Abstract:
Container for beverages, liquids and other fluid substances which includes a plurality of sealed chambers, sealed openings in coplanar walls of the chambers, a stationary cover plate with openings in registration with the sealed openings, an opener movably mounted on the cover plate for selective engagement with seals for the openings in the walls, and a selector plate operatively connected to the opener with an opening in the selector plate that can be moved into and out of registration with the openings in the chamber walls and cover plate.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    This invention pertains generally to containers for beverages and other fluid substances and, more particularly, to a container having a plurality of resealable chambers for holding different beverages, liquids, or other fluids. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    Where two or more products that are to be mixed together must be kept apart until they are mixed, there have been some attempts to package the different products in a single container having a separate chamber or compartment for each product, rather than packaging the different products in separate containers. Products that might advantageously be packaged in that manner include different types of beverages such as alcoholic beverages and mixers, e.g. scotch and soda, gin and tonic water, vodka and fruit juices, as well as non-alcoholic beverages. Such packaging is not only convenient for the consumer, but also ensures that the products will be combined in the correct proportions. 
         [0005]    Examples of beverage cans and other containers having separate chambers for holding different products are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 311,415, 1,817,562, 4,077,538, 5,335,813, 5,492,244, and 5,992,677 and in Published U.S. Applications Nos. 2003/0189046, 2005/0077316, 2006/0065660, 2007/0241114, 2008/0054002, and 2009/0272747. These containers generally do not include means for resealing the chambers once they have been opened. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is, in general, an object of the invention to provide a new and improved container having a plurality of chambers for holding different beverages, liquids, or other fluids. 
         [0007]    Another object of the invention is to provide a container of the above character which overcomes the limitations and disadvantages of containers heretofore provided. 
         [0008]    These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the invention by providing a container for beverages, liquids and other fluid substances which includes a plurality of sealed chambers, sealed openings in coplanar walls of the chambers, a stationary cover plate with openings in registration with the sealed openings, an opener movably mounted on the cover plate for selective engagement with seals for the openings in the walls, and a selector plate operatively connected to the opener with an opening in the selector plate that can be moved into and out of registration with the openings in the chamber walls and cover plate. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is an exploded isometric view of one embodiment of a beverage container in accordance with the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIGS. 3-7  are operational views of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    In the drawings, the invention is illustrated in connection with a beverage container in the form of a drink can  11  of the type commonly used for packaging beverages such as soft drinks, energy drinks, and beer. The can is typically fabricated of aluminum and has an internal chamber or compartment  12  bounded by a cylindrical side wall  13 , a circular bottom wall  14 , and a circular top wall  16 . 
         [0013]    A second chamber or compartment  17  is formed within the can on the under side of top wall  16 . The second compartment has a cylindrical side wall  18  and a circular bottom wall  19  of lesser diameter than corresponding walls of the larger compartment. The two compartments are sealed from each other, and in the embodiment illustrated, chamber walls  18 ,  19  are formed integrally with top wall  16 . The relative sizes of the two chambers are determined by the beverages to be stored therein. For a mixed drink in a 12 ounce can, for example, the small compartment might have a volume corresponding to that of a shot glass, which is typically about 1.5 fluid ounces. 
         [0014]    Access to the two compartments is provided by sealed openings  16   a,    16   b  in top wall  16 . These openings have displaceable tongues or flaps  21 ,  22  defined by score lines  23 ,  24  along which the top wall will separate or rupture when engaged by an opener. 
         [0015]    An outer top wall or cover plate  26  is positioned above top wall  16 , with openings  26   a ,  26   b  in registration with corresponding ones of the sealed openings  16   a,    16   b  in the inner top wall. The two top walls are affixed peripherally and sealed to the upper portion of the side wall  13  of the can by crimping or by other suitable means. 
         [0016]    A valve member or disk  27  is rotatably mounted between the two top walls or plates in sealing engagement with the upper side of the inner top wall. The valve member has an opening  28  that can be moved into and out of registration with the openings  16   a ,  26   a  and  16   b,    26   b  in the top walls. The valve member is of slightly lesser diameter than the top walls and is maintained in sealing engagement with them by the forces exerted on the top walls by the manner in which they are clamped together at their peripheries. 
         [0017]    A pull-tab  31  is mounted on the upper side of outer top wall  26  for breaking the seals on openings  26 ,  26   b  to provide access to the beverages in the two compartments. The pull-tab is operatively connected to valve member  27  for rotating the valve member to bring the opening in it into and out of alignment with the openings in the top walls. In the embodiment illustrated, the pull-tab is affixed to the valve member by a rivet  32  which is formed integrally with the valve member and passes freely through a central mounting hole  33  of slightly greater diameter in the outer top wall. The pull-tab is positioned directly above the opening in the valve member and accesses the sealed openings in the inner top wall through the openings in the outer top wall and the valve member. Thus, the pull-tab functions both as an opener for the two compartments and as a handle for the valve member. 
         [0018]    Operating and use of the container is illustrated in  FIGS. 3-7 . In the closed position shown in  FIG. 3 , pull-tab  31  is pointed away from openings  16   a,    16   b,  and valve opening  28  is out of registration with the openings in the two top walls. This is the position in which the filled container is shipped and stored, both before and after one or both of the compartments have been opened. 
         [0019]    To open the main compartment, pull-tab  31  is rotated into alignment with opening  26   a , as shown in  FIG. 4 , thereby bringing valve opening  28  into registration with opening  26   a  and sealed opening  16   a  above the main compartment. With the pull-tab so positioned, pulling up on the outer end portion swings the inner end of the tab through opening  26   a  and valve opening  28  into engagement with sealing flap  21 , rupturing the inner top wall along score line  23  and pivoting the flap down to unseal the opening, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . If the smaller, shot compartment has already been opened, the valve member will seal opening  16   b  to retain any remaining contents in that compartment while the main compartment is open. 
         [0020]    The shot compartment  17  is opened by aligning pull-tab  31  with opening  26   b,  as shown in  FIG. 6 , thereby bringing valve opening  28  into registration with opening  26   b  and sealed opening  16   b  above the main compartment. Pulling up on the outer end portion now swings the inner end of the tab through opening  26   b  and valve opening  28  into engagement with sealing flap  22 , rupturing the inner top wall along score line  24  and pivoting the flap down to unseal the opening, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . If the main compartment has already been opened, the valve member will seal opening  16   a  to retain any remaining contents in that compartment while the main compartment is open. 
         [0021]    When one or both of the compartments have been opened, the pull-tab and valve member can be returned to the closed position shown in  FIG. 3  to reseal the compartments and prevent leakage between them. 
         [0022]    The invention has a number of important features and advantages. It provides a container with a plurality of separate, sealed compartments for different beverages and other fluid products with means for selectively opening and resealing the different compartments. Although the invention has been illustrated in connection with a beverage can having two separate compartments, the container can have more compartments, if desired. 
         [0023]    Packaging two or more products that are to be mixed together in a single container with separate compartments is not only more convenient than having everything packaged separately. It also ensures that the products will be combined in the correct proportions and is good for the environment in reducing the number of containers that have to be disposed of. 
         [0024]    It is apparent from the foregoing that a new and improved container with separate chambers has been provided. While only certain presently preferred embodiments have been described in detail, as will be apparent to those familiar with the art, certain changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.