Method and system for storing and mixing two substances in a container

• US 6,059,443 A
• Filed: 01/16/1998
• Issued: 05/09/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Drybev International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Theodore Casey
• Inventors: Casey, Theodore
• Primary Examiner(s): SOOHOO, TONY GLEN
• Application Number:
  US09/008,166
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 366/130, 206/219, 206/221, 206/222, 215/DIG. 3, 215/DIG. 8, 215/6
• US Class Current: 366/130
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/16 Water-bottles; Mess-tins; Cups
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3222 with additional means facilitating admixture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 215/08 Mixing

Abstract

A method and apparatus for separately storing a first substance and a second substance, and mixing the substances at the time of usage of a product comprising a mixture of the first substance and the second substance. A mixing container includes a main body that stores a first substance, the main body having a lip defining an upper opening. A storage repository stores a second substance. A removable seal is placed upon the top of the storage repository, preventing the exit of the second substance from the storage repository. When a user desires to mix the first and second substance, he removes the seal and secures a cap to the top of the mixing container. The cap, when secured to the top of the main body and covering the upper opening, provides a void above the lip of the mixing container for mixing of the two substances. When the user agitates the mixing container, the first and second substances are mixed together.

Claims

1. A mixing container comprising:

a main body that stores a liquid substance, the main body having a neck and a lip at the top of the neck defining an upper opening;

a storage repository that stores a mixing substance, the storage repository having an open upper end and being sized to fit in the neck of the bottle;

a plurality of support arms connected to the upper end of the storage repository and the lip, the support arms supporting the storage repository in the neck and forming a plurality of apertures between the support arms, the storage repository, and the lip; and

a cap that forms a water-tight seal when fastened on the neck, said cap having a top surface and a side, the side having an inside height such that a void is formed between the lip and the top surface of the cap when the cap is fastened on the neck;

wherein the lip, the upper end of the storage repository, and the support arms are planarly aligned, and the container further comprises a removable seal which is adhered to the lip and the upper end of the storage repository to prevent mixing prior to a desired time;

whereby mixing of the liquid substance and the mixing substance is achieved in the void by inverting and shaking the container, the mixing being enhanced by vortices generated by the liquid substance flowing across the support arms.

2. A mixing container comprising:

a main body that stores a first substance, the main body having a lip defining an upper opening;

a storage repository that stores a second substance, the storage repository being sized to fit within the upper opening of the main body;

a removable seal which seals the storage repository, thereby preventing the mixing of the first and second substances until the seal is removed;

a supporting means for securing the storage repository within the upper opening of the main body, wherein the supporting means is a plurality of supporting arms surrounding the lip of the main body, the plurality of supporting arms generating vortices when agitating the main body, facilitating in mixing the first and second substances; and

a cap placed upon the lip of the main body, the cap providing a void above the lip to facilitate mixing of the first and second substances;

whereby agitating the main body causes the first and second substances to be mixed.

3. The mixing container of claim 2 wherein:

the main body is a bottle having a neck with an upper end, and the upper opening is at the upper end of the neck; and

the seal is a foil sheet which is affixed to the storage repository with an adhesive.

4. A method of separately storing a first substance and a second substance, and mixing the substances at the time of usage of a product comprising a mixture of the first substance and the second substance, the method comprising the steps of:

placing the first substance in a main body having a lip defining an upper opening;

placing the second substance in a storage repository located within the upper opening of the main body;

sealing the storage repository with a removable seal;

removing the seal from the storage repository at the time of usage of the product;

placing a cap upon the main body, the cap creating a void above the lip of the main body, thereby covering the upper opening of the main body; and

agitating the main body to mix the first and second substances.

5. The method of storing and mixing first and second substances of claim 4 further comprising, after the step of sealing the storage repository with a removable seal, the steps:

of placing a cap on the main body for the storage and transportation of the first substance and the second substance; and

removing the cap to expose the seal at the time of usage of the product.