Ironcup: Compact Nutritional Powder Storage and Dispensing

Abstract

The invention is a storage and non-spillage container apparatus consisting of a detachable, bottle-adapted and spill-preventing spout, along with a base(s) storage container that uniquely houses nutritional powders doses. A base(s) cylinder has attached section-dividers and a top extension to create three enclosed compartments for powder storage in a base storage container. This invention operates by a user putting nutritional powder into the storage compartments, rotating the spout to the proper compartment they desire, and then removing the spout's cap cover and powering the powder into a standard water bottle. The cap is replaced, spout turned, and repeated for other doses. There is a non-stick surface in both base compartments and spout for improving powder flow. Because each base has three compartments, and multiple bases may be attached in succession under another, added or removed, so nine or more nutritional supplements may be easily carried.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

N/A

NOTICE OF TRADEMARK

The word mark “Ironcup™” and/or any other word, picture, or audio representation containing “Ironcup,” or “Iron Cup™” or the like, is claimed as the trademark of Alan Bruce Olvera. Competition is hereby NOW ON NOTICE that “Ironcup™” word/phrase mark is considered the trademark of Alan Bruce Olvera, as of Jan. 20, 2016. All rights reserved. Application for trademark registration/protection is under USPTO serial number 86881024. Usage of this word/phrase is absolutely prohibited by others, except the USPTO in processing and publishing of this patent application, without the express written permission of Alan Bruce Olvera.

BACKGROUND

Bulky nutritional supplement containers in the fitness industry abound. Large 8-10 liter drums are hard to manage for gym visits. Despite some solutions of single-use packets and other sundry mixer cups, there appears to not be an easy solution designed for fitness powders that allow for great storage capacity and for little spillage when mixing, without a mess powder-ridden gym sink area too. Any serious user of powder supplements faces a daunting task of carrying huge plastic containers around or wasting expensive purchased product by spillage around a sink area when mixing.

For the foregoing reasons, a need for an apparatus that can store 1-2 days of powder supplements required for several workouts that can be easily transported to the gym with the least storage space, and also avoid any spillage waste of the expensive material.

RELATED ART

United States Design Pat. U.S. D724,390 S Mar. 17, 2015

Unlike this design in U.S. D724,390, this invention is a different concept of invention that solves problems unique with athletic use of nutritional powders, especially storage of nutritional powders applications to gyms and non-spillage in mixing powders into standard drinking water bottles.

SUMMARY

This invention is an apparatus that addresses the fitness industry problem that nutritional powders come in bulky, space-consuming plastic canisters of several liters and utilize clumsy scoops with a high propensity of powder spilling, making for waste of the supplement powder and mixing up essential workout elixirs difficult and messy. Separate “base” member powder storage containers with space for about 450 mL of total powder storage each, that is, three sections 150 mL, and a uniquely adapted spout affixes above groups of 1-5 base members to form a tower-like setup for travel to the gym or athletic competition. Each base attaches to the one above and to the “spout” with a simple lip seal and each base has section-dividers to stop any mixing of different powder types. The spout top also rotates to allow for rapid switching between needed powder types and base sections combined with an internal non-stick surface for low-viscosity powder movement.

A more succinct summary statement may also be demonstrated as follows: An apparatus specifically engineered for nutritional powders, allowing for direct, spill-proof dispensing of these uniquely-viscous powder types into a standard 500 mL water bottles for quick mixing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 (also listed as“FIG. 1”) is an embodiment of the invention shows a three base version, consisting of these three attached bases with a spout. This gives 9 compartments for powder storage and dispensing;

FIG. 2 (also listed as “FIG. 2”) is an embodiment of single base as in labels 2, 4, and 5 on FIG. 1, and also a view of a single base's compartment;

FIG. 3 (also listed as “FIG. 3”) is an embodiment of the “spout,” as encompassed in label 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 (also listed as “FIG. 4”) is an embodiment of the invention with a single base and spout, showing the use of the embodiment with one of the two possible cap strap placement options (the other being the placement as in FIG. 1, label 8). This embodiment is a transparent plastic version several of parts of the base and spout, therefore also displaying a simple demonstration of the flow of powder into an example drinking water bottle;

FIG. 5 (also listed as “FIG. 5”) is an embodiment of the invention with a single base and spout attached together with a closer view angle of the convex dome design on the bottom of a base, illustrated in broken lines, these broken lines also show the additional top extension toughly abutting the inside surface of the spout;

FIG. 6 (also listed as “FIG. 6”) is embodiment of the invention showing the bottom view of the “spout” component. Shading represents the non-stick surfacing on the inside spout surface area leading directly to the dispensing opening projection, which is about one-third the inside surface area of the spout;

FIG. 7 (also listed as “FIG. 7”) is an embodiment of the invention, as in FIG. 5, but with a top connector lip indentation and a bottom connector lip protrusion of the base and the spout lip protrusion with screw-type threading connectors. These screw grooves are correspondingly reverse-oriented to each other (alternate directionalities) as to tightly connect a top connection lip indentation to the spout lip protrusion, or a bottom connector lip protrusion of a base to another base's top connector lip indention. Note that this is a transparent plastic version of the invention, making visible the screw-type threading on the bottom connector lip indentation, which would not be visible in an opaque plastic version.

