CONTAINER WITH DETACHABLE COMPARTMENTS

Abstract

A container comprising a substantially cylindrical upper compartment adapted to be detachably connected to a substantially cylindrical lower compartment, wherein the upper compartment includes an open upper portion; a middle portion, wherein the middle portion includes a plurality of ridges encircling the middle portion, and wherein the ridges define a plurality of distinct interstitial regions therebetween each adapted to receive identifying indicia; and a threaded lower portion; and a substantially cylindrical lower compartment adapted to be detachably connected to the substantially cylindrical upper compartment, wherein the lower compartment includes an open threaded upper portion, wherein the threads on the open threaded upper portion of the lower compartment are adapted to mechanically engage the threads on the open threaded lower portion of the upper compartment; and a closed bottom portion. A threaded middle compartment may be included for placement between the upper and lower compartments.

Description

BACKGROUND

The disclosed inventive subject matter relates in general to containers for food and other items and more specifically to containers having one or more detachable compartments for storing various items, wherein the stored items can be easily visualized within the compartments.

Portable plastic and metal containers for storing liquids, food, and many other items are commonplace in modern society. Some of these containers may include one or more integrated or detachable features that allow the user to place more than one type of liquid or other item in the container. However, from the exterior of the container, it is usually difficult or impossible to discern what is being stored in the container and how much of what is being stored actually remains in the container. Accordingly, a multi-chambered or multi-compartmented container having transparent features that permit viewing of the contents of the container would be useful.

SUMMARY

The following provides a summary of certain example implementations of the disclosed inventive subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview and is not intended to identify key or critical aspects or elements of the disclosed inventive subject matter or to delineate its scope. However, it is to be understood that the use of indefinite articles in the language used to describe and claim the disclosed inventive subject matter is not intended in any way to limit the described inventive subject matter. Rather the use of “a” or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”.

One implementation provides a container. This container comprises a substantially cylindrical upper compartment adapted to be detachably connected to a substantially cylindrical lower compartment, wherein the upper compartment includes an open upper portion; a middle portion, wherein the middle portion includes a plurality of ridges encircling the middle portion, and wherein the ridges define a plurality of distinct interstitial regions therebetween each adapted to receive identifying indicia; and a threaded lower portion; and a substantially cylindrical lower compartment adapted to be detachably connected to the substantially cylindrical upper compartment, wherein the lower compartment includes an open threaded upper portion, wherein the threads on the open threaded upper portion of the lower compartment are adapted to mechanically engage the threads on the open threaded lower portion of the upper compartment; and a closed bottom portion. The container may further comprise at least one substantially cylindrical middle compartment adapted to be positioned between the upper compartment and the lower compartment, wherein each middle compartment includes an open threaded upper portion, a closed bottom, and a threaded lower portion. The container may further comprise a cap, wherein the cap is adapted to releasably engage the open upper portion of the upper compartment or releasably engage the open threaded upper portion of the lower compartment or releasably engage the open threaded upper portion of each middle compartment, and wherein the cap is metal, plastic, or a combination thereof. The container may further comprise a protrusion formed on the upper compartment, wherein the protrusion further includes an eyelet adapted to receive a lanyard or the like. The upper compartment may be partially transparent or completely transparent for permitting viewing of any contents contained therein. Each middle compartment may be partially transparent or completely transparent for permitting viewing of any contents contained therein. The lower compartment may be partially transparent or completely transparent for permitting viewing of any contents contained therein. The identifying indicia may printed on rings that are rotatably mounted on the interstitial regions and may include words, letters, numbers, or symbols. The container may be metal, plastic, or a combination thereof.

