Abstract:
A container with separate storage spaces includes a body for retaining a first substance therein and a sealing structure securely attached to the body for hermetically sealing the first substance in the body. The sealing structure has a sealing package hermetically enclosing a second substance, whereby the second substance can be released from the sealing package to be mixed with the first substance by cutting open the sealing package with a cutting member slidably cooperative with the sealing structure. With the use of the sealing structure, the container of this invention allows a person to refill the first substance to the body and replace a cut-open sealing package with a new one on his own, without need of manufacturer equipments.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to containers, and more particularly, to a container capable of separately receiving different substances. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventionally when drinking a beverage wherein the formula and the liquid solution can be mixed only when it is ready to be consumed, a person generally has to separately open up the packages receiving the formula and the liquid solution, and then add the formula to the liquid solution to make it readily drinkable. This generates drawbacks of laborious operation and over-packaging. 
     In addition, the formula is generally received and sealed in the storage space of the container without being re-packaged, whereby the formula tends to be contaminated if the storage space for receiving the formula is not in condition sufficient to keep the formula from contamination. Therefore, additional effort is required for cleaning the container to a certain degree, thereby causing the cost for manufacturing the container to increase. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a container with separate storage spaces for receiving a first substance and a second substance that is to be mixed with the first substance, that simply requires “push-down” and “pull-up” operations for mixing the first substance and the second substance to make the mixture ready to be in consumed condition, and that allows the separation of the first substance from the second substance conveniently to be achieved without the use of a conventional sealing member. The container of this invention can also effectively prevent the first or second substance from contamination, when received in the container. 
     In accordance with the aforementioned and other objectives of the present invention, a container with separate storage spaces is provided. The container includes: 
     a body defining a storage space for receiving a first substance therein and formed with an opening connecting the storage space; 
     an outer engagement member adapted to be coupled to the body via the opening and formed with a through hole for connecting the opening of the body; 
     an inner engagement member for being axially engaged with the outer engagement member, so as to allow a sealing package hermetically enclosing a second substance to be securely interposed between the outer engagement member and the inner engagement member in a manner that the storage space of the body is hermetically sealed by the sealing package, the inner engagement member being formed with a through hole of the outer engaging member; a cutting member movably sleeved with the inner engagement member for cutting the sealing package interposed between the outer and inner engagement members, so as to release the second substance from the sealing package; and a lid member attached to the body for covering the cutting member, the inner engagement member and the outer engagement member therein, the lid member being formed with a retaining hole for slidably retaining an actuating member adapted for being coupled with the cutting member, whereby the actuating member is allowed to push by an external force exerted thereon the cutting member toward the sealing package from a first position to a second position where the sealing package is cut open by the cutting member to release the second substance for being mixed with the first substance via the opening of the body. 
     Besides, the first substance in the body and the second substance in the sealing package are not necessarily limited to be in a solid, liquid or gaseous state. In other words, they may be a combination of, for example, liquid solution and formula, two gases that have to be mixed and reacted, or two liquids that can be mixed and reacted. 
     The features and functions of the present invention will be hereby below explained in further detail with the employment of preferred embodiments and attached Figures. It is to be understood that the attached Figures are only for the purpose of illustration in the following description and are not deemed to limit the scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a sectional exploded perspective view of the container with separate storage spaces in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a partially sectional, exploded front view of the container with separate storage spaces in the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a partially sectional view of the container with separate storage spaces in the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the container with separate storage spaces of the present invention, used to illustrate the cutting member together with the actuating member being pressed downwardly to cut open the sealing package; and 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the container with separate storage spaces of the present invention, used to illustrate the actuating member being pulled upwardly. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container with separate storage spaces of the present invention primarily consists of a body  1 , an outer engagement member  2  for being mounted in the body  1 , an inner engagement member  4  securely engaged with the outer engagement member  2  so as to allow a sealing package  3  hermetically enclosing a second substance  3  therein to be interposed between the outer engagement member  2  and the inner engagement member  4 , a cutting member  5  slidably sleeved with the inner engagement member  4 , a lid  6  attached to the body  1  for covering the outer engagement member  2 , the inner engagement member  4  and the cutting member  5 , and an actuating member  7  slidably retained with the lid  6 . 
     The body  1  includes a storage space  10  defined by a body wall  11  of the body  1  for receiving a liquid solution L. An opening  12  is formed in the body  1  for connecting the storage space  10 . The body  1  is further formed with a rim  110  on the top of the body wall  11  and flange  120  surrounding the outer surface of the body wall  11 . An annular protrusion  13  is also protruded from the outer surface of the body wall  11  above the flange  120 . 
