This application relates in general to an article of manufacture for providing storage containers, and more specifically, to an article of manufacture providing multiple cups with a removable separator.
Many foods or drinks are carried by individuals in one or more containers for consumption later in the day. Typically, more than one item are present and multiple containers may be needed. The combination of multiple containers also needs to be compact to allow for easy transport by an individual among other items that may be included within a backpack or briefcase. Depending upon the food being transported users may or may not wish the items in these multiple containers to be mixed together, or the user does not want the items to be mixed together until they are to be consumed. Once item may be placed in one container preventing contact its contents and the food or liquid in a second container. Mixing the items together at the appropriate time requires the transfer of the contents of one or both containers into a common container. Examples of food and liquids that could be used include: milk and cereal, protein powder and water/milk, baby formula and water, MRE and water, and granola and yogurt. The transfer of the items between containers may also be a messy operation that limits the choices of food that users may wish to take with them on any given day. As such, users need multiple containers that prevents food from becoming mushy in wet contents until desired and that helps preserve the longevity in which these items can be eaten. These same uses need an effective way to move the contents from one container to another container to mix the contents contained therein without need for many utensils or significant effort is a variety of different situations and environments.
Therefore, a need exists for an article of manufacture for providing multiple cups with a removable separator. The present invention attempts to address the limitations and deficiencies in prior solutions according to the principles and example embodiments disclosed herein.
In accordance with the present invention, the above and other problems are solved by providing an article of providing multiple cups with a removable separator according to the principles and example embodiments disclosed herein.
In one embodiment, the present invention is an article of manufacture for providing multiple cups with a removable separator. The multiple cups with a removable separator includes a top cup, a bottom cup, a plastic flap insert, and an interlocking separator being coupling to the top cup on a first side of the interlocking separator and being coupled to the bottom cup on a second side of the interlocking separator. The interlocking separator includes a mixing slot passing between the first side and the second side, an opening across the interlocking separator oriented parallel to the first side and the second side, the opening configured to accept the plastic flap insert to provide a separating barrier between an attached top cup and an attached bottom cup, a retaining groove around the mixing slot and configured to align with the opening to engage edges of the plastic flap insert when installed into the opening and across the mixing slot, and a set of seals positioned on both sides of the retaining groove to engage the plastic flap insert when installed, the set of seals continue across the opening to engage the plastic flap insert when installed.
In another aspect of the present invention, the mixing slot is positioned across an entire diameter of the interlocking insert.
In another aspect of the present invention, the mixing slot is positioned across a portion of the diameter of the interlocking insert.
In another aspect of the present invention, the ratio of the height of the top cup to interlocking separator to the bottom cup is 3:1:2.
In another aspect of the present invention, the ratio of the height of the top cup to interlocking separator to the bottom cup is 2:1:3.
In another aspect of the present invention, the interlocking separator further includes a first pair of L-shaped locking slots on opposite sides of a circumference of the interlocking separator about the first side and a second pair of L-shaped locking slots on opposite sides of a circumference of the interlocking separator about the second side.
In another aspect of the present invention, the top cup comprises a pair of locking posts about a circumference of an open side of the top cup, the pair of locking posts engage the first pair of L-shaped locking slots to couple the top cup to the interlocking separator.
In another aspect of the present invention, the bottom cup comprises a pair of locking posts about a circumference of an open side of the bottom cup, the pair of locking posts engage the second pair of L-shaped locking slots to couple the top cup to the interlocking separator.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention.
It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features that are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.
Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:
This application relates in general an article of manufacture for providing storage containers, and more specifically, to an article of manufacture for providing multiple cups with a removable separator according to the present invention.
Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.
In describing embodiments of the present invention, the following terminology will be used. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a needle” includes reference to one or more of such needles and “etching” includes one or more of such steps. As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
It further will be understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and “including” specify the presence of stated features, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps or components. It also should be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions and acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality and acts involved.
The terms “food worker,” and “user” refer to an entity, e.g., a human, using multiple cups with a removable separator associated with the invention. The term user herein refers to one or more users.
The term “invention” or “present invention” refers to the invention being applied for via the patent application with the title “Multiple Cups with Separator.” Invention may be used interchangeably with cups.
