US20160200474A1

US20160200474A1 - Dual chambered container with three interchangeable lids and ability to keep contents at separate temperatures

Info

Publication number: US20160200474A1
Application number: US15/064,822
Authority: US
Inventors: Gwendolyn D. Burden
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-06-04
Filing date: 2016-03-09
Publication date: 2016-07-14

Abstract

Dual chambered container with partition space between the walls of the two chambers to prevent contents from reaching a uniform temperature; three interchangeable lids with flip up spouts: to pour or sip contents separately when spout is lifted up, to pour or sip contents mixed together when spout is lifted up, pour or sip from one chamber when flip up spout is lifted up and pick out snacks, chips etc from the other chamber; gasket between lid and bottle body to seal bottle and prevent leakage; stainless steel insert between the two content chambers so contents will reach uniform temperature or stainless steel clip sleeve to allow direct thermal contact between content of each chamber.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 14/296,355 filed on Jun. 30, 2014 by the present inventor which is incorporated herewith by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Technical Art
The present disclosure relates to dual chambered containers for liquids, purees, solids where the two chambers are separated by a dividing wall and for separately dispensing liquids.
2. Description of Related Art
The bottle is designed with 3 interchangeable lids. The first lid is a 2-n-1 design that has separate flip-up spouts for extracting liquids from both the first and second chamber. The second lid, a 2-to-1 flip-up spout design that has two spouts for extracting contents from both the first and second chamber and merge into one spout allowing contents to mix together upon consumption. The third lid consists of a Snack and drink lid which consists of one flip up spout for sipping or pouring liquid from on chamber and a snap on lid for eating snacks, chips and other foods from the second chamber.
Liquid storage containers have been provided in numerous shapes and sizes for various liquid commodities. The most ubiquitous liquid storage containers are presently plastic and provide multiple shapes and sizes with mass production capability and recyclable materials. A popular liquid storage container is a drinking bottle. Typically, most individuals utilize a drinking bottle formed of a molded plastic material. The most common type of molded plastic drinking bottle employs a neck portion supporting a removable cap and a chamber connected to a neck portion. These plastic drinking bottles are reasonably durable, are reusable with most liquid drinks of choice, are economical to make and to purchase, and are easy to use (in that an individual can grip the bottle with one hand and take a drink via the outlet means with-out spilling the liquid).
In particular, sports bottles have become very popular over the years as molded drinking bottles. Sports bottles are containers which generally have a removable lid, are relatively tall and easy to hold and have a cap or lid positioned at the top portion of the sports bottle. Sports bottles have become quite popular given the increased exercise activity of individuals. Sports bottles are convenient because they do not leak and can be readily carried or placed without fear of spilling the liquid contained therein. To use a sports bottle, one simply places the desired liquid in the sport bottle and closes the lid and/or inserts a straw. Thereafter, whenever it is desired to acquire liquid, one merely opens the lid to allow access to the liquids. Many individuals who exercise are interested in workouts of extended durations, at various levels of intensity. Thus, many individuals have available or even carry several bottles of water or other liquids to replenish body liquids lost from sweating. Thus, individuals may desire more than one type of drink to replenish the body liquids lost from sweating when engaging in one or more intense work activities, without inadvertently mixing the liquids.
Furthermore, one of the most critical needs facing individuals engaged in sports is the continuous supply or intake of different liquids (e.g., drinking water, sports drinks, energy drinks, protein shakes, etc.) while they exercise. During extended exercise activities, individuals face serious dehydration problems and the loss of competitive capabilities unless they continuously replenish the fluids lost during such exercise activities. Because of increase liquid consumption for exercise, sports etc. the need to have more than one container of water, sport drinks and other thirst quencher have also increased. Thus, there is a need to provide a bottle that is capable of dispensing more than one type of liquid separately, without inadvertently mixing the liquids
Traditional sports bottles present a limitation in that they do not allow an individual to enjoy a plurality of different liquid drinks separately from each other, without the liquids mixing. Similarly there are other dual chamber bottles that have separate outlets for contents of each chamber. Most dual chamber bottles either allow the contents to reach a uniform temperature or the contents to stay at separate temperature. Thus, despite other practitioners' efforts to provide improved systems, there remains nonetheless a continuing need in the art for an improved liquid supply apparatus for use by individuals, such as, but not limited to, individuals engaged in sports or exercise activities.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,120,599 describes a very simple dual chamber drink container consisting of a lid and two straws. However, this container does not allow the user to mix contents before they leave container. The same issue arises with US Patent Application US 2013/0001233 because it does not allow mixing of contents before they leave container. U.S. Pat. No. 8,240,581 describes two outlet tubes to drink out of two containers but the apparatus described in this patent does not allow the user to have the contents mixed before they leave the apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,018 describes liquid drinking assemblage system but does not allow liquids to be mixed before leaving the container. U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,819 provides a bottle which does not allow mixing of the contents before they leave the bottle.
