US20060102581A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20060102581A1
Application number: US11/163,464
Authority: US
Inventors: William Yates
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-11-15
Filing date: 2005-10-20
Publication date: 2006-05-18
Also published as: WO2006055507A3; WO2006055507A2

Abstract

A multiple chamber bottle has an outer bottle having a body and a mouth and at least one inner bottle having a body contained within the body of the outer bottle with a mouth accessible within the circumference of the mouth of the outer bottle. The inner and outer bottle mouths are sealed with means for selectively accessing the contents of the inner bottle and outer bottle through the associated mouth.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/627,877 filed on Nov. 15, 2004 entitled COAXIAL DUAL CAVITY BOTTLE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME. This application is co-pending with U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 10/942,332 filed on Sep. 15, 2004 entitled MULTIPLE CAVITY BOTTLE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME and U.S. Design patent application serial no. 29/229152 filed on May 4, 2005 entitled A NECK AND CAP ARRANGEMENT AND ASSOCIATED NESTED BOTTLE BOTTOM FOR A BOTTLE IN A BOTTLE and having a common inventor with the present application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to liquids containers, and more specifically to a bottle having multiple separated elements for containing different commodities.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Liquid storage containers have been provided in numerous sizes and shapes for various liquid commodities. The most ubiquitous containers are presently plastic and provide multiple sizes and shapes with mass production capability and recyclable materials.

In many endeavors, individuals use multiple commodities in combination. Sports enthusiasts are typically becoming aware of the benefits of combining the use of electrolyte replacing sports drinks with water for ultimate performance enhancement and refreshment. Children often desire to purchase more than a single flavor of soft drink or juices or combine a soft drink or juice with other liquid refreshment such as water or milk. Those who consume caffeinated energy drinks frequently purchase bottled water to compliment the energy drink in order to quench their thirst. Scientists are generally aware that one side effect of caffeine and sugar consumption is thirstiness and such consumers are predisposed to purchase an energy drink that is co-packaged with water.

Beverage companies frequently launch new product flavors and have the need to inform customers that the new flavors are associated with their existing well-known brand and comprise part of their product portfolio. Currently, these companies are limited to arranging single-cavity bottles containing the new flavors in close proximity to other single-cavity bottles containing the well-known brand at the point of purchase.

Connected bottles for containing common use or multipart commodities such as shampoo and conditioner, glue and hardener and similar products have been available. However, such connected bottles are not appropriate for consumable commodities and typically do not provide an integrated, visually pleasing container, which minimizes manufacturing complexity.

It is therefore desirable to provide a single container having multiple elements for storage of different commodities and a means for selecting between them during consumption. It is further desirable that such a container be easily manufactured, filled and assembled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A multiple chamber bottle embodying the present invention has an outer bottle having a body and a mouth and at least one inner bottle having a body contained within the body of the outer bottle with a mouth accessible within the circumference of the mouth of the outer bottle. The invention further provides means for sealing the inner and outer bottle mouths including means for selectively accessing the contents of the inner bottle and outer bottle through the associated mouth.

In one exemplary embodiment, a coaxial dual chamber bottle is created using an inner bottle element with a cavity having a generally round neck and outer dimension of any shape and an outer bottle element with a cavity having a generally round neck of a sufficiently large inside dimension that allows the outside dimension of the inner bottle element to pass through the neck to create a coaxial “bottle inside a bottle” assembly. Further, the outer bottle element can have an outer dimension of any shape. For an exemplary embodiment, the present invention is advantageous when compared to other modalities of dual cavity bottles in that both inner and outer bottle elements can be easily formed using injection molding and blow molding techniques that are well known to those skilled in the art of manufacturing bottles such as beverage bottles from the injection-stretch blow molding process. More precisely, there are no special requirements imposed on either the inner or outer bottle elements of the present invention other than the outside dimension of the inner bottle must fit through the inside dimension of the outer bottle's neck. The cap arrangement has the unique function of fastenably arranging both bottles in the correct relationship to each other while sealably containing both beverage commodities and simultaneously allowing a user to select between either bottle cavity or an “off” position by adjusting the cap.

