GB2412291A

GB2412291A - Vessel divisible into chambers

Info

Publication number: GB2412291A
Application number: GB0406680A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bernard Russel Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-24
Filing date: 2004-03-24
Publication date: 2005-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 2024-03-24
Also published as: GB2412291B; WO2005092718A1; GB0406680D0

Abstract

A vessel includes a base portion 2 and a wall portion 3 upstanding from the base portion, the wall portion having at least one groove 4a, 4b, 4c arranged therein to receive a removable disk, the groove extending substantially circumferentially around an internal surface of the wall portion. In use, a first liquid may be poured into the lowest chamber A and a first disk (5a, Figures 2 and 3) then inserted into the lowest groove 4a. Successive chambers B, C may then receive other liquids separated by respective disks (5b, 5c) in successive grooves 4b, 4c. Each disk may have a rupturable central portion to allow access to the liquids which may be alcoholic or non-alcoholic ingredients of a beverage such as a cocktail.

Description

Multi Chamber Vessel The present invention is concerned with a vessel

which is suitable for transporting and/or serving more than one liquid, such as a beverage or the like.

Many drinks, in particular alcoholic drinks, are served as a blend of two or more ingredients. For example, cocktails may contain two or more alcoholic components which may be mixed with a non-alcoholic element, for example, lime cordial, lemonade, fruit juice etc. Mixing during transportation or storage may, however, affect the quality or appearance of the cocktail in some circumstances. It may therefore be preferable, in some instances, to keep each individual component separate up until the point of consumption. This is particularly advantageous for aesthetic and flavour separation purposes during transportation and/or storage.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to alleviate at least some of the disadvantages identified above.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a vessel which permits liquid or semi-solid substance to be stored, prior to consumption, in distinct layers.

Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided a vessel which includes a base portion and a wall portion upstanding from the base portion, the wall portion having at least one groove member arranged therein to receive a removable disk, the groove member extending substantially circumferentially around an internal surface of the wall portion.

It is particularly preferred that the wall portion has two or more groove members, each groove member being arranged to receive a removable disk. Advantageously, the disk, the wall portion and the base portion define a storage area.

The storage area is arranged to receive a liquid or semi- solid substance. An edible liquid is preferred. Suitable liquids may include alcoholic drinks, fruit juices, cordials and/or ice creams or sorbets or the like.

It is particularly preferable that the wall portion includes three or more groove members. Advantageously, each groove member is arranged to receive a removable disk.

Preferably, during use, when a disk is visited to the groove member, a substantially tight seal is achieved.

The present invention is particularly advantageous for the storage and transportation of drinks that require mixing shortly before consumption, or different drinks that are to be displayed in a single vessel. The present invention may be used to transport and display alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

It is envisaged that the vessel may be in the form of a truncated cone or a cylinder) however, it is envisaged that 2s the vessel may be rectangular or the like. A truncated cone is particularly preferred as it is both aesthetically pleasing and permits ease of insertion of each disk into the groove member.

It is envisaged that the wall portion may be transparent or opaque. However, it is particularly preferred that at least a portion of the wall is transparent so that the contents of the vessel (when it is in use) are visible.

The vessel may be manufactured from glass or a suitable 3s plastics material, such as polycarbonate or a styrene, such as crystal styrene. It is particularly preferred that the vessel is manufactured from polycarbonate. When the vessel is manufactured from plastics, it may be manufactured by a blown plastics method or an extrusion method. It is therefore envisaged that the groove member may be visible, or protrudes through, the wall portion.

The disk may be manufactured from the same material as the vessel, however, it is also envisaged that it may be lo manufactured from a different material (which is preferred). It is preferred that at least a portion of the disk is flexible; this aids insertion of the disk into the vessel.

It is particularly preferred that the disk has an inner portion which rupturable. The inner portion may be of a different material with respect to the remainder of the disk, or it may be the same material but have a smaller thickness.

Advantageously, during use, the inner portion of the disk is ruptured or punctured, thereby permitting the contents of the vessel to be mixed or to combine.

2s It is therefore preferred that the vessel further includes a puncture device. The puncture device being removably connected to the vessel. Advantageously, the puncture device may be used to mix or blend the individual contents of the vessel. It is also envisaged that a straw may be removably attached to an outside portion of the vessel.