US Patent Application 2015/0353260 describes a multi chamber container but does not allow mixing of the chamber contents before leaving the container. U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,213 also describes a dual chambered bottle but also does not provide for mixing of the chamber contents before leaving the bottle. U.S. Pat. No. 8,240,497 describe dual chambered bottle but does not provide for mixing contents before leaving the bottle.
US Patent Application 2006/0021996 provides dual multi chamber drink bottle with the ability to mix the liquids before they leave. This bottle has a squeeze feature making it very difficult to refill once the contents have been emptied out. This bottle lacks the ability to actually provide users the ability to drink contents out separately. This bottle does not have the temperature control features as those presented in the present disclosure. The bottle in the present disclosure could also be used for snacks like chips, raisins etc.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,260,462 provides drinking tubes for simultaneously drinking two liquids. Compared to the present disclosure, these drinking tubes can only be use for sucking out liquids but they cannot be used for pouring out liquids. When these drinking tubes are inserted into a drinking cup with two holes, it will inadvertently lead to leakage of contents when the liquids are poured out. The present disclosure provides for gaskets between the flip up spouts which prevent the liquids from leaking out.
In US Patent Application 2015/0353259, the applicant described a dual chambered bottle with the interchangeable lids to allow a user to pour or sip the contents of the bottle separately or together by having them mixed before they are poured out.
The present disclosure is intended to overcome the drawbacks of conventional and or traditional dual chamber bottle systems by providing a means to use a single bottle with interchangeable lids to consume contents either separately or mixed together. Similarly, the present disclosure allows one dual chamber bottle to have the flexibility of either keeping contents at separate temperatures or allow them to attain a uniform temperature through optional stainless steel inserts or stainless steel clips. The gaskets between the lid and bottle body keeps the contents air tight and provides a longer shelf life. The canteen design allows. The gasket between the flip up spouts and the lid prevents leakage of contents even when the bottle is tilted upside down.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure pertains to a multipurpose improved dual chambered container. The dual chambers can be used for storing different contents. The two chambers have a space between them. This space acts as an air barrier and prevents heat transfer between the two chambers allow them to remain at their own temperatures. So the bottle could be used for carrying both hot and cold contents at the same time. The bottle comes with three interchangeable lids. The first lid type allows the user to pour or sip out the contents of each chamber separately. When using the second lid type, the contents are mixed together before coming out of the flip up spout. The third lid type allows a snack and drink configuration where the user can drink out of one chamber and access chips and larger contents from the other chamber. There is a gasket between the lid and the bottle body to keep moisture and humidity out and provide a tight seal. The dual chamber bottles comes with optional straw inserts so that user can use the bottle for both sipping and pouring. The spouts are wide enough to allow free flowing liquids, viscous liquids like apple sauce and puree, and solids like baby powder. There is an optional stainless steel insert that could be inserted in the space between the two chambers to provide an indirect physical contact for heat transfer between the contents of the two chambers. This allows the contents to reach a uniform temperature. As an additional option, an optional stainless steel clip can be inserted such as to provide direct physical contact between the contents of the two chambers. This allows the contents to reach a uniform temperature even more quickly.
The present disclosure is intended to overcome the drawbacks of conventional and or traditional dual chamber bottles and container systems by providing a means to use a single bottle with interchangeable lids to consume contents either separately or mixed together without the possibility of leakage. Similarly, the present disclosure allows one dual chamber bottle to have the flexibility of either keeping contents at separate temperatures or allow them to attain a uniform temperature through optional stainless steel inserts or stainless steel clips. The gaskets between the lid and bottle body keeps the contents air tight and provides a longer shelf life. The canteen design allows. The gasket between the flip up spouts and the lid prevents leakage of contents even when the bottle is tilted upside down.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective top and front view of the body of the bottle having two chambers of equal size. The slot for the insertion of a gasket around the top of the bottle body can be seen in this figure. 100 refers to the bottle body. 104 refers to the round bottom feature of the bottle body. 500 refers to the gasket. The bottle body essentially comprises of two chambers with each chamber having a curved wall on one side and a straight wall on the other side. 109 refers to small wall that connects the curved wall of both chambers. 111 refers to the rectangular space between the walls of the two chambers. There is a hollow space in the central wall such that the walls of each chamber do not come in contact with each other.

FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of the body of the bottle. The slot for insertion of gasket can be viewed in more detail in this view.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the circular bottle bottom for placing the bottle stable and upright.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bottle with 2-to-1 lid on top of the body of the bottle. The 2-to-1 lid allows mixing of the contents of the two chambers. The 2-to-1 lid consists of two flip up spouts, each coming from the one of the chambers, and then joining together. The contents of each chamber flow through the respective spout, and mix with the contents of the other spout before exiting through a common outlet aperture. 300 refers to the 2-to-1 lid. 301 refers to the 2-to-1 flip up spout.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the 2-to-1 lid. 308 refers to the arm lock for spout and locks it place. Similar to 700, there are gaskets between the connection of the 2-to1 flip up to the lid. These gaskets prevent leakage when the bottle is turned upside down and ensures a tight seal from external elements.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the 2-to-1 flip up spout. This view shows the single common opening through which the bottle contents flow out. 306 refers to front opening for content extraction.

FIG. 7 is perspective view of the inside of the 2-n-1 lid. 203 refers to opening in the 2-n-1 lid through which the contents of each of chamber will flow into the spout. This opening can also be used for optional insertion of straws. 800 refers to the center bar for lid to bottle body connection. This center bar rests in the center of the bottle body.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bottle with 2-n-1 lid. 2-n-1 lid consists of two flip up spouts. The contents of each chamber flows separately out of the spout. 201 refers to 2-n-1 flip spout.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the 2-n-1 lid. 700 refers to gasket for flip up spout closure of 2-n-1, 2-to-1 and snack and drink lids. This gasket prevents leakage when the bottle is turned upside down and ensures a tight seal from external elements.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the 2-n-1 spout. 206 is arm for locking spouts in place atop lid. 204 refers to the front aperture.

