Flexible cap device and methods

Abstract

A cap device for use with a container includes a chamber for containing a composition and a shell for adapting to the container. The composition is kept safe from the environment by means of a film. The chamber has a piercer which, when actuated, breaks the film, permitting the flow of composition from the chamber into the shell. The composition can be mixed with liquid just prior to consumption in order to, for example, maximize stability, taste, and activity of the ingredients.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
         1 . A cap device adapted for use with a container comprising:
 a flexible chamber for containing a composition, the chamber comprising at least one side wall and a top wall, wherein the top wall has an integrated piercer; and   a shell for associating the cap device with a container, the shell comprising a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion forms an opening that is covered by a film.   
     
     
         2 . The cap device in  claim 1 , wherein the side walls of the chamber are corrugated. 
     
     
         3 . The cap device in  claim 2 , wherein the side walls of the chamber are accordion-shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The cap device in  claim 2 , wherein the shell and chamber are manufactured as one piece. 
     
     
         5 . The cap device in  claim 2 , wherein the shell and chamber are manufactured separately and molded together. 
     
     
         6 . The cap device in  claim 2 , wherein the piercer is conical-shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The cap device in  claim 2 , wherein the piercer is cylindrically shaped. 
     
     
         8 . The cap device in  claim 2 , wherein the piercer has a cutting element disposed on the distal end of the piercer oriented toward the bottom portion. 
     
     
         9 . The cap device in  claim 8 , wherein the cutting element is blunt. 
     
     
         10 . The cap device in  claim 8 , wherein the cutting element is sharp. 
     
     
         11 . The cap device in  claim 2 , wherein a dust cover is adapted to be disposed around or on top of the chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The cap device of  claim 11 , wherein the dust cover is removably attachable to the shell. 
     
     
         13 . The cap device of  claim 2 , wherein the chamber is narrowest at the top and widest at the bottom. 
     
     
         14 . The cap device of  claim 3 , wherein the accordion shape of the side wall has more than three flutes. 
     
     
         15 . A cap device adapted for use with a container comprising:
 a flexible chamber for containing a composition, and a shell for associating the cap device with a container, with the chamber and shell manufactured as one piece;   the chamber comprising at least one accordion-shaped side wall and a top wall, wherein the top wall has an integrated piercer; and   the shell comprising a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion forms an opening that is covered by a film.   
     
     
         16 . The method of adding at least a portion of a composition to a container, comprising:
 providing a flexible chamber for containing a composition, the chamber comprising at least one side wall and a top wall, wherein the top wall has an integrated piercer;   providing a shell for associating the cap device with a container, the shell comprising a bottom portion; wherein the bottom portion forms an opening that is covered by a film; and   actuating the chamber toward the film so that the piercer breaks the film, wherein the composition flows from the chamber into the shell and through the bottom opening of the shell into the container.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising actuating the chamber so that the chamber enters the shell. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein substantially all of the composition in the chamber is removed from the chamber. 
     
     
         19 . A cap device adapted for use with a container comprising:
 a flexible chamber for containing a composition, the chamber comprising at least one corrugated side wall and a top wall; and   a shell for associating the cap device with a container, the shell comprising a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion forms an opening that is covered by a film; wherein the chamber can be pushed through the shell and into the container, so that the chamber is turned inside out.   
     
     
         20 . The cap device of  claim 2 , wherein the top wall is removable with respect to the rest of the chamber.