USOO5921440A

United States Patent (19) 11 Patent Number: 5,921,440

Maines (45) Date of Patent: Jul. 13, 1999
54 MULTI-COMPARTMENT CONTAINER AND Primary Examiner David J. Walczak
ADJUSTABLE DISPENSER Assistant Examiner Timothy L. Maust
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clifton Ted Hunt
76 Inventor: Morris P. Maines, 11301 Pursiane Ct.,
Charlotte, N.C. 28213 57 ABSTRACT
The multi-compartment container is made from previously
21 Appl. No.: 08/922,509 formed partial bottles and is preferably made from two
22 Filed: Sep. 3, 1997 “half-bottles' that are individually formed from a pliable
plastic with a Semicircular wall on one side and a flat wall
Related U.S. Application Data on the other side, as by blow molding. The two half-bottles
(51) Int. Cl." ........................................................ B67D 560 are joined together with the flat walls in juxtaposition to
52 U.S. Cl. ......................... 222 14s.2.222.94.222,129
222/144.5: 220/253; 220/525; 215/6
define the body portion of the multi-compartment container,
with each “half-bottle” serving as one of its compartments or
• as s s chambers. A cap with a dispenser for each compartment
58 Field of Search ...222/1452, 55. 3. Serves as a cover for the container. The pliable plastic from
• as s s which the container is formed enables a person to Squeeze
56) References Cited either of the compartments to dispense from one of the
compartments or Squeeze both compartments to dispense
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS from both compartments. One embodiment of the invention
2,681,745 6/1954 Henry Sung et al. ............... 222/144.5
includes a dial-a-matic Selection System adapted, but not
3,876,112 4/1975 Kramer ................................ 222/144.5 restricted, to the dispensing of mustard and catsup.
5,779,102 7/1998 Smith ... 222/144.5
5,794,819 8/1998 Smith ...................................... 222/129 5 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets

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U.S. Patent Jul. 13, 1999 Sheet 6 of 6 5,921,440
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MULTI-COMPARTMENT CONTAINER AND ments in the multi-compartment container. A cap with a
ADJUSTABLE DISPENSER dispenser for each compartment Serves as a cover for the
multi-compartment container.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The pliable plastic from which the multi-compartment
This invention relates to multi-compartment containers container is formed enables a perSon to Squeeze either of the
and, more Specifically, to a multi-compartment container and compartments and push out one of the condiments or
adjustable dispenser for Viscous liquids, Such as catsup and Squeeze both compartments and Squeeze out both is mustard
mustard or shampoo and conditioner. and catsup Simultaneously on foods like hot dogs and
Sandwiches.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Hot dogs, hamburgers and french fries are eaten by
Multi-compartment containers for liquids are known in millions of people every day. The multi-compartment con
the art. See, for example, the following patents: tainer of this invention provides an economical container for
catsup and mustard and the dial-a-matic dispenser makes the
U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,827 issued Mar. 21, 1995 to Arm condiments easily and readily accessible.
strong et al. for MULTI-VESSELLED BEVERAGE CON 15
Although only two preferred embodiments of the inven
TAINER
tion are being described, each of which discloses a multi
U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,828 issued Mar. 21, 1995 to Valyi for compartment container with two compartments, it is to be
BLOW MOLDED PLASTIC CONTAINERS INCLUDING understood that it is within the Spirit and Scope of the
INTERNAL SUPPORTAND HANDGRIP. invention for the container to have more than two compart
U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,550 issued Dec. 31, 1996 to Meyer for mentS.
COMPARTMENTED CONTAINER INCLUDING CLO Each embodiment disclosed herein comprises a multi
SURE WITH ACCESS TO INDIVIDUAL COMPART compartment container defined by two half-bottles, and a
MENTS. cap for the container with a dispenser for each compartment.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,052 issued Jan. 14, 1997 to McGee for 25 The Second embodiment also includes an adjustable
BABY BOTTLE WITH TWO SEPARATEFLUID CHAM (“dial-a-matic') selection System that is easily adjustable to
BERS dispense from either or both of the compartments and to Seal
U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,072 issued Mar. 4, 1997 to Rigney et the compartments to maintain the freshness of the contents.
al. for BEVERAGE CONTAINERS.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Each of these prior art patents discloses a multi
compartment container that is made from plastic or glass and FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the
is particularly adapted to contain beverages or other con invention, showing a multi-compartment container (bottle)
ventional liquids with low viscosity. defined by two half-bottles and its removable dispenser-cap,
Meyer discloses a rotatable cover 54 extending acroSS the horizontally lined portion representing mustard (for
four compartments for the Storage of liquids under pressure, 35 example) in one compartment and the angularly lined por
Such as carbonated beverages. The cover has an opening and tion representing catsup (for example) in the other compart
the cover can be manually rotated to register the opening ment,
with either one or two Selected compartments to dispense the FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottle shown in FIG.
contents while maintaining the pressure on the carbonated 1, without the dispenser-cap,
beverages in the remaining compartments. 40 FIG. 3 is a side view of the dispenser-cap shown in FIG.
