Beverage Container

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed embodiments relate to containers and mixers, and more particularly, to containers having two compartments separated by a removable barrier for holding separate two substances, and a mechanism for removing the barrier to allow one substance to be introduced to the other.

BACKGROUND ART

A “bomb” type alcoholic beverage is a beverage where a small cup or glass holding a small volume of liquor or liqueur (often called a “shot”) is dropped into a larger cup or glass holding a higher volume of liquid, such as a beer or soft drink, and the mixture of the two liquids is then consumed before the two liquids have become completely blended. Such beverages have become popular night-life and recreation drinks in the United States, particularly amongst young adults.

The amount of glassware typically used for bomb beverages is substantial. Most such drinks are created using a pint glass to hold the high-volume liquid and a shot glass to hold the low volume liquid, and such glasses are heavy and fragile and not suitable for use outside of a home or a commercial establishment. Further, receptacles with wide mouths, such as cups and glasses, can allow for splashing to occur when the small receptacle is dropped into the high-volume liquid, which causes spillage.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In view of the foregoing background, a container is provided. The container includes a vessel including a first end, a second end distal to the first end, and a vessel wall extending from the first end to the second end, the first end, second end, and vessel wall defining an internal volume of the vessel; a cap secured to the first end of the vessel; and a seal removably-secured to the vessel wall, the seal being sized and positioned to span the internal volume when secured to the vessel wall and to separate the internal volume into a first portion and a second portion, the seal including a tether having a first end and a second end distal from the first end, the first end of the tether being attached to the seal and the second end of the tether being attached to the cap. The cap, the seal, and the tether are adapted to allow the seal to remain secured to the vessel wall when the cap is in a first position at the first end of the vessel and to cause the seal to at least partially separate from the vessel wall when the cap is moved to a second position, the tether remaining attached to the seal and the cap when the cap is moved to the second position.

In another aspect of the invention, a container is provided including a first vessel including a lower surface, an upper end distal to the lower surface, and a first vessel wall extending from the upper end to the lower surface, the upper end, lower end, and first vessel wall defining a first internal volume of the first vessel, the upper end defining a first opening through which a substance may enter the first internal volume; a second vessel including a lower end, an upper end distal to the lower end, and a second vessel wall extending from the upper end to the lower end, the upper end, lower end, and second vessel wall defining a second internal volume of the second vessel, the lower end defining an opening through which a substance may exit the internal volume of the second vessel, the second vessel including an attachment interface that detachably connects to the upper end of the first vessel; a cap secured to the upper end of the second vessel; and a seal removably-secured to the lower end of the second vessel, the seal being sized and shaped to cover the second opening and create a barrier preventing fluid-flow communication through the second opening, the seal including a tether that is attached to the cap. The cap, the seal, and the tether are adapted to allow the seal to remain secured to the lower end of the second vessel when the cap is in a first position at the upper end of the second vessel and to cause the seal to at least partially separate from the lower end of the second vessel when the cap is moved to a second position.

In another aspect of the invention, a method for opening a beverage container is provided. The beverage container includes a vessel, a cap, a seal, and a tether, with the vessel and cap defining an internal volume, the seal separating the internal volume into a first portion and a second portion, the tether being secured to the cap and the seal, the first portion containing a first non-gaseous substance, and the second portion containing a second non-gaseous substance, The method includes moving the cap relative to the vessel from a first position, in which the cap prevents fluid flow communication from the internal volume and the seal prevents fluid flow communication between the first and second portions, to a second position, in which the cap prevents fluid flow communication from the internal volume and the seal allows fluid flow communication between the first and second portions; and moving the cap relative to the vessel from the second position to a third position, in which the cap allows fluid flow communication from the internal volume while the seal allows fluid flow communication between the first and second portions. The tether remains secured to the seal and the cap when the cap is in the second position.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of creating a container holding two separate substances is provided. The method includes providing a first vessel having a bottom surface, an upper end opposite the bottom surface, and a first vessel wall extending from the bottom surface to the upper end, the upper end, bottom surface, and first vessel wall defining a first interior volume, the upper end defining a mouth that provides fluid flow communication into the first interior volume; providing a second vessel having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a second vessel wall extending from the first end to the second end, the first end, second end, and second vessel wall defining a second interior volume, the first end and the second end defining a first opening and a second opening, respectively, each provides fluid flow communication into and out of the second interior volume; attaching a seal to the second end of the second vessel, the seal being sized and shaped to span the second opening and prevent fluid flow communication through the second opening, the seal including a tether attached thereto; depositing a first non-gaseous substance into the first internal volume through the mouth of the first vessel; depositing a second non-gaseous substance into the second internal volume through the first opening of the second vessel, the second vessel having the seal applied thereto; providing a cap to the first end of the second vessel, the cap being sized and shaped to cover the first opening of the second vessel and prevent fluid flow communication through the first opening; securing the tether to the cap; and securing the second end of the second vessel to the mouth of the first vessel.

