Combination stirrer and condiment dispenser

In accordance with the present invention, a combination stirrer and condiment dispenser includes a body portion having at least a pair of laterally spaced compartments for holding at least a pair of substances to be dispensed into a drinking glass or drinking cup. The end portions of the compartments are capped to hold the substances to be dispensed in place. In one embodiment the caps are located at opposite ends of the stirrer body portion so that the substances to be dispensed may be separately dispensed into the cup or glass. In another embodiment the caps are located at the same end of the stirrer body portion so that both substances may be simultaneously dispensed into the cup or glass. After one or both substances are dispensed into the cup or glass the body portion may be used to stir the dispensed item into the liquid in a mixing operation.

I FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a combination stirrer and condiment dispenser to 
dispense items into a liquid drink and then stir the items dispensed into 
the liquid. 
II BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 309,905; 3,485,416 and 4,387,809 disclose condiment 
dispensers in which more than one substance may be dispensed and in which 
the compartments for holding the substances within the body of the 
dispenser are longitudinally spaced apart. 
U.S. Pat. No. 1,254,115 discloses a combination drinking straw and 
container which could be used to dispense an item from inside the 
container. 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,034,905 and 2,901,357 disclose methods of manufacturing 
tubes or straws in which materials may be located within the straws and 
then may be dispensed from the straw. 
III SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
(A) Objects of the Invention 
One object of the present invention is to provide a combination stirrer and 
condiment dispenser in which more than one substance may be dispensed from 
the combination stirrer and condiment dispenser. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination stirrer 
and condiment dispenser which is sufficiently inexpensive that it can be 
discarded after use. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination stirrer 
and condiment dispenser which dispenses more than one substance and in 
which the compartments containing the substances are laterally spaced 
apart so that both substances can be dispensed from the same end of the 
combination stirrer and condiment dispenser. 
(B) Summary 
In accordance with the present invention, a combination stirrer and 
condiment dispenser includes a body portion having at least a pair of 
laterally spaced compartments for holding at least a pair of substances to 
be dispensed into a drinking glass or drinking cup. The end portions of 
the compartments are capped to hold the substances to be dispensed in 
place. In one embodiment the caps are located at opposite ends of the 
stirrer body portions so that the substances to be dispensed may be 
separately dispensed into the cup or glass. In another embodiment the caps 
are located at the same end of the stirrer body portion so that both 
substances may be simultaneously dispensed into the cup or glass. After 
one or both substances are dispensed into the cup or glass the stirrer 
body portion may be used to stir the dispensed item into the liquid in a 
mixing operation.

V DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
One embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 1A, 
2-2F, in which the combination stirrer and condiment dispenser 10 includes 
a hollow tube 12 made of inexpensive, non-toxic plastic material such as 
polypropylene and defining a pair of laterally spaced condiment holding 
chambers 14 and 16. In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 1(A) the body 
portion 12 may be extruded to define the chambers 14 and 16. A mid portion 
18 maintains separation between the chambers 14 and 16. 
It will be apparent that in this embodiment the portion 14 extends beyond 
the portion 16 at a first end 17 and the portion 16 extends beyond the 
portion 14 at a second end 19. 
The body 12' is an extrusion, which is manufactured with an extrusion 
machine. An extrusion is created with an extrusion die, which is 
continuously fed molten material from a hopper. The material is forced 
through the die, which is similar in shape to the actual extrusion. The 
extrusion is cooled as it protrudes from the die, which gives it the 
desired shape. The extrusion is manufactured in length which creates the 
two chambers 14' and 16'. 
The plastic material is extruded through an extrusion die to achieve the 
spaced compartments 14 and 16. An extrusion die is the preferred method of 
forming the compartments 14 and 16. Other methods known to those skilled 
in the art may be used. 
Substances to be dispensed are then inserted into the respective ends 17 
and 19 of the compartments 14 and 16. For example, sugar in it's 
crystalized state is inserted into the compartment 14. Similarly a 
non-dairy creamer, in powdered form, is then conveniently located within 
chamber portion 16. 
The body 12' is to be heat sealed 73' at ends 24' and 26' at location 27'. 
The heat sealing operation is performed by heating two sixteenth of an 
inch probes, one on each side to a temperature slightly above the 
materials plastic deformation state. The purpose of the heat seal is to 
bond the two surfaces together while maintaining the materials structure 
and properties. The heat sealing process is demonstrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 
4A. The machine that will be used is demonstrated in FIGS. 5A, and 5B. 
Prior to inserting the respective substances, the ends of the respective 
compartments 14 and 16 are crimped as indicated at 24 and 26 to hold the 
substances to be dispensed in place at the opposite end. 
The particulate formations of substances to be dispensed are commercially 
available and do not form a part of the present invention. 