None of the prior art known to applicant discloses a 1, removed from the bottle;
multi-compartment container in the form of a pliable plastic FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the dispenser-cap shown in
bottle adapted to contain and Selectively dispense relatively FIG. 3;
Viscous liquids, Such as catsup and mustard, for example. FIG. 5 is a side view of the bottle shown in FIG. 2, which
45 Serves as the multi-compartment container or bottle for a
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Second embodiment of the invention;
This invention relates to a multi-compartment container FIG. 6 is a top view of the bottle shown in FIG. 5;
for Viscous liquids and to an adjustable (“dial-a-matic') FIG. 6A is a view like FIG. 6, showing the top of a disk
dispenser for dispensing from either one or more compart 50
that removably covers the top of the bottle but is fixed
mentS. against rotation and functions as a part of the dial-a-matic
Although the multi-compartment container of this inven Selection System;
tion has many uses, for purposes of illustration, the inven FIG. 7 is a sectional view, with parts broken away,
tion will be described as a multi-compartment container for showing the cap and dial-a-matic Selection System operably
mustard and catsup. 55 mounted on the bottle of FIG. 5;
The multi-compartment container of this invention is FIG. 8 is an enlarged top view of a second disk that
made from previously formed “partial bottles” and is pref functions as a part of the dial-a-matic Selection System and
erably made from two previously formed “half-bottles”. The is mounted for rotation with the cap shown in FIG. 7;
initial step in the invention is to individually form each of FIG. 9 is a fragmentary top view, with parts broken away,
the “half-bottles' from a pliable plastic, as by blow molding, 60 of the cap and selection system shown in FIG. 7;
each “half-bottle' comprising a flat side wall opposed by a FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the
Semi-circular Side wall, a bottom wall and a threaded portion line 10-10 in FIG. 7;
opposite the bottom wall. FIGS. 11-14 are fragmentary exploded perspective views
The flat walls and corresponding edges of two “half illustrating the operation of the dial-a-matic Selection Sys
bottles” are bonded together to define the body portion of the 65 tem,
multi-compartment container of this invention. Each “half FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing two of the previ
bottle' and the Space therein Serves as one of the compart ously formed it half-bottles that are bonded together accord
 5,921,440
3 4
ing to the invention, shown as having been made from Referring to FIG. 7, the dial-a-matic selection system
transparent plastic for illustrative purposes, and includes a threaded retaining collar 42 which is dimensioned
FIG. 16 is an illustrative perspective view, with parts for threadable attachment to the threaded portion 40.
broken away, of two half-bottles, shown as having been A first plastic disk 44 (FIG. 6A and 7) is removably
made from transparent plastic for illustrative purposes, and supported on the upper edge 41 of the threaded portion 40
bonded together to form the multi-compartment bottle of container 20". The disk 44 has holes 46 and 47 there
shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the threaded portion of the bottle through that provide communication with the contents of the
being omitted for clarity of the illustration. chambers 25' and 25A, respectively. The holes 46 and 47
are on opposite sides of a groove 45 that extends across the
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE inner surface of the disk 44 for registry with the partition 23
EMBODIMENT (bonded flat walls 23, 23A) in the bottle 20' when the disk
44 is operably positioned on top of the bottle 20". The disk
The First Embodiment 44 is held in operative position by engagement of the groove
FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the first embodiment of the invention, 45 with opposed notches 48 and 49 in the upper edge 41 of
wherein the body portion of a multi-compartment container
15 the threaded portion 40 (FIGS. 6 and 6A).
20 is formed from two half-bottles 21 and 21A. The half A circular cap 50 is rotatably retained over the container
bottles 21 and 21A are identical and a description of half 20' by the retaining collar 42. An outwardly directed flange
bottle 21 will suffice for an understanding of half-bottle 21A, 51 extends around the circumference of the cap 50 and
wherein like parts bear the same reference character with the beneath an inwardly directed flange 52 extending circum
letter “A” added. ferentially around the retaining collar 42 (FIG. 7). An
Half-bottle 21 comprises a semi-circular wall 22 formed annular abutment 53 extends downwardly from the retaining
integrally with a flat wall 23 and a bottom wall 24 to define collar for engagement with the bottle 20' when the retaining
a chamber or compartment 25 with 11 a threaded portion 26 collar is fully seated on the threaded portion 40.
opposite the flat wall 23. Each half-bottle is preferably 25
A nozzle 54 extends upwardly in FIG. 7 from the cap 50.