     The outer engagement member  2  consists of an outer annular body  20  and an inner annular body  21  having their bottom ends connected to each other and their inner surface octagonally shaped. The height of the inner annular body  21  is smaller than that of the outer annular body  20 . An engaging trough  22  is formed between the bottom of the outer annular body  20  and the inner annular body  21 . On the top of the outer annular body  20  there are formed with a plurality of coupling protrusions  201  that protrude upwardly. And a shoulder  200  outwardly projected for engagement with the rim  110  of the body  1 . A holding portion  210  defining a through hole  211  for connecting the opening  12  of the body  1  is integrally formed on and inwardly extended from the top of the inner annular body  201 . 
     The inner engagement member  4  has an octagonal outer annular body  40  and a circular inner annular body  41  that are coaxially and integrally formed with each other. At the bottom of the outer annular body  40  there are formed with a plurality of extending portions  400  that can snugly engage with the engaging trough  22  of the outer engagement member  2 . At the top of the inner engagement member  4  there are outwardly projected a plurality of coupling flanges  401  that each can be snugly fit into a corresponding one of a plurality of breaches  202  formed between any two coupling protrusions  201  on the outer engagement member  2 . Thus, by this arrangement, the inner engagement member  4  can be securely engaged with the outer engagement member  2 . At the upper part and lower part of the inner surface of the inner annular body  41 , a first positioning annular groove  410  and a second positioning annular groove  411  are respectively formed. Meanwhile, when the inner engagement member  4  is engaged with the outer engagement member  2 , the bottom part (not shown) of the inner annular body  41  of the inner engagement member  4  is to abut against the holding portion  210  of the outer engagement member  2 . In addition, a through hole  42  is formed in the inner engagement member  4 . 
     The sealing package  3  has a top sheet and a bottom sheet circumferentially sealed with the top sheet for hermetically enclosing a formula  31  therein. The top and bottom sheets are preferably made from aluminum sheet. The sealing package  3  is first placed on the holding portion  210 . When the inner engagement member  4  is engaged in position with the outer engagement member  2 , the peripheral edges of the sealing package  3  is securely interposed between the inner engagement member  4  and the outer engagement member  2 , allowing the through holes  42 ,  211  of the inner engagement member  4  and the outer engagement member  2  to be sealed. Thus, the inner engagement member  4  and the outer engagement member  2 , together with the sealing member  3  are formed into a structure capable of hermetically sealing the opening  12  of the body  1 , thereby preventing the liquid solution L from escaping from the storage space  10  via the opening  12  of the body  1 . 
     The cutting member  5  has an annular body  50  and a neck  51  integrally formed above the annular body  50 , with the outer diameter of the annular body  50  smaller than the inner diameter of the inner annular body  41  of the inner engagement member  4 . At the bottom of the cutting member  5  there are formed with a cutting end having an active portion  501  and an inactive portion  500 . The active portion  501  is formed with a plurality of continuously saw-like teeth for cutting open the sealing package  3  and the inactive portion  500  is flat in surface for preventing the sealing package  3  from being completely cut off by the active portion  501 . In addition, an annular protrusion  502  is protruded from the outer surface of the annular body  50  for being engaged with the first positioning annular groove  410  or the second positioning annular groove  411  of the inner annular body  41 . On the outer surface of the neck  51  there are formed with an annular groove  510 , and on the top of the neck  51  there are integrally formed with a round protrusion  511  and at least a outlet holes  512  surrounding the round protrusion  511 . 
     The lid  6  is formed by an approximately hemispherical body that is attached to the body  1 , so as to cover the outer engagement member  2 , the sealing package  3 , the inner engagement member  4 , and the cutting member  5 . At the top of the lid  6  there is formed with a retaining hole  61  for the neck  51  of the cutting member  5  to protrude and reach out therefrom. On the inner surface of the lower part of the lid  6  an annular groove  62  which can engage with the annular protrusion  13  on the body wall  11  of the body  1 , is formed. At approximately the central portion of the lid  6  a stopper portion  63  is formed for abutting against the coupling protrusions  201  of the outer engagement member  2  and the peripheral edges of the coupling flanges  401  of the inner engagement member  4 . Thus, when the lid  6  is attached to the body  1 , the lid  6  can be securely held in place to the body  1 . 
