Dual Compartment Drinking System

Abstract

A dual compartment drinking system comprising a dual compartment container and a drinking lid. The dual compartment container includes a first compartment and a second compartment separated by a dividing strip, a neck positioned atop the dual compartment container, and a thread circumnavigating the neck. The drinking cap attached includes a top to cover the drinking cap, a peripheral edge attached to an outer portion of the top, where the peripheral edge extends down perpendicularly from the top; a flange circumnavigating an inner wall of the peripheral edge, where the flange engages the thread when the drinking cap is positioned on the dual compartment container; and a flap affixed to the top, where the flap exposes an opening in the top. The drinking cap twists upon the dual compartment container to position the opening and the flap over one of at least the first compartment and the second compartment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a drinking system including a twistable lid and a dual compartment drinking container to enable a user to transport and consume two different beverages at once.

2. Description of Related Art

While stopping at a grocery store or convenience store a consumer is bombarded by a plethora of food and beverage choices. For those who are wishing to grab a quick drink the refrigerated drink displays offer so many options, from multiple flavors of sports drinks, sodas, flavored or infused waters, energy drinks, teas and juices. A buyer may get confused or frustrated trying to narrow down their selection. Currently, there are limited options for a user to enjoy more than one beverage at once without merely buying multiple options.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,812 by Denis Riordan discloses a dual chamber container wherein a beverage container includes two compartments, one on top of the other. On the top part of the container is a twist top to dispel the contents of the top compartment, and when the container is flipped over the top of the second container is exposed. The container enables a person to store two different beverages in a single container. While this container does hold two beverages at once, it does not allow a person to quickly dispense both flavors, and possibly both at once.

It would be desirable in the art to provide a beverage container that enables a person to store more than one beverage at once. It would also be beneficial to have a drink container that enables a user to enjoy two beverages at the same time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a dual compartment beverage container including a first compartment positioned next to a second compartment to hold two different beverages in the container at once.

Another object of the primary invention is to provide a dual compartment beverage container with a flip top cap that rotates on the top of the container to enable the user to quickly switch from one beverage or the other.

Another object of the primary invention is to provide a dual compartment beverage container with a flip top cap which when positioned over both compartments enables a user to consume two beverages at once.

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a dual compartment drinking system comprising a dual compartment container and a drinking lid. The dual compartment container includes a first compartment and a second compartment separated by a dividing strip, a neck positioned atop the dual compartment container, and a thread circumnavigating the neck. The drinking cap includes a top to cover the drinking cap, a peripheral edge attached to an outer portion of the top, where the peripheral edge extends down perpendicularly from the top; a flange circumnavigating an inner wall of the peripheral edge, where the flange engages the thread when the drinking cap is positioned on the dual compartment container; and a flap affixed to the top, where the flap exposes an opening in the top. The drinking cap twists upon the dual compartment container to position the opening and the flap over one of at least the first compartment and the second compartment.

These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a top side view of a drinking cap in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a dual compartment container in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a dual compartment drinking system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to a drinking system including a twistable lid and a dual compartment drinking container to enable a user to transport and consume two different beverages at once. The present invention provides a dual compartment drinking system as a way to enhance a beverage container by allowing them to hold two different beverages at the same time without the flavors mixing. The dual compartment drinking system comprises a bottle with two compartments and a flip top cap. The cap rotates to enable the user to drink from each individual compartment or both at the same time. The dual compartment drinking system allows a user to enjoy two of their favorite beverages without having to make the decidion between one or the other.

Tuning now descriptively to the drawings, referring to FIG. 1, a top side view of a drinking cap (10) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The drinking cap (10) includes a top (12) to provide a circular covering. Around the outer rim of the drinking cap (10) is a peripheral wall (14) that extends below the top (12) in a perpendicular manner. The peripheral wall (14) may be ribbed with lateral grooves to provide a better gripping surface for the drinking cap (10). The top (12) and the peripheral wall (14) may be composed of a rigid plastic for stability and strength. Within the peripheral wall (14) may be an internal flange to circumnavigate the inner portion of the wall.

