Beverage bottle with a resealable storage compartment

Abstract

A combination container for a consumer product consisting of a body providing a primary compartment for containing a primary product, the body having a sidewall, a secondary compartment forming a cavity recessed into the body, and one or more secondary products disposed and stored within the cavity of the secondary compartment.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to combination containers for consumer products, such as beverage bottles and, more specifically, to a combination container forming a primary product compartment and having a secondary item storage compartment for storing a secondary item such as a promotional product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Promotional products are commonly used by businesses to increase public awareness of their goods and services. In respect to packaged foods, such as cereals and potato chips, manufacturers can easily include the promotional products within the packaging at the time of manufacture. Following the purchase of such packaged foods, the user may open the packaging and remove the promotional product for their use and enjoyment. Thus far, manufacturers have not been provided with a suitable approach for providing combination containers having secondary exterior compartments for secondary products which accompany a primary product package. An existing approach is to secure a secondary product to a hang tag around the neck of the primary container, such as a beverage bottle. Manufacturers have discovered that this approach is problematic for the reason that consumers may easily remove the secondary product from the primary container without having to purchase the associated primary product.

Secondary products are increasingly used at sporting and entertainment events to encourage spectators to attend and support the participants in the subject event. In view of the increased security conditions at most public sporting and entertainment events, spectators are routinely not permitted to bring banners and other novelty secondary products to the events. Without banners or novelty secondary products, spectators are often unable to fully enjoy and participate in the excitement of an event.

Similar situations arise with many other cases where consumers may be purchasing a primary product, and require a secondary product to be supplied which accompanies the primary product. For example, take out foods, as primary products, supplied in primary containers, may require secondary products such as cutlery, condiments, cleansing cloths and the like.

In the past these secondary items are often available only at a service counter, or may require extra handling by staff at the cash register.

This will slow up the handling of customers, and require service personnel to be occupied in clearing service counters, restocking with secondary items and the like.

One form of secondary item package is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,851 inventor D A Powell granted Oct. 4, 1994. In that patent the intent was, apparently to provide a combination package, with a recess for e secondary item, and a clear film covering the recess and holding the item in the recess.

However, it is found that a significant and desirable feature in a combination package is that the consumer can actually see and identify the item in the recess. It is also necessary that the entire package can be produced, assembled and labeled in an efficient and repeatable fashion, without downtime on the production line.

Where a secondary item is simply placed in the recess, it is found that the item can slip around and move during handling. The item may be moved in such a way that it can no longer be identified by the consumer.

It is found desirable that the item may be placed in the recess with the identity of the item showing through the label, and that this placement will remain unchanged during the remaining packaging operations, and thereafter during subsequent handling, until it reaches the hands of the consumer.

It is also found that, during the movement along the packaging line, the rapid movement of such packages, particularly containers for beverages, is such that the secondary item readily becomes displaced from the recess. This results in failure of the packaging process, and downtime on the line, while the problem is resolved.

These problems are not addressed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,851, which may account for its apparent lack of commercial success.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved combination container, such as a beverage bottle for example, having a storage compartment for storing one or more secondary products. The combination container of the present invention may be offered by manufacturers and other businesses to enable users, such as spectators, to utilize the one or more secondary products and to actively participate in the sporting or entertainment event, for example. The combination container of the present invention may also be used by a user in a conventional manner to quench their thirst and thereby further enhance their enjoyment of the sporting or entertainment event.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a combination container having a primary compartment for a primary product, which, may for example be a food, a beverage, or any other such product that may be sold to consumers, which in this case is shown and described as a beverage bottle. Such a bottle has a body for containing a liquid beverage, the body having a sidewall extending between a neck and a base.

A secondary compartment is formed as a cavity within the body, the cavity extending from close to the base vertically towards the neck of the body, and one or more secondary items, which may be some kind of a secondary product in many case, is disposed and stored within the cavity of the secondary compartment. The secondary compartment has a cavity wall extending into the body, the cavity wall defining the cavity for storing the one or more secondary products.

