Multi-Compartment Containers

Abstract

Multi-compartment containers in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a device for storing multiple fluids in multiple compartments comprises a first compartment for storing a first fluid, a second compartment for storing a second fluid, wherein the second compartment is within the first compartment, a lid of the first compartment comprising a first aperture and a second aperture; and a holding lattice for holding the second compartment against the lid of the first compartment, wherein the second compartment is aligned with the second aperture of the lid.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to containers and more specifically to containers with multiple compartments.

BACKGROUND

Containers such as, but not limited to, cans may be used to store beverages. Typically, beverage cans may be cylindrical in shape and be made of metal (e.g., aluminum). Beverage cans may be used to store carbonated beverages as well as uncarbonated beverages. Beverage cans also may include an opening mechanism such as a stay-on tab. For example, a stay-on tab may use a tab attached to a lid of the beverage can such that the tab may be used as a lever to press on a portion of the lid. The portion pressed by the stay-on tab may then fold underneath the lid of the can, thereby providing access to the beverage stored within the beverage can.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The various embodiments of the present multi-compartment container comprise several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the present embodiments, their more prominent features will now be discussed below. In particular, the present multi-compartment containers will be discussed in the context of beverage containers. However, the use of the multi-compartment containers for beverages is merely exemplary and various other uses for multi-compartment containers may be utilized as appropriate to the requirements of a specific application in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description,” one will understand how the features of the present embodiments provide the advantages described here.

One aspect of the present embodiments includes the realization that in current containers other than the present embodiments, containers typically only include a single compartment accessible from a single location. For example, a conventional soda can is only capable of containing a single fluid and that fluid is only accessible via a pop-tab mechanism on the top of the soda can. The present embodiments solve these problems through multiple compartments within a container that are separately accessible. The present embodiments thus advantageously enable the storage of more than one fluid that are separately accessible. The present embodiments provide these advantages and enhancements, as described below.

In a first aspect, a device for storing multiple fluids in multiple compartments comprises a first compartment for storing a first fluid, a second compartment for storing a second fluid, wherein the second compartment is within the first compartment, a lid of the first compartment comprising a first aperture and a second aperture, and a holding lattice for holding the second compartment against the lid of the first compartment, wherein the second compartment is aligned with the second aperture of the lid.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the holding lattice comprises a first section, a second section, and a third section.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the first section is connected to the second section at a first angular portion that abuts the wall of the first compartment at a first location, the second section is connected to the third section at a second angular portion that abuts the wall of the first compartment at a second location, and the first location is below and opposite the second location.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the first section abuts a bottom of the first compartment.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the holding lattice is made using aluminum.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the holding lattice is made using thick-gauge aluminum wire.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the holding lattice is made using a punched piece of aluminum.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the holding lattice is coated with an anti-corrosion coating.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the first compartment comprises a cylindrical wall.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the wall of the first compartment is aluminum.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the second compartment is sealed from the first compartment using crystalized sugar.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the second compartment is sealed from the first compartment using a seal covering a top of the second compartment.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the seal comprises a metal foil.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the seal comprises a plastic film.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the second compartment applies a pressure against the lid of the first compartment sealing the second compartment from the first compartment.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the first aperture and the second aperture are puncturable.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the lid further comprises an opening mechanism for opening the first aperture and the second aperture.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the opening mechanism comprises a pop tab.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the opening mechanism is located on the lid of the first compartment such that the opening mechanism can be used to puncture the first aperture and the second aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various embodiments of the present multi-compartment container now will be discussed in detail with an emphasis on highlighting the advantageous features. These embodiments depict the novel and non-obvious multi-compartment container shown in the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. These drawings include the following figures:

FIG. 1A is a side sectional view of a multi-compartment container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is another side sectional view of a multi-compartment container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1C is a perspective view illustrating a sectional view of internal components of a multi-compartment container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a lid of a multi-compartment container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom sectional view of a multi-compartment container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description describes the present embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, reference numbers label elements of the present embodiments. These reference numbers are reproduced below in connection with the discussion of the corresponding drawing features.

