LINKING STRUCTURE AND CONTAINER ASSEMBLY TO FACILITATE LIQUID TRANSFER FROM A DONOR CONTAINER TO A RECIPIENT CONTAINER

Abstract

A container assembly to facilitate liquid transfer from a donor container to a recipient container that includes recipient container with a main body, a bottom sidewall member couplable to the main body, that has a lower surface to enable the recipient container to be placed in an erect orientation, and has a bottom aperture for receiving a selectively removable disc. The bottom sidewall member may include a flange member projecting from an inner surface thereon and that is configured to stop linear movement of a piston placed inside of the main body and moved with a stem that is insertable through the bottom aperture and attachable to the piston, wherein the user moves the piston with the stem to generate a negative pressure to induce liquid in a donor container to be transported to the recipient container.

Claims

1. A container assembly to facilitate liquid transfer from a donor container to a recipient container comprising: a recipient container having: a sidewall with an inner surface, a first sidewall end defining a first sidewall end opening, and a second sidewall end opposing the first sidewall end and defining a second sidewall end opening; a bottom sidewall member disposed proximal to the first sidewall end, selectively removably coupled to the sidewall in a male-female coupling configuration, having a distal end defining a bottom aperture, with an inner surface, with a lower surface disposed on a distal end of the bottom sidewall member and configured to place the sidewall in a resting erect configuration, and having a flange member projecting from the inner surface of the bottom sidewall member; defining a recipient container cavity separating the second sidewall end opening and the bottom aperture of the bottom sidewall member, the flange member radially extending into the recipient container cavity; and a disc member disposed in the bottom aperture of the bottom sidewall member, interposed between the flange member and the distal end, and selectively removably coupled to the bottom sidewall member in a male-female coupling and watertight configuration; a piston shaped and sized to couple with the inner surface of the sidewall of the recipient container in a watertight configuration and operably configured to linearly translate along a piston translation path within the recipient container cavity, the flange member configured to stop linear translation of the piston along the piston translation path; and a stem member selectively removably couplable to the piston in a male-female coupling configuration and having a grasping portion thereon.

2. The container assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first sidewall end opening is enclosed by the sidewall and the second sidewall end opening is enclosed by the sidewall.

3. The container assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a donor container having a bottom wall, a sidewall surrounding the bottom wall, defining a donor container cavity, and defining a donor container upper enclosed opening fluidly coupled to the donor container cavity.

4. The container assembly according to claim 3, further comprising: a container linking structure selectively removably couplable to the donor and recipient containers in a watertight and male-female coupling configuration.

5. The container assembly according to claim 4, further comprising: a straw member sized and shaped to be inserted within the donor container upper enclosed opening and defining an enclosed conduit extending from a distal end of the straw member to the container linking structure, the stem member operably configured to apply a force on the piston to linearly translate along the piston translation path to generate a negative pressure within the enclosed conduit for transportation of a liquid configured to be housed in the donor container cavity to the recipient container cavity.

6. The container assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lower surface surrounds the bottom aperture and defines a plane with portions of the lower surface flanking the bottom aperture configured to place the sidewall in the resting erect orientation.

7. The container assembly according to claim 1, wherein the disc member is completely recessed below the lower surface of the bottom sidewall member when selectively removably coupled to the bottom sidewall member.

8. The container assembly according to claim 1, wherein the stem member further comprises: two cantilevered portions radially extending from a terminal end thereon and at least partially forming the grasping portion of the stem member.

9. The container assembly according to claim 1, wherein the disc member concentrically disposed in the bottom aperture and completely recessed below the lower surface of the bottom sidewall member when selectively removably coupled to the bottom sidewall member.

10. The container assembly according to claim 9, wherein the disc member further comprising: a lower disc surface disposed in the recipient container cavity when selectively removably coupled to the bottom sidewall member; and an upper disc surface opposing the lower disc surface and with a grasping member disposed thereon, flanked by a two recesses defined by the disc member, and completely recessed below the lower surface of the bottom sidewall member when the disc member is selectively removably coupled to the bottom sidewall member.

11. The container assembly according to claim 10, wherein the two recesses defined by the disc member are shaped and sized to receive fingers of a user therein.

12. The container assembly according to claim 1, wherein the disc member further comprising: a lower disc surface disposed in the recipient container cavity when selectively removably coupled to the bottom sidewall member; an upper disc surface opposing the lower disc surface; a disc sidewall separating the lower and upper disc surfaces; and a cavity defined by the disc member, accessible from the disc sidewall, and shaped and sized to receive the stem member therein for storage.

13. The container assembly according to claim 12, wherein the stem member further comprises: a plurality of telescopically connected stem members and operably configured to extend to an operational configuration and retract to a storage configuration, wherein the stem member is disposed in the cavity of the disc member when in the storage configuration.

14. The container assembly according to claim 13, wherein the stem member further comprises: two cantilevered portions radially extending from a terminal end thereon, at least partially forming the grasping portion of the stem member, rotatably coupled to at least one of the plurality of the telescopically connected stem member, and configured to receive the plurality of telescopically connected stem members in the storage configuration.

