Self-cooling plastic drink bottle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a transiently-extant drink bottle. The drink bottle is formed from joining two separate closed internal compartments, each compartment capable of holding a unique drinking fluid. Joining of the compartments allows for greater consumer choice in beverage selection as well as cooling of one beverage through its non-contact proximity to a frozen beverage. The transient nature of the proximity of closed internal compartments allows for multiple use and combination of drinking fluids.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/826,411, filed 16 Jul. 2007; and U.S. application No. 60/989,814, filed 22 Nov. 2007, which applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to drink bottles, and particularly to having distinct compartments.

BACKGROUND

During summer months or at times of prolonged exercise, cooled drinking fluids are preferred. General methods of cooling fluids for drinking involve three approaches: placing the fluid of interest into a refrigerator; or, placing the fluid of interest in a plastic drink bottle in a freezer unit of a refrigerator; or, adding ice or ice equivalents to the drinking fluid. All three methods have inherent weaknesses. Fluids cooled in a standard refrigerator generally return to room temperature within one hour (depending on specific atmospheric conditions). Fluids placed in a freezer are generally not available for consumption until a significant amount of the fluid has thawed. At that time, the fluid composition (and taste) has changed due to the uneven thawing of fluid components. And finally, adding ice to a fluid is not always possible for small-neck bottles, and the added ice inherently dilutes the original drinking fluid and makes it less appealing. There are water bottles that sport an undrinkable “freezer stick” that may be frozen prior to its addition to the contents of the water bottle. The problem with said freezer sticks is that they do not cool fluids well (due to their necessarily small size) and they take up precious volume with material that is not consumed by a user. The material in the freezer stick (water and gel) reduces the volume of available fluids in a fixed bottle volume. This weakness and that of its poor cooling characteristics for room temperature drinks make for an unsatisfactory fluid cooling system.

In U.S. Pat. No. 7,157,040 to Yates, there is described the production method for a drink bottle with two proximate and separate compartments. Yates' invention has found application in hard-plastic reusable water bottles favored by athletes (see e.g. www.swigz.com) and applies to a single bottle with two fixed and non-removable components. As described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/826,411, the present invention allows for cooling of a drinking fluid by virtue of the fluid's non-contact proximity to a frozen drinking fluid in a separate compartment. While Yates does specifically teach multiple unique beverages in separate adjacent “cavities”, he does not teach or reasonably suggest cooling of one fluid by passive action of a second, frozen fluid in non-contact proximity. Additionally, while Yates mentions bottle compartments attached through the use of “male” and “female” components, he does not describe a bottle whose separate compartments may be identical and are sold separately, and whose mechanism of attachment of said compartments is performed through joining of indentations and protrusions on a single side of said compartments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In embodiments of the present invention, there can be provided the ability to cool a drinking fluid without dilution or damage to said drinking fluid. For example, aspects of the present invention allow for transient joining of two or more closed internal compartments to form a single transiently-extant plastic drink bottle. Transient joining may be performed either at the point of manufacture—before or after filling—or by a retailer or user post-manufacture. The transient nature of joining closed internal compartments tends to provide an advantage in providing an ability to switch between multiple closed internal compartments, whereas in the prior art, such as the bottle described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,157,040, one must either finish or remove remaining drink present in the cavities should one wish to change beverages. In the present invention as described below, one may detach closed internal compartments and then reattach one of the compartments with a completely different closed internal compartment harboring a different beverage. Additionally, the ability to fully separate drinking cavities allows for freezing of the drinking liquid contents of a single closed internal compartment. Thus, in place of having to place a plastic drink bottle with all of its contents into a freezer in order to have a cold drink, one may instead freeze drinking fluid contents of a single closed internal compartment and then remove the closed internal compartment from the freezer so as to attach the closed internal compartment containing frozen drinking fluid to a second, closed internal compartment with drinking fluid at room or refrigerator temperature.

In certain embodiments, protrusions and indentations may be used in joining the closed internal compartments, and they serve not only to form a complete transiently-extant plastic drink bottle, but they also aid in the rapid cooling of fluids. As protrusions of a first compartment with frozen drink enter into indentations of a second compartment containing warmer temperature beverage, the proximate ice can cool the warmer-temperature drinking fluid. And vice-versa, namely, the presence of warmer-temperature drinking fluid in the attaching protrusions found in the indentations of the ice-containing compartment speeds the cooling of warmer drinking fluid.

It will be appreciated that in addition to the methods for transiently attaching closed internal compartments detailed below, there are additional ways of transiently joining two or more closed internal compartments. For example, one could put hinges on the side of the closed internal compartments that allow the compartments to snap together. Alternatively, one could build a special base or neck that holds the two closed internal compartments together. Additionally, one could put Velcro or similar material on a flat joining face of the closed internal compartment to facilitate joining. Still yet, one could put a stretch belt around two closed internal compartments to hold them together in a transient manner.

One aspect of a transient attachment method is to have all of the attachment elements—protrusions and indentations for example—on a single side, or joining face, of a closed internal compartment. This exemplary arrangement implies two possibilities:

• • 1) Manufacture of re-usable or disposable bottles can continue to be the standard PET blow molding technology. It is possible to have the only change as involving the specific shape of the mold used to form the product bottles. PET blanks (“preforms”) can remain unchanged.
  • 2) Having all of the protrusions and indentations of a closed internal compartment on a single joining face (see e.g. FIGS. 8-9) means that two closed compartments with joining faces opposite one another may yield protrusions of one compartment directly facing indentations of the other closed internal compartment. Such an arrangement tends to allow easy joining of closed internal compartments to form a single plastic drink bottle.

Embodiments of the present invention thus have direct applicability for disposable PET soft drink bottles that are sold in the tens of millions of units in the United States each day. Additionally, the present invention need not involve any change in methodology for beverage bottle preparation with any alteration being reserved for the molds from which the PET bottles are formed, which molds of course are routinely changed as a function of marketing and style in any event. Finally, the present invention can allows for cooling of one drinking fluid by its non-fluid contact proximity to another, frozen, drinkable fluid (once thawed).

