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

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/689615, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This specification relates generally to containers for holding liquid, and more particularly to a bottle with multiple compartments for storing different constituent liquids for mixed drinks. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Mixed drinks such as juice mixtures and mixed alcoholic beverages are commonly consumed in modern society. 
         [0004]    Mixed beverages are generally prepared using one of two methods. In a first method, the constituent liquids are mixed in a bottle at a bottling facility and are provided in a pre-mixed state to a retailer. An example of this method would be a blueberry iced tea drink. In this example, blueberry juice and iced tea are dispensed in the same bottle at the bottling facility so that a consumer does not have to mix the ingredients themselves. One deficiency of this method is that the constituent ingredients will generally have different densities, which leads to one of the liquids remaining at the bottom of the bottle and often forming a sediment layer. If a consumer pours the beverage without mixing vigorously, it is likely that the consumer will receive a significantly larger portion of one of the constituent liquids than was intended by the beverage provider given that the constituent liquids are not mixed effectively. 
         [0005]    In a second method of preparing mixed beverages, a user consumer must purchase the constituent ingredient liquids of the desired beverage, measure the constituent ingredients, and pour accordingly. This method can be cumbersome, especially when the consumer must buy many different constituent liquid that are called for by the mixed drink recipe. Furthermore, the consumer must measure each of the ingredients precisely before pouring which is dependent on the size of the glass being used to drink the beverage. Many consumers do not know the proper drink recipes and therefore have to conduct some research first in order to obtain the desired mixing proportions. 
         [0006]    There is therefore a need for multiple compartment bottle which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the defects of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Broadly speaking, the invention provides a beverage bottle for efficiently mixing at least two liquids upon pouring. The bottle has an outer container for holding a first liquid and at least one inner container within the outer container for holding a second liquid such that the first and second liquids are kept separate until they are poured from the bottle. The inner container may define an inner surface that is substantially helical in configuration such that a rotational pattern is imparted on the liquid in the inner container when the liquids are poured from the bottle into a drinking container such as a glass. The rotational pattern imparted on the second liquid ensures that the two liquids are mixed effectively as the liquids are poured into the glass. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, the inner container comprises an inner spout and the outer container comprises an outer spout. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, the inner spout comprises a flange in which the diameter of the spout enlarges towards the top of the bottle to impart a radially outward flow pattern on the second liquid to further ensure efficient mixing. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, the first and second spout radii are selected to dispense the first and second liquids at predetermined rates. 
         [0011]    In another broad aspect, the invention provides a bottle cap for sealing a multiple compartment bottle comprising an outer container and an inner container positioned within the outer container. Each of the containers has its own spout. The bottle cap has an outer cylindrical wall substantially corresponding in dimension to the spout of the outer container such that the cap snugly engages with the outer spout when the cap is positioned on the bottle in a sealed configuration. One end of the cap comprises a seal and the other end of the cap is open for receiving the outer spout of the bottle. The cap includes an inner seal for substantially sealing the spout of the inner container when the cap is positioned in a closed position on the multiple compartment bottle. 
         [0012]    In an aspect, the inner seal includes an inner cylindrical wall that substantially corresponds in dimension to the spout of the inner container such that the inner cylindrical wall snugly engages with the inner spout when the cap is used to seal the multiple compartment bottle. 
         [0013]    In one aspect, the bottle cap includes an inner stopper such as a cork that is configured to seal the inner compartment when the cap is positioned in a sealed configuration on the multiple compartment bottle. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings, in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a front view of a multiple compartment bottle according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a another front view diagram of the multiple compartment bottle of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a multiple compartment bottle according to one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the multiple compartment bottle shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the multiple compartment bottle shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a multiple compartment bottle according to one embodiment; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the multiple compartment bottle shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
       [0022]    For convenience, like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements and components. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Reference is first made to  FIGS. 1 and 2  to describe a multiple compartment bottle  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. The multiple compartment bottle  100  is adapted to hold, and keep separate, at least two distinct liquids to be mixed during the pouring process. For example, the multiple compartment bottle  100  may store and keep separate vodka and orange juice in separate compartments (also referred to herein as containers) within the bottle  100 . The multiple compartment bottle  100  is configured to mix the vodka and orange juice in another container such as a glass as the vodka and orange juice are poured out of their respective containers. The multiple compartment bottle  100  is designed such that a “perfect pour” is achieved when the liquids are poured, meaning that the ratio between the respective liquids is constant no matter how much of the liquids is left in the bottle  100 . 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the multiple compartment bottle  100  has an outer container  102  for holding a first liquid  120  and at least one inner container  104  within the outer container  102  for holding a second liquid  122  such that the first and second liquids  120 , 122  are kept separate until they are poured from the bottle  100 . As shown, the inner container  104  defines an inner surface that is substantially helical in configuration which imparts a rotational pattern on the second liquid  122  to efficiently mix the liquids  120 , 122  in a receiving container (not shown) such as glass. 
         [0025]    In various exemplary embodiments, the bottle  100  may include several inner containers  104   a,b  for storing one or more liquids  122 . The inner container  104  and the outer container  102  may be made from any suitable material such as glass, plastic, and the like. In various embodiments, the outer container  102  and the inner container(s)  104  are made from different materials, such as the outer container  102  comprising glass and the inner container  104  comprising plastic. Such an arrangement is suitable in certain embodiments where there may be contact between the outer and inner containers  102 , 104  given that the plastic may contact the glass without breaking. One or both of the outer and inner containers  102 , 104  may be made from a transparent material so that a consumer can visually inspect the contents and be provided with various visual effects. 
         [0026]    The outer container  102  may include a label as will be appreciated for branding purposes and to inform the user of the contents of the bottle  102 . In various exemplary embodiments, the inner container  104  may include one or more labels, designs, etc. to provide information about the contents  122  to the user as well as to provide aesthetic qualities. 
         [0027]    In various embodiments, the inner container  104  is integrally formed with the outer container  102 . In some embodiments, the inner container  104  is secured to the base  118  of the outer container  102  using various techniques as described herein. 
         [0028]    As shown, the inner container  102  includes a spout  106  with a predetermined radius and the outer container  104  has a spout  107  with a predetermined radius. The radii  106 , 107  are selected so that the ratio between the first and second liquids  120 , 122  dispensed is constant at a predetermined ratio during the pouring process. In various embodiments, the inner spout  107  includes a flange (not shown) so that the diameter of the spout  107  increases towards the top of the bottle  100 . The flange is configured so that that the second fluid  122  sprays at least partially outward during pouring. 
         [0029]    In various exemplary embodiments, the multiple compartment bottle  100  may include any number of inner containers  104  in any orientation and design. The only requirement is that the inner containers  104  fit within the outer container  102  such that the containers  102 , 104  may be sealed by a cap  108 . In some embodiments, the cap  108  has an outer cylindrical wall configured to engage with the outer spout  106  and an inner cylindrical wall configured to engage with the inner spout  107 . In some embodiments, the cap  108  has an outer cylindrical wall configured to engage with the outer spout  106  and a stopper (such as a plastic or cork stopper) that is configured to substantially plug and seal the inner spout  107 . 
         [0030]    Reference is next made to  FIGS. 3-7  to describe a multiple compartment bottle  200  according to one embodiment of the invention. Multiple compartment bottle  200  has an outer container  102  and an inner container  104  positioned within the outer container  102 . A first liquid  120  (such as an alcoholic spirit) may be stored in the outer compartment  102  and a second liquid  122  (such as a mixer) may be stored in the inner compartment  104 . The type of liquids and their location in the bottle  200  is merely exemplary. 
         [0031]    In various embodiments, the inner container  104  may be secured in the outer container  102  by means of a supporting collar  130 . The supporting collar  130  may be integrally formed with the base  118  or affixed to the base  118  using known techniques. The supporting collar  130  may be sized appropriately to snugly engage with the inner container  104  to prevent the inner container  104  from moving around within the outer container  102  during use and possibly becoming damaged. 
         [0032]    Although the diagrams illustrate the inner compartment  104  as either free floating (i.e. unattached to the outer container  102 ) or secured to the base of the outer container  102  (such as via supporting collar  130 ), in various embodiments, the inner compartment  104  may be secured to the outer container  102  using various techniques and at various locations. For example, in some embodiments, the inner container  104  may be anchored to the outer container  102  at the bottom  130 , the middle and/or the top of the bottle  100 . For the purposes of this specification, the “bottom” of the bottle is defined by the base  118 , and the “top” of the bottle is defined by the top of the spout  106  (i.e. where the cap  108  is engaged with the spouts  106 , 107 ). The inner container  104  may be anchored within the outer container  102  as an integrally formed component of the bottle  100  and/or may be positioned using supports, guides, flaps, etc. within the outer container  102 . In some embodiments, the outer container  102  comprises narrow sections that operate as guides to secure inner container  104  in place within the outer container  102 . 
         [0033]    The invention also provides a bottle cap  108  that includes an adjustable locking mechanism, which allows the user to enjoy a consistent pour, all alcohol or all juice (i.e. a consistent selected ratio of the first liquid and the second liquid, only the first liquid, or only the second liquid). In various embodiments, the cap  108  includes one or more levers that manipulate movable seals on the top of the cap  108 . One movable seal may used to select the amount of the first liquid  120  to be poured (i.e. the proportion of the first liquid  120  in the volume dispensed) and the second movable seal may be used to select the amount of the second liquid  122  to be poured (i.e. the proportion of the second liquid  122  in the volume dispensed). The cap  108  may include various indicators (such as lines) so that a consumer may quickly switch between states (i.e. all first liquid  120 , second liquid  122 , or various ratios) to obtain the desired drink. In various embodiments, the cap  108  includes discrete states provided by the moveable seals. For example, in a first state the bottle pours only liquid  120 . In a second state, the bottle pours 25% liquid  120  and 75% liquid  122 . In a third state, the bottle pours 50% liquid  120  and 50% liquid  122 . In a fourth state, the bottle pours 75% liquid  120  and 25% liquid  122 . And in a fourth state, the bottle pours only liquid  122 . Any number of states and ratios may be implemented in various embodiments. The cap may include seals that click between the discrete states as the movable seals are rotated so that one of the discrete states is selected. 
         [0034]    The cap  108  of the invention may be a reusable threaded twist on/off cap, a pop off cap, a cork, and so forth to efficiently seal the liquids  120 , 122 . 
         [0035]    The invention includes inner and outer containers  104 , 102  of various shapes and sizes. For example, one or both of the containers  102 ,  104  may be square, circular, helix, and virtually any design with the purpose to pour a consistent drink. 
         [0036]    While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of the above description, will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scope of the present invention as described herein. In addition, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the claims.