Another implementation provides a first container for water, food or other items. This container comprises a partially or entirely transparent cylindrical upper compartment adapted to be detachably connected to a substantially cylindrical lower compartment, wherein the upper compartment includes an open upper portion; a middle portion, wherein the middle portion includes a plurality of ridges encircling the middle portion, and wherein the ridges define a plurality of distinct interstitial regions therebetween each adapted to receive identifying indicia; and a threaded lower portion; and a partially or entirely transparent cylindrical lower compartment adapted to be detachably connected to the substantially cylindrical upper compartment, wherein the lower compartment includes an open threaded upper portion, wherein the threads on the open threaded upper portion of the lower compartment are adapted to mechanically engage the threads on the open threaded lower portion of the upper compartment; and a closed bottom portion. The container may further comprise at least one substantially cylindrical middle compartment adapted to be positioned between the upper compartment and the lower compartment, wherein each middle compartment includes an open threaded upper portion, a closed bottom, and a threaded lower portion. The container may further comprise a cap, wherein the cap is adapted to releasably engage the open upper portion of the upper compartment or releasably engage the open threaded upper portion of the lower compartment or releasably engage the open threaded upper portion of each middle compartment, and wherein the cap is metal, plastic, or a combination thereof. The container may further comprise a protrusion formed on the upper compartment, wherein the protrusion further includes an eyelet adapted to receive a lanyard or the like. Each middle compartment may be partially transparent or completely transparent for permitting viewing of any contents contained therein. The identifying indicia may be printed on rings that are rotatably mounted on the interstitial regions, and may include words, letters, numbers, or symbols. The container may be metal, plastic, or a combination thereof.

Still another implementation provides a second container for water, food or other items. This container comprises a partially or entirely transparent cylindrical upper compartment adapted to be detachably connected to a substantially cylindrical lower compartment, wherein the upper compartment includes an open upper portion; a middle portion, wherein the middle portion includes a plurality of ridges encircling the middle portion, and wherein the ridges define a plurality of distinct interstitial regions therebetween each adapted to receive identifying indicia; and a threaded lower portion; a partially or entirely transparent cylindrical lower compartment adapted to be detachably connected to the substantially cylindrical upper compartment, wherein the lower compartment includes an open threaded upper portion, wherein the threads on the open threaded upper portion of the lower compartment are adapted to mechanically engage the threads on the open threaded lower portion of the upper compartment; and a closed bottom portion; at least one partially or entirely transparent substantially cylindrical middle compartment adapted to be positioned between the upper compartment and the lower compartment, wherein each middle compartment includes an open threaded upper portion, a closed bottom, and a threaded lower portion; and a cap, wherein the cap is adapted to releasably engage the open upper portion of the upper compartment or releasably engage the open threaded upper portion of the lower compartment or releasably engage the open threaded upper portion of each middle compartment, and wherein the cap is metal, plastic, or a combination thereof. The container may further comprise a protrusion formed on the upper compartment, wherein the protrusion further includes an eyelet adapted to receive a lanyard or the like. The identifying indicia may be printed on rings that are rotatably mounted on the interstitial regions and may include words, letters, numbers, or symbols. The container may be metal, plastic, or a combination thereof.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein and may be implemented to achieve the benefits as described herein. Additional features and aspects of the disclosed system, devices, and methods will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the example implementations. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, further implementations are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of what is disclosed herein. Accordingly, the drawings and associated descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive in nature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, schematically illustrate one or more example implementations of the disclosed inventive subject matter and, together with the general description given above and detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed subject matter, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first example implementation of the disclosed container, wherein the container includes a single detachable lower compartment;

FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts the lower compartment of the disclosed container, wherein a cap is positioned above the open top portion of the lower compartment; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a second example implementation of the disclosed container, wherein the container includes an additional detachable middle compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example implementations are now described with reference to the Figures. Reference numerals are used throughout the detailed description to refer to the various elements and structures. Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the disclosed inventive subject matter. Accordingly, the following implementations are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed subject matter.

FIG. 1 provides an exploded view of a first example implementation of the disclosed container, wherein the container includes a single detachable compartment and FIG. 2 provides an assembled view of the container of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 depicts the lower compartment of the disclosed container, wherein a cap is positioned above the open top portion of the lower compartment for sealing the compartment as desired. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a second example implementation of the disclosed container, wherein the container includes an additional detachable middle compartment.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, example implementations of container 10 include cap 20, upper compartment 30, lower compartment 60, and in some versions one or more middle compartments 70 all of which are transparent or semi-transparent. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, upper compartment 30 is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes lip 32, internal reservoir 34, ridge 36, interstitial region 38, ridge 40, interstitial region 42, ridge 44, interstitial region 46, ridge 48, interstitial region 50, ring 52, and closed bottom 54, which in some implementations may be open. Threads 56 are formed on the bottom portion of upper compartment 30. Lower compartment 60 is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes an open upper portion 62, which is surrounded by threads 64, and an inner reservoir 66. Threads 64 on lower compartment 60 engage threads 56 on upper compartment 30 for connecting the two compartments to one another.

