Mixing container

A mixing container is provided which has a housing and a disassociatively associatable mixer subassembly. The mixer subassembly includes a top portion, a rod that slidably and reciprocatably extends centrally through the top portion, a gripping portion at one rod end, and a mixing head at the opposite rod end. The mixing head has a medial body portion and a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion has a plurality of perimetrically adjacent whorl-like portions. Each whorl-like portion includes two wing loop portions that extend outwardly and obliquely relative to the medial body portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
 This invention relates to a container and more particularly to a container
 having a mixing apparatus for forming a mixture using ingredients disposed
 on the container.
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 It is well known that in preparing mixtures, including cocktails, mixed
 drinks, edible condiments, including salad dressings and the like, the
 proper proportion of ingredients, and the mixing or blending thereof, are
 important. A number of prior art patents have recognized this need and
 proposed containers that provide for proper mixing or blending. Typical
 patents in this area include U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,266,186, 2,484,391 and
 5,580,169.
 Additionally, it is a common expedient to use a container to store the
 mixture, which may settle or separate during such storage, especially if
 the mixture includes solids. Such separated mixtures require additional
 blending prior to use. U.S. Pat. No. 4,359,283 discloses a representative
 device.
 However, these prior art devices are not without their drawbacks. It is not
 uncommon for prior art devices to include only a mixing assembly,
 requiring the user to supply his own container. Those devices that do
 include containers generally fail to provide measuring indicia and a list
 of ingredients/directions, requiring the user to provide both a separate
 measuring device and a list of ingredients/directions.
 Finally, while some prior art devices include a container which may have
 indicia markings, they fail to provide a mixing device that provides for
 proper blending and good mixture flow during mixing or blending. This is
 especially true for containers that are used to store a mixture.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 The subject invention relates to a new and useful multi-use container that
 provides for proper mixing or blending of a mixture. Preferably the
 container has measuring indicia and ingredients/directions disposed
 thereon.
 The container includes a housing and mixing assembly having a mixing head.
 The housing has an open mouth end and an opposed closed bottom end, with
 the mixing assembly in communication with the housing. The mixing head
 includes a medial body portion and a peripheral portion, and the mixing
 head is guidingly supported in the mixing assembly and configured for
 reciprocal movement.
 In one preferred embodiment, the mixing assembly includes a rod configured
 for reciprocal and rotational movement in the housing, where the rod has a
 gripping portion attached to one end and the mixing head to the other.
 In the mixing head, the medial body portion is connected to the rod and the
 peripheral portion is formed on a periphery of the medial body portion.
 The peripheral portion is comprised of a plurality of whorl-like portions.
 Additionally, the mixing head includes at least one, but preferably more,
 apertures formed in the medial body portion. The cooperative relationship
 of the apertures and the peripheral portion provides for an increased
 mixture flow during mixing. This is especially important if the container
 and mixing assembly are used to store a mixture that has settled.
 Various other objects, aims, purposes, features, advantages, embodiments,
 variations, and the like will be apparent to those skilled in the art from
 the teachings of the present specification taken with the associated
 drawings and appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
 While this invention is susceptible to different embodiments, this
 specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only a preferred
 embodiment or example of the invention. The invention is not intended to
 be limited to the embodiment so described, however. The scope of the
 invention is identified in the appended claims.
 Turning to FIG. 1, container 10 is shown comprised of at least two
 components, a housing 12 and a mixing assembly 14.
 As seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, housing 12 is preferably made of a rigid plastic
 material suitable for injection molding, has a generally tubular (e.g.
 cylindrical) shape and is configured to receive material to be mixed.
 Further, housing 12 has a circular shape when viewed from above or below
 (seen in FIGS. 2 and 5). The generally tubular, circular shape and use of
 rigid plastic material are preferred, and other configurations and
 materials may be used.
 A generally tubular side wall 16 in the housing 12 defines a chamber 18
 having an inner side surface 20 and inner bottom surface 21. Housing 12
 further includes an outer surface 22 with an upper edge 24 and a lower
 edge 26 that adjoins adjacent closed end 28. The tubular wall 16 has an
 open mouth end 30 defined by upper edge 24 and an opposite closed end 28.
 The closed end 28 is preferably, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, provided
 with an integral, circularly-shaped resting ridge 29 for supporting
 housing 12. In the preferred embodiment shown, upper edge 24 includes a
 lip 32, where upper edge 24, lip 32 and tubular wall 14 define a
 projecting pouring spout 34.
