SOLID AND LIQUID DIETARY DISPENSING SYSTEM

Abstract

A solid and liquid dietary dispensing system simultaneously stores and dispenses liquid and solid edible substances, while being manipulated with one hand. The system comprises a flattened tubular container defined by a container sidewall that forms a container cavity, containing a liquid edible substance. The container has a base end and a dispense end with a neck having a neck opening. Depressing the container forces the liquid edible substance through the neck opening. A cap detachably attaches to the container. The cap is defined by a continuous cap sidewall that forms a cap cavity. The cap has a discharge end and a mount end. The mount end comprises a channel that detachably mates with the neck of the container. The container cavity and the cap cavity are in fluid communication. Barriers segregates the cap cavity into compartments. A gate at discharge end of the cap regulates access to cap cavity.

Description

BACKGROUND

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

The present invention is directed to a solid and liquid dietary dispensing system that simultaneously stores and dispenses a plurality of nutritional edible substances in the form of both a liquid and a solid, while also enabling access to the edible substances by squeezing the container or opening a gate in the cap.

The inventor often practices healthy living and eating habits. The inventor especially enjoys consuming nutritional dietary edibles. These were often in liquid and solid forms. However, the inventor recognized that it was often inconvenient to access and consume both liquid and solid edible substances simultaneously.

The inventor was aware that there were cups and containers that held both liquids and solid foods. But these combination cups were used for carrying drinks and snack foods were bulky and difficult to hold. Children were especially prone to tipping their drinks and require safeguards to keep liquids and snacks from spilling out on to adjacent surfaces. Further, most cups of this nature were not designed to contain healthy, nutritious edible substances in the form of both liquid and solid.

The inventor designed a flexible cup that could be held with one hand and squeezed to discharge a liquid edible substance contained within. The inventor also added a cap to the cup. The cap had a cavity that contained solid edible substances.

The inventor recognized a problem in that the solid and liquid edible substances would mix. The inventor added barriers throughout the cap to segregate the cap cavity into multiple compartments, so as to provide each solid or liquid edible component its own compartment. The inventor finally added a hinged gate to the cap to prevent spillage.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a solid and liquid dietary dispensing system that simultaneously stores and dispenses a plurality of nutritional edible substances in the form of both a liquid and a solid. The system segregates the solid from the liquid; and further, may segregate multiple solids from each other, and multiple liquids from each other. The system is also adapted to be manipulated with one hand, so as to enable a user to access the nutritional edible substances for consumption while performing other functions.

Food storage and delivery systems and methods have been utilized in the past; yet none with the characteristics of the present invention. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,596,491; 8,939,312; and 20150272357.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a solid and liquid dietary dispensing system that simultaneously stores and dispenses a plurality of nutritional edible substances in the form of both a liquid and a solid, while also enabling access to the edible substances by squeezing the container or opening a gate in the cap.

SUMMARY

The present invention describes a solid and liquid dietary dispensing system that simultaneously stores and dispenses a plurality of nutritional edible substances in the form of both a liquid and a solid. The system segregates the solid from the liquid; and further, may segregate multiple solids from each other, and multiple liquids from each other. The system is also adapted to be manipulated with one hand, so as to enable a user to access the nutritional edible substances for consumption while performing other functions, such as exercising, driving, and talking on the phone.

In one embodiment, a solid and liquid dietary dispensing system comprises a generally flattened tubular container. The container is generally elongated. The container is sized and dimensioned to be held with one hand. The container is defined by a container sidewall that forms a container cavity. The container cavity may contain a liquid edible substance, having nutritional value. The container is further defined by a base end and a dispense end.

The base end of the container is configured to form a foundation for maintaining the container in a generally upright position. The dispense end of the container comprises a neck having a neck opening. The container is flexible, so as to enable depressing. Depressing along the length of the container forces air, or the liquid edible substance through the neck opening.

