System for use with at least one of a foodstuff and/or a consumable beverage and method of manufacturing same

Abstract

A system for use with at least one of a foodstuff and/or a consumable beverage and method of manufacturing same.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention is directed generally to consumable beverage and/or foodstuff containers and, more specifically, to systems for use with at least one of a foodstuff and a consumable beverage and methods of manufacturing same.

Conventional blended foodstuffs and/or consumable beverages require that the contents are blended prior to insertion in a bottle for transport and consumption. This can be problematic as freshness can degrade in a quicker fashion once the components are mixed. Additionally, the need to access a blender prior to use can be problematic and inconvenient, especially when away from home.

It may be advantageous to provide a method and system for use with at least one of a foodstuff and/or a consumable beverage that: preferably uses a character shaped blender blade; that preferably has a base that includes a blender mechanism; that may include an illustrative element; that may include a cup for separately transporting a portion of a mixture prior to blending; that preferably provides a more functional sports bottle; and that can be fun and easy for use by children and adults.

SUMMARY

Briefly speaking, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a bottle. The method includes: providing a bottle having a base. The base includes a blender mechanism such that the bottle includes all components necessary for the bottle to automatically mix bottle contents in response to user activation of a selectable control located on the bottle. The method further includes: positioning at least one illustrative element on the bottle; and providing at least one blender blade representing a character, the at least one blender blade being located inside the bottle and engaged with the blender mechanism forming the base thereof, wherein the character is coordinated with the at least one illustrative element.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method of providing a bottle. The method includes: providing a bottle having a cavity adapted to receive bottle contents defined by a sidewall and a base. The sidewall defines a chamber therein. A blender is integrated into the base such that the bottle includes all components necessary for the bottle to automatically mix bottle contents in response to user activation of a selectable control located on the bottle. The method further includes: positioning thermal energy storage material in the chamber of the sidewall of the bottle; and providing at least one blender blade representing a character. The at least one blender blade is located inside the bottle and is engaged with the blender mechanism forming a base thereof.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a bottle. The method includes providing a bottle having a base. The base includes a blender mechanism such that the bottle includes all components necessary for the bottle to automatically mix bottle contents in response to user activation of a selectable control located on the bottle. The method further includes: providing at least one blender blade representing a character. The at least one blender blade being located inside the bottle and engaged with the blender mechanism forming a base thereof. The character corresponds to a configuration of the bottle.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system for use with at least one of a foodstuff and/or a consumable beverage. The system includes a bottle having a base and a sidewall which defines a chamber therein. Thermal energy storage material is located in the chamber. A blender mechanism is integrated in the base and is adapted to allow the bottle to mix bottle contents without requiring connection of the bottle to other devices.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system for use with at least one of a foodstuff and/or a consumable beverage. The system includes a bottle having a cavity defined by a base and a sidewall. A blender mechanism is integrated in the base and is adapted to allow the bottle to mix contents of the container without requiring connection of the bottle to other devices. At least one character shaped blender blade is located on the base and engaged with the blender mechanism.

