Beverage container with storage compartment

A beverage container includes a primary reservoir adapted to hold a first fluid and a storage compartment located external to the primary reservoir. The primary reservoir is accessible through an opening for filling the primary reservoir with the first fluid and for consuming the first fluid. The beverage container further includes a coupler attached to a wall that defines at least a portion of the storage compartment. The coupler is adapted to mate with a portion of a peripheral container so that the peripheral container is securely housed in the storage compartment. The peripheral container holds a second fluid having a composition that is different from a composition of the first fluid.

BACKGROUND

To enhance a beverage, additives or agents, such as natural and artificial flavorings, natural and artificial colorings, sugars, sweeteners, mineral supplements, vitamin supplements and etc, can be added. One common type of enhanced beverage includes enhanced water. Enhanced water is marketed to improve the health, taste and functional benefits of water.

SUMMARY

A beverage container includes a primary reservoir adapted to hold a first fluid and a storage compartment located external to the primary reservoir. The primary reservoir is accessible through an opening for filling the primary reservoir with the first fluid and for consuming the first fluid. The beverage container further includes a coupler attached to a wall that defines at least a portion of the storage compartment. The coupler is adapted to mate with a portion of a peripheral container so that the peripheral container is securely housed in the storage compartment. The peripheral container holds a second fluid having a composition that is different from a composition of the first fluid.

In another embodiment, the beverage container includes a through port that extends through the wall and aligns with the coupler. Further, the portion of the peripheral container defines an opening in the peripheral container. The through port provides fluidic communication between the opening in the peripheral container and the primary reservoir to introduce the secondary fluid into the primary fluid.

A method of introducing a secondary fluid into a primary fluid is also described. The beverage container includes a primary reservoir that holds the primary fluid, a storage compartment located external to the primary reservoir, a coupler attached to a wall that defines at least a portion of the storage compartment and a through port extending through the wall that provides fluidic communication between the storage compartment and the primary reservoir. The peripheral container is stored in the storage compartment of the beverage container by mating a portion of the peripheral container that defines an opening in the peripheral container with the coupler. The peripheral container holds the secondary fluid. The secondary fluid located in the peripheral container is dispensed into the primary fluid through the through port by squeezing the peripheral container. The primary fluid has a composition that is different from a composition of the secondary fluid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a beverage container100according to one embodiment.FIGS. 2 and 3are front and bottom views of beverage container100andFIG. 4is a section view of beverage container100taken through the line indicated inFIG. 2. Beverage container100includes a main body101that is made of a rigid material and has a primary reservoir or holder102(FIG. 4) and a storage compartment104(FIG. 4) located external to primary reservoir100.

Primary reservoir102includes an opening106(FIG. 4) through which primary reservoir102can be filled with a first or primary fluid108(FIG. 4) and through which first or primary fluid108contained in primary reservoir102can be consumed by a user. Exemplary kinds of fluids that first fluid108may comprise are water and soda. However, other types of fluids including other types of liquid beverages, such as milk, are possible. Beverage container100also includes a cap110that covers opening106in primary reservoir102. Cap110engages with opening106in order to contain first fluid108within primary reservoir102and disengages with opening106in order to fill and consume first fluid108from primary reservoir102.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-4, not only is storage compartment104located external to primary reservoir102, but storage compartment104is also located below primary reservoir102. An upper wall112, a peripheral wall114and an open bottom116having a bottom free edge117define storage compartment104. In one embodiment, upper wall112is a shared wall112that also defines a portion of primary reservoir102. In other words, primary reservoir102is defined by shared wall112at its bottom, peripheral wall118and upper wall120.