The system further comprises a cap that detachably attaches to the container. The cap is defined by a continuous cap sidewall that forms a cap cavity. The cap is further defined by a discharge end and a mount end. The mount end comprises a channel that detachably mates with the neck of the container. In this manner, the container cavity and the cap cavity are in fluid communication.

In some embodiments, the system may include at least one barrier that is disposed transversely to the cap sidewall. The at least one barrier segregates the cap cavity into a plurality of compartments. Each compartment may contain a solid edible substance or a liquid edible substance, or both. The at least one barrier seals each compartment off from the other, such that the edible substances are hermetically sealed in separate compartments within the cap of the container.

In another embodiment, the system comprises at least one gate. The gate is disposed at the discharge end of the cap. The gate is configured to selectively move between an open position and a closed position. The open position enables access to the liquid and solid edible substances. The closed position inhibits access to the liquid and solid edible substances.

One objective of the present invention is to provide a dietary dispensing system that simultaneously stores and dispenses a plurality of nutritional edible substances in the form of both a liquid and a solid.

Another objective is to provide a hand held container having a plurality of compartments wherein at least one compartment stores a solid edible substance and at least one compartment stores a liquid edible substance.

Another objective of the present invention is to depress the container to discharge the liquid edible substance through the neck opening for consumption.

Another objective of the present invention is to enable one-handed consumption of both solid and liquid edible substances.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide fun and easy access to nutritional edible substances.

Yet another objective is to inexpensively manufacture a solid and liquid dietary dispensing system.

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 drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary solid and liquid dietary dispensing system;

FIG. 2 is a sectioned view of the solid and liquid dietary dispensing system, shown in FIG. 1, with at least one gate in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a sectioned view of the solid and liquid dietary dispensing system, shown in FIG. 1, with at least one gate in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container and cap joined together; and

FIG. 5 is a sectioned view of the container and cap joined together.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention, referenced in FIGS. 1-5, is directed to a solid and liquid dietary dispensing system 100. The solid and liquid dietary dispensing system 100, hereafter “system 100” provides a user with the balanced option of selecting from a nutritional liquid edible substance from a container 102, and a nutritional solid edible substance, delivered from a cap 116 that detachably attaches to the container 102. The solid or liquid edible substances may be hermetically sealed in separate compartments 132a, 132b within both the cap 116 and the container 102.

As referenced in FIG. 1, the system 100 simultaneously stores and dispenses the edible substances in the form of both a liquid and a solid. The system 100 segregates the solid from the liquid edible substances; and further, may segregate multiple solids from each other, and multiple liquids from each other. The system 100 is also adapted to be manipulated with one hand, so as to enable a user to access the liquid and solid edible substances for consumption while performing myriad functions, such as exercising, driving, and talking on the phone.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that most combination cups for carrying drinks and snack foods are bulky and difficult to hold. Children are especially prone to tipping their drinks and require safeguards to keep liquids and snacks from spilling out on to adjacent surfaces. Further, most cups of this nature are not designed to contain healthy, nutritious edible substances in the form of both liquid and solid.

In one embodiment, the system 100 comprises a generally flattened tubular container 102. The container 102 is generally elongated, and sized and dimensioned to fit into one hand. The container 102 may also have an elongated oval shape. The container 102 may be fabricated from a plastic, such as polyurethane, silicone, or other flexible material. The container 102 is also fabricated from an anti-bacterial material.

Looking now at FIG. 2, the container 102 may be defined by a container sidewall 104 that forms a container cavity 106. The container cavity 106 is configured to contain a liquid, and specifically a liquid edible substance having nutritional value. In some embodiments, the liquid edible substance may include, without limitation, a health shake, a fruit juice, yogurt, milk, medicine, and mineral water.

