Method of Hydration; Infusion Packet System(s), Support Member(s), Delivery System(s), and Method(s); with Business Model(s) and Method(s)

Abstract

Liquid activated infusion packet(s)/system: promoting hydration, containing active and/or inactive ingredients and/or a support member(s). Infusion Packet(s)/System is one or more individual compartments, and/or group(s), whereby the enveloping material(s) may be totally or partially dissolvable, edible, transparent, opaque, decorated, etc. Further, including of one or more: color(s), flavor(s), aroma(s), pharmaceutical(s), nutraceutical(s), dietary supplement(s), enzyme(s), pre/probiotic(s), amino-acid(s), soluble-fiber(s), diagnostic agent(s) etc. regardless of form, +/−effervescence, +/−uniform/controlled-release encapsulations into liquid for humans and/or animals. Enveloping material may be in whole and/or in combination; nonsynthetic/porous, and/or synthetic porous/non-porous with deliberate perforations. Infusion Packet(s)/System +/−tag, support member for assistance, consumer compliance: promotion, advertising, education, entertainment, (toy/game), etc. Manual and/or power operated parts, lights, noise, etc. Additionally incorporated; unique business modalities with test market opportunities and/or the ability to provide income and/or esteem for the health challenged.

1 .- 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A delivery system for adding an ingredient to a liquid for consumption, comprising:
 a water permeable packet having walls that define an interior and comprising at least one ingredient that is separately encapsulated by an encapsulation, wherein the ingredient is released from the packet upon contact with the liquid.   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the encapsulation is a gelatin, polymer coating, or liposome. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the encapsulated ingredient is enclosed in at least one additional encapsulation. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the encapsulated ingredient is a water soluble fiber. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the water soluble fiber comprises plant ucilage, plant gums, dextrins, maltodextrins, galactommannans, arabanogalactans, beta glucans, cellulose ethers, pectins, pectic material, water-soluble hemicellulose, inulin, alginates, agar, carrageenan,  psyllium , guar gum, gum traganth, gum karya, gum ghatti, gum acacia, gum arabic, partially hydrolyzed products thereof or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the water soluble fiber comprises inulin, dextrin, maltodextin,  psyllium , guar gum, gum acacia, arrabinogalactan, partially hydrolyzed products thereof or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the encapsulated ingredient is a pharmaceutical, over-the-counter medication, nutraceutical, vitamin, mineral, herb, phyto-nutrient, probiotic, prebiotic, enzyme, amino acid, anti-inflammatory, diagnostic flavoring, coloring, aromatic, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the encapsulated ingredient is released from the encapsulation inside the packet before the ingredient is released from the packet. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the encapsulated ingredient remains encapsulated after release from the packet. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the encapsulated ingredient is timed released. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the encapsulated ingredient is incorporated in the walls of the packet. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the packet comprises more than one internal compartment that houses the encapsulated ingredient separate from other ingredients. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the packet is made from a water soluble material, a natural material, a synthetic material, or a film. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the packet comprises at least one pore configured to release the ingredient upon contact with the liquid. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the walls of the packet comprise one or more layers of a water permeable membrane. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the encapsulated ingredient is incorporated between the one or more layers of the water permeable membrane. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the packet comprises a detachable entertainment feature attached to said packet to encourage consumption of said liquid, wherein said feature is a toy, a charm, a game piece, a key ring, jewelry, a sticker, a clip, an ornament, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the encapsulation remains in the packet following release of the ingredient from the encapsulation. 
     
     
         52 . A delivery system for adding an ingredient to a liquid for consumption, comprising:
 a straw having a body, and a first and second open end, wherein the first open end is configured for reception into a mouth of a user, wherein the second open end is configured for immersion into the liquid, and having at least one perforation to allow release of the ingredient.   
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein the ingredient is within the body of the straw and is a larger size than the perforation. 
     
     
         54 . A delivery system for adding an ingredient to a liquid for consumption, the delivery system comprising:
 a drinking straw,   an infusion packet having a water permeable membrane that envelops the ingredient, and   a support member that incorporates the infusion packet, wherein the support member is attached to the straw.   
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the support member is a toy. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the support member has movable parts operated mechanically, by hand, or by solar power, and wherein the support member emits sound or light. 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the support member glows in the dark.