FIG. 11 is perspective view of the inside of the 2-to-1 lid. 303 refers to the opening in the 2-to-1 lid through which the contents of each of chamber will flow into the spout. This is also for optional insertion of straws.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the bottle with a snack and drink lid. The snack and drink lid consists of a flip up spout as shown in FIG. 9 and a large D′ shaped snap lock flap. The D′ shaped snap lock flap is large enough for contents like chips and others to be poured out through them. 400 refers to the snack and drink lid. 403 refers to the flip up spout on the snack and drink lid. 405 refers to the where the snap lock flap. 409 refers to where the snap lock flap is connected to the snack and drink lid. 600 refers to the gasket on the snap lock flap closure and is used to maintain freshness and prevent leakage when the bottle is turned upside down.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the snack and drink lid.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the stainless steel clip sleeve. 1000 refers to this clip which slides over the central wall such that the stainless steel portion comes in contact with the inner walls of each chamber. This clip sleeve allows direct thermal contact between the contents of the two chambers allowing the contents to reach a uniform temperature much faster than without the insert.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the stainless steel clip insert that can be inserted into the space between the inner central walls of the two chambers. 900 refers to this insert. The insert can slide in and out of this space. When the stainless steel insert slides between the walls of the two chambers, it creates direct physical contact between the contents of the two chambers. However because heat has to transfer through three walls, the heat transfer does not occur very quickly. Hence, the contents of the two chambers will reach a uniform temperature but slower than when the clip sleeve is used.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the gasket 500 which fits along the outer rim of the top section of the bottle body and the bottle center.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in and is in no way intended to limit the invention in its application or use. The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings which are to be considered part of the entire written description. Any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. The present disclosure describes an improved dual chambered container which will have the following features and functionality:
Dual chambered container consisting of: the bottle body 100 with the two hollow chambers three different types of lids 200, 300, 400, that go on top of the bottle body; pair of stainless steel inserts 900 that can inserted between rectangular space between the bottle chambers; inverted ‘U’ shaped steel clip sleeve 1000 that can go in each of the hollow chambers.
Two hollow chambers in the bottle body 100 designed to hold liquids, snacks, solids and purees. The two hollow chambers are essentially two separate plastic bottles that are held together by a small wall 109 on either side of the bottle body. The bottle body essentially comprises of two chambers with each chamber having a curved wall on one side and a straight wall on the other side. The curved and the straight walls run along the longitudinal length of the bottle. The straight walls of the two chambers are not fused and hence there is no common wall in the center of the bottle. Instead, they are joined together by a small wall 109 on either side of the bottle thereby forming a rectangular space 111 between the walls. The small wall 109 and the rectangular space 111 runs along the longitudinal length of the bottle body 100. This space between the hollow chambers prevents direct physical and thermal contact between the contents of the two chambers due to presence of air which acts as an insulator. This prevents them from attaining a uniform temperature.
The body of the bottle 100 can be made out of BPA free plastic, stainless steel or glass. This type of bottle will allow moisture to be kept out of the dual chambered bottle.
The shape of the entire bottle is in the form of a canteen with the middle section smaller in cross-sectional length than the outer section. Canteen shapes have been proven effective in pouring out more fluid than comparable bottles and containers.
The lid will cover the body of the bottle 100. A lip along the mouth of the lid is added for secure and tight closure and locks the lid in place.
A gasket 500 is inserted between the lid and body of the bottle. The gasket as shown in FIG. 16 fits in a slot on the outer rim of the top of the bottle body and the slot in the center cross-section of the top of the bottle body. This gasket will be made out of silicon. It will be heat resistant with and manufactured with FDA approved food grade material.
The lids can be put on the plastic, stainless steel or glass bottle body. All lids will have the following common features:
Flip up spouts with the wide enough diameter to allow puree foods, thick and viscous liquids, or easy flowing solids of 12 micron size such as baby powder, powdered fruit drink mixtures to flow through them. There are gaskets attached at the connection point of the flip up spout to the bottle body. These gaskets allow tight seal when the flip up spout is closed to prevent leakage from the bottle when it is turned upside down. The gasket also provides a seal from the external elements. This arrangement only allows contents to be poured out only when the flip up spout is lifted up.
A wall extending from the center cross-sectional line of the lid to the to the top of the bottle body thereby forming two separate chambers inside the lid.
There will be three different types of interchangeable lids:
2-n-1 lid will allow individual consumption of the contents of the two chambers. The 2-n-1 lid will consist of two flip up spouts each projecting into one of the chambers.
2-to-1 lid will allow the contents of the two chambers to mix together prior to reaching the mouth. There will be one flip-up spout 301 which is really two flip up spouts that fuse together to form an inverted ‘Y’ with two inlets and one common outlet. The common outlet will allow the contents of the two chambers to mix together before leaving the outlet aperture. The 2-to-1 feature allows the contents of the two chambers to mix together before the contents enter the mouth.
Snack and drink lid have one flip up spout similar to the 2-n-1 spout that for drinking liquid from one chamber and a snap on lid for eating snacks, chips and other foods from the second chamber. Snack and drink lid have a snap lock on the inside of the lid that locks the lid in place. The snap on feature provides easy access for both liquid and sold contents. There is a gasket 600 on the snap lock flap closure that is used to maintain freshness and prevent leakage.
The bottom portion of each flip up spout will project into one of the two hollow chambers. Straws can be inserted into the bottom portion of the each flip up spout as shown in 203 and 303. Inserting the straw will allow the individual to sip on the contents. Without the straws, individuals will have to pour the contents out in their mouth.
The bottle will be made with an injection mold.
1000 is an inverted ‘U’ shaped stainless steel clip that is the same length as the central wall of the bottle body and of same height as that of the inside of the hollow chambers. 1000 will snuggly slide over the central wall of bottle body like a sleeve. Once the stainless steel clip sleeve is inserted over the central wall of the bottle body, it will create direct physical contact between the contents of the two chambers thus acting as heat transfer bridge allowing heat to be transferred from the contents of one chamber to the other allowing them to reach a uniform temperature very quickly. When the stainless steel clip sleeve slides in all the way to the inside bottom of the chambers, it will sit directly on top of the gasket 500.
There is a space between the straight walls of the two chambers 111. Two inverted shaped stainless steel inserts could be inserted in this space 111. The vertical section will slide into the rectangular space 111 and the shorter horizontal section will sit on the top central rim of the bottle body. The gasket 500 will sit on top of the horizontal section of the stainless steel inserts. Insertion of the stainless steel inserts will allow the two chambers to attain a uniform temperature over time. When the stainless steel inserts slides between the walls of the two chambers, it creates direct physical contact between the contents of the two chambers. However because heat has to transfer across three walls, the heat transfer does not occur very quickly. Hence, the contents of the two chambers will reach a uniform temperature but slower than when the clip sleeve is used.

