1. Field of the Invention
This present disclosure relates to an agitator used for the mixing of powder and liquid, or differing viscosity liquids, within a fully enclosed hand-held shakeable container.
2. Background and Related Art
There is a basic need to mix a liquid and powder, or to mix differing viscosities and/or density liquids. In some cases an agitator is used to more greatly homogenize a product prior to use, as in aerosol paint (typically a sealed aluminum or metal container with a non-removable agitator that is discarded after use). There is also a common and recurring need for the mixing of products for edible consumption. Such consumable products in need of mixture include baby formulas, nutritional and dietary supplements, powdered and liquid flavored drink mixes, pancake batters, medicinal products, etc. Powdered and/or differing density liquids are difficult to mix into a smooth and homogenous suspension. Without the use of an agitator as the catalyst to fully mix the ingredients, there is a common problem of clumping powders and suspended and non-mixed ingredients.
The present disclosure relates to an agitator used for the mixing of powder and liquid, or differing viscosity liquids, within a fully enclosed hand-held shakeable container. Implementation of the present device takes place in association with a shakeable container that includes, in some embodiments, a straw, agitator and lid. The ingredients requiring mixture are enclosed in the shakeable container. In some embodiments, the container is shaken in an up and down manner, causing the agitator to move up and down the affixed straw, bumping off the bottom of the lid and the flange at the bottom of the straw, increasing inertia from the springing motion to more rapidly and fully mix the contents with less effort. There are many alternative shapes and sizes of the lid, container and straw, other than those expressly disclosed herein. In addition, the length of the straw may vary to accommodate the size of the container it is affixed to.
While the methods and processes disclosed herein have proven to be particularly useful in the area of mixing liquid and powder, or to mix different viscosities and/or density liquids, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the methods and processes can be used in a variety of different applications and in a variety of different areas of manufacture to yield a mixed product. Certain embodiments may involve the mixing of the following non-limiting list: powdered drinks, electrolyte pills, energy drinks, baby formula, pancake batter, crepes, baking materials, salsa, sauces (hollandaise, gravy, etc.), oil and vinegar, salad dressings, smoothies, juices, coffee and creamer/flavorings, alcohol mixed drinks, medical-related substances (pills, laxatives, fiber drinks, etc), and non-edibles (paint, household cleaners, etc).
Some embodiments include a system of using a straw and agitator in conjunction with each other. In certain embodiments, the straw is affixed to the lid of the shakeable container and has a flanged base. In some embodiments, an agitator is connected to the straw. This keeps the agitator as part of a larger piece and lowers the number of independent parts. A common problem with a free and loose agitator is the propensity for them to fall through dishwasher trays into the cleaning mechanisms, and their propensity to be lost.
In various embodiments, the shape and makeup of the agitator may vary greatly (see
In certain embodiments, the agitator moves freely up and down the straw to aid in creating a homogeneous mixture of the contents. Some embodiments feature a coiled design of the agitator that creates a spring effect that magnifies the inertia caused when shaking the container and works to lessen the effort needed and lower the time required to fully mix the contents of the container. The straw may be constructed of any material that will keep it rigid enough to allow the free movement of the agitator along the length of the straw. In some embodiments, the agitator moves along the entire length of the straw. In other embodiments, the agitator moves along less than the entire length of the straw. In some embodiments, the main body of the straw is to be linear and straight. In other embodiments, the main body of the straw is not straight but allows the agitator to move along the length of the straw in response to the shaking of the container.
In certain embodiments, the straw is affixed tightly to the container's lid creating a water/airtight seal. In some embodiments, this seal can be created by a pressed fit connection. In other embodiments, this seal can be created by a threaded fit connection. In some embodiments, the bottom portion of the straw has a flanged end. In certain embodiments, the flange serves as a base for the agitator to “spring” or “bounce” off of when the bottle is shaken, and also serves to keep the agitator from falling off the straw and becoming a loose and independent piece. In some embodiments, the flange touches the base of the container. In other embodiments, the flange does not touch the bottom of the container.
In some embodiments, the straw is made of plastic. In certain embodiments, the lid is constructed of a complimenting plastic material and, together, the lid and straw function to create a water and air tight seal. In some embodiments the straw and lid can be separated. However, in other embodiments, the straw and lid form one, unitary part.
In some embodiments, the construction of the lid is such that is has a common flip up apparatus that serves to seal the contents within the bottle when closed, or allow access to the contents of the bottle through sucking or pouring when open. In certain embodiments, when the straw attachment of the lid is closed, it works as a common valve to block access to the contents of the bottle and allows agitation without spilling. In some embodiments, when the straw is in an open position, the contents of the shakeable container can be sucked from the bottle. In certain embodiments, a common silicone grommet is used to create a water and airtight seal to prevent any spillage or decrease in sucking efficiency during consumption.
Some embodiments include a second opening on the lid. In certain embodiments, this second opening is larger than the opening or hollow portion of the straw. In some embodiments, this second opening is covered or closed by a common flip up top, or chug cap, that creates a water and air tight seal when closed, but allows for a “chug” or more rapid consumption of the contents of the bottle when open.
In some embodiments, the lid/straw combination is affixed to the bottle through a compression fit or threads, and utilizes a silicone washer to create a water and airtight seal with the base of the bottle.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows. The features and advantages may also be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the description that follows. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter.
In order that the manner in which the above recited and other features and advantages of the present invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that the drawings depict only typical embodiments of the present invention and are not, therefore, to be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, the present invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
In some embodiments, the agitator 14 is that of an hourglass shape, constructed of a metal wire coiled in a manner to create this shape. In certain embodiments, the agitator 14 creates several points of contact with straw 12 creating a connection with the straw 12 that allows the agitator 14 to move freely up and down straw 12 when the shakeable container 10 is shaken. In some embodiments, flange 18 is in contact with a base 25 of shakeable container 10. In other embodiments, flange 18 does not contact the base 25 of shakeable container 10.
In some embodiments, the straw 12 may be constructed of any material that is rigid enough to hold its shape under the strain of shaking the shakeable container 10, easily cleanable and dishwasher safe, and hygienic enough to be used with ingestibles. In certain embodiments, the straw 12 is made of plastic.
In some embodiments, straw 12 and lid 16 can be separated, as is shown in
Thus, as discussed herein, the embodiments of the present invention embrace a shakeable container that includes, in some embodiments, a straw, agitator and lid.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/552,308 filed Oct. 27, 2011, entitled “Shakeable Container with Agitator”.
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