DESCRIPTION

In the summary above and description section here, and in the claims below, and in the attached drawings, reference is made to certain features of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such certain features. If a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or version of the invention, or in a claim, the feature may also be utilized in combination with and/or in the context of other aspects of the invention, and also in the invention generally.

The term “comprises,” along with grammatical equivalents thereof means that other components are optionally present. For example, if an embodiment of the invention is comprised of A, B, and C, it can contain A, B, C and other components.

The term “at least” followed by a number is used to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 5 mm” means 5 mm or more than 5 mm. The term “at most” followed by a number is used to denote the ending that number (which may be a range having 0 as its lower limit or a range having no lower limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at most 20%” means 20% or less than 20%. If in this specification a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)-(a second number),” this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and upper limit is the second number. For example, a range of 5 to 30 mm means a range whose lower limit is 5 mm, and whose upper limit is 30 mm.

Definitions

“Base” is the piece of the invention in FIG. 2, labels 4-11. Base means this component of the apparatus, not a traditional meaning of base such as the bottom portion of a statue, structure, or other lower portion of a widget.

“Cap strap” is any tethering device used to hold the cap cover, as in FIG. 1, label 8 or

FIG. 4, between label 9 and 8.

“Ironcup™” is a combination of a spout and base(s), as in FIG. 1 or FIG. 4.

“Non-Stick Surfacing” is a single surface coating material for reducing powder flow viscosity, selected from a group consisting of aluminum alloy, chrome, or ceramic.

“Rubber Bottle Guider” is the rubber washer-like ring on the dispensing opening projection, as in FIG. 1, label 11; FIG. 4, label 5; and FIG. 3, label 3 or 8.

“Screw-Type Threading Connector(s)” is a mode of attachment in the embodiment of the invention's components as in FIG. 7, labels 2, 3, or 5; with sufficient distance and placement of grooves/threading and opposing orientations of each as to allow for firmly threading together (attaching) a spout lip protrusion to a base's top connector lip indentation, or connecting a bottom connector lip protrusion to a top connector lip indentation. As with most screw threading, there are male and female orientations of threading, working together as a set to make a screw connection.

“Snap Connection” is a mode of attachment of base-to-base (as in FIG. 1) or base-to-spout (as in FIG. 5), where the spout lip protrusion snaps tightly with a firm grip to the top connector lip indentation of a base because of close proximity in sizing, and lip and indention orientations; or a base's top connector lip indention to a bottom connector lip indentation, due to their opposite inward and outward orientations (indentation versus protrusion), close sizing, and flexible plastic compositions.

“Spout” is the piece of the invention in FIG. 3, labels 6-8, not just the dispensing opening projection in FIG. 3, label 7.

Overview of Main Invention Elements:

As shown in FIG. 1, the invention is comprised of a spout label 10 and base(s) (1 or more) as shown in labels 2, 4, and 5 (3 combined bases), attached to the spout to form an embodiment of the invention in FIG. 1 as a whole. The spout and base(s) can be made of transparent, opaque, or translucent plastics or alternatively of several light aluminum alloys. The base(s) are cylindrical and the spout is somewhat dome-like as shown in FIG. 1. Several bases may connect in sequence, using their convex dome bottom's lip to connector lip indentations atop of the base(s), and connect up to a single spout as shown in a 3-base and spout embodiment of the invention in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows a 1-base embodiment of the invention, consisting of a single base and spout. The inner surface of the rotating spout and the inner surface compartments of the bases have a non-stick surface for less viscosity in powder flow.

It must be noted that the invention may be in a range of sizing's of its elements, all invention parts rescaled from the diameter of the base at a potential preferred embodiment of 9.53 cm (3.75 inches), and a 3.8 cm (1.5 inch) spout height.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ELEMENTS & DRAWING KEY

Base:

FIG. 2 shows the cylinder dispensing container “base,” the left-hand drawing showing the base from a top and side view. The right-hand drawing shows one of the three compartments created by the section-dividers described in the next section. Connector lip indentation 6 in FIG. 2 is a feature on the open top of the base allowing for either connection with another's base's closed and convex dome bottom. This convex dome bottom 12, FIG. 2 has connector lip indentations 11, FIG. 2 opposite in orientation as those of top of the base 6, FIG. 2, hence allowing for a lock and key fit of base bottom to top of an adjacent base.