After the respective particulate formations of substances to be dispensed 
20 and 23 are inserted into the respective compartments 14 and 16 of the 
stirrer body portion 12, the respective ends of the compartments are 
provided with caps indicated generally at 40. The cap means may comprise 
caps 42 and 44 respectively, made of paper or the same plastic material as 
the body portion 12 and provided with a suitable adhesive 43, 45 to hold 
the cap in place on the body portion 12. 
The top cap is perforated 56' at location, 47', and 48'. Once the product 
is contained in compartments 16' and 14', it can be dispersed by pulling 
tabs 47' and 48' along the perforated lines. 
FIGS. 2 and 2A show the assembled combination stirrer and condiment 
dispenser with the substances 20 and 23 in place within the compartments 
14 and 16 of the body portion 12. FIGS. 2B and 2F show the top assembly of 
the product illustrating sample graphics. 
FIG. 2D illustrates a crimped end 26, and FIGS. 2D and 2E illustrate an end 
17 with a cap 48 and a pull tab 50 to be used at either end of the device. 
Another embodiment of present invention is shown in FIGS. 3, 3A, and 4-4N. 
In this embodiment the combination stirrer and condiment dispenser 10' 
includes a body portion 12' which is conveniently formed by means of an 
extrusion as indicated in FIG. 3A to define compartments 14' and 16', 
separated by a wall portion 18'. 
In this embodiment the ends of the compartments 14' and 16' are both 
crimped at 27' at the same end as indicated at 24' and 26'. Thus the ends 
17' and 19' are located at the same end of the assembly and are adopted to 
receive the substances to be dispensed 20' and 23' from the same ends 17' 
and 19'. Again the substances to be dispensed are provided in particulate 
form. For example, formed sugar, and non-dairy creamer may be used. 
The substances to be dispensed are inserted in particulate form as 
indicated at 20' and 23' into the respective ends 17' and 19' of the 
chambers 14' and 16'. 
After they are inserted, a cap means 40' is provided which covers both ends 
17' and 19', and is held with a suitable adhesive 43' to secure the cap in 
place. 
The cap means 40' is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4C and includes caps 42', 
and 43', which separately cover conduit portions 14', and 16', 
respectively. Each of the caps includes a tab 47', 48', to separately 
remove respective caps 42', and 43', when the condiments are to be 
dispensed through the openings 17', 19'. The liquid to be stirred may 
cause the particulate material 20', 23' to melt and/or dissolve. 
It will be apparent that the embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 3 has the advantage 
that if desired the user need only remove one of the substances, such as 
sugar 20, and leave the non-dairy creamer 23 in place within the body 
portion and the body portion can still be used as a stirrer. 
The embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is most adopted to a situation 
wherein the user desires to use both the items to be dispensed, for 
example, sugar 20' and non-dairy creamer 23' and these may be dispensed 
from the same ends 17', 19'. 
An alternate design is illustrated in FIGS. 4D, 4F, and 4G. The body of the 
extrusion 12', is die cut 53' at locations 54' and 55'. The operation is a 
simultaneous stamping which cuts the body in the desired locations 
The body 12' is heat sealed 73' at ends 24' and 26' sealing location 27', 
as indicated in FIGS. 4, and 4A. The heat sealing operation is performed 
by heating two sixteenth of an inch probes, one on each side to a 
temperature slightly above the materials plastic deformation state. The 
purpose of the heat seal is to bond the two surfaces together while 
maintaining the materials structure and properties. 
The top cap 50' has two purpose's the first is to act as a cover, and the 
second is to dispense the contents. The material for the top cap will 
depend on the stirrers contents. The material for the top cap will either 
be paper, a vinyl blend or other compatible material. The chosen material 
is sufficiently strong enough to hold the contents, while keeping them in 
a consumable state. 
The material used for the top cover is die cut at the outer edges 48', in 
sheet form to the required shape, as illustrated in FIG. 4C. The method of 
manufacturing is similar to a die operation, which fabricates the parts in 
a single sheet horizontally, top to bottom. After the top cap 50' is cut 
it is formed to the shape shown in FIG. 4D. The top cap 50' is then placed 
over the body 12' and adhesive bonded 79' at location 57'. The adhesive is 
one that is capable of sufficiently bonding the top cap material, to the 
extruded body, such as an Epoxy or other compatible material. 
The top cap is perforated 56' at location 59', 60', 61' and 62'. Once the 
product is contained in compartments 16' and 14', it can be dispersed by 
pulling tabs 51' and 52' along the perforated lines. Once the tabs 51' and 
52' are pulled the product can be dispensed freely. 
The top cap material is paper, vinyl or a compatible material. The material 
is for the body 12' is plastic preferable polypropylene or other 
compatible material. The material is rigid enough to sufficiently 
withstand fracture if hit both longitudinally and latitudinally. The 
material also has the ability to withstand and react accordingly to the 
required operations that will be performed, including Die Cutting 53', and 
Adhesive Bonding 79'. 
