Abstract:
A container facilitating addition of on-demand juice into the container without modal conversion of the container to activate a juicing accessory. A juicer-enabled container includes a base container having a closed surface wherein a portion of the closed surface defines an opening; a juicer adapted to engage the portion of the closed surface, the juicer including one or more juicing elements that extract a quantity of juice from an object interacting with the one or more juicing elements and further including one or more apertures communicating the quantity of juice into the base container; and a first closure, repeatedly engageable with and disengageable from the portion of the closed surface, sealing the opening while the juicer is engaged with the portion of the closed surface and while the juicer is engaged in a juice-extracting configuration.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to containers, and more specifically to a container having an integrated juicer for adding desired quantities of fresh juice into the container. 
         [0002]    Marketing of certain cleaning solutions for such containers frequently promotes use of citrus juice in the solution. These solutions for are either pre-mixed and sold at retail or they are custom mixed at a location of use. A common type of container used in dispensing these cleaning solutions is a spray-bottle. The pre-mixed solution is either sold in a spray bottle or transferred into an existing spray bottle. The same is true for custom mixed cleaning solutions. The container may be sold empty or distributed with a solution pre-added. 
         [0003]    For some cleaning solutions, a total quantity of juice used in the cleaning solution determines a “strength” of the cleaning solution. Without easy access to a juicer, users can be at a loss on how to easily add juice into a container, such as to strengthen the cleaning solution. 
         [0004]    In other solutions, for example citrus juice beverages, a total juice quantity is an important element. Particularly for users desiring citrus juice beverages with fresh citrus juice, a container that facilitates on-demand production of the beverage by easily permitting on-demand addition of desired quantities of fresh citrus juice into the container is advantageous. 
         [0005]    It has been known to provide containers with multi-modal accessories, that in one mode an accessory is converted from a storage mode or some other function into a temporary juicing mode. These containers require conversion and mode-change enable juicing. Further, the container is more complicated than it needs to be for an application focusing on a dedicated integrated juicing function. 
         [0006]    What is needed is a container that facilitates addition of on-demand juice into the container without modal conversion of the container to activate a juicing accessory. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Disclosed is a container that facilitates addition of on-demand juice into the container without modal conversion of the container to activate a juicing accessory. A juicer-enabled container includes a base container having a closed surface wherein a portion of the closed surface defines an opening; a juicer adapted to engage the portion of the closed surface, the juicer including one or more juicing elements that extract a quantity of juice from an object interacting with the one or more juicing elements and further including one or more apertures communicating the quantity of juice into the base container; and a first closure, repeatedly engageable with and disengageable from the portion of the closed surface, sealing the opening while the juicer is engaged with the portion of the closed surface and while the juicer is engaged in a juice-extracting configuration. 
         [0008]    A juicing method includes the steps of: (a) disengaging a first closure from a portion of a surface of a container, the portion of the surface defining an opening, wherein the first closure disengaging step reveals a juicer engaged with the portion of the surface with the juicer overlaying a reservoir of the container and the revealed juicer preconfigured into a juice-extracting configuration automatically available for juicing without reconfiguring the juicer; and (b) interacting an object with the juicer to extract juice into the reservoir. 
         [0009]    There are many advantages to embodiments of the present invention. These advantages include an advantage in providing quick and easy quantities of pure juice. These and other advantages of the present invention will be evident upon a review of the application including the specification, drawing, and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an assembled juice-extracting container; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the container shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a left-side view of the container shown in  FIG. 1 , the right side being a minor image; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the container shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a left-side view of the container shown in  FIG. 1  disassembled to better illustrate the elements thereof; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an assembled juice-extracting container having a different configuration than the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the container shown in  FIG. 6 , the back view being a minor image; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a left-side view of the container shown in  FIG. 6 , the right side being a minor image; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the container shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a left-side view of the container shown in  FIG. 6  disassembled to better illustrate the elements thereof; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a partial perspective view illustrating an interlock assembly for a juicer element; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is an exploded view detailing the interlock assembly of  FIG. 11 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    The present invention relates to a method, system and apparatus for a container that facilitates addition of on-demand juice into the container without modal conversion of the container to activate a juicing accessory. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an assembled juice-extracting container  100 .  FIG. 2  is a front view of container  100 ,  FIG. 3  is a left-side view of container  100 ,  FIG. 4  is a top view of container  100 , and  FIG. 5  is a left-side view of container  100  shown disassembled to better illustrate the elements thereof. 