Attached to the top (12) is a flap (16) that may account for up to half of the surface area of the top (12). The flap (16) may be a half circle (as shown) or a rectangle in shape. The flap (16) is affixed to the top (12) on a hinge (17). The hinge (17) may be a metal screw hinge or a plastic hinge glued or fabricated to the top (12). The hinge (17) enables the flap (16) to move back and forth on the top (12) between a closed position (as shown) and an open position (as shown in FIG. 3). At an outer edge of the flap (16) may be a lip (18) to assists a user to lift the flap (16). The lip (18) may snap against the top (12) to secure the flap (16) in the closed position, and then alternatively it may be used as a handle to open the flap (16). The lip (18) may also snap against the top (12) when the flap (16) is in an open position and therefore secures the flap (16) open while the beverage is consumed by the user.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of a dual compartment container (20) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The dual compartment container (20) may be made from recyclable plastic, aluminum or similar lightweight materials commonly used for bottles and drinking containers. Alternatively, an insulated stainless steel container may be used for hot beverages. Encircling the dual compartment container (20) may be a channel (32). The channel (32) provides a gripping surface for the user to better handle the dual compartment container.

The dual compartment container (20) includes a first compartment (22) and a second compartment (24) separated by a dividing strip (26). The diving strip (26) extends the entire length of the dual compartment container (20) to ensure that none of the contents of the first compartment (22) spill or leak into the second compartment (24). The first compartment (22) may contain a first liquid or beverage and the second compartment (24) may contain a second liquid or beverage. The beverages may be any drink preferred by the user, including tea, juice, soda, flavored water, sports drinks, and the like. Examples of the combinations filled into the two compartments may be to fill the first compartment (22) with lemonade while the second compartment (24) contains tea. Similarly, the first compartment (22) may contain a sports beverage while the second compartment (24) contains water. The options are limitless for the various combinations available to the user.

Positioned atop the dual compartment container (20) is a neck (28) to provide a narrowed opening. Circumnavigating the neck (28) may be a thread (30) or flange. The thread (28) engages the internal flange of the peripheral wall (10) when the drinking cap (10) is positioned on the neck (30). When the drinking cap (10) is positioned on the dual compartment container (20) the internal flange and the thread create an airtight seal, so that the beverages do not leak during transport or movement. The peripheral wall (14) may include a double flange to engage the thread to provide a more secure seal.

Accordingly, referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view of a dual compartment drinking system (50) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The dual compartment container (20) is illustrated with the drinking cap (10) positioned on the neck (28). The flap (16) is shown in the open position, wherein the flap (16) is lifted from the top (12), bending from the hinge (17). The flap (16) exposes an opening (19) in the top (12) which allows the user to drink the internal beverages.

With the drinking cap (10) in place, the thread around the neck (28) prevents the drinking cap (10) from removal after the user snaps the cap (10) into place. The thread (30) secures the drinking cap (10) while still enabling it to rotate on the neck (28). By enabling the drinking cap (10) to rotate the user may position the flap (16) over the first compartment (22) or the second compartment (24) or both. Therefore the user has the choice to consume the beverage from either of the containers, or may choose to position the flap (16) over a portion of both containers to consume both beverages at once.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A dual compartment drinking system comprising:

a dual compartment container, where said dual compartment container includes: a first compartment and a second compartment separated by a dividing strip; a neck positioned atop said dual compartment container; a thread circumnavigating said neck; and

a drinking cap attached to said neck, where said drinking cap includes: a top to cover said drinking cap; a peripheral edge attached to an outer portion of said top, where said peripheral edge extends down perpendicularly from said top; a flange circumnavigating an inner wall of said peripheral edge, where said flange engages said thread when said drinking cap is positioned on said dual compartment container; a flap affixed to said top, where said flap exposes an opening in said top;

wherein said drinking cap rotates upon said dual compartment container to position said opening and said flap over one of at least said first compartment and said second compartment.

2. The dual compartment drinking system according to claim 1, wherein said flap moves between a closed position and an open position.

3. The dual compartment drinking system according to claim 1, wherein said flap includes a lip to enable a user to lift said flap.

4. The dual compartment drinking system according to claim 1, wherein said flap is attached to said top with a hinge.

5. The dual compartment drinking system according to claim 1, wherein a channel encircles said dual compartment container to provide a gripping surface.

6. The dual compartment drinking system according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral wall is ribbed.