewalls of the container. As the containerbegins to take shape, it is trimmed to the desired length, cleaned with a washing fluid, printed packaging information, a bottom varnish is applied, and the cansare baked. After the exterior paint and varnish dries, a compounded coating agent is sprayed on the inside of the can, which makes contact with the beverage and the cansare baked once again. Finally, the cansare necked where their diameter is reduced to fit a designated end size.

A typical process of forming the top portionfollows: first, an aluminum circle is cut from a spool. The blanks are then pressed in multiple specific dies to form the lid shape, lid rims, and pre-designated score lines for an aperture or opening. A tabis formed as a detachable and attached element, whereas the attached element includes a central rivetfor the pull tab. A pull-tabcan be riveted onto the lid, and the outer curled portion of the canis filled with an adhesive, rubber-like compound to ensure a tight seal when the cansare seamed. After both the sidewallsand the top portionare manufactured, the cansare filled with a beverage at a beverage filling facility and are assembled together by way of a seamer machine that uses an overlapping method to ensure that both the cansand top portionare securely sealed together. The cansincluding both the now-filled body and the top portionmay be made of any suitable material. Aluminum, aluminum alloy, steel, and plastic are examples of suitable materials. Different compartments of the container can be made of one material or a combination of the above materials, or another similar and suitable material not mentioned. The above material specifications and elementary manufacturing process summaries are by way of example and not necessarily limitation.

Therefore, a canis typically fabricated of aluminum or aluminum alloy and has an internal chamber or compartment bounded by sidewalls, a circular bottom portion, and a circular top portion.

A canis filled with a liquid product and then sealed by a top portionin a conventional manner. The top portiontypically, but not necessarily, has a score that is arranged around the periphery of an aperture, and a tabis fixed to the top portionby a central rivet. Typically, the top portionhas a scored region and means for assisting separation of the scored region from the rest of the top portionby lifting the tab. In the scored region is separated the top portionpresents the pouring aperturefor dispensing the beverage contained in the can. The assisting means can be a conventional, attached style pull tab.

It is also known that there are container lids with some semblance of a compartment having long and large geometries that extend beyond the profile of a conventional lid, requiring updated material handling, manufacturing, and seaming processes. These considerations functionally limit the adoption of these deficient prior embodiments in industry, increase expenses, and compound logistical concerns.

Thus, there exists a need in the art for an apparatus to provide additional ingredients to a beverage container selectively to provide the consumer with valuable options of different ingredients.

The following objects, features, advantages, aspects, and/or embodiments, are not exhaustive and do not limit the overall disclosure. No single embodiment needs to provide each and every object, feature, or advantage. Any of the objects, features, advantages, aspects, and/or embodiments disclosed herein can be integrated with one another, either in full or in part.

Described herein, among other things, is an apparatus for selectively adding additional ingredients to a liquid beverage in a container, comprising: a container comprising a cylindrical sidewall, a first end and an opposing second end, the sidewall extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end, and the sidewall, first end, and second end defining an enclosed volume forming a first compartment configured to contain a fluid, the first end comprising a selectively openable aperture sealed by a closure member and configured to permit fluid egress from the first compartment when opened, the fluid compartment being pressurized; at least one secondary compartment disposed on the first end wall, the at least one secondary compartment defining a second enclosed volume and having a top portion exterior to the first compartment and an opposing bottom portion adjacent the first compartment, the bottom portion configured to rupture upon the application of a predetermined amount of force to the top portion.

In an embodiment, the secondary compartment encloses an ingredient.

In another embodiment, the ingredient is selected from the group consisting of: water, caffeine, taurine, sugar, glucose, fructose, ginkgo biloba, carnitine, green tea extract, root extracts, plant extracts, sodium chloride, calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, silica, ascorbic acid, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, a preservative, ester gum, natural and artificial flavors, a natural or synthesized vitamin, calcium, riboflavin, niacin, biotin, chromium, pantothenic acid, cyanocobalamin, inositol, natural and artificial colors, a juice or juice concentrate, magnesium, glycerol, cannabis, cannabinoids (including CBD, THC, Delta), ginseng, guarana, botanicals, a supplement, L-Theanine, an amino or amino acid (in liquid or solid form), collagen, a vegetable, a fruit, an antioxidant, a carbohydrate, a protein, a metal ion, a yeast, a dairy product, fiber, a mushroom or mushroom extract (including mushrooms), psilocybin, microorganisms, bacteria, a probiotic, a prebiotic, and alcohol.