An aspect of the present invention offers a method for providing minimally two drinking fluids in a single beverage container. The container, generally realized as a drink bottle, may be used for successful, dilution-free cooling of a drinking fluid.

In an embodiment, there is a plastic drink bottle and a disposable drink bottle that minimally include two distinct closed internal compartments that may be filled with drinking fluids. The bottle comes with two external caps or one internal cap that allows for user-controlled access to one or both of the drinking fluids. One may fill one of the closed internal compartments with a first drinking fluid and freeze said drinking fluid in a freezer. Adding a second drinking fluid to a second drinking compartment and joining closed internal compartments to form a single plastic drink bottle allows for cooling of second drinking fluid through its proximity to frozen first drinking fluid. After the first drinking fluid has thawed, it too may be imbibed. The frozen first drinking fluid cools the second drinking fluid while the second drinking fluid warms up the frozen first drinking fluid to allow for the latter's consumption after thawing. Together, the drinking fluids combine for an extended period of cold drink enjoyment during summer heat or athletic activity.

Embodiments of the present invention described herewith further relate to a transiently-extant drink bottle composed of joinable and separable closed internal compartments, wherein these compartments can each hold a drinking fluid.

Another aspect of the present invention provides for a plastic drink bottle having two closed internal compartments, the closed internal compartments being able to hold a first drinking fluid and a second drinking fluid, such that a user may access the first drinking fluid independent of said second drinking fluid.

In one aspect of the invention, each closed internal compartment has an external cap.

In another aspect of the invention, the closed internal compartments are filled with a first drinking fluid and a second drinking fluid after manufacture and prior to sale.

In an additional aspect of the invention, joining of the separate closed internal compartments is performed by a user who may select closed internal compartments containing different drinking fluids.

In still another aspect of the invention, the closed internal compartments are manufactured with protrusions and indentations on one side of the closed internal compartments. By placing the protrusions of one closed internal compartment into the indentations of another closed internal compartment, one may form a single plastic drink bottle.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the volume and shape of the closed internal compartments as well as the surface area between them are optimized for cooling of a drinking fluid added to one of the closed internal compartments through this fluid's proximity to a frozen drinking fluid in a second closed internal compartment. The closed internal compartments may be of different volumes and shapes and may interlock to form a single plastic drink bottle.

In an additional aspect of the invention, the closed internal compartments are separated by a plastic separator that runs the entire height of the plastic drink bottle. The thickness of the separator may be modified during bottle production to modulate the rate of heat transfer between drinking fluids in the separate closed internal compartments.

Another aspect of the invention additionally includes a method for cooling a drinking fluid, including the steps of preparing minimally two closed internal compartments able to receive drinking fluids; filling a first closed internal compartment with a drinking fluid and closing said internal compartment with a cap; placing said first closed internal compartment with drinking fluid into a freezer for a period of time that allows for freezing of the drinking fluid in the first closed internal compartment; removing said first closed internal compartment from the freezer; adding a second drinking fluid to a second closed internal compartment such that the second drinking fluid is in non-contact proximity to frozen first drinking fluid.

One aspect of the method has water as the drinking fluid added to the first closed internal compartment.

Another aspect of the method has a separate external cap associated with each closed internal compartment.

Another aspect of the invention includes a disposable drinking bottle having two closed internal compartments manufactured separately and joined together to form a single disposable drinking bottle. The disposable drinking bottle includes either two external caps or one internal cap that allows for user-controlled access to drinking fluids in one or both of the closed internal compartments.

One aspect of the invention has the separately manufactured closed internal compartments being joined together prior to addition of drinking fluids to the closed internal compartments.

One further aspect of the invention has the separately manufactured closed internal compartments being joined together after addition of drinking fluids to the closed internal compartments.

Another aspect of the present inventions provides for a transiently-extant plastic drink bottle being comprised of two closed internal compartments, each internal compartment being capable of holding a drinking fluid and joining faces of the closed internal compartments being complementary.

Additionally, the transiently-extant plastic drink bottle has an external cap covering an opening for each closed internal compartment.

In a further aspect of the invention, the transiently-extant plastic drink bottle sports closed internal compartments having protrusions and indentations on a joining face of each compartment such that protrusions of one closed internal compartment can be fitted into indentations of the other closed internal compartment.

In another aspect of the invention, the transiently-extant plastic drink bottle is composed from closed internal compartments made from PET.

In still another aspect of the invention, the volume and shape of said transiently-extant plastic drink bottle as well as the size and dispositions of said protrusions and indentations are optimized for cooling of a drinking fluid added to one of the closed internal compartments of the transiently-extant plastic drink bottle.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the closed internal compartments with or without beverage are sold separately.

In still another aspect of the invention, a transiently-extant drink bottle is formed from joining protrusions and indentations associated with closed internal compartments. The protrusions and indentations may assume the form of letters, symbols or numbers. The protrusions and indentations might spell words such as Pepsi™, Coke™ or the phrase Coca Cola™ (sometimes written as one work Coca-Cola™).

Another aspect of the invention includes a method for providing cooled drinking fluid for an extended period of time, including the steps of: preparing two closed internal compartments, each closed internal compartment being able to receive a drinking fluid; filling a first closed internal compartment with a drinking fluid and closing the internal compartment with a cap; placing the first closed internal compartment with drinking fluid into a freezer for a period of time that allows for freezing of the drinking fluid in the first closed internal compartment; removing the first closed internal compartment from said freezer; adding a second drinking fluid to a second closed internal compartment, such that the second drinking fluid is in non-contact proximity to frozen first drinking fluid; and, joining first closed internal compartment with the second closed internal compartment to form a transiently-extant plastic drink bottle.

In an additional aspect of the method, each closed internal compartment has protrusions and indentations on a joining face.

In yet another aspect of the method, the closed internal compartments have separate external caps, one cap per closed internal compartment.

In another aspect of the invention also includes a transiently-extant drink bottle having two closed internal compartments manufactured from PET and filled separately and then joined together to form a single transiently-extant drink bottle. Joining may be performed by manufacturer or user.

In yet another aspect of the invention, each closed internal compartment has its own external cap covering an opening through which the closed internal compartment may be filled with drinking fluid.

