Stackable multi-compartment drinking cup

Abstract

The present invention provides a stackable multi-compartment cup that comprises at least two compartments having an upper portion that is connected through a partition wall and separated lower portions. The stackable multi-compartment cup is further provided with a lid provided with a recess adapted to seal the cup as well as the compartments.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention claims the benefit of earlier U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/601,630 filed on Aug. 16 2004 by Klein and Zaslavsky. The present invention relates to drinking cups. More particularly, the present invention relates to a stackable cup having multiple compartments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Partitioned drinking cups are known in the art. Typically, divided or partitioned drinking cups comprise a cup for hot or cold drink that is divided by a divider so as to allow filling one drink in one compartment and another in the other compartment. The known divided cups are usually made of a solid material such as plastic or glass. Most available divided cups cannot be stacked or are not adapted to be covered by a lid. An example of a cup that cannot be stacked is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,503 “partitioned drinking cup” filed in 1989 by Propes. This patent describes a drinking cup having two compartments effectively isolated by a partition and seal.

As mentioned, the main disadvantage of available divided cups is that they cannot be stacked. This cause transportation and storing problem since the space that is occupied by un-stackable items in general is highly priced in space and therefore, in cost. The cost of shipping can be so high that it makes the item not worthy for transportation, consequently and nowadays, not worthy for use at all.

Stackable drinking cups that are described in the art have problems while separating a cup from the stack due to its shape. The friction formed when the cups are stacked is hard to prevail over. Moreover, the available stackable cups are complicated in their manufacturing as well as in their use. An example is taught by Goebel in U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,071 “stackable multi-compartmental container” filed in 1992. This container has fixed sectional dividers wherein the sections are hingedly connected to permit stacking of one container within another. Another patent from Goebel's—U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,214 “multiple chambered container”—was filed in 1997 and discloses multiple compartments that are provided wherein separable container sections are joint to provide a single container capable of holding multiple different substances.

An additional disadvantage of divided cups is that they cannot be provided with a lid that can properly seal the content within the cup. In a cup that is divided lengthwise, a lid is to be provided that can properly seal the content in both or any number of compartments there are so as to assure preserving the quality of the content in the compartments.

It is needed to provide a multi-compartment cup that can be properly stacked so as to allow minimal occupation of space while stored or transported. It is also a need for a multi-compartment cup that can be properly covered so as to preserve the quality of the content in all compartments within the cup.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a stackable multi-compartment cup having at least two compartments that are lengthwise organized.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a stackable multi-compartment cup that is adapted to be properly sealed so that all compartments within the cup are properly sealed.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a stackable multi-compartment cup that is allowed to be provided with different drink in each compartment while the drinks by no way mix.

It is thus provided in accordance with the present invention Stackable multi-compartment cup comprises:

• • at least two compartments having an upper portion and a lower portion;
  • a connected portion adapted to connect said upper portion of said at least two compartments;
  • at least one partition wall provided within said connected area, wherein said at least one partition wall is adapted to separate between said at least two compartments at their upper portion;
  • a lid provided with a recess adapted to seal said at least one partition wall;
  • whereby different liquids can be received within each one of said at least two compartments and wherein said lid is adapted to allow movements of the cup without spilling or mixing the liquids from within said at least two compartments and wherein the cup can be stacked within another cup through its lower portion.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, two compartments are provided and a partition wall is divides said two compartments in said upper portion.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said at least two compartments are tapered in said lower portion.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said recess is adapted to receive a portion of said at least one partition wall.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said lid is further provided with at least two straw holes, wherein each of said at least two straw holes is adapted to allow a straw to be inserted within one of said at least two compartments.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said lid is further provided with at least two cuts and wherein each cut is adapted to allow dispensing the liquid from within one of said at least two compartments.

In addition, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said lid is provided with a recessed edge adapted to seal said upper portion of said at least two compartments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order to better understand the present invention and appreciate its practical applications, the following Figures are attached and references herein. Like components are denoted by like reference numerals.

It should be noted that the figures are given as examples and preferred embodiments only and in no way limit the scope of the present invention as defined in the appending Description and Claims.

FIGS. 1a,b illustrate isometric views of a stackable double compartment cup in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, uncovered and provided with a lid, respectively.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of a stackable double compartment cup and an appropriate lid in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a lid for stackable double compartment cup in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates two stackable multi-compartment cups as shown in FIG. 1, stacked together in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5a,b illustrate two views of a lid to be mounted on a stackable multi-compartment cup in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND FIGURES

The present invention provides a unique and novel stackable multi-compartment drinking cup. The multi-compartment cup of the present invention is a cup lengthwise divided to at least two compartments so that at least two types of drinking beverages can be poured within the compartments without any substantial possibility that the beverages will be mixed. In spite the fact that the cup is divided through its length, it is fully stackable so that minimal space is occupied during storage or during transportation of the cups.

The multi-compartment cup comprises at least two compartments having an upper portion and a lower portion wherein the compartments are connected solely through their upper portions. The connection between the compartments does not allow any fluidic communication between the compartments so as to prevent mixing of liquids that are received in either of the compartments. This feature allows the cups to be stackable one on top of the other so as to minimize the occupied space between the stacked cups.