In one embodiment, inner and outer bottle elements have round outer shapes and round necks. A bottle cap seals the necks of both inner and outer bottle elements. In one embodiment, the bottle cap is comprised of two portions, an intermediate cap portion that has two sets of female screw threads for receiving the male screw threads of the inner and outer bottle elements and an additional feature designed to receive a second portion such as a rotatable plug that allows one practicing the invention to switch between the contents of the inner or outer bottle elements or to select a closed “off” position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side section view of a first embodiment of the invention demonstrating the general relationship of the outer and inner bottles;

FIG. 2 is a side section exploded view of an embodiment of the invention providing a supplemental engagement means for the inner and outer bottles and details of an exemplary cap assembly;

FIG. 3 is a side section partially exploded view of the embodiment ofFIG. 2 showing the initial filling of the inner bottle and the assembled cap;

FIG. 4 is a is a side section partially exploded view of the embodiment ofFIG. 2 showing the initial filling of the outer bottle;

FIG. 5 is a side section view of a partially assembled inner and outer bottle combination with the cap mounted on and sealing the inner bottle;

FIG. 6ais a side section view of the fully assembled bottle of the embodiment ofFIG. 2 with the installed cap in positioned for selection of flow of product from the inner bottle;

FIG. 6bis a side section view of the fully assembled bottle of the embodiment ofFIG. 2 with the installed cap in positioned for selection of flow of product from the outer bottle;

FIG. 6cis a side section view of the fully assembled bottle of the embodiment ofFIG. 2 with the installed cap positioned in the off or closed position;

FIG. 6dis a side section view of an alternative embodiment of the bottle with individual caps and supplemental engagement means for the inner and outer bottles;

FIGS. 7a-7dare top, first side section, first side and second side views of the rotatable upper cap portion;

FIGS. 8aand8bare top and side section views of the fixed intermediate cap portion;

FIG. 9 is a side section view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 in a horizontal position;

FIG. 10ais a side section view of the embodiment ofFIG. 2 showing details of the indexing feature for support and alignment of the bottle;

FIG. 10bis a partial side section view of a second embodiment of the assembled bottle with an alternative indexing feature;

FIGS. 11aand11b. are a side section view and top section view of an alternative embodiment showing indented undulations in the outer bottle for support and alignment of the inner bottle;

FIGS. 12aand12bare partial side section views of alternative embodiments demonstrating neck support and alignment elements intermediate the inner and outer bottle;

FIG. 13 demonstrates an embodiment of the invention as disclosed inFIG. 1 wherein

the necks of the inner and outer bottles terminate in a common plane;

FIGS. 14aand14bdemonstrate alternative embodiments of the invention wherein the neck of the inner bottle terminates within or exterior to the neck of the outer bottle;

FIG. 15 is a side section view of an additional alternative embodiment showing the inner bottle with a reduced volume;

FIG. 16 is a top view of a neck support flange applicable to the embodiments ofFIGS. 12a,12b, and15;

FIG. 17 is a side section view of an alternative embodiment of the invention with multiple inner bottles supported within the outer bottle; and,

FIGS. 18aand18bare side section and a top view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with a simplified pierceable cap arrangement;

FIGS. 18cand18dare side section and top view of a modified embodiment wherein a foil seal with pierceable targets is employed under a blank cap arrangement; and

FIG. 19 is a side view of an additional alternative embodiment of the invention with inner bottles having alternative non-coaxial configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings,FIG. 1 is a side section view of abottle assembly10 incorporating the present invention. The assembly includes anouter bottle12, at least oneinner bottle14 providing multiple fluid containment chambers and acap assembly15. The inner bottle may be employed for a sports or energy drink while the outer bottle is provided for a base beverage such as water. The bottle assembly may comprise more or fewer components than those of the embodiment ofFIG. 1, which illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention the individual components of which are shown and described with greater particularity in subsequent figures. For the embodiment shown, the cap incorporates anintermediate cap16 and anupper cap18 allowing a user to select between the contents of the inner bottle, the contents of the outer bottle, and an “off” position, as may be desired. In alternative embodiments additional positions for mixing of the contents of the inner and outer bottle for simultaneous consumption from the inner and outer bottle are provided.

