Claims:CLAIMS:
We Claim:
1. A portable liquid apparatus (100) comprising:
a container assembly (102) for storing a consumable liquid, wherein the container assembly (102) comprises opening for a lid (108) at top (104) and at least one cylindrical compartment (204) at base (106);
at least one additive vessel (400) comprising:
an additive content to be dispensed into the consumable liquid;
a rupturing mechanism for dispensing the additive content of the at least one additive vessel (400), wherein the rupturing mechanism comprises a reciprocating piston assembly (500) removably coupled within the at least one additive vessel (400); and
the piston assembly (500) comprises an inward cone head (502) to guide the additive content into a channel (508) comprising a through hole (506), and a tapered edge (504) at an end of the channel (508) configured for rupturing action, wherein the channel (508) is configured to dispense the additive contents of the at least one additive vessel (400); and
the lid (108) removably coupled to top (104) of the container assembly (102), the lid (108) comprising:
a lid body (306);
a conduit (308) within the lid body (306), wherein the conduit (308) structured and arranged to couple the additive vessel (400) to the lid body (306) and a groove (302) to retain the piston assembly (500), when the contents of the at least one additive vessel (400) is to be dispensed to the consumable liquid stored in the container assembly (102); and
a membrane (304) within the groove (302) of the conduit (308), configure to be ruptured, when the piston assembly (500) is applying reciprocating force via the at least one additive vessel (400).
2. The portable liquid apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a secondary lid (600) removably coupled to the lid (108), when the at least one additive vessel (400) is coupled to the lid (108) via the conduit (308), wherein the secondary lid (600) is coupled to an outer side (310) of the conduit (308).
3. The portable liquid apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a secondary additive vessel comprising a secondary additive content removably coupled within at least one cylindrical compartment (204) at base (106) of the container assembly (102).
4. The portable liquid apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one cylindrical compartment (204) at the base (106) of the container assembly (102), is closed at the top to provide no contact between the consumable liquid within the container assembly (102) and the secondary additive content in the secondary additive vessel, wherein the cylindrical compartment (204) at the base is tapered inward (206) to facilitate appropriate retention of the secondary additive vessel without protrusion outside the container assembly.
5. The portable liquid apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the base of the at least one cylindrical compartment (204) is smaller in diameter than the diameter of top of the at least one cylindrical compartment (204), to firmly retain the secondary additive vessel to the container assembly (102).
6. The portable liquid apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container assembly (102) comprises finger grips (202) on a body, for respective fingers to be placed for holding the portable liquid apparatus (100).
7. The portable liquid apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one additive vessel (400) comprises grip (402) to rotate the at least one additive vessel (400), wherein the at least one additive vessel (400) along with the piston assembly (500) is slidably mounted into an inner side (312) of the conduit (308) of the lid body (306), until the at least one additive vessel (400) is locked to the conduit (308) of the lid body (306), wherein the locking prevents from demounting of the at least one additive vessel (400) and leakage from the at least one additive vessel (400).
8. The portable liquid apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein, when the at least one additive vessel (400) along with the piston assembly (500) is slidably mounted into the inner side (312) of the conduit (308) of the lid body (306), the piston assembly (500) is in contact with the membrane (304) within the groove (302) of the conduit (308) of the lid body (306).
9. The portable liquid apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein a rotation action of the at least one additive vessel (400) further slides the at least one additive vessel (400) downwards and in turn the piston assembly (500) is reciprocated of the rotation action of the at least one additive vessel (400) to rupture the membrane (304) via the tapered edge (504) of the piston assembly (500).
10. The portable liquid apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein, based on a number of rotations in the rotation action, a corresponding amount of additive content in the at least one additive vessel (400) is dispensed into the container assembly (102).
11. The portable liquid apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid body (306) and the conduit (308) comprise a locking mechanism (314, 312) for locking with the container assembly (102) and at least one additive vessel (400), respectively. , Description:A PORTABLE LIQUID APPARATUS
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to self-contained additive reservoirs for use with liquid containers. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a portable liquid apparatus comprising additive vessels and provisions for dispensing additive contents of the additive vessels into the portable liquid apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The following description of related art is intended to provide background information pertaining to the field of the disclosure. This section may include certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section be used only to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure, and not as admissions of prior art.
