A beverage container

Abstract

A beverage container 100 comprising an intermediate connector 10 with a first end 11 with a first connection mechanism 13 for receiving a first bottle 20A with a lid 25A and a second end 12 with a sec

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a beverage container. In particular but not exclusively a beverage container that enables two separate bottles to be carried as one single unit. Background It is common for a person to want to be able to carry drinks and refreshments with them in a bottle. It is often desirable for a person to be able to carry more than one type of drink and potentially two drinks of different temperatures such as having hot water and cold water. This is particularly useful when preparing a bottle of warmed milk or formula for an infant at the preferred temperature. Usually when a person wants to carry two separate drinks there will be two separate containers that must be carried by the user which may be difficult to carry as a user may need to hold a bottle separately in each hand and therefore restrict their movement or must carry a bag to hold the multiple containers and therefore taking up space that may be used for other items. Furthermore when carrying two different drinks it may be the case but they are required at different temperatures and therefore a user may want to keep them separately to have the best chance of keeping both the drinks at the required temperatures. To do this a user may require more space or a bag with separate compartments. The present invention provides a way to easily carry two separate drink containers as a single unit. Prior Art Splitflask (RTM) - https: / / splitflask.com / discloses a flask with two compartments. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a beverage container comprising: an intermediate connector with a first end with a first connection means for receiving a first bottle with a lid; and a second end with a second connection means for receiving a second bottle with a lid. In this way two different bottles can be connected to the intermediate connector to form a single unit. This allows a user to be able to easily carry two separate drinks in two separate bottles as one single item. In a preferred embodiment at least one of the bottles is insulated to ensure that the contents are maintained at a preferred temperature. For example the insulated bottle may permit a user to keep a hot drink warm and a cold drink cool. Preferably both bottles may be insulated so that a user can have two drink bottles with them at the same time with optionally two different drinks at two different preferred temperatures. In a preferred embodiment the intermediate connector has a first connection means at one end and a second connection means at an opposed end so that when both bottles are received to the intermediate connector they are arranged along the same axis. This configuration makes a beverage container easy to carry and easy for a user to access a bottle from either end of the intermediate connector. Preferably the intermediate connector may be a substantially tubular component with the first end with the first connection means and a second end with the second connection means. Ideally the first and second connection means may be the same at both ends of the intermediate connector to make manufacturing easier and to allow for either bottle to connect to either end. The intermediate connector defines the volume into which part of each bottle is received. The bottle and the intermediate connector are adapted to be connected one to the other. In a preferred embodiment each bottle has an upper region with a connection means that corresponds to a connection portion on the intermediate connection. For example the intermediate connector and each bottle have corresponding connection means such as a screw thread or an interlocking portion so that the components can be joined together and released from one another repeatedly. Preferably each bottle has a lid and the end of the bottle which includes the lid is received into the intermediate connector. In this way the lid and therefore the opening end of the bottle is protected by the intermediate connector whilst being transported as a single unit. The arrangement of the lid end of the bottle being received into the intermediate connector also has the advantage that any leaking is further prevented since the lid region is contained within the intermediate connector. In a preferred embodiment each bottle has a lid that is connected by a screw type mechanism with a seal. In a preferred embodiment the intermediate connector includes a divider which separates the volume within the intermediate connector. In this way each bottle is entirely separated one from the other by the divider within intermediate connector. Furthermore the presence of a divider may also provide enhanced insulating properties for the bottles which are further contained across the lid region. Additionally the intermediate connector with a divider may serve as a drinking cup and / or a measuring cup. For example the intermediate connector may include measuring indicators, such as millilitre measuring lines, on an inner surface of the intermediate connector, or the dimensions of the intermediate connector and divider may be designed for a fixed amount, such as to contain 60ml when full. Advantageously in this way the intermediate connector can be used to measure a concentrate liquid or solid to be mixed for a drink, or to drink from. In a preferred embodiment each bottle has a label on a base region that may identify the contents of the drinks container or the temperature intention for that container. For example the label on the base of the container may include an indication as to whether the contents are hot or cold. In the preferred embodiment the base of the container may have a displaceable label such as a magnetic disc which can be removed and replaced