FIG. 2 is an exploded side section view of one embodiment of the bottle assembly. Aphantom assembly line106 illustrates how theinner bottle14 andouter bottle12 are assembled coaxially with one another and held in place by a cap, and in certain embodiments by other locating features described hereinafter. Anupper cap18, shown with more particularity inFIGS. 7a-7d, has an attachment feature such as afemale groove48, which runs radially around theupper cap18 and, which receives a corresponding feature such as amale bead46, which is formed as part of anintermediate cap16. In one embodiment,upper cap18 is generally round in its outer shape and has provisions for being rotated by the user in order to select between bottle contents and an “off” position.Intermediate cap16, shown with more particularity inFIGS. 8aand8b, has two sets of female screw threads or snap features to receive, connect and seal the contents ofouter bottle12 andinner bottle14. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, aninner bottle seal42 incorporates a smaller diameter female screw thread and anouter bottle seal44 is comprised of a larger diameter female screw thread.

Inner bottle

14 has atop aperture30, which is open for receiving contents such as a beverage, and a bottom32, which is closed in order to contain the beverage and can be formed in a variety of shapes.Inner bottle14 can be formed in a variety of shapes and sizes and the shape shown inFIG. 2 is cylindrical, having anoutside diameter28.Inner bottle14 also has aneck portion38, which contains provisions such as a snap or a thread for sealing the contents contained therein. For the embodiment shown in the drawings, theneck portion38 is formed withscrew threads34.

Outer bottle

12 has atop aperture20, which is open for receiving contents such as a beverage, and a bottom22, which is closed in order to contain the beverage. The outer bottle bottom provides a base for standing thebottle assembly10 upright, and can be formed in a variety of shapes to serve these purposes. Mating indexing features84aand84bwhich will be described in greater detail with respect toFIGS. 10aand10bare provided in the inner and outer bottle. While the shape shown inFIG. 2 is cylindrical,outer bottle12 can be formed in a variety of shapes and sizes.Outer bottle12 also has aneck portion36, which contains provisions such as a snap or a thread for sealing the contents contained therein. For the embodiment in the drawings, theneck portion36 is formed withscrew threads24. Theneck portion36 has aninside diameter26. For the embodiments disclosed herein, insidediameter26 is formed with a sufficient dimension to allow outsidediameter28 ofinner bottle14 to pass through during assembly.

FIG. 3 is an exploded side section view of the bottle assembly shown inFIG. 2.Upper cap18 has been snapped or screwed into place withinintermediate cap16, formingcap assembly15. The position ofupper cap18 relative in its rotation tointermediate cap16 determines which beverage, if any, is dispensed through adrinking outlet66. InFIG. 3, the position ofupper cap18 is aligned to allow a beverage contained ininner bottle14 to be dispensed via drinkingoutlet66. Prior to filling theinner bottle14,cap assembly15 is desirably set in a closed position by rotatingupper cap18 relative tointermediate cap16 such that no beverage frominner bottle14 orouter bottle12 can be dispensed via drinkingoutlet66.

In an exemplary method for practicing the present inventioninner bottle14 is filled with a desired liquid to a desired level such asliquid fill line58 and then cap assembly is fastened toinner bottle14 by aligning and rotating the screw threads ofinner bottle seal42 to engagethreads34 until aninner sealing surface52 becomes engaged withneck sealing surface54 to a tightness sufficient to resist leakage of the contents ofinner bottle14.

Continuing with an exemplary method of filling the embodiment of the invention,FIG. 4 shows an additional exploded side section view of bottle assembly. Aninner bottle assembly56 is shown, which includesinner bottle14,intermediate cap16, andupper cap18. At this level of assembly,outer bottle12 is filled with a desired beverage to a predetermined level shown as liquidpartial fill line60. The predetermined fill level of the outer bottle is based on anticipation of the liquid displacement that will occur wheninner bottle assembly56 is inserted intoouter bottle12.Inner bottle assembly56 is next inserted throughtop end20 ofouter bottle12, withoutside diameter28 passing with clearance throughinside diameter26 of theouter bottle12.