In addition, several specific aspects of the systems and methods of the present invention are outlined below.

Aspect 1: A container comprising:

- a vessel including a first end, a second end distal to the first end, and a vessel wall extending from the first end to the second end, the first end, second end, and vessel wall defining an internal volume of the vessel;
- a cap secured to the first end of the vessel; and
- a seal removably-secured to the vessel wall, the seal being sized and positioned to span the internal volume when secured to the vessel wall and to separate the internal volume into a first portion and a second portion, the seal including a tether having a first end and a second end distal from the first end, the first end of the tether being attached to the seal and the second end of the tether being attached to the cap,
- wherein the cap, the seal, and the tether are adapted to (a) allow the seal to remain secured to the vessel wall when the cap is in a first position at the first end of the vessel, (b) to cause the seal to at least partially separate from the vessel wall when the cap is moved to a second position, and (c) to allow the tether to remain attached to the seal and the cap when the cap is moved to the second position.

Aspect 2: The container of Aspect 1, wherein the vessel comprises an upper vessel located proximate to the first end of the vessel and a lower vessel located proximate to the second end of the vessel, the upper vessel including an upper vessel wall formed from a portion of the vessel wall that defines the first portion of the internal volume, the lower vessel including a lower vessel wall formed from a portion of the vessel wall that defines the second portion of the internal volume, and the upper vessel being removably coupled to the lower vessel.

Aspect 3: The container of Aspect 2, wherein the upper vessel includes a sealing lip extending inwardly from the upper vessel wall and downwardly into the lower vessel, and the seal is configured to adhere to the sealing lip.

Aspect 4: The container of any of Aspects 1-3, further comprising a clamping element abutting a bottom surface of the cap, the second end of the tether being disposed in a friction fit between the cap and the clamping element.

Aspect 5: The container of Aspect 4, wherein the vessel includes at least one support element that extends inwardly from the vessel wall, and the clamping element is positioned between the cap and the at least one support element.

Aspect 6: The container of Aspect 5, wherein the at least one support element is sized and shaped to urge the clamping element toward a center axis of the vessel.

Aspect 7: The container of any of Aspects 5-6, wherein the clamping element includes a splined surface and the cap includes a splined surface, and the splined surfaces of the clamping element and the cap are sized and shaped to interlock when in abutment.

Aspect 8: The container of any of Aspects 1-7, wherein the upper end of the vessel includes a rotational stop having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and the cap includes at least one rib extending from one of a bottom surface of the cap and an inner surface of the cap, the at least one rib being sized and shaped to abut the second side of the rotational stop of the vessel.

Aspect 9: The container of Aspect 8, wherein the at least one rib of the cap is located proximate to the first side of the rotational stop when the cap is located in the first position and the at least one rib of the cap abuts the second side of the rotational stop when the cap is located in the second position.

Aspect 10: The container of Aspect 9, wherein the cap and the vessel are coaxially aligned about a center axis and the cap is configured to rotate about the center axis and move relative to the vessel.

Aspect 11: A container comprising:

- a first vessel including a lower surface, an upper end distal to the lower surface, and a first vessel wall extending from the upper end to the lower surface, the upper end, lower end, and first vessel wall defining a first internal volume of the first vessel, the upper end defining a first opening through which a substance may enter the first internal volume;
- a second vessel including a lower end, an upper end distal to the lower end, and a second vessel wall extending from the upper end to the lower end, the upper end, lower end, and second vessel wall defining a second internal volume of the second vessel, the lower end defining an opening through which a substance may exit the internal volume of the second vessel, the second vessel including an attachment interface that detachably connects to the upper end of the first vessel;
- a cap secured to the upper end of the second vessel; and
- a seal removably-secured to the lower end of the second vessel, the seal being sized and shaped to cover the second opening and create a barrier preventing fluid-flow communication through the second opening, the seal including a tether that is attached to the cap;
- wherein the cap, the seal, and the tether are adapted to (a) allow the seal to remain secured to the lower end of the second vessel when the cap is in a first position at the upper end of the second vessel and (b) cause the seal to at least partially separate from the lower end of the second vessel when the cap is moved to a second position.

Aspect 12: The container of Aspect 11, wherein the upper end of the second vessel includes a rotational stop having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and the cap includes at least one rib extending from one of a bottom surface of the cap and an inner surface of the cap, the at least one rib being sized and shaped to abut the second side of the rotational stop of the second vessel.

Aspect 13: The container of Aspect 12, wherein the at least one rib of the cap is located proximate to the first side of the rotational stop when the cap is located in the first position and the at least one rib of the cap abuts the second side of the rotational stop when the cap is located in the second position.

Aspect 14: The container of Aspect 13, wherein the second vessel includes a retaining detent extending from the upper end of the second vessel toward the at least one rib of the cap, the retaining detent being positioned between the at least one rib of the cap and the second side of the rotational stop when the cap is in the first position.

