Abstract:
An application for a dual-compartment container includes an outer surface with a first containment area defined by the outer surface, a first end surface and a divider distal from the first end surface. There is a second containment area defined by the outer surface, a second end surface and the divider, distal from the second end surface. The first containment area is separated from the second containment area by the divider. A first access mechanism is interfaced to the first containment area providing access to a first product stored within the first containment area and a second access mechanism is interfaced to the second containment area providing access to a second product stored within the second containment area.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to the field of containers and more particularly to a container having two distinct compartments. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Today, many products such as soft drinks, beer, laundry detergent and the like are delivered in containers. Often, these containers hold only one type of product such as a can of soda. In some cases, the container holds more than one can use at one time such as a two-liter bottle of soda or a container of liquid detergent. 
         [0003]    Many of these products in containers are purchased in stores or vending machines. Handling of the products in stores is optimized to the size of a standard product. For example, trucks and pallets are designed to efficiently transport and store cases of 12 oz. cans. Likewise, vending machines are designed to correctly dispense single 12 oz cans in response to a buyer depositing money. 
         [0004]    In some cases, for some people, the amount of product in these standardized containers is more then they want or need at one time. In that, once a 12 oz can of soda is opened, if it is not consumed within a short period of time, carbonation is lost and it becomes flat. As a solution to this, beverage companies have an alternate container holding 6 oz of soda such that two beverage containers occupy the same space as one 12 oz beverage container. This new beverage container satisfies the special requirements of shipping since two 6 oz cans fit in the same space as one 12 oz can, but does not work in a vending machine designed to dispense 12 oz cans. 
         [0005]    In some cases, it is desired to mix two different products such as laundry detergent and fabric softener, rum and coke or beer and tomato juice. In such cases, existing technology requires the consumer to purchase a discrete container of each component product. The need for such has been demonstrated by manufacturers selling combination products in which two discrete containers are held together by packaging. One example is a 2 oz bottle of rum packaged with a can of coke. Another example is a company that makes Chow Mien wrapping a can of Chow Mien (vegetables and chicken) with a discrete can of Chow Mien noodles. In this way, the Chow Mien noodles remain dry until the Chow Mien is cooked and poured over the Chow Mien noodles. 
         [0006]    What is needed is a container that will provide two distinct compartments, each for containing either the same product or dissimilar products. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In one embodiment, a dual-compartment container is disclosed including an outer surface with a first containment area defined by the outer surface, a first end surface and a divider distal from the first end surface. There is a second containment area defined by the outer surface, a second end surface and the divider, distal from the second end surface. The first containment area is separated from the second containment area by the divider. A first access mechanism is interfaced to the first containment area providing access to a first product stored within the first containment area and a second access mechanism is interfaced to the second containment area providing access to a second product stored within the second containment area. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, a dual-compartment container is disclosed including an area for containing a first product and an area for containing a second product. The area for containing the first product is separated from the area for containing the second product by a divider and the area for containing the first product has a common outside wall with the area for containing the second product. The area for containing the first product has a first end surface and the area for containing the second product has a second end surface distal from the first end surface. There is a way to access the first product and an independent way to access the second product. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, a dual-compartment container is disclosed including a cylindrical outer surface and two containment areas. A first containment area is defined by the outer surface, a first end surface and a divider distal to the first end surface. A second containment area is defined by the outer surface, a second end surface and the divider distal to the second end surface. The first containment area is separated from the second containment area by the divider. A first pop-top is interfaced to the first end surface to provide access to a liquid stored within the first containment area and a second pop-top is interfaced to the second end surface to provide access to a second liquid stored within the second containment area. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a container of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a second container of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top plan view of a container of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a second plan view of a container of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a container of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a container of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a container of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of a container of a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a container of a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The container  10  has a first end surface  15  with an access mechanism  14  on the first end surface  15  and a side surface  12 . In this embodiment, the access mechanism  14  is a “pop-top” as known in the beverage industry, although any other access mechanism is anticipated. As will be seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a second end surface (not visible) is similar to the first end surface  14 . Internal to the container  10  is a divider  16  separating a first containment area  11  from a second containment area  13 . In this embodiment, the first containment area  11  holds one type of beverage (regular soda) and the second containment area  13  holds a different type of beverage (diet soda). In other embodiments, the first containment area  11  holds the same beverage as the second containment  13  permitting the consumer to consume the beverage in one containment area  11  at a different time than when they consume the beverage in the other containment area  13 . In some embodiments, a cap or cover  18  is provided to function as a coaster that snaps onto and covers either the first end surface  15  or second end surface  25  (see  FIG. 4 ) of the container  10 , thereby preventing leaks/drips by covering the open end of the container  10  when the open end of the container  10  is positioned down. 
         [0021]    The divider  16  is formed during the manufacturing process. For example, in cans that are rolled from stock such as aluminum sheets, the divider  16  is formed as a disk that is affixed to the stock as it is rolled into can shape. Another way of making a container  10  of the present invention is to manufacture a first section for containment area  11  and a second section for containment area  13  and bonding the first section to the second section using methods known in the industry such as using adhesives or welding. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of a second container of the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The container  10  has a first end surface  15  with an access mechanism  14  on the first end surface  15  and a side surface  12 . In this embodiment, the access mechanism  14  is a “pop-top” as known in the beverage industry, although any other access mechanism is anticipated including a flat surface requiring piercing by a can opener. As will be seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the second end surface  25  (not visible) is similar to the first end surface  14 , although it is rotated (preferably 180 degrees). Internal to the container  10  is a divider  16  separating a first containment area  11  from a second containment area  13 . In this embodiment, the capacity of the first containment area  11  differs from the capacity of the second containment first containment area  11 . Being such, the first containment area  11  holds one type of beverage (e.g., rum) and the second containment area  13  holds a different type of beverage (e.g., cola). In other uses, the first containment area  11  holds the same beverage as the second containment  13  permitting the consumer to consume the beverage in one containment area  11  at a different time than when they consume the beverage in the other containment area  13 . In some embodiments, a cap or cover  18  is provided to function as a coaster that snaps onto either the first end surface  15  or the second end surface  25  of the container  10 , thereby preventing leaks/drips by covering the open end of the container  10  when the open end of the container  10  is positioned down. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a first plan view of a container  10  of the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The first end surface  15  has an access mechanism  14  such as a “pop-top” as known in the beverage industry. Any access mechanism is anticipated. As shown, the first end surface  15  of the container  10  is slightly lesser in diameter than the outside surface  12 , although in alternate embodiments, the first end surface  15  of the container  10  is similar in diameter than the outside surface  12 . 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a second plan view of a container  10  of the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The second end surface  25  has an access mechanism  24  such as a “pop-top” as known in the beverage industry. Any access mechanism is anticipated. As shown, the second end surface  25  of the container  10  is slightly lesser in diameter than the outside surface  12 , although in alternate embodiments, the second end surface  25  of the container  10  is similar in diameter than the outside surface  12 . In embodiments in which the divider  16  runs vertical (see  FIG. 8 ), the access mechanism  14  on the first end surface  15  provides access to one side containment area ( 111  of  FIG. 8 ) and the second access mechanism  24  provides access to the other side containment area ( 113  of  FIG. 8 ). 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of a container of a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. This container  30  is similar to current beverage containers but has two containment areas  131 / 133  separated by a divider  36 . Also provided is a removable end cap  38  enabling the container  30  to stand up on a flat surface. The material (e.g., beverage, soda) in the first containment area  131  is accessed through a cap  35  covering a threaded mouth  34  as known in the industry. The material (e.g., beverage, soda) in the second containment area  133  is accessed through a cap  45  covering a threaded mouth  44  as known in the industry. To dispense the material (beverage) from the first containment area  131 , the removable end cap  38  is left on the second end and the cap  35  is opened and the contents are poured from the first containment area  131 . To dispense the material (beverage) from the second containment area  132 , the removable end cap  38  is removed from the second end and placed on the first end then the cap  45  is opened and the contents are poured from the first containment area  133 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a perspective view of a container of a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. This example of the present invention is a container of a different shape than the previous examples. The container  50  has a first containment area  51  enclosed by an outer shell  52  and having a mouth  54  covered by a cap  55 . In some embodiments, the cap  55  is a screw-on cap while in other embodiments; the cap  55  is a snap-on cap or any other type of cap  55  known in the industry. The container  50  also has a second containment area  57 , also enclosed by an outer shell  52  and having a mouth  64  covered by a cap  65 . In some embodiments, the cap  65  is a screw-on cap while in other embodiments; the cap  65  is a snap-on cap or any other type of cap  65  known in the industry. The first containment area  51  is separated from the second containment area  57  by an internal wall/separator  56 . In this example, a first product such as liquid or powdered laundry detergent is provided in the first containment area  51  and a second product such as softener is provided in the second containment area  57 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a perspective view of a container of a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this example of the present invention, a container  70  has two containment areas for containing two products, in this example, chips  72  and  73 . The containment areas are separated by an internal divider  76 , keeping the products contained in each containment area separate and maintaining freshness of an unopened containment area after the other containment area is opened. In some embodiments, the first containment area contains the same product (e.g., flavor of chips  74 ) as the product (e.g., chips  73 ) in the second containment area. In such, the utility of the present invention includes keeping product in one containment area fresh while the other containment area is in use. In some embodiments, the first containment area contains a different product or type of product (e.g., plain chips  74 ) as the product or type of product (e.g., sour cream chips  73 ) in the second containment area. An outside wall  72  defines the outer wall of the containment areas. In the example shown, a lid  75  covers the first containment chamber and a lid  85  covers the second containment chamber. In some embodiments, a peelable or removable cover is provided over each containment chamber as known in the industry. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , a perspective view of a container of a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The container  110  shown has two containment chambers  111 / 113  separated by a divider  116  that runs lengthwise through the container. The outside of the containment chambers is defined by a wall  112  and a top  115 . In this embodiment, the access mechanism  114  provides access to a first containment chamber  113  while a second access mechanism (not visible) provides access to the second containment chamber  111  from the end opposite to end  115 . In some embodiments, a cover or cap  118  is provided to cover an open end of the container  110  while the opposite end is being consumed/used. 
         [0029]    Although shown as rounded containers, any shape or size is anticipated. For example, in some embodiments the container  70  of  FIG. 7  is square, hexagonal or octagonal in cross section. 
         [0030]    Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
         [0031]    It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.