FIG. 5 showsinner bottle assembly56 partially inserted through thetop end20 ofouter bottle12. It is apparent that the submersion ofinner bottle assembly56 has caused the liquid level ofouter bottle12 to rise to aliquid fill line60. To complete the assembly, one practicing the present invention would completely insertinner bottle assembly56 intoouter bottle12 and then fasten the threads ofintermediate cap16 toouter bottle12 by aligning and rotating the entireinner bottle assembly56, and thereby causing the screw threads ofouter bottle seal44 to engagethreads24 until anouter sealing surface62 engagesneck sealing surface64 to a tightness sufficient to resist leakage of the contents ofouter bottle12.

FIGS. 6athrough6care a series of side section views of thebottle assembly10 following the filling of bothinner bottle14 andouter bottle12 with desired beverages and following the assembly steps described and shown inFIGS. 2-5. The final beverage liquid fill lines are shown by58 and60 and may vary based on application, carbonation and other factors in the filling process.

The shape and features ofupper cap18 andintermediate cap16 as discussed in detail subsequently with respect toFIGS. 7a-7dand8aand8bincorporate the operational elements ofcap assembly15. In the embodiment shown,upper cap18 has two cylindrical passageways providing a means of fluid communication from the bottom of the upper cap, through the interior of the upper cap and out the top of the upper cap at drinkingoutlet66. Outer passageway66(a), when rotatably aligned withouter orifice74 ofintermediate cap16, allows a means of fluid communication betweenouter bottle12 anddrinking outlet66. In thebottle assembly10 ofFIG. 6a, such outer passageway66(a) is shown as being blocked, and in the bottle assembly shown inFIG. 6b, such outer passageway66(a) is shown as being open, due to the 180° rotation ofupper cap18 relative tointermediate cap16, and accordingly, anouter flow arrow70 indicates that the beverage contained in theouter bottle12 is free to flow through theorifice74 ofintermediate cap16, through outer passageway66(a) ofupper cap18 and exitingbottle assembly10 viadrinking outlet66.

FIG. 6cshows inner passageway66(b) blocked when theupper cap18 is rotated 90° relative tointermediate cap16 when measured from a 0° starting point of the upper cap's position shown in eitherFIG. 6aorFIG. 6b. The outer passageway66(a) is also blocked in this position but not shown in the drawing. In practicing the present invention if the upper cap is aligned in such a way as to be able to drink from eitherinner bottle14 orouter bottle12, and then rotated through 90° in either direction, bothinner bottle14 andouter bottle12 is re-sealed and the cap is considered to be in an “off” position. Those skilled in the art will recognize alternative configurations of selectable cap assemblies allowing such selectable means of beverage dispensing, of which the rotatable design shown is but one embodiment.

FIGS. 7a-7dshowupper cap18 in more detail. To facilitate the rotation ofupper cap18, two parallelflat sides76 are formed into the generally conically-shaped upper cap for the embodiment shown. The flat sides of the upper cap are grasped using the fingers in order to more easily rotate the cap between the three desired positions of: 1) off position, 2) drinking the beverage in the outer bottle and 3) drinking the beverage in the inner bottle. Printed or molded—in lettering and directional indicia73(a),73(b) and73(c) may be used onupper cap18 to align with a corresponding mark73(d) onintermediate cap16 to indicate to the user which position the cap is in. Anoutlet66 provides the selected contents to the user being provided by channel66afrom the outer bottle when appropriately aligned for communication with the outer bottle and through channel66bfrom the inner bottle when properly aligned.

