Container having a plurality of attachable compartments

Abstract

A beverage container storing a plurality of beverages within separable compartments is disclosed. The beverage container includes a plurality of separable compartments which may be attached together by a dispensing top. The dispensing top includes a plurality of extension arms to secure the compartments together. The dispensing top may include one or more flip top lids which allow access to the contents of a selected compartment.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of a co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/342,876 entitled “CONTAINER HAVING A PLURALITY OF COMPARTMENTS CONTAINING LIQUIDS” filed Jan. 15, 2003 in the name of Maria A. Garcia and Penny O. Segura, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to beverage containers and, more particularly, to a beverage container having a plurality of separable compartments for holding different liquids.

2. Description of the Related Art

Beverage containers have been used for many years to store various types of liquids. Typically, the container includes a storage area for holding one type of liquid. The container usually has an opening at the top for the dispensing of the liquid. However, conventional beverage containers only hold one type of liquid. In today's marketplace, there are countless products having various brands and choices of specific products. For example, stores provide a wide selection of beverages, ranging from soft drinks, milk, and even water. Within a family, it is common for each individual to prefer a specific type of beverage. However, currently, stores provide only containers having a single liquid in quantities such as one or two liters. With the selection of each of these beverage containers holding one liquid each, it is cumbersome for the buyer to buy and store the liquids. Because of the difficulty in transporting and storing multiple beverage containers, buyers are less inclined to buy several different types of beverage containers. A container is needed which enables a buyer to purchase one container having a plurality of stored liquids, while allowing the simple and easy dispensing of these liquids.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/342,876 to Garcia et al. (Garcia) provides a novel container which stores a plurality of liquids in various compartments. However, a container is also needed which includes separable compartments which may be stored together. A device is needed which enables the plurality of compartments to be stored together while allowing easy access to the contents of each compartment.

Thus, it would be a distinct advantage to have a liquid container having a plurality of separable compartments as well as a dispensing device for allowing dispensing of the liquids from each container. It is an object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention is a container storing a plurality of liquids. The container includes a first compartment storing a first liquid. The first compartment has a first opening located at a top portion of the first compartment. In addition, the container includes a second compartment storing a second liquid. The second compartment has a second opening located at a top portion of the second compartment. A dispensing top is positioned on top of the first and second compartments to secure the first and second compartments together. The dispensing top has a plurality of extension arms overhanging the dispensing top which are biased inwardly toward the adjacently positioned first and second compartments. The dispensing top also has a flip up lid allowing access to the opening of the first or second compartment.

In another aspect, the present invention is a container storing a plurality of liquids. The container includes a plurality of separable compartments. Each compartment has an opening located at a top portion of the compartment. A dispensing top is positioned on top of the plurality of compartments. The compartments are positioned adjacent each other. In addition, the dispensing top has a plurality of extension arms biased inwardly toward the adjacently positioned compartments. The extension arms provide inward pressure to secure the plurality of compartments together. The dispensing top may selectively access the opening of one of the plurality of compartments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following drawings, in conjunction with the accompanying specification, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the container having a plurality of separable compartments separated from each other;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the separated compartments of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the container with the compartments attached by a dispensing top;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the container with the attached compartments in the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the container with the extension arms opened; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of the container with a flip top lid in the open position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a beverage container having a plurality of separable compartments. FIG. 1 is a top view of the container 10 having a plurality of separable compartments 12, 14, and 16 separated from each other. FIG. 2 is a side view of the separated compartments 12, 14, and 16 of FIG. 1. Each compartment may be made of any nonporous material, such as a rigid plastic or glass. Each compartment may store a liquid. Thus, with three compartments, up to three different liquids may be stored. It should be understood, that although three compartments are depicted, the container may have any number of compartments allowing the storage of multiple liquids. Each compartment may include an opening 18 at a top portion of the compartment. The opening may encompass the entire width or a portion of the width of the compartment.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the container 10 with the compartments attached by a dispensing top 20. With the dispensing top 20 attached to the top of the adjacently positioned compartments, the compartments may be stored or carried as a unitary container 10. To facilitate the attachment of the compartments to the dispensing top, extension arms 22 may be used. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, an extension arm is used for each compartment. For example, with three compartments, there are three extension arms. Additionally, the dispensing top may include one or more flip top lids 30 integrated on a top portion of the dispensing top. Preferably, for each compartment, there is a separate lid 30, which covers the opening 18. As depicted in FIG. 2, the lids are in the closed position. However, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, there may be only one flip top lid. As discussed in Garcia, the dispensing top may rotate to select the specific opening of a particular compartment for which the user desires access. The dispensing top may be attached to the plurality of compartments in any fashion, however, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing top includes an indentation or ridge which is attached to a receiving indentation or ridge on the plurality of compartments in a similar fashion that a cap is attached to a milk gallon jug.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the container 10 with the attached compartments in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The extension arms are attached to the dispensing top, overhang the dispensing top 20 and are secured within an indentation 32. Preferably, the indentation runs around the entire container 10. The indentation may be located at any height along the surface of the container. The extension arms are constructed of a fairly rigid material such as a plastic. The extension arms are constructed in such a fashion as to be biased inwardly. Without any action from the user, the extension arms are biased to lie within the indentation. To assist in securing the arms in place, a band 40 may be optionally used. The band is preferable constructed of a rigid material, such as plastic. However, in another embodiment, the band may be elastomeric and permanently attached to the arms. In an alternate embodiment, the band may be removable from one or all of the arms. In still another alternate embodiment, the band may be cinched down in a similar fashion as a belt, utilizing a buckle or slip knot (not shown).

