Beverage flavor dispensing cap

Abstract

A cap for use with a container includes a ring member having an opening and a capsule provided on the ring member. The capsule extends through the opening. A plunger is provided on an interior wall of the capsule. The capsule contains a substance, such as a water-dispersible liquid flavor. The container having a main chamber and a mouth stores and serves a beverage. The main chamber is filled with a non-flavored single strength beverage, and the capsule is filled with a water-dispersible liquid flavor such as citrus, cranberry, passion fruit, or carambola. The capsule is placed in the mouth of the container contiguous the main chamber, with the capsule being openable to inject the water-dispersible liquid flavor into the non-flavored single strength beverage in the main chamber in response to manual manipulation of the capsule.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A cap for use with a container, comprising: 
 a ring member having an opening therein;    a capsule provided on the ring member and extending through the opening;    a plunger provided on an interior wall of the capsule; and    a substance contained within the capsule.    
     
     
         2 . The cap according to  claim 1  wherein the ring member includes a top wall and a peripheral side wall, the top wall having the opening therethrough.  
     
     
         3 . The cap according to  claim 1  wherein the capsule includes a bottom end containing a water-dispersible liquid flavor and a headspace containing nitrogen at atmospheric pressure.  
     
     
         4 . The cap according to  claim 1  wherein the capsule includes a bottom end containing a water-dispersible liquid flavor and a headspace of inert gas at a pressure slightly above atmospheric pressure.  
     
     
         5 . The cap according to  claim 1  wherein the capsule includes a bottom end containing a water-dispersible liquid flavor and a headspace of inert gas at a pressure much greater than atmospheric pressure.  
     
     
         6 . The cap according to  claim 1  wherein the plunger is configured to rupture the capsule upon application of a force to the capsule.  
     
     
         7 . The cap according to  claim 1  wherein the capsule includes a bottom end containing a water-dispersible liquid flavor, said bottom end comprising a scored region for facilitating rupture of the capsule.  
     
     
         8 . The cap according to  claim 3 , wherein, when the capsule is ruptured, the pressure of the nitrogen in the headspace assists ejection of the water-dispersible liquid flavor from the bottom end.  
     
     
         9 . The cap according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is made of a material chosen from at least one of glass, polymeric material, and cellulose material and derivatives thereof.  
     
     
         10 . A method of storing a beverage, comprising: 
 filling a container to a predetermined level with a non-flavored single strength beverage component;    filling a capsule with a predetermined amount of a water-dispersible liquid flavor, the capsule being openable into fluid communication with the non-flavored single strength beverage component;    flushing a headspace of the capsule with nitrogen at a pressure slightly greater than atmospheric pressure; and    sealing the container with a cap that includes the capsule.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising rupturing the capsule to assist ejection of the water-dispersible liquid flavor into the non-flavored single strength beverage at a time proximate consumption of the beverage.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising shaking the container after ejection of the water dispersible liquid flavor into the non-flavored single strength beverage.  
     
     
         13 . A method of improving shelf-life of packaged beverages flavored with delicate water-dispersible liquid flavors, comprising: 
 providing a container for storing and serving the beverage, the container having a main chamber and a mouth;    filling the main chamber with a non-flavored single strength beverage;    filling a capsule with a water-dispersible liquid flavor; and    placing the capsule in the mouth of the container contiguous the main chamber, the capsule being openable to inject the water-dispersible liquid flavor into the non-flavored single strength beverage in the main chamber in response to manual manipulation of the capsule.    
     
     
         14 . A container for beverages flavored with delicate water-dispersible liquid flavors for enhancing shelf-life thereof, the container comprising: 
 a main chamber fillable with a non-flavored single strength beverage;    a capsule in a mouth of the container contiguous the main chamber fillable with a water-dispersible liquid flavor; and    an actuation device for flushing the water-dispersible liquid flavor from the capsule into the non-flavored single strength beverage.    
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14  wherein the water-dispersible liquid flavor is citrus flavor.  
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 14  wherein the water-dispersible liquid flavor is from the group consisting of citrus, cranberry, and passion fruit.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the water-dispersible liquid flavor is citrus flavor.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the water-dispersible flavor is from the group consisting of citrus, cranberry, or passion fruit.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the capsule includes a bottom end containing the water-dispersible liquid flavor and a headspace of inert gas at a pressure slightly above atmospheric pressure.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the capsule includes a bottom end containing the water-dispersible liquid flavor and a headspace of inert gas at a pressure much greater than atmospheric pressure.  
     
     
         21 . The container of  claim 14  wherein the capsule a bottom end containing the water-dispersible liquid flavor and a headspace of inert gas at a pressure slightly above atmospheric pressure.  
     
     
         22 . The container of  claim 14  wherein the capsule includes a bottom end containing the water-dispersible liquid flavor and a headspace of inert gas at a pressure much greater than atmospheric pressure.  
     
     
         23 . The cap according to claim I wherein the capsule includes a nozzle end having a scored rupture point.