GB2495508A - Container with compartments - Google Patents

Abstract

A container 10 has a base 13 divided into at least two separate compartments 14 by a partition 15. The base has at least two apertures 20, 21 such that one aperture is associated with each respective compartment. A valve plate 25 is mounted on the base wall for sliding relative to the base and has apertures 27, 28 corresponding to the apertures formed in the base. Sliding movement of the valve plate brings the apertures in the valve plate into and out of registration with the apertures in the base so that when in registration liquid contained in the compartments may flow out for mixing externally of the container. Preferably the valve plate slides rotationally. A cup (36, figure 7) and/or a pouring device (41, figure 9) may be provided, and either one may be arranged to co-act with the valve plate to bring the apertures into and out of registration with the apertures in the base.

Description

Container This invention relates to a container for holding liquids in separate compartments and which includes an arrangement for the simple release of the liquid from the compartments when required for mixing.

The invention is intended primarily for liquids which can be mixed to produce a fresh cocktail beverage and so the invention has been described with a particular emphasis on this use. It should be appreciated though that the container is not limited to such an application and may be used for holding liquids for subsequent mixing to form other types of drink, such as a detox formulation, a fitness drink or a fruit smoothie. The invention has various applications, and the term liquid as used herein should be construed as meaning any substance which can flow from the container for subsequent mixing to form a beverage, and thus includes fine powders, yogurt and cream.

There are many commonly recognised types of cocktails produced by mixing various different liquids. To make a fresh cocktail the different liquids is should be mixed immediately before the drink is to be consumed. Most liquids which are used to make cocktails are available only in large bottles. This is not an issue in bars and other establishments where drinks are consumed, but for individuals this requires the purchasing of bottles of the different ingredients, which can be rather expensive, particularly if the cocktaU contains several different ingredients. The subsequent mixing of the various liquids often requires the use of various implements, such as a cocktail shaker to enable the liquid to be mixed by vigorous shaking, a strainer to provide a smooth consistency and a receptacle, such as a glass or cup, from which the cocktail can be consumed. To prepare a cocktail properly can therefore be rather expensive and time consuming. A solution to this problem has been provided by pre-mixed cocktails which are commonly available. Such cocktails are mixed and bottled for subsequent purchase and consumption. This is a convenient and cost effective solution to the purchasing of multiple bottles but unfortunately not all ingredients are suitable for pre-mixing in this way and so the choice of pre-mixed cocktails is rather limited. Moreover, the quality of a cocktail which has been pre-mixed may deteriorate if not consumed shortly after mixing.

It is a principal aim of this invention to provide a container which serves to address the above problems and in particular to allow the mixing of a cocktail shortly before it is to be consumed.

According to this invention, there is provided a container having a base wall and divided into at least two separate compartments by a partition upstanding from the base wall, the base wall being provided with at least two apertures formed therethrough and communicating one with each compartment respectively, a valve plate mounted on the base for sliding movement with respect thereto and having apertures corresponding to the apertures formed in the base wall, whereby sliding movement of the valve plate brings the apertures in the valve plate into and out of registration with the apertures in the base wall, so that when in registration liquid contained in the compartments may flow out for mixing externally of the container.

In the container of the invention, each compartment may contain a different cocktail ingredient so that when mixed together, the required cocktail is produced. The ingredients are stored within the compartments until the valve plate is moved to bring the apertures in the valve plate into registration with the apertures in the base wall and the liquid is then free to flow out for draining into a suitable receptacle, such as a tumbler. As such, a freshly mixed cocktail can be prepared as and when desired.

The valve plate may be slidable relative to base plate by linear movement over the base wall. More preferably, the valve plate is rotationally slidable relative to the base wall. In its simplest form, the valve plate is circular and is mounted to the base wall by a connection allowing the valve plate to turn relative to the base wall. In an alternative arrangement the valve plate may be located and held to the base wall by the periphery of the valve plate engaged with one or more retainers on the base wall. Alternatively, there may be provided a channel on the base wall into which the peripheral edge of the valve plate is received.

In the simplest and most preferred arrangement, the valve plate is is mounted on the base externally of the container so that the valve plate is easily accessible. Alternative arrangements with the valve plate mounted on the base internally of the container are of course also possible, for example by providing a lever which extends out of the container and which is connected to the valve plate so that movement thereof can be effected.

