Fresh product dispensing system

Abstract

Fresh ingredients stored in a sealed fresh product dispensing system chamber, which are then dispensed into a beverage or other product container for consumption or usage by simply pressing on the top of the fresh product dispensing system. This allows for a natural and fresh product. It also allows for certain types of products to be introduced which otherwise degrade or lose potency, color, flavor and/or nutritional benefits when products are mixed during the manufacturing process as with ready-to-drink beverages. The system also allows for shipment of products in the fresh product dispensing system to be shipped without water or fluid bottles with reduced cost of shipping. The fresh product dispensing system compartment can also be segmented into several compartments allowing for each ingredient to be stored in an individual segregated compartment prior to usage. When the fresh product dispensing system plunger/chamber is pressed down, it exposes the main vessel to a 360 degree cylinder with large openings or ports around its radial surface which can provide a large surface area of exposure, assuring that all dry type ingredients in the plunger/chamber are exposed to the liquid in the main vessel and do not cake or stay in the plunger/chamber.

1 . An ingredient dispensing apparatus for attachment to a liquid-containing vessel for subsequent mixing of the ingredient into the liquid and consumption of the resulting mixture; the apparatus comprising:
 a base having a central aperture and being configured for attachment to a bottle having a liquid therein; and   a plunger/chamber having an interior for receiving a dry powder ingredient for release into and mixing with said liquid, said plunger chamber being received in said central aperture of said base in a first position for sealing said ingredient and being selectively depressible into a second position for release of said ingredient into said liquid.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1  a removable cap for access to said chamber interior. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1  further comprising a removable end member for placement of said ingredient into said chamber interior. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus recited in  claim 3  wherein said removable end member is a cap located at an uppermost end of said plunger/chamber. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus recited in  claim 3  wherein said removable end member is a chamber stop located at a lowermost end of said plunger/chamber. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1  wherein said plunger/chamber comprises a locking member to prevent removal of said plunger chamber from said base after said ingredient is released into a bottle. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1  further comprising a tamper evident seal which must first be removed before said plunger chamber may be depressed from said first position into said second position. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1  further comprising a sports cap positioned on said plunger/chamber for selective consumption of said mixture after release of said ingredient. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus recited in  claim 8  wherein said sports cap is attached to said plunger/chamber. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus recited in  claim 8  wherein said sports cap is integral to said plunger/chamber. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1  wherein said plunger/chamber comprises at least one open radial port for releasing said ingredient. 
   
   
       12 . In combination a liquid container having an open top for access to the liquid for consuming same and a dry powder ingredient releasing apparatus for attachment to the open top of the container for selectively releasing the ingredient into the liquid for mixing therein prior to consumption of the liquid; the releasing apparatus comprising:
 a base having a central aperture and being configured for attachment to said container; and   a plunger chamber having an interior for holding said ingredient, said plunger chamber being received in said aperture of said base in a first position for sealing said ingredient separate from said liquid and being selectively translatable into a second position for release of said ingredient into said liquid.   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus recited in  claim 12  a removable cap for access to said chamber interior. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus recited in  claim 12  further comprising a removable end member for placement of said ingredient into said chamber interior. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus recited in  claim 14  wherein said removable end member is a cap located at an uppermost end of said plunger/chamber. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus recited in  claim 14  wherein said removable end member is a chamber stop located at a lowermost end of said plunger/chamber. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus recited in  claim 12  wherein said plunger/chamber comprises a locking member to prevent removal of said plunger chamber from said base after said ingredient is released into a bottle. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus recited in  claim 12  further comprising a tamper evident seal which must first be removed before said plunger chamber may be depressed from said first position into said second position. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus recited in  claim 12  further comprising a sports cap positioned on said plunger/chamber for selective consumption of said mixture after release of said ingredient. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus recited in  claim 19  wherein said sports cap is attached to said plunger/chamber. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus recited in  claim 19  wherein said sports cap is integral to said plunger/chamber. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus recited in  claim 12  wherein said plunger/chamber comprises at least one open radial port for releasing said ingredient.