Turning now to the drawings, multi-compartment containers may include a first compartment and a second compartment. In many embodiments, the first compartment may contain a second compartment and a holding lattice. In various embodiments, the holding lattice may hold the second compartment against a lid of the first compartment. In some embodiments, the lid of the first compartment may comprise two puncturable orifices. For example, the first puncturable orifice may aligned with a portion of the lid that is not aligned with the second compartment, thereby providing access to the first compartment. In addition, the second puncturable orifice may be aligned with a portion of the lid that is aligned with the second compartment, thereby providing access to the second compartment. In some embodiments, an opening mechanism, such as, but not limited to, a pop-tab may be situated between the first puncturable orifice and the second puncturable orifice, such that the opening mechanism may be used to puncture both the first and the second puncturable orifices. Multi-compartment containers comprising a first compartment and a second compartment in accordance with embodiments of the invention are further discussed below.

Multi-Compartment Containers Having First and Second Compartments

Typically, containers include only a single compartment. For example, a beverage container has a single compartment for holding a liquid within the container. A side sectional view of a multi-compartment container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1A. A multi-compartment container 100 may include a first compartment 102 and a second compartment 104. In many embodiments, the first compartment 102 may be constructed using a variety of materials such as, but not limited to, a plastic or a metal (e.g., aluminum). In several embodiments, the first compartment may comprise a cylindrical wall 106 for the sides of the first compartment 102. In some embodiments, the metal may be coated with an anti-corrosion material. In some embodiments, the first compartment 102 may be a standard beverage container (e.g., a soda can). In various embodiments, the first compartment 102 may contain a pressurized or carbonated liquid (e.g., soda).

In various embodiments, the second compartment 104 may be contained within the first compartment 102. The second compartment 104 may be made using a variety of materials such as, but not limited to, a plastic or a metal. In some embodiments, the second compartment 104 may be constructed using the same material used in making the first compartment 102. In some embodiments, the second compartment 104 may be made using a different material than that used in making the first compartment 102. Further, in some embodiments, the second compartment 104 may be made from a metal that is coated with an anti-corrosion material. While FIG. 1A illustrates a second compartment 104 with a trapezoidal vertical cross section, the second compartment 104 may have a vertical cross section of any shape in other embodiments.

In reference to FIG. 1A, the second compartment 104 may be positioned against a lid of the first compartment 102 by a holding lattice 110. The holding lattice 110 may be made using a variety of materials such as, but not limited to, a plastic or a metal (e.g., aluminum). In some embodiments, the holding lattice 110 may be made using dried tapioca. In many embodiments, the holding lattice 110 may be made from the same or different material from the first compartment 102 and/or the second compartment 104. In some embodiments, the holding lattice 110 may be made using thick-gauge aluminum wire or a punched piece of aluminum. Additionally, the holding lattice 110 may be coated with an anti-corrosion material. The holding lattice 110 may comprise a first section 112, a second section 114, and a third section 116. In various embodiments, the first section 112 may be connected to the second portion 114 at a first angular portion 118 of the holding lattice 110 that abuts the wall of the first compartment 102 at a first location 120. In many embodiments, the second section 114 may be connected to the third section 116 at a second angular portion 122 that abuts the wall of the first compartment 102 at a second location 124. In several embodiments, the first location 120 may be below the second location 124 within the first compartment 102 and the first location 120 may be positioned opposite the second location 124 within the first compartment 102. While FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary shape and structure for the holding lattice 110, the holding lattice 110 may be in any shape for holding the second compartment 104 against the lid of the first compartment 102.

In some embodiments, the second compartment 104 may be sealed off from the first compartment 102. The second compartment 104 may be sealed off from the first compartment 102 by a seal at the top of the second compartment 104, as further described below. In some embodiments, the seal at the top of the second compartment 104 may be a variety of seals such as, but not limited to, a metal foil and/or a plastic film, etc. In many embodiments, the seal may act as a top of the second compartment 104. In some embodiments, the seal may also be a crystalized sugar seal around the top edge of the second compartment 104 that attaches the second compartment 104 to a lid of the first compartment 102. In some embodiments, the second compartment 104 may not have a lid or a seal at the top of the second compartment 104. In such embodiments, the holding lattice 110 may hold the second compartment 104 against a lid of the first compartment 102 with sufficient pressure such that the second compartment 104 may be sealed off from the first compartment 102.