Section Dividers:

Three section-dividers in 9, 7, of FIG. 2 divide up the base into three isolated compartments for powder storage. These dividers are made up of the same material as the base (plastic or aluminum alloy) and provide support to the overall base, but serve to isolate completely the overall capacity of the cylinder into three equal, isolated vertical sections 10 (left side of FIG. 2), 1 (right side of FIG. 2). The dividers are attached to the inside surface of the base, both side and bottom, sealing this sections completely for three spate areas of storage.

As shown in FIG. 2, label 3, an optional support post made of the plastic or aluminum may be placed as an additional support, or for making for cost-effective or easier plastic injection molding production procedures in fabrication of the section-dividers and base combination.

Additional Top Extensions, Also Called “Top Extensions”

As shown in FIG. 2, label 5, a rubber or latex “additional top extensions” are attached to the section-dividers described above. This are attached to the section-dividers with an adhesive or be molded or fused into the section-dividers. It forms a seal with the section-dividers; are shaped like a truss as shown, or more like a semi-dome. It must extend far enough to make three distinct compartments where different powders stored in each compartment will not mix and stay segregated in respective compartments (3).

“Non-Stick Surfacing,” Also Called “Compartment Surface” (on Base)

A surface coating material for reducing powder flow viscosity, selected from a group consisting of copper alloy, aluminum alloy, chrome, or ceramic, from 0.025 mm to about 1 mm thickness, lines the compartments of the base, but not the additional top extension. This compartment lining will reduce powder adherence to the plastic compartment. In alternative versions of the invention listed later in this disclosure, this surfacing could be substituted by any commercially available non-stick surfacing that can be adhered by spraying it onto to a low melting point plastic without melting the plastic, i.e. applied at or around 200 F. The non-stick surfacing also lines the one-third section inside surface of the spout where the dispensing opening projection lies, allowing for smooth, low-viscosity powder flow through this dispensing opening projection when inverted for putting powder into a water bottle as shown in FIG. 4.

Spout

“Spout” refers to the entire top member shown in FIG. 3, left side, not simply the dispensing opening projection which acts as a funnel to dispense the powder into a water bottle. The spout is made out of plastic or aluminum and has an inside, an outside surface, and a spout lip which covers over base's top connector lip indentation to seal the top of the base. The additional top extensions touch the top of the inner surface of the spout to create sealed compartments. The spout is made of malleable plastic and the spout lip protrusion is tight against the top connector lip indentation, but also the spout still allows swiveling to position the dispensing opening projection only over one sealed compartment. The plastic of the spout is translucent plastic or has plastic windows (3) in an aluminum version, which allows one to see the contents of the compartments easily. Also, as shown in the version of the invention in FIG. 1, near label 1, an optional “tab: is used to remove the spout easily.

Dispensing Opening Projection

As shown in the drawing of the invention version in FIG. 3, the dispensing opening projection has a height of 10-25 mm (0.4-1 inches), above the dome-like area of the spout without the dispensing opening projection. Note that the entire spout has a height dimension, from spout lip protrusion of 38-64 mm (1.5-2.5 inches). The actual opening for powder dispersion in FIG. 3, label 7 is between 5-30 mm (0.2-1.8 inches), but must be able to fit into a standard 500 mL (16.9 fluid oz.) water bottle or equivalent.

Rubber Bottle Guider

As shown in FIG. 1, label 11, the rubber bottle guider is a rubber stopper which prevents the dispensing opening projection from going into the water of a standard water bottle (described in paragraph 22). Its thickness is between 1-10 mm, and is affixed to the dispensing opening projection about half way down the projection. It is affixed to the spout by adhesive, and/or by making groove in the plastic or aluminum to have it hold tight to the projection and not move up or down. Further, in embodiment not shown in the drawings, additional tether(s) made of rivets or other pins may used to secure the rubber bottle guide to the dispensing spout projection.

Cap Cover

As shown in FIG. 1, label 12, the cap provides a secure closure of the dispensing opening projection and the powder contents of the one compartment the spout's dispensing opening projection it is above. This cap may be made of rubber, latex, or plastic. And while shown as attached to a tether “cap strap,” this “cap strap” is not required. If a “cap strap” is used it may be affixed at one end to the cap cover.