Claims

What is being claimed is:

1. A dual chambered bottle comprising of:

a bottle body with two hollow vertical chambers; and

the walls of first and the second chambers are not directly physically in contact with each other except for outer perimeter wall along the vertical side of the bottle body and at the bottom of the bottle body thereby leaving a central space between the wall of the first and chamber; and

a slot along the outer rim of the top portion of the bottle body for the insertion of a gasket; and

a lid with an outer lip which locks the lid in place to the body of the bottle, a vertical separating wall in the inside center of the lid that is the same height as the lid.

2. The lid according to claim 1 comprising of two spouts each with one opening inside one of the chamber and one opening to outside, two locking arms to connect spout to lid, gaskets attached to the connection point of the spout with the lid, wherein when the flip up spout is lifted, the contents of the respective chamber are poured out and not leak when the bottle is closed and inverted upside down.

3. The lid according to claim 1 comprising of two connected spouts each with one opening inside one of the two hollow chambers, two locking arms to connect spout to lid, gaskets attached to the connection point of the spout with the lid, and the two spouts connect together to form one common opening, wherein when the connected spouts are lifted up, it allows mixing between the contents of the two chambers as they are discharged out from the common opening.

4. The lid according to claim 1 comprising of one spouts with one opening inside first chamber and one opening to outside, two locking arms to connect spout to lid, gaskets attached to the connection point of the spout with the lid, and one large snap lock flap with gasket on the snap lock flap closure on the lid for the second chamber.

5. A metal clip sleeve comprising of two vertical sections, connected together with horizontal metal bridge on top and two small outward projecting horizontal metal pieces on the bottom of each vertical section, wherein when the metal clip sleeve slides over the central wall of the bottle body as in claim 1, it forms a bridge on top of the central space between chambers allowing thermal contact between the contents of the two chambers.

6. A pair of metal inserts comprising of two vertical sections of height less than the bottle body as in claim 1, two horizontal sections pointing in opposite direction that can sit on top of the central rim of the bottle body, wherein when the pair of metal inserts slides inside the central space it allows the contents of the chambers to reach a uniform temperature.

7. A body, comprising:

a body portion having a dividing wall extending from the base portion to extend past the top of the bottle;

a first chamber for holding a first liquid; cooperating with a first flip-up spout and optional first straw attachment; a second chamber for holding a second liquid;

cooperating with a second flip-up spout and optional second straw attachment.

The 2-to-1 flip-up spout lid design allowing first and second liquids from the first and second chambers to mix together upon consumption.