15. The container assembly according to claim 14, wherein the two cantilevered portions of the stem member define a U-shaped channel shaped and sized to receive the plurality of telescopically connected stem members in the storage configuration.

16. The container assembly according to claim 1, wherein the recipient container further comprises: an outer sidewall surrounding the sidewall to define a second container cavity interposed between the outer sidewall and the sidewall of the recipient container, the define a second container cavity surrounding the sidewall of the recipient container; and an outer sidewall bottom wall selectively removably coupled to the outer sidewall to encapsulate the second container cavity.

17. A container assembly to facilitate liquid transfer from a donor container to a recipient container comprising: a recipient container: having a sidewall with an inner surface, a first sidewall end defining a first sidewall end opening, and a second sidewall end opposing the first sidewall end and defining a second sidewall end opening; having a bottom sidewall member disposed proximal to the first sidewall end, selectively removably coupled to the sidewall in a male-female coupling configuration, having a distal end defining a bottom aperture, and having a proximal end opposing the distal end of the bottom sidewall member; defining a recipient container cavity separating the second sidewall end opening and the bottom aperture of the bottom sidewall member; having an outer sidewall surrounding the sidewall to define a second container cavity interposed between the outer sidewall and the sidewall of the recipient container, the second container cavity surrounding the sidewall of the recipient container; having an outer sidewall bottom wall selectively removably coupled to the outer sidewall to encapsulate the second container cavity; and having a disc member disposed in the bottom aperture of the bottom sidewall member and selectively removably coupled to the bottom sidewall member in a male-female coupling and watertight configuration; a piston shaped and sized to couple with the inner surface of the sidewall of the recipient container in a watertight configuration and operably configured to linearly translate along a piston translation path within the recipient container cavity; and a stem member selectively removably couplable to the piston in a male-female coupling configuration and having a grasping portion thereon.

18. The container assembly according to claim 17, wherein the bottom sidewall member further comprises: an inner surface and a flange member projecting from the inner surface of the bottom sidewall member, the flange member radially extending into the recipient container cavity and the flange member configured to stop linear translation of the piston along the piston translation path.

19. The container assembly according to claim 18, wherein the disc member is interposed between the flange member and the distal end of the bottom sidewall member.

20. The container assembly according to claim 18, wherein the sidewall is selectively removably coupled to the outer sidewall in a male-female coupling configuration.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

[0030] FIGS. 1-3 depict cross-sectional views of container assemblies to facilitate liquid transfer from a donor container to a recipient container in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0031] FIGS. 4-6 depict fragmentary views of a second (recipient) container utilized in the container assemblies in FIGS. 1-3 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first (donor) container couplable to a container linking structure and straw member in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 8 depicts an exploded view of a container assembly to facilitate liquid transfer from a donor container to a recipient container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of the container assembly in FIG. 8 assembled in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIGS. 10-11 depict cross-sectional views of a second (recipient) container utilized with a container assembly to facilitate liquid transfer from a donor container to a recipient container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of a first (donor) container utilized with a container assembly to facilitate liquid transfer from a donor container to a recipient container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 13 depicts an elevational view of the first (donor) container in FIG. 12;

[0038] FIG. 14 depicts a cross-sectional view of the first (donor) container in FIG. 12;

[0039] FIGS. 15-16 depict cross-sectional views of the first (donor) container in FIG. 12 coupled to a second (recipient) container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] FIG. 17 depicts a perspective view of a first (donor) container utilized with a container assembly to facilitate liquid transfer from a donor container to a recipient container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] FIG. 18 depicts an elevational view of the first (donor) container in FIG. 17;

[0042] FIG. 19 depicts a cross-sectional view of the first (donor) container in FIG. 17;

[0043] FIGS. 20-21 depict cross-sectional views of the first (donor) container in FIG. 17 coupled to a second (recipient) container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] FIGS. 22-24 depict perspective views of a second (recipient) container with the rear end in various configurations providing adjustability of airflow to a cavity defined by the second container;

[0045] FIG. 25 depicts a cross-sectional view of a second (recipient) container with an inner wall configuration in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] FIG. 26 depicts a fragmentary perspective view of the recipient container in the assembly to facilitate liquid transfer from a donor container to the recipient container in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] FIG. 27 depicts a partially exploded view of the recipient container in FIG. 26 with the bottom sidewall member removed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] FIG. 28 depicts a perspective view of the sidewall and bottom sidewall member of the recipient container in FIG. 26 with the disc member removed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] FIG. 29 depicts a perspective partially transparent view of the recipient container in FIG. 28 with the stem member coupled to the piston in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] FIG. 30 depicts a perspective partially sectional view of the sidewall and bottom sidewall member of the recipient container in FIG. 26 with the disc member removed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] FIG. 31 depicts an exploded view of the stem member, bottom sidewall member, and the disc member in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] FIG. 32 depicts a sectional view of the bottom sidewall member in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] FIG. 33 depicts an exploded view of another embodiment of the stem member in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] FIG. 34 depicts an exploded view of a retracted configuration of the stem member in FIG. 33 and another embodiment of the bottom sidewall member;

[0055] FIG. 35 depicts a cross-sectional exploded view of a second (recipient) container with an inner wall configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0056] FIG. 36 depicts a cross-sectional exploded view of a second (recipient) container with an inner wall configuration in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms.