Preferably the secondary items is secured in position in the recess or compartment by an adhesive compound.

The adhesive is a release type material, such that the adhesive holds the item in the cavity to enable packaging operations to proceed smoothly, and to hold the item during handling so that it can be identified by a consumer.

The adhesive is temporary, and the item is easily separable from the cavity by the consumer, after purchase.

In one embodiment the length of the cavity is substantially equal to the length of the body. The cavity in this case has an open end and a closed end, the open end is proximate to the base and the closed end is proximate to the neck of the body. The closed end of the secondary compartment may also have with a spring biasing mechanism for urging the one or more secondary products towards the open end of the secondary compartment.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the base of the beverage bottle is formed with an outer recess, located more or less centrally between the top and bottom of the bottle, which recess defines the secondary compartment. A seal is provided to cover the recess and secure the one or more secondary products within the secondary compartment.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, the one or more secondary products may comprise of a banner adapted to be removed from the secondary compartment and unfurled. The banner is furled around one or more telescopic members and stored within the secondary compartment.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, the one or more secondary products comprise a miniature beverage bottle adapted to be stored within the secondary compartment. The miniature beverage bottle containing a liquor beverage, the miniature beverage bottle adapted to be removed from the secondary compartment and combined with the liquid beverage in the body to form a mixed alcoholic liquid beverage.

In further embodiments the combination container may be a take out food container, or some other kind of beverage container.

The compartment may be recessed into a wall of such a combination container, between the top and bottom of the container, but without extending for the full length of the container.

Preferably there will be a resealable cover for such secondary compartment. The cover may be in the form of a partially cuff, typically of thermoplastic material. The cuff would be, in the case of a bottle, of generally semi-cylindrical shape.

The cuff would be resilient, and could be spread apart to fit over the bottle and would then make a friction fit on the exterior of the bottle.

This would permit the cuff to be moved, for example by rotation, so that the recess could be opened, for access to the secondary product, and the reclosed, by rotation, as desired.

The cuff could also be slid endwise over the bottle, if desired.

In the case of other containers, for example rectangular shaped containers, of milk, or fruit juice for example the container could be formed with abutments, for example edge flanges, and the cuff could be shaped with gripping channel shaped edges for frictionally gripping the edge flanges of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination container, in this instance a beverage bottle illustrating a secondary compartment for containing one or more secondary products in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is front cross-sectional view of the beverage bottle illustrated in FIG. 1 and showing the secondary compartment and the one or more secondary products in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of the beverage bottle along the Section A-A in FIG. 1 and showing the secondary compartment and the one or more secondary products;

FIG. 4 is a front cross-section view of the beverage bottle illustrated in FIG. 1 and showing the secondary compartment containing a miniature beverage bottle in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of a beverage bottle showing a secondary product in phantom in the secondary compartment and secured in position by a closure panel, in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation corresponding to FIG. 5 showing the closure panel partly peeled away to reveal the secondary product;

FIG. 7 is a perspective of a further embodiment, showing the closure partly peeled away from the compartment;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective of another embodiment, for an angular section carton, showing a compartment and closure panel;

FIG. 9 is a cut away perspective view of an alternate embodiment for an angular section carton;

FIG. 10 is a perspective of the closure panel of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a bottle container, illustrating a slidable and flexible cuff cover for covering the secondary item recess;

FIG. 12 is a section along line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a cuff, of FIG. 12 showing flexing movement in phantom; and,