Cap Strap

As shown in FIG. 1, label 8, a “cap strap of approximately 76 mm (3 inches) length connects the cap cover to either a “connector button” on the spout apex or other spot on the spout with a “connector button,” as shown in FIG. 4, label 9. This strap varies in width from 5-20 mm (0.2-0.6 inches). Its thickness (height) is 2-10 mm (0.08-0.4 inches).

Compartments

The compartments are created from the section-dividers and the additional top extension fitting together to form an enclosed set of three fully segregated individual compartments for powder storage. The compartments are not sealed “air-tight,” beyond the enclosure of the plastic section-dividers and rubber or silicone additional top extension, but do fit snuggly and do not allow powder to pass from one compartment to another. The additional top extension either fits snuggly to another convex dome bottom of a base or the like-styled inside of the spout, closing off three compartments.

KEYS TO FIGURES (DRAWING LABELS)

FIG. 1:

Label 1—Connection of “top connector lip indentation,” the “Spout lip protrusion” and optional spout “tab”—This is the connection point atop the cylinder “base” used for connecting with another base component or a spout shown in labels 9-12. Note that an optional convenience spout “tab” (for quick spout removal from base) is located on this spout's lip protrusion. Here in this section of the figure we have the spout lip protrusion covering this base's top connector lip indentation.

Label 2—“base”—This is the core of the invention apparatus, label indicating a “base” or a “base unit.” These terms may be used interchangeably in the specification, but represent the same piece. In a multi-base version of invention, this may interchangeably be called “base 1.”

Label 3—“bottom connector lip protrusion”—This is the connection point on the bottom of cylinder “base” for connecting another base or for being the terminal end to the base with spout or multiple bases attached with a spout. Note that this indentation is opposite orientation as that of Label 1 “top connector lip indentation,” that is in an outer (convex) lip.

Label 4—“compartment surface,” on the section-dividers on “base 2”—This refers to the dotted line illustrated internal drawing- to show the inside base compartment surface in an additionally attached base to the base above it. This interior area has a non-stick surfacing for reduced powder viscosity during dispensing, which coats both the inner surface of the base and the section-dividers; this non-stick surfacing is a plastic-bonded coating on top of the three section-dividers and the inner base.

Label 5—“base,” an additional base, attached to another, in a 3 base combination in FIG. 1, this is also called “base 3.”

Label 6-“bottom connector lip protrusion”—base 3's bottom connector lip indentation, here the terminal end of the invention.

Label 7—“additional top extensions”—these three attached prongs are shaped like a truss and made of hard latex or a hard rubber, and provide a flush fitting with either the spout or additional base member; it seals the compartments to avoid any powder mixing. It can look truss-like or appear curved to match the spout insides or the convex bottom of a base, as long as it closes the compartments effectively when abutting the convex dome bottom of a base.

Label 8—“cap strap”—This may be of a plastic, rubber, or latex, and holds the cap to a fixed connector point somewhere on the spout, here in this version of invention on the apex of the spout, attached with a small swivel button.

Label 9—“connector button”—This is an option swivel connector piece used to hold on the tethered “cap strap.”

Label 10-“dispensing opening projection”—This is the channel for dispersing the powder out of the compartment that is immediately below it, allowing for a single compartment's powder contents to flow out of it with ease, especially considering the non-stick surface on both the compartment and section-divider surfaces.

Label 11—“rubber bottle guider”—This is a rubber or latex grommet-like (as shown) stopper that prevents the dispensing opening projection of the spout top from falling into standard, disposable 500 ml (16.9) water bottles or similar consumer or commercial water containers used for drinking.

Label 12—“cap cover”—This is an attached cover to tightly seal the spout's dispensing opening projection. It could be made of multiple materials, such as plastic or rubber, and may have various adaptations in tight seals or other grooves to achieve a tight grip on the “dispensing opening projection

FIG. 2:

(Note—This is transparent plastic version of the invention, wherein internal structures are visible to the eye)

Label 1—“compartment,”—This is a sealed storage compartment created by the section-dividers attached to the base cylinder. In the best mode, this storage space, up to the open top of base, is approximately 150 mL (9.2 cubic inches).

Label 2—“top connector lip indentation”—This is the connection point atop (on the tope end) the cylinder “base” used for connecting with another base component or a spout. It is an inward indentation, used to snap with a bottom connector lip of base or that of connector lip of the spout.

Label 3—“structural pole”—This is a plastic structural pin connection used for support of the section-dividers and extensions and connector button versions of the invention as in FIG. 1, label 9.

Label 4—“apex of additional top extensions”—This is the top of slopping additional top extensions which touches the inner part of the spout or additional base convex bottom to seal compartment spaces. These top extensions may be trussed as shown or with a curve to match the convex bottom of a base or the spout inner surfaces- to effectively seal the compartments.