In general, the present disclosure relates an article of manufacture for providing storage containers. To better understand the present invention,
The top cup 101 and bottom cup 102 attach to the interlocking separator 103 using a simple lock with an open space in the interlocking separator 103 and small half-spheres locking posts 131a-d on the cups 101-102. A first pair of locking post 131a-b includes a first top locking post 131a is located at 0° along the circumference and a second top locking post 131b at 180° along the circumference of the interlocking separator 103 adjacent to the top side 103a of the interlocking separator 103. A similar pair of second locking post 131c-d include a first bottom locking post 131c is located at 0° along the circumference and a second bottom locking post 131d at 180° along the circumference of the interlocking separator 103 adjacent to the bottom side 103b of the interlocking separator 103.
Each of the cups 101-102 possess a pair of L-shaped locking slots 111a-b, 121a-b that are positioned to align with corresponding either the first pair locking posts 131a-b and second pair of locking posts 131c-d, on the top cup 101 and the bottom cup 102. In order to couple either of the cups 101-102 to the interlocking separator 103, the pair of L-shaped locking slots 111a-b on the top cup 101 are aligned with the first pair locking posts 131a-b. The interlocking separator 103 is inserted into the top cup 101 as the first pair of locking posts 131a-b slide into the pair of L-shaped locking slots 111a-b along the top circumference of the top cup 101 until both of the pair of first locking posts 131a-b are insert to a bottom edge of both L-shaped locking slots 111a-b. The top cup 101 may be rotated to slide the pair of first locking posts 131a-b along the bottom edge of the L-shaped locking slots 111a-b. When in this position, an outer edge 141 of the interlocking separator 103 engages an inner surface the top cup 101 to create a sealed container with the interlocking separator 103 acting as a lip to the top cup 101. The above process may be repeated using the second pair of locking posts 131c-d engaging the pair of L-shaped locking slots 121a-b on the bottom cup 102 in a similar manner. The interlocking separator 103 also acts as a lid to the bottom cup 102.
A plastic flap insert 104 fits into a mixing slot 132 within the interlocking separator 103 through an opening 133 lined in rubber spanning 180° around the exact middle of the interlocking separator 103. The inside retaining groove 134 of the interlocking separator 103 is lined with a set of rubber seals 135a-b except for the small area in which the plastic flap insert 104 would fit in, encompassing the other 180° inside of the middle piece. The set of rubber seals 135 are configured to accept the plastic flap insert 104 in between these seals 135a-b that are located on both sides of the inside retaining groove 134 and across the opening 133. By doing so with all parts connected, this invention resembles two cups 101-102 with the interlocking separator 103 that serves to separate foods and liquid when the plastic flap insert 104 is inserted inside of the interlocking separator 103.
Removal of the plastic flap insert 104 from within the interlocking separator 103 facilitates a mixture of food and liquids for the handicapped, mothers who may have difficulties feeding their children in a timely manner, for military usage (in the case of MRE and holding other food contents), and anyone who would like a way to easily transport and mix their food and drink contents. When the plastic flap insert 104 is removed, a passageway 134 is created between the top cup 101 and the bottom cup 102 allowing the contents of the cups to be easily mixed together.
Any food or drink in the top cup 101 will not touch the food or liquid in the bottom cup 102 until the plastic flap insert 104 is removed. Examples of food and liquids that could be used include: milk and cereal, protein powder and water/milk, baby formula and water, MRE and water, and granola and yogurt. The present invention 100 saves time and energy by having the plastic flap insert 104 act as a “trap door” in the time when the two contents should be mixed. This arrangement prevents food from becoming mushy in wet contents and helps preserve the longevity in which these items can be eaten. If the person chooses, they do not need to pull the plastic flap insert 104 all the way through if they only want some of the top contents to enter the bottom contents. Also, the plastic flap insert 104 acts as a separator for liquid and larger items inside (such as fruit in water or ice in any liquid drink) in the case that when pouring the person will only have to slightly pull the plastic flap insert 104 in order to separate the liquid from the solid. People who are handicapped can pull the plastic flap insert 104 with their teeth (or any other way that is comfortable for them) and be able to have a sense of independence when using this product. The interlocking separator 103 also acts as extra space in the case that contents added from the top cup to the bottom cup will overfill the bottom cup. The plastic flap insert is held securely by rubber lined around the middle piece opening 180°.
A pair of the locking posts 341a-b are shown on the visible side of the interlocking separator 303 that engage mating L-shaped locking slots (not shown) in the mating top and bottom cups. The pair if seals 335 across the opening 333 appears as elongated sealing blades that are configures to arc inward when the plastic flap insert is installed.
Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the present application, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of the invention. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in this application. In other words, any of the features mentioned in this application may be included to this new invention in any combination or combinations to allow the functionality required for the desired operations.
No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.