In another embodiment, the closure member comprises a frangible panel, and a liftable tab is pivotably disposed adjacent the frangible panel, the liftable tab being operable to rupture the frangible panel when lifted, and the liftable tab, when pivoted, also being operable to rupture the bottom portion by applying the predetermined amount of force to the top portion.

In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a piercing element disposed within the at least one secondary compartment and positioned such that when the predetermined amount of force is applied to the top portion, the bottom portion is ruptured by the piercing element puncturing the bottom portion.

In another embodiment, the piercing element is disposed on an interior wall of the top portion.

In another embodiment, the piercing element is formed by a deformation of the top portion.

In another embodiment, the top portion comprises an anti-slip element.

In another embodiment, the anti-slip element is selected from the group consisting of: a non-slip coating, at least one divot, a textured surface, a modified tab, a wall, a groove, a lip guard, and a curved surface.

In another embodiment, the bottom portion comprises a sanitary seal.

In another embodiment, the sanitary seal is comprised of at least one food-grade material.

In another embodiment, the sanitary seal comprises a frangible wafer.

In another embodiment, the sanitary seal is affixed to the first end via a sanitary seal seam.

In another embodiment, the sanitary seal seam comprises at least one localized weak point.

In another embodiment, a cross-sectional shape of the secondary compartment at a plane where the secondary compartment intersects with a top surface is generally in the configuration of a shape selected from the group consisting of: a crescent, a circle, an oval, an ellipse, a triangle, a rhomboid, a kite, a square, a rectangle, a stadium, a circular segment, a concave polygon, an irregular polygon, a complex quadrilateral, and a trapezoid.

In another embodiment, the cross-sectional shape is a combination of a plurality of shapes selected from the group.

In another embodiment, the secondary compartment comprises at least one stress concentrator operable by pressure on the top portion to rupture the bottom portion.

In another embodiment, the at least one stress concentrator is selected from the group consisting of: embossing; etching; notches; grooves; divots; segmented sections; asymmetric construction; coining; annealing; material thinning; scoring; creasing; variable thickness; flexure zones; sloped edges; surface texturing; hollows; voids; and pinching.

In another embodiment, the sanitary seal comprises at least one raised portion sized, shaped, and disposed on the first end.

In another embodiment, the secondary compartment generates an audible sound when deformed.

An artisan of ordinary skill in the art need not view, within the isolated figure(s), the near-infinite distinct combinations of features described in the following detailed description to facilitate an understanding of the present disclosure. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features.

The present disclosure is not to be limited to that described herein. Mechanical, electrical, chemical, procedural, and/or other changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. No features shown or described are essential to permit the basic operation of the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated. In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right, and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only; they are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation. Additionally, dimensions that appear on the figures are for demonstrative purposes only and should not be considered limiting. Conventional components of the invention are elements that are well-known in the prior art and will not be discussed in detail for this disclosure.