FIGS. 14 a, b and c are schematic illustrations showing the sequence of steps involved in assembling the package with the secondary product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made to FIGS. 1-3 which are given here by way of illustrating the invention and without limitation. These Figures illustrate a combination container, in this example a beverage bottle 10, providing a primary compartment in the interior of the bottle, and constructed with a secondary compartment 12 for containing and storing one or more secondary products 14 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The beverage bottle 10 has a body 16 for holding a liquid beverage. The body 16 has a lid or cap 18 releasably coupled to a neck 20 which, when removed, enables a user to consume the contents, in this case, to drink or pour the liquid beverage from the beverage bottle 10. The lid or cap 18 may be coupled to the neck 20 using any suitable fastening mechanism, such as a threaded fastening mechanism or a snap-fit fastening mechanism. The neck 20 is formed with a generally sloping shoulder 22 which merges with a cylindrical sidewall 24. The cylindrical sidewall 24 extends to a base 26 which is adapted to support and stabilize the beverage bottle 10 when it is placed on a generally horizontal surface.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the base 26 is formed with a centrally located aperture 28. The secondary compartment 12 consists of a generally cylindrical cavity 30 extending into the body 16 of the beverage bottle 10. The cavity 30 is formed with a cavity wall 32 extending vertically from an open end 34 defined by the aperture 28 to a closed end 36 proximate to the neck 20. The cavity wall 32 of the secondary compartment 12 is generally parallel to the sidewall 24 of the body 16. The base 26 of the beverage bottle 10 may be provided with a closure or seal 38 which covers the aperture 28 to prevent tampering with the bottle 10 and to secure the one or more secondary products 14 within the secondary compartment 12. In an embodiment of the present invention, the length X of the cavity 30 is substantially equal to the length Y of the body 16. By this design, the cavity 30 of the secondary compartment 12 is capable of storing one or more secondary products of various lengths. However, it should be understood by a person skilled in the art of the present invention that the cavity 30 may have any suitable length X and may be adapted to conform to the dimensions of the secondary product 14 to be stored therein.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the one or more secondary products 14 are designed to be initially stored within the secondary compartment 12 when the beverage bottle 10 is offered and subsequently sold to a user at a sporting or entertainment venue, for example. When the beverage bottle 10 is purchased by the user, the closure or seal 38 may be removed to permit access to the one or more secondary products 14 stored within the secondary compartment 12. Once removed from the secondary compartment 12, the user may then display or otherwise use the one or more secondary products 14 during the course of the sporting or entertainment venue. It should be understood that a wide variety of secondary products 14 may be provided within the secondary compartment 12, including, but not limited to banners, flags, signs, miniature beverage bottles, candy, glow sticks, rally sticks, inflatable balloons, and/or personal hygiene items, or drinking straws or plastic cutlery. In a first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2, the one or more secondary products 14 may include a banner, flag and/or sign, for example, that are dimensioned to be received within the secondary compartment 12. Referring to FIG. 2, the one or more secondary products 14 consist of a plurality of telescopic members 40 and a banner 42 which may be unfurled and displayed by a user during a sporting or entertainment event. The banner 42 may bear information relating to the liquid beverage, the beverage manufacturer, and/or the participants in the sporting or entertainment event, for example. The banner 42 is secured to at least one of the telescopic members 40 at a first end 44 of the secondary product 14. The seal 38 may be dimensioned to have roughly the same cross-sectional area as the aperture 28 in the base 26 so as to ensure that the secondary product 14 is securely stored within the secondary compartment 12 when not in use.

During assembly, the plurality of telescopic members 40 are press-fit or snap fit into one another to collapse the secondary product 14 into a compact size suitable for insertion into the secondary compartment 12. The banner 42 is furled or rolled up around the collapsed telescopic members 40 to facilitate the manual insertion of the secondary product 14 into the secondary compartment 12 of the beverage bottle 10. The seal 38 may then be at least partially inserted into the aperture 28 in the base 26 to secure the secondary product 14 within the secondary compartment 12.

When the seal 38 is removed, the banner may be removed by the consumer grasping the end of the telescopic member and then withdrawing the secondary product.