[0058] The present invention provides a novel and efficient system and method for facilitating the transfer of liquid from a first, donor, container to a second, recipient, container, wherein the recipient container is preferably of a size that is smaller than the size of the donor container. Specifically, referring to FIGS. 1-7, three embodiments of the present invention are shown. FIGS. 1-7 show several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components.

[0059] The container assemblies 100, 200, 300 are configured to effectively and efficiently facilitate in the liquid transfer from a donor container 102, 202, 302 to a recipient container 104, 204, 304. The first container 102, 202, 304 may include a bottom wall 108, 208, 308, a sidewall 110, 210, 310 surrounding the bottom wall 108, 208, 308, defining a first container cavity 112, 212, 312 and defines a first container upper enclosed opening 114, 214, 314 fluidly coupled to the first container cavity 112, 212, 312 whereby liquid is conventionally configured to flow therethrough. In one embodiment, the sidewall 110, 210, 310 is specifically configured to be of a flexible polymeric material, e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. Flexibility of sidewall is particularly beneficial for embodiments of the assembly where the user causes (at least partially) the transfer of liquid from the donor container 802 to the recipient container 804 by depressing the sidewall of the donor container 802 (best depicted in FIGS. 8-9).

[0060] It should be understood that terms such as, front, rear, side, top, bottom, and the like are indicated from the reference point of a viewer viewing the assembly has shown in FIG. 1 and as the bottles are typically supported and held in an upright orientation, wherein other reference points are possible. As used herein, the term wall is intended broadly to encompass continuous structures, as well as, separate structures that are coupled together so as to form a substantially continuous external surface (possibly with apertures formed thereon, where indicated or depicted).

[0061] Still reference to FIGS. 1-7, the assemblies 100, 200, 300 also include a second container 104, 204, 304 having a bottom wall 116, 216, 316 defining at least one air aperture 138a-n, 238a-n, 338a-n therethrough (wherein n represents any number greater than one). While the air aperture(s) may be defined by the bottom wall 116, 216, 316, the air aperture(s) 138a-n, 238a-n, 338a-n may also be additional defined by or solely defined by the sidewall of the second container 104, 204, 304. Said another way and using FIG. 1 by way of example, the piston 124 is operably configured to linearly translate along a piston translation path (where it begins, e.g., at the flange 136, and terminates, e.g., at an internal shoulder within the second container 104) within the second container cavity and the second container 104 defines one or more air aperture(s) 138a-n through one or both of the bottom wall 116 and/or the sidewall 118 and at a location outside of the piston translation path. The one or more aperture(s) 138a-n, 238a-n, 338a-n are beneficially formed to create a low-pressure environment, such as during air travel, by virtue of separating product from air and having airholes to allow for airflow to accommodate changes in outside air pressure and to also equalize pressure in the second cavity 120, 220, 320 defined by the secondary container 104, 204, 304. Specifically, the second container 104, 204, 304 also includes a sidewall 118, 218, 318 surrounding the bottom wall 116, 216, 316 of the second container 104, 204, 304. The sidewall 118, 218, 318 may also define an inner diameter separating opposing inner surfaces of the sidewall 118, 218, 318.

[0062] The second container 104, 204, 304 also defines a second container cavity 120, 220, 320 and defines a second container upper enclosed opening 122, 222, 322 fluidly coupled to the second container cavity 120, 220, 320, whereby liquid is configured to be poured out the second container upper enclosed opening 122, 222, 322 when there is nothing attached thereto. The second container 104, 204, 304 also includes a piston 124, 224, 324 coupled to the sidewall 118 of the second container 104 in a watertight configuration so that liquid (e.g., cosmetic) is unable to be passed through the piston 124, 224, 324. Said another way, the piston 124, 224, 324 may span the inner diameter of the sidewall 118, 218, 318. The piston 124, 224, 324 is preferably of a substantially rigid material capable of withstanding the pressures generated within the second container 104, 204, 304 without deformation that cause leakage of the liquid therethrough. Additionally, the piston 124, 224, 324 may be seated on a gasket of a deformable material (e.g., natural rubber) and with a low coefficient of friction to enable effective translation of the piston 124, 224, 324. The piston 124, 224, 324 is operably configured to linearly translate within the second container cavity 120 and preferably includes a substantially planar upper surface (as shown) to maximize the volume in the second container cavity 120, 220, 320.

[0063] The assemblies 100, 200, 300 also include a container linking structure 106, 206, 306 selectively removably couplable to the second container 104 in a watertight and male-female coupling configuration. The male-female coupling configuration may include two corresponding tongue-and-groove configurations that can mate or be joined together, e.g., a threaded configuration, a flat or notched tongue and a flat or recessed groove, etc. In one embodiment, the container linking structure 106, 206, 306 is selectively removably couplable to the second container 104, 204, 304 in a hermetically sealed configuration. In some embodiments, the container linking structure 106, 206, 306 is selectively removably couplable to the first container 102, 202, 302 and the second container 104, 204, 304 with a male-female coupling configuration.