At a high level of generality, the present disclosure describes various configurations and geometries of one or more enclosed compartments, which may be sanitarily sealed, formed on a can containing a liquid product, generally a carbonated beverage. There are a multitude of typical canned beverages, including, but not limited to, tea, water, fruit juice, soft drinks, energy drinks, and a full range of both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. The additional ingredients that may be desired in liquid, solid, powder or pill form may include, but are not limited to, water, caffeine, taurine, sugar, glucose, fructose, ginkgo biloba, carnitine, green tea extract, root extracts, plant extracts, sodium chloride, calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, silica, ascorbic acid, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, a preservative, ester gum, natural and artificial flavors, a natural or synthesized vitamin, calcium, riboflavin, niacin, biotin, chromium, pantothenic acid, cyanocobalamin, inositol, natural and artificial colors, a juice or juice concentrate, magnesium, glycerol, cannabis, cannabinoids (including CBD, THC, Delta 9), ginseng, guarana, botanicals, a supplement, L-Theanine, an amino or amino acid (in liquid or solid form), collagen, a vegetable, a fruit, an antioxidant, a carbohydrate, a protein, a metal ion, a yeast, a dairy product, fiber, a mushroom or mushroom extract (including mushrooms), psilocybin, microorganisms, bacteria, a probiotic, a prebiotic, alcohol, a fragrance. Mushrooms include, but are not limited to, functional mushroom compounds, psilocybin, and mushroom derived extracts. Additional ingredients can be in their natural form or synthetic equivalents. The contents may be included for their own inherent properties, but in an embodiment, may be included to produce a functional effect. Such functional effects may include, without limitation, flavor enhancement, ingredient masking or neutralization, infusion of ingredients, changes in pH, temperature modulation, carbonation adjustment, color change, foam generation or modification (such as reactions involving lecithin or saponin), protection of potency, luminescence, and hydrogen infusion.

When the secondary compartment is sufficiently deformed, it opens to release its contents into the interior of the container. These geometries may utilize unique combinations of shapes and stress concentrations in order to reduce the amount of forces to sufficiently deform the secondary compartment to induce the delivery of additional ingredients as described herein. As used herein, a compartment is a synonym for housing, capsule, container, or package. For sake of simplicity and clarity, this disclosure will generally refer to “a” and “the” secondary compartment, it being understood that this is a shorthand for at least one, or one or more, such secondary compartments. One or more such compartments may be disposed on the can, including on the can lid, using varying geometries, shapes, and configurations. These and other aspects are shown in the FIGS. and described in further detail herein.

This is only illustrative, but nonlimiting, since a wide variety of geometric shapes and structures will suffice as a compartment. The secondary compartment shape may be in the general shape or configuration of any one or more, or a combination of, a crescent, a circle, an oval, an ellipse, a triangle, a rhomboid, a kite, a square, a rectangle, a stadium, a circular segment, a concave polygon, an irregular polygon, a complex quadrilateral, and a trapezoid.

In the depicted embodiment of, a containeris shown. The depicted container is a typical beverage canhaving a cylindrical sidewall, a first end, and an opposing second end extending longitudinally between them, which define a hollow, generally cylindrical interior. In the depicted embodiment, the interioris for storing a beverage but, as discussed elsewhere herein, this is not limiting and this disclosure is suitable for use with other types of containers. The interiormay be referred to herein as the “first compartment”. The depicted embodiment may also comprise at least one illustrative, but nonlimiting, secondary compartmentmounted on the top portion. The containercan include sidewalls, and a bottom portion. However, this is by no means limiting and any of a wide variety of container shapes and materials can suffice. The depicted sidewalls, the bottom portion, and the top portionare all circular, but this is again not limiting and other shapes may be used in alternative embodiments. The depicted can, is made of material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloy, steel, plastic, or pulp.

The depicted top portionincludes a central rivetthat can secure an opening means, such as the depicted pull tab. Pull tabcan include attached and breakaway models. Upon activating the pull tab, an aperture or openingis produced in the top portion. Prior to activating, the apertureis sealed or closed by a closing member, such as (but not limited to) a frangible panel. Through this aperture or opening, the interior first compartmentof the cana first compartmentin fluid connection with the aperture or opening. Typically, if the canhas been filled with the desired liquid, an amount of unused headspace remains in the first compartment. Particularly for carbonated beverages, this headspace may be pressurized to ensure that the carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or other gas dissolved in the liquid remains dissolved. As discussed elsewhere herein, this pressurization helps to prevent premature, unintended opening of the secondary compartment. It is anticipated that many of these beverages, when thus contained, will be under a pressure exceeding one Atmosphere (1 atm). When the opening meansis activated, the resulting openingplaces the first compartmentin fluid communication with the atmosphere, quickly releasing and equalizing the pressure within the first compartment. This in turn makes it easier for the consumer to open the secondary compartmentand release its contents into the stored fluid within the first compartment.

