Abstract:
An interlocking personal beverage container mixing system that utilizes at least two containers that interconnect such that their fluid contents may be mixed prior to dispensing. The containers, when threadingly engaged irreversibly connect and lock in a leakproof and spill proof fashion. Sanitary seals and safety seals ensure each container in the personal beverage mixing system remains free of foreign contaminants and alerts the purchaser to any tampering.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a container adapted to allow interconnection between substantially similar containers such that their fluid contents can be homogeneously mixed prior to consumption. 
   Juice or vegetable drinks are commonly made by combining several different “base” flavors so as to render a unique taste. The number of flavors used in the combination process is relatively small, however the number of combinations these can provide is much larger. Consider that four “base” juices can be combined to make over ten types of mixed juice. Manufacturers provide many of the popular combinations but not all of the possible combinations so as to minimize distribution and production problems. This means first, that not all people&#39;s taste preferences are met, and second, that the vendor must stock a considerable number of different containers. The logical solution would be to provide only the “base” juices and allow the purchaser to mix their own concoctions. Unfortunately, mixing requires both a funnel and a container large enough to hold all the contents, and can be a messy process. This is not well adapted for a consumer on the run. 
   This new invention allows at least two full beverage containers to be irremovably interconnected so as to form a single drinking container which is capable of vigorous mixing without the possibility of content leakage. In this manner consumers on the go can selectively prepare their preferred concoction without fear of making a mess, and vendors and distributors can provide the widest array of products with the minimum amount of on-hand stock. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the invention, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved leakproof and spill proof beverage mixing system that utilizes only the beverage containers. 
   It is another object of this invention to provide a beverage mixing system that can accommodate the mixing of more than two types of beverages. 
   It is a further object of this invention to provide a beverage mixing system that can be tailored for different applications by the simple sizing of the containers. 
   It is still a further object of this invention to provide a beverage mixing system that is cheap and simple to fabricate and enhances the probability of the return of the empty containers. 
   The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements. Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are discussed in greater detail below. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of the preferred embodiment beverage mixing container showing cutaway sections of the neck and bottom recess regions; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of two preferred embodiment beverage mixing containers threadingly engaged, showing cutaway sections of their bottom recess regions; 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the first alternate embodiment beverage mixing container showing cutaway sections of the neck and bottom recess regions; 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the first alternate embodiment beverage mixing container disk; 
       FIG. 5  is a tilted perspective view of the first alternate embodiment beverage mixing container disk; 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of two first alternate embodiment beverage mixing containers threadingly engaged, showing a cutaway section of the bottom recess region of the top container; 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the second alternate embodiment beverage mixing container showing cutaway sections at the neck, shoulder and bottom recess regions; 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of a circular cut dispensing seal of the second alternate embodiment beverage mixing container; 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of two second alternate embodiment beverage mixing containers threadingly engaged, showing a cutaway section of the bottom recess region; 
       FIG. 10  is a top view of the first lock ring; 
       FIG. 10   a  is a top view of an enlarged section of the first lock ring; 
       FIG. 11  is a bottom view of a sanitary seal affixed to a container; 
       FIG. 12  is a plan view of a proposed stacking arrangement of the preferred embodiment beverage mixing container; 
       FIG. 13  is a top view of the second lock ring; 
       FIG. 13  a is a top view of an enlarged section of the second lock ring; 
       FIG. 14  is a top view of the lock rings engaged; and 
       FIG. 14   a  is a top view of an enlarged section of the engaged lock rings. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The preferred embodiment of the interlocking personal beverage mixing container system comprises the threadingly engaged set of at least two interlocking personal beverage mixing containers. The stacked arrangement of beverage containers forms an aesthetically pleasing cylindrical column which can be used after the beverage is consumed to make a play structure or furniture base. Since the cylindrical column of containers is unable to be disassembled it&#39;s large size aids to facilitate recycling. Protective and sanitary seals have been incorporated as much as possible to ensure the well being and safety of the consumer. 