As shown in FIG. 4, some implementations of container 10 include one or more middle compartments 70, which are attachable to container 10 between upper compartment 30 and lower compartment 60. Middle compartments 70 are substantially cylindrical in shape and include an open upper portion 72, which is surrounded by upper threads 74, internal reservoir 76, closed bottom 78, and lower threads 78. Upper threads 74 engage threads 56 for connecting middle compartment 70 to upper compartment 30 and lower threads 74 engage threads 64 for connecting middle compartment 70 to lower compartment 60. Multiple middle compartments 70 may be attached to and used with container 10. Cap 20 may be snapped onto lip 32 to seal upper compartment 30 or cap 20 may be snapped onto upper portion 62 or upper portion 72 to seal lower compartment 60 or middle compartment 70, respectively.

Container 10 may be used to store a variety of different items, and because some or all of the various compartments may be transparent or at least semi-transparent, items stored within the compartments will be visible. By way of non-limiting example, upper compartment 30 may be used to store a water bottle, middle compartment 70 may be used to store a muffin or other food item, and lower compartment 60 may be used to store keys or some other physical item. Numerous combinations are possible. Additionally, container 10, by virtue of the design of upper compartment 30 and the interstitial regions included thereon, may be used with containers that include personalization systems such as the container disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,516,961, which is incorporated by reference herein, in its entirety, for all purposes. In some implementations, some or all of the compartments included in container 10 are insulated such that they may be used to more effectively store hot or cold items.

All literature and similar material cited in this application, including, but not limited to, patents, patent applications, articles, books, treatises, and web pages, regardless of the format of such literature and similar materials, are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety. Should one or more of the incorporated references and similar materials differs from or contradicts this application, including but not limited to defined terms, term usage, described techniques, or the like, this application controls.

As previously stated and as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” refer to both the singular as well as plural, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term “comprising” as used herein is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. Although many methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used, particular suitable methods and materials are described herein. Unless context indicates otherwise, the recitations of numerical ranges by endpoints include all numbers subsumed within that range. Furthermore, references to “one implementation” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional implementations that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, implementations “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional elements whether or not they have that property.

The terms “substantially” and “about” used throughout this specification are used to describe and account for small fluctuations, such as due to variations in processing. For example, these terms can refer to less than or equal to ±5%, such as less than or equal to ±2%, such as less than or equal to ±1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.5%, such as less than or equal to ±0.2%, such as less than or equal to ±0.1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.05%, and/or 0%.

Underlined and/or italicized headings and subheadings are used for convenience only, do not limit the disclosed subject matter, and are not referred to in connection with the interpretation of the description of the disclosed subject matter. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various implementations described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the disclosed subject matter. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the above description.

There may be many alternate ways to implement the disclosed inventive subject matter. Various functions and elements described herein may be partitioned differently from those shown without departing from the scope of the disclosed inventive subject matter. Generic principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations. Different numbers of a given module or unit may be employed, a different type or types of a given module or unit may be employed, a given module or unit may be added, or a given module or unit may be omitted.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail herein (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the disclosed inventive subject matter. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. While the disclosed inventive subject matter has been illustrated by the description of example implementations, and while the example implementations have been described in certain detail, there is no intention to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the disclosed inventive subject matter in its broader aspects is not limited to any of the specific details, representative devices and methods, and/or illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.

Claims

1. A container, comprising:

(a) a substantially cylindrical upper compartment adapted to be detachably connected to a substantially cylindrical lower compartment, wherein the upper compartment includes: (i) an open upper portion; (ii) a middle portion, wherein the middle portion includes a plurality of ridges encircling the middle portion, and wherein the ridges define a plurality of distinct interstitial regions therebetween each adapted to receive identifying indicia; and (iii) a threaded lower portion; and

(b) a substantially cylindrical lower compartment adapted to be detachably connected to the substantially cylindrical upper compartment, wherein the lower compartment includes: (i) an open threaded upper portion, wherein the threads on the open threaded upper portion of the lower compartment are adapted to mechanically engage the threads on the open threaded lower portion of the upper compartment; and (ii) a closed bottom portion.

2. The container of claim 1, further comprising at least one substantially cylindrical middle compartment adapted to be positioned between the upper compartment and the lower compartment, wherein each middle compartment includes an open threaded upper portion, a closed bottom, and a threaded lower portion.