Beverage container100further includes a coupler or latching bracket122. Coupler122is attached to, or in alternative embodiments, integrally formed with shared wall112and is adapted to mate with a portion of a peripheral container250that defines an opening252(illustrated inFIG. 7).FIGS. 5-7illustrate beverage container100including a peripheral container250that is being stored in storage compartment104.FIG. 5is a front view,FIG. 6is a bottom view andFIG. 7is a section view taken through the line indicated inFIG. 5. Still further, storage compartment104of beverage container includes at least one access opening160(additional access openings160are possible) that is defined by a radial edge162and a pair of side edges164and165. Side edges164and165are substantially perpendicular to and intersect with bottom free edge117. Side edge164is continuous with radial edge162and radial edge162is continuous with side edge165. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-7, access opening160provides a way for a user to place peripheral container250into coupler122and to remove or extract peripheral container250from coupler122.

Peripheral container250is a container that contains a second fluid or secondary fluid254that has a different composition from a composition of first fluid108. For example, peripheral container250includes a liquid beverage mix254. A beverage mix is a processed food product usually mixed with water to produce a beverage similar to fruit juice or soda. While many beverage mixes come in powdered form, beverage mixes can also be made in the form of concentrated liquid syrup. Concentrated liquid syrup is generally packaged in a container that has an opening252and a specialized dispensing nozzle. The specialized dispensing nozzle not only meters a specific amount of the concentrated syrup through opening252based on how hard the container is squeezed, but the specialized dispensing nozzle also meters the concentrated liquid syrup through opening252so that when the syrup enters the water or other type of liquid, there is minimal splashing. Exemplary liquid beverage mixes that are packaged in these type of containers include, but are not limited to, MiO® by Kraft Foods, Kool-Aid® liquid drink mix, Crystal Light® liquid drink mix, Dasani Drops™ by the Coca-Cola Company. An exemplary dispensing nozzle that is configured to restrict fluid flow from peripheral container250to form a jet of concentrated liquid includes a flexible substrate, such as a plate made of silicone or the like, which has a plurality of slits that form flaps. By depressing the sidewall of peripheral container250, the concentrated liquid is forced against the flexible substrate and outwardly displaces the flaps to allow the concentrated liquid to flow therethrough. Peripheral container250is made of a compliant material to allow enough compression to create an internal pressure large enough to expel liquid through a dispensing nozzle and opening252.

As described above, storage compartment104includes open bottom116and access opening160, which allow for the receipt of peripheral container250. Further, coupler122, which is pointed downwards toward open bottom116from shared wall112, receives or otherwise mates with a portion of peripheral container250that defines opening252. In this way, coupler122secures or holds the peripheral container250within storage compartment104. As illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7, peripheral container250includes a flip top cap256that is standard to most containers that contain concentrated liquid beverage mix. In a closed configuration, flip top cap256includes a portion that engages with opening252to provide protection against leakage through the dispensing nozzle. In an opened configuration, flip top cap256is rotatable about a hinge to remove it from opening252so that fluid can be dispensed. To affix peripheral container250into storage compartment104, flip top cap256is rotated about the hinge to separate it from opening252and opening252engages with coupler122using a press-fit or interference connection. As illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7, flip top cap256can remain connected to the remainder of peripheral container250while being housed in storage compartment104and, as illustrated inFIGS. 5-7, coupler122can include a profile that includes at least a portion that mates with the portion of peripheral container250that defines opening252. However, other ways of connecting coupler122to opening252are possible.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 5-7, to mix second fluid or secondary fluid254with first fluid or primary fluid108, cap110is removed from opening106in primary reservoir102. Peripheral container250is removed from the storage compartment104by extracting peripheral container250or opening252from coupler122. A user can then dispense secondary fluid254by, for example, squeezing the sidewalls of peripheral container250so that second fluid254meters using the dispensing nozzle, travels through opening252in peripheral container250and through opening106in primary reservoir102into first fluid108contained in primary reservoir102.