[0003] In general, in order to enhance the experience of drinking a beverage/liquid/water/medicines, additives are added to beverage/liquid/water/medicines for many purposes. For example, sugar, sweeteners and/or cream is added to coffee or tea. Flavourings of various sorts are also added to other beverages. Colour is a readily apparent characteristic of any beverage and food colouring is frequently added to beverages in order to make them more appealing. Many beverages are clear and would be more marketable if they could be of various colours. Any medicine added to water or other solutions/dilutants of medicines.
[0004] Portable refillable bottles and other containers used for water and other beverages are widely used and are important for health and hydration. However, one limitation of such bottles and hydration containers is that the consumable contents remain constant and unchanged except for changes in quantity as the contents (frequently, but not exclusively water) are consumed and subsequently replenished. Furthermore, vitamins, health, diagnostic, and dietary supplements in the form of liquids, powders, gels, and solid tablets are becoming increasingly popular and widely consumed. Such supplements and additives are frequently being bought in bulk by consumers since they are using and consuming such supplements and additives on a frequent and long term basis. In addition, such additives and nutritional supplements are frequently dissolved in water for consumption, with different additives and supplements consumed at intervals, several times throughout the day.
[0005] Conventionally, there are arrangements for providing additives and supplements to beverages/water/solutions, but these arrangements require the consumer to remove a top or cap. However, conventional apparatus/bottle may not have provision to hold any additional liquid containers. Moreover, mixing techniques of beverages/water/solutions currently available are very complicated to use, too costly to produce and employ complicated structures. Consequently, conventional apparatus/bottle are not efficient and not cost-effective which allows additives and supplements to be mixed while consuming the beverage/ medicine/ supplements.
SUMMARY
[0006] This section is provided to introduce certain objects and aspects of the present invention in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0007] In an aspect, the present disclosure discloses a portable liquid apparatus. The portable liquid apparatus includes a container assembly for storing (e.g., contained) a consumable liquid, at least one additive vessel, and a lid. The container assembly may include opening for a lid at top and at least one cylindrical compartment at base. Further, the portable liquid apparatus includes at least one additive vessel. The at least one additive vessel includes an additive content to be dispensed into the consumable liquid. Further, the at least one additive vessel includes a rupturing mechanism for dispensing the additive content of the at least one additive vessel. The rupturing mechanism includes a reciprocating piston assembly removably coupled within the at least one additive vessel. Further, at least one additive vessel includes the piston assembly, that includes an inward cone head to guide the additive content into a channel comprising a through hole, and a tapered edge at an end of the channel configured for rupturing action. The channel dispenses the additive contents of the at least one additive vessel. Further, the portable liquid apparatus includes the lid removably coupled to top of the container assembly. The lid includes a lid body and a conduit within the lid body. The conduit structured and arranged to couple the additive vessel to the lid body and a groove to retain the piston assembly, when the contents of the at least one additive vessel is to be dispensed to the consumable liquid stored in the container assembly. The conduit includes a membrane within the groove of the conduit, configure to be ruptured, when the piston assembly is applying reciprocating force via the at least one additive vessel.
[0008] In another aspect, the portable liquid apparatus further includes a secondary lid removably coupled to the lid, when the at least one additive vessel is coupled to the lid via the conduit. The secondary lid is coupled to an outer side of the conduit.
[0009] In yet another aspect, the portable liquid apparatus further includes a secondary additive vessel comprising a secondary additive content removably coupled within at least one cylindrical compartment at base of the container assembly.
[0010] In an aspect, the portable liquid apparatus, the at least one cylindrical compartment at the base of the container assembly, is closed at the top to provide no contact between the consumable liquid within the container assembly and the secondary additive content in the secondary additive vessel. The cylindrical compartment at the base is tapered inward to facilitate appropriate retention of the secondary additive vessel without protrusion outside the container assembly.
[0011] In another aspect, the base of the at least one cylindrical compartment is smaller in diameter than the diameter of top of the at least one cylindrical compartment, to firmly retain the secondary additive vessel to the container assembly.
[0012] In yet another aspect, the container assembly includes finger grips on a body, for respective fingers to be placed for holding the portable liquid apparatus.
[0013] In yet another aspect, the at least one additive vessel includes grip to rotate the at least one additive vessel. The at least one additive vessel along with the piston assembly is slidably mounted into an inner side of the conduit of the lid body, until the at least one additive vessel is locked to the conduit of the lid body. The locking prevents from demounting of the at least one additive vessel and leakage from the at least one additive vessel.