Aspect 15: The container of any of Aspects 13-14, wherein the cap and the vessel are coaxially aligned about a center axis and the cap is configured to rotate about the center axis and move relative to the second vessel.

Aspect 16: The container of Aspect 15, wherein the at least one rib of the cap is sized and shaped to push the rotational stop and rotate the second vessel about the center axis relative to the first vessel when the cap is moved from the second position to a third position.

Aspect 17: A method for opening a beverage container, the beverage container having a vessel, a cap, a seal, and a tether, the vessel and cap defining an internal volume, the seal separating the internal volume into a first portion and a second portion, the tether being secured to the cap and the seal, the first portion containing a first non-gaseous substance, and the second portion containing a second non-gaseous substance, the method comprising:

- (a) moving the cap relative to the vessel from a first position, in which the cap prevents fluid flow from the internal volume and the seal prevents fluid flow communication between the first and second portions, to a second position, in which the cap prevents fluid flow from the internal volume and the seal allows fluid flow communication between the first and second portions; and
- (b) moving the cap relative to the vessel from the second position to a third position, in which the cap allows fluid flow communication from the internal volume and the seal allows fluid flow communication between the first and second portions, wherein the tether remains secured to the seal and the cap when the cap is in the first, second and third positions.

Aspect 18: The method of Aspect 17, wherein the vessel comprises a first vessel and a second vessel, the first vessel being attached to the cap and defining the first portion of the internal volume and the lower vessel defining the second portion of the internal volume, and step (b) further comprises moving the cap relative to the lower vessel such that the upper vessel is decoupled from the lower vessel.

Aspect 19: The method of Aspect 18, wherein the first vessel includes a rotational stop having a first side and a second side and the cap includes at least one rib, and wherein step (a) includes rotating the cap such that the at least one rib abuts the second side of the rotational stop.

Aspect 20: The method of Aspect 19, wherein step (b) includes rotating the cap such that the at least one rib pushes the second side of the rotational stop, causing the first vessel to rotate about the center axis and relative to the second vessel.

Aspect 21: The method of Aspect 19, wherein the first vessel includes a detent for holding the cap in the first position such that the at least one rib is located proximate to the first side of the rotational stop, and step (a) includes moving the at least one rib away from the first side of the rotational stop and beyond the detent.

Aspect 22: The method of any of Aspects 17-21, wherein step (a) includes rotating the cap about a center axis of the vessel to apply a tensile force to the tether.

Aspect 23: The method of any of Aspects 17-22, wherein the cap is attached to the vessel with a liquid-tight seal therebetween.

Aspect 24: A method of making a container holding a first and second fluid, the method comprising:

- (a) providing a first vessel having a bottom surface, an upper end opposite the bottom surface, and a first vessel wall extending from the bottom surface to the upper end, the upper end, bottom surface, and first vessel wall defining a first interior volume, the upper end defining a first opening that enables fluid flow communication into and out of the first interior volume;
- (b) providing a second vessel having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a second vessel wall extending from the first end to the second end, the first end, second end, and second vessel wall defining a second interior volume, the first end and the second end defining a second opening and a third opening, respectively, each provides fluid flow communication into and out of the second interior volume;
- (c) attaching a seal to the second end of the second vessel, the seal being sized and shaped to span the third opening and prevent fluid flow communication through the third opening, the seal including a tether attached thereto;
- (d) depositing a first non-gaseous substance into the first internal volume through the first opening;
- (e) depositing a second non-gaseous substance into the second internal volume through the second opening, the second vessel having the seal applied thereto;
- (f) securing a cap to the first end of the second vessel, the cap being sized and shaped to cover the second opening of the second vessel and prevent fluid flow communication through the second opening;
- (g) securing the tether to a cap; and
- (h) securing the second end of the second vessel to the opening of the first vessel.

Aspect 25: The method of Aspect 24, wherein step (g) comprises securing the tether to the cap by clamping a free end of the tether to a bottom surface of the cap.

Aspect 26: The method of any of Aspects 24-25, wherein step (c) comprise attaching the seal to the second end of the second vessel by induction sealing the seal to the second end of the second vessel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of a plurality of embodiments considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage container constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is the view of FIG. 1 with a cross-section of the beverage container showing the beverage container's interior;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective of an embodiment of a cap to be used with the beverage container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational exploded view of the cap shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the cap shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective of another embodiment of a cap to be used with the beverage container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the cap shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational exploded view of the cap shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a beverage container constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the beverage container shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the beverage container shown in FIG. 9 taken along line 11-11 and looking the direction of the arrow;

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the cap shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the upper vessel shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional schematic view of the cap and upper vessel shown in FIG. 9 taken along line 14-14 and looking in the direction of the arrow, the cap being in a first position;

FIG. 14B is the cross-sectional schematic view of FIG. 14A with the cap in a second position;

FIG. 14C is the cross-sectional schematic view of FIG. 14A with the cap in a third position;