 In the preferred embodiment shown, container 10 preferably includes
 markings disposed thereon (seen in FIGS. 1 and 4). Markings 36 are
 preferably comprised of measuring indicia 38 and ingredients/directions 40
 disposed on housing 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, measuring indicia 38
 include opposed measuring marks, preferably including both standard
 English and Metric measurements. Directions 40 on the other hand, include
 the ingredients and directions for forming the mixture, preferably a salad
 dressing or other condiment. However directions for other mixtures are
 contemplated, including drink mixes, cocktails, medicinal mixtures,
 irrigation solutions, etc. While a container 10 including both measuring
 indicia 38 and directions 40 is preferred, an embodiment having only one
 such marking 36 is contemplated. Moreover, it is contemplated that
 markings 36 could be formed on inner side surface 20 or outer surface 22
 in any suitable manner.
 In the preferred embodiment shown, mixing assembly 14 is in removable and
 replaceable communication with housing 12 at open end 30, and is comprised
 of a top portion 42, an elongated rod 44 and a mixing head 46.
 As viewed in FIGS. 1 and 6, top portion 42 has a cup-like appearance when
 viewed from the side, and round when viewed from above (seen in FIG. 2).
 Top portion 42 includes a cap portion 48, preferably a lip or stop portion
 50 and a downturned, circumferentially extending depending skirt portion
 52. In the depicted embodiment, top portion 42 is a single unit comprised
 of rigid plastic suitable for injection molding, but other assemblies,
 shapes and materials are contemplated.
 Cap 48 is formed with a center depression 54, seen in FIG. 3, adapted for
 receiving a gripping portion 56, discussed below. Additionally, depending
 skirt 52 of top portion 42 is adapted to be received in open end 30 in a
 slidably removable, replaceable manner, where depending skirt 52 forms a
 tight friction fit with inner side surface 20 and outwardly and
 circumferentially extending lip 50 preferably generally engaging or
 abutting lip 32 in an airtight manner, as seen for example in FIGS. 1, 3
 and 4. It is further contemplated that depending skirt 52 includes at
 least one aperture 58 defined therein which, when aligned and in fluid
 communication with projecting pouring spout 34, allows a mixture to be
 poured from the container 10.
 From the FIGURES, mixing assembly 14 is seen to include rod 44 having
 opposed first and second ends 60 and 62, where rod 44 is guidingly
 supported by an aperture 64 defined centrally in top portion 42. In the
 preferred embodiment shown, aperture 64 is defined in center depression 54
 of cap 48 (seen in FIG. 3). Rod 44 further includes elliptically shaped
 gripping portion 56 attached to and contiguous with first end 60. Gripping
 portion 56 preferably includes finger indents to assure a good grip.
 In FIG. 2, a top view of the container 10 is depicted. Top portion 42,
 including cap 48, is shown in operable communication with open end 30 in a
 replaceable, removable manner.
 Cap 48 is provided with center depression 54 adapted to receive part of
 gripping portion 56. Top portion 42 is adapted to be received in open end
 30 in a removable, replaceable manner, where depending skirt 52 forms a
 tight friction fit with inner side surface 20, in addition to lip 50
 engaging lip 32 in an airtight manner. Furthermore, projecting pouring
 spout 34, when aligned with and in fluid communication with the aperture
 58, provides a means for pouring a mixture from the container 10.
 It is further contemplated that cap 48 may be rotated in housing 12 so that
 projecting pouring spout 34 is not aligned with and not in fluid
 communication with the aperture 58. This arrangement, along with the
 airtight seal formed by lips 32, 50 and tight friction fit of the
 depending skirt 52 and inner side surface 20, prevents a mixture from
 being poured from the container 10. This arrangement is useful for storing
 a mixture in container 10.
 A sectional view of container 10 is depicted in FIG. 3. Mixing head 46 is
 attached to and contiguous with second end 62 which is opposite the
 gripping portion 56. Mixing head 46 is configured for reciprocal and
 rotational movement in housing 12 and includes a medial body portion 68
 and an attached peripheral portion 70 that are in operable communication
 with rod 44.
 As shown in FIG. 3, rod 44, gripping portion 56 and mixing head 46 are
 preferably one integral piece made of a rigid plastic material suitable
 for injection molding. While one piece is preferred, alternatively two or
 more pieces can be joined together by gluing, bonding or the like.
 Moreover, while rigid plastic is preferred, other materials, and or
 shapes, are contemplated.
 The interrelationship of medial body portion 44 and peripheral portion 70
 may be better understood upon reviewing FIGS. 5 and 7. FIG. 5 depicts a
 bottom view of container 10 with the mixing head 46 of mixing assembly 14
 disposed therein. FIG. 7 depicts only the mixing head 46 of mixing
 assembly 14.
 Mixing head 46 is as above indicated in operable communication with rod 44.
 In the depicted embodiment, medial body portion 68 is formed with a
 depressed center section 72 on its bottom surface 74. Medial body portion
 68 is joined to and integral with second end 62 of rod 44 and preferably
 includes brace portion 76 formed in depressed center section 72 for
 support.