To facilitate the removal of the secondary product 14 from within the secondary compartment 12, an optional spring biasing mechanism 48 having a spring member 50 may be provided within the closed end 36 of the secondary compartment 12 for urging the secondary product 14 towards the open end 34 of the secondary compartment 12. By this design, when the seal 38 is manually removed, the secondary product 14 is at least partially urged from the open end 34 of the secondary compartment 12 by the spring member 50 of the spring biasing mechanism 48.

Following the display of the secondary product 14, the user may collapse the telescopic members 40 and snugly furl the banner 42 around the one or more telescopic members 40. The secondary product 14 may then be reinserted into the secondary compartment 12 and secured by the seal 38 for secondary purposes.

In a second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4, the one or more secondary products 14 are one or more miniature beverage bottles 52 containing samples of new secondary beverages offered by a beverage manufacturer. By this design, manufacturers may provide existing consumers with samples of new secondary beverages together with the liquid beverages in the beverage bottles 10. It is contemplated that the one or more miniature beverage bottles 52 may contain a wide variety of beverages, including liquor, water and carbonated water, flavored syrup and flavored crystals. In the example of a liquor-filled miniature beverage bottle, the user may remove the seal 38 and pour the liquor contents of the one or more miniature beverage bottles 52 into the body 16 of the beverage bottle 10 to create a mixed alcoholic beverage. It should be understood by a person skilled in the art of the present invention that a wide variety of liquor beverages may be contained within the one or more miniature beverage bottles 52, including vodka, rum, whiskey and/or rye. It should be further understood that the variety of liquor contained within the one or more miniature beverage bottles 52 may be selected by the beverage manufacturer to complement the liquid beverage contained within the beverage bottle 10.

In a third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5, the compartment may be of a more contoured shape, possibly designed to accept the shape of a particular specialized secondary product such and spectacles and may not necessarily extend the full length of the container or bottle. The closure panel 42 extends the full length of the compartment. As shown in FIG. 6 the closure may be peeled back to remove the secondary item.

FIG. 7 shows a further modification, for use with a container such as a beverage bottle 10.

In this case the compartment 12 is of generally rectangular shape. Such a shape may hold a snack bar, or candy. It might be used to contain hand wipes. The closure 42 is dimensioned to cover up the compartment 12. The closure may possibly be part of the label applied to the bottle. It has a resealable adhesive around the edges so that it may be opened up, and then rewrapped around the bottle 10.

FIG. 8 shows a rectangular shaped container 60. Typically such containers are made of paper, coated in any suitable coating, and such containers are typically used for non carbonated drinks, such as milk, juice and even water

The container 60 has a secondary compartment 62, in this case of rectangular shape.

A closure panel 64 of rectangular shape may be bonded into compartment 62 of container 60, to retain a secondary product within the compartment 62

A cut out portion 66 may be provided at an edge, so as to permit the opening of the panel 64 for access to the compartment 62.

Compartment 62 may be formed with an interior ridge 68 to retain the panel 64 in position, and provide the entire container 60 with a smooth exterior shape, for shipping and handling.

The container 60 typically has, in this example a sealed top 70 which can be opened up to dispense the contents.

In most cases there would be a label 72, with adhesive backing. This would be applied over the closure panel 64, and assist in holding it in place.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of angular container 80. in this case the container is formed with a recess 82. Along the sides of the container edge flanges 84 are formed.

The recess, on this case, is covered by a cover 86. cover 86 has channel shaped edge grippers 88. The edge grippers fit over the edge flanges. The cover is thus slidable up and down. This enables a purchaser to retrieve the item in the recess, or to replace it and close the cover.

For purposes of facilitating assembly the item may have an adhesive patch 90 thereon. The adhesive is a contact adhesive of the type which provides only a simple gripping action, which it readily separable without damage to the item.

When the item is placed in the recess, the adhesive patch on the item will hold the item in the recess, and enable the cover to be moved into position.

A further embodiment of bottle is shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12.

In this case the bottle 100, has an exterior opening recess 102, formed as a depression in the bottle side wall.

A secondary item 104 may be deposited in recess 102, for removal later by the purchaser. A dab of temporary adhesive may secure the item in the recess.