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of a beverage container constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the beverage container shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of the cap shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of the upper vessel shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 19A is a cross-sectional schematic view of the cap and upper vessel shown in FIG. 15 taken along line 19-19 and looking in the direction of the arrow, the cap being in a first position;

FIG. 19B is the cross-sectional schematic view of FIG. 19A with the cap in a second position;

FIG. 19C is the cross-sectional schematic view of FIG. 19A with the cap in a third position;

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment for a clamping ring; and

FIG. 21 is a bottom perspective view of an alternative embodiment for a cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following disclosure is presented to provide an illustration of the general principles of the present invention and is not meant to limit, in any way, the inventive concepts contained herein. Moreover, the particular features described in this section can be used in combination with the other described features in each of the multitude of possible permutations and combinations contained herein.

All terms defined herein should be afforded their broadest possible interpretation, including any implied meanings as dictated by a reading of the specification as well as any words that a person having skill in the art and/or a dictionary, treatise, or similar authority would assign particular meaning. Further, it should be noted that, as recited in the specification and in the claims appended hereto, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural referents unless otherwise stated. Additionally, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” when used herein specify that certain features are present in that embodiment, but should not be interpreted to preclude the presence or addition of additional features, components, operations, and/or groups thereof.

The following disclosure is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of the invention. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In this description, relative terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both moveable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise, and includes terms such as “directly” coupled, secured, etc. The term “operatively coupled” is such an attachment, coupling, or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship.

In the claims, letters are used to identify claimed steps (e.g. (a), (b), and (c)). These letters are used to aid in referring to the method steps and are not intended to indicate the order in which claimed steps are performed, unless and only to the extent that such order is specifically recited in the claims.

The term “fluid flow communication,” as used in the specification and claims, refers to the nature of connectivity between two or more components that enables liquids, vapors, and/or two-phase mixtures to be transported between the components in a controlled fashion (i.e., without leakage) either directly or indirectly.

Elements introduced in one embodiment that also appear in another embodiment may be referred to with a reference numeral increased by a multiple of 100. For example, the beverage container 10 of the first embodiment (FIG. 1) corresponds to the beverage container 310 of the third embodiment (FIG. 9). In the interest of brevity, the element that is shown and labeled by a reference numeral in the drawings for a subsequently described embodiment may not be separately discussed in the specification. In addition, reference numerals that are introduced in the specification in association with a drawing figure may be repeated in one or more subsequent figures without additional description in the specification in order to provide context for other features.

Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a beverage container 10 constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is provided. The beverage container 10 includes a lower vessel 12 having a lower vessel base 14 and a lower vessel neck 16 formed in the upper portion of the lower vessel base 14. The lower vessel neck 16 includes an annular ridge 18 that defines a lower vessel opening 20 in the lower vessel 12 to allow liquid to enter the lower vessel 12 and sit in the lower vessel base 14. In one embodiment, the lower vessel 12 has the shape of a bottle.

Coupled to the lower vessel neck 16 is a hollow cylindrical upper vessel 22 having a lower end 24, an upper end 26, an exterior wall surface 28, and an interior wall surface 30, with the lower end 24 including an annular sealing lip 32 extending radially inwardly from the interior wall surface 30 to a lip edge 34. The sealing lip 32 has a lower lip surface 36 and an upper lip surface 38, the lower lip surface 36 facing in the direction of the lower end 24 and the upper lip surface 38 facing in the direction of the upper end 26. The lower end 24 of the upper vessel 22 is sized and shaped to removably fasten to the lower vessel neck 16 such that when the upper vessel 22 is fastened to the lower vessel 12, the annular ridge 18 of the lower vessel neck 16 abuts the lower lip surface 36 of the sealing lip 32, creating a liquid tight seal between the annular ridge 18 of the lower vessel 12 and the sealing lip 32 of the upper vessel 22. The upper end 26 of the upper vessel 22 is sized and shaped to interlock with a removable cap 40, whose function will be discussed further below, such that the cap 40 and the upper vessel 22 are coaxially aligned.

The upper vessel 22 further includes a removable vessel seal 42 that extends radially from the center axis of the upper vessel 22 to the interior wall surface 30 of the upper vessel 22. The vessel seal 42 is attached to the upper lip surface 38 of the sealing lip 32 by an adhesive to create a liquid tight seal between the vessel seal 42 and the sealing lip 32. The vessel seal 42 creates a liquid-tight barrier of separation between the upper vessel 22 and the lower vessel 12 such that liquid occupying the inside of the upper vessel 22 is not able to transfer to the inside of the lower vessel 12 when the upper vessel 22 is fastened to the lower vessel 12. The vessel seal can have a variety of shapes known in the art, including half-moon shapes or a lollipop shapes, and the attachment of the vessel seal 42 to the sealing lip 32 can be accomplished by a variety of processes known in the art, including conduction sealing, induction sealing, and ultrasonic sealing. All such shapes and mechanisms are considered within the scope of the present invention.

