| Claims [Claim 1] A bottle which forms an interior therein and also defines a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion along a longitudinal axis thereof from its top to bottom comprising: a body which is configured to be hollow while providing said interior with a preset volume and to separate said interior of said bottle from an exterior thereof; at least one medium which is configured to include therein at least one biologically active agent and to be incorporated into said bottle between said interior and exterior and in one of said middle and bottom portions; at least one fluid which is disposed in said interior while filling said middle and bottom portions in an upright position of said bottle and which is configured to dissolve said agent therein when mixed with said medium; and at least one seal which is configured to be removably disposed between said medium and fluid when intact for fluidly separating said medium from said fluid, and then to be removed in response to an user input for mixing said medium with said fluid in one of said middle and bottoms of said body. [Claim 2] The bottle of claim 1, wherein said agent is an antioxidant and wherein said fluid includes water. [Claim 3] The bottle of claim 2, wherein said antioxidant is configured to be degraded by ultraviolet rays and wherein said medium includes at least one filler which is configured to block said rays, to cover at least a substantial portion of said medium, and to protect said medium from said rays. [Claim 4] The bottle of claim 2, wherein said antioxidant is configured to be degraded by ultraviolet rays and wherein said at least one of said body and seal includes at least one material which is configured to block said rays, to enclose at least a substantial portion of said medium therein, and to protect said medium from said rays. [Claim 5] The bottle of claim 2, wherein said antioxidant is configured to be degraded by an prolonged period of time and wherein said seal is configured to prevent said water and its vapor from dissolving said antioxidant contained in said medium. [Claim 6] The bottle of claim 1, wherein said medium is configured to be both disposed and mixed in one of said middle and bottom portions. [Claim 7] The bottle of claim 6, wherein said seal is configured to be removed in response to said user input and wherein said fluid is configured to flow into and to mix with said medium in said one of said portions. [Claim 8] The bottle of claim 1, wherein said medium is configured to be disposed in one of said middle and bottom portions but to be mixed in the other of said middle and bottom portions. [Claim 9] The bottle of claim 8, wherein said medium is configured to move from said one to the other of said portions in response to said user input. [Claim 10] The bottle of claim 1 further comprising at least one actuator which is configured to break said seal in response to said user input, thereby fluidly communicating said medium and fluid through said seal. [Claim 11] The bottle of claim 1 further comprising at least one actuator which is configured to move said seal from an intact position to an position in response to said user input, thereby fluidly communicating said medium and fluid through said seal. [Claim 12] The bottle of claim 11, wherein said seal is configured to one of rotate along an angular track, translate along a curvilinear track, and pivot about a center of rotation in response to said user input, while fluidly communicating said medium and fluid. [Claim 13] The bottle of claim 11, wherein said seal is configured to move between at least two different positions in one of said middle and bottom portions. [Claim 14] The bottle of claim 11, wherein said seal is configured to instead move from one of said middle and bottom portions to another of one of said top, middle, and bottom portions. [Claim 15] A bottle which forms an interior therein and also defines a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion along a longitudinal axis thereof from its top to bottom comprising: a body which is configured to be hollow while providing said interior with a preset volume and to separate said interior of said bottle from an exterior thereof; at least one medium which is configured to include therein at least one biologically active agent and to be incorporated into said bottle between said interior and exterior and in one of said middle and bottom portions; and at least one seal which is configured to be removably disposed between said medium and said interior when intact for fluidly separating said medium from said interior, and thereafter to be removed as a response to an user input for fluidly communicating said medium and interior in one of said middle and bottoms of said body. [Claim 16] The bottle of claim 15, wherein said agent is an antioxidant. [Claim 17] The bottle of claim 16, wherein said antioxidant is configured to be degraded by ultraviolet rays and wherein said medium includes at least one filler which is configured to block said rays, to cover at least a substantial portion of said medium, and to protect said medium from said rays. [Claim 18] The bottle of claim 16, wherein said antioxidant is configured to be degraded by ultraviolet rays and wherein said at least one of said body and seal includes at least one material which is configured to block said rays, to enclose at least a substantial portion of said medium therein, and to protect said medium from said rays. [Claim 19] The bottle of claim 16, wherein said antioxidant is configured to be degraded by an prolonged period of time and wherein said seal is configured to prevent said water and its vapor from dissolving said antioxidant contained in said medium. [Claim 20] A bottle axially which defines a top, a middle, and a bottom therealong and forms a plurality of separated portions therein comprising: a body which is configured to define an interior for containing a fluid therein, to have said top, middle, and bottom, and to define an opening which is provided in said top and in one end thereof and through which said fluid is filled into said interior and dispensed to an exterior thereof; at least one chamber which is configured to be defined in one of said middle and bottom and to define a preset volume; and at least one seal which is configured to operatively couple with said chamber, to be disposed in one of said middle and bottom of said body, to fluidly separate said chamber from said interior when intact, and to be also removable for providing a fluid communication from said chamber to said interior therethrough. |
Title of Invention: MEDIUM- CONTAINING BOTTLES AND
METHODS
Technical Field
[1] The present invention generally relates to bottles containing fluids and agents while separating the agents from the fluids before use. More particularly, the present invention relates to bottles having fluids and various media with such agents, where the media are stored separately from the fluids and mixed with the fluids only upon use. To this end, the bottles are provided with storages for storing the media in various portions of the bottles, and also provided with seals for fluidly separating such media from the fluids before use and then mixing such media with the fluids upon receiving user inputs. The present invention also relates to various methods of including the media and fluids in the bottles while separating the media from the fluids and various methods of mixing the media with the fluids in various portions of the bottles. The present invention further relates to various processes for providing such bottles, for providing various storages as well as chambers and pathways therefor, and for providing various seals for mixing the media and fluids in response to user inputs. Background Art
[2] It is now well established in the medical community that oxidation reactions are the main culprit of aging in human beings. Every single cell inside the human body is continuously attacked by various oxidizing substances which may be intrinsic as well as extrinsic in their origin. Such substances may be huge molecules capable of inducing the oxidation reactions. However, the most powerful oxidizing substances are "reactive oxygen species" which are rather small molecules such as, e.g., hydrogen peroxides (H 2O 2 ), superoxide anions (O 2 -), and free radicals including hydroxyl radicals (OH-). These species are so oxidative that any cells attacked thereby are degraded and unable to perform normal functions.
[3] In order to obviate health hazards caused by these strong oxidizing substances, people are recommended to take various antioxidants capable of neutralizing such substances and, accordingly, preventing the oxidation reactions or at least reducing rates of such reactions. The most well-known antioxidant is the ascorbic acid or vitamin C, while other antioxidants also include various natural and synthetic substances, where such antioxidants are generally provided as pills, tablets or powder.
[4] In progress with environmental pollution and a gradual loss of suitable sources, water is now sold in bottles under various names of spring water, mineral water, distilled water, just to name a few. Such bottled water is sometimes replenished with nutrients such as minerals, with flavors of various fruits, and the like. However, it is rare, if not impossible, to find such bottled water which contains the antioxidant. One reason is that numerous, if not all, antioxidants become unstable and degrade when irradiated by ultraviolet rays (to be abbreviated as the "UV rays" hereinafter). Thus, the antioxidants contained in the bottled water tend to be degraded and to lose their chemical and/or medical potency, long before use. In addition, some antioxidants tend to be degraded not bu such UV rays but solely by a long period of hydration. Accordingly, such antioxidants may lose their potency in proportion to the period of time during which they are dissolved in water. Even if such antioxidants are protected from the UV rays, the chances are that they are oxidized during storage by oxygen molecules dissolved in the water. Because O 2 molecules are relatively small, they can diffuse through almost all conventional packaging materials such as plastics. In order to prevent this, special containers such as glasses and thick plastic containers have to be used, which will increase the cost of the bottled water. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem
[5] Therefore, there is a need for a proper medium for the antioxidants which are to be stored in a bottle while protecting such antioxidants from the UV rays and water before consumption. There also is a need for a bottle which stores the medium separately from the water before consumption as well as a need for a bottle which mixes the medium with water upon consumption. There further is a need for a bottle which includes a seal separating the medium from water before use and which allows an user to break and/or move the seal upon use. Solution to Problem
[6] The present invention generally relates to bottles containing fluids and agents while separating the agents from the fluids before use. More particularly, the present invention relates to bottles having fluids and various media with such agents, where the media are stored separately from the fluids and then mixed with the fluids upon actual use. Therefore, the present invention relates to various media which contain therein such agents, define shape and size to be stored in such bottles, and optionally promote dissolution (or dispersion) in the fluids upon mixed therewith, to various storages which are disposed in various portions of the bottles and which have various shapes and sizes for storing such media therein, to various chambers which are defined inside the storages and store the media therein, and to various pathways which are also defined around the storages and fluidly connect the chamber of the storage to various portions of the bottles. The present invention relates to various seals which fluidly separate the media inside the storages from the fluids in the bottles before consumption and are removed upon use for mixing the media with the fluids in various portions of the bottles. The present invention relates to various actuators which receive user inputs and then mix the media with the fluids in response thereto by directly removing the seals, by moving the media for removing such seals, and the like. The present invention then relates to various bottles capable of promoting the mixing between the media and fluids as well as capable of visualizing extents of such mixing by various means.