In a separate embodiment, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system for use with at least one of a foodstuff and/or a consumable beverage. The system includes a bottle having a base. The sidewall defining an opening on an end opposite the base. A cup is at least one of removably securable generally within the opening and detachably threadable in a generally end-to-end fashion with the sidewall proximate to the opening. A blender mechanism is integrated in the base and adapted to allow the bottle to mix bottle contents without requiring connection of the bottle to other devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For purposes of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings, an embodiment which is presently preferred. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system for use with at least one of a foodstuff and/or a consumable beverage in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; A blender mechanism is preferably integrated into the base of the bottle; The blender is preferably complete and does not require the attachment of other devices for the bottle to blend bottle contents in response to a user's activation of a selectable control; A blender blade represents a character, such as an alien, that is coordinated with the spaceship appearance of the bottle; A straw has a distal end in a bottle cavity proximate to the base which extends generally upwardly, has a portion that extends generally through at least a portion of a spiral generally along a portion of an inner surface of the sidewall, and extends into a lid;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the lid of the bottle of FIG. 1; The lid preferably includes a fixed lid section and a straw shield that is pivotably connected thereto; The lid is preferably generally hemispherical and the shield is moveable between a first position, in which the straw extends from the lid and is configured for drinking, and a second position (shown in FIG. 4), in which the straw is at least partially compressed and is contained within the cavity and lid so as not to protrude from the bottle; the lid preferably has ridges to provide resistance to the shield being rotated out of the first position and to provide resistance to the shield being rotated out of the second position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the bottle of FIG. 2 as taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2; The lid preferably includes an abutment configured such that the shield will bend the straw about a wrap point along the abutment when the shield is moved into the second position (shown in FIG. 4); The lid also preferably includes a straw guide which positions the straw for proper use and bending;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view similar to that shown in FIG. 3 illustrating the shield in the second position, in which the straw is at least partially compressed and is contained within the cavity and lid so as not to protrude from the bottle; The straw is bent about the abutment with the apex of the abutment forming the wrap point; The combination of the shield and the abutment results in the straw being at least partially compressed;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the bottle of FIG. 3 as taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 3 illustrating the pin/pivot connection between the shield and the fixed lid section; The ridges that are preferably used to provide resistance to moving the lid out of the first or second positions are also illustrated; The top of the character shaped blender blade is also illustrated; The straw is shown depending downwardly from the lid and beginning to extend along a generally spiral path;

FIG. 6 is an axial cross-sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of the bottle of the present invention; A surface of the base which forms the cavity is convex to encourage bottle contents to generally flow toward a perimeter of the surface to facilitate use of the straw to remove bottle contents; The sidewall is shown as a sleeve that is threadably engaged with the base; However the sidewall can be integrally formed with or attached in any suitable manner to the base without departing from the scope of the present invention; The selectable control is in operative control of the blender mechanism and a power source; The collar of the lid shown secured to the mouth of the bottle such that the bottom of the collar is supported by the shoulder of the upper portion of the sleeve; While the sleeve is shown as single walled, it can be double walled and contain thermal energy storage material without departing from the present invention; The character shaped blender blade is engaged with the blender mechanism via a shaft; A seal is preferably located about the shaft;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view similar to that of FIG. 6 illustrating a third preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the sleeve is formed by a sidewall that defines a chamber therein; Thermal energy storage material is located within the chamber; Any of the embodiments shown in the drawings may be formed with a sidewall that is single walled or that defines a chamber therein to hold thermal storage material without departing from the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the bottle of FIG. 1 illustrating some of the preferred main components of the bottle; While a particular configuration of the bottle, base, straw, and lid is shown, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that the configurations can be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention; The lid is shown in the first position in which the straw shield does not cover the abutment located within a straw slot; A guide extends upward proximate the straw slot for mating engagement with a notch in the shield; The preferred spiral path of the straw is illustrated;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the bottle of the present invention illustrating a bunny shaped blender blade which is viewable through a broken away portion of an illustrative element; The illustrative element is designed to show elements normally associated with the Easter holiday; Thus, the character shaped blender blade is coordinated with the illustrative element to create a holiday theme; The blender blade can be coordinated with the at least one illustrative element to create at least one of a holiday theme, a scholastic theme, a children's theme, a science theme, a mythical theme, a storybook theme, a sports theme or the like without departing from the scope of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a fifth preferred embodiment of the bottle of the present invention illustrating a Stanley Cup shaped blender blade which is viewable through a broken away portion of an illustrative element; The illustrative element is designed to show elements normally associated with hockey; Thus, the character shaped blender blade is coordinated with the illustrative element to create a sports theme;

FIG. 11 is schematic view of a sixth preferred embodiment of the bottle of the present invention; a bottle having a base and a sidewall which defines an opening on an end opposite the base; A cup is preferably removably securable generally within the opening; The cup is preferably configured with a lip sized to allow the cup to hang within the mouth of the bottle; A cover is configured to form a drink spout and is adapted for attachment to the bottle; A lid is detachably securable to the cover to cover the drink spout; The bottle can include any one or more of a character shaped blender blade, thermal energy storage material, and/or an illustrative element without departing from the scope of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the bottle of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is schematic view of a seventh preferred embodiment of the bottle of the present invention; The bottle has a base and a sidewall which defines an opening on an end opposite the base; A cup is preferably detachably threadable in a generally end-to-end fashion with the sidewall proximate to the opening; A cover is configured to form a drink spout and is adapted for attachment to the bottle; A lid is detachably securable to the cover to cover the drink spout; The bottle can include any one or more of a character shaped blender blade, thermal energy storage material, and/or an illustrative element without departing from the scope of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the bottle of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right,” “left,” “upper,” and “lower” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the system/bottle and designated parts thereof.

The word “foodstuff”, as used in the claims and in the corresponding portions of the specification, is defined as including “one or both of liquid foods (such as milk, water, Gatorade, soda consumable beverage, or the like) and solid foods (such as cookies, cereal, sandwiches, fruit, egg salad, or the like).” The term “consumable beverage”, as used in the claims and in corresponding portions of the specification, is not exclusive but can include “any consumable beverage, soup, yogurt, additive, ice cream, or other foodstuff or supplement”.

Similarly, the term “bottle contents”, as used in the claims and in corresponding portions of the specification, is not exclusive but can include “any consumable beverage, soup, yogurt, ice cream, or other foodstuff or supplement”. The language “at least one of ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’,” as used in the claims and in corresponding portions of the specification, means “any group having at least one ‘A’; or any group having at least one ‘B’; or any group having at least one ‘C’;—and does require that a group have at least one of each of ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’.”

The term “character”, as used in the claims and in the corresponding portions of the specification, means “any animal, cartoon character, person, creature, alien, mythical creature, or inanimate object or the like.” For example, the character can be a rabbit, a raccoon, a deer, a mailman, a doctor, a pet, a space creature, a unicorn, a mail box, an automobile, or the like. The term “representing a character” as used with blender blades in the claims and the corresponding portions of the specification, means “a blender blade that is shaped, configured, designed, molded, painted, embossed, bearing a laminate, or the like that makes the blender blade seem like the character”.

The term “selectable control”, as used in the claims and in corresponding portions of the specification, means “any one of a physical switch, a touch switch, a button, a voice activated switch, a control knob, a remote control switch, or any other known operating mode selection device”. The term “activation”, as used with the selectable control, means that the blender mechanism has been manipulated to cause the blender blade(s) to be moved in whatever manner results in blending. Thus, the term “activated” means that the blades are normally operational as per their designed operation for blending.

The term “illustrative element”, as used in the claims and in the corresponding parts of the specification, means “any design, signage, picture, or the like that is molded over, embossed on, printed on, etched into, painted on, created via coloring of, shrink wrapped on, heat welded on, laminated on, adhesively secured to, detachably engaged with, sonic welded on, and/or located on a piece of material wrapped over the bottle or the like”.

Additionally, the words “a” and “one” are defined as including one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

Referring to FIGS. 1-14, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, preferred embodiments of systems and methods for use with a consumable beverage and/or a foodstuff are shown and generally designated as 10. Briefly stated, a bottle 10 preferably includes a blender mechanism 60 in the base 14.

The system, also referred to as bottle, 10 and its component parts are preferably formed from a sturdy, non-reactive, durable material, such as a suitable polymer. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that the system 10 and its various components can be formed from any materials suitable for use with foodstuffs and consumable beverages.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8, one preferred method of the present invention will be described in conjunction with various preferred embodiments of the bottle 10. The steps of any of the methods of the present invention can be performed in any order, omitted, or combined without departing from the scope of the present invention. Additionally, unless otherwise stated, similar components described in conjunction with different methods preferably, buy not necessarily, operate in a generally similar manner to that described elsewhere in this application.