The recess 102 may be closed off by a sliding resilient cover 106.

Cover 106 is of generally semi cylindrical contour in section (FIG. 11), which has essentially the same radius as the radius of the central portion of the bottle, in the region of the recess 102.

Cover 106 makes a friction fit around the exterior of bottle 100. It is resilient and can be sprung open (FIG. 12) to snap fit over the contour of the bottle, and will then spring closed, when released.

Typically a label of paper or plastic film (not shown) will be applied over the cover 106, and hold it in position prior to sale.

The purchaser can tear open the label, and release the cover 106. The cover 106 can then be rotated (FIG. 10) or completely removed, if desired., for access to the recess 102.

A further embodiment is shown in FIG. 13.

In this case the container 110, is of angular shape, in this case rectangular in cross section, such as is typical in milk cartons or juices containers., for example.

In this case an exterior recess 112 is formed in a side wall of the container 110.

A secondary item 114 is shown nested in the recess 112. the secondary item is provided with a temporary dab of adhesive surface film 116. The film 116 is of the type of adhesive which provides only a relatively weak bond. It is just sufficient to hold the item in the recess, so as to enable the remaining packaging steps to be completed, without the item falling out of the recess.

Edge flanges 118 are formed along each side edge of the one side wall of the container 110 (FIG. 13). Flanges 118 project outwardly from the container.

A cover panel 120 is formed with side channels 122 down each side edge.

The channels 122 receive the flanges 118, and thus the panel 120 is secured to the container, and covers the recess 112.

If desired a label 124 may be applied to the container to secure the cover in position prior to sale.

When used in the foregoing manner, containers of the present invention, which may or may not be the beverage bottle illustrated, may be offered and sold by businesses to enable users, such as spectators, to utilize the one or more secondary products. In some cases these secondary products may enable a spectator to actively participate in the sporting or entertainment event, for example.

The combination containers may also have a simple utilitarian purpose, so as to facilitate the serving of customers in a fast food establishment, or at an outdoor picnic, or in emergency aid situations.

The combination container, such as a beverage bottle may also be utilized as a business-to-business advertising aid, enabling a liquid beverages business to cross-promote the goods and services of another business by providing advertisements and product samples, for example, within the secondary compartment of the beverage bottle. In addition to the various secondary and advertising opportunities that may be pursued using the beverage bottle of the present invention, the beverage bottle may continue to be utilized by a user in a conventional manner to quench their thirst and thereby further enhance their enjoyment of the related business, sporting or entertainment event.

It will be understood that there are to be no limitations as to the dimensions and shape of the beverage bottle 10, including the secondary compartment 12 and the one or more secondary products 14 stored therein, or the materials from which the beverage bottle 10 is manufactured. The beverage bottle 10 may be constructed to resemble any commercially available bottle for holding a liquid beverage and may be manufactured from any suitable plastic, glass, or metal. An example of a suitable plastic material is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material. Furthermore, it should be understood that the combination container of the present invention may be adapted to store and serve any suitable liquid, such as, for example, water, juice, milk, carbonated sodas, beer and liquor.

The assembly of a package consisting of the primary container and the secondary product may proceed as follows.

The container is first filled with liquid (in this embodiment)., and the top sealed.

The container is then moved with its secondary compartment uppermost, to a bonding station as in FIG. 14a.

An adhesive compound is then applied to the back wall of the cavity, by an applicator. The adhesive will be a contact adhesive, with only moderate bonding strength. For example a compound as simple as low strength rubber cement could be used.

The container is then passed to a second step as in FIG. 14b. In this step the secondary product is placed into the cavity. It will contact the adhesive and become temporarily held in position, at least sufficient to resist accidental dislodgment.

At a third step as in FIG. 14c the closure is applied over the cavity and the secondary product.