         [0024]    Container  100  includes a base container  505  including a first threaded opening  510 , a juicer  515  sized to fit within opening  510 , and a main closure  520  having a second threaded portion for engaging with the first threaded opening  510 . Element  505  through element  520  define a basic configuration for preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0025]    Base container  505  is a generally upright cylindrical shell having a longitudinal axis about which there is generally two-dimensional symmetry. Part of the shell near a “top” includes opening  510  having a mechanism for forming a fluidic seal with main closure  520 . In the preferred embodiment this includes a threaded portion that mates with a complementary threaded portion of main closure  520 . 
         [0026]    Juicer  515  may have a wide-variety of configurations as well-known in the arts pertaining to citrus juicers and the like, particularly adapted as described herein. The embodiments of the present invention do not necessarily describe direct improvements in the configuration and operation of a discrete juicer, however many different types of juicers may be advantageously employed in the preferred embodiments to achieve the new and useful configurations described herein. 
         [0027]    At a basic configuration, juicer  515  includes one or more juicing elements (e.g., a plurality of ridges and furrows disposed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of base container  505 ). These juicing elements extract a quantity of juice from an object (e.g., a lemon, an orange, or other citrus fruit or the like) when interacting with these juicing elements. The interaction, in the preferred embodiment, is direct manipulation of the object against the juicing elements, typically manual manipulation though other juicing techniques are known and may be adapted depending upon implementation and design requirements. Juicer  515  further includes, at a minimum, one or more apertures that communicate the extracted quantity of juice into base container  505 . 
         [0028]    The basic operation of container  100  includes removing main closure  520  from base container  505  to reveal juicer  515  automatically configured for juicing operation. The user simply extracts the desired quantity of juice from the object into base container  505  by operating juicer  515 . The user may stop extracting at any time and place main closure onto base container  505  while juicer  515  is configured in a juice-extracting mode. Main closure  520  holds juicer  515  in place when main closure  520  engages base container  505  and forms the fluidic seal. 
         [0029]    Further structures are used, and other operational steps employed, specific to details of the implementation and use for container  100 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  through  FIG. 5  illustrate a beverage forming/dispensing implementation for container  100 . In furtherance of this implementation, main closure  520  is formed having a secondary closure system including a second opening  525  and a secondary closure  530 . 
         [0031]    The secondary closure system also forms a fluidic seal inhibiting discharge of fluid from container  100  when both closures are sealed. Preferably, secondary closure is easily manipulated, and includes a conventional screw cap opening as part of second opening  525  and a complementary screw cap as part of secondary closure  530 . 
         [0032]    Operation is dependent upon the type of beverage to be formed/dispensed. There are many types of juice-enhanced beverages, from 100% “pure” juice beverages to beverages having a small percentage of “pure” juice. When other non-pure juice components are part of the desired beverage, the user opens container  100  by removing closure  520 . Juicer  515  may be removed at some portion as necessary or desirable to add one or more beverage elements directly into base container  505 . These beverage elements may include one or more additional fluids that are flat or effervescent, other plant components (juices, extracts, emulsions, mixtures, suspensions, and the like), other flavorings, vitamins, dietary supplements, medicines, and the like. Juicer  515  permits the desired quantity of pure fresh juice to be added on-demand whenever the user desires. When the desired beverage components are assembled in base container  505 , juicer  515  is returned to position if it had been removed and closure  520  seals container  100 . The user may use the secondary closure system to add desired quantities of some beverage components as necessary or desired. For example, the user removes the screw cap  530  and directs a stream of water into container  100  through second opening  525  to fill base container  505  to a desired level/produce a desired ratio of other beverage components. 
         [0033]    Second opening  525  is also provided to enable simple extraction of the beverage from container  100 . The user simply removes just screw cap  530  to reveal the second opening  525  and may drink the beverage directly from opening  525  or pour the beverage from container  100  into a drinking container or other dispensing system. A user desiring a simple lemon-infused water beverage may use juicer  515  to add a desired quantity from as many lemons as desired. The user closes container  100 , unscrews cap  530  and directs a stream of water into container  100  until the desired dilution is reached. Container is resealed by screwing the screw cap back on. Thereafter the user may simply unscrew the cap and treat themselves to a beverage infused with the desired amount of fresh lemon juice. Of course, other juices, closure systems, and beverage components may be used. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an assembled juice-extracting and solution dispensing container  600 .  FIG. 7  is a front view of container  600 ,  FIG. 8  is a left-side view of container  600 ,  FIG. 9  is a top view of container  600 , and  FIG. 10  is a left-side view of container  600  shown disassembled to better illustrate the elements thereof. 
