U.S. patent application number 13/463601 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-15 for bottle.
Invention is credited to Michael Devlin.
Application Number | 20120285843 13/463601 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44358725 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120285843 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Devlin; Michael |
November 15, 2012 |
BOTTLE
Abstract
There is described a bottle for containing liquid beverages. The
bottle has a body, a bottle closure which engages the body, and one
or more storage compartments. The storage compartments are for
containing a powder or other ingredient for mixing with or
dissolving in the liquid beverage. The contents of the storage
compartments may be released independently. Thus several types
and/or amounts of a powder and/or other ingredient can be stored in
one bottle, allowing a user to prepare a particular type and/or
amount of a particular beverage at a particular point in a training
or exercise program.
Inventors: |
Devlin; Michael; (Glasgow,
GB) |
Family ID: |
44358725 |
Appl. No.: |
13/463601 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/221 ;
206/219 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 51/246 20130101;
B65D 47/147 20130101; A47G 19/2266 20130101; B65D 25/08 20130101;
B65D 81/3216 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/221 ;
206/219 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/08 20060101
B65D025/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 13, 2011 |
EP |
EP11166085.8 |
Claims
1. A bottle comprising a body portion for containing a liquid
beverage, a closure sealingly engageable with the body portion and
one or more storage compartments, each for containing a powder or
other ingredient intended for mixing with or dissolving in the
liquid beverage.
2. A bottle as clamed in claim 1 wherein there are at least three
storage compartments.
3. A bottle as claimed in one of claim 1 and claim 2 wherein the
storage compartments are formed by a housing adapted to nest
internally within the bottle.
4. A bottle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing is detachable
from the body portion.
5. A bottle as claimed in one of claim 1 and claim 2 wherein the
storage compartments are formed by a housing and the housing is
integral with the closure.
6. A bottle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the storage compartments
are adapted to prevent ingress of the liquid beverage so as to keep
the powder or other ingredient contained therein dry.
7. A bottle as claimed in claim 1 wherein each storage compartment
has a movable door for permitting access to or the release of the
powder or ingredient contained therein.
8. A bottle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing has a
cross-section generally corresponding to a cross-section defined by
the internal wall surfaces of the bottle body.
9. A bottle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing is divided
across its cross-section between the compartments and one or more
apertures or perforations adapted to allow physical passage of the
liquid beverage past the housing when pouring or drinking the
beverage.
10. A bottle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bottle includes
biasing means for maintaining the doors in a closed state.
11. A bottle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the compartments include
measurement indicator means.
12. A bottle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the compartments have a
first opening and a second opening, the second opening being
covered by a release door configured to be selectively opened
thereby enabling dispensing of a powder or ingredient contained in
one or more of the compartments.
13. A bottle as claimed in claim 12 wherein the release door is
attached to a spindle which can be rotated to enable selective
opening of one or more of the compartments.
14. A bottle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body comprises an
integral DIY compartment for the storage of solids, powder and/or
ingredients, said dry compartment defining a cavity which is
separate from the main volume of the body.
15. A bottle as claimed in claim 14 wherein the bottle closure is
configured such that when engaged with the body, a seal is formed
over the dry compartment, isolating it from the remainder of the
bottle by way of a water-tight seal.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to European Patent
Application No. EP11166085.8 filed on May 13, 2011, the entire
content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates generally to beverage bottles, and in
one example finds application in drinking bottles used in
association with sporting past-times.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Sports bottles have become popular with all segments of the
public interested in a healthy life style and particularly those
dedicated to fitness and training. Typically, such sports bottles
are made simply of a plastic container and a detachable closure. A
straw or other mouthpiece is often provided in the closure. Bottles
of this type are suitable for housing a beverage which may be an
energy drink or the like, for example suited to adding electrolytes
or other liquids for hydration.
[0004] A particular type of sports bottle is often called a
"shaker" or "shaker cup". The name is derived from the practice of
using the cup to mix a liquid beverage such as water or milk with a
powder or other soluble. The powder is mixed with, or dissolved in,
the liquid by the user shaking the components together while both
are held in the shaker, and while the closure is appropriately
secured.
[0005] In sporting applications, and particularly for those
intended for body building, the powder may be a nutritional
supplement, such as whey protein or the like.
[0006] Whey protein is a rich source of branched chain amino acids
(BCAAs), containing the highest known levels of any natural food
source. BCAAs are important for athletes, since, unlike the other
essential amino acids, they are metabolized directly into muscle
tissue and are the first amino acids used during periods of
exercise and resistance training. Whey protein is available in
several forms, and whilst it may be provided in an aqueous form
(created by the removal of casein) more typically it is provided in
a dry, highly soluble form, such as whey protein extract, whey
protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, and so on.
[0007] A disadvantage associated with sports bottles known
heretofore, is that they are designed to hold only one beverage at
a time. This is not entirely satisfactory to athletes and body
builders who may desire a few different beverages over the course
of a training schedule. For example, a weightlifter may desire a
drink containing ingredients most suited to hydration at one point
in a program and a drink composed for recovery at another point
during or just after an exercise program. This consequentially
requires the use of two such bottles, if the drinks are prepared
beforehand.
