Abstract:
A multiple serving container shaped to incorporate an opening dimensionally sized to fit within the opening of the typical plastic liquid containers used for bottling water, fruit juice and soda. The serving container fitting inside an opening into the liquid container allows transfer of contents without spillage.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to containers and, more specifically, to a multiple serving container shaped to incorporate an opening dimensionally sized to fit within the opening of the typical plastic liquid containers used for bottling water, fruit juice, soda, etc. 
     As often occurs in industry, the cost of manufacture plays a significant role in cost of product, which includes tooling with most dispensing operation fully automated. The liquid dispensing operation uses its own production parameters including containers having a specified opening for filling. In a typical PET water bottle the opening is approximately 2 cm. While the shape of the container may vary by design, the opening will remain within a specified parameter, which will be considered typically 2 centimeters. 
     The multiple serving container of the present invention provides an opening with an outside diameter scaled to less than the typical opening whereby the contents of the distributing container are easily dispensed therefrom. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     While the prior art containers may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a multiple serving container for the typical plastic liquid container for dispensing a product therein. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a multiple serving container having an opening typically less than 2 centimeters in communication with a compartment having a dispensable product therein. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multiple serving container with an opening having an outside diameter defined approximately 50 percent to 98 percent of the typical opening. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multiple serving container with an opening having an outside diameter of approximately one to two centimeters. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a multiple serving container having a burstable seal over the opening once the contents are placed therein. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multiple serving container 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multiple serving container having a burstable seal over the opening once the contents are placed therein creating an environment that is hermetically sealed, tamper-free and fresh including vacuum packed. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a multiple serving container shaped to incorporate an opening dimensionally sized to fit within the opening of the typical plastic liquid containers used for bottling water, fruit juice and soda. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an external view of the container of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the container of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an illustrative view of the container of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an illustrative view of the container of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an illustrative view of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an illustrative view of the container of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a detailed view of the container of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is an illustrative view of an additional container of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is an external view of the additional container of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the additional container of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is an illustrative view of the additional container of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is an illustrative view of the additional container of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is an illustrative view of the additional container of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is an illustrative view of the additional container of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a detailed view of the additional container of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 18  is a sectional view of the additional container of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Multiple Use Container of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
           10  Hermetically Sealed Multiple Use Container of the present invention     12  container     16  beverage container     18  cap of  16       20  mouth of  16       22  mouth of  12       24  protective seal     26  seam of  12       32  contents of  12       34  liquid in  16       36  indicia     100  additional Multiple Use Container of the present invention     102  container     104  cap of  102       106  mouth of  102       108  protective seal     110  pull tab of  108       112  contents of  102         

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , shown is an illustrative view of the present invention  10 . The present invention  10  is a multiple serving container  12  to easily and conveniently pour a consumable content into the mouth  20  of a liquid container  16  having cap  18  without spilling the content. The container  10  would be packaged to provide any consumable item that would mix with water such as protein powders, energy drink powders, various herbal/botanical mixtures, medications and more. The container  10  has a planar and circular closed bottom and a circular mouth at its top. The circular mouth and the planar bottom have the same diameter. The container  10  has a cylindrical body with a pair of opposed, linear, longitudinally disposed seams extending outwardly from and linearly along the cylindrical body. The container  10  is provided with a hermetically sealed burstable seal  24  for freshness and security. The removable seal element  24  comprises a pair of members extending up