   The material of construction will vary with the desired application. Although it is expected that a synthetic plastic resin beverage container and cap will be used with comestibles, it is possible that glass, metal or alloy containers either, clear, translucent or opaque, may be used with fluids that are corrosive, light sensitive or chemically reactive with synthetic plastic resin. This is not an exhaustive list of materials of construction. 
   The advantages of this invention as applied to use with beverages reside in the ability for any number of fluids to be mixed together without fear of spilling and without the need for additional containers or tools. Such economy of function is greatly appreciated in this field of art where commonly, mixing requires additional paraphernalia. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1  it can be seen that the preferred embodiment is a container  2  formed by the area enclosed by generally cylindrical wall  3  connected to wide mouth neck  4  by shoulder  6 . Gasket  8  encircles neck  4  and resides on shoulder  6  at the region where neck  4  and shoulder  6  meet. Neck  4  has external threads  12  formed on its outer surface  14 . First lock ring  10  resides on neck  4  between external threads  12  and gasket  8 . First resilient seal  16  is mechanically affixed to neck  4  so as to cover the wide mouth opening (opening not illustrated). A pull tab portion  18  is provided on top seal  16  to facilitate the “tear away” removal of seal  16 . Cap  20  has internal threads (not illustrated) adapted to mechanically mesh with external threads  12  on neck  4 . Gripable ridges  22  are formed about the outside surface of cap  20 . Container bottom  24  has an internal receptacle  26  formed normally thereon and extending upward into container interior  27 . Internal receptacle  26  is formed from cylindrical wall  28  and has internal threads  30  formed on the upper region of receptacle  26 . Second lock ring  38  is formed on the internal surface of receptacle  26 . Cavity Resilient bottom seal  32  is mechanically affixed to top surface  42  of cylindrical wall  28  of internal receptacle  26  so as to cover the receptacle&#39;s opening (opening not illustrated). Sanitary seal  34  with sanitary seal pull tab  36  (see  FIG. 11 ) is mechanically affixed to bottom  24 . Removal is accomplished by tearing away sanitary seal  34  with sanitary seal pull tab  36 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2  it can be seen that external threads  12  on neck  4  of first preferred embodiment container  2  have been matingly engaged with internal threads  30  on internal receptacle  26  of a substantially similar second preferred embodiment container  40 . Neck  4  of second preferred embodiment container  40  extends beyond top surface  42  of cylindrical wall  28 . Bottom seal  32  is non elastically deformed and first lock ring  10  is mechanically engaged with second lock ring  38 . Gasket  8  of first preferred embodiment container  2  is compressed between shoulder  6  of first preferred embodiment container  2  and container bottom  24  of second preferred embodiment container  40 . Top seal  16  of first preferred embodiment container  2  has been removed as has been sanitary seal  34  of second preferred embodiment container  40 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 3  the first alternate embodiment container  44  can be seen. First alternate embodiment container  44  is substantially similar to preferred embodiment container  2 , differing only in the sealing arrangement used on their internal receptacles. First alternate embodiment container  44  is formed by the area enclosed by generally cylindrical wall  3  connected to wide mouth neck  4  by shoulder  6 . Gasket  8  encircles neck  4  and resides on shoulder  6  at the region where neck  4  and shoulder  6  meet. Neck  4  has external threads  12  formed on its outer surface  14 . First lock ring  10  resides on neck  4  between external threads  12  and gasket  8 . First resilient seal  16  is mechanically affixed to neck  4  so as to cover the wide mouth opening (opening not illustrated). A pull tab portion  18  is provided on top seal  16  to facilitate the “tear away” removal of seal  16 . Cap  20  has internal threads (not illustrated) adapted to mechanically mesh with external threads  12  on neck  4 . Gripable ridges  22  are formed about the outside surface of cap  20 . Container bottom  24  has a second internal receptacle  46  formed normally thereon and extending upward into first alternate embodiment container interior  47 . Second internal receptacle  46  is formed from second cylindrical wall  48  and has internal threads  50  formed on the upper region of the receptacle  46 . Second lock ring  38  is formed on the internal surface of receptacle  46 . Hard disk  52  is mechanically attached to second cylindrical wall  48  so as to cover the receptacle&#39;s opening (opening not illustrated). Score  54  is a continuous circular notch that resides at the intersection of hard disk  52  and second cylindrical wall  48 . Opening nodule  56  and seal cutter  58  are formed on planar face  55  (see  FIG. 4 ) of disk  52 . Thinned wall section  53  connects disk  52  to second cylindrical wall  48 . Sanitary seal  34  with sanitary seal pull tab  36  is mechanically affixed to bottom  24 . 
     FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate how hemispherical opening nodule  56  and seal cutter  58  are formed on planar face  55  of disk  52 . Seal cutter  58  is configured in a “vee” formation having a first side  60  and a second side  62  formed normal to each other so as to create sharp  64  that protrudes from planar face  55 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6  it can be seen that external threads  12  on neck  4  of first alternate embodiment container  44  have been matingly engaged with second internal threads  50  on second internal receptacle  46  of a substantially-similar first alternate embodiment second container  66 . Neck  4  of first alternate embodiment container  44  is in contact with opening nodule  56  of disk  52  and sharp  64  of seal cutter  58  (see  FIG. 5 ) is in contact with top seal  16 . Disk  52  is partially removed from second cylindrical wall  48  along score  54  (see  FIG. 3 ). Gasket  8  of first alternate embodiment container  40  is compressed between shoulder  6  of first alternate embodiment container  44  and container bottom  24  of first alternate embodiment second container  66 . Top seal  16  of first alternate embodiment container  40  has a partial circular arc  68  (see  FIG. 8 ) scribed through it. Sanitary seal  34  of first alternate embodiment second container  66  has been removed. First lock ring  10  is mechanically engaged with second lock ring  38 . 
     FIG. 7  illustrates the second alternate embodiment container  70 . Second alternate embodiment container  70  has several features that distinguish it from preferred embodiment container  2 , and first alternate embodiment container  40 . Second alternate embodiment container  70  is formed by the area enclosed by generally cylindrical wall  3  connected to wide mouth neck  4  by shoulder  6 . Opening spike  72  resides on the inner surface  74  of neck  4  where neck  4  and shoulder  6  meet. Neck  4  has external threads  12  formed on its outer surface  14  and internal threads  76  formed on it&#39;s inner surface  74 . First lock ring  10  resides on neck  4  below external threads  12 . Cap  20  has internal threads (not illustrated) adapted to mechanically mesh with external threads  12  on neck  4 . Gripable ridges  22  are formed about the outside surface of cap  20 . Container bottom  24  has cylinder  84  formed normally thereon and extending upward into second alternate embodiment container interior  80 . Shoulder  82  projects inward from the top of cylinder  84 . Third internal receptacle  78  extends downward from shoulder  82  and forms a concentric cylinder spaced equidistantly within cylinder  84 . Second locking ring  38  is formed on third internal receptacle  78 . Second external threads  88  are formed on third internal receptacle  78 . On Shoulder  82  between cylinder  84  and third internal receptacle  78  seal ring  86  is mechanically affixed. Second bottom seal  90  is mechanically affixed to bottom surface  92  of third internal receptacle  78  so as to cover the receptacle&#39;s opening (opening not illustrated). Sanitary seal  34  with sanitary seal pull tab  36  is mechanically affixed to bottom  24 . 
     FIG. 9  illustrates second alternate embodiment container  70  engaged with second alternate embodiment second container  94 . Internal threads  76  are matingly engaged with external threads  12 . Third internal receptacle  78  of second alternate embodiment second container  94  extends down neck  4  of second alternate embodiment container  70 . Opening spike  72  is in contact with second bottom seal  90  which has a partial circular cut made in it in a similar fashion to that of arc  68  in top seal  16  (see  FIG. 8 ). Bottom seal  90  extends into second alternate embodiment container  70 . Sanitary seal  34  of first alternate embodiment second container  66  has been removed. First lock ring  10  is mechanically engaged with second lock ring  3   8 . Seal ring  86  is compressed between shoulder  82  and neck  4 . 
   Operation of the interlocking personal beverage mixing container system using two substantially similar containers of each of the three container embodiments is described below. 
   Referring again to  FIG. 2  will help to explain operation of the of the interlocking personal beverage mixing container system utilizing the preferred embodiment container  2 . Sanitary seal  34  is removed from the first preferred embodiment container  2  by pulling tab  36 . Cap  20  is unscrewed from the second preferred embodiment container  40  and top seal  16  is removed by pulling tab  18 . Neck  4  of container  2  is inserted into receptacle  26  of container  40  and the containers are twisted in opposite directions relative to each other so as to engage external threads  12  of container  2  and internal threads  30  of container  40 . As container  2  rises up inside container  4 , neck  2  contacts bottom seal  32  and deforms seal  32  until it is torn, thereby allowing fluid to transfer easily between the two containers through the wide mouth of neck  4 . Just prior to the tearing of bottom seal  32 , gasket  8  is compressed between shoulder  6  of container  2  and bottom  24  of container  40  to form a fluid tight seal. At approximately the same relative position of the two containers, first lock ring  10  engages second lock ring  38  to prevent disengagement of the containers by reversing the direction of rotation. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6  will similarly aid to explain operation of the interlocking personal beverage mixing container system using the first alternate embodiment container. Sanitary seal  34  is removed from the first alternate embodiment second container  66  by pulling tab  36 . Cap  20  is unscrewed from the first alternate embodiment container  44 . The top seal  16  is not removed. Neck  4  of container  44  is inserted into second internal receptacle  46  of container  66  and the containers are twisted in opposite directions relative to each other so as to engage external threads  12  of container  44  and internal threads  30  of container  66 . As container  44  rises up inside container  66 , neck  2  contacts opening nodule  56  of hard disk  52  and top seal  16  contacts seal cutter  58 . The torque developed while threadingly engaging the containers exerts an upward point force on hard disk  52  at opening nodule  56 . This causes disk  52  to tear away from second cylindrical wall  48  at score  54  at a location proximate to opening nodule  56 . Disk  52  continues to tear away along score  54  as neck  4  of container  66  rises by the continued threaded engagement of the containers. At the same time, sharp  64  of seal cutter  58  scribes partial circular arc  68  in top seal  16 , allowing fluid to transfer between the containers easily via the wide mouth design of neck  4 . Just prior to the tearing of hard disk  52  and cutting of top seal  16 , gasket  8  is compressed between shoulder  6  of container  66  and bottom  24  of container  44  to form a fluid tight seal. At approximately the same relative position of the two containers, first lock ring  10  engages second lock ring  38  to prevent disengagement of the containers by reversing the direction of rotation. 
   The use of the seal cutter  58  and top seal  16  is not necessary but serves to provide additional sterility and safety. 
   Referring to  FIG. 9  will help to explain operation of the of the interlocking personal beverage mixing container system utilizing the second alternate embodiment container  70 . Sanitary seal  34  is removed from the first preferred embodiment container  70  by pulling tab  36 . Cap  20  is unscrewed from the second preferred embodiment second container  94  and top seal  16  is removed by pulling tab  18 . Neck  4  of container  94  is inserted into receptacle third internal receptacle  78  of container  94  and the containers are twisted in opposite directions relative to each other so as to engage internal threads  76  of container  70  and second external threads  88  of container  94 . As container  2  rises up inside container  94  neck  2  contacts seal ring  86  and compresses it against shoulder  82  so as to form a leakproof seal. At approximately the same relative position of the containers, two events occur. First, first lock ring  10  engages second lock ring  38  to prevent disengagement of the containers by reversing the direction of rotation. Second, opening spike  72  contacts second bottom seal  90  and cuts a partial arc in seal  90  similar to the partial circular arc  68  cut top seal  16  by seal cutter  58  in the first alternate embodiment. This allows fluid to transfer between the containers. 
