Combined Particulate Solid and Liquid Container and Method of Using Same

• US 20100075000A1
• Filed: 09/23/2008
• Published: 03/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guateplast S.A.
• Original Assignee: Guateplast S.A.
• Inventors: Rybar, Roberto Tomas, Michaeli, Susan Rybar
• Granted Patent: US 8,496,983 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/115
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 7/122 Coated, filled, multilayered or hollow ready-to-eat cereals
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/28 with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials B65D51/247 takes precedence

Abstract

A combined particulate solid and liquid container includes a base for holding a particulate solid; and a top removably attached to the base. The top includes a reservoir for holding a liquid and has an opening defined by a lower part projecting downwardly from the reservoir. The top also includes a port door removably attached to the opening and having a thermally-conductive insert projecting upwardly from the port door and into the reservoir when the port door covers the opening.

Claims

1. A combined particulate solid and liquid container, comprising:

a base for holding a particulate solid; and

a top removably attached to the base, said top comprising;

a reservoir for holding a liquid comprising an opening defined by a lower part projecting downwardly from the reservoir; and

a port door removably attached to the opening, said port door having a thermally-conductive insert projecting upwardly from the port door and into the reservoir when the port door covers the opening.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the amount of particulate solid in the base is user selected or preselected.

3. A container according to claim 1, wherein the amount of liquid in the reservoir is user selected or preselected.

4. A container according to claim 1, wherein the particulate solid is selected from the group consisting of dried cereal, cookies, candies, medicine, rice, and grains.

5. A container according to claim 1, wherein said base holds an individual serving of dried breakfast cereal.

6. A container according to claim 1, wherein the liquid is selected from the group consisting of milk, juice, soda, yogurt, and medicine.

7. A container according to claim 1, wherein said base comprises an outwardly-directed rim along an upper circumferential edge of the base.

8. A container according to claim 7, wherein said top comprises a lip that engages the outwardly-directed rim of said base to form an effective seal established by a frictional interference fit.

9. A container according to claim 1, wherein said port door is attached to said lower part by a leash and collar member.

10. A container according to claim 1, wherein said port door comprises at least one perimetrically disposed lip around a bottom surface or an outer surface to engage mateable threads or indentations disposed about or on said lower part.

11. A container according to claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive media comprises at least one of chilled water, ice, gel, a thermally-insulating liquid, or a compressible solid.

12. A container according to claim 1, wherein said reservoir is integral with said top.

13. A container according to claim 1, wherein said reservoir comprises a hollow, resilient member.

14. A container according to claim 1, wherein said thermally-conductive insert comprises a second port door.

15. A container according to claim 1, wherein the second port door is adapted to functionally seal and cover an opening of said thermally-conductive insert.

16. A container according to claim 15, wherein said second port door comprises perimetrically disposed threads or indentations to engage mateable threads or indentations on said opening of said thermally-conductive insert.

17. A method of admixing a particulate solid and a liquid with the container of claim 1, comprising:

pressing downwardly on said top;

dislodging the port door from the opening; and

mixing the liquid with the particulate solid to form a ready-to-eat composition.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the particulate solid comprises dried cereal and the liquid comprises milk.