to a bottle with a magnetic base as required. The displaceable label can be changed in orientation to display a first face or a second face which each face having a different piece of information. The information may be text, and image, a colour, or texture of the surface. For example the first face may be labelled with a cold symbol and the second face may be labelled with a hot symbol thereby allowing a user to select the face to be displayed depending on the drink they have placed within the bottle. In a preferred embodiment the intermediate connector has a grip portion to enable a user to securely hold the intermediate connector as each bottle is connected to or remove from the intermediate connector. The grip portion may also aid with carrying the container or act as a handle to use the intermediate connector as a measuring cup or drinking cup. The grip portion may be an indentation on a part of the surface of the intermediate connector that has a raised and lowered surface to enhance grip to a user's fingertips. The grip portion may be a handle which allows a user to place fingers through or on to carry and grip the container. It is appreciated that a combination of a handle and an indentation may be provided in some embodiments. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1A shows an exploded view of the beverage container; Figure 1B shows an assembled view of the beverage container; Figure 2A shows a base view of a bottle with a ‘hot’ label; Figure 2B shows a base view of a bottle with a ‘cold’ label; and Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show side views of the assembled beverage container shown in Figure 1B. Detailed Description of Figures The figures 1 to 3 show a preferred embodiment of the beverage container 100 with an intermediate connector 10 with a first end 11 with a first connection means 13 for receiving a first bottle 20A with a lid 25A; and a second end 12 with a second connection means (not visible in the Figures) that connect with a corresponding screw thread 21 on the second bottle 20B with a lid 25B. In the pictured embodiment 100 both bottle 20A, 20B are identical and can therefore be secured to either end of the intermediate connector 10. It is appreciated that in some embodiments the bottles may be of different sizes and / or shapes. The intermediate container 10 is tubular with a divider 15 arrange at a midpoint between the first and second ends 11,12. The divider 15 is a plate of a constant thickness arranged across a cross section of the intermediate connector 10 to provide a dividing barrier. The presence of the divider creates a concave region in which liquid or solids can be received. This allows the intermediate connector to serve as a measuring cup and / or a drinking cup that can be held by the grip portion (handle) 16. The intermediate connector 10 has a grip portion 16. In the pictured embodiment the grip portion 16 is a handle with a recessed region 17 to help a user to grasp and hold the intermediate connector 10 as either bottle 20A or 20B is connected or removed and for when carrying the beverage container. At the first end 11 an inner face of the intermediate connector 10 is threaded 13 to receive a corresponding screw thread 21 on the bottle 20A, 20B. The screw threads 21 are multi start threads to enable easy quick connection. At the second end 11 an inner face of the intermediate connector 10 is a second thread 14 to receive a corresponding screw thread 21 on the bottle 20A, 20B. Each bottle 20A, 20B has a screw thread fitted lid 25A, 25B that has a seal 26. The base of each bottle 20A, 20B has a label 30. In some embodiments each label 30 may be a magnetic disc that can be displaced from the magnetic base of the bottle. Alternatively the disc may be permanently fixed to the bottle at manufacture. The label includes a visual or touch indicator to represent contents. This may be text and / or an image and / or colour and / or texture. In the picture embodiments the labels 30 have text and an image to indicate hot or cold. Each label 30 has a different visual indicator on each side of the disc so that the disc can be turned around depending on contents of the bottle. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A beverage container comprising: an intermediate connector with a first end with a first connection means for receiving a first bottle with a lid; and a second end with a second connection means for receiving a second bottle with a lid.

2. A beverage container according to claim 1 wherein at least one bottle is insulated.

3. A beverage container according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first and second connection means are at opposed ends of the intermediate connector so that the containers are connected along the same axis.

4. A beverage container according to any preceding claim wherein the intermediate connector defines a volume into which part of each container is received.

5. A beverage container according to claim 4 wherein the intermediate connector has a divider which separates the volume.

6. A beverage container according to claim 5 wherein the intermediate container includes at least one measuring indicator to enable the intermediate connector to serve as a measuring cup.

7. A beverage container according to any preceding claim wherein the first and second connection means are a screw thread for receiving a corresponding screw thread on the bottle.

8. A beverage container according to any preceding claim wherein a base of the bottle has a label.

9. A beverage container according to claim 8 wherein the label is displaceable.

10. A beverage container according to claim 9 wherein the label is a magnetic disc that connects to the base of the bottle which is magnetic.

11. A beverage container according to any of claims 7 to 10 wherein the label has a visual or touch indicator to identify bottle content.

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