Preferably, a receiving cup is also provided for connection to the container and arranged so that when the apertures of the base wall and valve plate are in registration, liquid contained in the compartments may flow out of the container into the receiving cup. The receiving cup may connect to the container with a bayonet-type fastening. Ideally, the container and the receiving cup interact to form a cocktail shaker such that liquid may be mixed in the receiving cup by shaking the connected cup and container.

If provided, the receiving cup may co-act with the valve plate to bring the apertures in the valve plate into and out of registration with the apertures in the base wall. To achieve this, the cup and valve plate may have co-operating formations.

A pouring device may be provided, as an alternative to a receiving cup, and which is configured for connection to the container. The pouring device may be arranged so that when the apertures of the base wall and valve plate are in registration, liquid contained in the compartments may flow out of the container into the pouring device. The pouring device preferably has an opening to enable the liquid to be poured therefrom and may also include a lid to close the opening when the device is not in use. Where a lid is provided, the container and the pouring device may interact to form a cocktail shaker such is that liquid may be mixed in the pouring device by shaking the connected device and container.

If provided, the pouring device is preferably arranged to co-act with the valve plate to bring the apertures in the valve plate into and out of registration with the apertures in the base wall by relative rotation between the pouring device end container.

The container may be divided into more than two compartments by one or more further partitions, the base wall within each compartment having a separate aperture formed therethrough. The apertures in the valve plate ideally match those in the base wall. The number of compartments provided depends on the number of different liquids required for the particular cocktail to be mixed.

The container may be arranged for storage with the base wall uppermost, so as to minimise the likelihood of leakage of liquid out of the base wall apertures. A sealing member may be provided around each aperture in the base wall to effect a seal with the valve plate when the apertures in the valve plate and base wall are out of registration. Preferably, a seal is provided to close the apertures in the base wall and maintain the liquid in the compartments until they are to be mixed. The seal may comprise an internal sheet-like seal, such as a foil, which is severed on effecting rotation of the valve plate relative to the base wall. More preferably, a separate sheet-like seal is provided over each aperture in the base plate. To enable severing of the, or each, seal when required, the, or each seal is fixed to the base wall, around the aperture, and also to the valve plate.

is To reduce the likelihood of the seal exiting the container with the liquid, a grille may be provided across the apertures in the valve plate. A grille may also be beneficial as a coarse filter, for example where liquid contained in the compartments includes large items such as fruit, which are used merely to flavour the liquid.

The container and/or the valve plate may be single use and thus disposable so that, once the cocktail has been mixed the container and/or valve plate can simply be discarded. The container and/or valve plate may also be formed from materials which are recyclable or biodegradable. The receiving cup may be disposable and recyclable or biodegradable, though it need not necessarily be single use and may be used with different containers, having various numbers of compartments.

By way of example only, one specific embodiment of this invention will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of the container of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through line A-A of Figure 1 showing the arrangement of the liquid partitions; Figure 3 is a perspective exploded view according to a first embodiment of the invention showing the base wall connected to the valve plate in a first arrangement; Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view according to a second embodiment of the invention showing the base wall connected to the valve plate in a second arrangement; is Figure 5 is a perspective view of the base and valve plate of the first embodiment arranged in a sealed position; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the base and valve plate of the first embodiment arranged in a release position; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a receiving cup adapted for connection to the container; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the receiving cup connected to the container of Figure 1; and Figure 9 is a perspective view of a pouring device connected to the container of Figure 1.

Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a generally cylindrical container 10 defined by a substantially circular top wall 11, a side wall 12 and a base wall 13. Four compartments 14 are provided in the container 10 and these are configured to contain liquid, ideally a different liquid being provided in each compartment 14. The compartments 14 are separated by four partitions which are upstanding from the base wall 13 and which are connected to each of the base wall 13, side wall 12 and top wall 11 in a sealed manner so that a liquid within a particular compartment 14 is confined to that compartment and cannot flow into an adjacent compartment. The container 10 may include two or more compartments for holding two or more different types of liquid, depending on the particular beverage that is to be mixed.

