Patent Publication Number: US-9834362-B1

Title: Multi-chambered substance container

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/060,096, filed Oct. 6, 2014, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to physical containers, and particularly to containers for holding and mixing substances. 
     While there are a wide variety of containers on the market designed to hold gasses, fluids, and semi-fluid substances, there is a need in the art for a low monetary cost, easy to manufacture container that is able to hold multiple separate substances in isolation from each other during transport and storage, and that also allows convenient, reliable, and automatic mixing of the substances upon opening of the container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a multi-chambered container. 
         FIG. 1B  is a cross sectional side view of the first embodiment of the multi-chambered container in a sealed state. 
         FIG. 1C  is an enlarged cross sectional side view of the first embodiment of the multi-chambered container in a sealed state. 
         FIG. 1D  is an enlarged cross sectional side view of the first embodiment of the multi-chambered container in an opened state. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged cross sectional side view of a second embodiment of the multi-chambered container. 
         FIG. 3A  is a top view of a third embodiment of the multi-chambered container. 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross sectional side view of the third embodiment of the multi-chambered container in a sealed state. 
         FIG. 3C  is an enlarged cross sectional side view of the third embodiment of the multi-chambered container in an opened state. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a multi-chambered container in a sealed state. 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross sectional side view of the fourth embodiment of the multi-chambered container in a sealed state. 
         FIG. 4C  is an enlarged cross sectional side view of the fourth embodiment of the multi-chambered container in a sealed state. 
         FIG. 4D  is an enlarged cross sectional side view of the fourth embodiment of the multi-chambered container in an opened state. 
         FIG. 4E  is an enlarged cross sectional perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the multi-chambered container in a sealed state. 
         FIG. 4F  is an enlarged cross sectional perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the multi-chambered container in an opened state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     I. Overview 
     A multi-chambered beverage container is described that, when sealed, separates several different substances into at least two dedicated compartments. The seals in the container may be reusable seals, a one-time (e.g., tearable) seals, or any other kind of vacuum seal. When the end user is ready to consume the product, the container provides a physical actuator for unsealing the compartments, thereby causing the substances in each compartment to mix with one another, resulting in a ratio of substances based on the contents of the compartments prior to unsealing. Prior to opening, at least one of the chambers is sealed at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. This not only assists with the mixing of the substances upon opening, but also helps keep the chambers physically connected to each other prior to opening. Additionally, at least one of the chambers other than the one that is maintained below atmospheric pressure may be maintained at atmospheric pressure or higher (e.g., by carbonation). 
     In an example implementation using two chambers, after unsealing the upper chamber is removable and the mixed substances fill the lower of the two chambers. At this point, the user can dispense the mixed substances (often, but not exclusively, a liquid) from the lower chamber. In a two chamber implementation, the lower chamber is filled with a first substance or set of substances. The upper chamber is filled and sealed with a second, different substance or set of substances. In an implementation having more than two chambers, the additional chambers may contain additional substances. The substances are often in liquid form, though in some embodiments the ingredients may include solids, either in solution or having small volume such that they are capable of being mixed with the substance/s in the lower chamber upon opening. For example, a solid ingredient may dissolve into solution upon contact with the ingredient/s in the lower chamber. 
     II. Actuation Stem Example Container 
       FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrate different view of a first embodiment of a multi-chambered container. In this first embodiment, the container includes at least two chambers including an upper chamber (also referred to as the secondary chamber)  102  and a lower chamber (also referred to as the reusable chamber, primary chamber, or capsule)  104 . The upper  102  and lower  104  chambers of the container are manufactured as physically separate components from each other. The upper chamber  102  is part of an upper assembly (not specifically labeled) of components that includes a cap  106 , a primary seal  130  sealing the upper chamber  102  from atmosphere, an actuation stem  132  including a noncircular linear slide spine  114 , an exhaust nozzle  112 , two different actuation seals  108   a  and  110   a  sealing the lower chamber from the upper chamber and atmosphere (the first  108   a  in contact with the linear slide spine  114 , the second  110   a  in contact with the exhaust nozzle  112 ), and an environment extraction ducting  118  that is a separate air passage in the actuation stem  132  with an opening proximate to atmosphere that is closed by a plug  116 . The lower chamber  104  does not necessarily include any other components, though it may in some embodiments. 
