Abstract:
A compartmentalized dispensing lid and a beverage container having a lid with a platform and a domed structure equipped with decanter mechanism and a plurality of compartments. The lid is fastenable to a beverage container, where the decanter mechanism enables a user to drink liquids housed within the beverage container. The plurality of compartments are each partitioned to hold and separate various dietary supplements from each other and from the liquid held within the beverage container. The dome and platform arrangement enables selectively dispersing a supplement of a certain compartment into the liquid of the beverage container to create a mixture that is consumed through the decanter mechanism.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/880,388, filed Sep. 20, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a compartmentalized dispensing lid for a beverage container to contain and selectively dispense ingredients placed within the lid. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many people consume dietary supplements as part of their regular exercise workout. These supplements are typically provided in powder or pill format, and are intended to be mixed with a liquid, such as water, immediately before consumption. Some of these supplements are specifically formulated to be taken before exercise, during exercise, and after exercise. This requires users to carry multiple containers, plastic bags, or the like along with liquid containers to mix such products at the proper time. Such mixing, shaking, and consumption regiments take time away from the exercise routine, and may even lead to consumption errors and a loss of the supplement benefits. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which powder and pill supplements can be easily stored, mixed, and consumed without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention fulfills this need. 
     The apparatus is a system for adding powdered or pill-style additives to a liquid immediately before ingestion. The lid of a beverage container is provided with a plurality of separate compartments. Each compartment is accessed from the top to place supplement powder or a pill, which are designed to be ingested as a solution when mixed with a liquid. At the desired time, the lid is rotated by the user to drop the supplement into the liquid below, without removing the lid. The beverage container can then be shaken, creating the mixture solution, and the resultant mixture is consumed from the beverage container from a drink aperture of the lid. The liquid is then refilled as needed. This process is repeated as necessary for various phases of the exercise routine such as before, during, and after. 
     Prior art in this field consists of lids for beverage containers that have a compartment with a means to dispense the contents of the compartment into the beverage container via a lever-activated draw door, or otherwise require removal of the lid and manual manipulation to pour the contents of the compartment into the beverage container. Nothing within the prior art enables selective disposition of contents within a compartment of a plurality of compartments by mere rotation of the lid. 
     Other prior art related devices have lids with a storage compartment leading to a nozzle that selectively permits infiltration of the compartment by liquid of the beverage container to create the mixture while drinking from the nozzle. Additional prior art related devices incorporate a rotating apertured-platform assembly within the beverage container that creates isolated segments of the beverage container when apertures are not aligned, but permits fluid communication between the segments when aligned. Neither the prior art nor a combination of prior art related devices achieve the utility that the current invention achieves. 
     It is an object of the current invention to enable storage of a plurality of different ingredients within separate compartments of a lid portion of a beverage container, and prevent mixing of any ingredient with any liquid contained within the beverage container, unless a user operates the device to do so. 
     It is a further object of this invention to enable storage and transport of a plurality of different ingredients within separate compartment of a lid portion of a beverage container without disruption, contamination, or mixing of any of the ingredients contained within each compartment of the lid. 
     It is a further object of this invention to enable drinking from the lid portion without disruption, contamination, or mixing of any of the ingredients contained within each compartment of the lid. 
     It is a further object of this invention to enable drinking from the lid portion without mixing of the liquid being consumed from the beverage container with any of the ingredients contained within each compartment, unless a user operates the device to do so. 
     It is a further object of this invention to selectively dispense an ingredient from any one compartment into an interior space of a beverage container and create a mixture of the ingredient with liquid held in the beverage container by agitation of the mixture without further disruption, contamination, or mixing of any of the remaining ingredients contained within each compartment of the lid. 
     It is a further object of this invention to enable selective deposition of an ingredient from any one compartment by mere rotation of the lid in a preferred direction. 
     It is a further object of this invention to enable filling the beverage container and each compartment, as well as discharging the beverage container and each compartment, without the need to remove the lid; however, the lid is removable. 
     An added benefit of this invention is to provide a specific configuration of the lid so that translucent material of the lid may be exploited to enable a user to quickly ascertain which supplement has been consumed without the need to open the various compartments. 
