Removable Bottle Cap Assembly with Internal Storage Compartment

Abstract

A removable cap assembly for a screw-top container includes a first portion, a second portion and a lower sealing member. The first portion is adapted to removably interface with a screw-top container. The second portion is adapted to removably interface with the first portion, and the second portion defines lateral sidewalls and a top surface. The lower sealing member is affixed to one of the first and second portions, and defines with the lateral sidewalls and the top surface an internal compartment. The other of the first and second portions, different from the one of the first and second portions to which the lower sealing member is affixed, comprises a cutting element arranged to breach the sealing member when the second portion is interfaced towards the first portion beyond a threshold point.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A removable cap assembly for a screw-top container, the assembly comprising:
 a first portion adapted to removably interface with a screw-top container;   a second portion adapted to removably interface with the first portion, the second portion defining lateral sidewalls and a top surface; and   a lower sealing member affixed to one of the first and second portions, the lower sealing member defining with the lateral sidewalls and the top surface an internal compartment; and   wherein the other of the first and second portions, different from the one of the first and second portions to which the lower sealing member is affixed, comprises a cutting element arranged to breach the sealing member when the second portion is interfaced towards the first portion beyond a threshold point.   
     
     
         2 . The removable cap assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the lower sealing member is affixed to the first portion; and   the second portion comprises the cutting element.   
     
     
         3 . The removable cap assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the second portion comprises a sleeve that defines the lateral sidewalls; and   the sleeve comprises the cutting element.   
     
     
         4 . The removable cap assembly according to  claim 3 , further comprising a removable retaining ring disposed between the first and second portions that prevents the first and second portions from interfacing beyond the threshold point. 
     
     
         5 . The removable cap assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the first and second portions are slideably interfaced to one another;
 with the retaining ring the first and second portions are interfaced with one another in a first position in which the sleeve is partially disposed within the first portion, and   after removal of the retaining ring the second portion is movable by a linear force along a central axis of the removable cap assembly to a second position beyond the threshold point, said linear force driving the cutting element to breach the sealing member.   
     
     
         6 . The removable cap assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the lower sealing member is affixed to the second portion; and   the first portion comprises the cutting element.   
     
     
         7 . The removable cap assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the second portion comprises a sleeve that defines the lateral sidewalls and exterior sidewalls of the removable cap assembly, said lateral and exterior sidewalls defining a gap therebetween for interfacing with the first portion.   
     
     
         8 . The removable cap assembly according to  claim 7 , further comprising a removable retaining ring disposed between the first and second portions that prevents the first and second portions from interfacing beyond the threshold point. 
     
     
         9 . The removable cap assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the first and second portions are screwably interfaced to one another via complementary mating threads;
 with the retaining ring the first and second portions are interfaced with one another in a first position in which the sleeve is partially disposed within the first portion and the first portion is partially disposed in the gap, and   after removal of the retaining ring the second portion is movable by a rotational force about a central axis of the removable cap assembly to a second position beyond the threshold point, said rotational force operating to drive the cutting element along the central axis to breach the sealing member.   
     
     
         10 . The removable cap assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the assembly comprises a cover that when closed seals the internal compartment and when open allows the cap assembly to be flow-through such that contents of the container may flow through the internal compartment and out via the open cover. 
     
     
         11 . The removable cap assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the internal compartment comprises a particulate filter. 
     
     
         12 . The removable cap assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the particulate filter is made of activated carbon and/or ceramic.