         [0035]    Container  600  includes a base container  1005  including a first threaded opening  1010 , a juicer  1015  sized to fit within opening  1010 , and a main closure  1020  having a second threaded portion for engaging with the first threaded opening  1010 . Element  1005  through element  1020  define a basic configuration for preferred embodiments of the present invention as described above in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 5  with respect to container  100  and elements  505  through  520 . Similarly, further structures are used, and other operational steps employed, specific to details of the implementation and use for container  600 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  through  FIG. 10  illustrate a cleaning solution forming/dispensing implementation for container  600 . In furtherance of this implementation, main closure  1020  is formed having a secondary closure system including a second opening  1025  and a secondary closure  1030  that incorporates a spray head/nozzle. In this configuration, juicer  1015  incorporates an extraction aperture  1035  permitting a conduit  1040  (e.g., a plastic tube) to extend from spray head  1030  into base container  1005 . Operation of spray head  1030  permits the fresh-juice-enhanced cleaning solution in base container  1005  to be dispensed in conventional way through conduit  1040 . 
         [0037]    The secondary closure system also forms a fluidic seal inhibiting discharge of fluid from container  600  when both closures are sealed. Preferably, secondary closure is easily manipulated, and includes a conventional screw-cap-type opening as part of second opening  1025  and a complementary mating spray head/nozzle with attachment screw cap as part of secondary closure  1030 . 
         [0038]    Operation is dependent upon the type of cleaning solution to be formed/dispensed. There are many types of juice-enhanced cleaning solutions many having juice-enhanced solutions with varying percentages of “pure” juice. The user opens container  600  by removing closure  1020  and pulling conduit  1040  out of aperture  1035  to permit unobstructed operation of juicer  1015 . Juicer  1015  may be removed at some portion as necessary or desirable to add one or more cleaning solution elements directly into base container  1005 . These cleaning solution elements may include many different types of additional fluids, additives, solvents, scents, and the like. Juicer  1015  permits the desired quantity of pure fresh juice to be added on-demand whenever the user desires. When the desired cleaning solution components are assembled in base container  1005 , juicer  1015  is returned to position if it had been removed, conduit  1040  is replaced into base container  1005  through aperture  1035 , and closure  1020  seals container  600 . In some cases, the user may use the secondary closure system to add desired quantities of some cleaning solution components as necessary or desired. For example, the user removes the spray head  1030  and directs a stream of water or cleaning fluid into container  600  through second opening  1025  to fill base container  1005  to a desired level/produce a desired ratio of other cleaning solution components. 
         [0039]    Spray head  1035  is also provided to enable simple dispensation (e.g., spraying) of the fresh-juice-enhanced cleaning solution from container  600 . The user simply operates spray head  1030  in conventional manner to produce a stream and directs the stream of cleaning solution directly from spray head  1035  onto a sponge or directly onto a surface to be cleaned. 
         [0040]      FIG. 11  is a partial perspective view illustrating an interlock assembly  1105  for a juicer element  1015  such as shown in  FIG. 10 ; and  FIG. 12  is an exploded view detailing interlock assembly  1105  of  FIG. 11  including a set of first interlocking elements  1205  and one or more second interlocking elements  1210 . Preferably, an outer wall of juicer  1015  includes a pair of integrated spaced-apart pins forming each second interlocking element. Disposed inside opening  1010  are one or more mating pins forming the set of first interlocking elements. The spaced-apart pins have a gap about equal to a width of the mating pins, a mating pin of one set of first interlocking elements  1205  is designed to slide between the pair of the spaced-apart pins of the second interlocking elements  1210  when juicer  1015  is slid into place inside opening  1010 . Juicer  1015  is also shown as having a lip  1215  overlying a top of opening  1010  when juicer  1015  is installed. Juicer  1015 , inside opening  1010 , is thereby at least partially sealed when closure  1020  engages the threaded portion on the “outside” of opening  1010 . Placement of the mating pin inside the spaced-apart pins prevents juicer  1015  from rotating when juicer  1015  is operated. Some implementations may not require an interlock system while others may implement the interlocking in different fashion. 
         [0041]    The preceding describes a container that facilitates addition of on-demand juice into the container without modal conversion of the container to activate a juicing accessory. In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0042]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “a specific embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus, respective appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in a specific embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present invention may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more other embodiments. It is to be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0043]    It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application. 
         [0044]    Additionally, any signal arrows in the drawings/Figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwise specifically noted. Furthermore, the term “or” as used herein is generally intended to mean “and/or” unless otherwise indicated. Combinations of components or steps will also be considered as being noted, where terminology is foreseen as rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear. 
         [0045]    As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0046]    The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0047]    Thus, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of embodiments of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the scope of the invention is to be determined solely by the appended claims.