The vessel seal 42 is connected to the removable cap 40 by a tether 44. The tether 44 is configured to remove the vessel seal 42 from the sealing lip 32 when pulled by the cap 40, thereby allowing any liquid contents inside the upper vessel 22 to travel through the lower vessel opening 20 and into the lower vessel 12. In one embodiment, the tether 44 is a flat, flexible piece of material with a lower end 46 that extends across a segment of the vessel seal 42 from one point on the circumference of the vessel seal 42 to another point on the circumference of the vessel seal 42, and an upper end 48 that extends across a smaller, parallel segment of the removable cap 40.

The beverage container 10 has a closed position and an active position. In this application, the “closed position” of the beverage container 10 refers to a state where the vessel seal 42 is secured to the interior wall surface 30 of the upper vessel 22, thereby creating a barrier between the interior volumes of the upper vessel 22 and the lower vessel 12 that prevents a substance in one vessel from entering the other. By contrast, the “active position” of the beverage container 10 refers to a state where the barrier provided by the vessel seal 42 is removed, thereby allowing substances contained in the upper vessel 22 and the lower vessel 12 to travel from one to the other. In one embodiment, transitioning the beverage container 10 from a closed position to an active position involves removing the removable cap 40 from the upper end 26 of the upper vessel 22, thereby creating tension in the tether 44 and causing the tether to pull the vessel seal 42 away from the sealing lip 32. Other embodiments of transitioning the beverage container 10 from a closed position to an active position without separating the cap 40 from the upper vessel 22, as explained below.

In one embodiment, the beverage container 10 is moved from a closed position to an active position by rotating or twisting the removable cap 40 about the upper end 26 of the upper vessel 22. Doing so causes the tether 44 to twist about itself, increasing the tension in the tether 44 and causing the lower end 46 of the tether 44 to pull the outer edges of the vessel seal 42 inward. This results in the tether 44 pulling the vessel seal 42 away from the sealing lip 32, thereby removing the barrier between the lower and upper vessels 12, 22 and releasing the contents of the upper vessel 22 into the lower vessel 12. The cap 40 may remain attached to the upper end 26 of the upper vessel 22 during this time. Stated another way, in this embodiment the structure of the tether 44 the manner in which it is attached to the vessel seal 42 and the cap 40 enables twisting of the cap to unseal the vessel seal 42.

The tether 44 can be attached to the removable cap 40 in several different ways. FIGS. 3-5 show one embodiment of a removable cap 140 having a two-piece clamp system for attaching the tether 44 to the removable cap 140. To attach the tether 44 to the removable cap 140, the upper end 48 of the tether 44 is threaded through a cap slot 150 and set between two clamp faces 152a, 152b, which interface and create a friction fit around the upper end 48 of the tether 44. The interfacing clamp faces 152a, 152b are then fit into a clamp recess 154 formed in the upper surface of the removable cap 140 proximate to the cap slot 150. The clamp recess 154 is sized and shaped to create a friction fit between the interfacing clamp faces 152a, 152b and the removable cap 140, thereby preventing the tether 44 from sliding out from between the interfacing clamp faces 152a, 152b when the interfacing clamp faces 152a, 152b are inserted into the clamp recess 154. In one embodiment, the clamp recess 154 also includes one or more detents (not shown) that urge the interfacing clamp faces 152a, 152b into the clamp recess 154, creating a snap-lock engagement between the clamp faces 152a, 152b and the clamp recess 154.

FIGS. 6-8 show another embodiment of a removable cap 240. In this embodiment, the upper end 48 of the tether 44 is threaded through a cap slot 250 and laid against a wall of a wedge recess 255. A wedge lock 253 is then inserted in the wedge recess 255 and against the upper end of the tether 44, clamping the tether 44 between the wedge lock 253 and a wall of the wedge recess 255. The wedge lock 253 and wedge recess 255 are sized and shaped to create a friction fit between the wedge lock 253 and the wedge recess 255, thereby preventing the tether 44 from sliding out from between the wedge lock 253 and the wedge recess 255. In one embodiment, the wedge recess 255 includes one or more detents (not shown) that urge the wedge lock 253 into the wedge recess 255, creating a snap-lock engagement between the wedge lock 253 and the wedge recess 255.

Other embodiments of attaching the tether 44 to the cap 40 include looping the tether 44 around a securing member (such as the wedge lock 253 shown in FIG. 8) and securing the free end to the vessel seal 42, as well as punching the tether 44 through the cap 40 to create a friction fit between the upper end 48 of the tether 44 and the punched portion of the cap 40. All such attachment embodiments are considered within the scope of the present invention.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, when the beverage container 10 is ready to be used, the lower vessel base 14 of the lower vessel 12 is filled with a receiving liquid (i.e., a liquid to receive the contents of the upper vessel 22), the upper vessel 22 is filled with a mixing liquid (i.e., a liquid to be mixed with the contents of the lower vessel 12) in the space between the cap 40 and the vessel seal 42, the upper vessel 22 is attached to the lower vessel neck 16 of the lower vessel 12 as discussed above, and the tether 44 of the vessel seal 42 is attached to the cap 40. To use the beverage container 10, the user either lifts the cap 40 off or rotates the cap 40 about the upper end 26 of the upper vessel 22, which causes the tether 44 to lift the vessel seal 42 away from the sealing lip 32, breaking the liquid tight seal therebetween. Once the seal is broken, the mixing liquid is released from the upper vessel 22 and falls into the lower vessel base 14, and the mixing liquid is then mixed with the receiving liquid inside the lower vessel base. The user may then use the mixed contents in a manner he or she sees fit (e.g., consuming the mixed contents).