Another alternate design is illustrated in FIG. 3, 3A, 4H, 4J--4N. The body 
of the extrusion 12', is die cut 53' at locations 74' and 75'. The 
operation is a simultaneous stamping with a die punch, which will cut the 
body in the desired location. 
The body 12' is heat sealed 73' at ends 24', and 26', at location 27'. The 
heat sealing operation is performed by heating two sixteenth of an inch 
probes, one on each side to a temperature slightly above the materials 
plastic deformation state. The purpose of the heat seal is to bond the two 
surfaces together while maintaining the materials structure and 
properties. 
The product 20' and 23' is inserted at ends 17' and 19' into compartments 
16' and 14'. Once the products 20' and 23' are inserted, the body 12' is 
heat sealed 73' at ends 17', and 19', at location 27'. 
The top cap 70' has two purpose's. The first is to act as a cover, and the 
second is to dispense the contents. The material for the top cap will 
depend on the stirrers contents. The material for the top cap may be 
paper, a vinyl blend or a compatible material. The chosen material will 
have to be sufficiently strong enough to hold the contents, while keeping 
the contents in a consumable state. 
The top cap material may be paper, vinyl or a compatible material. The 
material for the body is plastic preferably polypropylene or another 
compatible material. The material should be sufficiently rigid enough to 
withstand fracture if hit both horizontally and vertically. The material 
should also have the strength to withstand and react accordingly to the 
required operations that will be performed to, such as Die Cutting 53', 
Heat Sealing 73', and Adhesive Bonding 79'. 
The material used for the top cover is die cut at the outer edges 70', in 
sheet form to the required shape. The method of manufacturing will be 
similar to a die operation, which fabricates the parts in a single sheet 
horizontally, top to bottom. After the top cap 70' is cut it is formed to 
the shape shown in FIG. 4J. The top cap 70' is then placed over the body 
12' and adhesive bonded 79' at location 77'. The adhesive used is 
sufficiently strong enough to bond the top cap material, to the extruded 
body, such as an epoxy blend or other compatible material. 
The top cap is perforated 76' at location 78'. Once the product is 
contained in compartments 16' and 14', it can be dispersed by pulling tabs 
71' and 72' along the perforated lines. Once the tabs 71' and 72' are 
pulled the product can be dispensed freely. 
FIGS. 5A, and 5B illustrate a completely automated assembly machine which 
mass produces the product from the initial stage 12' to a final product 
207'. There are seven stations to this machine. 
The first station 200' is a feeding station. The raw extrusion's are stored 
in a hopper 100' which distributes the extrusions 12' through a conduit 
103' one at a time to a known pressurized system 104'. The pressurized 
system 104' feeds the extrusions 12' through a hose 105'. The extrusion 
12' is forced upward where it hits the top plates 135' and 136', which act 
as guides that direct the extrusion to the stop block 171'. Once the 
extrusion reaches the top plates 135' and 136' it is guided between them 
throughout the machine. 
The second station 201' is a heat crimping operation. The extrusion 12' is 
fed to location 201', where it is compressed by two pistons 128' and 130' 
acting in cylinders 127', 129' that are fitted with heat tips 128', 130'. 
The crimped extrusion is then fed to station three. 
The third station 202' is responsible for loading the product 20' into the 
extrusion 12'. The product (Sugar 20') is fed from the hopper 122', 
through hose 113', to the distribution system 114'. The distribution 
system 114', distributes predetermined amounts of product through the hose 
115'. Hose 157' is pressurized, and in chamber 117' forces the product 
into chamber 14' of the extrusion 12'. The extrusion is then fed to 
location 203'. 
The fourth station 203' is responsible for loading the product 23' into the 
extrusion 12'. The product (Non-Dairy Creamer 23') is fed from the hopper 
111', through hose 121', to the distribution system 120'. The distribution 
system 120', distributes predetermined amounts of product through the hose 
119'. Hose 159' is pressurized, and in chamber 119' forces the product 
into chamber 16' of the extrusion 12'. The extrusion is then fed to 
location 204'. 
The fifth station 204' is an adhesive application operation. The extrusion 
12' is fed to location 204' where it is stopped by the stop block 172'. 
The two pistons 149', 150' acting in cylinders 150', 170' which are fitted 
with pads that contain an adhesive, extend and apply adhesive to the 
extrusion body. The extrusions are then fed station six. 
The sixth station 205' is an assembly operation. The extrusion 12' is fed 
to location 205', where it is stopped by a stropping block 173'. A 
distributing system 194' is used to feed the top cap 40', through hose 
180', where it is located in the fitting tip 182'. The fitting tip 182' 
applies the top cap 40' to the extrusion. This is the final station, which 
produces a finished product 207'.