Label 5—“additional top extensions”—these are shaped like a truss or curved semi-circle and made of hard latex or a hard rubber, and provide a flush fitting with either the spout or additional base member; it seals the compartments to avoid any powder mixing. The additional top extensions are attached to the section-dividers with an adhesive or molded or anchored directly to the section-dividers.

Label 6—“top connector lip indentation”—This is the connection point atop the cylinder “base” used for connecting with another base component or a spout. It is an inward indentation, used to snap with a bottom connector lip of base or that of connector lip of the spout.

Label 7—“section-divider”—This cut-away version shows the section-divider, which is covered by a non-stick surface to create the “compartment.”

Label 8—“dome bottom of base”—This is dome-like convex bottom of a base (bottom end of cylinder); this bottom of the base has sufficient room for the additional top extensions to seal with it tightly for an additional base top end connection.

Label 9—“section-divider”—This cut-away version shows another section-divider, as in this FIG. 1, label 7, which is covered by a non-stick surface to create the “compartment.”

Label 10—“powder”—This is powder (for example of use purposes), segregated in one section of the base by the compartment (1 of 3) created from the section-dividers.

Label 11-“bottom connector lip protrusion”—base's bottom connector lip indentation, here the terminal end of the invention, as in FIG. 1, label 6. Note that this is an out-protruding lip, as to fit on the indentation of a top connector lip indentation.

Label 12—“terminal end”—This is the absolute bottom of the invention if it is located on the last connected base to multi-base setup sequencing. It is uniform around and allows the invention to sit on a flat surface, upright

FIG. 3:

Label 1—“spout dome”—The two-thirds of the spout (unshaded area) gives the user of the apparatus the ability to see the powder levels and types within the immediately adjacent base. The inside of the spout dome under this two-third's section is not coated with non-stick surface, which may be opaque, translucent, or transparent. Here, in this version, one third of the spout dome is opaque and three thirds translucent, with empty compartments (no powder).

Label 2—“outside surface of base”—this is the plastic outside surface of the base. Here the base is connected to a spout in a 1-base version of the invention in this figure (right side), which is more detailed in a 1-base version in FIG. 4.

Label 3—“rubber bottle guider”—This is a rubber or latex grommet-like (as shown) stopper that prevents the dispensing opening projection of the spout top from falling into standard, disposable 500 ml (16.9) water bottles or similar consumer or commercial water containers used for drinking.

Label 4—“cap cover”—This is an attached cover to tightly seal the spout's dispensing opening projection. It could be made of multiple materials, such as plastic or rubber, and may have various adaptations in tight seals or other grooves to achieve a tight grip on the “dispensing opening projection.”

Label 5—“dispensing opening projection” (additional view angle versus FIG. 1, label 10)—This is the channel for dispersing the powder out of the compartment that is immediately below it in a base, allowing for a single compartment's powder contents to flow out of it with ease, especially considering the non-stick surface on both the compartment and section-divider surfaces.

Label 6—“base lip protrusion”—This lip protrudes outward slightly and is shaped to clamp over the top connector lip indentation of a base.

Label 7—“dispensing opening projection”—This is the channel for dispersing the powder out of the compartment that is immediately below it, allowing for a single compartment's powder contents to flow out of it with ease, especially considering the non-stick surface on both the compartment and section-divider surfaces

Label 8—“rubber bottle guider”—This is a rubber or latex grommet-like (as shown) stopper that prevents the dispensing opening projection of the spout top from falling into standard, disposable 500 ml (16.9) water bottles or similar consumer or commercial water containers used for drinking.

FIG. 4:

Label 1—“bottom connector lip protrusion”—This is the connection point on the bottom of cylinder “base” for connecting another base or for being the terminal end to the base with spout or multiple bases attached with a spout. Note that this indentation is opposite orientation as that of “top connector lip indentation;” this bottom connector lip is in an outer (convex) lip.

Label 2-“powder”—This is powder (for example of use purposes), segregated in one section of the base by the compartment (1 of 3) created from the section-dividers. Note that this powder is visible because this is an example of the transparent plastic version of the invention, where one would see powder stored in the compartment(s).

Label 3—“base” This is a base section, here displayed in this figure with transparent plastic to show powder inside structure of a compartment, including section-dividers noted in FIG. 2, label 9.

Label 4—Arrow for showing utility—This is arrow (drawing marker) used in this drawing to show how the device will work to dispense powder into a water bottle. This guidance arrow is only present to denote this powder flow direction, and is not a physical component of the invention. It is for illustrative purposes only.