In still another aspect of the invention, the transiently-extant drink bottle has separately manufactured closed internal compartments that are joined together after addition of drinking fluids to each closed internal compartment. Features of joining faces of the closed internal compartments facilitate joining of the closed internal compartments to form a transiently-extant drink bottle.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is a closable fluid holding compartment having a joining face on the exterior of the compartment. The joining face has at least one protrusion and at least one indentation for joining to a complementary joining face of another closable fluid holding compartment. The at least one protrusion may be symmetrical to the at least one indentation. The closable fluid holding compartment may be manufactured from PET. The at least one protrusion and the at least one indentation may be in a form of one or more alpha-numerals. The form of the one or more alphanumerics may form the word COLA. The compartment may be filled with a fluid through a closable opening in the compartment, and the opening may be thereafter closed by a cap. The fluid filled-compartment may be frozen. Another closable fluid holding compartment may be filled with a fluid, and the closable fluid holding compartment may be joined to the another closable fluid holding compartment to provide cooling to the fluid in the another closable fluid holding compartment. The joining face may be substantially identical to the complementary joining face of the another closable fluid holding compartment. The closable fluid holding compartment may be substantially identical to the another fluid holding compartment.

In another aspect of the invention, there is a method of cooling a fluid in a first fluid holding container. The method comprises freezing the contents of a second fluid holding container, and joining the second fluid holding container to the first fluid holding container via a complementary attachment on each of the first and second fluid holding containers. The frozen contents of the second fluid holding container provides proximity cooling to the fluid in the first fluid holding container. The complementary attachment of each container may comprise a symmetrical arrangement of at least one of an indentation and a protrusion on the exterior of each container. The first and second containers may be manufactured from PET. The at least one indentation and protrusion may be in a form of one or more alpha-numerals. The form of one or more alphanumerics may form the word COLA. The first and second container may each be closed with a cap covering an opening in each container. The contents of the second container may be a volume of the first fluid in addition to the first fluid in the first container. The contents of the second container may be a second fluid.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is a transiently-extant plastic drink bottle, comprising: a first closable fluid holding compartment having a first joining face on the exterior of the first compartment, the first joining face having at least one protrusion and at least one indentation; and a second closable fluid holding compartment having a second joining face on the exterior of the second compartment. The second joining face has at least one indentation and at least one protrusion complementary to the respective at least one protrusion and at least one indentation of the first joining face. The second compartment is joined to the first compartment by the first and second joining faces. On the first joining face the at least one protrusion is symmetrical to the at least one indentation, and on the second joining face the at least one indentation is symmetrical to the at least one protrusion. The first or second compartments may be filled with a fluid that may be frozen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of specific embodiments thereof and the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example only, the principles of the invention. In the drawings, where like elements feature like reference numerals (and wherein individual elements bear unique alphabetical suffixes):

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary bottle having multiple fluids in a single compartment;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a drink bottle according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of an alternate drink bottle;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of another alternative drink bottle;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of yet another alternative drink bottle;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a further alternative drink bottle;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of yet a further alternative drink bottle;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of another exemplary compartment of a drink bottle having indentations and protrusions on a joining face of the compartment;

FIG. 9 shows two views of the joining face of the closed internal compartments of FIG. 8, having indentations and protrusions;

FIG. 10 shows the internal compartment of FIG. 8 along with another similar compartment, with each of the compartment's joining faces opposite each other so as to allow for joining of closed internal compartments to form a transiently-extant plastic drink bottle;

FIG. 11 shows the two closed internal compartments of FIG. 10 separated and joined to form a transiently extant plastic drink bottle;

FIG. 12 shows an alternative style for indentations and protrusions on a joining face of an alternative closed internal compartment of a drink bottle;

FIG. 13 shows a further alternative style for a single indentation and single protrusion on a joining face of a further alternative closed internal compartment of a drink bottle; and

FIG. 14 shows an alternative joining scheme for forming transiently joining closed internal compartments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances alternative materials such as glass, carton or metal may be employed in the present invention. In an aspect of the invention, independent of material or specific drinking fluid, included is a transient joining of two or more closed internal compartments to form a single drink bottle holding two or more separate different drinking fluids. Fluid in one closed internal compartment may be frozen so as to cool the drinking fluid in a second closed internal compartment. When the frozen fluid has defrosted, it too may be imbibed so as to get maximal cooling and user benefit from the liquid filling the volume of the formed, transiently-extant drink bottle.

A drink bottle as described herein includes a transiently-extant bottle, and a bottle formed with multiple components. The bottle can be plastic, and which can both hold a plurality of separate drinking fluids and be opened and closed by a user. It can also be disposable, in that the bottle is single-use and can be made of any material composed of two or more closed internal compartments and fillable, or filled, with one or more drinking fluids. As described below, filled is simply taken to mean that a volume of fluid is inside a drink bottle or internal compartment, and does not necessarily imply any particular percentage, or total internal volume, is taken up by the fluid.

Fluid, or drinking fluids, can include any liquid beverage that may be imbibed. For example, water, fruit juices, milk and carbonated soft drinks are some non-limiting examples of drinking fluids. For example, drinking fluids in a plastic drink bottle or disposable drink bottle reside in minimally two closed internal compartments of a transiently-extent, or a permanently formed bottle with multiple components.

A closed internal compartment includes an element representing a drinking fluid container that may be made proximate to a second internal compartment of the same drink bottle, wither transiently-extent or otherwise. It can be a spatial element of any shape or volume capable of holding a drinking fluid alone, without fluid contact from drinking fluid in another closed internal compartment. Drinking fluid in one closed internal compartment may be frozen in a freezer or freezer unit of a refrigerator prior to addition of drinking fluid to a second closed internal compartment of the same transient drink bottle. The closed internal compartments of a single bottle may be manufactured separately and may be transiently joined together and separated by manufacturer or user.

The joining or joining together of closed internal compartments includes the process of combining two or more separate closed internal compartments to form a single transiently-extant plastic drink bottle or transiently-extent disposable drink bottle. Joining may be performed by physical attachment, interlocking or other means that are inherently reversible. Joining need not lend to a permanent attachment of closed internal compartments. “Closed internal compartment” and “closable fluid holding compartment” are interchangeable in the discussion herewith presented.

“Internal cap” includes a type of cap for a plastic drink bottle according to the present invention. In general, the internal cap can sit above the openings of the closed internal compartments and has a shape that allows for its movement or rotation so as to expose the opening of one closed internal compartment while closing off the openings of all other closed internal compartments of the same drink bottle. The internal cap may be placed in such a position that both closed internal compartments may be accessed (the internal cap covers half of the opening of each of the two closed internal compartments). The internal cap may be moved manually between the openings of internal compartments or may be rotated between the openings of the closed internal compartments.

“Cap” or “External cap” includes a cap for a drink bottle according to the present invention. The cap can sit above an opening associated with a single closed internal compartment. A cap or external cap may be associated with one closed internal compartment of a drink bottle according to one or more embodiments of the invention. Opening of a cap can allow for access to drinking fluid in closed internal compartment. The external cap may have a nipple to allow a user to drink directly from a plastic drink bottle. The external cap may have an “internal cap” as an integral part of the external cap construction.

“Nipple” can include a protrusion from an external cap, the protrusion-allowing for direct user drinking of drinking fluids in plastic drink bottle or disposable drink bottle associated with the external cap and nipple.

“User” includes a person who may obtain a drink bottle according to the present invention and drink the drinking fluid contents of the drink bottle.

“Plastic” with respect to a drinking bottle includes any polymeric material used in the construction of containers that hold drinking fluids. “Plastic” may refer to combinations of various organic materials used in the preparation of containers routinely used to hold water, soft drinks, natural juices and the like. “Plastic” may also include mixtures of organic with inorganic materials employed in the construction of drink bottles.

“Proximity” can refer to the position of drinking fluids relative to each other in distinct closed internal compartments. In some embodiments, proximity allows frozen drinking fluid of a first closed internal compartment to cool liquid drinking fluid of a second closed internal compartment, while warmer liquid drinking fluid in the second closed internal compartment may thaw frozen drinking fluid in the first closed internal compartment. The thickness of the material used in closed internal compartment manufacture may be selected to modulate the speed of cooling/defrosting of fluid contents of closed internal compartments.

“Period of time” can refer to the time required for a drinking fluid in a closed internal compartment to freeze and depends on the freezer employed as well as atmospheric conditions present in place of use of the present invention. Generally, the period of time required to freeze or significantly cool several hundred milliliters of an aqueous drinking fluid in a closed internal compartment placed in a freezer unit of a commercial refrigerator is approximately two hours or longer.

“Joining face” can refer to a side of a closed internal compartment that participates in transient joining of a closed internal compartment to another closed internal compartment. Protrusions and indentations or any other appropriate features can be formed on the joining face during manufacture of closed internal compartments and can be wholly integral to the closed internal compartment.

“Features” on a joining face of a closed internal compartment can include elements that facilitate transient joining together of closed internal compartments to form a transiently-extant plastic bottle. Features include, but are not limited to, protrusions and indentations, bulging and sunken letters, number, geometrical shapes or symbols. The features on joining faces of closed internal compartments can be complementary; that is a protruding feature on a first closed internal compartment can fit into a corresponding depression feature in a second joining closed internal compartment. “Complementary” joining faces includes faces that can be joined to form a free-standing transiently-extant plastic drink bottle or a transiently-extant disposable drink bottle.

“Protrusion” can refer to plastic that bulges from a joining face of a closed internal compartment. Protrusions can be of shape, size, and number so as to allow for their insertion into indentations of a proximate closed internal compartment.

“Indentation” can refer to a depression in a joining face of a closed internal compartment that allow for reception of an appropriately-shaped protrusion for the purpose of transiently joining closed internal compartments. Indentations can generally be slightly larger than protrusions so as to allow for easy fit of protrusion into indentation. Indendations can be of shape, size, and number so as to allow for their facile reception of protrusions of a proximate closed internal compartment.

“Transiently-extant” can refer to a drink bottle, including a plastic drink bottle and a disposable drink bottle, made from joining two or more closed internal compartments in a non-permanent arrangement. In some embodiments, closed internal compartments can be manufactured separately and may be joined and separated freely and repeatedly by either manufacturer or user. Thus, a drink bottle, plastic or otherwise, according to some of the embodiments of the present invention herewith disclosed may exist transiently through joining of closed internal compartments through complementary faces. Though a user may choose not to separate closed internal compartments, the resultant transiently-extant drink bottle can be considered “transiently-extant” due to the inherent ability to separate compartments at any time. There need not be any time limit to the transient nature of physical joining of closed internal compartment. Additionally, there are no limits on the specific physical means employed in transiently joining closed internal compartments.

“PET” and “PETE” are known in the chemical arts and can refer to polyethylene terephthalate. “Preform” has its normal meaning as applied to PET bottle preparation. Preforms in the present invention may be used as supplied or may be modified prior to use.

“Lip” can refer to a physical protrusion from the top or the bottom of a closed internal compartment that allows for transient joining of two or more closed internal compartments. The lip of one closed internal compartment can sit over and hold in place a second closed internal compartment.

Without being bound by any particular theory, the following discussion is offered to facilitate understanding of the invention. The plastic drink bottle assembly described herewith offers rapid, long-term cooling of drinking fluids without loss of composition or dilution of drinking fluid. The bottle utilizes a novel method of providing for two closed internal compartments with drinking fluids such that freezing of drinking fluid in one closed internal compartment allows for cooling of drinking fluid in a second closed internal compartment. The advantages of the present invention include the ability to have two unique fluids available to a user at one time (independent of any cooling), as well as the option of having cold drinks available for an extended period of time. This latter outcome is due to a frozen first drinking fluid in one closed internal compartment cooling a second drinking fluid, while said second drinking fluid warms up the frozen first fluid to make the latter fluid also available for drinking. The combination of two (or more) closed internal compartments into one plastic drink bottle allows for maximal drink benefit without loss of volume to the contents of unconsumed freezer sticks or similar cooling elements. The two drinking fluids as used in the present invention may combine for 2 or more hours of cold beverage availability.

