Refillable drink bottle with replaceable concentrate container

Abstract

The invention is a refillable beverage container which has replaceable fill chamber which is attached to the container. This fill chamber will have a beverage mix such as a power or concentrate to make a flavored beverage. The fill chamber can have multiple servings and may be detachable or non-detachable. The invention consists of the container body, the fill chamber, a one-way valve between the container body and the fill chamber, a beverage mix and a serving means such as a thumb screw. The serving means loads one helping of the mix into the fill chamber and then into the container body. The container body can be filled with water or carbonated water before or after the container body has been loaded with the mix.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a container such as a drink bottle having a replaceable concentrate container.

1. Background

Flavored beverages of all types have become increasingly popular, with dozens of different flavors, containers configurations, and quantities available at almost every retail outlet in the U.S. Some of these are made from concentrates or powders mixed with plain or carbonated water. Most are served in disposable containers

It is generally recognized that the most of these beverages are served in single serving containers. They are used once and they are thrown away. This generates waste.

Accordingly, a need will be seen for a combination beverage preparation and dispensing container, which includes a quantity of liquid and a separate beverage mix which is to be mixed with the water in the container at the time the beverage is to be consumed that can be used multiple times.

2. Description of Prior Art

By way of example, the prior art includes U U.S. Pat. No. 6,719,130 by Wagner and issued on Apr. 13, 2004, is for a packaging system for a product provided by mixing two or more components.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,491 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,490 by Lizerbram, et al. are for self contained additive reservoirs for use with beverage containers. It discloses a closure element for a beverage container in the form of a sports cap, other closer, or initially closed straw, and provides a chamber for containing colorants in the form of liquids, gels, granules, powders, tablets or other solid bodies.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,817 by Denny and issued on Jan. 6, 2004, is for a beverage preparation and dispensing container. It discloses several embodiments of a beverage preparation and dispensing container that each include a quantity of potable water (spring water, distilled water, etc.) sealed therein, with a separate concentrated drink mix packet removably secured to the container's outer surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,053 by Garson, et al. and issued on Dec. 30, 2003, is for a beverage dispenser. It discloses a beverage dispenser for blending a mix and a beverage concentrate to dispense a blended beverage formed from the mix and the concentrate includes a supply of mix, a supply of at least a single type of concentrate, a manifold, a first conduit connecting the supply of concentrate to the manifold, a first valve for controlling fluid flow through the first conduit, a vacuum source operatively connected to the manifold to establish a vacuum in the manifold to draw the concentrate from the supply of concentrate through the first conduit and into the manifold when the first valve is in its open position, a second conduit for directing the mix to the manifold and a dispensing station for dispensing a blended beverage formed from a predetermined amount of mix and predetermined amount of concentrate.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,650 Mollstam, et al. and issued on Feb. 4, 2003, is for a two-compartment container. It discloses a two-compartment container in which the first compartment has an upper layer and a lower layer and contains a first component that is to be added to the second compartment.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,159,513 by Judlowe, et al. and issued on Dec. 12, 2000, is for a package and method for packaging and preparing a mixed drink. It discloses a method of packaging and preparing a mixed drink and the mixed drink mixer package therefore, wherein pre-measured mixer ingredients are packaged in a container that is marketed and sold with extra head-space for the subsequent addition and shaking of ingredients according to the consumer's taste, and preferably with a strainer for straining the mixed drink prior to serving.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,257 by Sharon, et al. and issued on Sep. 5, 2000, is for a two-compartment container. It discloses a container holding two separate components which are mixed prior to use.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,923 by Spring, et al. and issued on Oct. 13, 1998, is for an apparatus for opening a container and for dispensing a substance in a liquid beverage. It discloses an apparatus for opening a container and for dispensing a substance in a liquid beverage contained in a container that includes a flat portion defining a wedge-shaped cut-out, side portions that extend downwardly from the flat portion, and an opening lever attached to the flat portion.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,113 by Ko and issued on May 5, 1998, is for an infusion vessel. It discloses an infusion vessel, the vessel having a separate beverage containing chamber, an infusion chamber integrally formed along side of the beverage chamber, the infusion chamber being defined by a perforated wall which extends a distance within the beverage chamber and a closed bottom wall. An infusion product within the infusion chamber will be in fluid communication with the beverage chamber for the production of a beverage.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,021 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,899 by Spector are for a collapsible canteen for producing a beverage. It discloses a collapsible canteen formed by a collapsible carton having nested therein a collapsible pouch whose open mouth is in alignment with a neck projecting from the carton. The collapsible canteen which has a charge of powder deposited in the pouch is adapted to produce, in situ, a beverage when a hot or cold liquid is poured through the neck of the canteen into the pouch to dissolve the powder the nature of which determines that of the beverage.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,003 by Ueda, et al. and issued on Jan. 6, 1987, is for a container for accommodating two kinds of liquids.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,264,007 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,291 by Hunt are for a container having separate storage facilities for two materials. It discloses a container providing for the separate storage of two materials and the admixing of the materials upon opening of the container.

