Container cap with releasable capsule and method of use

Abstract

A system for carrying a first ingredient and configured for mixture with a second ingredient of a container is provided. The system includes a cap configured for selective engagement with a mouth of a container, a capsule for carrying a first ingredient, a rod extending from the capsule, and a tab defining a fork translatable within the cap and selectively engageable with the rod for locking the capsule into a locked position relative to the cap. Translation of the fork without the cap unlocks and permits repositioning of the capsule for mixing the two ingredients.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for carrying a first ingredient, comprising:
 a cap configured for selective engagement with a container;   a capsule for carrying a first ingredient;   a rod extending from the capsule;   a tab defining a fork translatable within the cap and selectively engageable with the rod for locking the capsule into a locked and sealed position relative to the cap and the container,   wherein translation of the fork without the cap unlocks and permits disengagement of the capsule from the cap and the container.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fork defines two prongs configured for translating on opposite sides of the rod when the fork and rod are engaged. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the rod defines a ledge on an end of the rod, the ledge being supported by the prongs when the fork and rod are engaged. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the fork further defines a void shaped to nestingly house the rod when the fork and the rod are engaged. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the cap defines cap ridges and the container defines container ridges for permitting twisting engagement between the cap and the container. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a capsule gasket positioned between the capsule and the container when the fork and rod are engaged for sealing the capsule from the container. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a cap gasket positioned between the rod and the cap when the fork and the rod are engaged for sealing the capsule from the cap. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising the first ingredient. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further including the container. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the fork defines two prongs configured for translating on opposite sides of the rod when the fork and rod are engaged. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the rod defines a ledge on an end of the rod, the ledge being supported by the prongs when the fork and rod are engaged. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the fork further defines a void shaped to nestingly house the rod when the fork and the rod are engaged. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the cap defines cap ridges and the container defines container ridges for permitting twisting engagement between the cap and the container. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , further including a capsule gasket positioned between the capsule and the container when the fork and rod are engaged for sealing the capsule from the container. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , further including a cap gasket positioned between the rod and the cap when the fork and the rod are engaged for sealing the capsule from the cap. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising the second ingredient.