Abstract:
A system and method for providing a container within a container, such as a smaller container having a shot quantity of liquid, and disposed within a container having a second liquid, which first and second liquids are kept separate until desired, and whereafter, the system and method permits the two liquids to mix.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention is related to the art of beverage containers, and more particularly related to a system and method for providing a container within a container, such as a smaller container having a shot quantity of liquid, and disposed within a container having a second liquid, which first and second liquids are kept separate until desired, and thereafter the system and method permits the two liquids to mix. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In restaurants, bars, and other venues where alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are being prepared, there exists a practice of providing a small quantity of alcoholic beverage or other liquid, such as a shot of a stronger alcohol such as whiskey, in conjunction with a larger quantity of a weaker alcoholic beverage or other liquid, such as beer. In some circumstances, individuals desire to mix the two together before its consumption. 
         [0003]    Typically, the larger quantity of liquid beverage is prepared in a larger container such as a beer mug, and the smaller quantity of liquid beverage is prepared in a shot glass, which may not necessarily be made of glass. This requires the attention of an individual, such as a bartender, to prepare two separate containers and distribute the appropriate quantities of two separate liquids into the two separate containers. This process is time-consuming. Thereafter, a consumer, such as a patron at the bar may drop the shot glass containing a first beverage into a container having a second beverage, such as a beer mug, which can produce a satisfying “plop”, “clink” or other splash sound at the bottom of the beer mug. In addition, the patron can in some circumstances observe the liquids mixing to a satisfactory effect for the user. After the liquids are mixed, the patron typically consumes the mixed beverage. It can be appreciated that when dropping a shot of liquor into an energy drink, beer or other beverage and consuming immediately, the consumer may experience a different taste than just mixing the components and letting the beverages sit. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there is a need for an improved beverage container having the ability to drop a shot quantity of beverage into a larger quantity of beverage while fulfilling the satisfying user experience of the traditional method of the dropped shot. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an object of the invention to provide a system and method for a drop shot beverage container with an efficient, user-friendly design, that does not require extensive user manipulation, and which provides the satisfying clink or splash sound of the traditional drop shot method whereby the patron or consumer sees, hears and/or feels the shot, dropping into the beverage with satisfying effect. 
         [0006]    It is an object of the invention to provide a system and method for a drop shot beverage container which can be easily transported around, such as by a waiter and/or waitress at bars as beverages to be distributed to patrons. 
         [0007]    Another object of the invention is to provide a ready-to-use container for combining two beverages that can be sealed and sold in liquor stores. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A beverage container for a first and second beverage is disclosed comprising a lower container having a containment portion for a second beverage and an aperture at the top of the containment portion, such aperture having a size sufficient to receive a shot container having a first beverage. The upper container lid is disposed onto the top of the lower container, and the upper container lid has a shot container receptacle and a shot container release so the shot container can be release thereby dropping the shot of the first beverage into the container having the second beverage. 
         [0009]    A beverage container according to the invention can also include the upper container lid having a side with an aperture of a size sufficient to receive a shot container and a shot holder projecting downward from an underside of an upper inner surface of the container lid. In this case, the shot container release comprises a threaded screw connector on the upper container lid and the lower container further comprises a ledge and an aperture, thereby providing a floor for the upper container lid, and allowing the shot-container to fall through to the lower beverage container when the upper container lid is moved with respect to the lower container. Thus, the shot holder moves the shot container from the ledge over the aperture thereby releasing the shot container into the lower container. 
         [0010]    In addition, a beverage container according to the invention can also include the upper container lid having a side with an aperture of a size sufficient to receive a shot container. Further, the shot container release comprises a threaded screw connector on the upper container lid, and two semi-circular pieces of the top surface of the lower container. The pieces can be attached to opposite sides of an inner wall of the lower container. In addition, the shot container release can include a first and second ring attached to each semi-circular piece, and a plastic rod extension attached to the inner wall of the upper container lid. The rod can be placed through the first and second ring in order to keep both semi-circular pieces horizontal in a closed position. Thus, the plastic rod extension is removeable from both rings when the upper container lid is moved with respect to the lower container, thereby removing the support for the semi-circular pieces and causing the semi-circular pieces to fall toward a vertical resting position, and thereby releasing the shot container into the lower container. 