 FIGS. 5 and 7 show that medial body portion 68 has defined therein at least
 one, but preferably a plurality of, apertures 78. Apertures 78 provide for
 an increased mixture flow during mixing, in addition to ensuring proper
 blending. Moreover, this arrangement is especially advantageous when
 container 10, including mixing assembly 14, is utilized to store a mixture
 that has a tendency to separate. The apertures 78 allow the mixing head 46
 to move more easily in a mixture that has separated.
 While circular apertures 78 are shown and preferred, other aperture
 embodiments can be sievelike or screen-like, or configured as a
 multiplicity of grooves or slots in medial body portion 68.
 As discussed, mixing head 46 is guidingly supported in mixing assembly 14
 and configured for movement within housing 12. Mixing head 46 includes
 peripheral portion 70 connected to medial body portion 68 along its
 periphery 80. In the preferred embodiment shown, peripheral portion 70 is
 connected to and integral with medial body portion 68 of mixing head 46,
 but alternatively peripheral portion 70 is affixed to medial body portion
 68 by gluing, bonding or the like.
 Peripheral portion 70 is comprised of a plurality of whorl-like portions 82
 as shown. Each whorl-like portion 82 is formed with a radially outwardly
 extending stem 84 attached to periphery 80 and with two radially extending
 wing loop portions 86 that are each attached to stem 84 and that are each
 obliquely oriented relative to medial body portion 68 (seen in FIGS. 3 and
 4).
 Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, wing loop portions 86 of each stem 84
 are formed at an angle to each other, preferably at a 45 degree angle,
 having a V-shaped appearance when viewed from the side (seen in FIGS. 1, 4
 and 6).
 As shown, for example, in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7, each wing loop portion 86
 of each whorl-like portion 82 has a location that is attached to a
 location on one wing loop portion 86 of the circumferentially adjacent
 whorl-like portion 82 of peripheral portion 70. Also, as shown in these
 FIGURES, in each whorl-like portion 82, one wing loop portion 86 is
 inclined relative to the attached stem 84 at an equal but complementary
 angle relative to the other (or second) wing loop portion 86. Further, as
 shown in these FIGURES, in the mixing head 46, the medial body portion 68
 is preferably generally flattened, and, in each of the whorl-like portions
 82, each of the wing loop portions 86 generally upstands and extends above
 the medial body portion 68. While the number of whorl-like portions 82
 comprising peripheral portion 70 can vary, in the preferred embodiment
 shown (see, for example, FIG. 7), eleven whorl-like portions 82 are
 employed.
 As seen, for example, in FIG. 5, the peripheral portion 70, which is
 configured for movement in housing 12, is spaced from inner side surface
 20. This spacing, along with the plurality of apertures 78 and the
 plurality of whorl-like portions 82 provides for maximum mixture flow
 during mixing. However, it also contemplated that peripheral portion 70 is
 adapted for slidable guiding contact with inner side surface 20 (seen in
 FIG. 3).
 FIG. 6 shows the relationship of cap 48, rod 44, gripping portion 56 and
 mixing head 46. From FIG. 6, it can be seen that rod 44 slidingly extends
 through and protrudes from aperture 64 of cap 48. Preferably and as shown,
 rod 44, gripping portion 56 and mixing head 46 are integrally connected,
 forming a single piece made of rigid plastic suitable for injection
 molding.
 In use, mixing assembly 14 is detached from the container 10, by
 disengaging cap 48, and depending skirt 52, from open end 30. The user
 then determines what mixture to make, perhaps reading at least one set of
 directions 40 disposed on housing 12 to determine the ingredients.
 The ingredients are then poured into chamber 18 through mouth end 30 of the
 container 10 In one preferred embodiment, the user utilizes measuring
 indicia 38 disposed on the container 10 to determine the proper
 proportions thereof. Mixing assembly 14 is then replaced in open end 30,
 so that mixing head 46 is now disposed in the container 10.
 Finally, the ingredients are mixed using the mixing head 46. In the
 preferred embodiment shown, the user manually grips gripping portion 56 to
 manipulate the mixing head 46. The user slidably moves the rod 44 and
 mixing head 46 up and down in a reciprocal manner, and if desired in a
 rotational manner.
 FIG. 4 illustrates the mixing head 46 in a mixing position, with rod 44
 slidingly engaging cap 48. In this manner, the peripheral portion 70 and
 the medial portion 68 of mixing head 46 blends, whips and/or aerates the
 ingredients, forming the desired mixture.
 It will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description of the
 invention and from the illustrations thereof that numerous variations and
 modifications may be effected without departing from the true spirit and
 scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention.