Combination food and beverage bottle with removable base

Abstract

A combination food and beverage bottle includes a substantially transparent body portion and a substantially transparent base portion. The body portion defines a first compartment applicable for receiving and storing a beverage. The base portion is adjacent the body portion, and defines a second compartment applicable for receiving and storing a food product separate from the beverage. The body portion and the base portion are removably attached together.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a bottle combination designed for separately storing different products in respective divided compartments. In one particular embodiment, the divided compartments are applicable for containing respective food and beverage products. The invention is preferably designed to resemble a conventional plastic beverage bottle. The invention provides a multi-compartment bottle which can be used to conveniently package different but complementary products for sale as a single unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a combination bottle designed for separately storing different products in respective divided compartments.

It is another object of the invention to provide a combination bottle applicable for containing complementary food and beverage products, or complementary non-consumable items.

It is another object of the invention to provide a combination bottle which offers enhanced tamper-resistance.

It is another object of the invention to provide a combination bottle wherein the contents stored in the bottle are readily visible.

It is another object of the invention to provide a combination bottle which can be divided into two separate and independently usable containers.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved method for packaging and marketing different but complementary consumable and non-consumable products.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a combination food and beverage bottle. The combination bottle comprises a substantially transparent body portion defining a first compartment applicable for receiving and storing a beverage, and a substantially transparent base portion adjacent the body portion. The base portion defines a second compartment applicable for receiving and storing a food product separate from the beverage. Attaching means serve to removably attach the body portion and the base portion together.

The term “substantially transparent” refers to a material capable of transmitting light to any degree sufficient to enable viewing of product through the material. The term “food product” means any product (in any form) intended for consumption.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the base portion defines an open top.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the base portion has a removable cover located over the open top.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the removable cover includes a pull tab.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the base portion has a reduced-diameter base neck.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the body portion has a recessed bottom, and an adjacent annular interior side wall adapted for receiving the base neck.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a substantially flush annular seam is formed at a junction of the body portion and the base portion.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a removable security film covers the annular seam.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the security film has a perforated vertical tear line.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the attaching means comprises complementary threads formed with the base neck of the base portion and the annular interior side wall of the body portion.

In yet another embodiment, the invention is a bottle combination including a body portion and a base portion. The body portion defines a first compartment applicable for receiving and storing a first product. The base portion is adjacent the body portion and comprises a reduced-diameter base neck. The base portion defines a second compartment applicable for receiving and storing a second product separate from the first product. The body portion has a recessed bottom, and an adjacent annular interior side wall adapted for receiving the base neck of the base portion. Attaching means removably attaches the body portion and the base portion together.

Preferably, the base portion is formed of a substantially transparent material (or incorporates a substantially transparent window), such that the second product stored in the base portion is readily visible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a combination food and beverage bottle according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is cross-sectional view of the combination bottle taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a further perspective view of the combination bottle with the first and second compartments separated; and

FIG. 4 is fragmentary perspective view of the combination bottle demonstrating removal of the security film applied around the seam defined by the body and base portions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE

Referring now specifically to the drawings, a combination food and beverage bottle according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1, and shown generally at reference numeral 10. The combination bottle 10 is especially applicable for separately storing a food and beverage product in a single packaged unit. The food product may include foods, such as dried fruits, nuts, snack mixes, and the like. The beverage may be water, soda, or other liquid. The combination bottle 10 may also store powered/liquid concentrates and water for mixing, alcohol and a mixer, sweetener and a beverage, or any other complementary consumable or non-consumable products.

As best shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the combination bottle 10 comprises separate, substantially transparent body and base portions 11 and 12. In the embodiment shown, the body portion 11 defines a first compartment designed to receive and store a beverage “B”. The body portion 11 has an open top 14, a reduced-diameter threaded neck 15, and closed bottom 16. The top 14 is temporarily closed using a complementary-threaded, removable cap 17. The bottom 16 is preferably recessed, and has a threaded, annular, internal side wall 18.