FIGS. 8aand8bare top view and side section view taken throughplane8b-8bthat showintermediate cap16 in more detail. It is apparent from the top view that the embodiment shown features cylindrically-shaped orifices,inner orifice72 andouter orifice74. The orifices may be any shape a person practicing the invention desires. The orifices are positioned for access to the inner and outer bottles as previously discussed with respect toFIGS. 6a-6cwithorifice72 accessing contents of the inner bottle andorifice74 accessing the contents of the outer bottle. Outer passageway66(a) and inner passageway66(b) ofupper cap18 align with

orifices

72 and74 respectively when the upper cap is rotated to the respective alignment position. When neither orifice is aligned, the cap seals both the inner and outer bottle. Referring toFIGS. 7aand8a, an arrow73(d) or other position indicating mark can be used onintermediate cap16 to align with a corresponding mark73(b),73(c) or73(d) onupper cap18 to indicate to the user which position the cap is in. In the example shown in the drawings, a high energy drink is contained in the inner bottle with the appropriate arrow73(b) labeled “ENERGY”. The outer bottle contains water and label73(a) provides the appropriate reference. The “off” position is identified by label73(c). In an alternate embodiment, a detent feature is used to allowupper cap18 to “click” into place as it is rotated relative tointermediate cap16 into positions such as 1) off, 2) inner bottle contents, and 3) outer bottle contents. For the embodiment shown inFIGS. 7a-7dand8aand8b, the rotatable engagement between the upper and intermediate cap is accomplished byridge46 on the inner diameter of the intermediatecap engaging groove48 in the circumference of the upper cap. The intermediate cap is secured to the neck of the inner bottle bythreads42 and secured to the outer bottle withthreads44. In alternative embodiments, a snap fit or alternative engagement mechanism is employed.

FIG. 6dis a side section view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the outer bottle incorporates acap15aand the inner bottle incorporates aseparate cap15b. The separate cap on the inner bottle in the embodiment shown is received within an optionalconcentric recess17 when the cap on the outer bottle is secured to seal to the outer bottle. An alternative indexing element is also shown in this embodiment wherein the inner bottle requires no separate indexing element while the outer bottle incorporates a circular pyramidal shaped ridge84(e). Configurations such as this embodiment are particularly desirable if the commodity contained by the inner bottle may be a granular or solid material

FIG. 9 is a side section view of the bottle assembly ofFIG. 1 shown lying on its side. For the embodiment shown,inner bottle14 is restrained adjacent the top aperture by the engagement of threaded sealingmoiety42. In certain applications,inner bottle14 is not restrained at itsbottom end32 and in this horizontal position, the forces of gravity will pull thebottom end32 ofinner bottle14 downward in the direction indicated bydroop arrow78. This drooping condition may cause the threaded seal to flex, possibly allowing leakage of the beverages between the moieties of seal marked as apotential leak path80 and contained in either bottle through the seal between theintermediate cap16 andupper cap18, which is marked aspotential leak area82. Alternative embodiments of the present invention provide restraint of thebottom end32 ofinner bottle14 relative to the axial position ofouter bottle12 in order to prevent such a droop condition and thereby eliminate the attendant risk of beverage leakage during shipping, handling, storage or use.

FIG. 10ais a side section view ofinner bottle14 andouter bottle12 in a semi-assembled state (i.e. shown with no cap).Inner bottle14 has been formed with a first indexing feature84(a), andouter bottle12 has been formed with a corresponding second indexing feature84(b). In one embodiment, the first indexing feature84(a) is a conically-shaped female feature and second indexing feature84(b) is a conically-shaped male feature.FIG. 10bshows in partial side section an alternative geometry of the indexing features employing male and female hemispherical shapes,84(c) and84(d). Arelief85 is shown in the female shape to accommodate flexing and to receive mold flashing that may be present at the apex of the male or female shapes. Other shapes and geometries may be employed in practicing the present invention to effect the same indexing result. This indexing feature axially restrains thebottom end32 ofinner bottle14 thereby preventing the droop condition described previously. Additionally, the indexing features provide alignment for the inner and outer bottles during filling and assembly operations as will be described in greater detail subsequently.