A plastic drink bottle according to the present invention may be prepared as a single bottle with two closed internal compartments, or alternatively as two closed internal compartments that may be joined after manufacture to form a single plastic drink bottle. Post-use cleaning of a plastic drink bottle allows for its possible reuse. A user may add any drinking fluid to either closed internal compartment to allow for enjoyment of different drinking fluids alone or in combination. Alternatively, he/she may freeze drinking fluid in one closed internal compartment for cooling of a second drinking fluid in a second closed internal compartment. Manufacture of closed internal compartments could include protrusions and indentations on one side of the closed internal compartments. Placing protrusions of a first closed internal compartment into indentations of a second closed internal compartment allows for formation of a single plastic drink bottle from two closed internal compartments. Uniquely, each closed internal compartments sports minimally one protrusion and one indentation to facilitate transient joining to form a drink bottle or disposable drink bottle.

In the figures associated with the description below, the drinking fluids do not reach the top of the bottle only for ease of numbering of the various elements in the invention. As envisioned in the present invention, drinking fluids in the closed internal compartments can reach the top of the closed internal compartments. A drink bottle according to the present invention minimally has two closed internal compartments. A plastic drink bottle according to the present invention may be made with closed internal compartments formed (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) during manufacture of drink bottle. In FIG. 3, there is shown two closed internal compartments side by side and a single cap allows for access to fluid contents of one or both closed internal compartments. Alternatively, the closed internal compartments may be manufactured separately and joined together at a later time either before or after addition of drinking fluids (FIG. 4 and FIG. 5). The closed internal compartments, when manufactured separately and joined at a later time, may be joined either by manufacturer, user or other entity. In FIG. 4, there is shown closed internal compartments that are produced separately and assembled for a final plastic drink bottle, and in FIG. 5, there is shown closed internal compartments are produced separately with caps and filled with drinking fluids before being joined together to form a final plastic drink bottle.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which shows a development prototype of the present invention. Plastic drink bottle (110) was provided. Said plastic drink bottle (110) was half-filled with drinking fluid (120) water, and the plastic drink bottle (110) was placed on its side in the freezer unit of a refrigerator (Magic Chef™, Maytag™, Chicago). After sitting in the freezer overnight, the plastic drink bottle (110) was removed with frozen drinking fluid (120) as seen on left side of bottle. A second drinking fluid (130, grape juice, Tapuzina, Israel) was added and was immediately cooled by the presence of frozen first drinking fluid (120). As this early prototype did not have a separator (see 250 in FIG. 2 and 350 in FIG. 3 below) defining closed internal compartments, the 500 milliliters of drinking fluid (120) water eventually thawed (over four hours) and significantly diluted drinking fluid (130) which then became less enjoyable to imbibe.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A plastic drink bottle (210) with an external cap (260) has an internal cap (265) that may close one of two closed internal compartments (240) containing drinking fluids (220, 230). A plastic separator (250) separates the two closed internal compartments (240). The advantage of this preferred embodiment is several fold. Firstly, one can add fluid (230) to one closed internal compartment (240, LEFT) without prefilling the second closed internal compartment (240, RIGHT). Additionally, one can drink either drinking fluid (220, 230) in the closed internal compartments (240) by rotating or moving the internal cap (265)—and thus access the full contents of the plastic drink bottle (210). There is no volume loss to non-portable drinking elements. The cap (260) and the internal cap (265) may be a single element and are shown as distinct elements for convenience only. The internal cap (265) sits at the openings of the closed internal compartments (240) and may be rotated or manually moved to close (black color 265) one of the two closed internal compartments (240), thus exposing the other closed internal compartment (240). The cap (260) seals the bottle completely. For use of this embodiment for liquid cooling, user would add drinking fluid (230) to one closed internal compartment (240) and then close this closed internal compartment (240, LEFT) with the internal cap (265). The plastic drink bottle (210) would then be placed in a freezer. When the fluid (230) in the closed internal compartment (240) had frozen, said plastic drink bottle (210) would be removed from freezer and drinking fluid (220) would be added to the second closed internal compartment (240, RIGHT). The cap (260) would then be closed. A user would have immediate access to cold drinking fluid (220) and after the drinking fluid (230) in the closed internal compartment (240, LEFT) has defrosted he/she may rotate the internal cap (265) and drink this fluid (230) as well. Alternatively, one may add different drinking fluids (220, 230) to the two closed internal compartments (240) and imbibe them either together (internal cap [265] rotated to partially exposed openings of both closed internal compartment) or separately.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the two closed internal compartments are shown as equal sized. In point of fact, they may be of any size or shape, and they may be placed either side-by-side or with one closed internal compartment surrounded by the other closed internal compartment (not shown).

FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of a drink bottle (310) having two closed internal compartments (340), each filled with a unique drinking fluid (320, 330) and separated by a separator (350). An internal cap (365) sitting at the opening of the closed internal compartments (340) allows for selective access to contents of one or both closed internal compartments (340), while external cap (360) with nipple (370) allows for both full closure of disposable drink bottle (310) as well as direct imbibing of either drinking fluid (320 or 330) from said disposable drink bottle (310). In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3 the internal cap (365) is open for the right closed internal compartment (340) while being closed (shown as black) for the left closed internal compartment (340). It will be appreciated that drink bottles and/or individual compartments can be disposable or reusable, in part based on the material used to form the bottle/internal compartments.

FIG. 4. shows an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. Closed internal compartments (440) are prepared separately (TOP of figure). Each closed internal compartment (440) may hold a unique drinking fluid. For construction of a single plastic drink bottle (410), the two closed internal compartments (440) are joined (BOTTOM of figure) together. The separate closed internal compartments may be joined together either by any means. When the closed internal compartments are manufactured separately as in this preferred embodiment, a separator (450) is formed by sides of the closed internal compartments that directly contact one another. In this embodiment, external cap (460) closes the openings of the closed internal compartments (440). Drinking fluids (420, 430) are added to closed internal compartments (440) after the closed internal compartments (440) have been joined (BOTTOM of figure).