The straw may be used to puncture or rupture a disk, however, the straw may be used simply to remove the contents of the vessel for consumption.

3s Therefore according to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vessel which includes a base portion and a wall portion upstanding from the base portion, the wall portion having at least one groove member arranged therein extending substantially circumferentially S around an internal surface of the wall portion, and a disk member arranged in the at least one groove member. The vessel and the disk are substantially as described hereinbefore.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures, wherein: FIGURE 1 represents a cross section of a vessel according IS to the present invention, prior to use; FIGURE 2 represents a cross section of a vessel according to the present invention, in use; and FIGURE 3 represents a cross section of a portion of the vessel, in use.

Referring to Figure 1, there is provided a vessel according to the present invention, generally represented by the numeral 1. The vessel 1 comprises a base portion 2 and a wall portion 3. The internal surface of the wall portion 3 has three groove members 4a, 4b and 4c extending circumferentially around the internal surface of the wall portion 3. Each groove member 4a, 4b and 4c are arranged to receive respective disks (not shown in Figure 1).

Referring to Figure 2, where like numerals have been used to represent like parts identified on Figure 1, the vessel 1 includes a three disks 5a, 5b and 5c which have been inserted into grooves 4a, 4b and 4c. The disks 5a, 5b and s 5c are manufactured from a plastics material and in the form of an annulus; the central portion of the annulus being covered with a plastics or foil film.

Referring to Figure 3, where like numerals have been used to represent like parts with reference to Figures l and 2, the vessel l contains disks 6 and 7. Disk 6 is manufactured in a similar manner to the disks 5a, 5b and 5c, which comprises an annulus having a film covering the central portion. Disk 7 is formed as a unitary disk of plastics, having a central portion which is substantially thinner than its periphery.

In use, a first liquid is poured into vessel l until it reaches a level just below grove 4a. Disk 4a is then placed into grove 4a to substantially contain first liquid in storage area A which is defined by wall 3, base 2 and disk 5a. A second liquid is then poured into vessel l on top of disk 5a until it reaches a level just below grove 4b. Disk 5b is then inserted into groove 4b to obtain a substantially liquid tight seal, thereby containing the second liquid in storage area B which is defined by walls 3, disk 5a and disk 5b. The process is repeated again by pouring the liquid into vessel l on top of disk 5b until it reaches a level just below grove 4c. Disk 5c is then inserted into grove 4c, thereby sealing the third liquid in storage area C which is defined by walls 3, disk 5b and disk 5c.

The vessel is subsequently transported or stored whilst permitting separation of the first, second and third liquids. To access the liquids and/or mix the liquids to obtain a "cocktail", a rupture means (not shown) is pushed into a central portion of disk 5c thereby rupturing it and permitting access to the third liquid. In a similar manner disks 5b and 5a are ruptured thereby permitting the liquids to mix. Mixing can be achieved using rupture means or a straw or the like. s

Claims

Claims 1. A vessel which includes a base portion and a wall portion

upstanding from the base portion, the wall portion having at least one groove member arranged therein to receive a removable disk, the groove member extending substantially circumferentially around an internal surface of the wall portion.
2. A vessel according to claim 1, wherein the wall portion includes two or more groove members, each groove member being arranged to receive a removable disk.
3. A vessel according to claim 2, wherein the wall portion includes three or more groove members.
4. A vessel according to any preceding claim which is in the form of a truncated cone or a cylinder.
5. A vessel according to any preceding claim which is transparent or has a portion which is substantially transparent.
6. A vessel according to any of claims 1 to 4, which is substantially opaque.
7. A vessel according to any preceding claim which is manufactured from plastics material.
8. A vessel according to any of claims 1 to 6 which is manufactured from glass.
9. A vessel according to any preceding claim, which further includes at least one disk member.
10. A vessel according to claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the disk is flexible.
11. A vessel according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the disk has rupturable inner portion.
12. A vessel according to claim 11, wherein the rupturable inner portion is of a different material to the remainder of the disk.
13. A vessel according to any preceding claim, which further includes rupture means arranged to rupture or fracture at least a portion of a disk present in the groove.
14. A vessel which includes a base portion and a wall portion upstanding from the base portion, the wall portion having at least one groove member arranged therein extending substantially circumferentially around an internal surface of the wall portion, and a disk member arranged in the at least one groove member.