There is still room for improvement in the art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention is a refillable beverage container which has replaceable fill chamber which is attached to the container. This fill chamber will have a beverage mix such as a power or concentrate to make a flavored beverage.

The fill chamber can have multiple servings and may be detachable or non-detachable. The invention consists of the container body, the fill chamber, a one-way valve between the container body and the fill chamber, a beverage mix and a serving means such as a thumb screw. The serving means loads one helping of the mix into the fill chamber and then into the container body. The container body can be filled with water or carbonated water before or after the container body has been loaded with the mix.

It is the object of this invention to allow more that one serving of a flavored beverage or mix to be used with a disposable container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Without restricting the full scope of this invention, the preferred form of this invention is illustrated in the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plain view of a container according to the invention;

FIG. 2a is a perspective view of the current invention;

FIG. 2b shows a cross section of the current invention;

FIG. 3 displays a one way valve;

FIG. 4 displays a slit valve;

FIG. 5 displays a butterfly valve;

FIG. 6 displays how the mix is loaded into the container;

FIG. 7 displays a multiple charge of beverage servings; and

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a container where the fill chamber is attached to the container body;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is demonstrative in nature and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention or its application of uses.

There are a number of significant design features and improvements incorporated within the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b, the container shown is these figures comprise a container body 1, a replaceable fill chamber 2 which attaches to the container body 1. This fill chamber 2 has a beverage mix 5 such as a power or concentrate to make a flavored beverage. The fill chamber 1 can have multiple servings 6 and is detachable.

The container body 1 has a one-way valve 4. This one-way valve allows the deliverance of the beverage mix 5 from the replaceable fill chamber 2 to the container body 1. There is a serving means 3 such as a thumb screw attached to the fill chamber 2. The serving means 3 loads one helping of the mix 5 into the fill chamber 2 and then into the container body 1. The container body 1 can be filled with water or carbonated water before or after the container body has been loaded with the mix 5.

The container body 1 is of a standard bottle type configuration. The container body 1 has a cap 11 on the top of the body 1. The cap 11 would screw on to a threaded end in the standard configuration for threaded bottles. The container body 1 is hollow forming a beverage holding area 15.

In the preferred embodiment, the body 1 would be a round oblong shape with an indented bottom 14. The one-way valve would be at the center of this indented bottom 14. The indented bottom 14 would be flat so that it could stand upright on a flat surface. The fill chamber 2 has openings that correspond to eh one-way valve 4 in the container body 4. The fill chamber 2 is filled the drink beverage mix 6. The fill means 3 can be a thumb screw 3 or other similar device. The fill means 3 pushes the mix 5 up and out to the container body 1. In the preferred embodiment, the fill chamber 2 has a serving scale 6 which can be used to measure out the servings of the mix 5. The thumb screw 3 is threaded and threads through the bottom of the fill chamber 2. In the preferred embodiment, the thumb screw 3 is recessed so it is higher than the bottom of the fill chamber 2 so the fill chamber can sit flat on a surface.