Label 5—“rubber bottle guider”—This is a rubber or latex grommet-like (as shown) stopper that prevents the dispensing opening projection of the spout top from falling into standard, disposable 500 ml (16.9 oz.) water bottles or similar consumer or commercial water containers used for drinking.

Label 6—“dispensing opening projection”—This is the channel for dispersing the powder out of the base compartment that is immediately below it, allowing for a single compartment's powder contents to flow out of it with ease, especially considering the non-stick surface on both the compartment and section-divider surfaces. Here, we see the spout inverted while dispensing powder into a water bottle. Note the dispensing opening projection is smaller than the standard spout of the water bottle. It is not a tight fitting, but fits easily into the water bottle with free play—the rubber bottle guider assures this dispensing opening projection stays into the bottle without going into the water of the water bottle (note-one may choose to drink a small amount of water from the bottle before inserting the spout, to assure no water hits the dispensing opening projection). Also, note again that this is a transparent water bottle, thus why one can see the dispensing opening projection through the bottle. Further note, that this version of invention has a translucent spout, thus explaining the shading emphasis' on which light would hit the spout on either side, and one does not see the powder flow through the spout in this version of invention.

Label 7—“water bottle”—This is an example of a standard drinking water bottle, 500 ml (16.9), but other water bottle sizes or similar containers could also be substituted. This water bottle is an example of one common use of the invention.

Label 8—“cap cover”—This is an attached cover to tightly seal the spout's dispensing opening projection. It could be made of multiple materials, such as plastic or rubber, and may have various adaptations in tight seals or other grooves to achieve a tight grip on the “dispensing opening projection.”

Label 9—“connector button”—This is an option swivel connector piece used to hold on the tethered “cap strap,” also shown in FIG. 1, label 9.

Label 10—optional “tab”—In this version in FIG. 4, as shown also in FIG. 1, label 1, the optional “tab” is located on this spout's lip protrusion connected to the top connector lip indentation. Here in this section of the figure we have the spout lip protrusion covering this base's top connector lip indentation.

Label 11—“connector button”—This is an option swivel connector piece used to hold on the tethered “cap strap.” This was also shown in FIG. 1, Label 9, but there used to affix the tether strap permanently—here it is only for support or as an optional tether point in the case of having optional points (two) for affixing a tether strap, and having a removable tether strap.

FIG. 5:

Label 1—“dispensing opening projection”—This is the channel for dispersing the powder out of the compartment that is immediately below it, allowing for a single compartment's powder contents to flow out of it with ease, especially considering the non-stick surface on both the compartment made partially from the section-divider surfaces.

Label 2—“additional top extensions”—as defined in FIG. 1, label 7 above.

Label 3—“top connector lip indentation”—as defined in FIG. 2, label 6 above.

Label 4—“outside surface of base,” as defined in FIG. 3, label 2 above.

Label 5—“compartment surface,” as defined in FIG. 1, label 4 above.

Label 6—“convex dome bottom” this is the convex dome-shaped bottom of the base, which makes contact with the additional top extension to segregate the three compartments from each other.

FIG. 6:

Label 1—“dispensing opening projection”—This is an angle of the dispensing opening projection, as in FIG. 5, label 1, but from the inside of the spout.

Label 2—“non-stick surfacing” This is a surface coating for reduced powder viscosity during dispensing through the dispensing opening projection; this non-stick surfacing is bonded to the inside of the spout being above one compartment when attached to a base (about one-third of inner spout surface).

Label 3—“apex of spout dome (bottom angle)”—This is the bottom view (inside surface of spout) of the spout of the apex of the dome of the spout.

Label 4—“inside surface of spout (no non-stick surface)”—This is the two-thirds of the inner surface of the spout dome not covered in non-stick surfacing, and is transparent to show a user the powder contents of a compartment.

Label 5—“spout lip protrusion”—This is the spout's lip which is orientated outward (convex), and when attached in a “snap connection” mode (non-screw-threading connector(s)), it fits snuggly to a base's top connector lip indentation.

Label 6—“optional tab”—This is an optional feature of the invention, which allows for easier breaking of the “snap connection” between the base and a spout.

FIG. 7:

Label 1—“additional top extensions”—This is a truss-like style (in alternative to more of a rounded style, as in FIG. 1, label 7) of hard latex or hard rubber, i.e. a pliable but somewhat ridged rubber or latex which can be compressed or stretched, and abuts against the convex dome bottom of an additional base or the inner spout surface, creating three closed compartment areas.