A bottle 10 is provided that has a base 14. The base 14 has a preferably circular bottom 84. Rising up from a base bottom 84 is a base periphery that preferably has a generally conical shape with arcuate sections 76 spaced along the perimeter. It is preferred that the arcuate sections 76 form projections 78 which may provide some lateral support for a sidewall 12. While a preferred base configuration has been described, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that any base configuration can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the base 14 preferably includes a blender mechanism 60 such that the bottle includes all components necessary for the bottle 10 to automatically mix bottle contents in response to user activation of a selectable control 16 located on the bottle 10. It is preferred, but not necessary, that the selectable control 16, is a pulse switch that activates the blender mechanism 60 while the control 16 is depressed.

It is preferred that the base 14 also include a power source, such as batteries, 62 therein. Any suitable power source, such as solar, wind up bands, pressurized air or other pressurized fluids, hand cranks, etc., can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. The selectable control 16 is preferably in electrical communication with the blender mechanism 60 and power source 62 via wires or electrical conduits 74. However, the connection therebetween may use only gears, linkages, or other mechanical connectors without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring specifically to FIG. 6, a surface 50 of the base 14 (which, in conjunction with the sidewall 12, forms a cavity 68 for holding bottle contents) is preferably convex to encourage bottle contents to generally flow toward a perimeter of the surface 50 to facilitate use of a straw 20 (further described below) to remove the bottle contents. The convex shape preferably results in a slight bulge that extends generally inwardly into the cavity 68.

The bottle 10 preferably includes a sidewall 12 formed by a sleeve 64 having upper and lower ends 86, 88, respectively. Referring to FIG. 1, the sidewall preferably has a smooth curvilinear outer surface that forms a shoulder 96 proximate to the upper end 86 thereof. Referring to FIG. 3, the sleeve upper end 86 preferably forms a mouth 36 and has at least one thread 38 along an outer surface. Referring to FIG. 4, the sidewall sleeve preferably has at least one thread 80 proximate to the lower end 88 for engagement with a base thread 82.

While the sidewall 12 is shown as being a detachable sleeve 64, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that the sidewall 12 can be integrally formed with or otherwise secured to the base 14 without departing from the scope of the present invention. Similarly, the shape of the sidewall can be varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the sidewall 12 of any of the bottles 10 of the present invention can be single walled or define a chamber 70 therein for holding thermal storage material 72 therein without departing from the scope of the present invention. The thermal energy storage material 72 is preferably a gelatinous material that is formed of re-freezable material and/or re-heatable material, such as the non-toxic materials used in gel packs and the like.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, at least one illustrative element 100 is preferably positioned on the bottle. The illustrative element can be any design, signage, picture, or the like that is molded over, embossed on, printed on, etched into, painted on, created via coloring of, shrink wrapped on, heat welded on, laminated on, adhesively secured to, detachably engaged with, sonic welded on, and/or located on a piece of material wrapped over the bottle 10. For example, FIG. 9 shows illustrative element(s) 100 that correspond to an Easter holiday or Spring theme and FIG. 10 shows illustrative element(s) that correspond to a hockey or sports theme. In a similar fashion, the illustrative elements can have any one or combination of a holiday theme, a scholastic theme, a children's theme, a science theme, a mythical theme, a storybook theme, and a sports theme or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10, at least one blender blade 18 representing a character 92 is preferably provided. The blender blade 18 can be shaped, adorned, painted, have markings thereon, have a laminate thereon, be embossed, etched, or the like to create the appearance of the desired character 92.

The at least one blender blade 18 is preferably located inside the bottle 10 and engaged with the blender mechanism 60 forming part of the base 14 thereof. It is preferred that the character 92 is coordinated with the at least one illustrative element 100. The coordination can be used to create a common theme or the like. For example, referring to FIG. 9, the character 92 is a rabbit that coordinates well with the Easter holiday or Spring theme set forth by the illustrative element 100. Referring to FIG. 10, the character 92 is the Stanley cup which is well coordinated with the hockey or sports theme set forth by the illustrative element 100.

