Beverage dispenser

Abstract

A beverage dispenser may include a container defining a container volume, and a substantially spill-proof cap coupled to the container so as to indicate if the cap has been uncoupled from the container. The cap may also define at least one dispensing aperture in communication with the container volume and with ambient air.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A beverage dispenser comprising: 
 a container defining a container volume; and    a substantially spill-proof cap coupled to the container so as to indicate if the cap has been uncoupled from the container, the cap defining at least one dispensing aperture in communication with the container volume and with ambient air.    
     
     
         2 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 1 , 
 the container containing a beverage in the container volume, and    the beverage to substantially remain within the beverage dispenser in a case that the beverage flows against an opening of the at least one dispensing aperture and suction is not applied to the at least one dispensing aperture.    
     
     
         3 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 2 , wherein the beverage comprises fruit-flavored water.  
     
     
         4 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 3 , wherein the beverage is a single beverage serving.  
     
     
         5 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a coupling coupled to the cap and to the container.    
     
     
         6 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 5 , 
 the coupling to indicate if the cap has been uncoupled from the container.    
     
     
         7 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 6 , 
 the coupling to break if the cap is uncoupled from the container.    
     
     
         8 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 6 , 
 the coupling to break if the cap is turned through a particular arc relative to the container.    
     
     
         9 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 5 , 
 wherein the coupling comprises removable material covering a portion of the cap and a portion of the container.    
     
     
         10 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 1 , 
 the container adapted to substantially maintain its shape in response to inward pressure caused by a child's grip on the container.    
     
     
         11 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a seal to cover the least one dispensing aperture.    
     
     
         12 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 11 , wherein the seal comprises a strip of foil.  
     
     
         13 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 11 , wherein the cap further defines an exterior recess, wherein the at least one dispensing aperture is in communication with the exterior recess, and wherein the seal is disposed within the exterior recess.  
     
     
         14 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 11 , wherein the seal comprises removable material shrink-wrapped over the at least one dispensing aperture.  
     
     
         15 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 14 , wherein the removable material is coupled to the cap and to the container to indicate if the cap has been uncoupled from the container.  
     
     
         16 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the cap comprises a suction portion, wherein the suction portion defines the at least one dispensing aperture, and wherein a shape of the suction portion adapted to a child's mouth.  
     
     
         17 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the cap is a single, integrally-formed piece.  
     
     
         18 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 1 , the container comprising a rim, and the cap comprising a lip, wherein the lip is secured to the underside of the rim.  
     
     
         19 . A beverage dispenser comprising: 
 a cap defining at least one dispensing aperture; and    a seal to seal the at least one dispensing aperture from ambient air,    wherein the dispensing aperture is substantially spill-proof upon removal of the seal from the at least one dispensing aperture.    
     
     
         20 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 a container defining a container volume and coupled to the cap,    wherein the at least one dispensing aperture is in communication with the container volume.    
     
     
         21 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 20 , 
 the container containing a beverage in the container volume,    the at least one dispensing aperture in communication with ambient air upon removal of the seal, and    the beverage to substantially remain within the beverage dispenser in a case that the beverage flows against an opening of the at least one dispensing aperture and suction is not applied to the at least one dispensing aperture.    
     
     
         22 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 21 , wherein the beverage comprises fruit-flavored water.  
     
     
         23 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 22 , wherein the beverage is a single beverage serving.  
     
     
         24 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 20 , the container comprising a rim and the cap comprising a lip, wherein the lip is secured to the underside of the rim.  
     
     
         25 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 19 , wherein the seal comprises a strip of foil.  
     
     
         26 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 19 , wherein the cap further defines an exterior recess, wherein the at least one dispensing aperture is in communication with the exterior recess, and wherein the seal is disposed within the exterior recess.  
     
     
         27 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 19 , wherein the seal comprises removable material shrink-wrapped over the at least one dispensing aperture.  
     
     
         28 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 27 , further comprising: 
 a container coupled to the cap,    wherein the removable material is coupled to the cap and to the container to indicate if the cap has been uncoupled from the container.    
     
     
         29 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 19 , wherein the cap comprises a suction portion, wherein the suction portion defines the at least one dispensing aperture, and wherein a shape of the suction portion adapted to a child's mouth.  
     
     
         30 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 a coupling coupled to the cap and to the container.    
     
     
         31 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 30 , 
 the coupling to indicate if the cap has been uncoupled from the container.    
     
     
         32 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 31 , 
 the coupling to break if the cap is uncoupled from the container.    
     
     
         33 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 31 , 
 the coupling to break if the cap is turned through a particular arc relative to the container.    
     
     
         34 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 30 , 
 wherein the coupling comprises removable material shrink-wrapped over a portion of the cap and a portion of the container.    
     
     
         35 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 19 , wherein the cap is a single, integrally-formed piece.  
     
     
         36 . A beverage dispenser comprising: 
 a cap defining at least one substantially spill-proof dispensing aperture, the cap being a single, integrally-formed piece; and    a coupling coupled to the cap, the coupling comprising an interior surface having first threads disposed thereon, the first threads to interface with second threads disposed on an exterior of a container to seal the cap to the container.    
     
     
         37 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 36 , further comprising: 
 a seal to cover the least one dispensing aperture.    
     
     
         38 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 37 , wherein the seal comprises a strip of foil.  
     
     
         39 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 37 , wherein the cap further defines an exterior recess, wherein the at least one dispensing aperture is in communication with the exterior recess, and wherein the seal is disposed within the exterior recess.  
     
     
         40 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 37 , wherein the seal comprises removable material shrink-wrapped over the at least one dispensing aperture.  
     
     
         41 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 36 , wherein the cap comprises a suction portion, wherein the suction portion defines the at least one dispensing aperture, and wherein a shape of the suction portion is adapted to a child's mouth.  
     
     
         42 . A beverage dispenser according to  claim 36 , the container comprising a rim and the cap comprising a lip, wherein the lip is secured to the underside of the rim.