Multi compartment fluid storage device

Abstract

An improved multi compartment fluid storage device allowing for multiple configuration to provide for different ratios of stored fluids. The device allows for each fluid to be stored separately from another until the container is opened or until each fluid is ready to be dispensed from said container. Further, multiple configurations provide for one or more tab member combinations to be in communication with each storage combination.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an improved multi compartment fluid storage device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved multi compartment fluid storage device wherein any standard cola can or bottle may be modified to keep formula components sepearte until that formula is needed. Further, said device may be configured in several ways to produce distinct configurations—each resulting in different combinations of fluids flowing from the can or bottle.

2. Background Information

People the world over consume mixed drinks—sometimes such drinks are a mixture of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, carbonated and non-carbonated beverages, or any combination of fluids. Sometimes the combination of such fluids may produce an unsavory flavor if they are mixed with one another for some extended period of time. Usually, the flavor of these mixed drinks is optimized by consuming the beverege immediataly after mixing the constituents. As a result, the component fluids are usually kept in separate containers unitl they are mixed.

For example, when a beverage such as a wine spritzer is mixed, the wine and carbonated beverage are mixed only immediately before consumption. Such is the result as the wine and carbonated beverage have an adverse effect on another when they are combined for some extended period of time. The wine often acquires a bitter taste, while the carbonated beverage become “flat.” The same general effects are observed as an alcoholic beverage such as rum is mixed with cola or fruit juice.

Becasue of the adverse effects associated with the extended mixing of ceratin components of common mixed drinks, these componets are often stored separately until immediately before consumption. In the art, there is no device that is capable of keeping such constituents in a compact discrete unit wherein the mixed drink components can be effectively mixed immediately upon consumption. The present invention, however, provides such a device. More specifically, the device allows mixed drink components to be stored together in compact, discrete unit fashion, while preserving the optimum taste of the mixed beverage.

In light of its novelty, Applicants invention provides a device that saves time and money, and increases efficiency with respect to raw materials, production costs, and transportation and storage space. After all, use of the present invention completely alleviates the need to carry two larger containters of mixed drink components simply to make individual mixed drinks, Rather the user of the present device enjoys the benefit of having to deal with only as much of the mixed fluid as is needed.

The present invention is thought to be most beneficial in the context of keeping fluid ingredients seperate from one another until consumption, thereby providing for better flavor. Also, Applicant's invention is particulary beneficial for containg carbonated and noncarbonated mixture components in one container while keeping the components separate from one another, thereby preserving the attributes associated with each component. Other useful applications of the present invention involve keeping volitile or corrosive combinations from forming, while keeping combination components in close proximity with one another, until such combination is needed for any number of applicaitons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved multi compartment fluid storage device that keeps constituent fluid components separate from one another until the device is opened.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved multi compartment fluid storage device that preserves the flavor of the of its constituent fluid components until such fluid are mixed with one another.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved multi compartment fluid storage device that preserves the attributes of the of its constituent fluid components until such fluid are mixed with one another.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved multi compartment fluid storage device capable of multiple storage compartment configuration.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved multi compartment fluid storage device capable of maintaining particular ratios of its constituent fluid components with respect to one another.

In satisfaction of these and related objectives, Applicant's invention provides an improved multi compartment fluid storage device. Such device, in its preferred form, is comprised of a generally cylindrical container, having a generally flat top side and bottom side. Along its top side, the invention contains a tab member in combination with retractable piece. The retractable piece is defined within a scored outline along the top surface, and is pushed out from the container by leveraging the tab member against the top surface. As the tab member is leveraged, pressure is applied along a portion of the retractable member until the retractable member disengages from the top surface along it scored outline.

Contained within the form defined by the cylindrical shell and top surface and bottom surface lies one or more dividers. These dividers extend between the top surface and bottom surface and between the points along the cylindrical shell so as to form a complete seal along their respective edges. The alignment with respect to the retractable piece is particularly important. That is, in the case two fluids are separately contained, a divider bisects the aperture formed by removal of the retractable piece. Likewise, if three or more compartments are formed by configuration of the dividers, the dividers are positioned to allow fluids contained within each compartment to flow from the aperture formed by removal or the retractable piece. Finally, other useful versions are of the form where an inner cylindrical shell is contained within, an extends between, the top surface and the bottoms surface.

While the attributes of Applicant's invention may appear to be subtle at first glance, the device truly is novel For instance, use of Applicants invention eliminates the need for the storage and maintenance of multiple fluid containers simply for the option of making a 1 mixed drink. This corresponds with a tremendous cumulative increase is the ease of storing ans serving drinks. Moreover, unlike any devices known in the art, Applicant's invention allows for singular, discrete storage and transport of fluids that should not be mixed until they are consumed or applied in some other fashion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Applicant's invention may be further understood from a description of the accompanying drawings, wherein unless otherwise specified, like referenced numerals are intended to depict like components in the various views.

