Supplement compartment for beverage container

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates to beverage containing and dispensing systems. It is particularly directed to a compartment that may be associated with a liquid container and that is to contain supplements for ingestion with water and other beverages.

#2. State of the Art

#In the drawings, which illustrate what is currently regarded as the best mode for carrying out the invention:

#FIG. 1 is a side view of a compartment nested atop a closure which covers a push-pull dispenser of a beverage bottle;

#FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of a nesting portion of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

#The structural elements of one configuration of the present invention, generally 1, are presented in FIG. 1. As illustrated, a beverage container 5 comprises a closure 10. While closure of containers generally may be accomplished with structure ranging from a simple press-fit, screw-on or hinged cap, cork or lid to a levered spigot or pivoting valve (not shown), the closure 10 of the illustrated configuration includes a standard push-pull spout 15. The spout 15 enables opening of the container 5 by pulling the rim 20 away from the container 5 along a post 25. A liquid 30, which may be water or other beverage, may then be dispensed from the container 5 through a nozzle 35. Closing of the container 5 is accomplished by pushing the rim 20 toward the container 5 along the post 25.

#A cap 40 placed atop the closure 10 is commonly used as a form of protection against contamination of the nozzle 35. Closures generally may be further protected against contamination, intentional or otherwise, by such structure as a tamper-proof, shrink-wrap hull (not shown). Upon removal of such a hull, the cap 40 may be selectively removed for actuation of the spout 15 and replaced as a continuing barrier against contamination.

#A novel aspect of the present invention includes a compartment 45 associated with the beverage dispensing system 1 that enables temporary storage of a supplement 50 for use in conjunction with the beverage 30. The supplement 50 utilized may be provided in any preferred form such as, for example, a granule or powder 55, a tablet or pill 60, or a paste, liquid or syrup 65. Depending upon the intended benefit sought by use of the supplement 50, the supplement 50 may be applied to the beverage 30 as an additive prior to the beverage being imbibed, such as with flavors, sweeteners or electrolytes. Likewise, the supplement 50 may be ingested and followed by the beverage 30, such as with chewable nutritional supplements. Alternatively, the supplement 50 may be placed in the mouth of a user and the beverage 30 used to facilitate swallowing and dissolution of the supplement 50, such as with aspirin or other medicines.