         [0011]    Moreover, a beverage container according to the invention can also include the upper container lid having a side with an aperture of a size sufficient to receive a shot container. The container release can be a hollow tube being large enough to receive the shot container and extending from the ceiling of the upper container lid downward to hold the shot container and prevent it from moving laterally. The container release can also include an iris diaphragm on a ceiling of the lower container, which comprises a series of plastic plates that can fold in on each other or expand out; and a plastic rod attached to the ceiling of the upper container lid. The rod can be extending downward and attaching to a periphery of the iris diaphragm when the upper container lid is placed on top of the lower container. Thus, when the upper container lid is moved in relation to the lower container, the diaphragm opens, thereby releasing the shot container into the lower container. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, a beverage container according to the invention can also include the upper container lid having a side with an aperture of a size sufficient to receive a shot container. The container release can include an aperture on a side of the upper container to receive a shot container, and a three pronged holder which projects downward from a ceiling of an upper inner surface of the container lid. In addition, the upper container lid can include a removable floor which protrudes out of a secondary aperture in the side of the upper container lid, and is slid out to allow the shot-glass to fall into the lower container. 
         [0013]    Furthermore, a beverage container according to the invention can also include a lower container, and a smaller, weighted, secondary container with two hook-like barbs protruding outward from the underside of the container. A flat lid which can be made of plastic can be sealed to the top of both the lower container and smaller secondary container can suspend the secondary container above the contents of the lower container. On the wall of the lower container, two parallel plastic rods can be disposed to extend from one side of the container to the other and when the lid is removed, the parallel rods catch the barbs of the secondary container, preventing it from moving upward, and separating it from the lid, thus allowing the secondary container to fall into the volume of the lower container. 
         [0014]    A beverage container according to the invention can be formed of various shapes, including cylindrical, and be formed of a variety of material, including glass and plastic, and be transparent or opaque. In addition, the container can include a weighted plastic shot container or shot glass. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Preferred embodiments of the inventive devices are illustrated in the drawings and are described below, though not necessarily to scale. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a drop shot beverage container according to the invention for use with a shot container, also shown. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates a method of using the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a drop shot beverage container according to the invention for use with a shot container. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates a method of using the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a drop shot beverage container according to the invention for use with a shot container, also shown. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  illustrates a method of using the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a drop shot beverage container according to the invention for use with a shot container, also shown. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  illustrates a method of using the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a drop shot beverage container according to the invention for use with a shot container, also shown. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  illustrates a method of using the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
       [0026]    Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, while the subject invention will now be described in detail with reference to the figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrative embodiments. It is intended that changes and modifications can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the true scope and spirit of the subject invention as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    A detailed description of a beverage container with a large cylindrical lid capable of holding and placing a shot container into a lower beverage container is provided below for general applicability. In addition, several specific embodiments are provided as examples of the devices, which one of ordinary skill in the art may apply these teachings to address specific problems and to illustrate the benefits and improvements of the system over known solutions. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  illustrates a transparent side perspective view of a first embodiment of a beverage container  10  according to the invention for use with a shot container. A beverage container  10  according to the invention includes an upper container lid  100 , a side view of the upper container lid  100  which can hold a shot glass  120  in place above the lower container  110 , and a side view of the upper container lid  100  in position to place the shot container  120  into the lower container lid  110 . The container lids can be formed from plastic, glass, aluminum and/or other materials appropriate for holding beverages. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  also shows a shot container  120  for use with the beverage container  10  according to the invention. The shot container can be a shot glass, or a plastic container, or a plastic container having a weight, among other things. Throughout the specification, the terms shot glass and shot container may be used and should be regarded as being synonymous as the shot glass or shot container is not necessarily made of glass. 
         [0030]    In this configuration, an upper container lid  100  comprised with a side aperture  240  to load the weighted shot glass or shot container  120  is placed on top of a lower container  110  comprised with a ceiling with a ledge  130 . It can be appreciated that the aperture can be disposed on a top side, a bottom side and or lateral side of upper container lid. Three prongs  140  are provided as a shot container holder and disposed on the lid  100  in a manner such that they are protruding from the ceiling of the upper container lid  100 . A plurality of prongs  140  hold the shot container  120  in place. In one embodiment the prongs  140  can number three. It can be appreciated that other numbers of prongs can be used for holding a shot container without departing from the scope of the invention. Moreover, it can be appreciated that the prongs can be formed of various shapes to interact with the shot container without departing from the scope of the invention, such as a semicircle. In one embodiment the upper container lid  100  can be moved in relation to the lower container  110 , such that when a shot container  120  is placed over the ledge  130  of the lower container  110 , the movement allows the shot to fall and enter the lower container, such as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, a shot container can be filled and loaded into the device  10  through an aperture on the side of the container. Alternatively, the shot container can be loaded through an opening or aperture on the top of the lid so one can pour the beverage for the lower container in through the top and thereafter place the shot container in through the upper container lid. Furthermore, in addition or in the alternative, a side opening or window such as a clear portion of material can be provided on the side of the upper container lid so that one can view the shot container, and or confirm its placement. 