[0014] In another aspect, when the at least one additive vessel along with the piston assembly is slidably mounted into the inner side of the conduit of the lid body, the piston assembly is in contact with the membrane within the groove of the conduit of the lid body.
[0015] In another aspect, a rotation action of the at least one additive vessel further slides the at least one additive vessel downwards and in turn the piston assembly is reciprocated of the rotation action of the at least one additive vessel to rupture the membrane via the tapered edge of the piston assembly.
[0016] In yet another aspect, based on a number of rotations in the rotation action, a corresponding amount of additive content in the at least one additive vessel is dispensed into the container assembly.
[0017] In another aspect, the lid body and the conduit include a locking mechanism for locking with the container assembly and at least one additive vessel, respectively.
[0018] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMANYING DRAWINGS
[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute a part of this invention, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Some drawings may indicate the components using block diagrams and may not represent the internal circuitry of each component. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that invention of such drawings includes the invention of electrical components, electronic components or circuitry commonly used to implement such components.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a portable liquid apparatus and a lid, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a front view and bottom view, respectively, of the container assembly of the portable liquid apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0022] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a top view and bottom view, respectively of a lid, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a perspective view and a bottom view, respectively of a additive vessel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a front view and a top view, respectively of a piston assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0025] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a front view and a bottom view, respectively of a secondary lid, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0026] The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following more detailed description of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0027] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address all of the problems discussed above or might address only some of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein.
[0028] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth.
[0029] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.
[0030] Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional steps not included in a figure. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination can correspond to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function.
[0031] The word “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive—in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as an open transition word—without precluding any additional or other elements.
[0032] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “an instance” or “one instance” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[0033] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0034] Embodiments herein are designed to include, enable, or otherwise account for the desirous and advantageous features and functionalities described above. For example, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a portable liquid apparatus having a container assembly for consumable liquid, which also accommodates additive vessel for additives. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the container assembly and the additive vessel may be clipped, attached, or otherwise held together in a secure manner, while also being easily separable from one another by a user. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the portable liquid apparatus may also include a removable lid which couples the container assembly and the additive vessel. The portable liquid apparatus may include provision for holding additional vessels/containers such as additive vessel, secondary additive vessel, lid, secondary lid, and the like. The lid of the portable liquid apparatus may have provision for holding additional vessel such as additive vessel.
[0035] The portable liquid apparatus may additionally facilitate the easy replacement and/or upgrading of one or more of the components of the container assembly. For example, the container assembly (may become degraded or stained by the contents over a period of time and may therefore be easily replaced or upgraded without the need to replace or upgrade other, components. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the container assembly and the additive vessel may be clipped, attached, or otherwise held together in a secure manner, while also being easily separable from one another by a user. Present disclosure are designed to operate with or include a vessel or container, from which all or a portion of the contents (e.g., additives) contained therein can be dispensed through a valve when mechanical pressure may be applied to the vessel, either via electromechanical means or through “manual” means (e.g., where the force may be provided controllably by the user via a mechanical interface). The shape and form of the vessel may be recoverable to the shape and form possessed prior to the dispensing event caused by the application of mechanical pressure, for the purpose of equilibration as it relates to reliability and/or repeatability of the desired dispensing function. As will be described in greater detail below, a valve mechanism permits vessel contents to pass outward and prevents liquid contents of the container to pass inwards. Such a feature provides for the controlled, unidirectional ingress and/or egress of the contents of the additive vessel.