     An additional benefit of this invention is to provide a double-shelled beverage container for added insulation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The apparatus comprises a lid having a plurality of compartments to be used with a beverage container. The compartments provide a means to store and transport ingredients that will be selectively dispensed within the interior of the container at a user&#39;s discretion. The lid has a dome pivotally affixed to a platform. Extending from the platform is an apron, which enables removably coupling the lid to a beverage container. The dome is provided with the plurality of compartments, and it rotates with respect to the platform. One (1) compartment is reserved for drinking liquid contents from the beverage container, whereas the other compartments are used to contain ingredients that will be dispensed into the liquid contents of the beverage container. A fill tube with a covering cap is disposed on each fill tube, except for the one reserved for drinking, which facilitates deposition of ingredients into each compartment. A separate cap is further provided for the compartment reserved for drinking liquids from the beverage container. 
     The platform is a solid planer member with a single aperture, which grants the only access into an interior of the beverage container when the platform is attached to the beverage container. An upper surface of the platform forms the lower containment surface for each compartment of the dome. As ingredients are deposed into the compartments, they are contained by the volume defined by an interior of each compartment and the upper surface of the platform. As the dome is rotated, each compartment rotates and any deposed ingredients are carried along with the compartment containing it. As a compartment is position over the single aperture of the platform, the ingredients are allowed to fall into the interior of the beverage container. The dome is then rotated in an opposite direction to position the drinking compartment over the single aperture. In this position, a user may drink the mixture comprising the liquid and ingredient through the drinking compartment. 
     The apron comprises an annular ring extending from a perimeter edge of the platform. An inside surface of the apron is provided with a fastening mechanism to facilitate removable coupling of the lid to a beverage container. The apron is further provided with a seal to enable proper and adequate containment of fluids within the beverage container by the lid. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a compartmentalized dispensing lid for a beverage container  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the compartmentalized dispensing lid for a beverage container  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 3  is a section view along a line A-A as shown on  FIG. 2  of the compartmentalized dispensing lid for a beverage container  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  compartmentalized dispensing lid for a beverage container 
               20  lid 
               22  dome 
               24  separator 
               26  seal ring groove 
               28  seal ring 
               32  first compartment 
               33  second compartment 
               34  third compartment 
               35  fourth compartment 
               36  fifth compartment 
               37  drinking compartment 
               38  fill tube 
               39  cap 
               42  mouth aperture 
               44  cover 
               46  platform 
               48  platform aperture 
               50  pivot pin 
               54  lid seal 
               56  apron 
               58  internal thread 
               70  container 
               71  shell 
               72  sidewall 
               73  opening 
               74  bottom 
               75  interior 
               76  external thread 
               77  indicia 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a compartmentalized dispensing lid for a beverage container (herein referred to as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means to transport a plurality of ingredients, in a powder or pill form, within the separated compartments  32 - 37  of the compartmentalized lid  20  of a container  70  and disperse those ingredients individually into said container  70 , and the liquid therein, for consumption as a solution. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an isometric view of the apparatus  10  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a compartmentalized lid  20  and a beverage container  70 . The lid  20  comprises a dome  22  attached to a platform  46  (see  FIG. 3 ) structure having an apron  56  by means of a pivot pin  50  (see  FIG. 3 ) such that the dome  22 , with the pivot pin  50  (see  FIG. 3 ), is capable of rotating with respect to the platform  46  (see  FIG. 3 ). The dome  22  preferably comprises a translucent thermoplastic material and formed in an injection molding process with a generally cylindrical shape and having a plurality of compartments  32 - 37  (see also  FIG. 2 ) divided by separators  24 . The compartments  32 - 37  (see also  FIG. 2 ) have a circular sector cross-section with one (1) of the compartments  32 - 37  (see also  FIG. 2 ) being designated as the drinking compartment  37 ; through which the contained liquid must pass in order to be consumed. The dome  22  is flat on the lower face and the compartments  32 - 37  (see also  FIG. 2 ) are open at the bottom end. Disposed in the bottom of the separators  24  and the peripheral wall are seal ring grooves  26 , which are formed, or cut, around the periphery of each compartment  32 - 37  as seen in  FIG. 3 . A seal ring  28  (see  FIG. 3 ) preferably comprises a rubber, or nitrile, material, having the general shape of the circular sector seal ring grooves  26  (see  FIG. 3 ) would be placed in each seal ring groove  26  (see  FIG. 3 ) to make a liquid-tight seal around each compartment  32 - 37  (see also  FIG. 2 ) between the dome  22  and the platform  46  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     Disposed in the center of the bottom of the dome  22  is a circular channel into which the pivot pin  50  (see  FIG. 3 ) is pressed, or otherwise secured. The dome  22  is preferably convex on the upper face and disposed on that upper face are a plurality of tubular fill tubes  38 , which junction with the ordinal (first, second, third, etc.) compartments  32 - 36  (see also  FIG. 2 ) for the deposition of various ingredients. A mouth aperture  42  (see  FIG. 3 ) is disposed above, and junctions with the drinking compartment  37 . The mouth aperture  42  (see  FIG. 3 ) would preferably have a shape such as a figure eight (8) or an oval to be different from the round fill tubes  38  so that said mouth aperture  42  (see  FIG. 3 ) would be more easily discernable. A plurality of caps  39 , preferably comprising disks of a thermoplastic material with raised annular sealing grooves, would be used to close and seal each fill tube  38 . A cover  44 , preferably comprises a thermoplastic material having the general shape of the cross-section of the mouth aperture  42  (see  FIG. 3 ) with a raised peripheral sealing groove, would be used to close and seal said mouth aperture  42  (see  FIG. 3 ). In certain embodiments, the caps  39 , or the cover  44 , or both, may be provided with hinges to attach said caps  39  and/or cover  44  to either the dome  22  or to the fill tubes  38  and/or mouth aperture  42  (see  FIG. 3 ) without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The upper surface of the dome  22  may alternately be planar, or otherwise shaped, without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . 
     The platform  46  (see  FIG. 3 ) with the conjoined apron  56  preferably comprises a thermoplastic material formed in an injection molding process with a planar top surface. The top surface of the platform  46  (see  FIG. 3 ) must be flat and smooth so as seal against the dome  22  with the provided seal rings  28  (see  FIG. 3 ). The internal features of the platform  46  (see  FIG. 3 ) and apron  56  are more clearly illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Disposed in the platform  46  (see  FIG. 3 ) is a platform aperture  48  having a circular sector shape and normally being in alignment with the drinking compartment  37  of the dome  22 . Also disposed in the center of the platform  46  (see  FIG. 3 ) is an aperture (not shown) for insertion of the pivot pin  50  (see  FIG. 3 ), which is intended to secure said platform  46  (see  FIG. 3 ) to the dome  22 . It may be advantageous to place a spring washer around the shank of the pivot pin  50  (see  FIG. 3 ) and between the head of said pivot pin  50  (see  FIG. 3 ) and the lower face of the platform  46  (see  FIG. 3 ) in order to enhance the relative motion, and improve the mutual seal, between the dome  22  and said platform  46  (see  FIG. 3 ); however, it is understood that any such eventualities do not modify the scope or intent of the present apparatus  10  and this preferred embodiment does not preclude any other embodiment. The apron  56  comprises an annular ring formed subjacent to the planar platform  46  (see  FIG. 3 ) and is provided with a formed, or cut, internal thread  58  (see  FIG. 3 ), or plurality of thread segments, to secure the lid  20  to the container  70 . At the internal junction of the apron  56  and the platform  46  (see  FIG. 3 ) is a lid seal  54  (see  FIG. 3 ) that comprises a rubber, or nitrile material, for the purpose of forming a liquid-tight seal between the lid  20  and the container  70 . The lid seal  54  (see  FIG. 3 ) may be retained within the lid  20  by means of an interference fit in a groove formed into said lid  20 , or it may comprise an individual piece without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . 