formed, as by blow-molding, from a plastic which is pliable. Apartition 55 extends through the cap 50 and into the nozzle
The multi-compartment bottle 20 is formed by bonding 54. The portion of the partition 55 that is in the cap 50
together the flat walls and corresponding edges of two divides the cap into two chambers, 56 and 57. The portion
half-bottles, with the threaded portions on the two half of the partition 55 that is in the nozzle 54 defines a
bottles complementing each other. passageway 60 on one side of the partition 55 and a
The top of the bottle 20 is threadably closed by a passageway 61 on the other side of the partition 55. The
dispenser-cap 27 formed from a rigid plastic and terminating passageway 60 provides communication between the cham
in a spout 28. A partition 30 divides the Spout 28 into two ber 56 in the cap 50 and the ambient atmosphere at the end
passageways 31 and 32 (FIGS. 3 and 4). When the cap 27 of the nozzle, while the passageway 61 provides communi
and bottle 20 are operatively assembled, the partition 30 in 35 cation between the chamber 57 in the cap 50 and the ambient
atmosphere.
the spout 28 is in alignment with the partition 23 in the bottle
20 (FIG. 2) The partition 23 is defined by the bonded flat The free end or top of the nozzle 54 is covered by a
walls 23 and 23A. closure 62 having a frusto-conical configuration. A resilient
Snap finger 63 extends downwardly and inwardly from the
The passageway 31 communicates with compartment 25 closure 62 for engagement with either of two vertically
40
in half-bottle 21, and passageway 32 communicates with spaced notches 64 and 65 at the base of the nozzle 54. The
compartment 25A in half-bottle 21A With mustard in the closure 62 has two openingS 66 in its top wall positioned
compartment 25 and catsup in the compartment 25A, a user directly above the partition 55 that extends into the nozzle
can dispense both condiments simultaneously by directing 54. When the Snap finger 63 is in the lower notch 65, the
the Spout toward a hot dog, for example, and applying hand closure is lowered sufficiently for the opening 66 to be
preSSure against the Semi-circular Side walls 22 and 22A of 45
bottle 20.
closed by a transverse plug 67 on top of the partition 55.
When the Snap finger 63 is in the upper notch 64, the closure
The contents of either compartment can be dispensed is raised Sufficiently to unplug the openingS 66 for discharge
from bottle 20 by increasing the pressure on either side wall of the contents of compartments 25' and 25A'.
22 or Side wall 22A while lessening pressure on the other 50 A selection (dial-a-matic) disk 70 is fixed for rotation with
Side wall. Alternatively, either of the condiments can be the cap 50 as by molded pins 71, 72 and 74 that extend
dispensed by applying hand pressure to the bottle 20 and downwardly from the cap in FIG. 7 and plastic weld the disk
placing a flexible tab 29 (FIG. 3) over the outlet of either the 70 to the cap 50. The engagement of the abutment 53 with
passageway 31 or the passageway 32 is to block the flow the bottle 20' maintains sufficient space beneath the flange
from either compartment. 55 52 for the cap 50 and disk 70 to remain easily rotatable
The Second Embodiment relative to the disk 44 after the cap 50 is operably connected
to the threaded portion 40 by the retaining collar 42.
The second embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Four holes 75, 76, 77 and 78 are positioned in the disk 70
FIGS. 5–14, comprises a multi-compartment container 20' in Such a manner that by manually rotating the cap 50 and
like the multi-compartment container 20 in the first embodi 60 the attached disk 70, one or more of the holes 75–78 is
ment of the invention. Like parts in the Second embodiment selectively registrable with each, both, or neither of the holes
bear the same reference numbers as those parts in the first 46 and 47 in the disk 44. This arrangement provides a
embodiment, with the prime notation added. dial-a-matic Selection System that operates as shown in
In the second embodiment, the threaded portions 26 and FIGS. 11-14.