FIG. 5. shows an alternative preferred embodiment of a disposable drink bottle. Closed internal compartments (540) are manufactured separately, each with its own cap (560) (TOP of figure). Each closed internal compartment (540) holds a unique drinking fluid (530 and 520). For use, the two closed internal compartments (540) are joined (BOTTOM of figure) for formation of a single plastic drink bottle (510) with two distinct caps (560). The separate closed internal compartments (540) may be held together by any means including but not limited to gluing or interlocking of closed internal compartments (540). An option base element (580) might be used to hold closed internal compartments (540) in place.

The efficacy theory of the embodiments may be explained as follows:

(1) that by isolating drinking fluids in distinct closed internal compartments, one allows users to express their unique taste in beverages in a single beverage container;

(2) that by freezing a fluid in a first closed internal compartment one allows for cooling of drinking fluid in a second adjacent closed internal compartment. The result is access to cold drinking fluids for an extended period of time measured in the hours;

(3) that by freezing only the fluid in the closed internal compartment and not the adjacent drinking fluid, one prevents dilution and degradation of drinking fluid; and

(4) that said plastic drink bottle allows both vendors and users to make unique combinations of drinks for sale or use. A vendor might have cola in one closed internal compartment and frozen water in a second closed internal compartment, while a user might clean and reuse the same plastic drink bottle with apple juice in one closed internal compartment and orange juice in a second closed internal compartment.

Example of Use Ho. 1

• • An empty 500 milliliter plastic drink bottle (210) with two 250 milliliter closed drinking compartments (240) separated by a plastic separator (250) is purchased. User adds water as drinking fluid (230) to a first internal compartment (240, LEFT). He/she closes said closed internal compartment (240) with an internal cap (265) and then closes the plastic drink bottle (210) with external cap (260). The plastic drink bottle (210) is placed in a freezer for three hours at which time drinking fluid (230) has frozen. User adds drinking fluid (220) to a second closed internal compartment (240, RIGHT). The drinking fluid (240) is immediately cooled by the frozen drinking fluid (230) in the adjacent closed internal compartment (240, LEFT). When user has finished imbibing the drinking fluid (220), he/she may rotate the internal cap (265) to access the thawed drinking fluid (230) in the first closed internal compartment (240, LEFT). The user has benefited from both cooling of drinking fluid (220) and maximal drinking fluids (220 and 230 combined) available.

Example of Use No. 2

• • A 1000 milliliter disposable drink bottle (310) is produced from paper carton with two 500 milliliter closed internal compartments (340) side by side in the disposable drink bottle (310) that includes a nipple (370) attached to a cap (360). A separator (350) separates the two closed internal compartments (340). A manufacturer places milk as drinking fluid (330) in a first closed internal compartment (340, LEFT) and chocolate milk as drinking fluid (320) in a second closed internal compartment (340, RIGHT). An internal cap (365) keeps one closed internal compartment (340, LEFT) closed while keeping the second closed internal compartment (340, RIGHT) open. An external cap (360) seals the disposable drinking bottle (310) completely. A user may move the internal cap (365) to choose which drinking fluid (320, 330) he/she wishes to imbibe directly from the disposable drink bottle (310) by way of cap (360) and associated nipple (370).

Example of Use No. 3

• • 500 milliliter plastic closed internal compartments (540) are produced separately and filled with either water drinking fluid (530) or cola drinking fluid (540). The closed internal compartment (540) with water drinking fluid (530) is placed in a freezer. A user selects closed internal compartment (540) with frozen water drinking fluid (530) and manually joins it together with closed internal compartment (540) with room-temperature cola drinking fluid (520). The user joins the two closed internal compartments through the agency of a protrusions and indentations in the plastic closed internal compartments (not shown) to form a single plastic drinking bottle (510).

Cost of manufacture for the compartments/bottles the present invention can be as low as currently available for production based on the selected material, filling and sealing of the closed internal compartment requires no new technology in the manufacture of drink bottles or component closed internal compartments.

The drink bottles and closed internal compartments described in the present invention may be of any size, shape and material. Other drink holding items such as water backpacks may also be prepared according to the present invention with the one proviso that there is no direct fluid-fluid contact between drinking fluids present in the two (or more) closed internal compartments. Since any drinking fluids may be added to a closed internal compartment, users will have the ability to choose their favorite drinks to take along with them. By reusing the bottle, significantly fewer disposable bottles will need to be produced on an annual basis. Beverage bottles made from paper carton such as those routinely employed for milk and milk products are also appropriate for the pre-sent invention. Referring to FIG. 6, carton closed internal compartments (640) are produced and filled with milk drinking fluid (620) and chocolate milk drinking fluid (630) (TOP of FIG. 6) and are then glued together to form disposable drink bottle (610) that has no external or internal caps as carton drink containers are often opened manually by user to expose milk-based beverages including liquid yogurts. In FIG. 6, there is shown closed internal compartments from carton that are produced for a disposable drink bottle for milk-based products.

The drink bottle described herewith has been shown with closed internal compartments immediately adjacent one to another. In a case where there is no interest in cooling one drinking fluid through the presence of another frozen drinking fluid, one can have a physical separation of closed internal compartments as shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 therefore shows closed internal compartments are separated by a spacer. Closed internal compartments (740) holding drinking fluids (720, 730) are separated by a spacer (755) in disposable drink bottle (710) sporting two external caps (760).

The method and device described herewith have application to both hard-plastic and soft-plastic drink bottles. Polycarbonate, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephalate (PET), polypropylene, and polystyrene are non-limiting examples of plastics that are amenable for use in the present invention. The present invention may contribute to a significant reduction in the production of disposable drink bottles. Reuse and recombination of closed internal compartments will lead to fewer disposable drink bottles being discarded to the environment on a yearly basis.

