Pre-Flavored Container

Abstract

A multi-stage method of filling a container for storing a liquid makes use of a pre-loading process to insert a pre-fill portion of the liquid containing at least a flavorant, and in some embodiments both a flavorant and a sweetener. This creates a container that has been predosed with flavor and other components. Such a predosed container can be stored and shipped to be filled with the remaining components, before final packaging and distribution.

1 . A preloaded container comprising:
 a reservoir having a sidewall; and   a preloaded fill portion affixed to an interior of the reservoir, the preloaded fill portion comprising a flavorant.   
     
     
         2 . The preloaded container of  claim 1  wherein the preloaded fill portion further comprises a sweetener. 
     
     
         3 . The preloaded container of  claim 2  wherein the sweetener is selected from a list comprising sugar, honey, aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, isomalt, stevia, sorbitol and other sugar alcohols. 
     
     
         4 . The preloaded container of  claim 1  further comprising a coating affixed to the preloaded fill portion. 
     
     
         5 . The preloaded container of  claim 4  wherein the coating is selected from a list comprising:
 a sweetener, a water soluble polymer, and a starch. 
 
     
     
         6 . The preloaded container of  claim 1  wherein the container is one of a bottle, a bottle preform and a can. 
     
     
         7 . The preload container of  claim 6  wherein the preloaded fill portion is affixed to the sidewall. 
     
     
         8 . The preloaded container of  claim 6  wherein the preloaded fill portion is affixed to a base of the reservoir. 
     
     
         9 . The preloaded container of  claim 6  further comprising a fill liquid selected from a list comprising water, carbonated water and alcohol. 
     
     
         10 . The preloaded container of  claim 1  wherein the container is an electronic nicotine delivery system pod. 
     
     
         11 . The preloaded container of  claim 10  further comprising an e-liquid comprising at least one of vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol, nicotine and a flavorant. 
     
     
         12 . The preloaded container of  claim 11  wherein the preloaded fill portion is one of partially soluble and fully soluble in the e-liquid. 
     
     
         13 . The preloaded container of  claim 10  wherein the preloaded fill portion is affixed to one of the sidewall and a post-wick airflow passage within the reservoir. 
     
     
         14 . A method of filling a container for storing a liquid composition, the method comprising:
 preloading the container with a first portion of the liquid composition, the first portion comprising at least a flavorant; and   curing the preloaded first portion within the container.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the first portion is comprised of dry ingredients making up a subset of ingredients of the liquid composition. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein preloading the container comprises spraying the first portion of the liquid composition into the container. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein curing the preloaded first portion comprises drying the preloaded first portion. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising filling the container with a second portion of the liquid composition and sealing the reservoir. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the container is one of a can, a bottle and a bottle preform. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the container is an electronic nicotine delivery system pod, and the liquid composition is an e-liquid.