[0064] The assemblies 100, 200, 300 may also beneficially include a stem member 126, 226, 326 selectively removably couplable to the piston 124, 224, 324 in a male-female coupling configuration. The stem member 126, 226, 326 is preferably also of a substantially rigid material, like the piston. Specifically, in one embodiment, the piston 124, 224, 324 may include a female threaded wall 130, 230, 330 defined on (e.g., recessed on) the piston 124, 224, 324 and the stem member 126, 226, 326 may include a male threaded wall 132, 232, 332 defined on a terminal end thereof. The stem member 126, 226, 326 also beneficially includes a grasping portion thereon, i.e., a portion that is shaped and sized to be grasped by a single hand of a user. In one embodiment, the stem member 126, 226, 326 includes two cantilevered portions radially extending from a terminal end thereon (opposite the end having the male threaded wall) and at least partially forms the grasping portion of the stem member 126. This configuration beneficially enables the user to apply a force on the stem member 126, 226, 326 to move it up and down in the second container cavity 120, 220, 320.

[0065] In one embodiment (as exemplified in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4), the bottom wall 116 is selectively removably coupled to the sidewall 118 of the second container 104 in male-female coupling configuration, thereby enabling a user to obtain access to the second container cavity 120 and piston 124 disposed therein. The second container 104 may also include an internal flange 136 radially extending in the second container cavity 120 and configured to stop linear movement of the piston 124 within the second container cavity 120. In one embodiment, the flange 136 continually extends around an inner surface of the sidewall 118 and preferably at least extends from two opposing inner surfaces of the sidewall 118.

[0066] As best seen exemplified in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the bottom wall 116 further defines a stem aperture 500 shaped and size to receive a diameter of the stem member 126 therethrough. In one embodiment, the stem aperture 500 is slightly larger (e.g., about 2% or less) than a uniform diameter of the stem member 126 to enable the stem member 126 to be inserted and removed therefrom without removing the bottom wall.

[0067] The assemblies 100, 200, 300 can also be seen having a straw member 128, 228, 328 that is preferably flexible, sized, and shaped to be inserted within the first container upper enclosed opening 114, 214, 314. In some embodiments, the length of the straw member 128, 228, 328 is sufficient to reach the bottom wall of the first container 102, 202, 304. The straw member 128, 228, 328 defines an enclosed conduit 134, 234, 334 extending from a distal end of the straw member 128, 228, 328 to the container linking structure 106, 206, 306. As indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 1-3, the stem member 126, 226, 326 is operably configured to apply a force on the piston 124, 224, 324 to linearly translate the piston 124, 224, 324 within the second container cavity 120, 220, 320 and generate a negative pressure within the enclosed conduit 134, 234, 334 for transportation of a liquid configured to be housed in the first container cavity 112, 212, 312 to the second container 104, 204, 304, namely the portion of the second container cavity disposed above the upper surface of the piston 124, 224, 324.

[0068] In one embodiment (exemplified using FIG. 1 and FIG. 4), the assembly 100 includes a clip member 140 extending from an outer surface of the container linking structure 106, wherein the clip member 140 defines a U-shape. The clip member 140 enables the users to clip or hang the clip member 140 onto the sidewall 110 of the first container 102 (preferably the portion defining the mouth of the container) after the desired amount of liquid has been removed from the first container 102. Further, a disk member 700 may be utilized to facilitate in removing any liquid retained within the enclosed conduit 134. The disk member 700 can be seen surrounding the straw member 128 and is operably configured to have a biased position (e.g., when depressed by the user) with the straw member 128 disposed in an enclosed channel defined by the disk member 700 and with straw member 128 compressed to close the enclosed conduit 134. The disk member 700 has an un-biased position with the straw member 128 disposed in the enclosed channel defined by the disk member 700 and with straw member 128 uncompressed to open the enclosed conduit 134. When placed in the biased position, the user will slide the disk member 700 down the straw member 128, thereby allowing a user to remove any liquid in the straw member 128 after use and place back it in the first container 102.

[0069] In one embodiment (as exemplified in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6), the assembly 300 includes an inner sidewall 342 having a collapsible accordion configuration, with an upper portion selectively removably couplable to a secondary inner sidewall 344 of the second container 104 in a male-female coupling configuration (indicated with arrows 346, 348), and with a lower portion coupled to the piston 324. In one embodiment, the secondary inner sidewall 344 is concentrically disposed relative to the sidewall 318 and extends less than 10-15% of the overall length of the second container 104 into the second container cavity 320. The inner sidewall 342 can be seen defining an inner sidewall cavity 600, wherein the inner sidewall 342 is operably configured to have a collapsed configuration along an inner sidewall translation path and an expanded configuration along the inner sidewall translation path within the second container cavity 320. The stem member 326 is operably configured to apply the force on the piston 324 to linearly translate the piston 324 and inner sidewall 342 along the inner sidewall translation path within the second container cavity 320 to generate the negative pressure within the enclosed conduit 334 for transportation of the liquid configured to be housed in the first container cavity 312 to the inner sidewall cavity 600. To that end, the piston 324 includes one or more air intake aperture(s) therethrough that are fluidly uncoupled to the inner sidewall cavity 600.

