Patent Application
20240336397
The present invention relates generally to the field of bifurcated bottles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a combination bottle device with two separated dispensing bottles. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
In most dining settings, various condiments may be used to add flavor to a meal. In many instances, combinations of multiple condiments may be used on the same meal. However, one condiment bottle typically only stores one type of condiment. Multiple bottles of condiments can be a hassle to carry over to a dining table or be a burden to store as it can take up valuable refrigerator and counter space.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that improves the way modern condiments are stored. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a combination condiment bottle device that can hold multiple condiments separately in a single device. Furthermore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a combination condiment bottle device that can dispense multiple different condiments from a single bottle without any contamination from the other condiments stored within the bottle.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a combination bottle device. The device is comprised of a first container and a second container, each preferably made of a plastic material. Each container may be filled with a condiment of choice. Each container is comprised of an opening and a cap from which the condiment in the container may be dispensed. Each container may further be attached to the other container such that the device resembles one bottle and may be stored, transported, or used as such. Notwithstanding the references to condiments throughout, the device of the present invention is not so limited and may be used with any complementary products that are capable of being dispensed such as, but not limited to, shampoo/conditioner, food toppings, dressings, etc.
In this manner, the combination condiment bottle device of the present invention accomplishes all the foregoing objectives and provides a device that improves the way in which condiments and other substances are stored and dispensed. More specifically, the combination bottle device can be filled with multiple types of condiments or other complementary substances such that they are held separately from one another. Furthermore, the combination bottle device can dispense each contained condiment/substance separately such that no condiment/substance contaminates another on its exit from the device.
The following presents a simplified summary to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a combination bottle device comprised of a first container and a second container, each of which is comprised of an opening and a cap. The device is designed to hold two condiments/substances in a singular unit such that either condiment/substance may be used separately from the other condiment stored in the device.
The device is comprised of a first container and a second container, each preferably made from a plastic material. Each container may be filled with a condiment of choice, preferably different condiments. Each container is comprised of a bottom surface and an opening. Both containers may be either fixedly or removably attached to one another via an at least one fastener on the bottom surface of each container. A cap of each container may be attached to the opening of each container via fasteners in the form of male and female threads. Each cap is comprised of a spout to allow the condiment to be dispensed from the device and a lid to prevent the condiment from being dispensed from the device.
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a first container and a second container, each of which is further comprised of an opening and a cap. Then, the first container is filled with a condiment and the second container is filled with a, preferably different, condiment. Then, in the embodiment in which the first container and the second container are removably attached, the containers may be separated as needed. Next, the lid of either the first container or the second container is opened, and that same container is squeezed to dispense the condiment from the container. Then, the condiment in the other container may be dispensed by opening the lid and squeezing.
Accordingly, the combination condiment bottle device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that improves the way in which condiments are stored and dispensed. More specifically, the combination condiment bottle device can be filled with at least two different condiments such that they do not mix in any way. Furthermore, the combination condiment bottle device can dispense each condiment separate from the other condiment(s) stored in the device. In this manner, the combination condiment bottle device overcomes the limitations of existing condiment bottles known in the art.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that improves the way condiments are stored. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a combination condiment bottle device that can hold multiple condiments separately in a single bottle. Furthermore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a combination condiment bottle device that can dispense multiple different condiments from a single bottle without any contamination from the other condiments stored within the bottle.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a combination condiment bottle device. The device is comprised of a first container and a second container, each of which is further comprised of an opening and a cap. The device is designed to hold two condiments in a singular condiment bottle such that either condiment may be used separately from the other condiment stored in the device.
More specifically, the device is comprised of a first container preferably made from a plastic material. An interior space of the first container may be filled with any condiment at the discretion of a user. A bottom surface of the first container may be either fixedly attached to the second container or removably attached to the second container via an at least one fastener. The first container is further comprised of an opening from which a cap may be attached via a fastener of the opening attaching to a fastener of the cap. The cap is further comprised of a lid and a spout. The lid of the cap can prevent the first container from dispensing its contents when closed. The spout allows the first container to dispense its contents cleanly without creating a mess on the cap.
