Not applicable.
Not applicable.
1. Field of Invention
The subject matter of this written description is in the field of flowable foodstuff storage containers and dispensers. In particular, the subject matter of this specification is in the field of multi-compartmented storage containers plus dispensers for liquid foodstuffs, granular foodstuffs or foodstuffs defined by aggregated loose-solids (or semi-solids).
2. Description of Related Art
Flowable materials (e.g., materials that are liquid, granular or aggregated loose solids (or semi-solids)) are common and the need for storing and dispensing them is known in the art. That is to say, many containers exist for storing and dispensing flowable materials. The most basic container for storing and dispensing flowable materials is a single compartmented vessel, like a cup or bucket, defined by a vertical cylinder or a truncated cone with a flat bottom. Dispensing flowable material in a basic container can be accomplished via scooping a portion of the contents from the container or by pouring a portion of the contents over the rim of the container.
Problems sometimes arise when using basic containers for storing and dispensing flowable materials. First, accurately aiming the pour is difficult because pouring contents over the rim of a basic container is unfocused. This problem has been overcome via the addition of a spout to the rim of a container. Second, the contents of a basic container cannot be kept unattended for long periods of time without spoiling. This problem can sometimes be delayed or avoided by using a lid. Finally, a basic container cannot hold two different materials without at least partially mixing the two materials. This means that two basic containers are necessary to store and dispense two different materials. Some have overcome this problem via containers with multiple compartments (also known as “multi-compartmented containers”) that each may contain a different material.
Multi-compartmented containers and dispensers are particularly useful for containing multiple materials that are frequently used together because the container keeps the materials proximate to one another. Examples of such containers include: U.S. Pub. Pat. No. 2013/0001233 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,503, which disclose multiple chamber fluid containers with side-by-side compartments for holding two fluids, e.g., a cold fluid and a hot fluid, that can be dispensed one at a time from separate sides of the container; U.S. Pat. No. 6,913,777 and U.S. Pub. Pat. No. 2002/0110622, which disclose multi-compartmented bottles for simultaneously dispensing cold cereal and milk; U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,440, which discloses a multi-compartmented condiment bottle for simultaneously dispensing two condiments, e.g., ketchup and mustard; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,550, which discloses a pressurized, multi-compartmented container which allows access to one compartment while blocking access to the remaining compartments. Although useful for containing materials in close proximity to one another, known multi-compartmented containers are not always satisfactory in every circumstance. For instance, known multi-compartmented containers are configured for dispensing either (a) one material at a time or (b) all materials at once, but not both.
In view of the foregoing, it is an objective of this application to describe a multi-compartmented storage container for storing two or more flowable materials in separate compartments so that the materials may be poured from the container individually or combined in a novel manner. In a preferred embodiment, the container is defined by a container with two compartments that are closable via a lid, wherein the lid features an electively closable opening for one compartment, an electively closable opening for the other compartment, and an electively closable opening for both compartments at once. In one embodiment, the container is generally an ovular cylinder with side-by-side compartments, but in another embodiment, the container may feature a squared cylinder instead of an ovular cylinder so that the opening of the lid may be enlarged. In one mode of operation, at least one of the openings is electively opened and the container leaned toward the opening so that materials may be poured from the open opening(s) to which the lean is directed. In one embodiment, the openings are electively closable via caps and the caps are configured to interact with a bump stop to prevent the caps from closing the openings when acted on by gravity while the container is leaned for dispensing.
Other objectives and desires may become apparent to one of skill in the art after reading the below disclosure and viewing the associated figures.
The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following description and attached figures in which:
It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate only typical embodiments of the disclosed assemblies, and therefore, are not to be considered limiting of their scope, for the disclosed assemblies may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are not necessarily made to scale.
In general, disclosed is a multi-compartmented storage container for storing two or more flowable materials in separate compartments so that the materials may be poured from the container individually or combined. In a preferred embodiment, the container is defined by a container with two compartments that are closable via a lid, wherein the lid features an electively closable opening for one compartment, an electively closable opening for the other compartment, and an electively closable opening for both compartments at once. In one mode of operation, at least one of the openings is electively opened and the container leaned to one side or the other so that materials may be poured from the open opening(s). The more specific details of the disclosed container may be made with reference to the drawings.
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Suitably, a container 1000 may be used in the following ways: (1) the compartments 1110, 1120 may be configured to hold the contents of a standard cereal box and filed with cold cereal; (2) the lid 1200 may be positioned over compartments 1110, 1120; (3) pivoting one or more of the caps 1300, 1400, 1500 from their openings; (4) tiling the container 1000 toward the open caps.
A user enjoys mixing raisin bran cereal with frosted cereal for breakfast, but usually is in a hurry in the morning. The user can store raisin bran in one side of the container and frosted cereal in the other side of the container. In the morning the user can save time by grabbing the container, instead of separate containers for raisin bran and frosted cereal. The user can pour the raisin bran and frosted cereal into a bowl separately, as demonstrated in
A user is hosting a party. The user wishes to serve cocktails to the guests. However, the user knows that some of the guests will be designated drivers, and will not want to drink alcohol. The user can put a non-alcoholic mixer, such as cranberry juice, in one side of the container, and a distilled liquor, such as vodka, in the other half of the container. The user can pour a mixed drink from the larger opening, as shown in
Other features will be understood with reference to the drawings. While various embodiments of the method and apparatus have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams might depict an example of an architectural or other configuration for the disclosed method and apparatus, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that night be included in the method and apparatus. The disclosed method and apparatus is not restricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations, but the desired features might be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logical, or physical partitioning and configurations might be implemented to implement the desired features of the disclosed method and apparatus. Also, a multitude of different constituent module names other than those depicted herein might be applied to the various partitions. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and method claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall not mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recited functionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise.
Although the method and apparatus is described above in terms of to various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects, and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead might be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments.
Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like, the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more,” or the like, and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting to the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that might be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.
The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases might be absent. The use of the term “module” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, might be combined in a single package or separately maintained and might further be distributed across multiple locations.
Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts, and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives might be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.
The claims, as originally filed, are hereby incorporated into the specification by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20160114942 A1 | Apr 2016 | US |