Referring to FIGS. 2-5, a lid 22 is preferably provided that is adapted to engage the bottle 10. The lid 22 preferably has a generally hemispherical fixed outer surface 54. A shield 26 is preferably rotatably secured to the fixed lid section 54 via a pin 28 connection. The shield 26 is preferably moveable between a first position (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3), in which the straw 20 extends from the lid 22 and is configured for drinking from the drinking end 48 of the straw 20, and a second position (shown in FIG. 4), in which the straw 20 is at least partially compressed and is contained within the cavity 68 and the lid 22 so as not to protrude from the bottle 10.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 8, and 10, the lid 22 preferably includes ridges 56, 98 that can engage a portion of the shield 26 to provide resistance to the shield 26 being rotated out of the first position and to provide resistance to the shield 26 being rotated out of the second position. A handle 24 may be located on the shield 26 such that the bottle 10 depends from the handle 24 and is generally linearly aligned with a plane formed by the handle 24 when the shield is in the second position, as shown in FIG. 9.

A straw 20 may be provided that has a distal end 52 in the cavity 68 proximate to the base 14. The straw 20 can extend generally upwardly from the distal end 52, have a portion 66 that extends through at least a portion of a spiral generally along a portion of an inner surface 90 of the sidewall 12, and extend into the lid 22.

Referring to FIGS. 11-12, the bottle may include a removable cup/detachable section 108 that is locatable generally within the bottle 10 to hold foodstuff generally separately from other bottle contents. Referring to FIGS. 13-14, the bottle may include a removable cup/detachable section 122 to hold foodstuff generally separately from other bottle contents.

Referring to FIG. 7, a second preferred method of the present invention preferably includes providing a bottle 10 having a cavity 68 adapted to receive bottle contents defined by a sidewall 12 and a base 14. The sidewall 12 may define a chamber 70 therein. A blender 60 may be integrated into the base 12 such that the bottle 10 comprises all components necessary for the bottle 10 to automatically mix bottle contents in response to user activation of a selectable control 16 located on the bottle 10. Portions of the blender mechanism 60 can be separate from the bottle 10 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Thermal energy storage material 72 may be located in the chamber 70 of the sidewall 12 of the bottle 10. At least one blender blade 18 is provided that represents a character 92. The at least one blender blade 18 may be located inside the bottle 10 and engaged with the blender mechanism 60 forming a base 14 thereof.

Referring to FIG. 1, a third preferred method of the present invention includes providing a bottle 10 having a base 14. The base 14 may include a blender mechanism 60 such that the bottle 10 includes all components necessary for the bottle 10 to automatically mix bottle contents in response to user activation of a selectable control 16 located on the bottle 10. At least one blender blade 18 is provided that may represent a character 92. The at least one blender blade 18 is preferably located inside the bottle 10 and engaged with the blender mechanism 60 forming a base 14 thereof. The character 92 may corresponds to a configuration of the bottle 10. In this case, the bottle configuration has a spaceship type of look and the character 92 has an alien creature type of look.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 11, one embodiment of the system/bottle 10 according to the present invention may be used with at least one of a foodstuff and/or a consumable beverage. The system 10 includes a bottle 10 having a base 14 and a sidewall 12 which defines a chamber 70 therein. Thermal energy storage material 72 may be located in the chamber 70. The blender mechanism 60 can be integrated in the base 14 and adapted to allow the bottle 10 to mix bottle contents without requiring connection of the bottle 10 to other devices.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the system 10 may include a blender blade 18 configured to represent a character 92 and is preferably disposed in the bottle 10 on the base 14. The system 10 may include at least one illustrative element 100 located on the bottle. It is preferred, but not necessary, that the character 92 is coordinated with the at least one illustrative element 100. The character shaped blender blade 18 can be located on the base 14 and engaged with the blender mechanism 60 via a shaft 102 or the like. A seal 104 may be located about the shaft 102 to isolate the blender mechanism 60 from the bottle contents.

Referring to FIG. 6, a lid 22 may be adapted to engage the bottle 10. Referring to FIGS. 2-5, the lid 22 may include a shield 26 moveable between a first position, in which the straw 20 extends from the lid 22 and is configured for drinking, and a second position, in which the shield 26 at least partially compresses the straw 20 such that the straw 20 is contained within the bottle 10 and the lid 26 so as not to protrude therefrom. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fixed lid section 54 preferably defines a straw guide 42 meant to align the straw along a lower surface of the lid 22 and also preferably defines a straw slot 58. The straw slot 58 provides a compartment into which the straw 20 can be at least partially compressed for storage, transport, or convenience. As best shown in FIG. 4, inside the straw slot 58 is preferably an abutment 46 configured such that the shield 26 will bend the straw 20 (to form compressed straw segment 34) about a wrap point 94 along the abutment 46 when the shield 26 is moved into the second position.