FIGS. 11aand11bare a side section view and a top section view taken throughplane11b-11bof a bottle assembly in a semi-assembled state. In this embodiment,outer bottle12 is formed with a series ofinward undulations86, which serve the purpose of restraininginner bottle14 in a coaxial position withouter bottle12 for the purpose of preventing a droop condition and potential leakage of the beverage contained in either bottle. Additionally the centering of the inner bottle provided by the undulations provides alignment for filling and assembly operations.Inward undulations86 may be formed in any configuration desired and are also advantageous in “hot-filling” applications such as for filling juice or tea because they provide additional rigidity to the bottle during the elevated temperatures commonly employed in “hot-filling” that can cause normal bottles without suchinward undulations86 to distort or collapse. In an exemplary embodiment, three radially located inward undulations captureinner bottle14 and prevent axial movement. The top section view ofFIG. 11bshows fourinward undulations86. A beverage contained inouter bottle12 is free to flow around and through theinward undulations86 viaclear areas104.

FIGS. 12aand12bare two side section views ofinner bottle14 andouter bottle12 in a semi-assembled state.Inner bottle14 incorporates aflange88 formed as an integral part of the neck ofinner bottle14 for the purpose of providing coaxial support to restraininner bottle14 relative toouter bottle12 in order to prevent a droop condition. The geometry offlange88 allows a beverage contained inouter bottle12 to pass through as shown for an exemplary embodiment inFIG. 16. As shown for an alternative embodiment inFIG. 12b, the inside of the neck ofouter bottle12 is formed with complimentary features to locate and capture theflange88 ofinner bottle14. An inwardly protrudingradial boss90 is formed as part ofouter bottle12, which is complimented in certain embodiments by a inwardly protrudingradial snap92.Snap92 is shaped such thatflange88 may pass over and then be permanently fixed into place betweensnap92 andboss90.

In one embodiment shown inFIG. 13,inner bottle14 andouter bottle12 are designed and proportioned such that their respective necks are both flush at the same plane indicated by94. Other arrangements of varying neck elevations in relation to each other are possible in alternate embodiments.

FIGS. 14a-14bare side section views ofinner bottle14 andouter bottle12 in a semi-assembled state. InFIG. 14a,inner bottle14 is formed at a shorter overall length thaninner bottle14 inFIG. 13 and a recessedneck dimension96 is created. This recessedneck dimension96 is advantageous in certain embodiments to accommodate a more complicated and/or space consuming cap assembly than has been previously disclosed in herein.FIG. 14bshowsinner bottle14 formed at a longer length than the inner bottle inFIG. 13 and accordingly, a protrudingneck dimension98 is created. This arrangement may be advantageous to increase the volume of theinner bottle14 and/or allow for a more complicated cap assembly than has been previously disclosed herein. In both embodiments, the mouth of the inner bottle is within the circumference of the mouth of the outer bottle including the cylindrical extension above and below the plane of the mouth.

FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of the invention whereininner bottle14 is formed at a much shorter length than in previous figures and in this embodiment the closed bottom end is formed in a hemisphericallyrounded bottom100.

FIG. 16, shows anintegral flange88, which has alternating inward undulations that formopen areas102 to be employed with the various embodiments ofinner bottle14. Theseopen areas102 allow for the beverage contained inouter bottle12 to pass through theflange88 and out through the cap assembly.Flange88 also has an outer dimension sufficient to engage an optional protrudingboss90 and be captured into place by an optional protrudingsnap92. In alternative embodiments, a smallerinner bottle14 such as that shown inFIG. 15 is used without aflange88,boss90, or snap92 and is held in place only by the cap assembly as previously described for other embodiments, which would keep it sealed and correctly located relative toouter bottle12.