     The shell  71  portion of the container  70  of the device  10  preferably comprises a molded thermoplastic material and as such may be presented in a wide variety of colors and surface finish textures. However, it is understood that other materials such as stainless steel, or drawn aluminum, may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . Additionally, it is envisioned that some surface portions of the container  70  may comprise various indicia  77 , which may provide script or logos based upon a user&#39;s preference and may include images such as, but not limited to, business names/logos, personal names, symbols, lines, pictures, and the like, in various colors and patterns, to further customize and personalize the apparatus  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a plan view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The purpose of  FIG. 2  is to illustrate the positioning of the ordinal compartments  32 - 36  and the drinking compartment  37  within the dome  22 . In the typical arrangement of the lid  20  attached to the container  70  (see  FIG. 1 ), the first compartment  32  is positioned to the right of the drinking compartment  37  in a counter-clockwise direction. Thus, a clockwise rotation of the dome  22  relative to the platform  46  (see  FIG. 3 ) will bring the lower end of the first compartment  32  into alignment with the platform aperture  48  (see  FIG. 3 ) and allow any substance contained within said first compartment  32  to fall into the container  70  (see  FIG. 1 ). After the ingredient contained within the first compartment  32  has entered the container  70  (see  FIG. 1 ), the dome  22  can be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to bring the drinking compartment  37  back into alignment with the platform aperture  48  (see  FIG. 3 ) so that the solution in said container  70  (see  FIG. 1 ) may enter said drinking compartment  37  if the apparatus  10  is tipped. The second compartment  33  is positioned within the dome  22  next to the first compartment  32  in a counter-clockwise direction, and likewise the third compartment  34  is positioned next to said second compartment  33  in a counter-clockwise direction and so on. The seal rings  28  (see  FIG. 3 ) disposed within the seal ring grooves  26  (see  FIG. 3 ) located at the lower end of each compartment  32 - 37 , as seen in  FIG. 3 , will prohibit the entrance of any solution into any said compartment  32 - 37 , which is not in alignment with the platform aperture  48  (see  FIG. 3 ). It may be advantageous to place indexing detents into the dome  22  or into the platform  46  (see  FIG. 3 ), or both, so that a positive positioning indication may be established for said dome  22  and any particular compartment  32 - 37  alignment, however, it is understood that any such eventualities do not modify the scope or intent of the present apparatus  10  and this preferred embodiment does not preclude any other embodiment. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a section view along line A-A as seen in  FIG. 2  of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The shell  71  of the container  70  comprises an encircling sidewall  72 , which terminates at a lower side in a conjoined bottom  74  to form an interior  75  capable of holding a volume of liquid. The upper end of the sidewall  72  has an opening  73  for the entrance and exit of liquids or other ingredients. Preferably disposed upon the exterior of the upper end of the sidewall  72  is an external thread  76 , or a plurality thread segments, for the purpose of retaining the lid  20  engaged in said external thread  76 . In some embodiments the sidewall  72  may be comprised of a double shell with an insulated interior layer without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized in a simple and straightforward manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be configured as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring a model of the apparatus  10  having a desired style to suit the taste of a user; placing the dome  22  as shown in  FIG. 2  such that the drinking compartment  37  is in alignment with the platform aperture  48 ; removing the cap  39  from the fill tube  38  of the first compartment  32 ; placing a measure of the ingredient deemed to be consumed initially into the first compartment  32 ; reinstalling the cap  39  onto the fill tube  38  so as to seal the first compartment  32 ; removing the cap  39  from the fill tube  38  of the second compartment  33 ; placing a measure of the ingredient deemed to be consumed as a second iterative step of the regimen into the second compartment  33 ; reinstalling the cap  39  onto the fill tube  38  so as to seal the second compartment  33 ; repeating the cap  39  removal, compartment  34 - 37  filling, and cap  39  replacement portion of the procedure for each successive measure of ingredient of the user&#39;s regimen until all, or the desired number, of the compartments  32 - 37  have been filled and sealed; placing the correct quantity of beverage into the container  70 ; securing the lid  20  to the container  70 ; transporting the apparatus  10  to the desired destination; at the appointed time, turning the dome  22  of the lid  20  clockwise relative to the platform  46  and apron  56  until the first compartment  32  is in alignment with the platform aperture  48  and the first ingredient falls into the beverage; turning the dome  22  counter-clockwise until the covered mouth aperture  42  is aligned with the platform aperture  28 ; shaking the apparatus  10  to mix the first ingredient into the beverage; removing the cover  44  from the mouth aperture  42 ; drinking the solution; replacing the cover  44  onto the mouth aperture  42 ; refilling the container  70  with the desired second beverage; at the appointed time, turning the dome  22  clockwise relative to the platform  46  and apron  56  until the second compartment  33  is in alignment with the platform aperture  48  and the second ingredient falls into the beverage; turning the dome  22  counter-clockwise until the covered mouth aperture  42  is aligned with the platform aperture  48 ; shaking the apparatus  10  to mix the second ingredient into the beverage; removing the cover  44  from the mouth aperture  42 ; drinking the solution; replacing the cover  44  onto the mouth aperture  42 ; and repeating the filling, combining, mixing, and drinking portions of the procedure until all of the subsequent measures of ingredients have been consumed at the proper time. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.