[7] The present invention also relates to various methods of including such media and fluids in the bottles while separating the media from the fluids before use, and then mixing the media with the fluids upon use. Therefore, the present invention relates to various methods of including such agents in the media, those of making the media in appropriate shapes and sizes, and those of fabricating the media for promoting the mixing with such fluids. In addition, the present invention relates to various methods of forming the storages in various portions of the bottles, those of extending the storages in the same or to different portions of the bottles, those of storing the media in such storages, and those of moving the media between different portions of such storages. The present invention then relates to various methods of fluidly sealing the media from the fluids, those of removing the sealing for mixing the media with the fluids upon use, those of breaking the sealing for the mixing, and those of moving the sealing for the mixing. The present invention also relates to various methods of receiving such user inputs by various portions of the bottles, those of receiving the inputs by the storages or their chambers and/or pathways, those of directly removing the sealing by the user inputs, and those of indirectly removing such sealing by the media which are actuated by the user inputs. The present invention also relates to various methods of promoting the mixing between the media and fluids and those of visualizing the extents of such mixing by various means.
[8] The present invention further relates to various processes for providing the bottles capable of separating such media from the fluids before use and then mixing the media with the fluids only upon actual use. Therefore, the present invention relates to various processes for fabricating such media containing the agents and/or fillers therein in proper shapes and/or sizes, those for providing various bodies of such bottles defining various portions and storing such media in such portions. The present invention also relates to various processes for incorporating the storages in various portions of such bottles, those for defining the chambers and/or pathways in such storages, those for defining and/or extending such chambers and/or pathways in various portions of the bottles, and those for providing the seals in various portions of the chambers and/or pathways of the storages or in various portions of the bodies of such bottles. The present invention also relates to various processes for fabricating such seals removable by various means, those for providing the actuators capable of breaking such seals in response to the user inputs, those for providing the actuators capable of moving such seals in response thereto, those for fabricating the actuators receiving the user inputs and removing such seals in direct response thereto, and those for fabricating the actuators receiving the user inputs and then actuating the media which remove such seals in response thereto. The present invention further relates to various processes for fabricating such bottles capable of promoting the mixing between the media and fluids and those for providing the bottles capable of visualizing the extents of the mixing by various means.
[9] Accordingly, a primary objective of the present invention is to provide various bottles including various fluids and agents, where such agents are mixed into the fluids only upon use or consumption. Therefore, a related objective of this invention is to include in the bottles such agents which tend to be vulnerable to ultraviolet rays, extended periods of dissolution (or dispersion), formation of precipitates or aggregates, and the like. Another related objective of this invention is to form various media which include various agents such as antioxidants which also refer to nutrients, medical or pharmaceutical substances, herbal substances, homeopathic substances, and the like. Another related objective of this invention is to include in the media various fillers which are capable of protecting the antioxidants. Another related objective of this invention is to incorporate in the media such fillers which are capable of promoting mixing (including dissolution and dispersion) of the agents with the fluids.
[10] Another objective of the present invention is to provide various bottles storing such media and fluids while preventing the agents of the media from mixing with the fluids before use or consumption. Therefore, a related objective of this invention is to store the media in a middle or bottom portion of the bottle (or simply the middle or bottom thereof) before use, and to mix such media and fluids anywhere along the bottle. Another related objective of this invention is to store the media in the middle or bottom portion of a body of the bottle before use, and then to mix such media and fluids anywhere along the bottle. Another related objective of this invention is to store such media in a lid or an applicator of the bottle before use, and to mix the media and fluids in the middle or bottom portion of the bottle. Another related objective of this invention is to store such media along the middle or bottom portion of a storage coupling with the lid and/or applicator before use, and to mix the media and fluids anywhere along the bottle. Another related objective of this inventionis to store the media in (or on) the bottle, and then to apply an user input directly to such media for mixing the media and fluids. Another related objective of this invention is to store the media in (or on) the bottle, and then to move such media intothe fluids for such mixing. Another related objective of this invention is to store the media in (or on) the bottle, and then to flow the fluids toward such media for such mixing. Another related objective of this invention is to store the media and fluids in the bottle while separating the media from the fluids by various seals and then to break the seals for mixing the media and fluids. Another related objective of this invention is to store such media and fluids in the bottle while separating the media from the fluids by such seals, and then to move the seals for mixing the media and fluids. Another related objective of this invention is to store the media in the top, middle or bottom portion of the bottle while separating such media from the fluids by various seals, and then to break and/or move the seals for mixing such media and fluids in the middle or bottom portion of the bottle. Another related objective of this invention is to store such media in the middle or bottom portion of the bottle while separating the media from the fluids by such seals, and then to break and/or move such seals for mixing the media and fluids anywhere along the bottle. Another related objective of this invention is to promote such mixing (including dissolution and dispersion) of the media and fluids by producing gas with various agents or fillers during such mixing. Another related objective of this invention is to promote such mixing between the media and fluids by maintaining dimensions of the media during the mixing. Another related objective of this invention is to promote the mixing between the media and fluids by manipulating densities of such media with respect to those of the fluids. Another related objective of this invention is to prevent debris of the media from being discharged out of the bottle. [11] Another objective of the present invention is to store such media in one of the top, middle, and bottom portions of the bottle (or simply the top, middle, and bottom thereof), and then to mix the media and fluids in the other of such portions of the bottle. Therefore, a related objective of this invention is to supply the bottle with a chamber which extends from one of the top, middle, and bottom portions of the bottle onto the other of such portions. Another related objective of this invention is to extend the chamber from the top portion to the middle or bottom, to store the media in the top portion, and then to mix the media with the fluids in the middle or bottom portion of the bottle. Another related objective of this invention is to couple the chamber with the lid or applicator, to store the media in or near the lid or applicator, and then to mix such media and fluids in the middle or bottom portion of the bottle. Another related objective of this inventionis to store such media in the middle portion of the chamber, and then to mix the media and fluids in the bottom portion of the chamber using the chamber or gravity. Another related objective of this invention is to store such media in the middle portion of the body of the bottle, and to mix such media with the fluids in the bottom portion of the bottle using the chamber or gravity. Another related objective of this invention is to store such media in the bottom portion of the chamber, and then to mix themedia and fluids in the middle portion of the bottle using such a chamber or gravity. Another related objective of this invention is to store the media in the bottom portion of the body of the bottle, and then to mix the media with the fluids in the middle portion of the bottle using the chamber or gravity. Another related objective of this invention is to instead store the media in the middle or bottom portion of the chamber, and to mix such media and fluids in the same portion of the chamber. Another related objective of this invention is to store the media in the middle or bottom portion of the bottle, and to mix such media and fluids in the top portion of the bottle. Another related objective of this invention is to apply the user input directly to the media along the chamber for such mixing or to receive the user input and transmit such input to the media thereafter along the chamber for such mixing while keeping the media in the same portion of the chamber or, alternatively, moving such media to different portions of the chamber. Another related objective of this invention is to separate the media from the fluids by various seals, and then to break and/or move the seals for such mixing while maintaining the media in the same portion of the chamber and while receiving the fluids thereinto. Another related objective of this invention is to separate such media from the fluids by such seals, and to break and/or move such seals for such mixing while moving the media to different portions of the chamber. [12] Another objective of the present invention is to store such media in one of the top, middle, and bottom portions of the bottle, to move the media along various pathways to the other portions thereof, and then to mix the media with the fluids in such other portions. Therefore, a related objective of