[0070] As such, when desired for use, the user will remove any applicable cap or cover from the first container 102 to expose the first container upper enclosed opening 114. The user will then attach (if it is not done already, temporarily or permanently) the straw member 128 to the container linking structure 106, which is then coupled to the second container 104, with the straw member 128 disposed therein. The user will then insert the stem member 126 into the second container cavity 120 to attach the stem member 126 to the piston 124. After attachment, the user will then pull back on the stem member 126 and piston 124 to induce the negative pressure, thereby evacuating the liquid housed in the first container 102 to the second container in the desired amount and in an effective and efficient manner. The stem member 126 may then be removed from the piston 124 and the container linking structure 106 may disconnected from the container(s) and set on the first container 102, whereby any liquid still in the straw member 128 can be evacuated as discussed above. Thereafter, the user may place a cap, that may be selectively removably couplable to the second container 104, on the second container 104 in a watertight and male-female coupling configuration to cover the second container upper enclosed opening 122 and for ease of transportation and use.

[0071] With reference to FIGS. 8-9, another embodiment of the present invention is depicted. Specifically, a container assembly 800 is utilized to facilitate liquid transfer from a donor container to a recipient container that also includes a first container 802 as depicted and described above. The second container 804, like depicted and describe above, has a bottom wall 808 defining one or more air aperture(s) 810 therethrough, has a sidewall surrounding the bottom wall of the second container, defines a second container cavity, defines a second container upper enclosed opening fluidly coupled to the second container cavity, has a piston coupled to the sidewall of the second container in a watertight configuration and is operably configured to linearly translate within the second container cavity.

[0072] Beneficially, the container linking structure 806 is selectively removably couplable to the first container 802 and the second container 804 in a watertight and male-female coupling configuration and has two opposing ends each defining an opening. The container linking structure 806 defines a linking conduit 812 separating the opposing ends of the container linking structure 806 and has a lower one-way valve 814 disposed within the linking conduit 812. The container linking structure 806 also defines an intake aperture 816 fluidly coupled to the linking conduit 812, interposed between one of the opposing ends of the container linking structure 806 and the lower one-way valve 814, and has an upper one-way valve 818 disposed within the intake aperture 816.

[0073] The lower one-way valve 814 may only permit directional flow of a fluid from the first container 802 to the second container 804 and the upper one-way valve 818 may only permit directional flow of a fluid from an external ambient environment to inside the linking conduit 812. As such, the flexible sidewall of the first container 802 is operably configured to be depressed to induce a pressure therein and cause transportation of a liquid configured to be housed in the first container cavity to solely flow through the lower one-way valve 814 and into the second container cavity and, when not depressed, cause transportation of external air through the upper one-way valve 818 and into the cavity of the first container 802. To further evacuate a liquid (particularly some viscous liquids) in the first container 802, a stem member may also be selectively removably couplable to the piston in a male-female coupling configuration, wherein the stem member includes a grasping portion thereon and is operably configured to apply a force on the piston to linearly translate the piston within the second container cavity and generate a negative pressure within the second container cavity for transportation of the liquid configured to be housed in the first container cavity through the lower one-way valve 814.

[0074] With reference to FIGS. 10-11, another embodiment of a portion of a container assembly 1000 to facilitate liquid transfer from a donor container to a recipient container, wherein the recipient container 1002 is depicted having two portions. Said another way, a bottle within a bottle embodiment is depicted wherein, like the accordion embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, second container 1002 includes an inner sidewall of a secondary container 1004 that is selectively removably couplable to the second container 1002 and utilized to draw liquid (product) from the first container, thereby providing a more attractive external presentation (e.g., a white internal bottle with a clear plastic external container).

[0075] With reference to FIGS. 12-24, alternative embodiments of the assembly are depicted. Specifically, both assemblies 1200, 1700 include a first container 1202, 1702 with a piston 1400, 1900 operably configured to linearly translate therein and force liquid housed therein to exit an enclosed aperture, wherein aperture preferably has a one-way valve 1204, 1704 disposed therein. While the embodiment of the assembly 1200 in FIG. 12 requires a second container 1500 with a piston incorporated therein that is actuated with a stem member, the embodiment of the assembly 1700 depicted in FIG. 17 includes a pump operably configured to generate a pressure to drive the piston 1900 up or down. As shown in FIGS. 19-21, the pump causes the piston 1900 to force liquid in the first container 1702 through the one-way valve 1704 and into the second container 2000. The second container 2000 may also utilize a stem member to further effectuate removal of liquid from the first container 1702. Beneficially, the lower surfaces defined by the bottom walls in the assemblies 1200, 1700 are sloped or angled toward the enclosed apertures, thereby creating a structure conducive to removing all liquid from the first container 1202, 1702. FIGS. 22-24 depict the second container 2000 with the rear end in various configurations providing adjustability to the airflow to the cavity defined by the second container, wherein the center aperture will always provide airflow to the second container cavity.

