Bottle closure containing beverage concentrate

Abstract

The present invention relates to controlled flow re-sealable bottle closures containing a beverage concentrate for use in mixing flavored water-based beverages at or near the point of consumption by activation of a mixing mechanism allowing the contents of the bottle to co-mingle with the beverage concentrate.

1 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a beverage container having screw threads for receiving a threaded closure, said beverage container further containing a liquid;    providing a re-sealable threaded closure having a valve, said valve comprising a cap and a stem extending from said closure, wherein said cap further includes an aperture, and wherein said cap is seated over said stem, allowing said stem to extend at least partially through said aperture in said cap, said threaded closure further including a beverage concentrate reservoir containing a beverage concentrate, and a mixing mechanism for allowing said beverage concentrate to co-mingle with said liquid;    screwing said re-sealable threaded closure onto said screw threads of said beverage container to sealably engage said re-sealable threaded closure with said beverage container;    activating said mixing mechanism to allow said beverage concentrate to co-mingle with said liquid to create a mixed beverage;    adjusting said cap relative to said stem to allow said mixed beverage to controllably flow from said beverage container.    
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said step of activating said mixing mechanism comprises applying a twisting force to said mixing mechanism.  
   
   
       3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said step of activating said mixing mechanism comprises applying a pushing force to said mixing mechanism.  
   
   
       4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said step of activating said mixing mechanism comprises applying a pushing force followed by applying a twisting force to said mixing mechanism.  
   
   
       5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said step of adjusting said cap comprises pulling on said cap to at least partially withdraw said stem from said aperture in said cap.  
   
   
       6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said step of adjusting said cap comprises twisting said cap to at least partially withdraw said stem from said aperture in said cap.  
   
   
       7 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a beverage container, said beverage container further containing a liquid;    providing a re-sealable closure having a valve, said valve comprising a cap and a stem extending from said closure, wherein said cap further includes an aperture, and wherein said cap is seated over said stem, allowing said stem to extend at least partially through said aperture in said cap, said closure further including a beverage concentrate, and a mixing mechanism for allowing said beverage concentrate to co-mingle with said liquid;    connecting said re-sealable closure with said beverage container;    activating said mixing mechanism to allow said beverage concentrate to co-mingle with said liquid to create a mixed beverage;    adjusting said cap relative to said stem to allow said mixed beverage to controllably flow from said beverage container.    
   
   
       8 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said step of activating said mixing mechanism comprises applying a twisting force to said mixing mechanism.  
   
   
       9 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said step of activating said mixing mechanism comprises applying a pushing force to said mixing mechanism.  
   
   
       10 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said step of activating said mixing mechanism comprises applying a pushing force followed by applying a twisting force to said mixing mechanism.  
   
   
       11 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said step of adjusting said cap comprises pulling on said cap to at least partially withdraw said stem from said aperture in said cap.  
   
   
       12 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said step of adjusting said cap comprises twisting said cap to at least partially withdraw said stem from said aperture in said cap.  
   
   
       13 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a beverage container, said beverage container further containing a liquid;    providing a closure including a beverage concentrate, and a mixing mechanism for allowing said beverage concentrate to co-mingle with said liquid;    connecting said closure with said beverage container;    activating said mixing mechanism to allow said beverage concentrate to co-mingle with said liquid to create a mixed beverage;    opening said closure to allow said mixed beverage to flow from said beverage container.    
   
   
       14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said step of activating said mixing mechanism comprises applying a twisting force to said mixing mechanism.  
   
   
       15 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said step of activating said mixing mechanism comprises applying a pushing force to said mixing mechanism.  
   
   
       16 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said step of activating said mixing mechanism comprises applying a pushing force followed by applying a twisting force to said mixing mechanism.  
   
   
       17 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said step of adjusting said cap comprises pulling on said cap to at least partially withdraw said stem from said aperture in said cap.  
   
   
       18 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said re-sealable closure comprises a valve.  
   
   
       19 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said valve comprises a cap and a stem extending from said closure.  
   
   
       20 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said cap further includes an aperture, and wherein said cap is seated over said stem, allowing said stem to extend at least partially through said aperture in said cap.  
   
   
       21 . The method as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein said step of adjusting said cap comprises twisting said cap to at least partially withdraw said stem from said aperture in said cap.