While what has been shown and described herein constitutes a preferred embodiment of the subject invention, it should be understood that various modifications and adaptations of such embodiment can be made without departing from the present invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A combination container for a consumer product, for containing the primary consumer product and for carrying a secondary product separate from the primary product and comprising; a body having an exterior side wall providing a primary compartment for containing a primary consumer product, the body having a sidewall extending between a top and a base;a secondary product compartment formed as a depression in said exterior side wall on the exterior of the body and forming a cavity recessed within the body;a secondary product disposed and stored within the cavity of the secondary compartment; and,a closure for closing the secondary compartment.

2. A combination container for a consumer product as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondary compartment has a cavity wall extending from the base into the body, the cavity wall defining the recess for storing a said secondary product.

3. A combination container for a consumer product as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of the cavity is substantially equal to the length of the body container for a consumer product

4. A combination container for a consumer product as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cavity has an open end and a closed end, the open end is proximate to the base and the closed end is proximate to the neck of the body.

5. A combination container for a consumer product as claimed in claim 2, wherein the primary product is a liquid beverage stored within the body, being separated from the secondary product within the secondary compartment by the cavity wall.

6. A combination container for a consumer product as claimed in claim 4, wherein the base of the body is formed with a central aperture, the central aperture defines the open end of the secondary compartment.

7. A combination container for a consumer product as claimed in claim 6, wherein a closure or seal is provided to cover the central aperture and secure the secondary product within the secondary compartment.

8. A combination container for a consumer product as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closed end of the secondary compartment is formed with a spring biasing mechanism, the spring biasing mechanism is adapted to urge the secondary product towards the open end of the secondary compartment.

9. A combination container for a consumer product as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondary product are dimensioned to be received within the secondary compartment.

10. A combination container for a consumer product as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondary product comprise a banner adapted to be removed from the secondary compartment and unfurled.

11. A combination container for a consumer product as claimed in claim 10, wherein the banner is furled around a telescopic member and stored within the secondary compartment.

12. A combination container for a consumer product as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondary product comprise a miniature container for a consumer product adapted to be stored within the secondary compartment.

13. A combination container for a consumer product as claimed in claim 12, wherein the miniature container for a consumer product contains a liquor beverage, the miniature container for a consumer product being adapted to be removed from the secondary compartment and combined with a liquid beverage in the body to form a mixed alcoholic liquid beverage.

14. A combination container for a consumer product as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondary compartment is a cavity recessed within the container, and has a length dimension which is shorter than the length of the container.

14. A combination container for a consumer product as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure is a flexible foldable panel having an adhesive perimeter bonded to the container.

15. A combination container for a consumer product as claimed in claim 12, wherein the container is formed of paper and is of rectangular shape, and wherein the compartment is of rectangular shape recessed into said container.

16. A method of assembling a combination container for a consumer product, wherein the container contains a primary consumer product, and has a cavity adapted for carrying a secondary product separate from the primary product and comprising the steps of; applying a contact adhesive to said container within the interior of said cavity;placing said secondary product in said cavity and bonding said secondary product to said container; and,applying a cover to said container over said cavity and enclosing said secondary product in said cavity.

17. A method of assembling a combination container as claimed in claim 16 and including the steps of wrapping said cover around said primary container and bonding said cover thereto.

18. A method of assembling a combination container as claimed in claim 16 wherein said container is formed with parallel edge flanges, along opposite sides of said cavity, and wherein the step of applying the cover comprises attaching said cover to said edge flanges, and sliding said cover along said edge flanges to enclose said secondary product.

19. A method of assembling a combination container as claimed in claim 18 and including the further step, of applying a label to said container covering said cover.

20. A combination container for a consumer product comprising; a container containing a primary consumer product;a cavity in the exterior of said container adapted for carrying a secondary product separate from the primary product;a contact adhesive in the interior of said cavity, for securing said secondary product against movement;a secondary product in said cavity bonded to said container by said adhesive; and,a cover on said container extending over said cavity and enclosing said secondary product in said cavity.