Label 2—“top connector lip indentation (with screw-type threading connectors)”—This is the connection point atop the cylinder base as in FIG. 2, label 6, but with the alternative connection mechanism of added screw-type threading connectors on this indentation, used for attaching to a spout or the bottom end of another base.

Label 3—“bottom connector lip protrusion (with screw-type threading connectors)”—This is the connection point on the bottom of cylinder “base” for connecting another base or for being the terminal end to the base with spout or multiple successive sequence of bases with a spot attached to the top end of a base. It has screw-type threading, visible only because this is a clear plastic version of invention, as the threading is inside the protrusion shown here.

Label 4—“non-stick surfacing” This is a surface coating for reduced powder viscosity during dispensing through the dispensing opening projection; this non-stick surfacing is bonded to the inside of the spout being above one compartment when attached to a base (about one-third of inner spout surface).

Label 5—“spout lip protrusion”—This is the spout's lip which is orientated outward (convex), and shown with a screw-threading connector. It fits snuggly to a base's top connector lip indentation shown in FIG. 7, label 2, by screwing it into these corresponding opposite orientation screw grooves.

Label 6—“inside surface of spout (no non-stick surface)”—This is the two-thirds of the inner surface of the spout dome not covered in non-stick surfacing, and is transparent to show a user the powder contents of a compartment.

Label 7-“optional tab”—This is an optional feature of the invention, which allows for easier screwing or unscrewing of the “screw-type threading connectors” between the base and a spout.

Label 8—“apex of spout dome (bottom angle)”—This is the bottom view (inside surface of spout) of the spout of the apex of the dome of the spout.

How the Invention is Used:

The invention is primarily, but not exclusively, used by professional and non-professional athletes who require compact, portable, organized storage and quick dispensing of nutritional supplement powder solutes into water solvent. The multiple compartments of the invention allow for making pre-workout, intra-workout, and post-workout solutions for their hourly, daily, and/or weekly workout regiments without carrying multiple containers of powder. Once the invention is taken apart from the base/spout interface at the top connector lip indentation and base lip protrusion, or multiple bases are pulled apart into three base sections and a spout (as in FIG. 1), each of the three base compartments can be filled with approximately 150 mL of powder. For example, in a three base plus spout version of the invention, as show in FIG. 1, 9 compartments of 150 mL of powder. This allows for a workout which needs three supplements mixed with water, three times per day, to be accomplished without dealing with any bulky storage container drums that can be often be 10 liters or more.

The invention is used by turning the spout, as shown in FIG. 1, labels 7-12 attached to a base to the desired compartment with powder in it (seeing the powder desired), and carefully making sure the spout is aligned to only one compartment of powder. Then the user removes the cap cover and opens a standard 500 mL water bottle, inserts the dispensing opening projection into that water bottle, and allowing gravity to pull the powder down without mess into the water bottle. A light shake may be necessary to insert all powder into the water bottle, as well as removing an ounce or two of the water to allow sufficient space for this solute to enter the water bottle. Upon finishing with the powder insertion, the cap cover is replaced onto the spout. The rubber bottle guider prevents the dispensing opening projection from going into the water of the bottle.

Advantages of the Invention

The previously described versions of the present invention have many advantages, including:

(1) Using “shaker cups,” which are simply commercially available cups that have larger tops for mixing one supplement powder, do not solve the problem of the storage of multiple supplements needed in one workout, or multiple daily workouts. The invention gives an athlete 3, 6, 9 or more powder supplements in an easy to carry and functional storage and mixing solution. The athlete just needs to have a standard refillable water bottle (500 mL, 16.9 oz. or similar).

(2) In FIG. 1, which includes three bases plus a spout, 9 different 150 mL sections of different powders can be quickly interchanged into a quick dispensing setup for pouring that section's stored powder into a water bottle. In the nutritional supplement market today there are “shaker cups,” there are “scoops,” and there are all sorts of food storage containers that do not have designs that accommodate the standard average dose of fewer than 150 mL of powder in an ordinary nutrition supplement. Instead of an athlete having to pick and choose odd combinations of disconnected or other food-designed applications of sealed containers, e.g. Tupperware® or Gladware® for carrying there supplements, there is an athletically-focused application in the apparatus of the invention which takes into account the scoop amounts needed (under 150 mL) and the layout of a three-supplement powder workout need of a pre-workout, intra-workout, and post-workout need.

(3) Carrying three 10-15 liter drums of workout powder or using individual packets does not address the (a) limits of standard gym bag, which is does not easily hold a group of large supplement bins (b) the spillage that occurs when fumbling around with individual packets, not to mention their much higher unit costs versus bulk purchase in the large supplement drums. This powder spillage is analogous to using sugar packets and having incidental spillage that is almost expected or commonplace.

