Patent application title: TWIST-ACTION MIXING BOTTLE
Inventors:
Colin Mortimer Bennett (New York, NY, US)
IPC8 Class: AB65D2508FI
USPC Class:
206221
Class name: Special receptacle or package for mixing means to manipulate without rupture
Publication date: 2014-12-18
Patent application number: 20140367283
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to specialized containers.
Specifically, the invention relates to a mixing container configured to
store contents in separate chambers within the same vessel while
providing the ability to mix said contents by manually rotating the
housings that enclose the chambers of the apparatus. The twist-action
rotation of the housings engages a cam actuated seal cutter which cuts
through one or more seals, allowing the contents of the chambers to mix
to a preferred concentration. Additionally, exemplary embodiments of the
mixing apparatus may include pressurized chambers. Further, certain
embodiments may utilize various types of action elements in order to
engage the rotation of the housing or otherwise produce cutting,
puncturing or piercing of elements that prevent mixing of the contents
held in the various chambers of the container.Claims:
1. A twist-action mixing container comprising: an upper bottle portion,
said upper bottle portion defining an upper chamber; a lower bottle
portion, said lower bottle portion defining a lower chamber; one or more
seals interposed between said upper bottle portion and lower bottle
portion; and a cam actuated seal cutter integrated within said upper
bottle portion; wherein said cam actuated seal cutter is movably secured
in a bottom portion of said upper bottle portion, wherein said upper
bottle portion and lower bottle portion each comprise one or more of a
track or a corresponding guide member, wherein said track and said
corresponding guide member are configured to securely attach said upper
bottle portion and lower bottle portion together to form a connection
therebetween wherein said corresponding guide member travels along said
track when at least one of said upper bottle portion and lower bottle
portion is rotated relative to the other, wherein said cam actuated seal
cutter comprises a means for cutting said one or more seals, and wherein
said upper bottle portion and lower bottle portion may be rotated in
opposite directions, thereby causing said corresponding guide member to
travel along the corresponding track, effecting the lowering of the cam
actuated seal cutter into said one or more seals and thereby causing the
cutting of said one or more seals, allowing the contents of the upper
bottle portion and lower bottle portion to mix.
2. The twist-action mixing container of claim 1, further comprising a lid component with an opening, said lid component being secured to the top of said upper bottle portion.
3. The twist-action mixing container of claim 2, wherein said lid component is secured to said upper bottle portion with one or more retaining members along its inner periphery that mate with one or more hook members along the top outer rim of said upper bottle portion.
4. The twist-action mixing container of claim 1, wherein said upper bottle portion is secured to said lower bottle portion with one or more retaining members along its periphery that mate with one or more hook members along the bottom outer rim of said upper bottle portion.
5. The twist-action mixing container of claim 1, wherein said at least one track comprises ratcheting teeth that engage with a corresponding guide member, so as to allow one-way travel of said corresponding guide member along said track.
6. The twist-action mixing container of claim 5, wherein an audible clicking sound is generated when travel of said corresponding guide member along said track occurs.
7. The twist-action mixing container of claim 1, wherein a lidding film is utilized to attach at least one of the one or more seals the upper bottle portion.
8. The twist-action mixing container of claim 1, wherein a lidding film is utilized to attach at least one of the one or more seals to the lower bottle portion.
9. The twist-action mixing container of claim 1, further comprising a lid component integrally formed upon said upper bottle portion.
10. The twist-action mixing container of claim 1, further comprising a kickstand which is retained substantially perpendicular to walls of the upper bottle portion until such time as the one or more seals are cut, at which point the kickstand lowers to a position substantially parallel to walls of the upper bottle portion in order to retain said one or more seals.
11. A twist-action mixing container comprising: A plurality of bottle portions, each bottle portion forming a chamber therein; one or more seals interposed between each of said plurality of bottle portions; and one or more cam actuated seal cutters integrated within one or more of said plurality of bottle portions; wherein each of said one or more cam actuated seal cutters is movably secured in one or more of said plurality of bottle portions, wherein each of said plurality of bottle portions is comprised of one or more of a track or a corresponding guide member, wherein said track and said corresponding guide member are configured to securely attach two of said plurality of bottle portions together to form a connection therebetween wherein said corresponding guide member travels along said track when at least one of said upper bottle portion and lower bottle portion is rotated relative to the other, wherein each of said cam actuated seal cutters comprise a means for cutting at least one of said one or more seals, and wherein each of said plurality of bottle portions may be actuated, thereby causing said corresponding guide member to travel along the corresponding track, effecting the lowering of one or more of said one or more cam actuated seal cutters into one or more of said one or more seals and thereby causing the cutting of one or more of said one or more seals, allowing the contents of at least two of said plurality of bottle portions to mix.