In another embodiment and as illustrated in the section views ofFIGS. 8-10, beverage container100includes a through port124that extends through shared wall112that aligns with coupler122. Through port124provides fluidic communication between storage compartment104and primary reservoir102. More specifically, through port124provides fluidic communication between peripheral container250and primary reservoir102to introduce the second fluid254into the first fluid108without having to remove peripheral container250from storage compartment104. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 8-10, coupler122is a separate component that attaches to shared wall112. In particular, a portion121(FIG. 9) of coupler122extends downward from shared wall112into storage compartment104for attaching to opening252in peripheral container250and a portion123(FIG. 9) of coupler122extends into through port124and into primary reservoir102. However, other variations of coupler122are possible including coupler122only having a portion that extends into storage compartment104for attaching to opening252of peripheral container250.

Because primary reservoir102is located above storage compartment104, beverage container100further includes a valve assembly126that prevents first fluid108from exiting primary reservoir102into through port124when beverage container100is in the upright position and allows second fluid254to be dispensed into first fluid108in primary reservoir102when beverage container100is turned upside down or inverted. Therefore, valve assembly126is a one-way valve assembly or check valve.

In one embodiment and as illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10, valve assembly126includes a valve housing128and a ball stopper130. Valve housing128surrounds and covers through port124. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 8-10, valve housing128also surrounds portion123of coupler122that extends into primary reservoir102. Ball stopper130, which is made of, for example, a stainless steel or plastic ball, is trapped within valve housing128and is used to block the flow of fluid from primary reservoir102into peripheral container250by sealing over through port124in shared wall112when beverage container100is in the upright position as illustrated inFIG. 9. InFIGS. 8 and 9, ball stopper130seals over through port124of portion123of coupler122. When beverage container100is inverted or flipped upside down, ball stopper130releases from through port124as illustrated inFIG. 10and allows fluid to be dispensed from peripheral container250. More specifically, a user can access side walls of peripheral container250through the at least one access opening160and open bottom116of storage compartment104to dispense or squeeze a controlled amount of second fluid254into through port124and therefore into primary reservoir102. Still further and in the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 8-10, valve housing128includes one or more dispensing holes132. Dispensing holes132evenly distribute the secondary fluid254into primary reservoir102.

FIG. 11is a perspective view of a beverage container300according to another embodiment.FIG. 12is a front view of beverage container300andFIG. 13is a section view of beverage container300taken through the line indicated inFIG. 12. Beverage container300includes a main body301that is made of a rigid material that has a primary reservoir or holder302(FIG. 13) and a storage compartment304(FIGS. 11-13) located external to the primary reservoir300.

Primary reservoir302includes an opening306through which primary reservoir302can be filled with a first or primary fluid308(FIG. 13) and through which first or primary fluid308contained in primary reservoir302can be consumed by a user. Exemplary kinds of fluids that first fluid308may comprise are water and soda. However, other types of fluids including other types of liquid beverages, such as milk, are possible.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 11-13, not only is storage compartment304located external to primary reservoir302, but storage compartment304is also located above primary reservoir302and is configured to be received by opening306in primary reservoir302. Storage compartment304engages and disengages with opening306to also act as a cap to primary reservoir302in order to contain first fluid308within primary reservoir302and to fill and consume first fluid308from primary reservoir302. A lower wall312, upper wall314and at least one access opening316define storage compartment304. InFIGS. 11-13, there are two access openings316.

Storage compartment or cap304of beverage container300further includes a coupler322and a through port324. InFIGS. 11 and 13, coupler322is integrally formed with lower wall312and is adapted to mate with a portion of peripheral container250that defines opening252(not illustrated inFIGS. 11-13). However, other types of mechanisms that could act to couple the portion of peripheral container250that defines opening252are possible. Through port324extends through lower wall312of cap304. Through port324provides fluidic communication between storage compartment or cap304and primary reservoir302. More specifically, through port324provides fluidic communication between peripheral container250and primary reservoir302to introduce the second fluid254into the first fluid308.