[0008] Alternatively, in the past when only one bottle is
available, the sportsperson had to store the various powder
supplements separately from the bottle. However, storage apparatus
dedicated for this purpose, and which is suitable for use at a gym
or other sporting facility, is not commonly known. In fact, most
tubs in which such supplements are sold are large and bulky.
[0009] In order to prepare a drink mid-workout, a user might
typically require returning to the locker room, which is both time
consuming and inconvenient.
[0010] Further, in some situations, it is believed that some of the
nutritional value of a beverage can be lost if the powder or other
soluble element is mixed or dissolved into the liquid for too great
a duration prior to being consumed.
SUMMARY
[0011] Thus, the present invention recognises that it would be
advantageous to provide apparatus that provides for storing several
powders or nutritional supplements in dedicated and appropriately
sized compartments which might conveniently be accessed before,
during and shortly after exercising, and mixed with or dissolved
into a liquid beverage.
[0012] According to the present invention there is provided a
bottle comprising a body portion for containing a liquid beverage,
a closure sealingly engageable with the body portion, a housing
locatable inside the body portion and removable there-from having
at least one storage compartment, wherein the or each storage
compartment is adapted for containing a powder or other ingredient
intended for mixing with or dissolving in the liquid beverage.
[0013] Preferably there are at least three storage
compartments.
[0014] The body portion may be formed or moulded so as to comprise
a socket formed in an internal wall thereof, wherein the socket is
sized to support or nest the housing.
[0015] The storage compartments would suitably be adapted to
prevent ingress of the liquid beverage, so as to keep the powder or
other ingredient contained therein dry.
[0016] Each storage compartment would preferably have a lid or
removeable seal for permitting access to, adding or releasing of
the powder or ingredient contained therein.
[0017] Preferably, the bottle includes biasing means for
maintaining the doors in a closed state.
[0018] Preferably a strainer is provided and is integral with the
housing. The strainer is adapted to assist in the mixing of the
beverage when the bottle is shaken or inverted.
[0019] The housing may be provided with a flat side that acts as a
stable base upon which the housing may rest. This is advantageous
when the storage compartments are being filled.
[0020] Typically, the closure will include an integral mouth piece
for permitting consumption of the beverage directly from the
bottle. Alternatively, the closure may incorporate a pouring
spout.
[0021] The bottle closure may be configured such that when engaged
with the body, a seal is formed over the dry compartment, isolating
it from the remainder of the bottle by way of a water-tight
seal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] In order to better portray the invention, a number of
example embodiments will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a bottle in
accordance with the invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation of a bottle closure,
engaged with the body of the bottle shown in FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates the closure of FIG. 2, removed from the
bottle body and revealing a housing internally within the bottle
body;
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the aforesaid
housing;
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the three components
collectively comprising a bottle in accordance with the
invention;
[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a housing;
and
[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative body portion having a dry
pocket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Referring firstly to FIG. 1, a drinking bottle as may be
used by sportspersons is illustrated. The bottle, generally
depicted as 10, includes a bottle body 11 and a bottle closure
12.
[0031] The bottle 10 of the present invention may be constructed of
any one of various types of plastics and preferably is moulded of
high density polyethylene.
[0032] The body 11 is generally cylindrical and adapted to contain
a liquid beverage. Typically, the beverage may be water or milk,
but need not be limited to these.
[0033] The closure 12, also shown in FIG. 2, is threadably
engageable with the body 11 so to provide a leak-proof seal. This
is advantageous as the bottle is suitable for carrying in a gym bag
or the like, and leaking would be detrimental. Yet further, the
bottle also acts as a so-called shaker cup, whereby the beverage
may be intentionally shaken for the purpose of mixing the drink
contained within it. The male thread 13 moulded into the external
upper wall of the body 11 is more clearly illustrated in FIG. 3.
The closure 12 has a drinking spout 20 associated with a lid 21
connected to the closure 12 by a strap 22.
[0034] Also in FIG. 3 may be seen the upper surface of a housing
14. The housing 14 nests on a shoulder (not shown) moulded into the
inner surface of the generally cylindrical wall of the body 11.
[0035] Various alternative methods and devices, known to those
skilled in the art, will be readily apparent which are suitable for
holding the housing 14 in place within the internal confines of the
bottle 10. For example the housing 14 may have mouldings or dogs
that engage with receptive members in the bottle body.
Alternatively, the housing itself may be threadably engageable with
the body. Preferably though, the housing is detachable from the
bottle body.
[0036] The housing 14 is more clearly represented in FIG. 4. The
housing 14 is sized and shaped across its cross-section to
correspond to the internal ize and shape of the bottle body 11. The
cross-section of the housing 14 is, in this example embodiment,
divided between a compartment section 15 and a perforated section
16.
[0037] The compartment section 15 comprises of three discrete
compartments 17a, 17b and 17c, each adapted to store an appropriate
measure of powder or other ingredient for mixing with or dissolving
into the liquid beverage when desired. It will be understood that
as the compartments are separate, they may each hold a different
ingredient. Alternatively, some or all of them may hold the same
ingredient, but each in a suitable measure for preparing a beverage
in the quantity that might ideally be taken at a particular point
in a training or exercise program.