The fill chamber 2 is connected to the container body 1 when the user wants to load the container body 1 with the mix 5. The fill chamber 2 and the container body 1 are placed next to each other so that the one-way valve 4 of the container body 1 matches the load openings 15 of the fill chamber 2. The fill chamber 2 and the container body 1 can be locked together through a locking means 16 such as tabs connected to corresponding tab holes.

Any standard one-way valve can be used in the invention. As shown in FIG. 3, one embodiment of the one-way valve 4 is a spring 42 and ball 44 method. The tension of the springs 42 holds the balls 44 in a closed position until the pressure from the mix 5 being pushed up through the fill means 3. FIG. 4 displays a one-way valve 4 that is a slit 46 in the membrane 48. The mix 5 will only flow through the slit 45 when pushed by the flowing means. FIG. 5 displays the use of a butterfly valve. The butterfly valve consists of a butterfly seal 52 that is hinged 54 to the fill chamber. The mix 5 will only flow one-way through the butterfly seal 52.

FIG. 6 shows how the mix 5 flows through the device. The mix 5 is stored in the fill chamber 2. It is pushed up through the filling means 3. It flows through the fill chambers 2 holes to the one-way valve 4. The one-way valve 4 allows the mix 5 to flow to the container body 1. Water is then added to the container body 1 and them the container body 1 is shaken to mix the mix 5 with the water to form a favored beverage.

In the preferred embodiment, the fill chamber 2 will have multiple servings of the mix 5. FIG. 7 shows the mix scale 6 that is used by the user to know how much mix 5 to add to the container body 1.

The current invention can be made out of a light or heavy plastic type material. It can also be made out of glass or a metal material as well.

Alternative Embodiments

Yet another embodiment of the invention, the container body 1 and the fill chamber 2 are permanently connected. In this embodiment the fill chamber 2 is part of the overall main.

And yet another embodiment of the invention would be that fill chamber 2 could be designed to be refillable. That way the user could just refill the fill chamber 2 when the mix 5 is gone. This will extend the life of the container.

And yet another embodiment of the invention would be that fill chamber 2 could be designed to be refillable. That way the user could just refill the fill chamber 2 when the mix 5 is gone. This will extend the life of the container.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the point and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A beverage container comprising:

a body with a one-valve, where a fill chamber can connect to said body through said one-valve with said fill chamber having a mix which is loaded into said body through said one-way valve.

2. The beverage container according to claim 1, where said fill chambers can store more that one serving of mix.

3. The beverage container according to claim 1, where said fill chambers has a fill means that moves the mix through the one-way valve.

4. The beverage container according to claim 1, where said fill chambers has a fill means that moves the mix through a butterfly valve.

5. The beverage container according to claim 1, where said fill chambers and said body are one piece.

6. The beverage container according to claim 1, where said fill chambers has a fill means that moves the mix through a slit valve.

7. The beverage container according to claim 1, where said fill chambers has a fill means that moves the mix through a spring and ball valve.

8. The beverage container according to claim 1, where said container is disposable.

9. The beverage container according to clam 1, where said container is composed of a light plastic material.

10. The beverage container according to claim 1, where said body is hollow.

11. The beverage container according to claim 1 where said body contains water that is mixed with said mix.

12. The beverage container according to claim 1 where said body has an opening at the top.

13. The beverage container according to claim 12 where said opening is covered by a cap.

14. The beverage container according to claim 1, where said fill chamber and said body are connected through a connecting means.

15. The beverage container according to claim 14 where said connecting means is a tab and slot.

16. The beverage container according to claim 1 where said fill chamber has a serving gauge.

17. A beverage container comprising:

a body with a one-valve, where a fill chamber can connect to said body through said one-valve with said fill chamber having a mix which is loaded into said body through said one-way valve where said body and said fill container are one piece.

18. The beverage container according to claim 17, where said container is disposable.

19. A beverage container comprising:

a body with a one-valve, where a fill chamber can connect to said body through said one-valve with said fill chamber having a mix which is loaded into said body through said one-way valve where said body is hollow and has an opening at the top, where said fill chamber and said body are connected through a connecting means and where said fill chamber has a serving gauge.

20. The beverage container according to claim 17, where said container is disposable.