The multi-compartment cup further comprises a lid that is adapted to cover the cup in a manner that does further prevents possibility of mixing the fluids or beverages together. The lid is provided with a straw hole for each compartment so that the beverages can be drunk simultaneously or separately. It should be noted that it is optional to provide a lid having different methods for dispensing the drink out of the cup rather than a straw. For example, an option to drink directly from the two sides of the cup (one at a time) without mixing the beverages.

Reference is made to FIGS. 1a and b illustrating isometric views of a stackable double compartment cup in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, uncovered and provided with a lid, respectively. Double compartment cup 10 comprises two compartments 12 that are connected in their upper portions so that the main compartments that receive the liquid are separated and the upper portion is divided by a partition 18. One of the most important features is that double compartment cup 10 can be covered by a lid 14 that is adapted to completely seal the compartments one from the other. Compartments 12 are tapered in their lower parts so as to allow their stacking onto one another.

It should be mentioned that the double compartment illustration is solely an example. One skilled in the art can form a cup that comprises several compartments that is covered by the scope of the present invention. The lid can be manufactured in a structure that will be adapted to fit any number of compartments.

Moreover, the general shape of the cup can be square, rectangular, oval or any other shape that is also covered by the scope of the present invention. The general structure of the cup can be made to be as a bottle.

Reference is now made also to FIG. 2 illustrating a cross sectional view of a stackable double compartment cup and an appropriate lid in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As clearly seen in FIG. 2, two compartments 12 of cup 10 are separated by a two opposite walls 16 so that each compartment 12 is a container by itself. However, the upper portion of cup 10 is combined wherein walls 16 merges into a single partition 18 that separate the liquids that can be received within compartments 12 but still divides cup 10 into two compartments.

A lid 20 is provided so as to allow covering of cup 10. Lid 20 is provided with a recess 22 adapted to be mounted on partition 18 so that when cup 10 is covered and moved, there will be no spilling of liquid from one compartment to the other.

Reference is now made to FIG. no. 3 illustrating a top view of a lid for stackable double compartment cup in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Lid 20 is divided into two portions in this case, in order to accord the two compartment of cup 10 shown in FIG. 2. A recess 22 is adapted to be mounted on partition 18 (shown in FIG. 2) so as to seal the compartments as well as regular recessed edge 24 that is adapted to be mounted and fitted onto the circumference of the opening of cup 10 (again, shown in FIG. 2). Two openings 26, each positioned on a certain division of lid 20 are provided with cuts 28 adapted to allow a straw (not shown in the figures) to pass through them, as regularly known in the art.

It should be mentioned that the cup can be made from any material but is provided to be made of paper (Like paper cups used nowadays in coffee shops), a plastic or cardboard material.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4 illustrating two stackable multi-compartment cups as shown in FIG. 1, stacked together in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As mentioned herein before, one of the main advantages of the multi-compartment cups of the present invention is their ability to be stacked one on top of the other without wasting space. Two multi-compartment cups 100 and 102 are shown to be stacked one within the other. The main portions of the two containers that are formed by the cup are collapsing together.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5a and b illustrating two views of a lid to be mounted on a stackable multi-compartment cup in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Lid 100 is provided with a recess 102 that is adapted to seal the wall between the compartments as mentioned herein before and two cuts 104, each provided on one side of lid 100 that is adapted to dispense the liquid in one of the compartments. The cup can be folded when desired so as to enable the user to dispense the liquid. It should be mentioned herein that other types of dispensing mechanisms can be employed in the lid of the present invention, while the dispensers will be covered by the scope of the present invention. Any combination is also covered by the scope of the present invention.

It should be clear that the description of the embodiments and attached Figures set forth in this specification serves only for a better understanding of the invention, without limiting its scope as covered by the following Claims.

It should also be clear that a person skilled in the art, after reading the present specification can make adjustments or amendments to the attached Figures and above described embodiments that would still be covered by the following Claims.

Claims

1. Stackable multi-compartment cup comprises:

at least two compartments having an upper portion and a lower portion;

a connected portion adapted to connect said upper portion of said at least two compartments;

at least one partition wall provided within said connected area, wherein said at least one partition wall is adapted to separate between said at least two compartments at their upper portion;

a lid provided with a recess adapted to seal said at least one partition wall;

whereby different liquids can be received within each one of said at least two compartments and wherein said lid is adapted to allow movements of the cup without spilling or mixing the liquids from within said at least two compartments and wherein the cup can be stacked within another cup through its lower portion.

2. The stackable cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein two compartments are provided and a partition wall is divides said two compartments in said upper portion.

3. The stackable cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least two compartments are tapered in said lower portion.

4. The stackable cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein said recess is adapted to receive a portion of said at least one partition wall.

5. The stackable cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lid is further provided with at least two straw holes, wherein each of said at least two straw holes is adapted to allow a straw to be inserted within one of said at least two compartments.

6. The stackable cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lid is further provided with at least two cuts and wherein each cut is adapted to allow dispensing the liquid from within one of said at least two compartments.

7. The stackable cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lid is provided with a recessed edge adapted to seal said upper portion of said at least two compartments.