     After manufacturing, a fill process is performed to add substances to the two chambers and then to combine the upper assembly and lower chamber  104  into a sealed/closed state for later use. In one implementation, the upper chamber  102  is filled through the opening in the upper chamber. Carbonation may also be added at this time. The opening may be located on the same side as the primary seal  130 , or on any other side of the upper chamber  102 . If the opening is located on any other side other than the same side as the primary seal, the cap may also be located on that side or a separate plug (not shown) may be used to plug the opening after filling.  FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrate an embodiment where the opening is located on the same side as the primary seal  130 . The upper chamber  130  is then sealed with the cap. Sealing with the cap additionally secures the cap to the top of the actuation stem  132 . The sealing of the cap also causes the bottom of the actuation stem  132  to seal both the first  108   a  and second  110   a  actuation seals. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap is a twist cap  106  having an actuation thread  114  mated to a surface on the upper chamber  102 , although this may vary in other embodiments. 
     Once the upper chamber  102  is filled and sealed, and the lower chamber  104  is filled, the upper assembly and lower chamber  104  are assembled together. In one embodiment, a vacuum line (not shown) is secured to the top of the cap in line with the opening to the environment extraction ducting  118 . The vacuum line removes air from the lower chamber  104  through the ducting  118 . The vacuum within the lower chamber  104  pulls the upper chamber  102  against the lower chamber  104 . The passageway in the ducting  118  is sealed with a plug  116  to maintain the vacuum, and the vacuum line is removed. In an alternate implementation, the container  100  does not include either the ducting  118  or plug  116 , and instead the upper assembly and lower chamber are assembled together in an environment that is already below atmospheric pressure. Once assembly is complete, the entire container is removed from the low pressure environment for transport and use by the end user. 
     The container  100  is opened when the user removes the cap (or more generally, when the physical actuator is actuated). If the cap is a twist cap  106 , this occurs when the user rotates the twist cap  106 . This action causes an actuation thread  114  within the upper chamber  102  to pull the actuation stem  132  upwards. The actuation stem  132  is constrained along the rotation axis by a noncircular linear slide spine  114 . As a result, the actuation stem  132  cannot rotate relative to the upper chamber  102 . The combined action translates the actuation stem  132  vertically. The translation of the actuation stem  132  opens the primary seal  130  and both seals  108   b  and  110   b . The opening of the primary seal  130  opens a ventilation channel thereby allowing atmosphere into the upper chamber  102 . The retraction of the exhaust nozzle  112  from the bottom of the upper chamber  102  allows the contents of the upper chamber  102  to enter the lower chamber  104 . Collectively, opening these three seals  130   b ,  108   b , and  110   b  allows atmosphere to also enter the lower chamber  104 , thereby increasing the pressure in that chamber from vacuum to atmosphere. 
     The vacuum that existed in the lower chamber  104  prior to opening exerted a pressure differential on the seal formed at the exhaust nozzle  112 . Upon opening, the pressure differential forces the contents of the upper chamber  104  to rapidly vacate the upper chamber in favor of entering the lower chamber  104  to equalize pressure. This creates a mixing effect, resulting in the mixture of the contents from each of the chambers. The mixing effect yields a heterogeneous or homogeneous substance in the lower chamber  104 , depending upon the type of substances mixed. Once the contents of the upper chamber  102  have emptied, the upper assembly can be easily removed from the lower chamber  102  as the vacuum no longer strongly holds the upper assembly in place. Once removed, the upper assembly can be either discarded or recycled for reuse. 
     III. Single Tear Seal Example Container 
       FIGS. 4A-4F  illustrate different views of a fourth embodiment of a multi-chambered container. In this fourth embodiment, the container  400  includes two chambers: an upper chamber  402  and a lower chamber  404 . As in the embodiment, the upper  402  and lower  404  chambers of the container  400  are manufactured as physically separate components from each other. In this embodiment, the upper chamber  402  is part of an upper assembly of components that includes a cap, a first actuation seal  408   a  sealing the upper chamber  402  from atmosphere, an environment extraction ducting  418  with an opening  420  proximate to atmosphere that is closed by a plug  416 , and a second actuation seal  410   a  sealing the upper chamber  402  from the lower chamber  404 . The lower chamber does not necessarily include any other components, though it may in some embodiments. 
     In one embodiment, the upper chamber  402  and environment extraction ducting  418  are formed of a single part, such as a plastic injected, blow-molded part. The second actuation seal  410   a  is formed at this time as the bottom of the environment extraction ducting  418 . The bottom of the upper chamber  402  is formed at this time. This second seal  410   a , however, is specifically engineered to fail (e.g., tear) when the physical actuator is received to open the container. For example, in an implementation using a twist cap  406 , when the twist cap is turned the entirety of the environment extraction ducting  418  rotates due to a press fit between the threads  414  of the twist cap  406  and the corresponding threads on the upper chamber  402 . In contrast, the upper chamber  402  itself does not rotate, as it is anchored to the remainder of the bottom and/or sidewalls of the upper chamber  402 . This stress ultimately tears the mating point of the bottom of the ducting  418  and the bottom of the upper chamber  402 , pulling the ducting  418  upward and breaking the seal  410   b . The thickness and material of the bottom of the upper chamber  402  may be chosen so as to tear at stresses that can be induced relatively easily by turning of the twist cap  406  by a human user. 
     After manufacturing, a fill process is performed to add substances to the chambers and then to combine the upper assembly and lower chamber  404  into a sealed/closed state for later use. In one implementation, the upper chamber  402  is filled through the opening in the upper chamber  402 . Carbonation may also be added at this time. The opening may be located on the same side as the first seal  408   a , or on any other side of the upper chamber  402 . If the opening is located on any other side other than the first seal, the cap may also be located on that side or a separate plug (not shown) may be used to plug the opening after filling.  FIGS. 4A-4F  illustrate an embodiment where the opening is located on the same side as the first seal  408   a . In one specific embodiment, the cap is a twist cap  406  having actuation threads  414  mated to a surface on the upper chamber  402 , such when the twist cap  406  is applied, the first seal  408   a  seals the upper chamber from atmosphere. However, in other embodiments other types of caps may be used. 
     Once the upper chamber  402  is filled and sealed, and the lower chamber  404  is filled separately, the upper assembly (including the upper chamber  402 ) and lower chamber  402  are assembled together. In one embodiment a vacuum line is secured to the top of the cap in line with the opening  420  in the environment extraction ducting  418 . The vacuum line removes air from the lower chamber  404  through the ducting  418 . The vacuum within the lower chamber  404  pulls the upper chamber  402  towards the lower chamber  404 . The second seal  408   b  on the bottom of the upper chamber  402  mates against the upper side wall of the lower chamber  404 , thereby sealing the lower chamber  404  using the trapped vacuum within the lower chamber  404 . The ducting  418  is sealed by a plug  416  to maintain the vacuum, and the vacuum line is removed. In an alternate implementation, the container  400  does not include either the ducting  418  or plug  416 , and instead the upper assembly and lower chamber are assembled together in an environment that is already below atmospheric pressure. Once assembly is complete, the entire container is removed from the low pressure environment for transport and use by the end user. 
     The user opens the container  400  by removing the cap. If the cap is a twist cap  406 , this occurs when the user rotates the twist cap. This action causes an actuation thread  414  of the cap to retract from corresponding threads (not separately labeled) on the upper chamber  402  to open the first seal  408   b  and also pull the environment extraction ducting  418  up. The opening of the first seal  408   b  opens a ventilation channel thereby allowing atmosphere into the upper chamber  402 . The retraction of the environment extraction ducting  418  from the second seal  410   b  causes the engineered failure point on the bottom of the upper chamber  402  previously connected to the ducting  418  to tear, thereby allowing the contents of the upper chamber  402  to enter the lower chamber  404 . Collectively, opening these two seals  408   b  and  410   b  allows atmosphere to also enter the lower chamber, thereby increasing the pressure from vacuum to atmosphere. 
     The vacuum that existed in the lower chamber  404  prior to opening exerted a pressure differential on the second seal  410   a . Upon opening, the pressure differential forces the contents of the upper chamber  402  to rapidly vacate the upper chamber  402  in favor of entering the lower chamber  404  to equalize pressure. This creates a mixing effect, resulting in the mixture of the contents of the ingredients from each of the chambers. The mixing effect yields a heterogeneous or homogeneous substance in the lower chamber  404 , depending upon the type of substances mixed. Once the contents of the upper chamber  402  have emptied, the upper chamber  402  can be easily removed from the lower chamber  404  as the vacuum no longer strongly holds the upper chamber  402  in place. Once removed, the upper chamber  404  can be discarded. 