The invention described herewith has particular application to the disposable plastic bottle market. Specifically, the methods and devices described herewith can be used for, but not necessarily exclusively for, application with PET bottle manufacturing procedures. For any bottle to enter the mass-produced PET bottle market, there must be no significant change in practice for production of bottles. Beverage manufacture practice today includes producing disposable bottles on site from a small precursor (preform) made of PET. When a preform is placed in a mold and then treated with hot air, PET expands to assume the dimensions and shape of the mold. After bottle production, the bottles are filled with beverage and then prepared for shipping to distributors. In the present invention, a transiently-extant plastic drink bottle is composed minimally of two closed internal compartments. Each closed internal compartment may be made from a single PET perform by a procedure identical to the one in use by beverage manufacturers today for making PET bottles. A perform according to the present invention may be used as supplied, or it may be modified to add or modify elements associated with the preform. One change in the present invention is that each mold yields only half of a complete bottle, or more specifically a single closed internal compartment. Such a closed internal compartment is free-standing and has a bottle neck which is amenable to both filling and capping. Additionally, the mold yields a joining face of the closed internal compartment with certain features that allow for facile transient joining of one closed internal compartment to another. The size, number and specific shape of the features are determined to allow facile joining of two closed internal compartments to form a single transiently-extant drink bottle. Joining of closed internal compartments may allow for cooling of a drinking fluid as well as user-driven combination of beverages for consumption.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8. A closed internal compartment (840) produced of PET is shown with external cap (860). On a joining face (852) of the closed internal compartment (840), protrusion (853) and indentation (854) features are present. Said features are products of the shape of the mold (not shown) used with a PET preform (not shown) to form said closed internal compartment (840) as per standard PET blow molding methodology. The number, shape and specific dimensions of said protrusion (853) and indentation (854) features may vary according to the specific size and shape of the final plastic drink bottle.

One is referred to FIG. 9 to further clarify the joining face (952) of the closed internal compartment (940). In this figure, the joining face (952) of closed internal compartment (940) is shown from two perspectives. In both cases, protrusion (953) and indentation (954) features are shown on one side or joining face (952) of the closed internal compartment (940). The figure on the right side of the drawing is the same as the one the left after a 90 degree counter-clockwise rotation. Note that the joining face (952) that contains protrusion (953) and indentation (954) features does not have to be flat and the closed internal compartment (940) does not need to be square in shape. The closed internal compartment (940) may be any appropriate shape as long as joining face features allow for facile, reversible joining of closed internal compartments (940). Note that a closed internal compartment (940) comes with its own external cap (960) that fits over an opening (944) of the closed internal compartment (940). Said opening (944) facilitates filling of closed internal compartment (940) with drinking fluid. Each closed internal compartment (940) having its own external cap (960) allows for the separate filling and separate sale of closed internal compartments (940).

FIG. 10 shows two closed internal compartments (1040), each with external cap (1060). The closed internal compartments (1040) are placed with their joining face (1052) regions facing one another. As shown, protrusion (1053) features from the left closed internal compartment (1040) can be directed towards indentation (1054) features in the right closed internal compartment (1040). Thus, a single closed internal compartment (1040) mold can produce numerous closed internal compartments (1040) that can be joined together two at a time (as suggested by arrow 1071) to form a single transiently-extant plastic drink bottle. This state of affairs results from protrusion (1053) features and indentation (1054) features being on a single joining face (1052) of closed internal compartment (1040) and that 180 degree rotation of one closed internal compartment (1040) relative to another enables protrustion (1053) features of one closed internal compartment (1040) to be opposite indentation (1054) features of the other closed internal compartment (1040).

From FIG. 10, it can be seen in the exemplary embodiment that each fillable, and closable, compartment (1060) of a drink bottle can be each provided with complementary attachments that permit joining of the compartments (1040) to form a transiently-extant drink bottle. In this example, the complementary attachments take the form of protusions (1053) connecting to indentations (1054). Of course, other complementary attachments can be used in other embodiments.

Also from FIG. 10, it can be seen in this example that each compartment 1060 provides indentation (1053) features that are symmetrical to protrusion (1054) features on its joining face (1052). It will be appreciated that the symmetrical nature of the arrangement of complementary attachments permit two substantially identical joining faces, or compartments to be connected to one another. This will tend to be advantageous to simplify manufacturing processes, for example by molding only a single bottle/compartment that can be joined to other similarly molded bottle/compartment. It will also be appreciated that a bottle/compartment can have multiple joining faces, so that it can be at joined to multiple other bottles/compartments. For example, if each of the four largest surface area external walls of the compartments shown in FIG. 10 had complementary attachments thereon, the number of compartments attachable together can then be greater than two, and attachments can grow indefinitely subject considerations such as to weight, size and attachment strength. Thus, in various embodiments it is possible, for example, to cool a first compartment of non-frozen fluid by four other compartments having a frozen fluid therein attached to each such joining wall of the first compartment (or even cooling with eight other compartments having a frozen fluid therein, if arranged in a three-by-three square in which the first compartment is placed in the middle of the square). It will be appreciated that many combinations of frozen and non-frozen fluids can be arranged in different embodiments, having regard to the number of complementary joining faces are provided on each compartment.

Referring now to FIG. 11, one can see the manner by which closed internal compartments (1140) are joined to form a transiently-extant plastic drink bottle (1110). Each closed internal compartment (1140) at the top of the figure shows a joining face (1152) with associated protrusion (1153) features and indentation (1154) features. Such features are clearly visible on both closed internal compartments (1140) shown on the top portion of the figure. In the bottom of the figure, the two closed internal compartments (1140) have been joined to form a transiently-extant plastic drink bottle (1110) by virtue of insertion of protrusion (1153) features from one closed internal compartment (1140) into indentation (1154) features from the other closed internal compartment (1140). In the transiently-extant plastic drink bottle (1110) at the bottom of the figure, the protrusion features and indentation features are not shown for purposes of clarity. The transiently-extant plastic drink bottle (1110) is transiently-extant in that one may at any time separate the closed internal compartments (1140). This arrangement tends to allow for greater user selection of beverages as well as the ability to combine and separate closed internal compartments (1140) and their contents at will. Each closed internal compartment (1140) comes with a separate external cap (1160) to cover an opening (see 944 of FIG. 9) so as to allow each closed internal compartment (1140) to stand alone. In contrast, prior art drinking bottle arrangement with fixed cavities such as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 7,157,040 does not have an ability of exchanging beverage-filled cavities or potentially placing half of a bottle in a refrigerator or a freezer for later use.