   Although this second alternate embodiment uses a seal ring  86 , because the third internal receptacle fits inside of neck  4 , leakage when twisting the containers together is unlikely. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 10 ,  10   a ,  13 ,  13   a ,  14  and  14   a  the design and operation of first lock ring  10  and second lock ring  38  are best illustrated. First lock ring  10  is a circular ring that has first beveled teeth  96  about it&#39;s outer periphery  97 . Second lock ring  38  is a circular ring that has second beveled teeth  98  about it&#39;s inner periphery  99 . First beveled teeth  96  and second beveled teeth  98  are mirror images of each other. The outer diameter of first lock ring  10  and the inner diameter of second lock ring  38  are sized so as to allow the corresponding mating of their teeth. The rings are made from a resilient yet flexible plastic polymer so as to allow the angled tips of the teeth to flex enough to facilitate locking of the rings when the containers are being engaged. The angled design of the teeth will not allow flex for the purpose of disengagement. 
     FIG. 12  illustrates a possible stacked arrangement of a first container  100 , a second container  102  and a third container  104 . All three containers may be of the preferred embodiment, the first alternate embodiment or the second alternate embodiment. From this illustration it can be seen that the volumetric sizing of the containers can be varied depending upon the contents. 
   The diameter of disk  52  is sized to exceed the diameter of all other openings into first alternate embodiment container  44 , thereby eliminating the potential for disk  52  to ever leave first alternate embodiment container interior  47 . In fabrication, disk  52  and second cylindrical wall  48  are extruded as one piece. Score  54  is then made in this single extrusion by the appropriate machine tool, whether a cutter head or drill/boring bit. The depth of score  54  and the height of opening nodule will vary with the material the bottle is fabricated from, the diameter of disk  52  and the desired “break away” pressure. The variance of which is well known and easily calculated by those skilled in the art. 
   Although score  54  is illustrated as continuous, it is well known in the art that a non-continuous score or a series of partial perforations would accomplish and enable the same break away function of disk  52 . 
   Sanitary seal  34  may be a thin cellophane, aluminum, paper or plastic seal having opaque, translucent or clear characteristics. It must be non gas permeable to ensure sterility. Glue is the most likely method of mechanical attachment although heat sealing is also a viable method of attachment. 
   Bottom seal  32  and top seal  16  are generally more resilient than sanitary seal  34 . Their methods of mechanical affixation are similar to that of sanitary seal  34 , as are their materials of construction, however, it is common to use seals made of more than one material (I.E. foil or plastic backed paper) in circumstances that require the additional resiliency. Selection of these seals are based on the application and fluids contained. 
   First lock ring  10  and with second lock ring  38  are commonly found on medicine containers and constitute part of a mechanism known as a “child proof lock”. Commonly, the mated engagement of these rings can be released by the displacement of these rings relative to each other along the plane of their central axis. This invention does not provide for such displacement and containers once joined, cannot be disengaged. This prevents decompression of gasket  8  and leakage of fluid. 
   While the description of this invention is directed toward use with beverages it&#39;s utilitarian function to allow mixing of fluids without spilling and without the need for additional funnels and containers is well recognized. It is well suited for any fluids and powders, or combinations thereof, that require mixing prior to use but where spillage or leakage is impractical. A non-exhaustive list of other known uses include salad dressings, paints, oils, automotive products, cooking supplies etc.