this invention is to provide the bottle with one or more pathways which extend from one of the top, middle, and bottom portions of the bottle onto the other portions of the bottle. Another related objective of this invention is to extend the pathway from the top portion onto the middle or bottom portion, to store such media in the top portion, and then to mix the media with the fluids in the middle or bottom portion of the bottle. Another related objective ofthis invention is to couple the pathway with the lid or applicator, to store such media in or near the lid or applicator, and then to mix such media and fluids in the middle or bottom portion thereof. Another related objective of this invention is to store such media in the middle portion of the bottle, and then to mix the media with the fluids in the bottom portion of the bottle using the pathway or gravity. Another related objective of this invention is to store such media in the middle portion of the body of the bottle, and then to mix such media with the fluids in the bottom portion of the bottle using the pathway or gravity. Another related objective of this invention is to store such media in the bottom portion of the bottle, and to mix the media with the fluids in the middle portion of the bottle with pathway or gravity. Another related objective of this invention is to store the media in the bottom portion of the body of the bottle, and then to mix the media and fluids in the middle portion of the bottle with the pathway or gravity. Another related objective of this invention is to store such media in the middle or bottom portion of the pathway, and to mix such media and fluids in the same portion thereof. Another related objective of this invention is to store the media in the middle or bottom portion of such a pathway, and then to mix such media and fluids in the top portion thereof. Another related objective of this invention is to apply the user input directly to the media for such mixing or, in the alternative, to receive the user input and transmit such input to the media thereafter for the mixing while keeping the media in the same portion of the pathway or, alternatively, moving such media to different portions of the pathway. Another related objective of this invention is to separate the media from the fluids by the seals, and then to break and/or move the seals for such mixing while keeping such media in the same portion of the pathway and receiving such fluids thereto. Another relatedobjective of this invention is to separate such media from the fluids by various seals, and to break and/or move the seals for such mixing while moving the media to different portions of the pathway.
[13] Another objective of the present invention is to storesuch media and fluids in (or on) the bottle and then to mix the media with the fluids while producing gas with the media for promoting the mixing. Therefore, a related objective of this invention is to store such media including various gassing fillers (or gassifiers) in any portion of the bottle, and then to mix such gassifiers and fluids anywhere along the bottle. Another related objective of this invention is to provide the media heavier than the fluids for producing such gas from under the fluids andpromoting such mixing. Another related objective of this invention is to provide the media lighter than the fluids for producing such gas on or near meniscuses of the fluids and promoting such mixing. Another related objective of this invention is to provide such media capable of changing their densities during such mixing by including various agents and/or fillers defining different densities, by defining voids therein, and the like.
[14] Another objective of the present invention is to store the media and fluids in (or on) the bottle, and to mix the media and fluids while maintaining at least one dimension of the media for promoting the mixing. Accordingly, a related objective of this invention is to provide the media with the fillers which are insoluble to the fluids and have dimensions so that the insoluble fillers may maintain the dimensions of the media during and after mixing. Another related objective of this invention is to provide the media with the insoluble fillers on which the agents are disposed and mixed with the fluids. Another related objective of this invention is to provide the media with the fillers capable of swelling when mixed with the fluids.
[15] Another objective of the present invention is to store in the bottle the fluids and media including various agents and/or fillers defining various pores for promoting such mixing between the media and fluids. Therefore, a related objective of this invention is to store such media in any portion of the bottle while defining macropores and/or micropores therein. Another related objective of this invention is to provide the media to form such pores by the agents (or fillers) for promoting the mixing of the agents. Another related objective of this invention is to provide the media to form the pores by mixtures of the agents and fillers for promoting the mixing of the fluids with the agents and/or fillers. Another related objective of this invention is to provide the medium to define such pores preferentially by the insoluble fillers so that the pores remain during and after the mixing. Another related objective of this invention is to provide the medium to define such pores preferentially by soluble fillers so that such pores tend to coalesce during the mixing.
[16] Another objective of the present invention is to store in the bottle the fluids and media including various agents and/or fillers capable of forming paths of the fluids for promoting such mixing between the media and fluids. Therefore, a related objective of this invention is to store the media anywhere in the bottle and arranging the media to dissolve or disperse into the fluids while leaving various pores in which the fluids enter into the inner portion of the media. Another related objective of this invention is to include in the media the agents capable of preferentially dissolving (or dispersing) in the fluids while leaving various pores. Another related objective of this invention is to include in the media such fillers soluble to the fluids and capable of preferentially dissolving (or dispersing) into the fluids while leaving such pores. Another related objective of this invention is to include in the media such fillers insoluble to the fluids and retaining the soluble agents and/or fillers such that the insoluble pores maintain global structures of the media during the mixing.
[17] Another objective of the present invention is to provide the bottle including various media and fluids while promoting such mixing therebetween. Therefore, a related objective of this invention is to providethe media with various gassifiers so that gas bubbles produced by the gassifiers promote the mixing by convection within the fluids. Another related objective of this invention is to fabricate such media to be immersed during the mixing so that the mediacontact the fluids by maximum surface areas thereof and promote the mixing. Another related objective of this invention is to provide the media with various agents defining different solubilities to the fluids and then to distribute such agents in an order of the solubilities so that relatively insoluble agents are mixed first, while relatively soluble agents are mixed later, thereby maximizing the extents of such mixing. Another related objective of this invention is to store the media in any portion ofthe bottle, but to mix the media and fluids in the middle or bottom portion of the bottle so that the media contact the fluids through their entire surfaces during the mixing. Another related objective of this invention is to fabricate the media to change their densities during the mixing so that the media contact the fluids in different surfaces as the mixing progresses.
[18] Another objective of the present invention is to store such media and fluids in the bottle while ensuring such media to be immersed inside the fluids during the mixing therebetween. Accordingly, a related objective of this invention is to fabricate such media to be heavier than the fluids such that the media sink in the fluids during the mixing. Another related objective of this invention is to enclose such media with heavy retainers rendering the media to sink in the fluids during the mixing. Another related objective of this invention is to include inside the media heavy insoluble fillers which are incorporated in any proper locations of the media and maintain their weights to render such media sink in the fluids during the mixing.
[19] Another objective of the present invention is to store such media and fluids in the bottle while ensuring such media to remain in side the bottle during the mixing therebetween. Therefore, a related objective of this invention is to include in the media various insoluble fillers capable of maintaining their dimensions greater than those of an opening of the bottle. Another related objective of this invention is to provide meshes around or across the opening of the bottle capable of preventing the media from being dispensed out of the bottle. Another related objective of this invention is to enclose such media with retainers having dimensions greater than those of the opening of the bottle, thereby ensuring the media from staying inside the bottle. Another related objective of this invention is to arrange the media and/or retainers to increase their dimensions so as to facilitate insertion of the media and/or retainers into the interior of the bottle while ensuring the media and/or retainer to stay inside the bottle during or after the mixing between the fluids and the media and/or retainers.
[20] Another objective of the present invention is to store such media and fluids in the bottle while visualizing extents of mixing between the agents and the fluids. Therefore, a related objective of this invention is to include various gassifiers in the media and to produce gas bubbles during the mixing of the media and fluids, thereby visualizing the extents of mixing by the extents of gassing, distribution of the gas bubbles, and the like. Another related objective of this invention is to fabricate such agents or fillers of the media to define colors and/or refractive indices different from those of the fluids, thereby visualizing the extents of mixing by differences of the colors and/or refractive indices of the mixtures of the fluids and agents and/or fillers. Another related objective of this invention is to fabricate such media as microcapsules with colors and/or refractory indices, thereby visualizing the extents of such mixing by distribution of such capsules in the fluids.
