Patent Application
20170071380
The present invention relates to a unique and versatile fluid container which serves both to make and store ice cubes for use outside the container and to keep fluids which are housed within the container cold.
A cold fluid container comprises a fluid housing having a main body and first and second fluid discharge ends, one end of the main body being opened and having a removable cap or closure member threadably engaged with and covering that end and the second discharge end having a bottom section. The bottom section is removeably attached to the main body by a connector element, for instance an adhesive plastic connector member. An ice containing member, in the form of an ice tray, is located within and is permanently secured to the interior of the main body of the fluid housing. The ice tray is designed to be filled with water and then the fluid container itself to be placed in a freezer, such that the water in the ice tray freezes. Water or other drinkable liquid is then poured into the fluid container and, by means of the ice in the ice tray, kept cold during consumption, Alternatively, after ice is formed in the ice tray, the connector member is peeled off and the bottom section of the fluid container removed. The ice formed in the ice tray can then be broken out of the tray and used for purposes outside the fluid container.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The cold fluid container of the present invention, shown in the FIGS. as a commercially sold water bottle, comprises fluid housing 2 having main body 4 with internal surface 6, exterior surface 8, first fluid discharge end 10 and second fluid discharge end 12. Fluid housing 2 is optimally fabricated of form molded plastic most common to water bottles, or equivalent material which can be frozen without being damaged.
Discharge end 10 is in the form of a narrow neck and has threads 14 or equivalent closure engaging means. Discharge end 10 is open at 16. Closure member 18, with threads configured to engage threads 14, covers opening 16 of discharge end 10.
Discharge end 12 comprises bottom section 20 connected to main body 4 by connection means in the form of adhesive plastic connector member 22 which is attached to and circumscribes both main body 4 and bottom section 20. Connector member, known in the art, is removable to allow separation of bottom section 20 from main body 4.
Ice containing member 30, in the form of an ice tray with a plurality of ice cube pockets 32, is located with main body 4 of fluid housing 2. Ice containing member 30 is permanently secured to internal surface 6 of main body 4. Alternately, ice containing member 30 and main body 4 can be molded such that the ice containing member is integral with the main body.
The fluid container can thus be used in a number of ways. For example, ice containing member 30 within main body 4 can be filled with water and the fluid container can then be placed in a freezer. Once the water in ice containing member 30 is frozen solid and turns to ice 40, fluid housing is filled, through discharge end 10 opening 16, with water or other drinkable fluid 50, thus ensuring that fluid within the fluid container remains cold. See
Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