26A' combine to define a threaded portion 40 that supports 65 As shown in FIG. 11, when hole 75 in disk 70 is aligned
an adjustable (dial-a-matic) Selection System as best seen in with hole 47 in the disk 44 the hole 76 in disk 70 is also
FIGS. 7 and 11-14. aligned with hole 46 in disk 44 and holes 77 and 78 in disk
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70 are closed by the disk 44. With the closure 62 on the multi-compartment container, the multi-compartment con
nozzle 54 elevated to the open position, hand preSSure on the tainer including a threaded portion and a dial-a-matic Selec
bottle 20' will force contents from both of the compartments tion System on Said threaded portion, and wherein the
25 and 25A through the 11 aligned holes 75/47 and 76/46 dial-a-matic Selection System comprises a rotatable cap
and through respective chambers 57 and 56 in the cap 50 and mounted on the threaded portion of the container, first and
out of the nozzle 54. Second disks, the first disk being mounted on top of the
Thus, if, for example, there is mustard in compartment threaded portion and fixed against rotation with the rotatable
25 and catsup in compartment 25A", both mustard and cap, the first disk having a first hole therethrough in align
catsup can be applied to a hot dog at the same time. ment with a first of the two chambers and a second hole
FIG. 12 shows that the disk 70 can be rotated relative to therethrough in alignment with a Second of the two
the disk 44 to align hole 77 in disk 70 with hole 46 in the disk chambers, means fixing the Second disk to the rotatable cap
44 while the other three holes in disk 70 (holes 76, 78 and for rotation with the rotatable cap, the Second disk having
79) are closed by the disk 44. This alignment would allow holes therethrough that are movable into and out of align
only mustard, for example, to be dispensed from the bottle 15 ment with the holes in the first disk in response to rotation
201 of the rotatable cap, means for indicating when one or more
FIG. 13 shows that the disk 70 can be rotated relative to of the holes in the second disk are aligned with one or both
the disk 44 to align hole 78 in disk 70 with hole 47 in the disk of the holes in the first disk, and means responsive to inward
44 while the other three holes in disk 70 (holes 76, 77 and hand pressure on the container for dispensing contents from
79) are closed by the disk 44. This alignment would allow either or both of the chambers.
only catsup, for example, to be dispensed from the bottle 2. A multi-compartment container for different types of
20. liquids that are packaged for dispensing by a user either
FIG. 14 shows that the disk 70 can be rotated relative to individually or collectively as the user desires, Said multi
the disk 44 to a position where all four of the holes in disk compartment container comprising:
70 (holes 76, 77, 78 and 79) are closed by the disk 44, 25 a separate chamber for containing each type of liquid;
thereby effectively sealing both of the compartments 25' and a threaded portion communicating with each chamber;
25A for preservation of their contents.
An indicator 80, in the nature of a Small flange, extends a first disk mounted on top of the threaded portion and
radially from the cap 50 (FIG. 7). The indicator 80 follows fixed against rotation;
an annular path around the retaining collar 42 when the cap the first disk having a hole therethrough for each chamber
50 is rotated relative to the disk 44 to make a selection of the and the holes providing outlets for their respective
contents in compartments 25' and 25A. The retaining collar chambers,
is marked with appropriate symbols or indicia to designate a Second disk,
the position necessary to dispense a desired Selection. means mounting the Second disk for rotation relative to
For example, in FIGS. 11-14, the indicator 80 is sche 35 the first disk;
matically illustrated in each of those figures by the arrow 80. the Second disk having holes therethrough that are mov
The circled letter Y refers to “Yellow', the color of mustard able into and out of alignment with one or more of the
and the circled letter R refers to “Red”, the color of catsup. holes in the first disk in response to rotation of the
These colors would clearly appear if, for example, mustard Second disk,
and catsup were in Separate compartments within a trans 40
means for indicating when one or more of the holes in the
parent bottle. Second disk are aligned with one or more of the holes
In FIG. 11, the indicator 80 points to the circled Y and R in the first disk;
and thereby indicates that the cap 50 and disk 70 are in means for indicating which chamber or chambers are
position to dispense both mustard and catsup. In FIG. 12, the 45 communicating with aligned holes in the first and
indicator 80 points to the circled R, indicating that only Second disks, and
catsup will be dispensed. In FIG. 13, the indicator 80 points means for dispensing liquid from a Single chamber that
to the circled Y, indicating that only mustard will be dis communicates with aligned holes in the first and Second
pensed. In FIG. 14, the indicator 80 shows a closed position disks and means for Simultaneously dispensing liquid
and nothing will be dispensed. 50 from a plurality of chambers that communicate with
Conclusion aligned holes in the first and Second diskS.
3. The invention of claim 2 which includes a dispenser
There is thus provided a novel and effective container for cap formed from a rigid plastic and terminating in a Spout.
packaging and dispensing different products that are fre 4. The invention of claim 3 wherein the dispenser-cap is
quently used either at the same time or Sequentially. The 55 mounted on the threaded portion of the multi-compartment
packaging of mustard and catsup in Separate compartments container.
within the same bottle has been described as an example of 5. A multi-compartment container comprising a plurality
the utility of the invention, but it is recognized that there are of previously formed partial bottles bonded together to
other uses for the invention. The scope of the invention is define a multi-compartment container, wherein each previ
defined by the following claims. 60 ously formed partial bottle defines a compartment in the
I claim: multi-compartment container, the multi-compartment con
1. A multi-compartment container comprising a plurality tainer including a threaded portion, and a dial-a-matic Selec
of previously formed partial bottles bonded together to tion System on Said threaded portion.
define a multi-compartment container, wherein each previ
ously formed partial bottle defines a compartment in the k k k k k