[21] Another objective of the present invention is to provide on (or in) the bottle various chambers or pathways which are capable of fluidly communicating with the interior of the bottle in the middle or bottom portion of the bottle. Therefore, a related objective of this invention is to provide the chambers or pathways in the top portion of the body of the bottle and then to extend the chambers or pathways down to the middle or bottom portion of the bottle (or body of the bottle). Another related objective of this invention is to provide such chambers or pathways in the middle or bottom portion of the body of the bottle and arranging such to fluidly communicate with the interior in the same portion or in different portions of the bottle (or body of the bottle). Another related objective of this invention is to provide such chambers or pathways with various seals capable of fluidly separating the interior and exterior of such a bottle therethrough. Another related objective of this invention is to provide the seals in the middle or bottom portion of the body of the bottle so as to create mixing zones therearound. Another related objective of this invention is to construct such seals to be removable by the user inputs applied directly thereto from the exterior, by such inputs applied to other portions of the body from the interior or exterior, and so on. Another related objective of this invention is to fabricate such seals to stay in the same portion of such a bottle while being removed. Another related objective of this invention is to also fabricate such seals to move onto the middle or bottom portion of the bottle while being removed. Accordingly, various media may be stored in such chambers and/or pathways while being separated from the fluids upon use.
[22] Another objective of the present invention is to provide the bottle with such lids or applicators including the chambers and/or pathways which extend from the top portion onto the middle or bottom portion of the bottle. Therefore, a related objective of this invention is to provide the lids or applicators with the chambers and/or pathways which in turn include various seals capable of fluidly separating their inner spaces from the interior of the bottle when the lids or applicators are incorporated thereto. Another related objective of this invention is to provide various seals to the middle or bottom portion of the chambers and/or pathways in order to provide mixing zones thereat. Another related objective of this invention is to fabricate such seals to be removable by the user inputs applied to the top portion of the bottle, to the lid or to the applicator. Another related objective of this invention is to fabricate such seals to stay in the same portion of the bottle while being removed. Another related objective of this invention is to fabricate such seals to move onto the middle or bottom portion of the bottle while being removed. Accordingly, various media may be stored in such chambers and/or pathways while being separated from the fluids upon use.
[23] It is appreciated in all of such objectives that various media are designed to be stored in (or on) such bottles while being fluidly separated from the fluids before actual use, and then to be mixed with the fluids upon use for being dissolved (or dispersed) into the fluids. Therefore, such bottles include proper seals which are capable offluidly separating the media from the fluids before actual use, and then capable of being removed and providing fluid communication between the media and fluids upon receiving the user inputs. It is also appreciated in all of the above objectives that the media are mixed with the fluids in the middle or bottom portions of the bottles and/or in the middle or bottom portions of the bodies of the bottles. Therefore, various bottles of the present invention aim to promote the mixing between the media and fluids by initiating such mixing while immersing the media inside the fluids and optionally maintaining the immersion of the media in the fluids during such mixing.
[24] Various bottles of this invention may be provided in various embodiments. For example, such bottles may be provided without including the media and fluids therein, while defining at least portions of various storages therein. The remaining portions of such storages including proper seals may then be incorporated into the bottles, followed by disposing the media in the storages and filling the bottles with the fluids. In the alternative, such bottles may be provided without including the media and fluids therein, while incorporating the storages with proper seals therein. The media may then be disposed into the storages, followed by filling the bottles with the fluids. The bottles may also be provided with various media disposed in the storages and separated by proper seals, which may then be filled with the fluids. The bottles may also be provided with such media and fluids and ready for distribution.
[25] Various bottles of the present invention define unique features and provide numerous benefits over conventional containers. In one aspect, the bottles may store the media in their middle or bottom portions, and then mix such media with the fluids in any of their top, middle, and/or bottom portions. In the alternative, the bottles may store the media in their top portions, and then mix such media with the fluids in their middle or bottom portions. In addition, the bottles may store the media in any of their top, middle, and bottom portions, and then mix the media and fluids in their middle or bottom portions. In the alternative, the bottles may store the media in their middle or bottom portions, and then mix such media with the fluids in their top portions. Thus, such bottles may promote the mixing between the media and fluids. In particular, such bottles may maximize the extents of mixing therebetween when such media are to be mixed with the fluids in their middle or bottom portions and to be immersed therein during the mixing. In another aspect, such bottles may also promote the mixing between the media and fluids by including the gassing fillers or gassifiers in the media by producing gas bubbles as well as by inducing convection of the media and/or fluids thereby. In another aspect, such bottles may promote the mixing between the media and fluids by incorporating in the media various fillers capable of manipulating the densities of the media for the purpose of sinking or floating the media into the fluids during the mixing, capable of maintaining the shapes and/or sizes of the media during the mixing, capable of forming the macropores and/or micropores inside the media during the mixing, capable of allowing the user to stir the fluids and media during the mixing, and the like. In another aspect, such bottles may visualize the extents of mixing between the media and fluids by various means. For example, the gas bubbles from the gassifiers may denote such extents of mixing, colors and/or refraction of various agents of such media may represent the extents of mixing, and the like. In another aspect, such bottles may retain the media thereinside during the mixing by maintaining the shapes and/or sizes of the media during mixing, by enclosing the media with various retainers defining proper shapes and/or sizes, and the like.
[26] Various media of the present invention may be used to dissolve various agents in the fluid only upon use or consumption, although the primary purpose of such media is to dissolve the antioxidants into various beverages contained in the bottles immediately before use. Therefore, such antioxidants may be dissolved into various bottled waters, bottled beverages, bottled foods, bottled medicine and pharmaceutical substances, bottled nutrients, bottled herbs, and the like, where such bottled waters may include spring water, mineral water, distilled water, flavored water, and carbonated water all of which are bottled inside variousplastic, glass, paper, and/or composite containers, where the bottled beverages may include juices, carbonated beverages, and un- carbonated beverages all of which are bottled in such containers, where the bottled food may include milk, yogurt, and other dairy products all of which are bottled in such containers, and the like.
[27] In general, such a bottle refers to any rigid or elastic container which contains therein a preset amount of fluids which may by definition include liquid, suspension, emulsion, slurry, a mixture of liquid and solid, and so on. The bottle may be made of and/or include various polymers or plastics, glasses, metals, papers, ceramics, papers, composite materials thereof, and so on. Such bottles refer not only to portable bottles but also to stationary bottles, where the portable bottles are generally smaller and contain less fluid than the stationary bottles. In addition, the bottles refer not only to disposable bottles but also to other bottles which may be used repeatedly.
[28] Various apparatus, method, and process aspects of such bottles and/or various embodiments thereof are now enumerated. It is to be understood, however, that following apparatus, method, and process aspects of the present invention may further be embodied in many other different forms and, therefore, should not be limited to such aspects and/or embodiments which are to be set forth herein. Rather, various exemplary aspects and/or their embodiments described hereinafter are provided such that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the scope of the present invention to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art.
[29] In one aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided to axially form a top, a middle, and a bottom therealong. [30] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a bottle may include a body and at least one seal. The body is arranged to define an interior for containing a fluid therein, to have the top, middle, and bottom, and to define an opening which is provided in the top and in one end thereof and through which the fluid is filled into the interior and dispensed to an exterior thereof, where such a body is to be referred to as the "first body" hereinafter. The seal is arranged to be disposed in the middle or bottom of the body, and to form a barrier to a fluid communication therethrough when intact, where such a seal is to be referred to as the "first seal" hereinafter. The first seal is also arranged to be removable and to provide the fluid communication between the interior and exterior therethrough.
[31] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a bottle may include the first body and the first seal which is also arranged to be removable upward (or downward, sideways) for providing the fluid communication between the interior and exterior therethrough.
[32] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a bottle may include the first body and the first seal which is also arranged to be flush with the body (or protruding into the interior or exterior), and to be also removable for providing the fluid communication between the interior and exterior therethrough.
