COMPARTMENTALIZED CONTAINER

Abstract

A compartmentalized container filled with all of the ingredients for a desired cocktail or meal that can be easily dispersed into the traditional cup or glass for the desired cocktail or meal. The compartmentalized container including a container, a membrane placed on the open end of the container, a coupler attached to the open end of the container, the coupler is adapted to receive a glass.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/395,217 filed May 10, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a compartmentalized container. More particularly, the invention provides a prefilled compartmentalized container having a plurality of separate components and a coupler which can be released into a standard drinking cup or container, to form a desired beverage or other form of meal.

Containers having multiple compartments containing all of the ingredients needed to complete a desired cocktail beverage are well known. This arrangement is particularly advantageous where at least one or more of the various ingredients degrades, discolors, or loses freshness after mixing. Unfortunately, the compartmentalized containers are not aesthetically pleasing to the users, requiring the consumers to have their cocktails transferred into a traditional glass specific for the type of cocktail. Dispensing the ingredients from the known compartmentalized container into the traditional cup or glass is difficult.

As can be seen, there is a need to provide a compartmentalized container filled with all of the ingredients for a desired cocktail that can be easily dispersed into the traditional cup or glass for the desired cocktail.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a compartmentalized container filled with all of the ingredients necessary to prepare a desired cocktail or meal which is easy to transport and manipulate.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a compartmentalized container including a coupler design to facilitate transferring all the ingredients from the compartmentalized container into a traditional cup or glass for the desired cocktail or meal.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a universal coupler that allows connecting the compartmentalized container of the present invention with the traditional cup or glass for the desired cocktail or meal, regardless of their size.

In one aspect of the present invention, a compartmentalized container including a container, a membrane placed on the open end of the container, a coupler attached to the open end of the container, the coupler is adapted to receive a glass.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a illustrates an exploided view of a compartmentalized container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing a coupler to be secure to the container;

FIG. 1b illustrates an exploided view of a compartmentalized container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing the coupler integrated into the container;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective front view of the compartmentalized container and traditional glass of FIG. 1 in a non-working position;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective front view of the compartmentalized container and traditional glass of FIG. 1 in a working position;

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed view of FIG. 2 showing the connection between the compartmentalized container and the traditional glass;

FIG. 5a illustrates a perspective front view of a coupler according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5b illustrates a perspective front view of the coupler according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5c illustrates a perspective front view of the coupler according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a compartmentalized container filled with all of the ingredients for a desired cocktail or meal that can be easily dispersed into the traditional cup or glass for the desired cocktail or meal.

FIGS. 1a-b illustrates a compartmentalized container 10 including a container 15 including a plurality of compartments 20 which separate and independently store a predetermined amount of different ingredients for preparing a desired cocktail or meal. The amount of the ingredients may depend on the recipe of the desired cocktail or meal.

The container 15 includes a bottom end 25, a side wall 30 rising from the bottom end 25, and an open end 35 opposite of the bottom end 25. A membrane 40 may be placed on the open end 35 of the container 15. A coupler 45 may be securely attached to the open end 35 of the container 15. The coupler 45 may be adapted to receive a traditional glass 50.

The container 15 may be made of a material suitable for holding liquids, edible material, solvent based materials, or corrosive materials. In some embodiments, the container 15 may be made of plastic, paper coated with plastic or wax, glass, ceramic, metal, polymers, non-corrosive material, food grade material, or laminated materials. The size of the container 15 may depend on the amount of cocktail, food, or mixture to be prepared. The container 15 may have any standard shape for a container for holding liquids. In some embodiments, the container 15 may have the shape of a commercially available plastic cup or plastic glass. In some embodiments, the container 15 may be made of a transparent material to allow the consumer to see ingredients.

The compartments 20 may be built into the container 15 or may be a separated element from the container 15. The compartments 20 may be made of a non-reactive and impermeable material. In some embodiments, the compartments 20 may be made of plastic, paper coated with plastic or wax, polymers, or laminated materials. The number of compartments 20 may depend on the number of ingredients necessary to prepare the cocktail.

The compartments 20 may be filled out with at least one of an alcoholic component, egg-white, coconut milk, oranges, limes, grenadine, olives, cherries, menthe, lemon juice, syrup, bitters, mint, water, club soda, pineapples, fruits, fruit juice, sugar, water, honey, cream, milk, herbs, chocolate, vanilla, cereal, nuts, milk, or whatever is required for the particular beverage or meal to be formed. The alcoholic component may be rum, vodka, tequila, whiskey, scotch, Kahlua, Irish cream, Frangelico, amaretto, gin, or any other form of distilled spirits or premixed liquors or alcohols.

In some embodiments, the container 15 and the compartment 20 may be made of the same material or different materials.

The membrane 40 may be tightly fit into the open end 35 of the container 15. The membrane 40 may seal each ingredient inside their respective compartment 20 preventing the unintended premature contact between the ingredients. The membrane 40 may include a tap 42 to facilitate grasping the membrane 40 when removing the membrane 40 from the open end 35 of the container 15. The membrane 40 may be made of a soft and food grade material. In some embodiments, the membrane 40 may be made of food grade plastic, food grade silicone, rubber, cork, polymer, or foil.

The membrane 40 may be attached to the open end 35 of the container 15 by using adhesive, pressure fitting, hot melt, or any other known method which may create a watertight seal.

The traditional glass 50 may be any commercially available cup or glass used to serve a cocktail drink. The traditional glass 50 may be made of plastic, glass, metal, ceramic, or foam. The traditional cup 50 may be a martini glass, a plastic cup, a standard glass, a margarita glass, a foam cup, a paper cup, or a coffee mug. The size of the traditional glass 50 may be slightly larger than the size of the container 15.

The coupler 45 may be placed between the container 15 and the traditional glass 50. The coupler 45 may form a watertight engagement between the container 15 and the traditional glass 50; thus, when turned upside down they do not disengage.

The coupler 45 may have a top rim 55, a central portion 60, and bottom rim 65. The walls of the coupler 45 may taper from the top rim 55 towards the central portion 60 and from the bottom rim 65 towards the central portion 60. The tapering of the walls of the coupler 45 provides the coupler 45 with the ability to accept different sizes of traditional glass 50, providing a universal size coupler.

The coupler 45 may be built into the container 15 or may be a separate piece from the container 15. The coupler 45 may be designed to firmly accommodate the traditional glass 50 in the inside of the coupler 45 or a larger cup in the outside of the coupler 45. In some embodiments, the coupler 45 may include a plurality of steps having different diameters on its interior side The plurality of internal steps may help to firmly adapt or accommodate to the different sizes of traditional cups 50 providing strong seal. Also, a seal of food grade material, plastic, silicone, rubber, cork, polymer or foil can be used to prevent any spillage of the contents while shaking.

The bottom rim 65 of the coupler 45 may be securely attached to the open end 35 of the container 15 forming a watertight seal. The bottom rim 65 may help in securing the membrane 40 to the open end 35 of the container adding additional strength to the membrane 40. The top rim 55 of the coupler may be adapted to be securely connected to an open end 70 of the traditional glass 50.

The top rim 55 and the bottom rim 65 may include a locking means 75.

In one embodiment shown on FIG. 5b, the locking mechanisms 75 may include oppositely directed end portions that may engage by pressure with the open end 35 of the container 15 and with the open end 70 of the container 50 thereby forming a watertight assembly.

In another embodiment shown on FIG. 5a, the locking mechanism 75 may include threads on at least one of the ends of the coupler to secure the coupler 45 to the container 15 and/or the traditional glass 50.

In another embodiment shown on FIG. 5c, the locking mechanism 75 may include lips placed on the top rim 55 and the bottom rim 65 to secure the coupler 45 to the container 15 and/or the traditional glass 50.

In another embodiment, the locking mechanism 75 may include clips, fasteners, or clamps placed on the top rim 55 and the bottom rim 65 to secure the coupler 45 to the container 15 and/or the traditional glass 50.

In some embodiments, the coupler 45 may include a piercing means (not shown) placed around the bottom rim 65 to pierce the membrane 40. The piercing means (not shown) may be blades or teeth.

The compartmentalized container 10 may provide the user with an easy way to transport and serve a cocktail drink without requiring the user to look for the ingredients. The compartmentalized container 10 may be used by the transportation industry, including airlines, cruise ships, limos, and trains. It will no longer be necessary to take time out to mix drinks while moving, and the mess involved with mixing drinks on the move can be avoided.

The user may remove the compartmentalized container 10 from the shipping package, remove the membrane 40 from the open end 35, secure the coupler 45 to the open end 35, place a traditional glass 50 on the opposite side of the coupler 45, and invert the container 15 to mix the ingredients. Optionally, the user may add ice to the cocktail.

The present invention may also include a kit containing the pre-filled compartmentalized container 10 and the coupler 45. In some embodiments, the kit may include the traditional glass 50. The traditional glass 50 on the kit may resemble the standard glass use to serve the cocktail drink of the kit.

The compartmentalized container 10 according to the present invention may be use on the painting industry by filling the compartments 20 with paints, sealants, primers, small brushes, thinner, or any other material necessary for repairing a wall.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A compartmentalized container comprising:

a container including a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of compartments;

a membrane placed on the open end of the container;

a coupler attached to the open end of the container, wherein the coupler is adapted to receive a glass.

2. The compartmentalized container according to claim 1, wherein the compartments are fill with a predetermined amount of different ingredients to prepare a cocktail drink.

3. The compartmentalized container according to claim 1, wherein the compartments are built into the container.

4. The compartmentalized container according to claim 1, wherein the glass is a martini glass, a plastic cup, a standard glass, a margarita glass, a foam cup, a paper cup, or a coffee mug.

5. The compartmentalized container according to claim 1, wherein the coupler forms a watertight engagement between the container and the glass

6. The compartmentalized container according to claim 1, wherein the coupler includes a top rim, a central portion, a bottom rim, and a wall rising from the bottom rim to the top rim, wherein the wall of the coupler tapers from the top rim towards the central portion and from the bottom rim towards the central portion.

7. The compartmentalized container according to claim 1, wherein the coupler is built into the container.

8. The compartmentalized container according to claim 6, wherein the top rim and the bottom rim include a locking means.

9. The compartmentalized container according to claim 8, wherein the locking means includes at least one of oppositely directed end portions, threads, lips, clips, fasteners, or clamps placed on the top rim and the bottom rim to secure the coupler to the container and the glass.

10. The compartmentalized container according to claim 6, further including piercing means located around the bottom rim.

11. The compartmentalized container according to claim 10, wherein the piercing means are selected from blades or teeth.