Another side sectional view of a multi-compartment container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1B. The multi-compartment container 100 may include a first compartment 102 and a second compartment 104, as further described above. The multi-compartment container 100 may also include a holding lattice 110 that holds the second compartment 104 against a lid of the first compartment 102, as further described above. In various embodiments, the holding lattice 110 may include a first section 112, a second section 114, and a third section 116, as further described above. The first section 112 may be connected to the second section 114 by a first angular portion 118, and the second section 114 may be connected to the third section 116 by a second angular portion, as described above.

A perspective view of a multi-compartment container illustrating a sectional view of the internal components in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1C. The multi-compartment container 100 may include a first compartment 102 and a second compartment 104, as further described above. In several embodiments, the multi-compartment container 100 may include a lid 126, as further described below. The multi-compartment container may also include a holding lattice 110 that holds the second compartment 104 against the lid 126 of the first compartment 102, as further described above. In many embodiments, the holding lattice 110 may include a first section 112, a second section 114, and a third section 116, as further described above.

Although specific multi-compartment containers with first compartments, second compartments, and holding lattices are discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1A-C, any of a variety of multi-compartment containers can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention. For example, the first compartment may take a variety of shapes including, but not limited to, cylindrical, rectangular, or some irregular shape (e.g., a drink bottle). Further, the holding lattice may include a number of structures capable of holding a second compartment against a lid of the first compartment. For example, the holding lattice may be straight, curved, triangular, or some combination of shapes. Additionally, a holding lattice that is a separate structure that rests on the bottom of the first compartment may have certain advantages from other structures, including ease of manufacturing and assembling the pieces together. However, a person of skill in the art would appreciate that other structures may be used while still achieving some or all of the advantages of the invention herein. Example other structures or methods that may be used for holding a second compartment against a lid of the first compartment include, but are not limited to, a shelf connected to a wall of the first compartment, a structure connected to a lid of the first compartment, or an adhesive that attaches the second compartment to the lid of the first compartment. Lids comprising multiple puncturable apertures in accordance with embodiments of the invention are discussed further below.

Lids of First Compartments of Multi-Compartment Containers

Typically, lids for containers contain a single mechanism for accessing the contents of a container. For example, a typical beverage container (e.g., a soda can) may only contain a single puncturable aperture with a pop tab mechanism. A top view of a lid of a multi-compartment container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. A lid 200 may include a surface 202 onto which an opening mechanism 204 may be mounted. The surface 202 of the lid 200 may be constructed from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, metal (e.g., aluminum) or plastic. In some embodiments, the opening mechanism 204 may be a pop tab that may be mounted in the center of the lid 200. The opening mechanism 204 may alternatively be a variety of mechanisms for opening the multi-compartment mechanism including, but not limited to, a pull tab, a twist-off cap, a cork, or a lid.

The opening mechanism 204 may be mounted between a first puncturable aperture 206 and a second puncturable aperture 208. In many embodiments, the second puncturable aperture 208 may be aligned with a second compartment of the multi-compartment container, such that the contents of the second compartment may be accessed via the second puncturable aperture 208. In various embodiments, the first puncturable aperture 206 may be aligned with a first compartment of the multi-compartment container such that the contents of the first compartment may be accessed via the first puncturable aperture 206.

In reference to FIG. 2, the first puncturable aperture 206 and/or the second puncturable aperture 208 may be a portion of the surface 202 that is surrounded by a line of the surface 210, 212 that is thinner than the rest of the surface. The thickness of the line 210, 212 may be such that that when a force is applied to the first puncturable aperture 206 and/or the second puncturable aperture 208, the force causes the surface 202 to be punctured along the line 210 surrounding the first puncturable aperture 206 and/or the line 212 second puncturable aperture 208. In some embodiments, the first puncturable aperture 206 and/or the second puncturable aperture 208 may be a portion of the surface 202 that is perforated along the line of the surface 210, 212. In such embodiments, when a force is applied to the first puncturable aperture 206 and/or the second puncturable aperture 208, the force causes the surface 202 to be punctured along the line of the surface 210, 212 that is perforated. In many embodiments, the surface 202 may be punctured along a portion of the line of the surface 210, 212.