[33] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a bottle may include the first body, a lid, and at least one seal. Such a lid is arranged to be releasably coupled to the opening and to open and close the opening for providing a fluid communication between the interior and exterior, where such a lid is to be referred to as the "first lid" hereinafter. The seal is arranged to operatively couple with the lid, to extend to the middle or bottom of the body, to terminate the fluid communication thereat when intact, and to be removable for extending the communication therethrough.
[34] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a bottle may include the first body, an applicator, and at least one seal. The applicator is arranged to be releasably coupled to such an opening for contacting with a mouth of an user, and to open and close the opening for providing a fluid communication between the interior and exterior, where such an applicator is to be referred to as the "first applicator" hereinafter. Such a seal is arranged to operatively couple with the applicator, to extend to the middle or bottom of the body, to terminate such fluid communication thereat when intact, and to be removable for extending the communication therethrough.
[35] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a bottle may include the first body, the first seal, and at least one mesh. Such a first seal is further arranged to to be removable for providing the fluid communication between the interior and exterior therethrough, whereas the mesh is arranged to be disposed along the communication and to prevent a particle beyond a preset dimension to flow thereacross.
[36] In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided to axially define therealong a top, a middle, and a bottom and to form multiple separated portions therein.
[37] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a bottle may include the first body, at least one chamber, and at least one seal. The chamber is arranged to be formed in the middle or bottom and to define a preset volume, where the chamber is to be referred to as the "first chamber" hereinafter. The seal is arranged to operatively couple with the chamber, to be disposed in the middle or bottom of the body, and to fluidly separate the chamber from the interior when intact, where such a seal is to be referred to as the "second seal" hereinafter. Such a second seal is also arranged to be removable for providing a fluid communication from the chamber to the interior therethrough.
[38] In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided to axially define therealong a top, a middle, and a bottom and to also form at least one separated portion therealong.
[39] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a bottle may include the first body, at least one pathway, and at least one seal. The pathway is arranged to extend across one to another of the top, middle, and bottom of the body and to define a preset length, where this pathway is to be referred to as the "first pathway" hereinafter. The seal is arranged to operatively couple with the pathway and to fluidly separate the pathway from the interior when intact, where this seal is to be referred to as the "third seal" hereinafter. The third seal is also arranged to be disposed in the middle or bottom of the body and to be removable for providing a fluid communication between one end of the pathway and an opposing end thereof therethrough.
[40] In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided to axially define therealong a top, a middle, and a bottom and to include thereinat least one medium which contains therein at least one antioxidant and which is capable of protecting such an antioxidant from ultraviolet rays until such a medium is mixed with a fluid into which the antioxidant is to be dissolved (or dispersed).
[41] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a bottle may include the first body, at least one seal, and the medium. The seal is arranged to be disposed in one of the middle and bottom of the body, to form a barrier to a fluid communication therethrough when intact, and to be also removable for providing the fluid communication therethrough, where such a seal is to be referred to as the "fourth seal" hereinafter. Such a medium is arranged to be disposed along the communication and between the seal and exterior, thereby fluidly separated from such one of the middle and bottom when the seal is intact, and fluidly communicating with such one of the middle and bottom as the seal is removed.
[42] In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided to axially define therealong a top, a middle, and a bottom and to include therein at least one medium which is disposed in the top, which contains therein at least one antioxidant, and which is also capable of protecting the antioxidant from ultraviolet rays until the medium is mixed with a fluid into which the antioxidant is to be dissolved (or dispersed).
[43] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a bottle may have the first body, at least one seal, and the medium. The seal is arranged to define a barrier to a fluid communication therethrough when intact and then to be removable for providing such communication therethrough. The medium is arranged to be movably disposed along the communication and between the seal and exterior, to remain in the top while being fluidly separated from the middle and bottom when the seal is intact, and to move to the middle or bottom for fluidly communicating therewith as the seal is removed.
[44] In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided to axially define therealong a top, a middle, and a bottom and to include a lid and at least one medium which is disposed in or close to the lid, which contains at least one antioxidant therein, and which is also capable of protecting the antioxidant from ultraviolet rays until the medium is mixed with a fluid into which the antioxidant is to be dissolved (or dispersed).
[45] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a bottle may include the first body, the first lid, at least one pathway, at least one seal, and the medium. The pathway is arranged to define a pair of ends a first of which is coupled to the lid and a second of which is disposed in one of the middle and bottom. The seal is arranged to be movably disposed in the pathway and also away from the second end of the pathway, to define a barrier to a fluid communication therethrough when intact, and to be removable while moving down toward the second end of the pathway for providing the fluid communication therethrough. The medium is then arranged to be movably disposed along the pathway and away from the second end of the pathway, to be fluidly separated from the middle and bottom when the seal is intact, and then to move along with the seal toward the second end for fluidly communicating with such one of the middle and bottom as the seal is removed.
[46] In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided to axially define therealong a top, a middle, and a bottom and to include an applicator andat least one medium which is disposed in (or close to) the applicator, which contains at least one antioxidant therein, and which is also capable of protecting the antioxidant from ultraviolet rays until the medium is mixed with a fluid into which such an antioxidant is to be dissolved (or dispersed). [47] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a bottle may include the first body, the first applicator, at least one pathway, at least one seal, and the medium. Such a pathway is arranged to define a pair of ends a first of which is coupled to the applicator and a second of which is disposed in one of the middle and bottom. The seal is then arranged to be movably disposed in the pathway and away from the second end of the pathway, to define a barrier to a fluid communication therethrough when intact, and to be also removable while moving down toward the second end of the pathway for providing the fluid communication therethrough. The medium is arranged to be movably disposed along the pathway and away from the second end of the pathway, to be fluidly separated from the middle and bottom when the seal is intact, and then to move with the seal toward the second end for fluidly communicating with such one of the middle and bottom as the seal is removed.
[48] In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided to axially define therealong a top, a middle, and a bottom and to include at least one medium containing at least one antioxidant and capable of protecting such an antioxidant from ultraviolet rays until the medium is mixed with a fluid in response to an user input.
[49] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a bottle may include the first body, the medium, and at least one seal. Such a medium is arranged to be disposed in any of the top, middle, and bottom. Such a seal is arranged to define a barrier to a fluid communication therethrough when intact and to be removable for providing the communication therethrough. The medium and seal are also arranged to define the fluid communication between the medium and the interior in one of the middle and bottom.
[50] In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided to axially define therealong a top, a middle, and a bottom and having at least one medium which contains at least one antioxidant and which is capable of protecting the antioxidant from ultraviolet rays until the medium is mixed with a fluid in response to an user input.
[51] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a bottle may include the first body, the medium, at least one seal, and at least one actuator. The medium is arranged to be disposed in any of the top, middle, and bottom. The seal is arranged to define a barrier to a fluid communication therethrough when intact and to be removable for providing the communication therethrough. Such an actuator is arranged to operatively couple with the seal and/or medium, to receive the user input, and to manipulate the medium and/or seal in response to the user input for providing such a communication between the medium and interior in the middle or bottom.
[52] In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided to axially define therealong a top, a middle, and a bottom and to have at least one medium which contains at least one antioxidant and which is capable of protecting the antioxidant from ultraviolet rays until the medium is mixed with a fluid.
[53] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a bottle may include the first body, the medium, and at least one seal. The medium is arranged to be disposed inside the interior or between such an interior and exterior, where such a medium is to be referred to as the "first medium" hereinafter. The seal is arranged to be disposed between the medium and interior, to form a barrier to a fluid communication between the medium and interior when intact, where this seal is to be referred to as the "fifth seal" hereinafter. Such a fifth seal is also arranged to be removable for providing the communication between the medium and interior.
[54] In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided to axially define therealong a top, a middle, and a bottom, to form multiple separated portions, and to include at least one medium which contains therein at least one antioxidant and which is capable of protecting the antioxidant from ultraviolet rays until the medium is mixed in a fluid.