Referring now to, in the depicted embodiment, the secondary compartmenthas a top portionand a bottom portion. The depicted secondary compartmentis disposed on the outer surface of the top portionof the can, where the secondary compartmentis external and adjacent to the first compartment. When sufficient pressure is applied to the top portionof the secondary compartment, the contentslocated within the secondary compartmentare released through the bottom portioninto the first compartment. This is further shown in, and further described elsewhere herein.

There is a wide variety of contentsthat may be retained by the secondary compartment, in various states and configurations, including, but not necessarily limited to, liquids, solids, pills, powders, and/or combinations of one of more of these. Generally, the contentsare ingredients for mixing or dissolving with the beverage, but this is by no means limitation. Such contentsmay include, but is not limited to, water, caffeine, taurine, sugar, glucose, fructose, ginkgo biloba, carnitine, green tea extract, root extracts, plant extracts, sodium chloride, calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, silica, ascorbic acid, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, a preservative, ester gum, natural and artificial flavors, a natural or synthesized vitamin, calcium, riboflavin, niacin, biotin, chromium, pantothenic acid, cyanocobalamin, inositol, natural and artificial colors, a juice or juice concentrate, magnesium, glycerol, cannabis, cannabinoids (including CBD, THC, Delta 9), ginseng, guarana, botanicals, a supplement, L-Theanine, an amino or amino acid (in liquid or solid form), collagen, a vegetable, a fruit, an antioxidant, a carbohydrate, a protein, a metal ion, a yeast, a dairy product, fiber, a mushroom or mushroom extract (including mushrooms), psilocybin, microorganisms, bacteria, a probiotic, a prebiotic, alcohol, a fragrance. The contents may be in any state of matter or form (e.g., solid, liquid, gas) and/or form factor (solid, powder, pill, capsule, etc.), Any ingredient capable of being stored and released from the secondary compartment may be used, but will generally be readily mixable with the beverage in question, and may have other characteristics for further processing and stability in storage and shipping, such a sufficient shelf life commensurate with that of the beverage, and temperature tolerances suitable for commercial distribution and retail environments.

To account for potential variation in ingredient volume, in an embodiment, the secondary compartmentmay be intentionally or unintentionally overfilled or underfilled. Such deviations may arise from manufacturing tolerances, formulation adjustments, or design choices intended to influence the rate, timing, or completeness of ingredient release into the beverage. The system may accommodate these variations without compromising functionality.

Referring now to, the depicted top portionprotects and secures the contents. The depicted top portionmay also be referred to informally as “blister.” A wide variety of materials can form this top portion, including but not limited to, aluminum, aluminum foil, PVC, BPA, BPANI, Epoxy, resin, PE, PP, Vinyl, or Nylon.

In the depicted embodiments, when the canis closed and sealed (i.e., prior to opening by the consumer), its contents are generally pressurized. This increased pressure within the canis helpful to maintain the contentswithin the secondary compartmentrather than being released into the first compartmentaccidentally or unintentionally. When the tabis pulled (and/or another opening means is operated), the resulting aperture or openingprovides a fluid pathway to the atmosphere which quickly equalizes the pressure. In the depicted embodiment, a securing portionin the top portionof the canfor the central rivetis shown.

In the depicted embodiment of, the bottom portioncomprises a material that secures the contentswithin the secondary compartment. Upon application of sufficient pressure to the top portionof the secondary compartment, the bottom portionbreaks or ruptures, causing the interior of the secondary compartmentto be in fluid communication with the first compartment. Assuming the canis held at a typical orientation, gravity and/or the force of the pressure applied to the top portionwill cause the contents(or other content) of the secondary compartmentto be released into, or exposed to, the first compartment, where it can interact with the contents of the first compartment. As noted elsewhere herein, this release is inhibited while the canis sealed, due to the pressurized interior, but the upward pressure against the bottom portionapplied by a pressurized interior is released when the aperture or openingis in fluid communication with the atmosphere. In an embodiment including a sanitary seal, this pressure may be applied to the sanitary sealand may further assist with adhesion.