12. The twist-action mixing container of claim 11, further comprising a lid component with an opening, said lid component being secured to a top bottle portion selected from said plurality of bottle portions.
13. The twist-action mixing container of claim 12, wherein said lid component is secured to said top bottle portion with one or more retaining members along its inner periphery that mate with one or more hook members along the top outer rim of said top bottle portion.
14. The twist-action mixing container of claim 11, wherein at least two of said plurality of bottle portions are connected with one or more retaining members along their periphery such that the retaining members mate with one or more hook members formed on said at least two of said plurality of bottle portions.
15. The twist-action mixing container of claim 11, wherein said at least one track comprises ratcheting teeth that engage with a corresponding guide member, so as to allow one-way travel of said corresponding guide member along said track.
16. The twist-action mixing container of claim 15, wherein an audible clicking sound is generated when travel of said corresponding guide member along said track occurs.
17. The twist-action mixing container of claim 11, wherein a lidding film is utilized to attach at least one of the one or more seals to one or more of the plurality of bottle portions.
18. The twist-action mixing container of claim 11, further comprising a kickstand which is retained substantially perpendicular to walls of the upper bottle portion until such time as the one or more seals are cut, at which point the kickstand lowers to a position substantially parallel to walls of the upper bottle portion in order to retain said one or more seals.
Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/955,142, filed on Jul. 31, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to specialized containers. Specifically, the invention relates to a mixing container configured to store contents in separate chambers within the same vessel while providing the ability to mix said contents by manually rotating the housings that enclose the chambers of the apparatus. The twist-action rotation of the housings engages a cam actuated seal cutter which cuts through one or more seals, allowing the contents of the chambers to mix to a preferred concentration. Additionally, exemplary embodiments of the mixing apparatus may include pressurized chambers. Further, certain embodiments may utilize various types of action elements in order to engage the rotation of the housing or otherwise produce cutting, puncturing or piercing of elements that prevent mixing of the contents held in the various chambers of the container.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Bottles or containers are used in a variety of industries where a premixed solution is produced and sold. An example of such an industry is the consumer beverage industry. It is not uncommon for a spirits or soft drink company to produce a premixed beverage, containing alcohol in some cases, which is then bottled or canned and sold through retail channels.
[0004] Most commonly, these beverages are sold premixed to consumers. Some of the drawbacks with this is that the shelf life of the solution is shortened when organic ingredients are used, the efficacy/strength of the solution diminishes at a faster rate, and the user is denied the satisfaction of mixing the contents themselves to a concentration of their own preference.
[0005] Further, continuing with the consumer beverage example, with the rise in popularity of mixology, consumers are keen to experience the activity of cocktail making, even a simplified version. It would be advantageous to incorporate elements of the cocktail making experience into the package design of an consumer beverage. Consumer beverage packaging currently in use lacks any interactive mixing experience for the user.
[0006] Additionally, users have traditionally had to purchase alcohol and mixers separately. There is added convenience in a package design that combines both as well as some fun for the user in the process of mixing a concoction to their liking. This is currently impossible with package designs in present use.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a package designed with an internal mixing apparatus which allows the user the satisfaction of manually mixing the contents to their liking. These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be explained and will become obvious to one skilled in the art through the summary of the invention that follows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention is a twist-action mixing container having an upper and lower bottle portion. The upper and lower bottle portion respectively define upper and lower chambers. One or more seals separate the two chambers and seals them off from each other, so that the contents of one chamber do not come in contact with the contents of the other chamber until a cam actuated seal cutter is engaged to cut the seals and allow the passage of the contents between the upper and lower bottle portion.
