Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/385,665, filed Sep. 23, 2010 which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d). 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of portable beverage containers and more specifically relates to hand-held containers for mixing and transporting multiple powder-based beverages in one unit. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     Many individuals in modern society find themselves away from home for the majority of any given day. Planning ahead to carry along sufficient beverages to keep one hydrated and refreshed is not only time-consuming, but the weight inherent in hauling several beverages may be cumbersome. Stopping periodically throughout the day at vending machines, convenience stores, and the like once again takes up valuable time and consumes what many consider to be non-disposable monetary resources. Without the availability of cupboards and refrigerators to rely upon when away from home, obtaining a beverage to slake one&#39;s thirst can be time consuming, expensive, and inconvenient. Many people like to mix powdered drinks for consumption during the course of the day. Often times this is highly inconvenient. 
     Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. and Pub. Nos. 2,665,816; 2008/0072433; 6,705,491; 3,321,097; 4,691,821; 3,743,520; 4,194,619; 7,562,770; and 2006/0254936. This prior art is representative of portable beverage containers. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
     Ideally, a hand-held container for mixing and transporting multiple powder-based beverages should be compact, versatile, user friendly and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable portable multi-beverage container system to increase the convenience of mixing and transporting a variety of powder-based beverages and to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known portable beverage container art, the present invention provides a novel OTG (On The Go) Specialty Multi-Beverage Container system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a convenient hand-held means of mixing and transporting a variety of powder-based beverages in one device and/or assembly. 
     A portable multi-beverage container and mixing system is disclosed herein preferably comprising: a container housing, preferably comprising plastic, having at least one or a plurality of isolated inner volumes. The container comprises a lid having a plurality of compartments and at least one drink access spout. In preferred embodiments, the lid is coupleable to the container housing and comprises a sealable containment assembly which preferably comprises a thermal insulator. This thermal insulator effectively ensures the beverage surrounded by the container is kept at a lower temperature or an elevated temperature over an extended duration. 
     In preferred embodiments, the lid houses a plurality of compartments for the containment of at least one powdered beverage mix. Each compartment preferably comprises an external door for admitting a powdered beverage mix and an internal door for releasing a powdered beverage mix. The internal door (or lid) may comprise a compressible button, latch, lever, or the like that when triggered releases the internal door from a closed position to an open position (and back to a closed position when done), thereby allowing any powdered beverage mix contained in the compartment to fall into the water contained in the container housing. A set of opposing polarity magnets is preferably used to attach an internal door to the container housing in a closed position. These magnets may also be used to draw an internal door into a closed position from an open position after the button, latch, lever, etc. has been released. Springs or other suitable (equivalent) means may be used to return the internal door to its normally closed position. 
     For transportation purposes, the container housing may be coupled with the lid to define a cylinder capable of transporting beverages by hand-held means. For mixing purposes, the container housing may comprise markings used as volume measurement indicators along the outside surface of the housing. In this way, the powdered beverage mix may yield a sport drink or a non-sport drink when mixed with water. 
     A user of a multi-beverage container system may carry and mix various powdered beverage mixes with water using this system throughout the day. The multiple compartments preferably found in the lid of the device allow users to separately carry: multiple servings of a single beverage, individual servings of unlike beverages, or a combination of servings of like and unlike beverages in one container. At desired intervals throughout the day, a user of a multi-beverage container system may access and consume these desired beverages using the drink access spout on the lid. 
     A method of using a multi-beverage container and mixing system is also described herein preferably comprising the steps of: pouring water into at least one inner volume of a container housing through an external and/or internal door (or through a spout or by removing the lid to access) into a/the desired inner volume; closing at least one internal door; placing at least one powdered beverage mix inside at least one compartment of a lid through an external door; closing the external door; and transporting the powdered beverage mix(es) and water in an unmixed state. The method preferably further comprises the steps of: activating the internal door via a push-button; and mixing the powdered beverage mix from at least one compartment of the lid with water in the inner volume of the container housing at a user-preferred interval, yet not mixing other powdered beverage mix(es) stored in other compartments of the lid, allowing the mix(es) to be mixed independently with water in the designated inner volume at later interval(s) (or by rinsing and re-filling the water if in a single inner volume.) 