The lid 22 preferably includes a collar 40 that has a grip 44 on an outer surface thereof. The lid may include a guide 30 that extends generally upwardly from the collar 40. A notch 32 can be formed in the shield 26 to facilitate properly aligning the shield 26 when the straw 20 is compressed.

A straw 20 may have a distal end 52 in the bottle 10 proximate to the base 14 and extending along a path: generally upwardly, generally through at least a portion of a spiral 66 generally along a portion of an inner surface 90 of the sidewall 12, and into the lid 22. A surface 50 of the base 14 which forms an interior surface of the bottle 10 may be convex to encourage bottle contents to generally flow toward a perimeter of the surface 50 to facilitate use of the straw 20 to remove bottle contents. A power source 62 can be located in the base 14 and adapted to power the blender mechanism 60.

Referring to FIGS. 11-14, additional embodiments of the system 10 for use with at least one of a foodstuff and/or a consumable beverage are as follows. A bottle 10 may have a base 14 and a sidewall 12 which defines an opening 36 on an end opposite the base 14. Referring to FIGS. 12 and 14, a cup 108, 122 may be any one of removably securable generally within the opening 36 and detachably threadable in a generally end-to-end fashion with the sidewall 12 proximate to the opening 36. A blender mechanism 60 may be integrated in the base 14 and adapted to allow the bottle 10 to mix bottle contents without requiring connection of the bottle 10 to other devices.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the cup 108 may be configured with a lip 120 sized to allow the cup 108 to hang within the mouth 36 of the bottle 10. It is preferred that when the cup 108 is inserted into the bottle 10, the lip 120 of the cup 108 rests on the edge 118 of the mouth 36.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the cup 122 can be configured to be threaded to the sidewall 12 such that when the cup 122 is threaded thereto, the cup 122 covers the mouth 36. Alternatively, the bottle 10 may include a cup 108 inserted in the bottle mouth 36 with a second cup 122 threaded thereover without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 14, a cover 110 may be configured to form a drink spout 112 and can be adapted for attachment to the bottle 10. A lid 22 can be detachably securable to the cover 110 to cover the drink spout 112.

Any of the bottle embodiments disclosed this application may include at least one character shaped blender blade 18, 92 located on the base 14 and engaged with the blender mechanism 60. Similarly, any of the bottle embodiments disclosed in this application may include at least one illustrative element 100 located on the bottle. If desired, the character 92 can be coordinated with the at least one illustrative element 100 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is recognized by those skilled in the art, that changes may be made to the above described embodiment of the invention without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. For example, any of the systems disclosed may include or omit thermal energy storage material 72; may include or omit character shaped blender blades 92; may include or omit cups 108, 122; may include or omit illustrative element(s) 100; or the like without departing from the scope of the present invention. Similarly, any of the disclosed steps in the various inventive methods can be interchanged, performed in any order or omitted without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover to all modifications which are within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the specification, the claims, and the appended drawings.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a bottle, comprising:

providing a bottle having a base, wherein the base comprises a blender mechanism such that the bottle comprises all components necessary for the bottle to automatically mix bottle contents in response to user activation of a selectable control located on the bottle;

positioning at least one illustrative element on the bottle; and

providing at least one blender blade representing a character, the at least one blender blade being located inside the bottle and engaged with the blender mechanism forming the base thereof, wherein the character is coordinated with the at least one illustrative element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the at least one blender blade further comprises the blender blade having at least one of a shape of the character or markings that create the appearance of the character.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the step of providing a bottle comprises providing a sidewall positioned on the base to form a cavity for receiving bottle contents, the sidewall defining a bottle mouth;