from opposite sides of the circular mouth of the container  10  to a linear top edge where both the members come together and are flush. Each seam in the pair of seams of the cylindrical body terminates at the linear top edge of the seal element. The seal element  24  is tearable along an entire edge of the circular mouth of the container  10 . Two pieces of plastic sheet material are hermetically sealed along the pair of seams of the cylindrical body and along the linear top edge of the seal element  24  to form the container  10 . The container  10  is small enough to fit in a purse, pocket or to mail. The cylindrical body is provided with vertically extending indicia between the pair of seams of the cylindrical body of the container  10  to inform the user of the contents contained therein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , shown is an external view of the container of the present invention  10 . The serving container  12  of the present invention  10  is easy and convenient for pouring a consumable content into the mouth of a container or water bottle without spilling the contents. It is designed so the width of the container  12  is smaller then the width of the water bottle mouth, allowing the container  12  to fit inside the mouth of the water bottle, allowing for easy pouring of the contents into the water bottle without spilling. Hermetically sealed burstable seal  24  is provided for freshness and security. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , shown is a perspective view of the present invention  10 . Shown is the serving container  12  of the present invention having a hermetically sealed burstable seal  24  for freshness and security. The container  12 , which is of a soft plastic having seal  26  provides tear seal  24  that protects the contents within, keeping the product fresh and tamper free. The device is designed so the mouth  22  of the container  12  is smaller then the width of the water bottle mouth  20 , allowing the container  12  to fit inside the mouth of the water bottle, for easy pouring of the contents into the water bottle without spilling. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , shown is an illustrative view of the present invention  10 . Shown is the serving container  12  of the present invention  10  having its hermetically sealed burstable seal  24  being removed from the container  12  by the user  28 . The seal  24  protects the contents within, keeping the product fresh and tamper free. The device is designed so the width of the mouth  22  of the container  12  is smaller then the width of the water bottle mouth, allowing the container  12  to fit inside the mouth of the water bottle, for easy pouring of the contents into the water bottle without spilling. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , shown is an illustrative view of the present invention  10 . Shown is the serving container  12  of the present invention  10  having its hermetically sealed burstable seal  24  removed from the container  12  by the user  28 . The seal  24  protects the contents within, keeping the product fresh and tamper free. The device is designed so the width of the mouth  22  of the container  12  is smaller then the width of the water bottle mouth, allowing the container  12  to fit inside the mouth of the water bottle, for easy pouring of the contents into the water bottle without spilling. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , shown is an illustrative view of the present invention  10 . Shown is the multiple serving container  12  to easily and conveniently pour a consumable content into the mouth  20  of a container or water bottle  16  without spilling the content. The cap  18  of the water bottle and the hermetically sealed burstable seal  24  of container  12  are removed. The mouth  22  of the container  12  is narrower than the mouth  20  of the water bottle  16 . The container  12  would be packaged to provide any consumable item that would mix with water such as protein powders, energy drink powders, various herbal/botanical mixtures, medications and more. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , shown is an illustrative view of the present invention  10 . Shown is the serving container  12  of the present invention  10  having its hermetically sealed burstable seal  24  removed from the container and the container  12  inserted into the mouth  20  of a water bottle  16 . The device is designed so the width of the container  12  is smaller then the width of the water bottle mouth  18 , allowing the container  12  to fit inside the mouth  20  of the water bottle  16  for easy pouring of the contents into the water bottle  16  without spilling. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , shown is a detailed view of the container of the present invention  10 . Shown is the serving container  12  of the present invention  10  having its hermetically sealed burstable seal  24  lifted from the container and the container  12  inserted into the mouth  20  of a water bottle  16 . The device is designed so the width of the container  12  is smaller then the width of the water bottle mouth  20 , allowing the container  12  to fit inside the mouth  20  of the water bottle  16  for easy pouring of the contents into the water bottle  16  without spilling. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , shown is a sectional view of the present invention  10 . Shown is the multiple serving container  12  conveniently pouring a consumable content  32  into the mouth  20  of a container or water bottle  16  without spilling the content  32 . The width of the container  12  is smaller then the width of the water bottle mouth  20  allowing the container  12  to be inserted within the mouth  20  of the water bottle  16  to empty its contents  32 . The container  12  would be packaged to provide any consumable item that would mix with water  34  such as protein powders, energy drink powders, various herbal/botanical mixtures, medications and more. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , shown is an illustrative view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention  100 . The present invention  100  is a multiple serving container  102  to easily and conveniently pour a consumable content into the mouth  18  of a liquid container  16  without spilling the content. The container  100  would be packaged to provide any consumable item that would mix with water  20  such as protein powders, energy drink powders, various herbal/botanical mixtures, medications and more. Each container  100  is provided with a removable cap  104  and an aluminum removable pull tab for freshness and security. Small enough to fit in a purse, pocket or to mail. Indicia  36  on the container  102  is provided to inform the user of the contents contained therein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , shown is an external view of the container of the present invention  100 . The serving container  102  of the present invention  100  is easy and convenient for pouring a consumable content into the mouth of a container or water bottle without spilling the content. It is designed so the width of the container  102  is smaller then the width of the water bottle mouth, allowing the container  102  to fit inside the mouth of the water bottle, allowing for easy pouring of the contents into the water bottle without spilling. A removable cap  14  is also provided. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , shown is a perspective view of the present invention  100 . Shown is the serving container  102  of the present invention having its cap  104  removed and the aluminum foil seal  24  and its pull tab  26  visible. The seal  24  protects the contents within, keeping the product fresh and tamper free. The device is designed so the mouth  22  of the container  102  is smaller then the width of the water bottle mouth, allowing the container  102  to fit inside the mouth of the water bottle, for easy pouring of the contents into the water bottle without spilling. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , shown is an illustrative view of the present invention  100 . Shown is the serving container  102  of the present invention  100  having its cap  104  removed and the aluminum foil seal  24  being lifted from the container  102  by the user  28  with the pull-tab  26 . The seal  24  protects the contents within, keeping the product fresh and tamper free. The device is designed so the width of the mouth  22  of the container  102  is smaller then the width of the water bottle mouth, allowing the container  102  to fit inside the mouth of the water bottle, for easy pouring of the contents into the water bottle without spilling. 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , shown is an illustrative view of the present invention  100 . Shown is the serving container  102  of the present invention  100  having its cap  104  removed and the aluminum foil seal  24  being lifted from the container  102  by the user  28  with the pull-tab  26 . The seal  24  protects the contents within, keeping the product fresh and tamper free. The device is designed so the width of the mouth  22  of the container  102  is smaller then the width of the water bottle mouth, allowing the container  102  to fit inside the mouth of the water bottle, for easy pouring of the contents into the water bottle without spilling. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , shown is an illustrative view of the present invention  100 . Shown is the multiple serving container  102  to easily and conveniently pour a consumable content into the mouth  18  of a container or water bottle  16  without spilling the content. The cap  30  of the water bottle and the cap  104  of the container  102  are removed. The mouth  22  of the container  102  is narrower than the mouth  18  of the water bottle  16 . The container  102  would be packaged to provide any consumable item that would mix with water such as protein powders, energy drink powders, various herbal/botanical mixtures, medications and more. Each container  12  is provided with an aluminum removable pull tab for freshness and security. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , shown is an illustrative view of the present invention  100 . Shown is the serving container  102  of the present invention  100  having its cap removed, aluminum foil seal lifted from the container and the container  102  inserted into the mouth  18  of a water bottle  16 . The device is designed so the width of the container  102  is smaller then the width of the water bottle mouth  18 , allowing the container  102  to fit inside the mouth  18  of the water bottle  16  for easy pouring of the contents into the water bottle  16  without spilling. 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , shown is a detailed view of the container of the present invention  100 . Shown is the serving container  102  of the present invention  100  having its cap removed, aluminum foil seal lifted from the container and the container  102  inserted into the mouth  18  of a water bottle  16 . The device is designed so the width of the container  102  is smaller then the width of the water bottle mouth  18 , allowing the container  102  to fit inside the mouth  18  of the water bottle  16  for easy pouring of the contents into the water bottle  16  without spilling. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , shown is a sectional view of the present invention  100 . Shown is the multiple serving container  102  conveniently pouring a consumable content  32  into the mouth  18  of a container or water bottle  16  without spilling the content  32 . The width of the container  102  is smaller then the width of the water bottle mouth  18  allowing the container  18  to be inserted within the mouth  18  of the water bottle  16  to empty its contents  32 . The container  102  would be packaged to provide any consumable item that would mix with water  34  such as protein powders, energy drink powders, various herbal/botanical mixtures, medications and more. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention