BEVERAGE CONTAINER WITH REMOVABLE AND REUSABLE CHILLING CONTAINER

Abstract

A beverage container has two main components: a drinking container and a chilling container. The chilling container is filled (or prefilled) with a chilling agent and placed in an environment suitable for freezing of the fluid. The chilling container is then coupled to the drinking container and the chilling container will chill the beverage contained within the drinking container. Flow restrictors within the chilling container prevent the frozen material from rising into the drinking container. The drinking container and chilling container are both designed to be reusable.

Claims

1. A beverage container comprising: a drinking container for containing a drinking fluid, the drinking container having a first top end and a first bottom end, wherein the first bottom end has a coupling mechanism disposed thereon; a chilling container for containing a chilling agent, the chilling container having a second top end and a second bottom end, wherein the chilling container has at least one flow restrictor positioned within the chilling container, wherein the second top end of the chilling container has a complementary coupling mechanism to that of the coupling mechanism of the drinking container.

2. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the at least one flow restrictor is capable of being selectively positioned and retained within the chilling container.

3. The beverage container of claim 2 wherein there are two flow restrictors each being independently capable of being selectively positioned and retained within the chilling container.

4. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the at least one flow restrictor reduces the rate of flow of the chilling agent.

5. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the drinking container, chilling container, and the flow restrictor is comprised of a polymeric material.

6. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the drinking container is resealable.

7. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the coupling mechanism and the complementary coupling mechanism are threaded surfaces.

8. A beverage container comprising: a drinking container for containing a drinking fluid, the drinking container having a first top end and a first bottom end with a first sidewall therebetween, wherein the first bottom end has a coupling mechanism disposed thereon; a chilling container for containing a chilling agent, the chilling container having a second top end and a second bottom end with a second sidewall therebetween, wherein the chilling container has at two flow restrictors capable of being selectively positioned and retained within the chilling container, wherein the second top end of the chilling container has a complementary coupling mechanism to that of the coupling mechanism of the drinking container.

9. The beverage container of claim 8 wherein the chilling agent is ice derived from water.

10. The beverage container of claim 8 wherein the two flow restrictors have a mesh framework.

11. The beverage container of claim 10 wherein each flow restrictor has a different mesh size.

12. The beverage container of claim 10 wherein each flow restrictor has the same mesh size.

13. The beverage container of claim 8 wherein the chilling container has an outer surface and an inner surface.

14. The beverage container of claim 13 wherein the outer surface and the inner surface are separated by a distance and provide insulation to the chilling container.

15. A kit for chilling a beverage comprising: at least one drinking container for containing a drinking fluid, the drinking container having a first top end and a first bottom end, wherein the first bottom end has a coupling mechanism disposed thereon; a plurality of chilling containers for containing a chilling agent, the plurality of chilling containers having a second top end and a second bottom end, wherein the plurality of chilling containers each has at least one flow restrictor positioned within each of the plurality of chilling containers, wherein the second top end of each of the plurality of chilling containers has a complementary coupling mechanism to that of the coupling mechanism of the at least one drinking container; and a tray designed to support a plurality of chilling containers.

16. The kit of claim 15 further comprising at least one lid for coupling to at least one of the plurality of chilling containers.

17. The kit of claim 16 wherein the at least one lid is threaded.

18. A kit for chilling a beverage comprising: at least one drinking container for containing a drinking fluid, the drinking container having a first top end and a first bottom end, wherein the first bottom end has a coupling mechanism disposed thereon; at least one chilling container for containing a chilling agent, the at least one chilling container having a second top end and a second bottom end, wherein the at least one chilling container has at least one flow restrictor positioned within the at least one chilling container, wherein the second top end of the at least one chilling container has a complementary coupling mechanism to that of the coupling mechanism of the at least one drinking container; and a tray designed to support at least one chilling container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1A is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention with the beverage container and the chilling container coupled to one another.

[0029] FIG. 1B is front view of an embodiment of the present invention with the beverage container and the chilling container separated from one another.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the chilling container.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a top view of FIG. 2 showing the arrangement of the flow restrictors of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the chilling container with a lid attached thereto.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a top view of a tray for holding a number of chilling containers.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a side view of a tray with chilling containers held therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, there is a beverage container 100 of one embodiment of the present invention. The beverage container 100 comprises two main components: a drinking container 102 and a chilling container 104. The drinking container 102 has a first top end 108 and a first bottom end 110. The chilling container 104 has a second top end 114 and a second bottom end 112. The drinking container 102 contains a drinking fluid 106 and the chilling container 104 contains a chilling agent 118 (see FIG. 2). The chilling agent 118 may be the same or different than the drinking fluid 106.

[0037] Each of the drinking container 102 and the chilling container 104 may have ridges 136 on an outer surface to provide enhanced grip for handling the beverage container 100. Further, the drinking container 102 and the chilling container 104 each have a coupling mechanism 122 disposed thereon. The coupling mechanism 122 preferably resides on an inner surface of the drinking container 102 and on an outer surface of the chilling container 104. The coupling mechanism 122 disposed on each of the containers is complementary to that of other. For example, the coupling mechanism 122 is preferably threading wherein the threads from each container are designed to interlock with those of the other.

[0038] When coupled to one another, the drinking container 102 is in fluid connected with the chilling container 104. The first bottom end 110 of the drinking container 102 has an aperture providing access to the contents of the drinking container 102, and the second top end 114 of the chilling container 104 is similarly situated. This allows the chilling agent 118, as shown in FIG. 2, to enter the drinking container 102 and be consumed as it melts.

[0039] In FIG. 2 there is a sectional side view of the chilling container 104. The chilling container 104 is shown having a second top end 114 and a second bottom end 112. Within the confines of the chilling container 104 is the chilling agent 118 and the flow restrictor(s) 116. The flow restrictors 116 permit the chilling agent 118 as it melts to enter the drinking container 102 (see FIG. 1A). The chilling container 104 also has an outer surface 113 and an inner surface 115.

[0040] The outer surface 113 and the inner surface 115 are separated by a small gap which provides an insulative layer of air between the surface by which the chilling container 104 is held, and that which holds the chilling agent 118. In some instances the inner surface 113, outer surface 115, and flow restrictors 116 may have an interstitial space that provides for the same or a different chilling agent 118 which can be removable or permanently contained within the inner surface 113, outer surface 115, and/or flow restrictors 116. The drinking container 102 has an opening 120 for supplying the drinking fluid 106 (see FIG. 1) to the user. It may be preferable to have a cap or cover that fits over the opening 120 to prevent spillage or contamination of the drinking fluid.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 3 there is a top view of the flow restrictors 116 of an embodiment of the present invention. The flow restrictor 116 has a restrictor body 126 which encircles or encapsulates the mesh framework 124. The restrictor body 126 can take a number of shapes and the exact specifications are preferably determined by the chilling container 104 (see FIG. 2). The mesh framework 124 has a series of bars set in a pattern that results in a reduced area contained within the restrictor body 126. The apertures 128 formed in the mesh framework 124 can vary in size and are preferably about 0.14 cm (0.05 inch) to about 2.5 cm (1 inch) in diameter. As shown in FIG. 3, there are two flow restrictors 116 each with a similar mesh framework 124. Each of the flow restrictors 116 are preferably offset from one another as to prevent an alignment of the mesh frameworks 124.

[0042] In some embodiments, the flow restrictors 116 may have additional chilling agents contained within the mesh framework 124. That is, the mesh framework 124 comprises hollow lattices filled with a chilling agent that may be the same or a different chilling agent that is described above. This additional chilling agent may provide for more continuous and optimal chilling of the drinking fluid.

[0043] In FIG. 4 there is a chilling container 104 with a lid 132 attached thereto. The lid 132 is used to prevent the chilling agent 118 from spilling and to prevent contamination during the freezing process. The lid 132 couples to the chilling container 104 preferably via the threading present on the chilling container 104, but may also slide on or simply rest over the top of the chilling container 104. Once the chilling container 104 is ready for use, the lid 132 is simply removed and the chilling container 104 is attached to the drinking container 102 (see FIG. 1A).

[0044] In FIGS. 5 and 6 there is a tray 130 designed to be used with a plurality of chilling containers 104. The tray 130 has a number of chilling container receiving areas 134 for holding and supporting the chilling containers 104 while the chilling agent 118 (see FIG. 2) is being chilled or frozen. The tray 130 may hold between about 1 and about 12 chilling containers 104 at any given time. Further, the tray 130 may have an internal area that provides for a chilling agent to be contained therein. This enables the tray to be potentially stored in a chilling environment such as a freezer and the chilling containers 104 added to the chilled tray. The tray 130 can then reduce the time it takes to sufficiently cool or freeze the chilling agent contained within the chilling container(s) 104.