[55] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a bottle may have the first body, at least one chamber, the medium, and at least one seal. The chamber is arranged to be disposed in the interior or between the interior and exterior, to extend into the middle or bottom, and to also define a preset volume, where this chamber is to be referred to as the "second chamber" hereinafter. Such a medium is arranged to be disposed in the chamber, where such a medium is to be referred to as the "second medium" hereinafter. Such a seal is arranged to be operatively coupled to the chamber, to be disposed in the middle or bottom of the body, and to fluidly separate the medium from the interior when intact, where this seal is to be referred to as the "sixth seal" hereinafter. The sixth seal is arranged to be removable for providing a fluid communication from the interior to the medium through the chamber.
[56] In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided to axially define therealong a top, a middle, and a bottom, to form at least one separated portion therein, and to include at least one medium which contains at least one antioxidant and which is also capable of protecting the antioxidant from ultraviolet rays until the medium is mixed in a fluid.
[57] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a bottle may include the first body, at least one pathway, the medium, at least one seal, and so on. The pathway is arranged to be incorporated inside the interior or between the interior and exterior, to extend across one to another of the top, middle, and bottom of the body, and to define a preset length, where such a pathway is to be referred to as the "second pathway" hereinafter. The medium is arranged to be disposed along the pathway, where such a medium is to be referred to as the "third medium" hereinafter. The seal is arranged to operatively couple with the pathway, to be disposed in any of the top, middle, and bottom of the body, and to fluidly separate the medium from the interior when intact, where such a seal is to be referred to as the "seventh seal" hereinafter. The seventh seal is also arranged to be removable for providing a fluid communication between the medium and interior through the pathway.
[58] In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided to axially define therealong a top, a middle, and a bottom and to include at least one medium containing at least one antioxidant and capable of protecting the antioxidant from ultraviolet rays until the medium is mixed in a fluid into which the antioxidant is to be dissolved (or dispersed).
[59] In one exemplaryembodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a bottle may include the first body, the first medium, the fluid, and at least one seal. The fluid is arranged to fill the middle as well as bottom of the body in an upright position of the body and then to dissolve (or disperse) the antioxidant therein when mixed with the medium, where the fluid is to be referred to as the "first fluid" hereinafter. The seal is arranged to be incorporated in any of the top, middle, and bottom of the body, and to fluidly separate the medium from the fluid when intact, where such a seal is to be referred to as the "eighth seal"hereinafter. The eighth seal is also arranged to be removable for providing a fluid communication between the medium and the fluid in one of the middle and bottom of the body.
[60] In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided to axially define therealong a top, a middle, and a bottom and to contain a fluid filling the middle and bottom in an upright position of the bottle.
[61] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a bottle may include the first body, the medium, and at least one seal. Such a medium is arranged to be disposed inside the interior or between the interior and exterior and to include therein at least one antioxidant which is arranged to be dissolved (or dispersed) in the fluid when mixed therewith, where this medium is to be referred to as the "fourth medium" hereinafter. Such a seal is arranged to be incorporated into any of the top, middle, and bottom of the body, to fluidly separate such a medium from the fluid when intact, and to be removable for providing a fluid communication between the medium and fluid in the middle or bottom, where such a seal is to be referred to as the "ninth seal" hereinafter.
[62]
[63] In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided for forming at least two sections separated by at least one removable seal in a bottle, where the bottle may define an interior separated from an exterior thereof by a body of the bottle and also have an opening for receiving and dispensing a fluid therethrough. [64] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a method may include the steps of: defining a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion along alon- gitudinal axis of the bottle (to be referred to as the "first defining" hereinafter); punching at least one hole in at least one of the middle and bottom portions (to be referred to as the "first punching" hereinafter); removably sealing the hole by the seal, thereby forming the sections thereacross (to be referred to as the "first sealing" hereinafter); and breaking the seal, thereby fluidly communicating the interior and exterior through the hole.
[65] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of theinvention, a method may have the steps of: the first defining; punching at least one hole in at least one of the top, middle, and bottom portions (to be referred to as the "second punching" hereinafter); the first sealing, and moving the seal to one of the middle and bottom portions, thereby fluidly communicating the interior and exterior through such a hole.
[66] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a method may have the steps of: the first defining; extending a pathway from the opening to one of the middle and bottom portions (to be referred to as the "first extending" hereinafter); punching at least one hole in such a pathway in one of the middle and bottom portions (to be referred to as the "third punching" hereinafter); the first sealing; and breaking the seal, thereby fluidly communicating the interior and exterior through the hole.
[67] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a method may have the steps of: the first defining; the first extending; the second punching; the first sealing; and moving the seal to one of such middle and bottom portions along the pathway, thereby fluidly communicating the interior and exterior through the hole in the pathway.
[68] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a method may have the steps of: the first defining; the first punching; the first sealing; and breaking the seal in such one of the middle and bottom portions, thereby fluidly communicating the interior and exterior through the hole.
[69] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a method may have the steps of: the first defining; the first punching; the first sealing; and moving the seal to one of the top, middle, and bottom portions, thereby fluidly communicating the interior and exterior through the hole.
[70] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a method may have the steps of: the first defining; punching at least one hole in the middle portion; the first sealing; and removing the seal in the middle portion, thereby providing a fluid communication between such interior and exterior through the hole in the middle portion.
[71] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a method may have the steps of: the first defining; punching at least one hole in the bottom portion; the first sealing; and removing the seal in the bottom portion, thereby forming a fluid communication between the interior and exterior through the hole in the bottom portion.
[72] In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided for forming at least one storage in a bottle with an interior separated from an exterior thereof by a body of the bottle and with an opening for receiving and dispensing a fluid therethrough, the storage separated from the interior by at least one removable seal.
[73] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a method may have the steps of: the first defining; forming the storage in one of the middle and bottom portions (to be referred to as the "first forming" hereinafter); punching at least one hole in the storage (to be referred to as the "fourth punching" hereinafter); the first sealing; and then removing the seal, thereby fluidly communicating the storage and interior through the hole.
[74] In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided for including a medium in or on a bottle while separating the medium from an interior of the bottle by at least one removable seal, where the bottle forms an interior which is separated from an exterior thereof by a body of the bottle and also defines an opening for receiving and dispensing a fluid therethrough.
[75] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a method may include the steps of: the first defining; storing the medium in the top portion (to be referred to as the "first storing" hereinafter); the first punching; removably sealing the hole by the seal, thereby sealing such a medium from the interior (to be referred to as the "second sealing" hereinafter); and breaking the seal, thereby fluidly communicating the medium and interior through the hole.
[76] In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided for including a medium in a bottle while separating the medium from an interior of the bottle by at least one seal and thereafter removing the seal, where the interior is separated from an exterior thereof by a body of the bottle and where the bottle defines an opening for receiving and dispensing a fluid therethrough.
[77] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a method may include the steps of: the first defining; storing the medium in or on the body; the first punching; the second sealing; and then applying an user input to the seal while breaking the seal, thereby providing a fluid communication between the medium and interior through the hole.
[78] In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided for forming at least two sections separated by at least one removable seal in a bottle, where the bottle may define an interior separated from an exterior thereof by a body of the bottle and also form an opening for receiving and dispensing a fluid therethrough and where the bottle may include at least one medium incorporated in one of the sections and separated from the interior by the seal.
[79] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a method may have the steps of: the first defining; the third storing; the first punching; the second sealing; and then breaking the seal, thereby fluidly communicating the medium and interior through the hole.
[80] In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided for forming at least one storage in a bottle with an interior separated from an exterior thereof by a body of the bottle and with an opening for receiving and dispensing a fluid therethrough, where the storage may be separated from the interior by at least one removable seal and where the bottle includes at least one medium.
[81] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a method may have the steps of: the first defining; the first forming; storing the medium in such a storage (to be referred to as the "fifth storing" hereinafter); the fourth punching; the second sealing; and removing the seal, thereby fluidly communicating the medium and interior through the hole in the storage.
[82] In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided for including a medium in or in a bottle while separating the medium from a fluid contained in an interior of the bottle with at least one removable seal, where the interior may be separated from an exterior thereof by a body of such a bottle and also may define an opening for receiving and dispensing a fluid therethrough.