The base wall 13, as shown in detail in Figures 3 and 4, is essentially a disc-shaped plate 17 having an annular member 18 connected to the outer edge. The base wall 13 is adapted to connect to the interior lower end 19 of the is side wall 12. Four apertures 20, 21 are formed in the base wall 13, and are arranged so that one aperture 20 is formed through the base wall 13 in each compartment 14. There are two opposed arc-shaped apertures 20 formed towards the periphery of the base wall 13 and two opposed generally triangular-shaped apertures 21 formed towards the centre 22 of the base wall 13.

A valve plate 25, arranged to co-act with the base wall 13, is provided to facilitate control of the flow of liquid from the compartments and out of the container. The valve plate 25 is of a similar construction to the base plate 13, being composed of a generally circular shaped disc 26 and having apertures 27, 28 formed therethrough. The apertures 27, 28 in the valve plate 25 correspond to those in the base wall 13 so that they may be brought into and out of registration therewith.

The valve plate 25 is arranged to mount to the base wall 13 for rotational sliding movement relative thereto and different embodiments showing various ways of connecting the base wall 13 and valve plate 25 are illustrated.

In one embodiment shown in Figure 3, the valve plate 25 is connectable to the base wall 13 at more than one location around the outer edge thereof. A series of openings 29 are formed through the base wall 13, between the disc-shaped plate 17 and the annular member 18, and these openings 29 are configured to receive retainers 30 of the valve plate 25 to hold the base wall 13 and the valve plate 25 together. The retainers 30 are located around the circular shaped disc 26 of the valve plate 25, towards the outer edge. Two retainers 30 are shown in Figure 3 and these would be angularly spaced about the axis of rotation 22 of the valve plate 25. At least two retainers are required in this embodiment, though to ensure a smooth rotation, the number of retainers on the valve plate 25 generally corresponds to the number of compartments 14 provided in the container. An alternative arrangement, also illustrated in Figure 3, shows a channel 32 into which the peripheral edge of the base wall is received. A channel may alternatively be provided on the base wall into which the peripheral edge of the valve plate is received.

Another embodiment is shown in Figure 4, and in this arrangement the valve plate 25 is connected to the base wall 13 by a pivot connection 31 through the centre 22 of the base wall 13 and valve plate 25.

In each of the embodiments, a sheet-like internal seal 33 is provided for closing each of the apertures 20, 21 in the base wall 13. One side of the sheet-like seal 33 is fixed to the underside of the base wall 13, over the apertures 20, 21 formed therethrough, and the other side of the seal 33 is fixed to top of the valve plate 25. The fixing is carried out when the respective apertures 20, 21, 26, 27 are out of registration so that the seal 33 is severed on effecting rotation of the valve plate 25 relative to the base wall 13 to release the liquid from the compartments 14. The seal 33 is formed from a material which is safe for consumption, though to further reduce the likelihood of the seal 33 exiting the container 10, along with the liquid, the apertures 27, 28 in the valve plate 25 may have a grille configuration 34, as shown on one of the apertures 27 of the valve plate 25 of both Figures 3 and 4.

As described briefly above rotation of the valve plate 25 relative to the base wall 13 brings the apertures 27, 28 of the valve plate 25 into and out of is registration with the corresponding apertures 20, 21 in the base wall 13. When the apertures are out of registration, as shown in Figure 5, the valve plate 25 serves to cover the apertures 20, 21 in the base wall 13 (along with the seal 33) so as to prevent liquid from flowing out of the compartments 14. In Figure 6, the valve plate 25 has been rotated relative to the base wall 13, thereby severing the seal 33 and bringing the apertures 20, 21, 27, 28 into registration. In the configuration shown in Figure 6, the liquid is free to flow out of the compartments 14.

A receiving cup 36, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, is provided for connection to the container 10 and to receive the liquid as it flows from the -10-compartments 14. The cup 36 has pegs 37 around the upper edge 38 thereof to engage corresponding sockets (not shown) in the valve plate 25. In this way rotation of the cup 36 relative to the container 10 causes the valve plate 25 to rotate relative to the base plate 13, thus bringing the respective apertures 20, 21, 27, 28 into registration and enabling the liquid to flow from the compartments 14 into the cup 36 for mixing.