[0036] In the present disclosure, the rupturing mechanism may be designed to permit air to pass inwards to equalize pressure when mechanical pressure may be released following a dispensing event. In contrast to the role of the piston assembly in the controllably unidirectional dispensing of an additive, the piston assembly also functions to controllably allow for air to bidirectionally flow from either side of the piston assembly to equilibrate the additive vessel. In the present disclosure, the additive vessel can be removed from the container assembly and stored, the additive vessel may be re-inserted into the same container assembly, or may be inserted in a second container (not shown) irrespective of how full or empty the additive vessel is. The additive vessel may be refillable and reusable. For example, in at least one embodiment, the additive vessel may be recyclable, and configured in such a way as to prevent or otherwise discourage end-user refilling/reusing. In another example, the additive vessel may be recyclable. The rupturing mechanism may be designed to permit air to pass inwards to equalize pressure when mechanical pressure may be released following a dispensing event. In contrast to the role of the piston assembly in the controllably unidirectional dispensing of an additive, the piston assembly also functions to controllably allow for air to bidirectionally flow from either side of the piston assembly to equilibrate the additive vessel. The at least one additive vessel is designed to operate with or include a vessel or container, from which all or a portion of the contents (e.g., additives) contained therein can be dispensed through a piston assembly when mechanical pressure may be applied to the additive vessel, either via electromechanical means or through “manual” means (e.g., where the force may be provided controllably by the user via a mechanical interface). The rupturing mechanism permits at least one additive vessel contents to pass outward and prevents liquid contents of the container assembly to pass inwards. Such a feature provides for the controlled, unidirectional ingress and/or egress of the contents of the additive vessel.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 1 illustrating a perspective view of a portable liquid apparatus and a lid, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the portable liquid apparatus 100 may include a container assembly 102, opening for a lid 108 at top 104 and at least one cylindrical compartment at base 106. The container assembly 102 may include a consumable (e.g., a liquid) into which liquid, powder, and/or other forms of consumable additives may be dispensed from one or more separate removable additive vessels. The portable liquid apparatus 100 may be, but not limited to, a bottle, a container, a shaker, a sports bottle, a medical/pharmaceutical container, and the like. The portable liquid apparatus 100 may include material, but not limited to, a compressible, a flexible, a semi-flexible, a recoverable material such as Bisphenol A (BPA) free Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), disposable, decomposable, and the like.
[0038] The consumable liquid may include, but not limited to, water, beverage, solution, medicine, solvent, substrate, and the like. The utility of portable liquid apparatus 100 can be greatly enhanced if the flavour, consistency, and/or the nutritional, medical, supplemental, chemical or other make-up of the consumable liquid may be altered over some period of time (e.g., hourly, daily, etc.) and/or according to some other cycle based on, for example, the needs or desires of a user, in order to optimize the health and well-being of the user. For example, the consumable liquid can be enhanced with an energy boosting supplement in the morning to facilitate alertness and focus, with vitamin supplements throughout the day, and with a calming nutritional supplement at the end of the day to facilitate quality sleep. Such a daily cycle can be supplemented by an additional longer term cycle of additives dispensed on a weekly, bi-weekly, etc., basis or some other customized time-cycle. As well as nutritional supplements, it may additionally be desirable to dispense other types of substances or additives such as, for example, vitamins, flavourings, pharmaceuticals, and the like, into the contents of portable containers in order to further optimize the health, hydration, recovery, and other benefits to a user, athlete, or patient.
[0039] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a front view and bottom view, respectively, of the container assembly 102 of the portable liquid apparatus 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the container assembly 102 may include finger grips 202 on a body of the container assembly 102, for respective fingers to be placed for holding the portable liquid apparatus 100. Further, the container assembly 102 may include opening for the lid 108 at the top 104 and at least one cylindrical compartment 204 at base 106. The at least one cylindrical compartment 204 at the base 106 of the container assembly 102 may be closed at the top to provide no contact between the consumable liquid within the container assembly 102 and the secondary additive content in a secondary additive vessel (not shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B). The secondary additive content in a secondary additive vessel may include, but not limited to, seeds, medicines, supplements, and the like. When the portable liquid apparatus 100 may be disposed, then the seeds in the secondary additive vessel may be sown in to soil when the portable liquid apparatus 100 may be decomposed. The cylindrical compartment 204 at the base may be tapered inward 206 to facilitate appropriate retention of the secondary additive vessel without protrusion outside the container assembly. Further, the base of the at least one cylindrical compartment 204 may be smaller in diameter than the diameter of top of the at least one cylindrical compartment 204, to firmly retain the secondary additive vessel to the container assembly 102.
[0040] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a top view and bottom view, respectively of the lid 108, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a perspective view and a bottom view, respectively of a additive vessel 400, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0041] The lid 108 may include a lid body 306, a conduit 308 within the lid body 306. The conduit 308 may be structured and arranged to couple the additive vessel 400 (shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B) to the lid body 306 and a groove 302 to retain the piston assembly (not shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B), when the contents of the at least one additive vessel 400 is to be dispensed to the consumable liquid stored in the container assembly 102. The groove 302 may be guiding the piston assembly into the lid body 306.
[0042] The container assembly 102 may be covered with the lid 108, which snaps onto the container assembly 102 and the threads/other suitable locking mechanism of which also engage with receiving threads in the at least one additive vessel 400 to lock the additive vessel 400 into place with the container assembly 102.