The container 102 is further defined by a base end 108 and a dispense end 110. The base end 108 of the container 102 is configured to form a foundation for maintaining the container 102 in a generally upright position. As FIG. 3 illustrates, the dispense end 110 of the container 102 comprises a neck 112 that extends therefrom. The neck 112 carries the liquid edible substance form the container cavity 106 for consumption. A neck opening 114 forms at the terminus of the neck 112. The neck opening 114 is the only opening allowed from the container 102. The container 102 is flexible, so as to enable depressing. In one embodiment, depressing along the length of the container 102 forces air, or the liquid edible substance, through the neck opening 114.

The system 100 further comprises a cap 116 that detachably attaches to the container 102. The cap 116 is sized and dimensioned to substantially match the length and width of the dispense end 110 of the container 102. The cap 116 is defined by a continuous cap sidewall 118 that forms a cap cavity 120. The cap cavity 120 is configured to contain a solid edible substance, a liquid edible substance, or both. In some embodiments, the solid edible substance may include, without limitation, cereal, raisins, nuts, seeds, granola mix, fruit, vegetables, candy, pills, and tablets.

Turning now to FIG. 4, the cap 116 is further defined by a discharge end 122 and a mount end 124. The mount end 124 detachably attaches to the dispense end 110 of the container 102 through a friction fit relationship. In one embodiment, a seal forms between the mount end 124 of the cap 116 and the dispense end 110 of the container 102. Optionally a seal such as a gasket, O-ring, flap or the like, can be deployed to aid in retention of the liquid edible substance in the container 102.

The mount end 124 of the cap 116 comprises a channel 126 that detachably mates with the neck 112 of the container 102. In one embodiment, the neck opening 114 and the channel 126 may be threaded. In this threaded adaptation, the neck opening 114 is configured to rotatably engage the channel 126. Though in other embodiments, the channel 126 and the neck 112 have a friction fit relationship. In this manner, the container cavity 106 and the cap cavity 120 are in a sealed fluid communication.

In some embodiments, the system 100 may include at least one barrier 130 that is disposed transversely to the cap sidewall 118. The at least one barrier 130 segregates the cap cavity 120 into a plurality of compartments 132a, 132b. The at least one barrier 130 seals each compartment 132a, 132b off from the other, such that the edible substances are hermetically sealed in separate compartments 132a, 132b within the cap 116 of the container 102.

In one embodiment, a first barrier 130 forms a circular perimeter around the neck opening 114, a second barrier 130 segregates one region of the cap cavity 120, and a third barrier 130 segregates an opposite region of the cap cavity 120. Though in other embodiments, any combination or number of compartments may be formed in the cap 116 by the barriers 130. Each compartment 132a, 132b may be equally sized and dimensioned, or have different sizes, depending on the types of edible substances contained therein.

In one embodiment, each compartment 132a, 132b may contain a solid edible substance, or a liquid edible substance, or both. In another embodiment, each compartment 132a, 132b contains a different solid edible substance. In this manner, the user has the option of consuming different types of liquid and solid substances from the same cap 116.

As shown back in FIG. 1, the system 100 includes at least one gate 128a, 128b. The gate 128a, 128b is disposed at the discharge end 122 of the cap 116. The gate 128a, 128b is configured to selectively move between an open position and a closed position. The open position enables access to the liquid and solid edible substances (FIG. 1). The closed position inhibits access to the liquid and solid edible substances (FIG. 2). In one embodiment, the gate 128a, 128b hingedly attaches to the discharge end 122 of the cap 116. Though in other embodiments, the gate 128a, 128b may slide between the open and closed positions.

FIG. 5 illustrates two differently shaped gates 128a, 128b in an open position at the discharge end 122 of the cap 116. A first gate is circular 128a and a second gate 128b is elongated. The circular gate 128a may be more effective for accessing the liquid edible substance, while the elongated gate can be more effective for dispensing solid edible substances. In alternative embodiments, more than two gates may be used.