The depicted bottom portionmay have a wide variety of shapes and configurations that facilitate the bottom portionto be broken and release the contentsinto the first compartment. In the depicted embodiment of, four such secondary compartmentsare shown. This is illustrative only, and nonlimiting. Three of the depicted secondary compartmentshave circular openingsand one is rectangular. The rupture of the secondary compartmentmay be effected by various means, including but not limited to one or more of: a frangible material, a plurality of intersecting perforations or predefined weakened regions, adjacent portions of the compartment configured for direct mechanical interaction, and/or incorporation of a valve-type mechanismto facilitate controlled release. Generally, the bottom portionis configured to rupture under certain predetermined conditions. For example, it may be designed such that, when the caninterior is not pressurized, the bottom portionwill rupture upon application of a predetermined minimum amount of force applied to the top portion. This amount of force will preferably be an ergonomically determined amount based on how much force a typical consumer can comfortably apply and may be determined experimentally. Also, and preferably, when the interior of the canis pressurized, the bottom portionwill resist rupture for amounts of force below a second, higher threshold, this second threshold being selected to exceed the ordinary and incidental forces the product is likely to experience during typical packing, distribution, retail, transportation, and storage. By way of example and not limitation, where the bottom portionis from a frangible material, the material and its thickness, composition, and structural characteristics may be selected to achieve one or both of these force-dependent rupture behaviors. A wide variety of materials can be utilized for the bottom portionof the secondary compartment. Nonlimiting examples include BPA, plastic, or aluminum.

In an alternative embodiment, the cancomprises at least one secondary compartmentmounted substantially level, or below, the plane of the top of the container, as shown in the depicted embodiment of. It will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the depicted embodiment shares various other characteristics of the first embodiment, including those described elsewhere herein.

With both the first embodimentand the second embodiment, the top portionof the secondary compartmentor, as shown infor the first embodiment, may comprise an anti-slip surface, which may include a non-slip coating, divot(s), dimpled, or curved surfaceor written instructions for the consumer, as shown in, among other features to facilitate consumer use and safety.

In the depicted embodiment of, a sanitary sealis shown, and can be used to protect from germs and contamination of the contentsprior to release into the first compartment. As used herein, the term ‘sanitary seal’refers to the material or combination of materials that separate the contents of the first compartmentfrom the contents of the secondary compartment. The ‘sanitary seal seam’ refers to the area of contact or bonding between the sanitary sealand the can lid. The sanitary sealmay be composed of one or more materials and will generally be made from a food-grade material. However, in some embodiments, a food-grade material may not be necessary, and other, non-food-grade alternatives may be used. Examples of suitable materials include, without limitation, aluminum, aluminum composites, PVC, BPA, BPANI, epoxy, resin, PE, PE foil, PET, PP, vinyl, nylon, or other food-grade or non-food-grade alternatives. The sanitary sealmay also exhibit isotropic, anisotropic, orthotropic, or transversely isotropic material properties. These properties are selected to ensure the sealcan resist upward forces from internal pressure while still rupturing or deforming in response to the lower localized force generated when the secondary compartmentis compressed. It will be understood that where an embodiment includes a sanitary seal, the sanitary seal may be an additional component that covers the bottom potion. However, in certain embodiments, the sanitary sealmay comprise the bottom portion. For such embodiments, references to the bottom portionwill be understood as also referring to the sanitary seal, and references to the sanitarywill be understood as also referring to the bottom portion, throughout this disclosure.

Generally, the secondary compartmentswill be disposed on the lid, generally between the outer circumference and the pull-tab (or other opening means)and main aperturethrough which the consumer consumers the liquid stored within. Most existing can designs have a sufficient surface area of unused space between these structures to accommodate at least one, and often multiple, secondary compartments. The secondary compartment(s)may use all or only some of that space, on one or multiple sides.