[83] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a method may have the steps of: the first defining; the first storing; the first punching; the second sealing; and thereafter breaking such a seal, thereby mixing the medium with the fluid.
[84] In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided for including at least one medium in a bottle and separating the medium from a fluid contained in an interior of such a bottle by at least one seal and removing the seal for mixing the fluid and medium, where the bottle may define an interior separated from an exterior thereof by a body of the bottle and may also include an opening for receiving and dispensing a fluid therethrough.
[85] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a method may include the steps of: the first defining; storing the medium in or on the body; the first punching; the second sealing; and applying an user input to the seal while breaking the seal, thereby mixing the medium with the fluid.
[86] In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided for including at least one medium and a fluid in a bottle while separating such a medium from the fluid by at least one removable seal, where the bottle may form an interior separated from an exterior thereof by a body of the bottle and define an opening for receiving and dispensing the fluid therethrough. [87] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a method may have the steps of: the first defining; the first storing; the second punching; the second sealing; and removing the seal for mixing the medium and fluid in one of the middle and bottom portions.
[88] In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided for including at least one medium and a fluid in a bottle while separating such a medium from the fluid by at least one removable seal, where the bottle may form an interior separated from an exterior by a body of the bottle and form an opening for receiving and dispensing therethrough the fluid and where the medium produces gas when mixed with the fluid.
[89] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a method may have the steps of: the first defining; the first storing where the medium is also capable of producing the gas; the second punching; the second sealing; and then removing the seal for mixing the medium and fluid in one of the middle and bottom portions, thereby producing the gas by the medium.
[90] In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided for including at least one medium and a fluid in a bottle while separating such a medium from the fluid by at least one removable seal, where the bottle may form an interior separated from an exterior by a body of the bottle and form an opening for receiving and dispensing therethrough the fluid and where the medium may include at least one filler which is insoluble to the fluid.
[91] Inone exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a method may include the steps of: the first defining; defining at least one dimension of the medium by the filler; the first storing; the second punching; the second sealing; and removing the seal for mixing the medium and fluid in one of the middle and bottom portions, thereby maintaining the dimension of the medium.
[92] In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be provided for including at least one medium and a fluid in a bottlewhile separating such a medium from the fluid by at least one removable seal, where such a bottle may form an interior separated from an exterior by a body of the bottle and form an opening for receiving and dispensing therethrough the fluid, while the medium may include at least one substance soluble to the fluid therein.
[93] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a method may have the steps of: the first defining; distributing the substance in (or across) the medium in an arrangement for forming a path for the fluid while dissolving (or dispersing) into the fluid; the first storing; the second punching; the second sealing; and removing the seal for mixing the medium and fluid in one of such middle and bottom portions, thereby forming the path for promoting the dissolution (or dispersion).
[94] [95] In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided for axially defining a top, a middle, and a bottom therealong.
[96] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a bottle may be made by a process comprising the steps of: providing a body with the top, middle, and bottom portions; providing the body with an interior for containing a fluid therein; providing such a body with an opening which is defined in the top portion and in one end thereof and through which the fluid is filled to the interior and dispensed to an exterior thereof; disposing at least one seal in one of such middle and bottom portions (to be referred to as the "first disposing" hereinafter); configuring such a seal to serve as a barrier to fluid communication therethrough when intact (to be referred to as the "first configuring" hereinafter); and then configuring the seal to be removable and to fluidly communicate the interior with the exterior therethrough (to be referred to as the "second configuring" hereinafter). It is noted that the first three providings will be referred to as the "first providings" hereinafter.
[97] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a bottle may be made by a process comprising such steps of: the first providings; the first disposing; the first configuring; and configuring the seal to be removable upward, downward or sideways and to fluidly communicate the interior with the exterior therethrough.
[98] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a bottle may be made by a process comprising such steps of: the first providings; the first disposing; the first configuring; and then configuring the seal to be one of flush with the body, protruding into the interior, protruding to the exterior, and to be removable for providing the fluid communication between the interior and exterior therethrough.
[99] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a bottle may be made by a process comprising the steps of: the first providings; providing a lid configured to releasably couple with the opening and to open and close the opening for providing a fluid communication between the interior and exterior; operatively coupling the seal with the lid; extending the seal to one of the middle and bottom; the first configuring; and then configuring the seal to be removable for extending the fluid communication therethrough.
[100] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a bottle may be made by a process comprising the steps of: the first providings; providing an applicator which is configured to contact a mouth of an user, to releasably couple to the opening, and to open and close the opening for providing a fluid communication between the interior and exterior; operatively coupling the seal to the applicator; extending the seal to one of the middle and bottom; the first configuring; and configuring the seal to be removable for extending the communication therethrough.
[101] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a bottle may be made by a process comprising such steps of: the first providings; the first disposing; the first configuring; the second configuring; and disposing along the communication at least one mesh capable of preventing a particle beyond a preset dimension from flowing thereacross.
[102] In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided for axially defining a top, a middle, and a bottom therealong and forms a plurality of separated portions therein.
[103] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a bottle may be made by a process comprising the steps of: the first providings; including at least one chamber defining a preset volume in one of the middle and bottom portions (to be referred to as the "first including" hereinafter); operatively coupling the seal with the chamber; the first configuring; and then configuring the seal to be removable and to fluidly communicate therethrough the chamber to the interior (to be referred to as the "third configuring" hereinafter).
[104] In another aspect of the present invention, a bottle may be provided for axially defining a top, a middle, and a bottom therealong and including therein at least one medium containing therein at least one antioxidant and capable of protecting the antioxidant from ultraviolet rays until the medium is mixed with a fluid into which the antioxidant is to be dissolved (or dispersed).
[105] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, such a bottle may be made by a process which comprises such steps of: the first providings; the first disposing; the first configuring; disposing the medium along the communication and in one of the middle and bottom portions, thereby separating the medium and interior; and the third configuring, thereby fluidly communicating the medium with the interior.
[106] As used herein, the term "antioxidants" refers to various natural and/or synthetic substances which are capable of preventing certain oxidation reactions or at least reducing rates of the oxidation reactions. Typical examples of natural "antioxidants" are various tocopherols including a-, b-, g-, and d- tocopherols, nordihydroguaretic acid (or NDGA), sesamol, and gossypol, whereas typical examples of synthetic "antioxidants "are butylated hydroxy- anisole (or BHA), butylated hydroxy-tolune (or BHT), propyl gallate (or PG), and tertiary butyl hydroquinone (or TBHQ). These "antioxidants "are believed to prevent or reduce the oxidation reactions caused by various reactive oxygen species such hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), superoxide anion (O 2 ), various free radicals including hydroxyl radical (OH), and the like. Various metal chelators also behave as such "antioxidants," where examples of such chelators are phosphoric acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid (or vitamin C), ethylene diamine tetra acetate (or EDTA). All of the "antioxidants" disclosed in this paragraph will be referred to as the "antioxidants" of the first type throughout this disclosure. In addition to the foregoing substances, many more "antioxidants" are known in various fields of food, medicine, and pharmaceutical industries, where the "antioxidants" may be classified as food additive "antioxidants" or nutritional "antioxidants" and where the latter may further be classified as vitamins, vitamin cofactors and minerals, hormones, carotenoid terpenoids, non-carotenoid terpenoids, flavonoid polyphenolics, phenolic acids and esters, other organic "antioxidants," and so on. The food additive "antioxidants "may include, but not be limited to, ascorbic acid (or vitamin C), tocopherol and tocopherol-derived compounds, BHA, BHT, EDTA, citric acid, acetic acid, pectin, rosemarinic acid, and the like. Such vitamin "antioxidants" may include, but not be limited to, vitamin A (or retinol), vitamin C (or ascorbic acid), and vitamin E including tocotrienol, tocopherol, and the like. The vitamin cofactors "antioxidants" and mineral "antioxidants" may include, but not be limited to, coenzyme QlO (or CoQ 10), selenium, zinc, manganese (particularly in its 2 + valence state and as a part of an enzyme, superoxide dismutase or SOD), and so on. The hormone such as melatonin may also operate as the "antioxidant." The carotenoid terpenoids "antioxidants" may include, but not limited to, lycopene, lutein, a-carotene, b-carotene, zeaxanthin, astaranthin, and canthaxantin. The non-carotenoid terpenoids "antioxidants" may include, but not be limited to, eugenol, saponin, limonoid, and the like. The flavonoid polyphenolics "antioxidants" (or biofalvonoids) are a subset of polyphenyl "antioxidants "and may include falvonoids, flavones, flavanones, falvan- 3-ols, isoflavone phytoestrogenes, and anthocyanins. Such flavonoids may also include, but not be limited to, resveratrol, pterostilbene, kaempferol, myricetin, isorhamnetin, proanthocyanidins or condensed tannins, and the like. The flavones may include, but not be limited to, quercetin, rutin, luteolin, apigenin, tangeritin, and so on. The flavanones may include, but not be limited to, hesperetin, naringenin, and eri- odictyol. Such falvan-3-ols or anthocyanidins may include, but not be limited to, catechin, gallocatechin, opicatechin and its gallate forms, epigallocatechin and its gallate forms, theaflavin and its gallate forms, and thearubigin. Isoflavone phytoestrogens may include, but not be limited to, genistein, daidzein, glycitein, and the like. The anthocyanins may include, but not be limited to, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, peonidin, petunidin, and the like. The phenolic acids and esters "antioxidants" are a subset of polyphenol "antioxidants" and may include, but not be limited to, ellagic acid, gallic acid, salicylic acid, rosemarinic acid, cinnamic acid including its derivatives such as ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, chicolic acid, gal- lotannin, and ellagitannin. Other organic "antioxidants" may also include, but not be limited to, citric acid, lignan, antinutrients such as oxalic acid and phytic acid, bilirubin, uric acid, R-a-lipoic acid, silymarin, N-acetylcysteine, and the like. Other "antioxidants" may further include a-tocopherol, a-tocoquinone, indole, sulforaphane, glu- cosinate, and the like. All of these "antioxidants" described in this paragraph will be referred to as the "antioxidants" of the second type throughout this disclosure.