[0076] With reference to FIG. 25, a cross-sectional view of a second (recipient) container 2500 is depicted with an inner wall configuration 2502 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The inner wall 2502 is placed inside the second container cavity 2514 and defines its own cavity 2504 for receiving a liquid from the first (donor) container utilize, for example a stem member 2506 (partially shown) that may be rotationally coupled (represented with an arrow) to a piston 2508 disposed within the cavity 2504 through a fastener 2516. The inner wall 2502 may be permanently coupled to the sidewall of the second container 2500 using, for example, sonic welding or adhesive. Similar to the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 10-11, the bottom wall 2510 may be selectively removably coupled (represented with an arrow) to the second container 2500 to allow access to the piston 2508 and may include a plurality of air intake aperture(s) 2512a-n. This double-wall configuration enables user to place a customizable or printed label on the outside surface of the second container 2500, while placing the liquid inside the cavity 2504 and minimizing exposure to water.

[0077] With reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 26-30, another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Specifically, a container assembly 2600 is disclosed to facilitate in the transfer of liquid from a donor container 102 to a recipient container 2602 using a specific structural configuration. The donor and recipient containers 102, 2602 are of the same type of material disclosed above, e.g., a rigid polymeric plastic, so as to be reusable. Each of the containers 102, 2602 include a sidewall 2700 that may be formed in an exemplary cylindrical shape. The assembly 2600 beneficially includes the sidewall 2700, a bottom sidewall member 2604 that provides cleaning and functional access to the inside of the sidewall 2700, a disc member 2606 that is couplable to the sidewall 2700 to seal the recipient container 2602 and removable therefrom to provide access to a stem member 2904 to move a piston 2900 inside of the recipient container 2602. The donor container 102 has a bottom wall 108, a sidewall 110 surrounding the bottom wall 108, defining a donor container cavity 112, and defining a donor container upper enclosed opening 114 fluidly coupled to the donor container cavity 112.

[0078] The sidewall 2700 has a first sidewall end 2702 defining a first sidewall end opening 2704 that may be enclosed and circular and a second sidewall end 2706 opposing the first sidewall end 2702 and defining a second sidewall end opening 3000 that may also be enclosed and circular. Exemplary diameters for the first and second sidewall end openings 2704, 3000 may be approximately 1-8 cm. The first and second sidewall end openings 2704, 3000 are enclosed by the sidewall 2700 to provide a level connection between the sidewall 2700 and the bottom sidewall member 2604. In preferred embodiments, the sidewall 2700 is of a slender thickness and uniformly extends from a neck portion 2712 of the sidewall 2700 to a lower surface 2802. Said another way, the sidewall 2700 is of a uniform thickness for at least 50% of the sidewall length spanning from each of the sidewall end openings 2704, 3000.

[0079] The bottom sidewall member 2604 is preferably disposed proximal to the first sidewall end 2702, i.e., located at or near (within 10% of the sidewall length) the first sidewall end 2702. The bottom sidewall member 2604 is selectively removably coupled to the sidewall 2700 in a male-female coupling configuration, e.g., threaded, tongue-and-groove, etc. The bottom sidewall member 2604 includes a distal end defining a bottom aperture 2800 for accessing the inside of the recipient container with the stem member 2904. As best seen in FIG. 32, the bottom sidewall member 2604 includes a corresponding threading on an outer surface 3202 configured to mate and retain with the threading of the sidewall 2700. The bottom sidewall member 2604 also includes a smooth outer surface that may be aligned with the outer surface of the sidewall 2700 when coupled together. The bottom sidewall member 2604 also includes an inner surface 2802 that has a threading configured to mate and retain with the threading on the disc member 2606. The two thread configurations on the bottom sidewall member 2604 may be demarcated by a flange member 3200.

[0080] The bottom sidewall member 2604 includes a lower surface 2804 disposed on a distal end 2806 thereof that is configured to place the sidewall 2700 in a resting, or static, erect configuration. Said another way, the lower surface 2802 may be planar or define a plane that is configured when resting on a ground or support surface to cause the sidewall 2700 to maintain an erect or upright orientation relative to the ground or support surface. Said differently, the lower surface 2802 surrounds the bottom aperture 2800 and defines a plane 3204 (best depicted in FIG. 32) with two or more portions of the lower surface 2802 flanking the bottom aperture 2800 configured to place the sidewall 2700 in the resting erect orientation. Preferably, the erect orientation will be a substantially perpendicular, or perpendicular, orientation that is conducive to use after liquid has been transferred to the recipient container 2602.

[0081] As best seen depicted in FIG. 29 and FIG. 32, the flange member 3200 project from the inner surface 2802 of the bottom sidewall member 2604 in a cantilevered configuration. The flange member 3200 may extend approximately 2-15 mm away from the inner surface 2802 and forms a stop platform for the linear translation of the piston 2900 along the piston translation path (represented with arrow 2902) and the disc member 2606 to ensure it does not interfere with the orientation or stability of the recipient container 2602 when placed in an erect or upright configuration.

