US20230098385A1

US20230098385A1 - Multiple Cups with Separator

Info

Publication number: US20230098385A1
Application number: US17/486,431
Authority: US
Inventors: Nicole Brito Rodrigues
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-09-27
Filing date: 2021-09-27
Publication date: 2023-03-30

Abstract

An article of manufacture for providing multiple cups with a removable separator is disclosed. 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.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

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.

BACKGROUND

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.

SUMMARY

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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:

FIGS. 1 a-b illustrate multiple views of an example embodiment for an article of manufacture providing multiple cups with a removable separator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates multiple views of another example embodiment of an article of manufacture providing multiple cups with a removable separator according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates profile views of an interlocking separator of the article of manufacture providing multiple cups with a removable separator according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates top multiple views of a third example embodiment of an article of manufacture providing multiple cups with a removable separator according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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, FIGS. 1 a-b illustrate multiple views of an example embodiment for an article of manufacture providing multiple cups with a removable separator according to the present invention. FIG. 1 a shows a side view of three separate components 100 of the present invention. These three components include a top cup 101, a bottom cup 102, and an interlocking separator 103. The top cup 101 and the bottom cup 102 may be coupled to the interlocking separator 103 to form a complete storage container 100. When the top cup 101 and the bottom cup 102 are separately coupled to the interlocking separator 103, a top side 103 a and a bottom side 103 b of the interlocking separator are placed within the respective top cup 101 and bottom cup 102.
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 131 a-d on the cups 101-102. A first pair of locking post 131 a-b includes a first top locking post 131 a is located at 0° along the circumference and a second top locking post 131 b at 180° along the circumference of the interlocking separator 103 adjacent to the top side 103 a of the interlocking separator 103. A similar pair of second locking post 131 c-d include a first bottom locking post 131 c is located at 0° along the circumference and a second bottom locking post 131 d at 180° along the circumference of the interlocking separator 103 adjacent to the bottom side 103 b of the interlocking separator 103.
Each of the cups 101-102 possess a pair of L-shaped locking slots 111 a-b, 121 a-b that are positioned to align with corresponding either the first pair locking posts 131 a-b and second pair of locking posts 131 c-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 111 a-b on the top cup 101 are aligned with the first pair locking posts 131 a-b. The interlocking separator 103 is inserted into the top cup 101 as the first pair of locking posts 131 a-b slide into the pair of L-shaped locking slots 111 a-b along the top circumference of the top cup 101 until both of the pair of first locking posts 131 a-b are insert to a bottom edge of both L-shaped locking slots 111 a-b. The top cup 101 may be rotated to slide the pair of first locking posts 131 a-b along the bottom edge of the L-shaped locking slots 111 a-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 131 c-d engaging the pair of L-shaped locking slots 121 a-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 135 a-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 135 a-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°.
FIG. 1 b shows the plastic flap insert 104 across the mixing slot 132 to cover the entire passageway 134 between an attached top cup 101 and an attached bottom cup 102. The interlocking separator 103 is shown as an oval in the example embodiment of FIGS. 1 a-b for the ease of presentation herein. The interlocking separator 103 may also be shaped as a round separator so long as the top cup 101 and the bottom cup 102 include a matching shape. The pair of L-shaped locking slots 111 a-b of the top cup 101 and the pair of L-shaped locking slots 121 a-b of the bottom cup 102 may also include other shapes so long as the locking slots contain a retention mechanism to hold the locking posts 131 a-d within the corresponding the pair of L-shaped locking slots 111 a-b, 121 a-b. Examples of other detention mechanisms include a narrowing that tightens the locking posts 131 a-d the farther that they are inserted into the locking slots 111 a-b, 121 a-b. Additionally, the locking slots 111 a-b, 121 a-b may include a small opposing ridge along the edges of the locking slots 111 a-b, 121 a-b that permit the corresponding locking posts 131 a-d to pass through the ridges with a force applied to the cups 101-102 while preventing the cups 101-102 to be accidentally removed.
FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of another example embodiment of an article of manufacture providing multiple cups with a removable separator according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a top cup 201, bottom cup 202, and interlocking separator 203. In this particular embodiment, the ratio of the sizes of the top cup: interlocking separator: bottom cup is defined to be 3:1:2. Additionally the first pair of locking posts 211 a-b, 221 a-n are located on the top cup 201 and bottom cup 202 respectively. The pair of L-shaped locking slots 231 a-d along the top circumference of the interlocking separator 203. The two cups 201-202 and the interlocking separator 203 are coupled in a similar manner as described above with respect to FIG. 1 a -b. The interlocking separator 203 also accepts a plastic flap insert 204 into a mixing slot 233 to separate the contents of the top cup 201 from the bottom cup 202. A set of seals 235 a-b are used to provide a leak-proof seal between the plastic flap insert 204 and the top cup 201 and the bottom cup 202 within the interlocking connector 203. In most other respects the second embodiment, a preferred embodiment, operates in a manner of the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 illustrates profile views of an interlocking separator of the article of manufacture providing multiple cups with a removable separator according to the present invention. An embodiment of the interlocking separator 303 that is configures to accept the plastic flap insert 104 (not shown in FIG. 3 ) into a mixing slot 333. A set of separating seals 335 a-b engage both sides of the plastic flap insert 104 when the insert in placed within the interlocking separator 303. The set of separating seals 335 a-b are positioned on both sides of an inside retaining groove 334 of the interlocking separator 303 and the opening to the mixing slot 333. As noted with respect to other embodiments, the set of rubber seals 335 a-b are configured to accept the plastic flap insert 104 in between these seals 335 a-b.
A pair of the locking posts 341 a-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.
FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a third example embodiment of an article of manufacture providing multiple cups with a removable separator according to the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of a top cup 401, a bottom cup 402, and an interlocking separator 403. In this embodiment, a plastic flap insert 404 and a mixing slot 432 are arranged to allow the contents of the top and bottom cups 401-402 to mix together a portion of the interlocking separator 403. The size of the mixing slot 432 may be less than fully across the interlocking separator 403 that allows the plastic flap insert 404 and the set of seals 435 a-b to be smaller in size. The smaller mixing slot 432 may not cause difficulties in mixing the contents of the cups 401-402 when the mixing content includes a significant amount of fluids. The size of the mixing slot 432 and it's set of seals 435 a-b may be determined to find an optimal size that allows the mixing slot 432 to function while reducing any leaks between the set of seals 435 a-b and the plastic flap insert 404 when inserted.
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.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An article of manufacture for providing multiple cups with a removable separator, the multiple cups with a removable separator comprises:

a top cup;

a bottom cup;

a plastic flap insert; and

the 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 comprises:

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.

2. The multiple cups with a removable separator according to claim 1, wherein the mixing slot is positioned across an entire diameter of the interlocking insert.

3. The multiple cups with a removable separator according to claim 1, wherein the mixing slot is positioned across a portion of the diameter of the interlocking insert.

4. The multiple cups with a removable separator according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the height of the top cup to interlocking separator to the bottom cup is 3:1:2.

5. The multiple cups with a removable separator according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the height of the top cup to interlocking separator to the bottom cup is 2:1:3.

6. The multiple cups with a removable separator according to claim 1, wherein the interlocking separator further comprises:

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.

7. The multiple cups with a removable separator according to claim 6, wherein 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.

8. The multiple cups with a removable separator according to claim 7, wherein 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.