Systems and methods for adjusting content of a beverage

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025386965-A1
Application number	US-202519308747-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 25, 2025
Priority date	Oct 16, 2020
Publication date	Dec 25, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

A beverage apparatus, hand-holdable by a user of the beverage apparatus to be portable, can include a chamber housing that includes a chamber for storing a consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus can include a dispensing assembly. The dispensing assembly can retain a vessel or pod. The dispensing assembly can be operatively controllable by a controller to output the additive from the vessel into the consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus can include a receptacle member that is provided in the shape of a volcano or cylinder. The receptacle member can serve to house a pod. A skirt structure can be mounted to a lower portion of the beverage apparatus. The skirt can be flexible so as to accommodate for reciprocal movement of the pod, in a dispense event. Related features are disclosed.

First claim

1 .- 18 . (canceled)

19 . A portable beverage apparatus comprising:
a chamber housing that includes a chamber defining an internal volume for storing a consumable liquid; a vessel containing additive; and a plunger slidably disposed within the vessel, wherein the vessel and the plunger are movable relative to one another between a first position and a second position such that at least a portion of the additive is dispensed from the vessel to the internal volume of the chamber in response to movement of the plunger relative to the vessel from the first position to the second position.

20 . The portable beverage apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the plunger is configured to generate a positive pressure in the vessel when moving between the first and second positions to dispense the additive from the vessel.

21 . The portable beverage apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the movement of the vessel and plunger relative to one another is manually controllable by a user.

22 . The portable beverage apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising a receptacle member with a bay, the bay arranged to receive the vessel.

23 . The portable beverage apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the vessel is removable from the bay such that the vessel may be replaced.

24 . The portable beverage apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the receptacle member is configured to reciprocate between the first and second positions.

25 . The portable beverage apparatus of claim 24 , wherein the vessel is configured to move with the receptacle member between the first and second positions.

26 . The portable beverage apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising a nozzle assembly disposed at an end portion of the vessel, wherein the additive is arranged to be dispensed through the nozzle assembly.

27 . The portable beverage apparatus of claim 26 , further comprising a valve disposed at the nozzle assembly, the valve configured to allow one-way flow of the additive from the vessel to the internal volume of the chamber.

28 . The portable beverage apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising a drive assembly configured to move the vessel and the plunger relative to one another to dispense the additive from the vessel to the internal volume of the chamber when the drive assembly is actuated.

29 . The portable beverage apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising a cap that is removable to expose the internal volume of the chamber.

30 . The portable beverage apparatus of claim 19 , wherein an internal volume of the vessel is variable.

31 . A portable beverage apparatus comprising:
a chamber housing that includes a chamber defining an internal volume for storing a consumable liquid; a vessel containing additive; and a drive mechanism configured to move at least a portion of the vessel between a first position and a second position when the drive mechanism is actuated, wherein at least a portion of the additive is dispensed from the vessel to the internal volume of the chamber in response to movement of the portion of the vessel from the first position to the second position.

32 . The portable beverage apparatus of claim 31 , wherein the drive mechanism is configured to be manually controlled by a user.

33 . The portable beverage apparatus of claim 31 , further comprising a receptacle member with a bay, the bay arranged to receive the vessel.

34 . The portable beverage apparatus of claim 33 , wherein the vessel is removable from the bay such that the vessel may be replaced.

35 . The portable beverage apparatus of claim 31 , further comprising a nozzle assembly disposed at an end portion of the vessel, wherein the additive is arranged to be dispensed through the nozzle assembly.

36 . The portable beverage apparatus of claim 35 , further comprising a valve disposed at the nozzle assembly, the valve configured to allow one-way flow of the additive from the vessel to the internal volume of the chamber.

37 . The portable beverage apparatus of claim 31 , further comprising a cap that is removable to expose the internal volume of the chamber.

38 . The portable beverage apparatus of claim 31 , wherein an internal volume of the vessel is variable.

Assignees

• Cirkul Inc

Inventors

• Ring Iii Raymond John
• Maclean Abraham
• Fornasini Giacomo
• Roach Heather
• Lyons Mark

Classifications

• A47J31/52 Primary

  Alarm-clock-controlled mechanisms for coffee- or tea-making apparatus {; Timers for coffee- or tea-making apparatus; Electronic control devices for coffee- or tea-making apparatus} · CPC title

• A47J31/4492

  Means to read code provided on ingredient pod or cartridge · CPC title

• A47J31/4403

  Constructional details · CPC title

• A47J31/407 Primary

  with ingredient-containing cartridges; Cartridge-perforating means · CPC title