[0082] The recipient container 2602 defines a recipient container cavity 2710 separating the second sidewall end opening 3000 and the bottom aperture 2800 of the bottom sidewall member 2604, wherein the piston 2900 is configured to translated therein and the flange member 3200 radially extends into the recipient container cavity 2710 to provide a structural stop for the piston 2900. The recipient container cavity 2710 is preferably cylindrical but may be another shape.

[0083] The disc member 2606 is disposed in the bottom aperture 2800 of the bottom sidewall member 2604 when coupled thereto and is interposed between the flange member 3200 and the distal end 2806 of the bottom sidewall member 2604. The disc member 2606 is selectively removably coupled to the bottom sidewall member 2604 in a male-female coupling and watertight configuration to prevent leakage when the recipient container 2602 is placed in an erect orientation. The disc member 2606 may be of a disc shape and is preferably a diameter of at least 50% of the diameter of the bottom aperture 2800 to enable access of the stem member 2904. The disc member 2606 may be completely recessed below the lower surface 2802 of the bottom sidewall member 2604 when selectively removably coupled thereto. The disc member 2606 may also be configured to be concentrically disposed in the bottom aperture 2800 and completely recessed below the lower surface 2802 of the bottom sidewall member 2604 when selectively removably coupled to the bottom sidewall member 2604. This configuration enables the erect and stable orientation of the recipient container when the lower surface 2804 is resting on the ground or support surface.

[0084] The piston 2900 may be of the same configuration, shape, and material as described above for the piston the 124. For example, the piston 2900 is shaped and sized to couple with the inner surface 2708 of the sidewall 2700 of the recipient container 2602 in a watertight configuration and operably configured to linearly translate along a piston translation path 2902 within the recipient container cavity 2710. The stem member 2904 is selectively removably couplable to the piston 2900 in a male-female coupling configuration and includes a grasping portion 2906 thereon for manipulating the piston 2900 along the piston translation path 2900 to remove liquid from the donor container 102. The stem member 2904 preferably includes, e.g., defines, two cantilevered portions radially extending from a terminal end thereon that at least partially form the grasping portion of the stem member 2904.

[0085] As described above, the assembly 2600 may also include a container linking structure 106 selectively removably couplable to the donor and recipient containers in a watertight, hermetically scaled, and/or male-female coupling configuration. Further, a straw member 128 may also be utilized and that is sized and shaped to be inserted within the donor container upper enclosed opening 114 and that defines an enclosed conduit 134 extending from a distal end of the straw member 128 to the container linking structure 106. The stem member 2904 is operably configured to apply a force on the piston 2900 to linearly translate along the piston translation path to generate a negative pressure within the enclosed conduit 134 for transportation of a liquid configured to be housed in the donor container cavity 112 to the recipient container cavity 2710.

[0086] In one embodiment, the disc member 2606 also includes a lower disc surface 3100 disposed in the recipient container cavity 2710 when selectively removably coupled to the bottom sidewall member 2604 and also includes an upper disc surface 3102 opposing the lower disc surface 3100 and with a grasping member 3104 disposed thereon. The grasping member 3104 is flanked by a two recesses defined by the disc member 2606, and completely recessed below the lower surface 2802 of the bottom sidewall member 2604 when the disc member 2606 is selectively removably coupled to the bottom sidewall member 2604. The two recesses defined by the disc member 2606 are shaped and sized to receive fingers of a user therein so as to rotate the disc member 2606 to a locked or unlocked position/configuration.

[0087] With reference to FIG. 31, the disc member 2606 also includes a disc sidewall separating the lower and upper disc surfaces 3100, 3102, wherein the disc sidewall defines a cavity 3400 therein that is accessible from an ambient environment of the disc sidewall. The cavity 3400 is beneficially shaped and sized to receive the stem member 2904 therein for storage. To effectuate the same and also with reference to FIGS. 33-34, the stem member 2904 may include a plurality of telescopically connected stem members 3300a-n operably configured to extend to an operational configuration and retract to a storage configuration, wherein n represents any number greater than one. The stem member 2904 is disposable in the cavity 3400 of the disc member 2606 when in the storage configuration. The stem member 2904 may also include two cantilevered portions radially extending from a terminal end thereon, at least partially forming the grasping portion of the stem member 2904, rotatably coupled to at least one of the plurality of the telescopically connected stem members 3300a-n.