[0043] The contents of the at least one additive vessel 400 may include, but not limited to, vitamins, or pharmaceuticals, liquid, powder, and the like, which may be chosen and inserted within the container assembly 102 by the user in various different combinations, such that some of the beverages, functional beverages, vitamins, pharmaceuticals, etc., could be dispensed periodically/instantaneously into the consumable liquid of the container assembly 102 when required or desired, and consumed by the user.
[0044] The lid 108 may include a membrane 304 within the groove 302 of the conduit 308, configure to be ruptured, when the piston assembly may be applying reciprocating force via the at least one additive vessel. The lid body 306 and the conduit 308 may include a locking mechanism 314, 312 for locking with the container assembly 102 and at least one additive vessel 400, respectively.
[0045] The additive vessel 400 can be removed from the container assembly 102 and stored, the additive vessel 400 may be re-inserted into the same container assembly 102, or may be inserted in a second container (not shown) irrespective of how full or empty the additive vessel is. The additive vessel 400 may be refillable and reusable. For example, in at least one embodiment, the additive vessel may be recyclable, and configured in such a way as to prevent or otherwise discourage end-user refilling/reusing. In another example, the additive vessel may be recyclable.
[0046] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a front view and a top view, respectively of a piston assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, when the at least one additive vessel 400 along with the piston assembly 500 may be slidably mounted into the inner side 312 of the conduit 308 of the lid body 306, the piston assembly 500 may be in contact with the membrane 304 within the groove 302 of the conduit 308 of the lid body 306.
[0047] In an embodiment, a rotation action of the at least one additive vessel 400 further slides the at least one additive vessel 400 downwards and in turn the piston assembly 500 may be reciprocated of the rotation action of the at least one additive vessel 400 to rupture the membrane 304 via the tapered edge 504 of the piston assembly 500. The at least one additive vessel 400 may include grip 402 to rotate the at least one additive vessel 400. A process for controlling (e.g., adjusting, varying, etc.) an amount (e.g., quantity) of additive contents the at least one additive vessel 400 dispensed into a consumable liquid (e.g., stored in the container assembly 102) may be based on a consumable liquid level of the consumable liquid, chosen by the user. The process for controlling the amount of dispensing the additive contents may be based on number of rotations of the at least one additive vessel 400.
[0048] A conical shape design of an inner top surface of the at least one additive vessel 400 and the inward cone head of the piston assembly 500 may enable draining the additive contents into the container assembly 102. The at least one additive vessel 400 with the piston assembly 500 may be capable of varying and/or adjusting the amount of additive to be dispensed into the consumable liquid to achieve or maintain a targeted (e.g., optimal) or desired level of concentration of the additive (or additives) in the consumable liquid.
[0049] The at least one additive vessel 400 may be designed to operate with or include a vessel or container, from which all or a portion of the contents (e.g., additives) contained therein can be dispensed through a piston assembly 500 when mechanical pressure may be applied to the additive vessel 400, either via electromechanical means or through “manual” means (e.g., where the force may be provided controllably by the user via a mechanical interface). The rupturing mechanism permits at least one additive vessel 400 contents to pass outward and prevents liquid contents of the container assembly 102 to pass inwards. Such a feature provides for the controlled, unidirectional ingress and/or egress of the contents of the additive vessel 400.
[0050] The at least one additive vessel 400 may also be designed to be easily compressible under mechanical pressure, to dispense the additive contents, and which readily recovers its original shape and form to facilitate a subsequent dispensing event and/or multiple dispensing events. The at least one additive vessel 400 may be designed for repeatable, controllable, consistent, and predictable ejection of its contents, thereby enabling the dispensing of variable, non-zero quantities of an additive (e.g., into the consumable liquid contained in the container assembly 102). Further, the at least one additive vessel 400 along with the piston assembly 500 may be slidably mounted into an inner side 312 of the conduit 308 of the lid body 306, until the at least one additive vessel 400 may be locked to the conduit 308 of the lid body 306. The locking may prevent from demounting of the at least one additive vessel 400 and leakage from the at least one additive vessel 400.
[0051] The rupturing mechanism may be designed to permit air to pass inwards to equalize pressure when mechanical pressure may be released following a dispensing event. In contrast to the role of the piston assembly 500 in the controllably unidirectional dispensing of an additive, the piston assembly 500 also functions to controllably allow for air to bidirectionally flow from either side of the piston assembly 500 to equilibrate the additive vessel 400. Furthermore, when the at least one additive vessel 400 along with the piston assembly 500 may be slidably mounted into the inner side 312 of the conduit 308 of the lid body 306, the piston assembly 500 may be in contact with the membrane 304 within the groove 302 of the conduit 308 of the lid body 306.