[0038] While the embodiment described herein, by way of example,
has three such compartments 17, the housing 14 may be designed to
incorporate more or less such compartments. Moreover, each
compartment need not be the same size.
[0039] The compartments 17 are each provided with an access means
for enabling filling or emptying the respective compartments with a
powder or other ingredient. In the example embodiment illustrated,
the access means 18 is formed as a hinged door comprising a latch
19 for the opening and closing thereof. The door 18 sealingly
engages with the housing when closed, thereby preventing the
undesirable ingress of the liquid beverage into the
compartments.
[0040] The body 11 is provided with splines or other means that
apply pressure against the doors 18 to maintain them in a closed
position when the housing 14 is located in its intended position
within the bottle 10. Measuring guides may be moulded or marked on
the internal walls of the compartments 17. Alternatively, a seal
may be achieved using rubber beads placed around the perimeter of
the doors 18, and which engage corresponding channels located
around the perimeter of the opening of the compartments 17.
[0041] In one embodiment, the doors 18 are completely detachable
from the housing 14, either independently or as a single unit. The
doors 18 may be held in placed by an abutment member (not shown)
located on the bottle closure 12. The abutment member may be a
longitudinal member located such that when the bottle closure 12 is
attached to the body 11, the abutment member abuts the doors 18,
holding them closed. In this embodiment, the doors 18 are held
closed when the bottle closure 12 is in place, but can be freely
moved when the bottle closure 12 is detached from the body 11.
[0042] The perforated section 16 is adapted to enable passage of
the liquid from below the housing 14 to the upper side of the
housing 14, as may be required when drinking the beverage from the
spout 20. Yet further, it incorporates the additional advantageous
function of filtering or straining any congealed or non-dissolved
clumps of powder that might otherwise be consumed through the spout
20.
[0043] The housing 14 further includes a handle 24. The handle 24
provides a gripping means for ease of lifting the housing 14 out of
the bottle body 11 (with the closure 12 removed). Similarly, the
handle allows the housing 14 to be easily manipulated when filling
the compartments 17 with powder, capsules, granules and or other
ingredients.
[0044] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, and with
reference to FIG. 6, there is shown a housing 14 having a
perforated section 16 and a compartment section 15, having three
compartments 17a, 17b, 17c. The three compartments 17a, 17b, 17c
have a first opening (upper opening) and a second opening (lower
opening). The second opening is covered by a release door 30 (or
series of doors), which can be selectively operated to enable the
solids in the compartments 17a, 17b, 17c to be released therefrom.
In this embodiment, the release door 30 is attached to a spindle
32, which can be rotated to enable selective release of solids from
one or more of the compartments 17a, 17b, 17c. Doors 18 can be
applied to the first opening (top opening) to provide a seal for
the compartments 17a, 17b, 17c.
[0045] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, and with
reference to FIG. 7, there is shown a bottle 10 having a bottle
closure 12 and a body portion 11. Moulded into the body portion is
a dry compartment 34, which can be further compartmentalised to
form compartments for solids. The dry compartment is integral to
the body 11, and defines a cavity which is kept dry from any
beverage or liquid contained in the remainder of the body. At least
a portion of the housing (not shown) may nest in the dry
compartment 34. The bottle closure is configured such that when
engaged with the body 11, a seal is formed over the dry compartment
34, isolating it from the remainder of the bottle 10. For example,
the bottle closure 12 may have a flange or seal that forms a
water-tight seal over the dry compartment 34,
[0046] In use, a sportsperson may arrange to provide for a
plurality of drinks to be taken at different times when exercising
or thereafter, wherein a plurality of key ingredients may be stored
in the same bottle. For example, prior to attending a gymnasium, a
user may fill one of the compartments with an appropriate measure
of a pre-workout supplement, a second of the compartments with whey
protein for "carb" loading and a third of the compartments with
recovery supplement to assist in the prevention of DOMS "delayed
onset muscular soreness".
[0047] Then, at desired times, the user may fill the shaker cup
with water and empty the contents of one of the compartments into
the water. The mixing of the powders with the liquid may then be
carried out at an appropriate time and in appropriate measures,
most conveniently.
[0048] Once the housing 14 and closure 12 have been replaced, the
bottle 10 may be shaken to aid in the mixing and or dissolving of
the powder with the water. The resultant beverage may then be
consumed via the spout 20.
[0049] This may be repeated at a later point in an exercise
program, using the contents of an alternative compartment.
[0050] An advantage of the invention therefore is that it permits
the storage and carrying of a plurality of powders in the same
utensil but nevertheless separate from water or other liquid. The
need for a user to carry multiple powders separately in bags, tubs,
or to purchase inferior products behind the gym bar are negated. A
bodybuilder or athlete would have the ability to have, in a
convenient manner, their own chosen personal nutrition on them when
working out.
[0051] It should be appreciated that further modifications and
improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope
of the invention herein intended. Yet further, it should be
understood that the invention herein need not be limited to a
sporting application, but may also find utility in other
applications--for example, outdoor dining or camping, infant
bottles and so on.
* * * * *