While the inventor's above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of several preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the compartments in the cap may all contain a liquid edible substance, and the container may include a granule solid edible substance. Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A solid and liquid dietary dispensing system, the system comprising:

a generally flattened tubular container defined by a container sidewall that forms a container cavity, the container further defined by a base end and a dispense end, the dispense end comprising a neck having a neck opening, the container configured to be flexible, whereby depressing the flexible container forces air through the neck opening; and

a cap defined by a continuous cap sidewall that forms a cap cavity, the cap further defined by a discharge end and a mount end having a channel, the channel of the mount end configured to detachably mate with the neck of the container, whereby the container cavity and the cap cavity are in fluid communication;

at least one barrier disposed transversely to the cap sidewall, the at least one barrier configured to segregate the cap cavity into a plurality of compartments; and

at least one gate disposed at the discharge end of the cap, the at least one gate configured to selectively move between an open position and a closed position.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the container is fabricated from plastic.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the cap is fabricated from plastic.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one gate is configured to hingedly join with the discharge end of the cap.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the neck opening and the channel are threaded.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the neck opening is configured to rotatably engage the channel.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the container is configured to enable containment of a liquid edible substance.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the liquid edible substance includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of: a health shake, a fruit juice, yogurt, milk, medicine, and mineral water.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of compartments are configured to enable containment of a solid edible substance.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the solid edible substance includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of: raisins, nuts, seeds, granola mix, fruit, vegetables, candy, pills, and tablets.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the solid edible substance and the liquid edible substance are nutritional.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein each compartment is configured to contain the solid edible substance or the liquid edible substance or both.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein each compartment is configured to contain a different solid edible substance.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein each compartment is equally sized and dimensioned.

15. A solid and liquid dietary dispensing system, the system comprising:

a generally flattened tubular container defined by a container sidewall that forms a container cavity, the container further defined by a base end and a dispense end, the dispense end comprising a neck having a neck opening, the container configured to enable containment of a liquid edible substance, the container further configured to be flexible, whereby depressing the flexible container forces the liquid edible substance through the neck opening; and

a cap defined by a continuous cap sidewall that forms a cap cavity, the cap further defined by a discharge end and a mount end having a channel, the channel of the mount end configured to detachably mate with the neck of the container, whereby the container cavity and the cap cavity are in fluid communication;

at least one barrier disposed transversely to the cap sidewall, the at least one barrier configured to segregate the cap cavity into a plurality of compartments, each compartment being equally sized and dimensioned, each compartment configured to contain a solid edible substance or the liquid edible substance or both; and

at least one gate disposed at the discharge end of the cap, the at least one gate configured to selectively move between an open position and a closed position.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one gate is configured to hingedly join with the discharge end of the cap.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the neck opening and the channel are threaded.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the neck opening is configured to rotatably engage the channel.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of the plurality of compartments contains a solid edible substance, and at least one of the plurality of compartments contains a liquid edible substance.

20. A solid and liquid dietary dispensing system, the system comprising:

a generally flattened tubular container defined by a container sidewall that forms a container cavity, the container further defined by a flat base end and a dispense end, the dispense end comprising a neck having a threaded neck opening, the container configured to enable containment of a liquid edible substance, the container further configured to be flexible, whereby depressing the flexible container forces the liquid edible substance through the neck opening; and

a cap defined by a continuous cap sidewall that forms a cap cavity, the cap further defined by a discharge end and a mount end having a threaded channel, the threaded channel of the mount end configured to rotatably mate with the neck of the container, whereby the container cavity and the cap cavity are in fluid communication;

at least one barrier disposed transversely to the cap sidewall, the at least one barrier configured to segregate the cap cavity into three compartments, each compartment being equally sized and dimensioned, each compartment is configured to contain a solid edible substance or the liquid edible substance or both; and

at least one gate disposed at the discharge end of the cap, the at least one gate configured to selectively move between an open position and a closed position, the at least one gate configured to hingedly join with the discharge end of the cap.