BOTTLE WITH MULTIPLE COMPARTMENTS

Abstract

The invention provides a beverage bottle comprising an outer bottle and at least one inner container that is sealed off from the outer bottle. The outer bottle container contains a first liquid (such as a still or a carbonated mixer) and the inner container contains a second liquid (such as an alcoholic spirit or a concentrated juice). The first and second liquids are kept separate until they are poured from the bottle. In one embodiment, the inner container may be twisted along its length to impart a rotational pattern on the second liquid.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/689615, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This specification relates generally to containers for holding liquid, and more particularly to a bottle with multiple compartments for storing different constituent liquids for mixed drinks.

BACKGROUND

Mixed drinks such as juice mixtures and mixed alcoholic beverages are commonly consumed in modern society.

Mixed beverages are generally prepared using one of two methods. In a first method, the constituent liquids are mixed in a bottle at a bottling facility and are provided in a pre-mixed state to a retailer. An example of this method would be a blueberry iced tea drink. In this example, blueberry juice and iced tea are dispensed in the same bottle at the bottling facility so that a consumer does not have to mix the ingredients themselves. One deficiency of this method is that the constituent ingredients will generally have different densities, which leads to one of the liquids remaining at the bottom of the bottle and often forming a sediment layer. If a consumer pours the beverage without mixing vigorously, it is likely that the consumer will receive a significantly larger portion of one of the constituent liquids than was intended by the beverage provider given that the constituent liquids are not mixed effectively.

In a second method of preparing mixed beverages, a user consumer must purchase the constituent ingredient liquids of the desired beverage, measure the constituent ingredients, and pour accordingly. This method can be cumbersome, especially when the consumer must buy many different constituent liquid that are called for by the mixed drink recipe. Furthermore, the consumer must measure each of the ingredients precisely before pouring which is dependent on the size of the glass being used to drink the beverage. Many consumers do not know the proper drink recipes and therefore have to conduct some research first in order to obtain the desired mixing proportions.

There is therefore a need for multiple compartment bottle which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the defects of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly speaking, the invention provides a beverage bottle for efficiently mixing at least two liquids upon pouring. The bottle has an outer container for holding a first liquid and at least one inner container within the outer container for holding a second liquid such that the first and second liquids are kept separate until they are poured from the bottle. The inner container may define an inner surface that is substantially helical in configuration such that a rotational pattern is imparted on the liquid in the inner container when the liquids are poured from the bottle into a drinking container such as a glass. The rotational pattern imparted on the second liquid ensures that the two liquids are mixed effectively as the liquids are poured into the glass.

In another aspect, the inner container comprises an inner spout and the outer container comprises an outer spout.

In another aspect, the inner spout comprises a flange in which the diameter of the spout enlarges towards the top of the bottle to impart a radially outward flow pattern on the second liquid to further ensure efficient mixing.

In another aspect, the first and second spout radii are selected to dispense the first and second liquids at predetermined rates.

In another broad aspect, the invention provides a bottle cap for sealing a multiple compartment bottle comprising an outer container and an inner container positioned within the outer container. Each of the containers has its own spout. The bottle cap has an outer cylindrical wall substantially corresponding in dimension to the spout of the outer container such that the cap snugly engages with the outer spout when the cap is positioned on the bottle in a sealed configuration. One end of the cap comprises a seal and the other end of the cap is open for receiving the outer spout of the bottle. The cap includes an inner seal for substantially sealing the spout of the inner container when the cap is positioned in a closed position on the multiple compartment bottle.

In an aspect, the inner seal includes an inner cylindrical wall that substantially corresponds in dimension to the spout of the inner container such that the inner cylindrical wall snugly engages with the inner spout when the cap is used to seal the multiple compartment bottle.

In one aspect, the bottle cap includes an inner stopper such as a cork that is configured to seal the inner compartment when the cap is positioned in a sealed configuration on the multiple compartment bottle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a front view of a multiple compartment bottle according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a another front view diagram of the multiple compartment bottle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a multiple compartment bottle according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the multiple compartment bottle shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the multiple compartment bottle shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a multiple compartment bottle according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a top view of the multiple compartment bottle shown in FIG. 6.