     IV. Multiple Tear Seal Example Container 
       FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate different views of a third embodiment of a multi-chambered container. In this embodiment, the container  300  includes an upper chamber  302  that is part of an upper assembly of components that includes a pull tab  306  or other similar physical actuator (e.g., a device for puncturing) for opening a first tear seal  308   a , a second tear seal  310   a , and a load transitional member  326  physically connected to both the first  308   a  and second  310   a  seals. The first seal  308   a  prevents atmosphere from entering the upper chamber  302 . The second seal  310   a  presents the contents of the upper  302  and lower  304  chambers from mixing, and also maintains the lower chamber  304  under vacuum, which at least in part keeps the upper  302  and lower  304  chambers in physical contact. 
     The container  300  is opened when a user provides an actuation movement to the pull tab  306  (or other similar physical actuator). The actuation movement tears the first seal  308   b , thereby creating an opening in the upper chamber  302 . The actuation movement also affects the load transitional member  326 , which translates the physical actuator to the second seal  310   b , creating an opening between the upper  302  and lower  304  chambers. The openings in both of these surfaces allows atmosphere into both chambers and also allows the substances in the chambers to mix. 
     The vacuum that existed in the lower chamber  304  prior to opening exerted a pressure differential on the second seal  310   a . Upon opening, the pressure differential forces the contents of the upper chamber  302  to rapidly vacate the upper chamber  302  in favor of entering the lower chamber  304  to equalize pressure. This creates a mixing effect, resulting in the mixture of the contents of the ingredients from each of the chambers. The mixing effect yields a heterogeneous or homogeneous substance in the lower chamber  304 , depending upon the type of substances mixed. Once the contents of the upper chamber  302  have emptied, the upper chamber  302  can be easily removed from the lower chamber  304  as the vacuum no longer strongly holds the upper chamber  302  in place. Once removed, the upper chamber  304  can be discarded. 
     V. Three or More Chamber Example Container 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a view of a second embodiment of a multi-chambered container. In this second embodiment, the container  200  includes more than two chambers. This second embodiment is a variant of the container discussed in the first embodiment, and so details described above for that embodiment are also applicable here, and are not repeated for brevity. 
     The second embodiment varies from the first embodiment in several respects. The second embodiment includes a third chamber  220  located beneath the lower chamber  104 . It includes a modified actuation stem  232  that allows for formation of separate second  110  and third  222  actuation seals against the bottom surfaces of the lower  104  and third  220  chambers, respectively. A first exhaust nozzle  112 , when opened, permits the contents of the upper chamber  102  and atmosphere to enter the lower chamber  104 . A second exhaust nozzle  224 , when opened, permits the contents of the upper chamber  102 , lower chamber  104 , and atmosphere to enter the third chamber  220 . 
     Generally, in any container including more than two chambers, the bottom-most chamber is sealed having an internal pressure below atmospheric pressure, such that when the container is opened, the contents of all chambers enter the bottom-most chamber and mix there. Additionally, any other chamber may be carbonated. 
     As a specific example, in the second embodiment, the below-atmosphere chamber is the third chamber  220 , but in practice it may be a subsequent chamber (not shown). Additionally, in some embodiments the upper assembly may include more than one chamber such as is the case in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the upper assembly includes the upper chamber  202  and the lower chamber  204 , which is manufactured as a component separately from the third chamber  220 . In practice, the upper assembly may include any number of chambers. 
     VI. Additional Considerations 
     Generally, the container is useful for storing different substances entirely separately in relatively small, predetermined volumes based on the sizes of the chambers of the container. Storage of the substances separate chambers allows for convenient transport of the substances with confidence that they will not accidentally mix. The container further allows for convenient and consistent mixing with no user effort required once the chambers are unsealed. Transportation in the vacuum provided by the chamber can also be useful in extending usable lifetime (e.g., the expiration date) of the transported substances. 
     The container may be used to transport a variety of different substances including chemicals (e.g., reagents, catalysts, etc.), medicine, beverages, etc. In an implementation where the container is more specifically configured to hold ingredients for a beverage, the lower chamber is designed to be an aesthetically pleasing, minimalistic end product. For example, it may lack threads or a cap and/or it does not neck down at the top, thereby resembling a traditional drinking glass.