     The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a portable beverage container system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, OTG (On The Go) Specialty Multi-Beverage Container Systems, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view illustrating a multi-beverage container and mixing system in an in-use condition according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  shows a perspective view illustrating a multi-beverage container receiving a powdered beverage to be inter-mixed with water contained therein at a later interval according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the multi-beverage container and mixing system with external doors, buttons, and volume measurement indicia markings shown according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the multi-beverage container and mixing system with internal doors, magnets, thermal insulation means, and mix-ridges shown according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1A and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view illustrating a sealable containment assembly including a portable beverage container and a lid of the multi-beverage container and mixing system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1A-3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the multi-beverage container and mixing system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1A-4 . 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a portable beverage containment device and more particularly to an OTG (On The Go) specialty multi-beverage container system as used to improve the convenience of mixing and transporting a variety of powder-based beverages for consumption during a time period. 
     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , perspective views illustrating multi-beverage container and mixing system  100  in an in-use condition  190  and container housing  110 , respectively according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Multi-beverage container and mixing system  100  preferably comprises: container housing  110  having at least one isolated inner volume  111  (or a plurality in alternate embodiments); and lid  120 . Lid  120  preferably houses a plurality of compartment(s)  130  (in the present embodiment three compartment(s)  130  are shown however in alternate embodiments more or less compartment(s)  130  may be used) and at least one drink access spout  125 . In the present version, lid  120  is coupleable to container housing  110 , thereby defining a cylinder that is hand-holdable. Lid  120  is preferably coupleable to container housing  110  with such means as screw threads, snaps, suction means, etc. Those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that upon reading this specification and by their understanding the art of coupling and/or fastening as described herein, methods of coupling and/or fastening two objects together to create one functioning unit will be understood by those knowledgeable in such art. 
     Within this particular embodiment shown, each compartment  130  may have at least one internal door  140  and at least one external door  150 . External door(s)  150  may allow at least one user to fill at least one compartment(s)  130  with at least one beverage mix  165 , while internal door(s)  140  may allow the beverage mix  165  contained in compartment  130  to be released into water  160  confined in container housing  110 . When internal door(s)  140  are activated, fluid communication is permitted between compartment(s)  130  of lid  120  and inner volume  111  of container housing  110 , whereby beverage mix(es)  165  and water  160  may be combined. Within this particular embodiment, inner volume  111  may be defined by the walls of container housing  110  and internal door(s)  140 . 
     Internal door  140  preferably comprises at least one set of positive and negative magnet  145  insets (or suitable equivalent securing/opening and closing means) which may be used to temporarily lock internal door  140  in a closed position against container housing  110 . A user depressible button  147  may trigger the positive and negative magnet(s)  145  to repel one from the other, thereby releasing internal door  140  from its attachment to container housing  110  and positioning internal door  140  in an open position. A user releasing button  147  may realign magnet(s)  145  to an attractive state, thereby drawing internal door  140  to a closed position once again against container housing  110 . Those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that upon reading this specification and by their understanding the art of magnetism as described herein, methods of manipulating polarity of magnets to facilitate the movement of attached members will be understood by those knowledgeable in such art. 
     Multi-beverage container and mixing system  100  of the present invention allows a user to separately carry and mix beverage mix(es)  165  with water  160  in order to create different beverages at desired intervals throughout the day. A user may access and consume a beverage mixed in such a way through drink access spout  125 . Drink access spout  125  may have access to one or more inner volume(s)  111  and may be movable in certain embodiments between inner volume(s)  111 . Drink access spout  125  in the present embodiment may comprise plug  126  used to prevent the contents of inner volume  111  from leaking or spilling from multi-beverage container and mixing system  100 . Plug  126  may be sized to fit within drink access spout  125  to act as a stopper or may be sized to enclose drink access spout  125  to act as a cap. Drink access spout  125  may be rotatably opened. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view illustrating multi-beverage container and mixing system  100  with external doors  150 , buttons  147 , and volume measurement indicia markings  115  shown according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
     Multi-beverage container and mixing system  100  preferably comprises at least one volume measurement indicia marking  115  denoted, in the present embodiment, preferably along the vertical axis upon the outside wall of container housing  110 , affixed preferably with a permanent means such as etching, embossing, screen-printing, or via other equivalent means. In preferred embodiments, the interior wall of container housing  110  preferably comprises extruding mix-ridge(s)  112  for the thorough mixing of beverage mix(es)  165  with water  160  when multi-beverage container system  100  is shaken. 