The present invention also is embodied with multiple inner bottles as shown inFIG. 17. This configuration allows the consumer to choose between multiple beverages within the same container or provides multiple servings of a single beverage in the inner bottles while providing water or other base beverage in the outer bottle. For the embodiment shown, filling of the inner bottles is accomplished as described for the prior embodiments and sealing of the inner bottles withcap108, as subsequently described with respect toFIGS. 18aand18b, is accomplished using rotational attachment of each of the bottles to a respective threadedmoiety114 in the cap or a snap fit boss receiving the neck of each inner bottle. Engagement of the cap with the outer bottle is also accomplished in alternative embodiments with a threadedengagement116 as previously described or a snap fit over the neck portion of the outer bottle. For the snap fit embodiment of the outer bottle, individual indexes for the inner bottle bottoms may be employed as previously described with respect toFIGS. 10aand10bwhile in the threaded engagement, a circularpyramidal ridge118 or groove in the outer bottle bottom is employed to receive a mating moiety on the bottom of each inner bottle. A rotating cap as described with respect toFIGS. 7a,7b,8aand8bis employed in certain embodiments of bottles as shown inFIG. 18awith rotation of the outer channel66(a) to two orifices for communication with the inner bottles and a third orifice for communication with the outer bottle.

An embodiment with asimplified cap108 is shown inFIGS. 18aand18bwhich provides sealing engagement of the inner and outer bottles of the assembly. A piercable foil orplastic orifice110 centered over the neck and mouth of each inner bottle and acentral orifice112 for access to the outer bottle are provided for use with conventional piercing straws or other drinking devices. The orifices can be pierced individually for access to the separate bottles or simultaneously for combined or consecutive access to contents of different bottles.

An alternative embodiment of the simplified cap arrangement is shown inFIGS. 18cand18d. A securingflange114 similar to that described with respect toFIG. 16 is employed to index and secure the inner bottles within the mouth of the outer bottle. Afoil closure116 is employed to seal the mouths of the individual inner bottles and the outer bottle. Aclosed cap118 is then employed to cover and secure the outer bottle.FIG. 18dshowsfoil closure116 with threetargets120 located at predetermined points over the mouths of the inner and outer bottle to allow piercing with a straw by the user to access the contents of the various bottles. A single straw may be employed for sequential access to the bottles or multiple straws for mixed consumption of the contents of the bottles.

While shown inFIGS. 1 and 17 with substantially vertical orientation of the inner bottle or bottles with axes parallel to the outer bottle, alternative embodiments of the present invention employ off-set or angular shaped inner bottles which provide added novelty in appearance for the combined bottle. One exemplary embodiment in shown inFIG. 19.

Having now described the invention in detail as required by the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will recognize modifications and substitutions to the specific embodiments disclosed herein. Such modifications are within the scope and intent of the present invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A multiple chamber bottle comprising:

an outer bottle having a body and a mouth;

at least one inner bottle having a body contained within the body of the outer bottle and having a mouth accessible within the circumference of the mouth of the outer bottle;

means for sealing the inner and outer bottle mouths for selectively accessing the contents of the inner bottle and outer bottle through the associated mouth.

2. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 1 further comprising a support element for positioning of the inner bottle with respect to the outer bottle.

3. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 2 wherein the support element comprises flutes extending inwardly from the body of the outer bottle and closely receive the body of the inner bottle.

4. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 2 wherein the support element comprises a first indexing element integral to the bottom of the inner bottle and a second mating indexing element positioned on the bottom of the outer bottle to closely receive the first indexing element.

5. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 2 wherein the support element comprises a female indexing element integral to the bottom of the outer bottle and closely receiving the bottom of the inner bottle.

6. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 1 wherein the at least one inner bottle is received through the mouth of the outer bottle.

7. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 1 wherein the body of the inner bottle is coaxial with the body of the outer bottle.

8. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 1 wherein the at least one inner bottle comprises a plurality of inner bottles, the mouth of each inner bottle accessible through the circumference of the mouth of the outer bottle.

9. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 4 wherein the first indexing element is a conical moiety and the second indexing element is a mating conical moiety.

10. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 4 wherein the first indexing element is a hemispherical moiety and the second indexing element is a mating hemispherical moiety.

11. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 1 wherein the sealing means comprises a cap having pierceable areas for each chamber for insertion of at least one straw to communicate with a pierced chamber.

12. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 1 wherein the sealing means comprises a foil seal having pierceable areas for each chamber for insertion of at least one straw to communicate with a pierced chamber and a removable cap received over the mouth of the outer bottle covering the foil seal.

13. A multiple chamber bottle comprising:

a first bottle having a body and a mouth;

a second bottle having a body and a mouth, the second bottle mounted coaxially within the first bottle; and,

means for sealing the mouth of the first bottle and mouth of the second bottle, for selectively accessing contents of the first and second bottle.

14. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 13 wherein the body of the second bottle has a diameter less than the mouth of the first bottle.

15. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 14 wherein the second bottle is inserted through the mouth of the first bottle.

16. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 13 wherein the first bottle includes a support element in contact with the second bottle.

17. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 16 wherein the support element comprises flutes extending inwardly from the body of the first bottle and engaging the body of the second bottle.

18. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 16 wherein the support element comprises a first indexing element integral to the bottom of the first bottle and a second mating indexing element positioned on the bottom of the second bottle to closely receive the first indexing element.

19. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 13 wherein the sealing means incorporates a first receptacle to receive the mouth of the first bottle and at least one second receptacle to receive the mouth of the at least one second bottle, the second receptacle contained within a circumference of the first receptacle.

20. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 18 wherein the first indexing element is a conical moiety and the second indexing element is a mating conical moiety.

21. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 18 wherein the first indexing element is a hemispherical moiety and the second indexing element is a mating hemispherical moiety.

22. A multiple chamber bottle comprising:

a first bottle having a body and a mouth;

a plurality of second bottles each having a body and a mouth, and the mouth of each of the second bottles accessible through the mouth of the first bottle;

means for sealing the first bottle and plurality of second bottles, said sealing means including means for selectively accessing contents of the first bottle and each of the second bottles.

23. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 22 wherein the body of each of the second bottles has a diameter less than the mouth of the first bottle.

24. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 23 wherein the plurality of second bottles are inserted through the mouth of the first bottle.

25. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 22 wherein the first bottle includes a support element in contact with each of the second bottles.

26. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 25 wherein the support element comprises at least one first indexing element integral to the bottom of the first bottle and a second mating indexing element positioned on the bottom of each of the second bottles to closely receive the at least one first indexing element.

27. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 26 wherein the support element comprises a plurality of first indexing elements integral to the bottom of the first bottle and a second mating indexing element positioned on the bottom of each of the plurality of second bottles to closely receive a respective one of the plurality of first indexing elements.

28. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 22 wherein the sealing means incorporates a first receptacle to receive the mouth of the first bottle and a plurality of second receptacles to receive the mouths of the plurality of second bottles, the second receptacles contained within a circumference of the first receptacle.

29. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 22 wherein each of the plurality of second bottles contains a serving of a second commodity.

30. A multiple chamber bottle as defined inclaim 22 wherein each of the plurality of second bottles contains one serving of a plurality of commodities.

31. A method for providing a single container with multiple commodity choice comprising the steps of:

providing an outer bottle with a mouth;

providing at least one inner bottle with a mouth;

filling the at least one inner bottle with a commodity;

sealing the at least one inner bottle:

filling the outer bottle to a predetermined level with a second commodity;

inserting the at least one inner bottle into the outer bottle; and,

sealing the outer bottle.

32. A method as defined inclaim 31 wherein the step of sealing the at least one inner bottle comprises:

providing a sealing means having a first receptacle for receiving the mouth of the outer bottle and a second receptacle to seal the mouth of the at least one inner bottle contained within a circumference of the first receptacle;

inserting the mouth of the at least one inner bottle into the second receptacle;

and the step of sealing the outer bottle comprises:

inserting the mouth of the outer bottle into the first receptacle in the sealing means.

33. A method as defined inclaim 31 wherein the outer bottle incorporates a first indexing means and the at least one inner bottle incorporates a second indexing means adapted for mating with the first indexing means and the step of inserting the at least one inner bottle includes the step of engaging the second indexing means with the first indexing means.