[0045] The elements described in FIGS. 1-6 comprise a beverage chilling system or kit. The drinking container 102 may bear the shape of a traditional water bottle or other fluid retaining structure. In some embodiments, ridges, bumps, grooves, and the like or any combination thereof are used to enhance the grip of the user when holding the drinking container 102. The first bottom end 110 of the drinking container 102 is open. Thus, the drinking container 102 must be connected to a chilling container 104 in order for the drinking fluid 106 to remain within the drinking container 102. In some embodiments, the first bottom end 110 is sealed and the coupling mechanism 122 simply brings the chilling agent 118 into contact with a bottom surface of the drinking container 102 for cooling rather than permitting mixing of the drinking fluid 106 and the chilling agent 118. Preferably, the drinking container 102 holds about 177 mL (6 fl. oz.) to about 1420 mL (48 fl. oz.) and more preferably holds about 355 mL (12 fl. oz.) to about 710 mL (24 fl. oz.).

[0046] The chilling container 104 may also have ridges, grooves, bumps, and the like or any combination thereof disposed on an outer surface of the container to assist with the grip of the chilling container 104 as well as assisting in securing or unsecuring the chilling container 104 to the drinking container 102. The chilling container 104 may have a chilling agent 118 that is the same or different than the drinking fluid 106 contained within the drinking container 102. The chilling container 104 preferably holds about 177 mL (6 fl. oz.) to about 1420 mL (48 fl. oz.) and more preferably holds about 355 mL (12 fl. oz.) to about 710 mL (24 fl. oz.). In some embodiments it may be preferable to have a fixed ratio between the liquid holdings of the drinking container 102 with relation to the chilling container 104.

[0047] Preferably, the chilling agent 118 is the same as the drinking fluid 106; however, the chilling agent 118 and the drinking fluid 106 may be two different substances. For example, the chilling agent 118 may be water, either chilled or frozen, and the drinking fluid may be water, tea, soft drinks, sports drinks, milk, liquid supplements, coffee, fruit juice, vegetable juice, alcohol containing beverages, and the like. In turn, the chilling agent 118 may be the same as any of the aforementioned beverages thereby preventing a watering down of the beverage as the water or ice were to mix with the beverage. Alternatively, in some embodiments, particularly when the drinking container 102 and the chilling container 104 are sealed from one another, the chilling agent 118 may be an artificial agent such as a refreezeable gel or other non-potable material.

[0048] While the flow restrictors 116 may be variably positioned within the chilling container 102 it is preferable that the arrangement of the flow restrictors 116 places at least one of the flow restrictors 116 near the second top end 114 to prevent the potentially frozen chilling agent 118 from rising into the drinking fluid 106. This keeps the flow of the beverage through the opening 120 unimpeded. The flow restrictors 116 also prevent shifts in the thawing chilling agent 118 as the beverage container 100 is tilted to drink that may cause one to spill the beverage while drinking which may stain or otherwise cause undesired consequences.

[0049] The flow restrictors 116 may also be positioned in a way that offsets the mesh framework 124 as shown in FIG. 3 thereby further preventing frozen material from rising prematurely through the drinking fluid 106. Depending on the size of the chilling container 104, the number of flow restrictors 116 to be variably positioned can range from about 1 to about 10 and is more preferably about 2 to about 3. However, in some instances the flow restrictors 116 may be completely removed to allow for the addition of a pre-made chilling agent 118 (i.e. ice or crushed ice). The mesh framework 124 may create apertures 128 which may be the same or different sizes. Multiple mesh frameworks 124 with varying sized apertures 128 may be used in conjunction with one another. For example, the flow restrictors 116 may be arranged with the largest apertures 128 towards the bottom of the chilling container 104 thereby letting the larger chunks of the chilling agent 118 to rise while the smaller apertures 128 positioned near the top prevent them from migrating to the drinking container 102 until they are almost completely melted.

[0050] The flow restrictors 116 are intended to be selectively positionable within the chilling container 104. Thus, some amount of a chilling agent 118 may be frozen and then a flow restrictor 116 may be positioned on the frozen chilling agent 118 and then additional chilling agent 118 added to the chilling container 104. However, there may also be a plurality a notches, ledges, tabs, and the like or any combination thereof that extend laterally from the inner wall of the chilling container 104. These structures provide a surface for the flow restrictors 116 to rest so that they may be variably positioned at once rather than by intermittent freezing of the chilling agent 118. Preferably there are at least two of such structures positioned across from one another at each variable height of the chilling container 104 to provide the proper foundation for the flow restrictor 116 to rest.

[0051] The components of the beverage container 100 are preferably plastic including but not limited to polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and polycarbonate (PC), or any combination thereof.

[0052] The components may be metal including but not limited to iron, stainless steel, tin, aluminum, copper or various alloys. Rubbers may also be used and may include but are not limited to natural rubber, SBR, Isoprene rubber, Butadiene rubber, and chloroprene rubber. Additionally, various composites comprising a number of different materials may be used and may include fiber reinforced composites such as carbon fiber containing polymers, and the like.

[0053] Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.