     The actuating member  7  is in a cap shape for being slidably retained in the retaining hole  61  of the lid  6  in a manner that the actuating member  7  is allowed to be detachably coupled to the cutting member  6 . The actuating member  7  is formed with an annular body  70  and an integrally formed cover portion  71  that has a passage  710  at its center with which the round protrusion  511  at the top of the cutting member  5  can be air-tightly engaged. The cover portion  71  is adapted to air-tight cover the retaining hole  61  of the lid  6  at the time the round protrusion  511  is engaged with the passage  710 . On the inner wall of the annular body  70  there is formed with an annular protrusion  700  that can engage with the annular groove  510  on the neck  51  of the cutting member  5 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the storage space  10  of the body  1  retains a liquid solution L. In assembly, the outer engagement member  2  is first coupled to the body  1  with its shoulder  200  engaged with the rim  13 . Then the sealing package  3  is placed on the holding portion  210  of the outer engagement member  2 , followed by engaging the inner engagement member  4  with the outer engagement member  2 . At this point the extending portions  400  are inserted together with the peripheral edges of the sealing package  3  into the corresponding engaging trough  22 . In the meantime the bottom of the inner annular body  41  of the inner engagement member  4  holds the peripheral portion  30  of the sealing package  3  in position on the holding portion  210 , allowing the outer engagement member  2  and the inner engagement member  4  securely engaged the outer engagement member  2 , together with the sealing package  3  to form a sealing structure capable of hermetically sealing the opening  12  of the body  1 . The annular body  50  of the cutting member  5  is slidably sleeved in the inner annular body  41  of the inner engagement member  4 , with the annular protrusion  502  on the cutting member  5  in cooperation with the first positioning annular groove  410  on the inner wall of the inner annular body  41  of the inner engagement member  4 , so that the cutting member  5  is held in position. Then the lid  6  mounted with the actuating member  7  is attached to the body  1  and the neck  51  of the cutting member  5  is accordingly protruded out of the retaining hole  61  of the lid  6  for being received within the actuating member  7  slidably retained in the retaining hole  61 . Meanwhile, the annular groove  62  on the inner wall of the lid  6  is engaged with the annular protrusion  13  of the body  1 , while the stopper portion  63  of the lid  6  holds the outer engagement member  2  and the inner engagement member  4  in place on the rim  110  of the body  1 . When the neck  51  of the cutting member  5  is sleeved with the actuating member  7 , the passage  710  of the actuating member  7  is air-tight engaged with the round protrusion  511  of the neck  51 , allowing the outlet holes  512  of the neck  51  to be air-tight sealed by the cover portion  71  of the actuating member  7 . In the meantime the annular protrusion  700  on the inner wall of the annular body  70  of the actuating member  7  abuts against the bottom of the annular groove  510  of the neck  51 . 
     To mix the formula  31  with the liquid solution  8 , as shown in FIG. 4, a user simply has to press the actuating member  7  toward the sealing package  3 , allowing the cutting member  5  to move downwardly from a first position where the cutting member  5  is in non-contact with the sealing package  3  to a second position where the sealing package  3  is cut open by the cutting member  5 . When the cutting member  5  together with the actuating member  7  reach the second position, the annular protrusion  502  on the annular body  50  of the cutting member  5  is moved to be disengaged from the first position annular groove  410  and then to be engaged with the second portion annular groove  411  of the inner engagement member  4 . In the meantime, the active portion  501  and the inactive portion  500  of the cutting member  5  will first press on the peripheral portion  30  of the sealing package  3  and then cut open the sealing package  3  by the active portion  501 , allowing the formula  31  to drop via the opening  12  down to the liquid solution L out of the sealing package  3 . In this operation, because a portion of the peripheral portion is protected by the inactive portion  500  of the cutting member  5  from being cut off by the active portion  501 , the portion of the peripheral portion  30  corresponding to the inactive portion  500  is still attached to other part of the sealing package  3 , thereby allowing the cut-open portion of the sealing package  3  to be prevented from falling into the liquid solution L. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, after the formula  31  falls into the liquid solution  8  pulling up the actuating member  7  will also upwardly move the cutting member  5  as the annular protrusion  700  is engaged with the annular groove  510  in the neck  51  of the cutting member  5 . The upward-lift of the cutting member  5  stops when its shoulder  503  abut against the top  64  of the lid  6 . At this point, continuing pulling the actuating member  7 , the round protrusion  511  of the neck  51  will be disengaged from the passage  710  of the actuating member  7 . The upward-pulling of the actuating member  7  will not stop until the annular protrusion  700  on the annular body  70  of the actuating member  7  is blocked by the top of the annular groove  510  of the neck  51  of the cutting member  5 . Thereby, the opening  12  of the body  1 , the through hole  211  of the outer engagement member  2 , the through hole  42  of the inner engagement member  4 , the outlet holes  512  of the cutting member  5  and the passage  710  of the actuating member  7  are all interconnected, allowing the liquid solution L mixed with the formula  31  to flow from the opening  12  of the body  1  to the passage  710  of the actuating member  7 , for user consumption. 
     The invention has been described using exemplary preferred embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements. The scope of the claims, therefore, should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.