In one embodiment, the lower end 24 of the upper vessel 22 has upper vessel threads 60 that engage with the lower vessel neck 16 of the lower vessel 12 via lower vessel threads 62 to create a liquid tight seal between the lower vessel 12 and the upper vessel 22. The upper vessel and lower vessel threads 60, 62 allow the upper vessel 22 to be released from the lower vessel 12 once the upper vessel has been used. This enables the user to reuse the lower vessel 12 with a new upper vessel 22 if desired. Other embodiments may include other attachment means as a substitute for the upper vessel and lower vessel threads 60, 62, including, but not limited to, interlocking detent lips, a tongue-in-groove system, and an exterior clamp system. In an alternative embodiment, the upper vessel 22 and the lower vessel 12 can be unitary, thereby creating a single-use beverage container.

FIGS. 9-13 illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention. The elements illustrated in FIGS. 9-13 which correspond, either identically or substantially, to the elements described above with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2 have been designated by corresponding reference numbers increased by three hundred. Any element referenced below and identified in the attached drawings should be assumed as having the same or similar structure and function as its corresponding element shown in previous figures, except where specifically indicated otherwise below.

Referring to FIGS. 9-11, a beverage container 310 is illustrated as being similar to the beverage container 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with a few exceptions. More particularly, the upper vessel 322 of the container 310 includes a clamping ring 372 that is positioned underneath and adjacent to the cap 340, and the upper end 348 of the tether 344 is positioned in a friction fit between the cap 340 and the clamping ring 372. As seen in FIG. 11, the upper vessel 322 includes a plurality of fin-shaped supports 370 that extend inwardly from the interior wall surface 330 and collectively provide a seat for the clamping ring 372, thereby providing upward support for the clamping ring 372.

As seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, the clamping ring 372 includes an upward-facing splined surface 374 that interfaces with an opposing downward-facing splined surface 376 extending from the bottom surface 341 of the cap 340. The upward-facing and downward facing splined surfaces 374, 376 interlock (see FIG. 11) to provide a friction fit for a tether 344 connected to the vessel seal 342 to be secured therebetween. The fin-shaped supports 370 provide upward support for the clamping ring 372 while providing space for liquid inside the upper vessel 322 that finds its way toward the clamping ring 372 and the cap 340 to drain back downwardly toward the vessel seal 342, thereby preventing liquid from getting trapped between the clamping ring 372 and the upper end 326 of the upper vessel 322.

The friction fit of the upward-facing and downward-facing splined surfaces 374, 376, combined with the compressive pressure of the cap 340 pushing against the clamping ring 372, is sufficiently strong to grip the tether 344 and pull it to remove the vessel seal 342 from the annular sealing lip 332 when the cap 340 is rotated about the upper vessel 322. In this respect, the clamping ring 372 provides an alternative means for securing the tether 344 to the cap 340 compared to the means shown in FIGS. 3-8.

In one embodiment, the fin-shaped supports 370 have upper edges positioned at an angle to the vertical interior wall surface 330. The angled orientation of the upper edges of the fin-shaped supports 370 provides lateral positioning support for the clamping ring 372 by urging the clamping ring 372 toward the center of the upper vessel 322 such that the clamping ring 372 and the upper vessel 322 are coaxially aligned. This helps ensure that the upward-facing splined surface 374 of the clamping ring 372 is aligned with the downward-facing splined surface 376 of the cap 340.

As seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, the vessel seal 342 and the tether 344 have a lollipop configuration, where the lower end 346 of the tether 344 is attached to the outer edge 343 of the vessel seal 342. The upper end 348 of the tether 344 is then clamped between the clamping ring 372 and the cap 340, as discussed above. The location of the tether 344 in relation to the vessel seal 342 allows the cap 340 and clamping ring 372 to more easily apply a tensile force to the tether 344, thereby pulling the tether 344 upward and removing the vessel seal 342 from the annular sealing lip 332, when the cap 340 and the clamping ring 372 are rotated about the upper vessel 322.

In addition, as seen in FIG. 11, the annular sealing lip 332 of the upper vessel 322 is located inside the lower vessel 312, below the annular ridge 318 and connected to the interior wall surface 330 of the upper vessel 322 by an interior chamber wall 364. In other words, the interior chamber wall 364 extends inwardly from the interior wall surface 330 and in a downward direction past the lower end 324 of the upper vessel 322 and the annular ridge 318 of the lower vessel 312, ultimately terminating at the annular sealing lip 332 upon which the removable vessel seal 342 sits. The interior chamber wall 364 effectively enlarges the interior volume of the upper vessel 322, allowing it to house a greater amount of mixing liquid than the upper vessel 22 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can. Alternatively, the interior chamber wall 364 being nested within the lower vessel 312 allows the upper vessel 322 to have a shorter height between the lower end 324 and the upper end 326, which reduces the height of the container 310 for aesthetic reasons.

In one embodiment, the annular sealing lip 332 can also include a filter screen (not shown) that spans the interior area defined by the annular sealing lip 332. When the vessel seal 342 is ruptured, the filter serves the purposes of filtering out particulate matter within the mixing liquid in the upper vessel 322 and/or slowing the descent of the mixing liquid from the upper vessel 322 to the lower vessel 312, if such action is desired. The annular sealing lip 332 can further include a pair of cross bars (not shown) that extend the inner diameter of the annular sealing lip 332 and are oriented at right angles to each other to provide structural support for the filter, the vessel seal 342, and the annular sealing lip 332.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the cap 340 includes a cap rib 378 that extends downwardly from the bottom surface 341, and the upper vessel 322 includes a vessel rib 380 that extends outwardly from the exterior surface 328. The cap rib 378 and the vessel rib 380 are sized and shaped to abut each other such that the cap rib 378 cannot move over or beyond the vessel rib 380 once the cap rib 378 contacts the vessel rib 380. In other words, the vessel rib 380 serves as a rotational stop for the cap 340 relative to the upper vessel 322 such that any attempt to push the cap rib 378 beyond the vessel rib 380 will cause the upper vessel 322 to rotate with the cap 340, which will cause the upper vessel 322 to decouple from the lower vessel 312.

The cap rib 378 and the vessel rib 380 operate to facilitate a three-stage process for opening the container 310. FIGS. 14A-14C illustrate how the process works. In the first stage, as shown in FIG. 14A, the cap 340 is attached to the upper end 326 of the upper vessel 322 in a first position where the cap rib 378 is adjacent to a first side 380a of the vessel rib 380. In this stage, the tether 344 and the vessel seal 342 are positioned as they are seen in FIG. 11, with the vessel seal 342 serving as a barrier preventing fluid flow communication from the upper vessel 322 to the lower vessel 312 and the tether 344 extending substantially vertically from the vessel seal 342 to the cap 340, where it is secured thereto by the upward-facing and downward-facing splined surfaces 374, 376 of the clamping ring 372 and the cap 340.

In moving from the first stage to the second stage, which is illustrated in FIG. 14B, the cap 340 is rotated in a counterclockwise motion about its center axis and the upper vessel 322, causing the cap rib 378 to move away from the first side 380a of the vessel rib 380. The cap 340 continues to rotate, bringing the clamping ring 372 and the tether 344 with it, until the cap 340 reaches a second position where the cap rib 378 abuts the second side 380b of the vessel rib 380. In doing so, the cap 340 and clamping ring 372 apply tension in the tether 344, which causes the tether 344 to pull upwardly on the outer edge 343 of the vessel seal 342, thereby rupturing the connection between the vessel seal 342 and the annular sealing lip 332 of the upper vessel 322. In this second stage, fluid flow communication between the upper vessel 322 and the lower vessel 312 is enabled, causing a first substance in the upper vessel 322 to fall through the lower vessel opening 320 and mix with a second substance in the lower vessel 312. However, the cap remains secured to the upper end 326 of the upper vessel 322, and the upper vessel 322 remains coupled to the lower vessel 312 via the threaded connection between the lower vessel neck 316 of the lower vessel 312 and the lower end 324 of the upper vessel 322.

In moving from the second stage to the third stage, which is illustrated in FIG. 14C, the cap 340 is further rotated in a counterclockwise motion about its center axis. This causes the cap rib 378 to push against the vessel rib 380, which causes the upper vessel 322 to rotate with the cap 340 in a counterclockwise direction. In this circumstance, with the user holding the lower vessel 312 to fix its positioning, the upper vessel 322 begins to decouple from the lower vessel 312 as the threaded connection between the lower vessel neck 316 of the lower vessel 312 and the lower end 324 of the upper vessel 322 releases. The cap 340 and upper vessel 322 continue to rotate until the cap 340 reaches a third position in which the upper vessel 322 ultimately fully decouples from the lower vessel 312, thereby allowing fluid flow communication from the lower vessel 312. From there, a user may consume the contents of the lower vessel 312, which includes the mixture of the first substance and the second substance.

FIGS. 15-18 illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention. The elements illustrated in FIGS. 15-18 which correspond, either identically or substantially, to the elements described above with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-13 have been designated by corresponding reference numbers increased by one hundred. Any element referenced below and identified in the attached drawings should be assumed as having the same or similar structure and function as its corresponding element shown in previous figures, except where specifically indicated otherwise below.

Referring to FIGS. 15-18, a beverage container 410 is illustrated as being similar to the beverage container 310 shown in FIGS. 9-13, with a few exceptions. More particularly, the cap 440 includes a first cap rib 478a and a second cap rib 478b that extend downwardly and inwardly from the bottom surface 441 of the cap 440, and the vessel rib 480 has an elongated crescent shape that extends upwardly from the upper end 426 of the upper vessel 422. In addition, the upper vessel 422 includes a detent rib 482 extending from the upper end 426 thereof, the detent rib 482 being sized and shaped to abut the end of the second cap rib 478b, but allow the second cap rib 478b to move beyond and overcome the detent rib 482 when the cap 440 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction about its center axis. In other words, the detent rib 482 acts as a detent for holding the cap 440 in a first position prior to a user operating the cap 440 in the manner discussed above.

FIGS. 19A-19C illustrate the three-stage process for opening the container 410. As with the three-stage process shown in FIGS. 14A-14C, the first stage has the cap 440 attached to the upper end 426 of the upper vessel 422 in a first position where the second cap rib 478b is adjacent to a first side 480a of the vessel rib 480, as seen in FIG. 19A. In the second stage, which is illustrated in FIG. 19B, the cap 440 is rotated with the clamping ring 472 and the tether 444 in a counterclockwise motion about its center axis and the upper vessel 422, thereby pulling on the tether 444 and the attached vessel seal 442, until the cap 440 reaches a second position where the first cap rib 478a abuts the second side 480b of the vessel rib 480 and the vessel seal 442 is ruptured.

In moving from the second stage to the third stage, which is illustrated in FIG. 19C, the cap 440 is further rotated in a counterclockwise motion about its center axis, causing the first cap rib 478a to push against the vessel rib 480, which causes the upper vessel 422 to rotate with the cap 440 in a counterclockwise direction, causing the upper vessel 422 to decouple from the lower vessel 412. The cap 440 and upper vessel 422 continue to rotate until the cap 440 reaches a third position in which the upper vessel 422 ultimately fully decouples from the lower vessel 412, thereby allowing fluid flow communication from the lower vessel 412.

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate alternative embodiments for the clamping ring 372 and the cap 340 of the container 310. As seen in FIG. 20, the clamping ring 572 features a splined surface 574 that is positioned at the circumference of the clamping ring 572 and extends radially outwardly therefrom. To complement this, the cap 540 includes a splined surface 576 that extends radially inwardly from the bottom surface 541. Other aspects of the clamping ring 572 and the cap 540 are similar to those of the clamping ring 372 and the cap 340 shown in FIGS. 9-13 and are labeled accordingly with reference numbers increased by two hundred.

It should be noted that while the foregoing embodiments are described as being used to mix two liquids, the beverage containers 10, 310, 410 can also be used for mixing other combinations of substances where the two substances are kept separated until a time of use. Such combinations include, but are not limited to, any combination of a solvent and a solute where the solute, such as a solid powder, is contained in the upper vessel 22, 322 while the solvent is kept in the lower vessel 12; 312, 412 and any combination of substances that create a chemical reaction when mixed, where experiencing the chemical reaction itself is desired or where the mixed substances are to be applied to something while the reaction is ongoing (e.g., the making and application of an adhesive). Such different types of combinations may have uses in a variety of applications including, but not limited to, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, adhesive preparations, dietary supplements, and horticulture. All such combinations of substances and uses should be considered as being within the scope of the present invention.

The method of assembling any one of the beverage containers 10, 310, 410 is described below. Using the second embodiment beverage container 310 as an example, the lower vessel 312 is first filled with a substance, preferably a non-gaseous substance substance, until a desired amount is inside. Next, the vessel seal 342 with the attached tether 344 is attached to the annular sealing lip 332 to create a liquid-tight barrier that prevents fluid flow communication from inside the upper vessel 322 through the lower end 324. In one embodiment, the vessel seal 342 is attached to the annular sealing lip 332 via induction sealing. Next, with the upper end 348 of the tether 344 extending over the upward-facing splined surface 374 of the clamping ring 372, the upper vessel 322 is filled with a second substance (e.g., a liquid or a pulverized solid), and the cap 340 is applied to the upper end 326 of the upper vessel 322, causing the downward-facing splined surface 376 of the cap 340 to interlock with the upward-facing splined surface 374 of the clamping ring 372 and clamp the upper end 348 of the tether 344 in between the cap 340 and the clamping ring 372, creating a friction fit that secures the tether 344 to the cap 340. Thereafter, the lower end 324 of the upper vessel 322 is coupled to the lower vessel neck 316 of the lower vessel 312, creating a liquid-tight connection between the upper vessel 322 and the lower vessel 312.

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor in furthering the art. As such, they are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure.

It is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

Beverage Container

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