         [0032]    It can be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the upper and lower container portions can be moveably connected by various means, including by providing an outer ring which can overlap either or both of the upper and lower container. Alternatively, or in addition, a recessed groove and ring tooth can be used to provide a moveable junction which can provide a fixed connection to keep the upper and lower lid from separating, while providing relative sliding or rotational movement. Accordingly, in a cylindrical embodiment of the invention, the moveable connector can be a screw type threading which can connect the upper and lower containers while permitting them to rotate relative to one another, upon which rotation the shot container can be moved over the opening or aperture and be caused to fall therethrough. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  show a transparent side view of an embodiment of the beverage container in both the open and closed position, and illustrates several aspects of the invention. 
         [0034]    In this configuration, an upper container lid  100 , having a side opening or aperture  240  to load the shot container  120 , is placed on top of a lower container  110 . The lower container  110  is comprised of two semi-circular pieces  150  attached to opposite sides of the inner wall of the lower container  110 . The two semi-circular pieces  150  each have a ring  160  attached, and the inner wall of the upper container lid  100  is comprised with a plastic rod extension  170 . 
         [0035]    When in the closed position, the plastic rod extension  170  is placed through the rings  160  of both semi-circular pieces  150 , holding both pieces in a horizontal position, which covers the cross-section of the lower container  110 . In the closed position, the two semi-circular pieces  150  are able to support the shot glass  120 . After movement of the upper container lid  100  in relation to the lower container  110 , the plastic rod extension  170  is removed from the rings  160  of the semi-circular pieces  150 . The removal of the plastic rod extension  170  removes the support for the semi-circular pieces  150 , allowing them to fall toward a vertical resting position. When in the vertical resting position, the two semi-circular pieces  150  no longer cover the cross-section of the lower container  110 , causing the shot glass  120  to fall into the lower container volume, such as shown by the method in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0036]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show a transparent side view of an embodiment of the beverage container, in an open and closed position. In this setup, the upper container lid  100  is comprised of a hollow tube  180 , which extends from the ceiling of the upper container lid  100  downward. The tube  180  is large enough to receive, and hold in place, a shot container  120 , preventing it from moving laterally. The lower container  110  comprises a ceiling, which is further comprised of an iris diaphragm  190 . The iris diaphragm  190  is comprised of a series of plastic plates, which are capable of folding into each other or expanding out. When in the closed position, the iris diaphragm  190  covers the entire cross section of the lower container  110 . A plastic rod  200  is attached to the ceiling of the upper container lid  100 , and extends downward, attaching to the periphery of the iris diaphragm  190  when the upper container lid  100  is placed on top of the lower container  110 . A shot glass  120  is capable of being placed into the hollow tube  180  of the upper container lid  100 , and rests atop the iris diaphragm  190  when in the closed position. When the upper container lid  100  is moved in relation to the lower container  110 , the iris diaphragm  190  moves to an open position, no longer covering the cross section of the lower container  110 , allowing the shot glass  120  to fall into the lower container volume. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate a transparent side view of an embodiment of the beverage container, and displays several aspects of the invention. In this configuration, the upper container lid  100 , is comprised of a side aperture  240  to allow a shot glass  120  to be placed inside. The shot glass  120  is held in place by a three pronged holder  140  which projects downward from the ceiling of the upper container lid  100 . The upper container lid is further comprised of a secondary aperture  250 , and a removable floor  210 . The removable floor  210  slides into the secondary aperture  250  of the upper container lid  100  and covers the cross section of the lid. When the removable floor  210  is inserted, the shot glass  120  is able to rest on top of the removable floor  210 . When the removable floor  210  is removed from the upper container lid  100 , the cross section of the upper container lid becomes exposed, and the shot glass  120  falls into the lower container  110 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a beverage container comprised of a lower container  110  and a smaller, weighted, secondary container with two hook-like barbs protruding outward from the underside of the container  211 . A flat plastic lid  220  seals both the top of the lower container  110  and the top of the smaller secondary container  211 . The sealed plastic lid  220  suspends the secondary container  211  above the lower container volume. Two plastic rods  230  extend from one side of the inner walls of the lower container  110  to the other. When the sealed plastic lid  220  is removed from the lower container  110 , the two plastic rods  230  catch the hooks of the secondary container  211 , separating the secondary container  211  from the plastic lid  220 , and allowing the secondary container  211  to fall into the volume of the primary container  110 . 
         [0039]    Various changes may be made to the structure embodying the principles of the invention. The foregoing embodiments are set forth in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.