FIG. 5 is a side view of the container 10 with the extension arms 22 opened in an alternate embodiment of the present invention. To separate the compartments from the container, the arms may be pulled outwardly away from the compartments. As depicted, the band 40 is stretched outwardly. The compartment is then removed from the dispensing top 20. The compartment may be attached to the dispensing top in any fashion. For example, the compartment may include a locking top portion fitting within an opposing locking portion of the bottom of the dispensing top. Alternately, the compartment may include a threaded top fitting into the dispensing top.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the container 10 with a flip top lid 30 in the open position. When the compartments are secured together, the fluid stored within a compartment may be accessed by flipping up the flip top 30 as depicted in FIG. 6. The flip top lid is permanently attached at a pivot point 50. The lid pivots upwardly to reveal the opening 18. The flip top lid may be closed (FIG. 4) and secured to the dispensing top as desired.

With reference to FIGS. 1-6, the operation of the container 10 will now be explained. The container 10 comprises two or more compartments. The compartments 12, 14, and 16 may each store separate fluids. The compartments may include an opening at a top portion of the compartments. Additionally, the compartments may include separate tops to cover the openings (not shown) when carried or stored separately. However, for storage and carriage of the plurality of compartments, the compartments are connected by the dispensing top 20. The compartments are attached at their tops by the dispensing tops. The dispensing top includes the extension arms which are biased inwardly. The compartments are positioned so that the arms are biased within the indentation 32, which surrounds the circumference of the plurality of adjacently positioned compartments. The compartments are attached to the dispensing top. The arms may be held in place by the band 40. As desired by the user, one or more of the flip top lids may be opened (FIG. 6) to allow access to the contents of the compartment. As depicted in FIG. 6, the one lid is opened for the compartment 12 while the other lid for compartment 14 is closed. It should be understood that any dispensing top which allows the selection of a specific beverage within a compartment may be utilized.

The present invention provides many advantages over existing containers. Unlike conventional beverage containers, a plurality of liquids may be stored within one container. The storage, sale and transportation of the multiple beverages within one container is much easier, and thus, more marketable. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compartments are separable, which enables the consumer to buy the container as one unit and separate the unit into separate containers at their convenience. Additionally, the compartments may be refilled as desired by the user.

While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.

Thus, the present invention has been described herein with reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings will recognize additional modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope thereof.

It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such applications, modifications and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A container storing a plurality of liquids, the container comprising:

a first compartment storing a first liquid, the first compartment having a first opening located at a top portion of the first compartment;

a second compartment storing a second liquid, the second compartment having a second opening located at a top portion of the second compartment; and

a dispensing top positioned on top of the first and second compartments to secure the first and second compartments together;

the dispensing top having a plurality of extension arms overhanging the dispensing top and biased inwardly toward the adjacently positioned first and second compartments, the extension arms providing inward pressure to secure the first and second compartments together;

the dispensing top having means for accessing the opening of the first or second compartment.

2. The container storing a plurality of liquids of claim 1 wherein each compartment includes an indentation on a surface of the compartment, whereby the extension arms are positioned within the indentation when securing the compartments together.

3. The container storing a plurality of liquids of claim 2 further comprising a band attached to the extension arms when securing the compartments together.

4. The container storing a plurality of liquids of claim 3 wherein the band is elastomeric.

5. The container storing a plurality of liquids of claim 3 wherein the band is detachable from one or more of the extension arms.

6. The container storing a plurality of liquids of claim 1 wherein the dispensing top includes means for accessing the opening includes a means for selectively dispensing a selected liquid from the first compartment or the second compartment.

7. The container storing a plurality of liquids of claim 6 wherein the means for selectively dispensing a selected liquid from the first or second compartment includes a plurality of pivotable lids, each lid covering an opening into a specific compartment.

8. The container storing a plurality of liquids of claim 6 wherein the dispensing top is rotatable about a top portion of the container and includes an opening, whereby the opening is rotated to a desired compartment for the dispensing of a liquid held in the desired compartment.

9. The container storing a plurality of liquids of claim 1 further comprising a third compartment storing a third liquid, the third compartment having a third dispensing top with a third opening for the dispensing of the third liquid.

10. A container storing a plurality of liquids, the container comprising:

a plurality of separable compartments, each compartment having an opening located at a top portion of the compartment; and

a dispensing top positioned on top of the plurality of compartments, the compartments being positioned adjacent each other, the dispensing top having a plurality of extension arms biased inwardly toward the adjacently positioned compartments, the extension arms providing inward pressure to secure the plurality of compartments together;

the dispensing top having means for selectively accessing the opening of one of the plurality of compartments.

11. The container storing a plurality of liquids of claim 10 wherein each compartment includes an indentation on a surface of the compartment, whereby the extension arms are positioned within the indentation when securing the compartments together.

12. The container storing a plurality of liquids of claim 12 further comprising a band attached to the extension arms when securing the compartments together.

13. The container storing a plurality of liquids of claim 12 wherein the band is elastomeric.

14. The container storing a plurality of liquids of claim 12 wherein the band is detachable from one or more of the extension arms.

15. The container storing a plurality of liquids of claim 10 wherein the means for selectively accessing an opening includes a plurality of pivotable lids, each lid covering an opening into a specific compartment.

16. The container storing a plurality of liquids of claim 10 wherein the dispensing top is rotatable about a top portion of the container and includes an opening, whereby the opening is rotated to a desired compartment for the dispensing of a liquid held in the desired compartment.