For convenience, like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements and components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is first made to FIGS. 1 and 2 to describe a multiple compartment bottle 100 according to one embodiment of the invention. The multiple compartment bottle 100 is adapted to hold, and keep separate, at least two distinct liquids to be mixed during the pouring process. For example, the multiple compartment bottle 100 may store and keep separate vodka and orange juice in separate compartments (also referred to herein as containers) within the bottle 100. The multiple compartment bottle 100 is configured to mix the vodka and orange juice in another container such as a glass as the vodka and orange juice are poured out of their respective containers. The multiple compartment bottle 100 is designed such that a “perfect pour” is achieved when the liquids are poured, meaning that the ratio between the respective liquids is constant no matter how much of the liquids is left in the bottle 100.

In some embodiments, the multiple compartment bottle 100 has an outer container 102 for holding a first liquid 120 and at least one inner container 104 within the outer container 102 for holding a second liquid 122 such that the first and second liquids 120,122 are kept separate until they are poured from the bottle 100. As shown, the inner container 104 defines an inner surface that is substantially helical in configuration which imparts a rotational pattern on the second liquid 122 to efficiently mix the liquids 120,122 in a receiving container (not shown) such as glass.

In various exemplary embodiments, the bottle 100 may include several inner containers 104a,b for storing one or more liquids 122. The inner container 104 and the outer container 102 may be made from any suitable material such as glass, plastic, and the like. In various embodiments, the outer container 102 and the inner container(s) 104 are made from different materials, such as the outer container 102 comprising glass and the inner container 104 comprising plastic. Such an arrangement is suitable in certain embodiments where there may be contact between the outer and inner containers 102,104 given that the plastic may contact the glass without breaking. One or both of the outer and inner containers 102,104 may be made from a transparent material so that a consumer can visually inspect the contents and be provided with various visual effects.

The outer container 102 may include a label as will be appreciated for branding purposes and to inform the user of the contents of the bottle 102. In various exemplary embodiments, the inner container 104 may include one or more labels, designs, etc. to provide information about the contents 122 to the user as well as to provide aesthetic qualities.

In various embodiments, the inner container 104 is integrally formed with the outer container 102. In some embodiments, the inner container 104 is secured to the base 118 of the outer container 102 using various techniques as described herein.

As shown, the inner container 102 includes a spout 106 with a predetermined radius and the outer container 104 has a spout 107 with a predetermined radius. The radii 106,107 are selected so that the ratio between the first and second liquids 120,122 dispensed is constant at a predetermined ratio during the pouring process. In various embodiments, the inner spout 107 includes a flange (not shown) so that the diameter of the spout 107 increases towards the top of the bottle 100. The flange is configured so that that the second fluid 122 sprays at least partially outward during pouring.

In various exemplary embodiments, the multiple compartment bottle 100 may include any number of inner containers 104 in any orientation and design. The only requirement is that the inner containers 104 fit within the outer container 102 such that the containers 102,104 may be sealed by a cap 108. In some embodiments, the cap 108 has an outer cylindrical wall configured to engage with the outer spout 106 and an inner cylindrical wall configured to engage with the inner spout 107. In some embodiments, the cap 108 has an outer cylindrical wall configured to engage with the outer spout 106 and a stopper (such as a plastic or cork stopper) that is configured to substantially plug and seal the inner spout 107.

Reference is next made to FIGS. 3-7 to describe a multiple compartment bottle 200 according to one embodiment of the invention. Multiple compartment bottle 200 has an outer container 102 and an inner container 104 positioned within the outer container 102. A first liquid 120 (such as an alcoholic spirit) may be stored in the outer compartment 102 and a second liquid 122 (such as a mixer) may be stored in the inner compartment 104. The type of liquids and their location in the bottle 200 is merely exemplary.

In various embodiments, the inner container 104 may be secured in the outer container 102 by means of a supporting collar 130. The supporting collar 130 may be integrally formed with the base 118 or affixed to the base 118 using known techniques. The supporting collar 130 may be sized appropriately to snugly engage with the inner container 104 to prevent the inner container 104 from moving around within the outer container 102 during use and possibly becoming damaged.

Although the diagrams illustrate the inner compartment 104 as either free floating (i.e. unattached to the outer container 102) or secured to the base of the outer container 102 (such as via supporting collar 130), in various embodiments, the inner compartment 104 may be secured to the outer container 102 using various techniques and at various locations. For example, in some embodiments, the inner container 104 may be anchored to the outer container 102 at the bottom 130, the middle and/or the top of the bottle 100. For the purposes of this specification, the “bottom” of the bottle is defined by the base 118, and the “top” of the bottle is defined by the top of the spout 106 (i.e. where the cap 108 is engaged with the spouts 106,107). The inner container 104 may be anchored within the outer container 102 as an integrally formed component of the bottle 100 and/or may be positioned using supports, guides, flaps, etc. within the outer container 102. In some embodiments, the outer container 102 comprises narrow sections that operate as guides to secure inner container 104 in place within the outer container 102.