The device is further comprised of a second container also preferably made from a plastic material. An interior space of the second container may be filled with any condiment at the discretion of a user, preferably one different from the condiment that filled the first container. A bottom surface of the second container may be either fixedly attached to the bottom surface of the first container or removably attached to the bottom surface of the first container via an at least one fastener. The second container is further comprised of an opening from which a cap may be attached via a fastener of the opening attaching to a fastener of the cap. The cap is further comprised of a lid and a spout. The lid of the cap can prevent the second container from dispensing its contents when closed. The spout allows the second container to dispense its contents cleanly without creating a mess on the cap.
In addition, the device may be comprised of an at least one grip area that provides a user with a place to squeeze the device to push a condiment out of either the first container or the second container. The grip area may be textured to provide additional grip to the user or simply be a more malleable portion of the device to aid the user in squeezing each container. At least one label may also delineate the condiment inside of each container. Preferably the device is comprised of two labels, one label for each container.
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a first container and a second container, each of which is further comprised of an opening and a cap. Then, the first container is filled with a condiment and the second container is filled with a, preferably different, condiment. Then, in the embodiment in which the first container and the second container are removably attached, the containers may be separated as needed. Then, the lid of either the first container or the second container is opened, and that same container is squeezed to dispense the condiment from the container. Next, the condiment in the other container may be dispensed by opening the lid and squeezing.
Accordingly, the combination condiment bottle device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that improves the way in which condiments are stored and dispensed. More specifically, the combination condiment bottle device contains multiple condiments, such that the condiments do not mix or contaminate the other in any way. Furthermore, the combination condiment bottle device can individually dispense the multiple condiments contained in the device. In this manner, the combination condiment bottle device overcomes the limitations of existing condiment bottles known in the art.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The device 100 is comprised of a first container 110 which may be made of any material but is preferably made of a flexible or semi-flexible plastic material such as, but not limited to: acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass, etc. An interior space 112 of the first container 110 may filled with any condiment, such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, ranch, etc. A bottom surface 114 of the first container 110 may be either fixedly or removably attached to the second container 140 via an at least one fastener 116.
The device 100 is also comprised of a second container 140 which may be made of any material but is preferably made of a flexible or semi-flexible plastic material such as, but not limited to: acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass, etc. An interior space 142 of the second container 140 may filled with any condiment, such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, ranch, etc. A bottom surface 144 of the second container 140 may be either fixedly or removably attached to the bottom surface 114 of the first container 110 via an at least one fastener 146. In the embodiment in which the first container 110 and the second container 140 are removably attached, the fasteners 116,146 attach to each other and may be any fastener known in the art such as, but not limited to: hook-and-loop fasteners, tongue-and-groove fasteners, magnets, snap buttons, screws, bolts, dowel rods, snap-fits, etc.
The second container 140 is comprised of an opening 150 in which an at least one fastener 152 allows a cap 160 to attach to the second container 140. The cap 160 may also be comprised of an at least one fastener 162. In the preferred embodiment of the device 100, the fastener 152 of the opening 150 of the second container 140 is a male or female thread pattern and the fastener 162 of the cap 160 is the male or female thread pattern counterpart to allow the cap 160 to screw onto the opening 150 of the second container 140. The cap 160 is additionally comprised of a lid 164 and a spout 166. The spout 166 allows the condiment in the second container 140 to be dispensed in a controlled manner whereas the lid 164 prevents the condiment from exiting the second container 140 when closed. The cap 160 is preferably flat to allow the device 100 to be stored upright.
Further, the device 100 may be comprised of an at least one grip area 170 which provides a user with a hand placement area to easily squeeze the device 100 to push a condiment out of either the first container 110 or the second container 140. The grip area 170 may be textured (i.e., raised or recessed) to create a non-slip grip area 170. At least one label 172 may also delineate the condiment inside of each container 110,140. Preferably, a label 172 may be present on the first container 110 and on the second container 140 and may be easy to change if the condiment inside is swapped for a differing condiment. In one potential embodiment, the device 100 may be comprised of additional containers, a third, fourth, fifth, etc., such that multiple condiments may be in a singular device 100. The device 100 may then have the general shape of a triangle, a cross, a star, etc., or any shape such that the number of vertices is equal to the number of containers in the device 100.
The present invention is also comprised of a method 200 of using the device 100, as seen in
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “combination condiment bottle device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the combination condiment bottle device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the combination condiment bottle device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the combination condiment bottle device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the combination condiment bottle device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the combination condiment bottle device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the combination condiment bottle device 100 may be of any size, shape, and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/456,912, which was filed on Apr. 4, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63456912 | Apr 2023 | US |