     Located at intervals around lid  120 , in the preferred embodiment, is at least one compressible button  147  correlated to each internal door  140 , whereby button  147  may activate the release of the correlating internal door  140  with which it is associated, causing beverage mix(es)  165  to fall into water  160  contained within inner volume  111 . Button  147  may comprise a toggle switch, twistable knob, or the like. 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view illustrating multi-beverage container and mixing system  100  with internal doors  140 , magnets  145 , thermal insulation means (hereby embodying thermal insulator  117 ), and mix-ridges  112  shown according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1A and 2 . 
     The present figure illustrates multi-beverage container and mixing system  100  as a vessel in which beverage mix(es)  165  (comprising powder used in combination with water  160 ) may be used to create a sport drink or a non-sport drink, depending on the type of powder. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other (cold or hot—when mixed) powdered drinks such as, for example, health drinks, children&#39;s drinks such as Kool-Aid®, lemonade, iced-tea, coffee, tea, drinks for babies, etc., may be sufficient. 
     Container housing  110  and lid  120  preferably comprise a sealable containment assembly  180  to accommodate the sport or non-sport beverage. Thus connected, sealable containment assembly  180  may comprise thermal insulator  117 ; wherein thermal insulator  117  effectively ensures water  160  and/or mixed drink accommodated in inner volume  111  may be kept at a lower or elevated temperature, based on user-preference, over an extended duration. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an exploded view illustrating a sealable containment assembly  180  including portable beverage container  102  (container housing  110 ) and lid  120  of multi-beverage container and mixing system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1A-3 . 
     In preferred embodiments, sealable containment assembly  180  may be dismantled into individual components: container housing  110  and lid  120 . Sealable containment assembly  180  may thus be stored as a single portable beverage container  102  or as separate components: container housing  110  and lid  120 . When separated, container housing  110  and lid  120  may be cleaned between uses. Preferably designed to withstand dropping and other impacts, container housing  110  and lid  120  may be constructed of resilient light-weight material, such as plastic or the like. This material is able to withstand the heat of conventional dishwashing machines, thus making the container housing  110 , lid  120 , and their various components “dishwasher safe”, and cost-efficient to maintain. Additionally, a preferred material for constructing container housing  110  may be translucent. The material used in constructing lid  120  may be translucent or opaque, based on the manufacturer&#39;s or user&#39;s preference. Those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that upon reading this specification and by their understanding the art of materials as described herein, methods of production and materials for use in container making will be understood by those knowledgeable in such art. 
     Multi-beverage container and mixing system  100  may be sold as kit  440  comprising the following parts: at least one container housing  110 ; at least one lid  120 ; and at least one set of user instructions. Kit  440  may be sold in combination with or as a promotional item with beverage mix(es)  165 . Multi-beverage container and mixing system  100  may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart  450  illustrating a method of use  400  for the multi-beverage container and mixing system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1A-4 . 
     A method of using (at least hereby enabling method of use  400 ) a multi-beverage container and mixing system  100  preferably comprising the steps of: step one  401  pouring water  160  into at least one inner volume  111  of a container housing  110  through an external door  150  and/or internal door  140  (or through a spout or by removing lid  120  to access) into a/the desired inner volume  111 ; step two  402  closing at least one internal door  140 ; step three  403  placing at least one powdered beverage mix  165  inside at least one compartment  130  of lid  120  through an external door  150 ; step four  404  closing external door  150 ; and step five  405  transporting powdered beverage mix(es)  165  and water  160  in an unmixed state. 
     The method of use  400  preferably further comprises the steps of: step six  406  activating internal door  140  via a push-button  147 ; and step seven  407  mixing powdered beverage mix  165  from at least one compartment  130  of lid  120  with water  160  in inner volume  111  of container housing  110  at a user-preferred interval, yet not mixing other powdered beverage mix(es)  165  stored in other compartment(s)  130  of lid  120 , allowing beverage mix(es)  165  to be mixed independently with water  160  in designated inner volume  111  at later interval(s) (or by rinsing and re-filling water  160  if in a single inner volume  111 ). 
     It should be noted that step  405  is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method  400  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 5  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method  400 . 
     It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Technology Category: b