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the improved multi compartment fluid storage device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the improved multi compartment 2 fluid storage device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the improved multi compartment fluid storage device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the improved multi compartment fluid storage device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of yet another alternative embodiment of the improved multi compartment fluid storage device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of yet another alternative embodiment of the improved multi compartment fluid storage device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG. 1, a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. That is, the device of the present invention is primarily comprised of outer wall 12. Outer wall 12, in the preferred embodiment is generally of a cylindrical shape. However, one could easily envision useful embodiments where outer wall 12 is of another form to accommodate specialized needs of the device. Along both its top portion and bottom portion, outer wall 12 is further characterized, in the preferred embodiment, by recessed portions 14. While not necessary to the function or novelty of the current device, recessed portions 14 are present in order to bolster the structural integrity of the device.

The device of the present invention is further characterized by top surface 16 and bottom surface 18, each of which have a shape defined by the inner perimeter of the shape formed by outer wall 12.

Primarily referring to FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, top surface 16 further contains at least one retractable piece 20 and tab member 22. Retractable piece 20 is defined within a scored outline along the top surface 16 and is pulled away from top surface 16 by leveraging the tab member 22 against the top surface 16. As tab member 22 is leveraged, opposing pressure is applied along a portion of the retractable piece 20 and top surface 16 until retractable member 22 disengages from the top surface 16 along the scored outline. While the preferred embodiment is depicted as having two retractable piece 20 and tab member 22 combinations, other useful embodiments are envisioned where one such combination is employed to allow access to multiple compartments formed within the device.

Again, referring primarily to FIG. 1, dividing wall 24 is contained within the shape formed by the combination of outer wall 12, tops surface 16, and bottom surface 18. Dividing wall 24 is configured to extend between top surface 16 and bottom surface 18, and between outer wall 12 to demarcate two separate compartments.

As best seen in FIG. 3, other useful embodiments are envisioned where dividing wall 24 itself is of cylindrical or closed-form shape and contained within the shape formed by the combination of outer wall 12, top surface 16, and bottom surface 18. In such case dividing wall 24 is configured to extend between top surface 16 and bottom surface 18 to form a fluid tight seal. Also, in such case, separate compartments are defined as inner and outer cylinders.

Referring to FIG. 4, the inner and outer cylinder configuration of the device as depicted in FIG. 3 is most conducive to a single retractable piece 20 and tab member 22 combination where each cylinder is exposed by removal of a portion of retractable piece 20

As best seen in FIG. 6, retractable piece 20 and tab member 22 may be arranged, in combination, so that retractable piece 20 may be leveraged against top surface 16 to push one portion of retractable piece 20 inside device 10 and then rotate approximately 180 degrees 9 to push a second portion retractable piece 20 inside of device 10.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for keeping stored fluids separate, comprising:

an outer surface extending between a top surface and a bottom surface wherein the combination of said outer surface, said top surface, and said bottom surface form a substantially closed form;

one or more dividing walls extending between and contained within the closed form of said outer surface, said top surface, and said bottom surface;

one or more retractable members defined within said top surface and aligned with respect to said dividing walls to allow communication between said retractable member and each compartment formed by the combination of said dividing wall, said outer surface, said bottom surface, and said top surface; and

a tab member in combination with said retractable member positioned so that said tab member may be leveraged against said top surface to push or pull said retractable member from said top surface, thereby forming an aperture.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

said dividing walls are configured so that the combination of said dividing walls, said outer surface, said bottom surface, and said top surface form two compartments of equal volume.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

said dividing walls are configured so that the combination of said dividing walls, said outer surface, said bottom surface, and said top surface form three compartments of equal volume.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

said dividing walls are configured so that the combination of said dividing walls, said outer surface, said bottom surface, and said top surface form four compartments of equal volume.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

one tab member and retractable member combination is aligned to be in communication with a single corresponding compartment formed by the combination of said top surface, said bottom surface, said outer surface, and said dividing walls.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

one tab member and retractable member combination is aligned to be in communication with two compartments formed by the combination of said top surface, said bottom surface, said outer surface, and said dividing walls.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

one tab member and retractable member combination is aligned to be in communication with three compartments formed by the combination of said top surface, said bottom surface, said outer surface, and said dividing walls.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

one tab member and retractable member combination is aligned to be in communication with three compartments formed by the combination of said top surface, said bottom surface, said outer surface, and said dividing walls.