providing a lid that is adapted to be engaged with the bottle; and

providing a straw having a distal end in the cavity proximate to the base which extends generally upwardly, has a portion that extends generally through at least a portion of a spiral generally along a portion of an inner surface of the sidewall, and extends into the lid.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of providing a lid further comprises the lid being generally hemispherical and having a shield moveable between a first position, in which the straw extends from the lid and is configured for drinking, and a second position, in which the straw is at least partially compressed and is contained within the cavity and lid so as not to protrude from the bottle.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of providing the lid further comprises the lid comprising ridges to provide resistance to the shield being rotated out of the first position and to provide resistance to the shield being rotated out of the second position.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of providing a lid further comprises a handle positioned on the shield such that the bottle depends from the handle and is generally linearly aligned with a plane defined by the handle when the shield is in the second position.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of providing the bottle further comprises a surface of the base which forms the cavity being convex to encourage bottle contents to generally flow toward a perimeter of the surface to facilitate use of the straw to remove bottle contents.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing batteries located in the base to power the blender mechanism.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a removable cup that is locatable generally within the bottle to hold foodstuff generally separately from other bottle contents.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a bottle further comprises the bottle having a detachable section adapted to hold foodstuff generally separately from other bottle contents.

11. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of providing the sidewall further comprises the sidewall defining a chamber therein and positioning thermal energy storage material in the chamber.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the at least one blender blade further comprises the character being coordinated with the at least one illustrative element to create at least one of a holiday theme, a scholastic theme, a children's theme, a science theme, a mythical theme, a storybook theme, and a sports theme.

13. A method of providing a bottle comprising:

providing a bottle having a cavity adapted to receive bottle contents defined by a sidewall and a base, the sidewall defining a chamber therein, a blender being integrated into the base such that the bottle comprises all components necessary for the bottle to automatically mix bottle contents in response to user activation of a selectable control located on the bottle;

positioning thermal energy storage material in the chamber of the sidewall of the bottle; and

providing at least one blender blade representing a character, the at least one blender blade being located inside the bottle and engaged with the blender mechanism forming a base thereof.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising positioning at least one illustrative element on the bottle, the character being coordinated with the at least one illustrative element.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

providing a lid that is adapted to be engaged with the bottle; and

providing a straw having a distal end in the cavity proximate to the base which extends generally upwardly, has a portion that extends generally through at least a portion of a spiral generally along a portion of an inner surface of the sidewall, and extends into the lid.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of providing a lid further comprises the lid having a shield moveable between a first position, in which the straw extends from the lid and is configured for drinking, and a second position, in which the straw is at least partially compressed and is contained within the cavity and lid so as not to protrude from the bottle.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of providing the bottle further comprises a surface of the base which forms the cavity being convex to encourage bottle contents to generally flow toward a perimeter of the surface to facilitate use of the straw to remove bottle contents.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing batteries located in the base to power the blender mechanism.

19. A method of manufacturing a bottle, comprising:

providing a bottle having a base, wherein the base comprises a blender mechanism such that the bottle comprises all components necessary for the bottle to automatically mix bottle contents in response to user activation of a selectable control located on the bottle; and

providing at least one blender blade representing a character, the at least one blender blade being located inside the bottle and engaged with the blender mechanism forming a base thereof, wherein the character corresponds to a configuration of the bottle.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising positioning at least one illustrative element on the bottle, the character being coordinated with the at least one illustrative element.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

providing a lid that is adapted to be engaged with the bottle; and

providing a straw having a distal end in the cavity proximate to the base which extends generally upwardly, has a portion that extends generally through at least a portion of a spiral generally along a portion of an inner surface of the sidewall, and extends into the lid.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of providing a lid further comprises the lid having a shield moveable between a first position, in which the straw extends from the lid and is configured for drinking, and a second position, in which the straw is at least partially compressed and is contained within the cavity and lid so as not to protrude from the bottle.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the step of providing the bottle further comprises a surface of the base which forms the cavity being convex to encourage bottle contents to generally flow toward a perimeter of the surface to facilitate use of the straw to remove bottle contents.