Dual compartment container having a rotating cover

Abstract

A dual compartment container, such as a drink bottle, including a container body as a primary compartment for receiving and storing matter, having a mouth, a base and a side wall. The sidewall is substantially cylindrical except for a portion of the side wall that is indented into the container body that forms a recess on the outer surface of the container body. The dual compartment container also has an arcuate rotating cover structured and arranged to rotate from an open position, overlying an arcuate portion of the side wall, to a closed position, overlying the recessed portion of the side wall. The auxiliary side compartment is formed in the recess on the outside of the side wall between the side wall and the rotating cover. The rotating cover is guided in its rotation between the open and closed positions by a channel and following member. Preferably, a locking mechanism is included to lock the rotating cover in open and closed positions.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to containers with dual compartments and, more specifically, to cylindrical containers having a primary compartment and an auxiliary side storage compartment accessed via a rotating cover.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]There are many known containers having two separate compartments for independently storing two objects. Generally, these types of containers hold components that are related and are intended to eventually be combined or used in conjunction with each other. The prior art containers have any number of shapes, however, the present invention relates to containers that are cylindrical or at least substantially cylindrical. By substantially cylindrical, it is meant that much of the side wall of the container is curved around the longitudinal axis of the container; although the arcs formed by the curved side wall need not have radii of uniform length. That is, the shape of the container is generally cylind...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides new and improved dual compartment containers that overcome the shortcomings of the prior art. These containers have an auxiliary compartment that can store separate matter, and a secure compartment that can be locked in a closed or open position. The containers also have an arcuate rotating cover that can be rotated between an open and closed position, and a second channel to lock the cover in position. The rotating cover is made of transparent material, allowing for easy viewing of the stored objects. The containers can also have indicia printed on the side wall and rotating cover for easy identification and advertising."

Problems solved by technology

That is, the shape of the container is generally cylindrical, however the width of the container may not be uniform along the entire length of the container.

However, a major drawback of the containers of the prior art is that the mechanisms whereby the auxiliary compartments are open and closed are deficient.

The snapping mechanism is prone to breaking.

Furthermore, the cover may be lost while it is separated from the container when the auxiliary compartment is opened.

The problem with this solution is that the container must be turned upside down in order to access auxiliary compartment.

This poses a danger that the matter stored in the primary container may spill out, since the primary container is generally accessed from the top.

A shortcoming of the prior art marketing drinkware is that the degree of advertising is limited by space constraints on the drinkware.

For example, a company may not have enough room on the bottle to place both its name and a reference to its new product.

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