[0052] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a front view and a bottom view, respectively of a secondary lid 600, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the secondary lid 600 may be removably coupled to the lid 108, when the at least one additive vessel 400 may be coupled to the lid 108 via the conduit 308. Further, the secondary lid 600 may be coupled to an outer side 310 of the conduit 308. The secondary lid 600 may be used when the at least one additive vessel 400 coupled to the lid 108, and to avoid dust/ other foreign materials to enter into the lid 108 or container assembly 102, when the additive contents are remaining in the at least one additive vessel 400.
[0053] The apparatus of the present disclosure are designed to include, enable, or otherwise account for the desirous and advantageous features and functionalities described above. For example, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a portable liquid apparatus having a container assembly for consumable liquid, which also accommodates additive vessel for additives. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the container assembly and the additive vessel may be clipped, attached, or otherwise held together in a secure manner, while also being easily separable from one another by a user.
[0054] In accordance with one or more embodiments, the portable liquid apparatus may also include a removable lid which couples the container assembly and the additive vessel. The portable liquid apparatus may include provision for holding additional vessels/containers such as additive vessel, secondary additive vessel, lid, secondary lid, and the like. The lid of the portable liquid apparatus may have provision for holding additional vessel such as additive vessel. The portable liquid apparatus may additionally facilitate the easy replacement and/or upgrading of one or more of the components of the container assembly. For example, the container assembly (may become degraded or stained by the contents over a period of time and may therefore be easily replaced or upgraded without the need to replace or upgrade other, components. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the container assembly and the additive vessel may be clipped, attached, or otherwise held together in a secure manner, while also being easily separable from one another by a user.
[0055] Present disclosure are designed to operate with or include a vessel or container, from which all or a portion of the contents (e.g., additives) contained therein can be dispensed through a valve when mechanical pressure may be applied to the vessel, either via electromechanical means or through “manual” means (e.g., where the force may be provided controllably by the user via a mechanical interface). The shape and form of the vessel may be recoverable to the shape and form possessed prior to the dispensing event caused by the application of mechanical pressure, for the purpose of equilibration as it relates to reliability and/or repeatability of the desired dispensing function. As will be described in greater detail below, a valve mechanism permits vessel contents to pass outward and prevents liquid contents of the container to pass inwards. Such a feature provides for the controlled, unidirectional ingress and/or egress of the contents of the additive vessel.
[0056] In the present disclosure, the rupturing mechanism may be designed to permit air to pass inwards to equalize pressure when mechanical pressure may be released following a dispensing event. In contrast to the role of the piston assembly in the controllably unidirectional dispensing of an additive, the piston assembly also functions to controllably allow for air to bidirectionally flow from either side of the piston assembly to equilibrate the additive vessel.
[0057] In the present disclosure, the additive vessel can be removed from the container assembly and stored, the additive vessel may be re-inserted into the same container assembly, or may be inserted in a second container (not shown) irrespective of how full or empty the additive vessel is. The additive vessel may be refillable and reusable. For example, in at least one embodiment, the additive vessel may be recyclable, and configured in such a way as to prevent or otherwise discourage end-user refilling/reusing. In another example, the additive vessel may be recyclable.
[0058] The rupturing mechanism may be designed to permit air to pass inwards to equalize pressure when mechanical pressure may be released following a dispensing event. In contrast to the role of the piston assembly in the controllably unidirectional dispensing of an additive, the piston assembly also functions to controllably allow for air to bidirectionally flow from either side of the piston assembly to equilibrate the additive vessel.
[0059] The at least one additive vessel may be designed to operate with or include a vessel or container, from which all or a portion of the contents (e.g., additives) contained therein can be dispensed through a piston assembly when mechanical pressure may be applied to the additive vessel, either via electromechanical means or through “manual” means (e.g., where the force may be provided controllably by the user via a mechanical interface). The rupturing mechanism permits at least one additive vessel contents to pass outward and prevents liquid contents of the container assembly to pass inwards. Such a feature provides for the controlled, unidirectional ingress and/or egress of the contents of the additive vessel.
[0060] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other changes in the preferred embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter to be implemented merely as illustrative of the invention and not as limitation.