FIGS. 14 and 15illustrate beverage container300including peripheral container250that is being stored in storage compartment or cap304.FIG. 14is a front view andFIG. 15is a section view taken through the line indicated inFIG. 14. As previously described, peripheral container250is a container that contains a second fluid or secondary fluid254that has a different composition from a composition of first fluid308. For example, peripheral container250includes a liquid beverage mix as also described above.

The at least one access opening316in storage compartment304allows for the receipt of and placement of peripheral container250in cap304. Further, coupler322mates with the portion of peripheral container250that defines opening252. In this way, coupler322holds the peripheral container250within storage compartment or cap304. As illustrated inFIG. 15, peripheral container250includes a flip top cap256. In a closed configuration, flip top cap256includes a portion that engages with opening252to provide protection against leakage through the dispensing nozzle. In an opened configuration, flip top cap256is rotatable about a hinge to separate from opening252so that fluid can be dispensed. To affix peripheral container250into storage compartment or cap304, the portion of peripheral container250that defines opening252engages with coupler322and therefore through port324using a press-fit or interference connection. As illustrated inFIGS. 14 and 15, coupler322and therefore through port324can include a profile that receives the portion of peripheral container250that defines opening252. However, other ways of connecting coupler322to opening252are possible.

To mix second fluid or secondary fluid254with first fluid or primary fluid308, a user accesses peripheral container250through the at least one access opening316. The user then squeezes to dispense or meter through opening252of peripheral container250and through port324an amount of second fluid254into primary reservoir302.

FIG. 16is a perspective view of beverage container300having an alternative storage compartment or cap404according to another embodiment.FIG. 17is a front view of this embodiment andFIG. 18is a section view of this embodiment taken through the line indicated inFIG. 17. Storage compartment or cap404includes a lower wall412, an upper wall414and at least one access opening416. InFIGS. 16-18, there are two access openings416.

Storage compartment or cap304further includes a coupler422. InFIGS. 16-18, coupler422is integrally formed with lower wall412and is adapted to mate with a portion of the exterior housing of peripheral container250(not illustrated inFIGS. 16-18) to secure it within cap404. However, coupler422can be formed with any wall of cap404to hold peripheral container250in place. InFIGS. 16-18, coupler422includes a plurality of protuberances413and415that protrude from an interior surface of lower wall412to hold and secure peripheral container250to the interior of storage compartment or cap404in an upwards orientation. Protuberances413and415are positioned opposite each other a distance that is substantially equal to a width or depth of peripheral container250. InFIG. 16, protuberances are off-set from each other so that the bottom of peripheral container250can slide between the protuberances413and415and then lock into place. In the alternative or in addition to, coupler422can include a plurality of protuberance that protrude from an interior surface of upper wall414to hold and secure peripheral container250to the interior of storage compartment or cap404in an upwards orientation.

In one embodiment and as would be used in the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 16-18, to mix second fluid or secondary fluid254with first fluid or primary fluid308, storage compartment or cap404is removed from opening306in primary reservoir302. Peripheral container250is removed from storage compartment304by extracting peripheral container250from coupler422or protuberances413and415. However, it is possible that peripheral container250could first be removed from cap404and then cap404removed from opening306. A user can then dispense second fluid254by, for example, squeezing peripheral container250so that second fluid254is metered through opening306using a dispensing nozzle252and into first fluid308located in primary reservoir302.

Beverage containers100and300can be made from a variety of materials such as but not limited to, polymers, metals, metal alloys, glass, etc. Processes such as plastic injection molding, blow molding or other conventional machining or manufacturing processes could be used to manufacture beverage containers100and300. A secondary manufacturing process, such as but not limited to adhesive bonding, welding, molding or a compression fit could be used to install and fixedly attach valve assembly126. A secondary process to install coupler122with wall112, coupler322with lower wall312and coupler422with lower wall412can be used, such as, but not limited to, adhesive bonding, welding, molding or a compression fit.