In further reference to FIG. 2, the force applied to the first puncturable aperture 206 and/or the second puncturable aperture 208 may be applied by the opening mechanism 204. In some embodiments, the force may be applied to the first puncturable aperture 206 by a user lifting up on the opening mechanism 204 on a side of the opening mechanism 204 opposite the first puncturable aperture 206. In some embodiments, the force may be applied to the second puncturable aperture 208 by a user lifting up on the opening mechanism 204 on a side of the opening mechanism 204 opposite the second puncturable aperture 208. In some embodiments, the user may lift up on the opening mechanism 204 on the side of opening mechanism 204 opposite the second puncturable aperture 208 after the first puncturable aperture 206 has been punctured. In some embodiments, the force may be applied to the second puncturable aperture 208 by a user applying a downward force on a side of the opening mechanism 204 that is placed over the second puncturable aperture 208.

Although specific lids for multi-compartment containers with an opening mechanism, a first puncturable aperture, and a second puncturable aperture are discussed above with respect to FIG. 2, any of a variety of lids can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention. For example, the lid may be circular, elliptical, rectangular, or some irregular shape. Additionally, the puncturable apertures may be circular, elliptical, rectangular, or some irregular shape. Furthermore, a pop tab aligned with a first puncturable aperture and a second puncturable aperture is described above as an example embodiment, and a person of skill in the art would recognize other mechanisms for allowing independent access to a first compartment and a second compartment of a multi-compartment container. Mechanisms for securing a holding lattice in a multi-compartment container in accordance with some embodiments of the invention are discussed further below.

Mechanisms for Securing Holding Lattices

A bottom sectional view of a multi-compartment container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3. A multi-compartment container 300 may include a holding lattice 302 and a second compartment 304. In some embodiments, the holding lattice 302 may include a securing mechanism 306 that secures the holding lattice 302 in place within the multi-compartment container 300. For example, the securing mechanism 306 may be a T-shaped structure that increases friction of the bottom of the holding lattice 302 against the inner surface of the multi-compartment container 300, thereby securing the holding lattice 302. In some embodiments, the securing mechanism 306 may be a variety of mechanisms for securing the holding lattice 302 including, but not limited to, an adhesive, a weld, and a nut and/or bolt. Alternatively, the securing mechanism 306 may be a continuous part of the multi-compartment container, rather than a separate structure.

Although securing mechanisms for securing a holding lattice are discussed above with respect to FIG. 3, any of a variety of securing mechanisms can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention. While the above description contains many specific embodiments of the invention, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an example of one embodiment thereof. It is therefore to be understood that the present invention may be practiced otherwise than specifically described, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Thus, embodiments of the present invention should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A device for storing multiple fluids in multiple compartments, comprising: a first compartment for storing a first fluid;a second compartment for storing a second fluid, wherein the second compartment is within the first compartment;a lid of the first compartment comprising a first aperture and a second aperture; anda holding lattice for holding the second compartment against the lid of the first compartment, wherein the second compartment is aligned with the second aperture of the lid.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the holding lattice comprises a first section, a second section, and a third section.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein: the first section is connected to the second section at a first angular portion that abuts a wall of the first compartment at a first location;the second section is connected to the third section at a second angular portion that abuts the wall of the first compartment at a second location; andthe first location is below and opposite the second location.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the first section abuts a bottom of the first compartment.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the holding lattice is made using aluminum.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the holding lattice is made using thick-gauge aluminum wire.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the holding lattice is made using a punched piece of aluminum.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the holding lattice is coated with an anti-corrosion coating.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the first compartment comprises a cylindrical wall.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the wall of the first compartment is aluminum.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the wall of the first compartment is coated with an anti-corrosion coating.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the second compartment is sealed from the first compartment using crystalized sugar.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the second compartment is sealed from the first compartment using a seal covering a top of the second compartment.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the seal comprises a metal foil.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the seal comprises a plastic film.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the second compartment applies a pressure against the lid of the first compartment sealing the second compartment from the first compartment.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are puncturable.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the lid further comprises an opening mechanism for opening the first aperture and the second aperture.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the opening mechanism comprises a pop tab.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the opening mechanism is located on the lid of the first compartment such that the opening mechanism can be used to puncture the first aperture and the second aperture.