[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a twist-action mixing container comprises: an upper bottle portion, said upper bottle portion defining an upper chamber; a lower bottle portion, said lower bottle portion defining a lower chamber; one or more seals interposed between said upper bottle portion and lower bottle portion; and a cam actuated seal cutter integrated within said upper bottle portion; wherein said cam actuated seal cutter is movably secured in a bottom portion of said upper bottle portion, wherein said upper bottle portion and lower bottle portion each comprise one or more of a track or a corresponding guide member, wherein said track and said corresponding guide member are configured to securely attach said upper bottle portion and lower bottle portion together to form a connection therebetween wherein said corresponding guide member travels along said track when at least one of said upper bottle portion and lower bottle portion is rotated relative to the other, wherein said cam actuated seal cutter comprises a means for cutting said one or more seals, and wherein said upper bottle portion and lower bottle portion may be rotated in opposite directions, thereby causing said corresponding guide member to travel along the corresponding track, effecting the lowering of the cam actuated seal cutter into said one or more seals and thereby causing the cutting of said one or more seals, allowing the contents of the upper bottle portion and lower bottle portion to mix.
[0010] According to an embodiments of the present invention, the twist-action mixing container further comprises a lid component with an opening, said lid component being secured to the top of said upper bottle portion.
[0011] According to an embodiments of the present invention, the lid component is secured to said upper bottle portion with one or more retaining members along its inner periphery that mate with one or more hook members along the top outer rim of said upper bottle portion.
[0012] According to an embodiments of the present invention, the upper bottle portion is secured to said lower bottle portion with one or more retaining members along its periphery that mate with one or more hook members along the bottom outer rim of said upper bottle portion.
[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one track comprises ratcheting teeth that engage with a corresponding guide member, so as to allow one-way travel of said corresponding guide member along said track.
[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an audible clicking sound is generated when travel of said corresponding guide member along said track occurs.
[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a lidding film is utilized to attach at least one of the one or more seals the upper bottle portion.
[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a lidding film is utilized to attach at least one of the one or more seals to the lower bottle portion.
[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a lid component is integrally formed upon said upper bottle portion.
[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a twist-action mixing container includes: a plurality of bottle portions, each bottle portion forming a chamber therein; one or more seals interposed between each of said plurality of bottle portions; and one or more cam actuated seal cutters integrated within one or more of said plurality of bottle portions; wherein each of said one or more cam actuated seal cutters is movably secured in one or more of said plurality of bottle portions, wherein each of said plurality of bottle portions is comprised of one or more of a track or a corresponding guide member, wherein said track and said corresponding guide member are configured to securely attach two of said plurality of bottle portions together to form a connection therebetween wherein said corresponding guide member travels along said track when at least one of said upper bottle portion and lower bottle portion is rotated relative to the other, wherein each of said cam actuated seal cutters comprise a means for cutting at least one of said one or more seals, and wherein each of said plurality of bottle portions may be actuated, thereby causing said corresponding guide member to travel along the corresponding track, effecting the lowering of one or more of said one or more cam actuated seal cutters into one or more of said one or more seals and thereby causing the cutting of one or more of said one or more seals, allowing the contents of at least two of said plurality of bottle portions to mix.
[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the twist-action mixing container further includes a lid component with an opening, said lid component being secured to a top bottle portion selected from said plurality of bottle portions.
[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lid component is secured to said top bottle portion with one or more retaining members along its inner periphery that mate with one or more hook members along the top outer rim of said top bottle portion.
[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least two of said plurality of bottle portions are connected with one or more retaining members along their periphery such that the retaining members mate with one or more hook members formed on said at least two of said plurality of bottle portions.
[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one track comprises ratcheting teeth that engage with a corresponding guide member, so as to allow one-way travel of said corresponding guide member along said track.
[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the twist-action mixing container further includes a lidding film is utilized to attach at least one of the one or more seals to one or more of the plurality of bottle portions.