The cup 36 is shown connected to the container 10 in Figure 8 in a bayonet type 39 arrangement. In this configuration, rotation of the cup 36 to rotate the valve plate 25 also serves to disconnect the cup 26 from the container 10.

As an alternative to the receiving cup 36, a pouring device 41 may be provided, as shown in Figure 9. The pouring device 41 is arranged to connect to the container 10 in the same way as the receiving cup and is also provided with pegs 37 to engage corresponding sockets (not shown) in the valve plate.

is As with the cup arrangement, rotation of the pouring device 41 relative to the container 10 causes the valve plate 25 to rotate relative to the base plate 13 so as to bring the apertures 20, 21, 27, 28 into registration. The pouring device 41 is shaped like a bottle neck, having a cylindrical body portion 42 which narrows to form a neck portion 43. The neck portion 43 of the pouring device 41 defines a small circular opening 44 through which the liquid may be poured. A lid 45 is provided and this has an internal thread arranged to engage an external thread provided around the neck portion of the device.

To prepare a cocktail with the receiving cup, the cup 26 is rotated relative to the container 10. This in turn causes the valve plate 25 to rotate relative to the base wall 13 by virtue of the container lugs 37 held within the grooves in the valve plate 25. Rotation of the valve plate 25 relative to the base wall 13 brings the apertures 20, 21, 27, 28 in the base wall 13 and valve plate 25 into registration and severs the seal 33 covering the apertures 20, 21 in the base plate 13, allowing the liquid in the compartments 14 to flow into the cup 36.

Once all of the liquid has been released from the compartments 14 the cup may be rotated relative to the container in the opposite direction so that the apertures 27, 28 in the valve plate 25 are brought out of registration with the apertures 20, 21 in the base wall 13. Liquid which has been released into the cup 36 may then be mixed to form a cocktail by shaking the cup 36 and the container 10 together. The cup may then be released from the container 10 so that the cocktail can be consumed. The container 10 and the connected valve plate 25 may then be discarded.

A similar method is applied when preparing a cocktail with the pouring is device instead of the receiving cup. The only difference in the method is after all of the liquid has been released from the compartments 14, and has been mixed to form a cocktail by shaking the pouring device 41 and the container 10 together, the lid 45 may be removed for pouring the cocktail into a receptacle, such as a glass or cup.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>CLAIMS1. A container having a base wall and divided into at least two separate compartments by a partition upstanding from the base wall, the base wall being provided with at least two apertures formed therethrough and communicating one with each compartment respectively, a valve plate mounted on the base for sliding movement with respect thereto and having apertures corresponding to the apertures formed in the base wall, whereby sliding movement of the valve plate brings the apertures in the valve plate into and out of registration with the apertures in the base wall, so that when in registration liquid contained in the compartments may flow out for mixing externally of the container.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve plate is mounted on the base for rotational sliding movement relative thereto.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A container as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the valve plate is mounted on the base externally of the container.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A container as claimed in any of clams 1 to 3, further comprising a receiving cup configured for connection to the container and arranged so that when the apertures of the base wall and valve plate are in registration, liquid contained in the compartments may flow out of the container into the receiving cup.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A container as claimed in claim 4, wherein the receiving cup is arranged to co-act with the valve plate to bring the apertures in the valve plate into and out of registration with the apertures in the base wall by relative rotation between the receiving cup and container.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a pouring device configured for connection to the container and arranged so that when the apertures of the base wall and valve plate are in registration, liquid contained in the compartments may flow out of the container into the pouring device.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A container as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pouring device is arranged to co-act with the valve plate to bring the apertures in the valve plate into and out of registration with the apertures in the base wall by relative rotation between the pouring device and container.</claim-text> <claim-text>Jo 8. A container as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the container has partition walls which divide the container into more than two compartments, the base wall within each compartment having a separate aperture formed therethrough.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A container as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein a sealing member is provided around each aperture to effect a seal with the valve plate when the apertures in the valve plate and base wall are out of registration.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 further comprising a seal closing the apertures in the base wall.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A container as claimed in claim 10, wherein the seal is an internal sheet-like seal which is severed on effecting rotation of the valve plate relative to the base wall.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A container as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein a grille is provided across the apertures in the valve plate.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A container as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>