The base portion 12 forms a second compartment separate from the beverage compartment, and suitable for receiving and storing a food product “F”, such as nuts. The base portion 12 has an reduced diameter open top 21, a threaded neck 22, and a closed bottom 23. The top 21 is temporarily closed by a removable paper (or film) cover 24 with a convenient pull tab 25. The cover 24 is preferably adhered along the top rim of the neck 22, and offers a first level of security to guard against tampering of the food compartment.

As best indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the body and base portions 11, 12 of the combination bottle 10 are releasably attached together by mating the complementary screw threads 18A and 22A formed with the interior side wall 18 and base neck 22. Once mated (FIG. 2), adjacent outer surfaces 26, 28 forming the resulting annular seam 30 at the junction of the body and base portions 11, 12 are substantially flush (or even). In other words, a substantially continuous and uninterrupted surface is provided at a transition point between the body portion 11 and the base portion 12.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, as further protection against tampering of the food compartment, a removable plastic film 35 is applied to the combination bottle 10 over the flush annular seam 30. Preferably, the security film 35 has at least one perforated, vertical tear line 38 to facilitate removal, as demonstrated by arrow 40 in FIG. 4.

A combination food and beverage bottle is described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation—the invention being defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A combination food and beverage bottle, comprising:

a substantially transparent body portion defining a first compartment applicable for receiving and storing a beverage;

a substantially transparent base portion adjacent said body portion and defining a second compartment applicable for receiving and storing a food product separate from the beverage; and

means for removably attaching said body portion and said base portion together.

2. A combination food and beverage bottle according to claim 1, wherein said base portion defines an open top.

3. A combination food and beverage bottle according to claim 2, wherein said base portion comprises a removable cover located over said open top.

4. A combination food and beverage bottle according to claim 3, wherein said removable cover comprises a pull tab.

5. A combination food and beverage bottle according to claim 1, wherein said base portion comprises a reduced-diameter base neck.

6. A combination food and beverage bottle according to claim 5, wherein said body portion comprises a recessed bottom, and an adjacent annular interior side wall adapted for receiving said base neck.

7. A combination food and beverage bottle according to claim 6, and defining a substantially flush annular seam formed at a junction of said body portion and said base portion.

8. A combination food and beverage bottle according to claim 7, and comprising a removable security film covering said annular seam.

9. A combination food and beverage bottle according to claim 8, wherein said security film comprises a perforated vertical tear line.

10. A combination food and beverage bottle according to claim 1, wherein said attaching means comprises complementary threads formed with the base neck of said base portion and the annular interior side wall of said body portion.

11. A bottle combination, comprising:

a body portion defining a first compartment applicable for receiving and storing a first product;

a base portion adjacent said body portion and comprising a reduced-diameter base neck, said base portion defining a second compartment applicable for receiving and storing a second product separate from the first product;

said body portion comprising a recessed bottom, and an adjacent annular interior side wall adapted for receiving the base neck of said base portion; and

means for removably attaching said body portion and said base portion together.

12. A bottle combination according to claim 11, wherein said base portion comprises a transparent material, such that the second product stored in said base portion is readily visible.

13. A bottle combination according to claim 11, and defining a substantially flush annular seam formed at a junction of said body portion and said base portion.

14. A bottle combination according to claim 13, and comprising a removable security film covering said annular seam.

15. A bottle combination according to claim 14, wherein said security film comprises a perforated vertical tear line.

16. A bottle combination according to claim 11, wherein said attaching means comprises complementary threads formed with the base neck of said base portion and the annular interior side wall of said body portion.

17. A bottle combination according to claim 11, wherein said base portion defines an open top.

18. A bottle combination according to claim 17, wherein said base portion comprises a removable cover located over said open top.

19. A bottle combination according to claim 18, wherein said removable cover comprises a pull tab.

20. A combination food and beverage bottle, comprising:

a substantially transparent body portion having an open top and a closed bottom, said body portion defining a first compartment;

a beverage stored in said first compartment;

a removable cap applied to the open top of said body portion to temporarily contain said beverage within said first compartment;

a substantially transparent base portion adjacent said body portion and having an open top and a closed bottom, said base portion defining a second compartment;

a food product stored in said second compartment separate from said beverage;

a removable cover applied to the open top of said base portion to temporarily contain said food product within said second compartment; and

means for removably attaching said body portion and said base portion together.