초록 ▼

A compact filtering and additive delivery system which is readily adaptable to a portable container, such as a sports bottle, and receives a modular additive container for the metered delivery of additive, such as flavor concentrate, to a stream of base liquid as the base liquid is drawn or dispense

A compact filtering and additive delivery system which is readily adaptable to a portable container, such as a sports bottle, and receives a modular additive container for the metered delivery of additive, such as flavor concentrate, to a stream of base liquid as the base liquid is drawn or dispensed from the container. The modular additive container configuration on the delivery system allows a consumer/user to experience different additives, such as different flavors or supplement compositions, for a given supply of base liquid, such as water, stored in the container. The system may be readily used with off-the-shelf containers, such as disposable water bottles. An additive container configuration provides modular additive delivery system as described herein.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An additive delivery system comprising: an upper cap portion;a lower cap portion cooperating with the upper cap portion to define an additive module containing space;an additive module removably secured to the upper cap portion, the additive module having a central interior annular wall, wherein

1. An additive delivery system comprising: an upper cap portion;a lower cap portion cooperating with the upper cap portion to define an additive module containing space;an additive module removably secured to the upper cap portion, the additive module having a central interior annular wall, wherein the additive module further comprises a retaining groove and the upper cap portion includes a retaining lip cooperating with the retaining groove to removably secure the additive module to the upper cap portion;a delivery tube for permitting flow of a base liquid through the additive module containing space, the delivery tube extending within the central interior annular wall of the additive module, and including at least one metering port to permit flow from the additive module containing space to an interior of the delivery tube;whereby flow of the base liquid in the delivery tube draws additive from the additive module through the at least one metering port for mixing therewith as the base liquid flows within the delivery tube. 2. The additive delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a filtration assembly configured to filter the base liquid prior to flow into the additive module containing space, the filter assembly, the delivery tube and the additive module containing space being configured to provide for flow of the base liquid from the container through the module containing space. 3. The additive delivery system of claim 1, wherein the delivery tube is provided with at least one mixing projection to facilitate turbulent flow and mixing within the delivery tube of the base liquid and the additive. 4. The additive delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a piercing projection disposed within the additive module containing space for piercing a frangible membrane on the additive module. 5. The additive delivery system of claim 1, wherein the upper cap portion further includes a spout and an annular additive module receiving annular wall extending generally opposite the spout, the annular wall including the retaining lip for engaging the retaining groove on the addictive module to thereby secure the additive module to the upper cap portion. 6. The additive delivery system of claim 1, further comprising an additive module enclosure assembly for enclosing a lower portion of the additive module, the lower cap portion further including a downward extending annular wall having a retaining groove therein, the additive module enclosure assembly including an upper extending annular wall having a retaining lip formed therein to engage the retaining groove and thereby forming a lower additive module receiving space. 7. The additive delivery system of claim 6, wherein the the delivery tube extends through the additive enclosure assembly and the at least one metering port permits flow from the lower additive module receiving space to the interior of the delivery tube. 8. The additive delivery system of claim 7, further comprising at least one mixing projection disposed within the delivery tube. 9. The additive delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a silicone seal disposed within the upper cap portion, the silicone seal including a conical sealing surface for engaging a corresponding surface the additive module. 10. The additive delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a filtration assembly configured to filter the base liquid prior to flow into the module containing space, the filter assembly, the delivery tube and the module containing space being configured to provide for flow of the base liquid from the container through the module containing space, and further comprising a check valve for preventing backflow of the base liquid into the filtration assembly. 11. The additive delivery system of claim 10, wherein the filtration assembly includes a filter housing and a filter housing top adapted for snap fit connection to enclose a filtration element therewithin. 12. An additive delivery system comprising: an upper cap portion having a spout, a threaded female portion extending generally opposite the spout, and an annular additive module enclosing wall extending generally opposite the spout;a lower cap portion having a threaded male portion for engaging the upper cap portion threaded female portion and an additive enclosure assembly retaining wall extending generally opposite the threaded male portion;an additive enclosure assembly including an annular wall cooperating with the additive enclosure assembly retaining wall to form a lower additive module receiving space;the additive enclosure assembly further including a delivery tube extending therethrough and having at least one metering port for permitting flow from the lower additive module receiving space to an interior of the delivery tube,the additive enclosure assembly further including at least one piercing projection extending into the lower additive module receiving space for piercing a frangible membrane on an additive module; the delivery tube including at least one mixing projection extending within the interior of the delivery tube;whereby flow of a base liquid in the delivery tube draws additive through the at least one metering port for mixing therewith as the base liquid flows within the delivery tube. 13. An additive delivery system for mixing an additive with a base fluid as the base fluid is dispensed from a container, the system comprising: an additive module for containing a supply of additive;an upper cap portion having an annular wall for releasably engaging the additive module, wherein the additive module is releasably engaged to the upper cap portion with a snap fitting, the upper cap portion including a spout for permitting flow of fluid from the additive delivery system;a lower cap portion cooperating with the upper cap portion to secure the additive module to the upper cap portion;a first flow path defined in the lower cap portion for permitting flow of a base liquid through the lower cap portion, through the additive module and through the spout;a second flow path defined in the lower cap portion for permitting flow of additive from the additive module to the first flow path and including a metering port to meter the flow of additive into the first flow path;whereby flow of the base liquid in the first flow path draws additive through the at least one metering port for mixing therewith as the base liquid flows within the first flow path. 14. The additive delivery system of claim 13, further comprising a filtration assembly configured to filter the base liquid prior to flow into a module containing space and further comprising a check valve for preventing backflow of the base liquid into the filtration assembly, wherein the filtration assembly includes a filter housing and a filter housing top adapted for snap fit connection to enclose a filtration element therewithin. 15. The additive delivery system of claim 13, wherein the first flow path is defined at least in part by a delivery tube extending concentrically with the upper cap portion and through the additive module. 16. The additive delivery system of claim 13, wherein the first flow path is defined at least in part by a delivery tube extending concentrically with the upper cap portion and through the additive module, and where in the second flow path is defined at least in part by the metering port in the delivery tube. 17. The additive delivery system of claim 13, wherein the additive module is cylindrical in shape and includes an inner annular wall. 18. The additive delivery system of claim 13, wherein the additive module includes a conical sealing surface.