Reference is now made to FIG. 12. In this figure, a closed internal compartment (1240) is shown with an opening (1244) through which drinking fluid may be added. On the joining face (1252) of the closed internal compartment (1240) are protrusion (1253) features and indentation (1254) features. Note that the number of each type of feature is eight and note that the protrusion (1253) features are in the shape of the word “COLA” while indentation (1254) features are in the shape of COLA spelled backwards (so as to receive protrusions from a complementary joining face [1252] of a second closed internal compartment [1240]). Thus, one may use the protrusion (1253) features and indentation (1254) features as a form of advertising for the manufacturer of beverages sold in closed internal compartments (1240). Thus, in various embodiments alphanumerics may be used as shapes for protrusions and indentations on a joining face.

It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, other shapes, sizes and/or numbers of complementary indentations and protrusions can be used.

Reference is now made to FIG. 13, where a closed internal compartment (1340) is shown with a single protrusion (1353) feature and single indentation (1354) feature on a joining face (1352). Another alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 14, in which FIG. 14 (Top) shows two closed internal compartments (1440) that can be joined to form a transiently-extant drink bottle (Bottom, 1410) by virtue of their shape and without recourse to protrusion features or indentation features on the face (1452) of the closed internal compartments (1440). A lip (1457) is employed to hold the closed internal compartments (1440) together to form a transiently-extant drink bottle (1410). No protrusions or indentations or similar features are employed.

One of the advantages of the embodiments herein described is the ability for a user to purchase a closed internal compartment with a room-temperature drinking fluid as well as a closed internal compartment with a frozen drinking fluid. At time of purchase, he/she can join the two closed internal compartments to form a transiently-extant plastic drink bottle that allows for cooling of the room-temperature drinking fluid by virtue of its non-contact proximity to the frozen drinking fluid.

One of the reasons why billions of PET bottles are being thrown away annually in the US is their current lack of extended functionality. One just drinks the contents of a beverage bottle and throws the bottle away. Landfills are filling up with these bottles and many municipalities are looking for means of reducing the future presence of plastic drink bottles. The present invention, due to its ability to provide extended periods of drink cooling as well as user-designed, alterable drink combinations may reduce the future number of PET bottles annually thrown away.

Another advantage of the present invention relates to beverage freshness. If both closed internal compartments joined to form a single transiently-extant drink bottle contain the same beverage, opening one of the closed internal compartments and drinking its drinking fluid content leaves the other closed internal compartment closed and its contents fresh. This application is most relevant for carbonated beverages that have a tendency for losing their gas (“going flat”) as well as for milk which often goes bad shortly after opening of a milk bottle.

The present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, however those versed in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and alterations may be carried out without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims. Therefore, the embodiments and examples described here are in no means intended to limit the scope or spirit of the methodology and associated devices related to the present invention. The transiently-extant drink bottles and closed internal compartments described in the present invention may be of any size and shape. Since any drinking fluid may be added to a closed internal compartment, users will have the ability to choose their favorite drinks to take along with them. By reusing the bottle, significantly fewer disposable bottles will need to be produced on an annual basis. Beverage bottles made from paper carton such as those routinely employed for milk and milk products are also appropriate for the present invention. The specific means of joining carton-based closed internal compartments will be the subject of another patent application filing.

Claims

1. A closable fluid holding compartment having a joining face on the exterior of the compartment, the joining face having at least one protrusion and at least one indentation for joining to a complementary joining face of another closable fluid holding compartment.

2. The closable fluid holding compartment of claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion is symmetrical to the at least one indentation.

3. The closable fluid holding compartment of claim 2, wherein the closable fluid holding compartment is manufactured from PET.

4. The closable fluid holding compartment of claim 3, wherein the at least one protrusion and at least one indentation are in a form of one or more alphanumerics.

5. The closable fluid holding compartment of claim 4, wherein the form of one or more alphanumerics form the word COLA.

6. The closable fluid holding compartment of claim 5, wherein the compartment is filled with a fluid through a closable opening in the compartment, and the opening is thereafter closed by a cap.

7. The closable fluid holding compartment of claim 6, wherein the fluid filled-compartment is frozen.

8. The closable fluid holding compartment of claim 7, wherein the another closable fluid holding compartment is filled with a fluid, and the closable fluid holding compartment is joined to the another closable fluid holding compartment to provide cooling to the fluid in the another closable fluid holding compartment.

9. The closable fluid holding compartment of claim 8, wherein the joining face is substantially identical to the complementary joining face of the another closable fluid holding compartment.

10. The closable fluid holding compartment of claim 9, wherein the closable fluid holding compartment is substantially identical to the another fluid holding compartment.

11. A method of cooling a fluid in a first fluid holding container, comprising:

freezing the contents of a second fluid holding container; and,

joining the second fluid holding container to the first fluid holding container via a complementary attachment on each of the first and second fluid holding containers, whereby the frozen contents of the second fluid holding container provides proximity cooling to the fluid in the first fluid holding container.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the complementary attachment of each container comprise a symmetrical arrangement of at least one of an indentation and a protrusion on the exterior of each container.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first and second containers are manufactured from PET.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one of an indentation and a protrusion are in a form of one or more alphanumerics.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the form of one or more alphanumerics form the word COLA.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the first and second container are each closed with a cap covering an opening in each container.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the contents of the second container is a volume of the first fluid in addition to the first fluid in the first container.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the contents of the second container is a second fluid.

19. A transiently-extant plastic drink bottle, comprising:

a first closable fluid holding compartment having a first joining face on the exterior of the first compartment, the first joining face having at least one protrusion and at least one indentation; and a second closable fluid holding compartment having a second joining face on the exterior of the second compartment, the second joining face having at least one indentation and at least one protrusion complementary to the respective at least one protrusion and at least one indentation of the first joining face, the second compartment being joined to the first compartment by the first and second joining faces, wherein on the first joining face the at least one protrusion is symmetrical to the at least one indentation, and on the second joining face the at least one indentation is symmetrical to the at least one protrusion.

20. The transiently-extant plastic drink bottle of claim 19, wherein at least one of the first and second compartments are filled with a fluid that is frozen.