The invention also provides a bottle cap 108 that includes an adjustable locking mechanism, which allows the user to enjoy a consistent pour, all alcohol or all juice (i.e. a consistent selected ratio of the first liquid and the second liquid, only the first liquid, or only the second liquid). In various embodiments, the cap 108 includes one or more levers that manipulate movable seals on the top of the cap 108. One movable seal may used to select the amount of the first liquid 120 to be poured (i.e. the proportion of the first liquid 120 in the volume dispensed) and the second movable seal may be used to select the amount of the second liquid 122 to be poured (i.e. the proportion of the second liquid 122 in the volume dispensed). The cap 108 may include various indicators (such as lines) so that a consumer may quickly switch between states (i.e. all first liquid 120, second liquid 122, or various ratios) to obtain the desired drink. In various embodiments, the cap 108 includes discrete states provided by the moveable seals. For example, in a first state the bottle pours only liquid 120. In a second state, the bottle pours 25% liquid 120 and 75% liquid 122. In a third state, the bottle pours 50% liquid 120 and 50% liquid 122. In a fourth state, the bottle pours 75% liquid 120 and 25% liquid 122. And in a fourth state, the bottle pours only liquid 122. Any number of states and ratios may be implemented in various embodiments. The cap may include seals that click between the discrete states as the movable seals are rotated so that one of the discrete states is selected.

The cap 108 of the invention may be a reusable threaded twist on/off cap, a pop off cap, a cork, and so forth to efficiently seal the liquids 120,122.

The invention includes inner and outer containers 104,102 of various shapes and sizes. For example, one or both of the containers 102, 104 may be square, circular, helix, and virtually any design with the purpose to pour a consistent drink.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of the above description, will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scope of the present invention as described herein. In addition, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A beverage bottle for efficiently mixing at least two liquids upon pouring, the bottle comprising an outer container for holding a first liquid and at least one inner container within the outer container for holding a second liquid such that the first and second liquids are kept separate until they are poured from the bottle, wherein the inner container defines an inner surface that is substantially helical in configuration so as to cause a rotational pattern on the second liquid to efficiently mix the liquids in a glass.

2. The beverage bottle according to claim 1, wherein the inner container comprises an inner spout and the outer container comprises an outer spout.

3. The beverage bottle according to claim 2, wherein the inner spout comprises a flange in which the diameter of the spout enlarges towards the top of the bottle.

4. The beverage bottle according to claim 1, wherein the first and second spout radii are selected to dispense the first and second liquids at predetermined rates.

5. The beverage bottle according to claim 1, wherein the inner container is secured to a base of the outer container.

6. The beverage bottle according to claim 1, wherein the inner container is secured to a base of the outer container by means of a supporting collar.

7. The beverage bottle according to claim 1, wherein the inner container has a rectangular, square, elliptical or triangular cross-section.

8. The beverage bottle according to claim 1, wherein the outer container is formed of glass or a plastics material.

9. The beverage bottle according to claim 8, wherein the inner container is formed of glass or a plastics material.

10. The beverage bottle according to claim 1, wherein the outer and inner containers are transparent.

11. The beverage bottle according to claim 1, wherein the outer and inner containers dispense the liquids contained therein at a constant ratio.

12. The beverage bottle according to claim 1, wherein the inner container is twisted along its length with the number of twists selected so as to dispense the liquid contained therein at a predetermined rate.

13. The beverage bottle of claim 1, wherein the bottle comprises two inner containers arranged as a double helix.

14. The beverage bottle of claim 1, wherein the bottle is formed by an extrusion process.

15. The beverage bottle of claim 1, wherein the inner and outer containers are integrally formed.

16. The bottle of claim 1, wherein at least one of the inner and outer containers are formed by a blow molding process.

17. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the inner container and the outer container comprise different materials.

18. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the inner container comprises plastic and the outer container comprises glass.

19. The bottle of claim 1, wherein at least one of the inner container and the outer container comprises a label indicating a brand.

20. A bottle cap for sealing a multiple compartment bottle comprising an outer container and an inner container positioned within the outer container, each said container comprising a spout, the bottle cap comprising:

a. An outer cylindrical wall substantially corresponding in dimension to the spout of the outer container;

b. The outer cylindrical wall being open at one end and configured for receiving the outer spout, the other end comprising a seal;