[0024] The foregoing summary of the present invention with the preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention. It should be understood and obvious to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention thus described may be further modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a front view an exemplary embodiment of the twist-action mixing container;
[0026] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the twist-action mixing container;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the twist-action mixing container;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the twist-action mixing container;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a close-up view of an exemplary embodiment of a guide member and track of the twist-action mixing container;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a close-up view of an exemplary embodiment of a cam actuated seal cutter of the twist-action mixing container;
[0031] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the twist-action mixing container showing a flip-top cap of the invention in a closed position;
[0032] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the twist-action mixing container showing a flip-top cap of the invention in an open position;
[0033] FIG. 8 is a partial sectional close-up view of a guide member and track in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of the top portion an exemplary embodiment of the twist-action mixing container;
[0035] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the twist-action mixing container with a kickstand element in an upright position;
[0036] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the twist-action mixing container with a kickstand element in a descended position;
[0037] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the twist-action mixing container with a kickstand element in a descended position;
[0038] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the twist-action mixing container showing a cut seal rolled upon a wall of the lower bottle portion of the twist-action mixing container;
[0039] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the twist-action mixing container showing a cut seal flattened upon a wall of the lower bottle portion of the twist-action mixing container; and
[0040] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the twist-action mixing container.
DETAILED SPECIFICATION
[0041] The present invention generally relates to specialized containers. Specifically, the invention relates to a mixing container configured to store contents in separate chambers within the same vessel while providing the ability to mix said contents by manually rotating the housings that enclose the chambers of the apparatus. The twist-action rotation of the housings engages a cam actuated seal cutter which cuts through one or more seals, allowing the contents of the chambers to mix to a preferred concentration. Additionally, exemplary embodiments of the mixing apparatus may include pressurized chambers. Further, certain embodiments may utilize various types of action elements in order to engage the rotation of the housing or otherwise produce cutting, puncturing or piercing of elements that prevent mixing of the contents held in the various chambers of the container.
[0042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mixing container is comprised of an upper bottle portion and a lower bottle portion. The upper bottle portion and lower bottle portion connect via one or more locking tabs and one or more receiving grooves. In a preferred embodiment, the lower bottle is formed with a plurality of receiving grooves configured to receive an equal number of locking tabs that are formed upon the upper bottle.
[0043] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the upper bottle portion and lower bottle portion each include tracks along their respective peripheries and side guide members. The tracks of the upper bottle portion are configured to receive the guide members of the lower bottle portion and the tracks of the lower bottle portion are configured to receive the guide members of the upper bottle portion. The guide members are inserted and retained in their respective tracks through a loading port at the beginning of each track, and once inserted therein are able to travel along their respective tracks. Once the guide members are inserted in their respective tracks, the upper bottle portion and lower bottle portion are connected, forming the twist mix container assembly of the present invention.
[0044] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a guide members travel along their respective tracks when the upper and lower bottle portions are rotated, thereby allowing a cam actuated seal cutter to cut through one or more seals and allow the contents of the upper bottle portion and lower bottle portion to mix. When the guide members reach the ends of their respective tracks, all seals between the upper bottle portion and lower bottle portion are fully severed, allowing the contents of the upper bottle portion to flow into the lower bottle portion.
[0045] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a cam actuated seal cutter resides in the upper bottle portion of the mixing container. In a preferred embodiment, the cam actuated seal cutter is comprised of a plurality of jagged edges, or teeth, configured to cut through one or more seals as the cam actuated seal cuter descends in a rotational pattern during the twisting of the upper bottle portion and lower bottle portion. In other embodiments, other means for cutting or puncturing seals may be utilized, including one or more bladed edges, one or more posts for puncturing a seal, one or more serrated edges, or any combination thereof. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous types of cam actuated seal cutters that could be utilized with embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any appropriate cam actuated seal cutter.
[0046] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cam actuated seal cutter is configured to only partially sever the connection of the one or more seals, such that the seal remains attached to a portion of the component it originally was attached to. Further, in preferred embodiments, the seals are comprised of a material that naturally favors being in a rolled or otherwise compressed state. With this combination of a seal that desires to be rolled, folded upon, or otherwise compressed upon itself, and a portion of a seal remaining attached to an interior component of the twist mix container, the seal neatly removes itself from the passage way between the container portion of the apparatus and the exterior. For example, in embodiments where the seal material favors a rolled-up state, once cut by the cam actuated seal cutter, the seal will roll up to the side of the container to which the seal is still attached to, effectively removing the seal from the passageway between the container and the exterior. Advantageously, the consumer of the beverage does not have to worry about inhaling or otherwise consuming the one or more seals ruptured by the cam actuated seal cutter.
