Fluid container

Abstract

A fluid container (100, 200) includes a fluid reservoir (105) filled with a mixing fluid and a hollow tube (110) operable as a drinking straw. The fluid container is server to a consumer with a diluent beverage provided in a beverage container. The mixing fluid is dispensed from the fluid reservoir into the beverage container and mixed with the diluent beverage. The fluid container is configured to convey a branding message which is displayed during the time the mixed beverage is consumed through the drinking straw. In one example embodiment the fluid reservoir includes a single serving. Preferably the mixing fluid comprises a distilled spirit beverage and the fluid reservoir is sealed until it is sold to a consumer.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 737,542 (Docket No. STY-P1-STRAW) filed Dec. 14, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1.1 Field of the Invention[0003]The exemplary, illustrative, technology herein relates to a fluid container comprising a hollow tube surrounded by a fluid reservoir filled with a mixing fluid. In particular the hollow tube functions as a straw for drinking a mixed beverage and the fluid reservoir is used to dispense the mixing fluid into the beverage to create the mixed beverage. The fluid container and or the fluid reservoir include branding elements suitable for conveying a branding message while the mixed beverage is consumed.[0004]1.2 The Related Art[0005]Numerous example devices that provide a drinking straw or drink stirrer with a fluid reservo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a sealed single serving fluid container for sale to a patron that can be used to mix and consume distilled spirit beverages with diluent beverages. The container includes a drinking straw for easy consumption and a logo or other branding elements to convey the desired branding message during the entire consumption process. This invention solves the problems of the prior art where patents were not addressing the issue of providing a sealed single serving fluid container for use in mixing beverages.

Problems solved by technology

While fluid containers filled with a mixing fluid for mixing with a diluent fluid beverage are known, none of the prior art of record address existing problems in the distilled spirit beverage business.

However this is not normally the case in the distilled spirit business wherein the distilled spirits are mixed with diluent fluid beverages as mixed drinks and served to the consumer in an unmarked glass or other beverage container.

One problem with serving an open container containing a distilled spirit beverage is that the bartender or server requires specialized training for mixing the beverages and is usually paid more than a person servicing sealed containers.

Another problem is that the minimum age for a bartender server that mixes drinks poured from open liquor bottles is different in some states or regions from the minimum age for a server that serves alcohol in a sealed container.

Thus in addition to requiring specialized training bartenders must be old enough to server liquor from open containers and this may limit the availability of qualified bartenders as well as discourage distilled spirit beverage sales as compared to alcoholic beverages sold in sealed containers.

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