[0088] The two cantilevered portion may be shaped and configured to receive the plurality of telescopically connected stem members 3300a-n in the storage configuration. More specifically, the two cantilevered portions of the stem member 2904 may define a U-shaped channel shaped and sized to receive the plurality of telescopically connected stem members 3300a-n in the storage configuration. The stem member 2904 may include a hinge coupled to one of the stem members 3300a-n to enable rotation of the stem members 3300a-n. Further, cantilevered portions of the stem member 2904 may include a channel 3302 for receiving a fastener 3304, wherein the fastener 3304 can translate in the channel 3302 to enable the stem members 3300a-n to lay in the same orientation as the cantilevered portions and preferably inside the U-shaped channel. When placed in said storage configuration, the user may then insert into the cavity 3400 (indicated with the arrow). The grasping member 3104 is beneficially shaped to have the cavity 3400 to be therethrough for receiving the stem member 2904. When desired to be placed in the operational configuration, the user will remove the stem member 2904, extend the stem members 3300a-n, and attach to the piston using, for example, threading.

[0089] With reference to FIGS. 35-36, cross-sectional views depicting embodiments of second (recipient) containers 3500, 3600 can be seen. The difference between the recipient container 3500 and recipient container 3600 is that the container 3500 includes a sidewall 3504 that includes an upper end that is selectively removably coupled to the outer sidewall 3502 in a male-female coupling configuration. Preferably, this coupling configuration is in a watertight configuration preventing liquid loss when coupled together and enabling quick and efficient cleaning of the recipient container 3500 when desired by the user. In other embodiments, the container 3600 is formed monolithically with the sidewall 3602 and the outer sidewall 3604, namely as sidewall 3602 spans upwardly into the second sidewall end 3514 that also forms the opening into the assembly and the recipient container cavity 3524.

[0090] More specifically, the assemblies depicted in FIGS. 35-36 facilitate liquid transfer from a donor container, as described above, into the recipient containers 3500, 3600. Using the recipient container 3500 as an example, the containers include a sidewall 3504 with an inner surface 3530, a first sidewall end 3510 defining a first sidewall end opening 3512, and a second sidewall end 3514 opposing the first sidewall end 3510 and defining a second sidewall end opening 3515. The second sidewall end 3514 may be defined internally within the recipient container 3500 or may be a terminal end of the container 3500 where a user places his or her mouth.

[0091] The recipient container 3500 also includes a bottom sidewall member 3516 disposed proximal to the first sidewall end 3510 and is selectively removably coupled to the sidewall 3504 in a male-female coupling configuration. The bottom sidewall member 3516, similar to the embodiments described in FIGS. 26-32, has a distal end 3518 defining a bottom aperture 3520 and a proximal end 3522 opposing the distal end 3518 of the bottom sidewall member 3516, wherein the bottom sidewall member 3516 may be selectively coupled and uncoupled to the bottom of the sidewall 3504 for accessing the recipient container cavity 3524 defined therein. Said another way, the recipient container cavity 3524 separates the second sidewall end opening 3512 and the bottom aperture 3520 of the bottom sidewall member 3516 to permit transportation of liquid or matter housed therein and the piston 3528 disposed therein.

[0092] The recipient container 3500 also includes an outer sidewall 3502 surrounding the sidewall 3504 to define a second container cavity 3506 interposed between the outer sidewall 3502 and the sidewall 3504 of the recipient container 3500, thereby shielding (physically and thermally) the contents within the recipient container cavity 3524. To that end, the second container cavity 3506 surrounds the sidewall 3504 of the recipient container 3500 and may continue to surround the sidewall 3504 from the uppermost inner surface 3534 to the lowermost inner surface 3536. As such, the recipient container 3500 includes an outer sidewall bottom wall 3508 selectively removably coupled to the outer sidewall 3502 to encapsulate the second container cavity 3506. The outer sidewall 3502 may include the lowermost inner surface 3536 and provides sufficient space for the lower end of the disc 3526 or distal end 3518 of the bottom sidewall member 3516. The disc member 3526 may be disposed in the bottom aperture 3520 of the bottom sidewall member 3516 and selectively removably coupled to the bottom sidewall member 3516 in a male-female coupling and watertight configuration, thereby enabling access to the stem member 3532.

[0093] The recipient container 3500 also includes a piston 3528 shaped and sized to couple with the inner surface 3530 of the sidewall 3504 of the recipient container 3500 in a watertight configuration and operably configured to linearly translate along a piston translation path within the recipient container cavity 3524. Further, the stem member 3532 may be selectively removably couplable to the piston 3528 in a male-female coupling configuration and having a grasping portion thereon. With reference as well to FIG. 32, the bottom sidewall member 3516 may also include an inner surface and a flange member 3200 projecting from the inner surface of the bottom sidewall member, wherein the flange member radially extends into the recipient container cavity 3524 and the flange member configured to stop linear translation of the piston along the piston translation path. The disc member 3526 is also configured to be interposed between the flange member 3200 and the distal end. The bottom sidewall member 3516 and/or the outer sidewall bottom wall 3508 may include a lower surface disposed thereon that is configured to place the sidewall 3502 and/or outer sidewall 3502 in a resting erect configuration.

[0094] Although a specific order of executing utilization steps has been disclosed and depicted in the drawings, the order of executing the steps may be changed relative to the order shown in certain embodiments. Also, two or more steps shown or described as occurring in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments. Certain steps may also be omitted for the sake of brevity. In some embodiments, some or all of the process steps can be combined into a single process.

[0095] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above-described features.