[0047] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the twist-action mixing container may further include a kickstand or other tension element configured to depress one or more seals that have been cut by the cam actuated seal cutter against one or more walls of the lower bottle portion (or in some instances, the upper bottle portion). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the kickstand is a bar extending perpendicular from the walls of the upper bottle portion and attached to the walls of the upper bottle portion or to a portion of the cam actuated seal cutter via a flexible attachment means.
[0048] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the flexible attachment means is configured to provide a force that favors a position that is parallel or substantially parallel with the walls of the upper bottle portion or lower bottle portion of the twist-action mixing container. The flexible attachment means may include, but are not limited to, leaf springs, coil springs, torsion bar or any combination thereof. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous types of flexible attachment means that could be utilized with embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any appropriate flexible attachment means.
[0049] When the cam actuated seal cutter cuts through the seals, the flexible attachment means pushes the kickstand down (or up) over the partially severed seals and retains the seals against the walls of the twist-action mixing container such that the seals are removed from the fluid channel between the upper and lower bottle portions of the container.
[0050] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a twist-action mixing container also includes a lid securely attached to the upper bottle portion. In certain embodiments, the lid includes an opening that is sealed by a removable cap. Once the one or more seals have been cut with the cam actuated seal cutter and the contents of the upper bottle portion and lower bottle portion are mixed, the user can shake the container to more thoroughly mix the contents while keeping the cap in place over the lid opening to prevent the contents from escaping.
[0051] Referring to the Figures in general, the twist-action mixing container of the present invention 100 includes an upper bottle portion 180 and a lower bottle portion 400. The upper bottle portion encloses an upper chamber, while the lower bottle portion encloses a lower chamber. The upper and lower chambers are separated by one or more seals 200. The one or more seals 200 form a hermetic barrier between the upper bottle portion 180 and lower bottle portion 400 so that the contents of the upper bottle portion 180 cannot mix with the contents of the lower bottle portion 400 while the one or more seals 200 are in position. Each of the one or more seals 200 may be attached to its respective bottle portion via a lidding film or other adhesive or sealing means. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous methods for attaching the seals to the bottle portions, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any means for attaching seals to the bottle portions.
[0052] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the twist-action mixing container may be further include a kickstand 125 which is retained perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the walls of the upper bottle portion 180 or lower bottle portion 400 until such time as the cam actuated seal cutter 120 cuts through the one or more seals 200. Once the one or more seals 200 are cut, the kickstand 125 retains the seals 200 against a wall of the twist-action mixing container.
[0053] In certain embodiments, either one of the housings may be rotated with respect to the other, which causes the respective guide members 350 of the upper and lower bottle portions to travel along their respective tracks 220. The movement along their respective tracks further causes the cam actuated seal cutter 120 to be lowered into the one or more seals 200 separating the upper bottle portion 180 and lower bottle portion 400. Once the guide members reach the end of their respective tracks, the cam actuated seal cutter will have cut through a substantial portion of the one or more seals, allowing the contents of the chambers to pass in between the upper bottle portion and lower bottle portion and mix together.
[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the guide members include male ratcheting teeth that engage with female ratcheting teeth 370 disposed along an inner wall of the tracks 220. The ratcheting teeth prevent the guide members 350 from moving backward along the track, i.e. they can only move in a forward direction toward the end of the track. Thus, the bottle portions can only be rotated in one direction relative to each other. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the guide members and corresponding tracks may be configured to allow two-way travel of the guide members, thereby allowing forward and backward rotation of the bottle portions.
[0055] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a twist-action mixing container of the present invention 100 may further include a removable lid component 110 secured to the top of the upper bottle portion 180. The terms "lid component" and "lid" shall be regarded as equivalent terms throughout this application. In a preferred embodiment, the lid component includes an opening that may be covered by a removable cap 130. The removable cap is preferably a flip-top cap, but could be another type of cap including a screw-on cap, twist-off cap, pull-off cap, or other cap known in the art.
[0056] According to a preferred embodiment, the lid includes one or more retaining flange members 430 along its inner periphery, such as those associated with the upper and lower bottle portions. The one or more retaining flange members of the lid may clip onto one or more corresponding retaining clips 420 disposed along the rim of the upper bottle portion, thus forming a seal between the lid and the upper bottle portion as shown in FIG. 9. In an alternative embodiment, the one or more retaining flange members may be inserted into one or more corresponding slots along the outer rim of the upper bottle portion. One of ordinary skill in the art would also recognize that the lid of the present invention may also be threaded onto the top of the upper bottle portion, or connected thereto by other means known in the art.