3. The container of claim 2, further comprising a cap, wherein the cap is adapted to releasably engage the open upper portion of the upper compartment or releasably engage the open threaded upper portion of the lower compartment or releasably engage the open threaded upper portion of each middle compartment, and wherein the cap is metal, plastic, or a combination thereof.

4. The container of claim 1, further comprising a protrusion formed on the upper compartment, wherein the protrusion further includes an eyelet adapted to receive a lanyard or the like.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the upper compartment is partially transparent or completely transparent for permitting viewing of any contents contained therein.

6. The container of claim 2, wherein each middle compartment is partially transparent or completely transparent for permitting viewing of any contents contained therein.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the lower compartment is partially transparent or completely transparent for permitting viewing of any contents contained therein.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the identifying indicia is printed on rings that are rotatably mounted on the interstitial regions, and wherein the identifying indicia includes words, letters, numbers, or symbols.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is metal, plastic, or a combination thereof.

10. A container for water, food or other items, comprising:

(a) a partially or entirely transparent cylindrical upper compartment adapted to be detachably connected to a substantially cylindrical lower compartment, wherein the upper compartment includes: (i) an open upper portion; (ii) a middle portion, wherein the middle portion includes a plurality of ridges encircling the middle portion, and wherein the ridges define a plurality of distinct interstitial regions therebetween each adapted to receive identifying indicia; and (iii) a threaded lower portion; and

(b) a partially or entirely transparent cylindrical lower compartment adapted to be detachably connected to the substantially cylindrical upper compartment, wherein the lower compartment includes: (i) an open threaded upper portion, wherein the threads on the open threaded upper portion of the lower compartment are adapted to mechanically engage the threads on the open threaded lower portion of the upper compartment; and (ii) a closed bottom portion.

11. The container of claim 10, further comprising at least one substantially cylindrical middle compartment adapted to be positioned between the upper compartment and the lower compartment, wherein each middle compartment includes an open threaded upper portion, a closed bottom, and a threaded lower portion.

12. The container of claim 10, further comprising a cap, wherein the cap is adapted to releasably engage the open upper portion of the upper compartment or releasably engage the open threaded upper portion of the lower compartment or releasably engage the open threaded upper portion of each middle compartment, and wherein the cap is metal, plastic, or a combination thereof.

13. The container of claim 10, further comprising a protrusion formed on the upper compartment, wherein the protrusion further includes an eyelet adapted to receive a lanyard or the like.

14. The container of claim 11, wherein each middle compartment is partially transparent or completely transparent for permitting viewing of any contents contained therein.

15. The container of claim 10, wherein the identifying indicia is printed on rings that are rotatably mounted on the interstitial regions, and wherein the identifying indicia includes words, letters, numbers, or symbols.

16. The container of claim 10, wherein the container is metal, plastic, or a combination thereof.

17. A container for water, food or other items, comprising:

(a) a partially or entirely transparent cylindrical upper compartment adapted to be detachably connected to a substantially cylindrical lower compartment, wherein the upper compartment includes: (i) an open upper portion; (ii) a middle portion, wherein the middle portion includes a plurality of ridges encircling the middle portion, and wherein the ridges define a plurality of distinct interstitial regions therebetween each adapted to receive identifying indicia; and (iii) a threaded lower portion;

(b) a partially or entirely transparent cylindrical lower compartment adapted to be detachably connected to the substantially cylindrical upper compartment, wherein the lower compartment includes: (i) an open threaded upper portion, wherein the threads on the open threaded upper portion of the lower compartment are adapted to mechanically engage the threads on the open threaded lower portion of the upper compartment; and (ii) a closed bottom portion;

(c) at least one partially or entirely transparent substantially cylindrical middle compartment adapted to be positioned between the upper compartment and the lower compartment, wherein each middle compartment includes an open threaded upper portion, a closed bottom, and a threaded lower portion; and

(d) a cap, wherein the cap is adapted to releasably engage the open upper portion of the upper compartment or releasably engage the open threaded upper portion of the lower compartment or releasably engage the open threaded upper portion of each middle compartment, and wherein the cap is metal, plastic, or a combination thereof.

18. The container of claim 17, further comprising a protrusion formed on the upper compartment, wherein the protrusion further includes an eyelet adapted to receive a lanyard or the like.

19. The container of claim 17, wherein the identifying indicia is printed on rings that are rotatably mounted on the interstitial regions, and wherein the identifying indicia includes words, letters, numbers, or symbols.

20. The container of claim 17, wherein the container is metal, plastic, or a combination thereof.