(4) Because the invention has a spout that will swivel on the base it is attached to, it can quickly move to another stored supplement and mix up 3 or more bottles of elixir in rapid succession, especially considering with the rubber bottle guider avoiding any touch of water by the dispensing opening projection. For example, a person staffing a gym could rapidly connect/disconnect bases from a spout and quickly mix supplements for guests or a team staff could use the invention under the pressure of intra-game conditions to make sure supplements are mixed properly and quickly, even if multiple types or amounts are needed.

(5) Athletes must push themselves, and carrying several filled and pre-mixed water bottles is burdensome to energy and the body. Professional athletes and teams have burdens in having staff that has to work under time-sensitive conditions and can't be spilling powders. Water weighs 2.2 Kg per liter (4.25 lbs.), making even a few extra bottles to be many kilograms of extra weight. The invention means that the invention and a single empty water bottle and sink is all that is necessary to have multiple, three-supplement, or up to 9+ supplement mixes ready fast, and without wasting expensive supplement purchases.

(6) An occasional gym user may have enough supplement powders stored in the compartments of the invention to last them for several weeks of work-outs and be assured non-waste of powder, especially persons on tight budgets.

(7) The invention is made of a light plastic material, and with supplements is easy to store in a standard gym bag.

ALTERNATIVES

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to the certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible For example, see items (I)-(V) listed below this paragraph. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions herein.

I. Lesser number of compartments/greater number of compartments—one version of invention, an alternative, is to create more or less than the above described three compartment base. For example, a base with one, two compartments, four compartments, or five. In the future, powders may become more condensed, and having more or less equal or unequal compartments sizes in a base may be preferable.

II. Variance of base and spout geometrical shapes—As shown in the certain preferred invention versions herein, the spout has a circular shaping to connect up to the base, and all bases being cylindrical in shape. One other version of invention, which otherwise alike as prior described, is a different shape of both spout and base, meaning any N-polygon instead of circular spout bottom and cylindrical bases, such as the base being and elongated 3-dimentional pentagon with such matching pentagon style of fitting spout. In some instances such difference in shaping (non-circular or non-uniform in diameter throughout base or spout may facilitate powder flow or storage.

III. Adapted compartments—In environments with extremely high humidity, or for other sundry possible factors, powders may have more of tendency to clump within compartments, therefore reducing needed powder flow through compartment and then onto through the spout's dispending opening projection. As an additional feature of invention, adapted compartments are designed to have wedges or other tapering to have more powder in the bottom or top of any given compartment or all compartments. This embodiment of invention relies on considering vector analysis of gravitational forces and how shaking of the overall Ironcup™ unit improves viscosity with powder in the invention at various angles.

IV. Compartment poles—Also, as in item III. Above, considering factors such as humidity or other clumping within the compartments, another alternative version of invention with adapted feature is having small rods, made of plastic or aluminum alloy, which attached from the convex dome bottom of a base up to the top of the base (stopping before the additional top extension). These poles, in range of diameter from about 1 mm to about 8 mm (0.04-0.35 inches), separate powder to prevent clumping generally.

V. Compartment mesh—In similar purpose of preventing clumping, as noted immediately above in IV, another alternation invention version is to have a mesh attached to the inner non-stick surface, with holes between about 1-15 mm in diameter, which creates a back-and-forth flow of powder in the compartment. This would resemble a panel of holes that splits or otherwise further sections a compartment, but does not create any new compartment. The panel is affixed entirely within the compartment.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed in one example only of a generic series of equivalent of similar features.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. An apparatus engineered specifically for the unique need of athletes to store and quickly dispense multiple nutritional powders into water bottles with speed and without powder spillage, comprising:

(a) a hollow, three-dimensional, cylindrical base with an open top, a closed and convex dome bottom, a set of section dividers creating a set of separated powder storage compartments, and a set of additional top extensions; and

(b) a spout with a dispensing opening projection, a cap cover for sealing said dispensing opening projection with an inside and outside surface, a cap strap, and a bottle guider to hold said spout position tightly for dispensing; and

(c) a connector for firmly attaching said base with said spout and attaching an additional base(s).

13. An apparatus as in claim 12, further comprising a structural pole for supporting said section dividers, and a connector button for securing said cap strap.

14. An apparatus as in claim 12, wherein said connector is a snap connector.

15. An apparatus as in claim 12, wherein said connector is a screw connection.

16. An apparatus as in claim 12, further comprising a non-stick coating on said compartments and said inside surface of dispensing opening projection.

17. An apparatus as in claim 12, further comprising one additional, identical said base, additional base's top connected to said base bottom of the first base.