[0057] In other embodiments, the lid could be integrally formed upon the upper bottle portion. In this form, there is no need for retaining flanges or other attachment means for attaching the lid to the upper bottle portion.
[0058] In a closed position, the flip-top cap seals the lid opening. In the open position, the flip-top cap is pulled back, exposing the lid opening. In addition, the outer surface of the upper bottle portion may be ribbed. The ribbed outer surface provides a better grip for manually twisting the upper bottle portion of the container. Similarly, the lip of the flip-top cap can be easily gripped to open and close the cap.
[0059] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various gripping means may be utilized to facilitate rotation of the upper portion of the container. One of ordinary skill in the art will further recognize that rotating any segment of the ribbed upper portion of the mixing container (i.e. upper bottle portion, or lid) will rotate the entire upper portion of the container since the upper bottle portion and lid are all connected. Furthermore, although not shown in the drawings, the lower bottle portion may similarly include a ribbed outer surface.
[0060] Although the embodiments shown and described herein disclose a two chambered mixing container, an alternate embodiment may include a plurality of compartments. Each of the compartments defines a chamber therein and may be separated by one or more seals as previously described. In embodiments where more than two chambers are utilized, multiple cam actuated seal cutters may be utilized in order to allow for mixing of multiple chambers in a single chamber.
[0061] Furthermore, the twist action mixing container may include pressurized chambers depending on the type of contents being stored therein. The mixing container is especially useful in storing and mixing alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, however there are many other useful applications one can envision for this invention including the storage of various chemicals that may advantageously be combined when desired. Other embodiments could be utilized in the mixing of two or more components for other purposes as well. For instance, embodiments of the present invention could be used for the mixing of cooking ingredients (ie, eggs and flour), medicine (ie, antibiotics and saline solutions), or automotive maintenance fluids (ie, epoxies or paint with thinner for touch ups). Other uses could include any of a variety of consumer packaging goods needs including, but not limited to, washing liquids, cleaning detergents, personal hygiene combinations (e.g., shampoo and conditioner, body wash and exfoliating elements), hair dyes, novelty beverages (e.g., separated colored drinks that mix and become a new color), coffee beverages (e.g., coffee & milk/sugar), protein drinks (e.g., powder and water/mixing liquid separated), sports drinks. Further uses may include industrial packaging goods needs, including, but not limited to, paint colors (e.g., base and tint), medicine (e.g., antibiotics, saline solutions), automotive and other maintenance (e.g., antifreeze, gas and two-cycle oil)
[0062] Additionally, while embodiments of the present invention as described herein have focused on a twist action to move the components of the invention into alignment, allowing for the contents of the chambers to mix, other action elements could be utilized to cause the cam actuated seal cutter to be lowered. For instance, instead of a twist action, an embodiment of the present invention could include a ripcord with one end extending through a side wall of one of the bottle portions or other component, whereby pulling of the ripcord would cause the cam actuated seal cutter to be lowered through the one or more seals, allowing the contents to mix. Other action elements include, but are not limited to, buttons, push dials, turn dials, pneumatic means, hand cranks or any combination thereof. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous types of action elements that could be utilized with embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any type of action elements.
[0063] In embodiments where an action element may be engaged by a remote system, such as a pneumatic action element or other automatic action element, the apparatus may be further comprised of one or more of a printed circuit board (PCB), control logic element, computing element, processor, communications means, or any combination thereof. These elements may be configured to work in conjunction and allow for receipt of communications from a remote device for the purpose of causing the action element to engage. Remote devices capable of providing communications to the elements include, but are not limited to, remote controls, Infrared (IR) devices, Bluetooth devices, smartphones, tablet PCs, radio frequency (RF) communication devices, or any combination thereof. For instance, an application on a smartphone may be configured to identify the elements and transmit a signal to the elements, causing the action element to engage. Communications may be via one or more signal types, such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low-Energy, Wifi, cellular (e.g., CDMA, GSM), near field communication (NFC), RF, IR or any combination thereof. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous types of communications signals that could be used with embodiments of the present invention and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any type of communication signal.
[0064] One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous applications for embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any appropriate application.
[0065] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. The invention is capable of myriad modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
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