[108] As used herein, the term "antioxidants" may collectively refer to various foods which include any of the "antioxidants" described in the previous paragraph. Accordingly, such "antioxidants" may include, but not be limited to, (undutched) cocoa powder, (dark) chocolate, white tea, green rooibes, green tea, oolong tea, black tea, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, cranberry, crowberry, kiwi, cherry, plum, grape, pomegranite, papaya, orange, grapefruit, other citrus fruits, cruciferous vegetable such as broccoli, Brussels sprout, cabbage, and kale, artichoke, asparagus, avocado, bean, spinach, red pepper, carrot, (Russet) potato, tomato, olive, various nuts such as walnut, pecan, hazelnut, and the like. Similarly, the term "antioxidants" may collectively refer to various herbs and spices which may also include any of the "antioxidants" disclosed in the preceding paragraph, where examples of such herbs and spices may further include, but not be limited to, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, lemon balm, oregano, peppermint, rosemary, sage, thyme, and the like. All of these foods, herbs, fruits, and the like, will be referred to as the "antioxidants" of the third type throughout this disclosure. It is to be understood, therefore, that the terms "antioxidant" and "antioxidants" collectively refer to those of the first, second, and third types, unless otherwise specified.
[109] As used herein, a term "agent" collectively refers to the above antioxidants which have been described in the preceding three paragraphs. Such an "agent" also refers to other vitamins, minerals, nutrients, herbs, medicinal substances, pharmaceutical substances, and/or homeopathic substances which fall into one or more of following three types. First, the "agents of the first type" refer to those which tend to lose their potency and/or activity and/or which tend to degrade by ultraviolet rays (to be abbreviated as the "UV rays" hereinafter). In contrary, the "agents of the second type" refer to those which tend to lose their potency or activity and/or which tend to degrade when they are dissolved in a fluid beyond a preset period of time. In addition, the "agents of the third type" refer to those which tend to form precipitations and/or aggregates by the UV rays and/or when dissolved in a fluid beyond such a period of time. It is to be understood, however, that the terms "agent" and "agents" collectively refer to those of the first, second, and third types, unless otherwise specified.
[110] A "bottle" refers to any rigid or elastic container which may contain therein a preset amount of fluid which may by definition include suspension, emulsion, slurry, a mixture of liquid and solid, and the like. The "bottle" may be made of and/or include various polymers or plastics, glasses, metals, papers, ceramics, papers, composite materials thereof, and the like. Such "bottles" refer not only to portable "bottles" but also to stationary "bottles," where the portable "bottles" are generally smaller and contain less fluid than the stationary "bottles." In addition, such "bottles" refer not only to disposable "bottle" but also to other "bottles" which may be used repeatedly.
[I l l] As used herein, the terms "top," "middle," and "bottom" refer to different portions of the above bottle which are defined along a longitudinal axis of the bottle. In general, the "top" of the bottle refers to the portion of the bottle encompassing a lid, an applicator, and a neck of a body of the bottle. In the alternative, the "top" of the bot- tlerefers to a portion of the bottle encompassing the lid, the applicator, and a portion of the body of the bottle which lies above a meniscus of a fluid in an upright position of the bottle and before use or, alternatively, another portion of the body of the bottle while lies above a few centimeters below the meniscus in the upright position of the bottle and before use. The rest of the body of the bottle defines the "middle" and "bottom," where a lower half of the rest of the bottle is the "bottom" of the bottle or the "bottom" of the body, while an upper half of the rest of the bottle is the "middle" of the bottle or the "middle" of the body.
[112] The term "remove" (and "removing") collectively refers to "break" (and "breaking") and "move" (and "moving") within the scope of this invention. More particularly, the term "break" (and "breaking") refers to "cut" (and "cutting") and "burst" (and "bursting"), while another term "move" (and "moving") refers to "open and/or close" (and "opening" and/or "closing") by "translating," "rotating" or "pivoting." The "cut" (and "cutting") refers to "removing" a seal with a sharp object so that the seal is "removed" in a path along which the sharp object is applied to the seal, while the "burst" (and "bursting") refers to "removing" a seal with another object which is not so sharp and which tears or breaks the seal in a path which is not identical to a path along which the object is applied to the seal. The term "translate" (and "translating") refers to causing a movement of such a seal along a curvilinear path which is two- or three- dimensional path, the term "rotate" (or "rotating") refers to causing a rotational movement of a seal along an angular path which is also two- or three-dimensional, and the term "pivot" (or "pivoting") then refers to causing an arcuate movement of a seal about a center of rotation along an arcuate path which is also two- or three-dimensional.
[113] Unless otherwise defined in the following specification, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Although the methods or materials equivalent or similar to those described herein can be used in the practice or in the testing of the present invention, the suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and/or other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of any conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. [114] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[115] The present invention may provide a bottle which stores the medium separately from the water before consumption and a bottle which mixes the medium with water upon consumption. The present invention may provide a bottle which includes a seal separating the medium from water before use and which allows an user to break and/or move the seal upon use.
[116] An advantage of the present invention lies in the very facts that the actuator assembly may be provided separate from the body and that there is no need to modify an existing plant for producing the body of the bottle. Brief Description of Drawings
[117] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary container of the prior art;
[118] FIGs. 2 to 4 are schematic cross-sectional views of an exemplary bottle including a medium in its middle according to the present invention;
[119] FIGs. 5 to 24 are schematic cross-sectional views of various storages of exemplary bottles of the present invention;
[120] FIGs. 25 to 34 are schematic cross-sectional views of various active and passive seals of the storages of FIGs. 15 to 24 according to the present invention;
[121] FIGs. 35 to 45 are schematic cross-sectional views of the seals of FIGs. 25 to 34 broken by various means according to the present invention;
[122] FIGs. 46 to 50 are schematic views of the seals of FIGs. 25 to 34 moved by various means according to the present invention;
[123] FIGs. 51 to 56 are schematic cross-sectional views of other exemplary bottles including media in their middle or bottom according to the present invention; and
[124] FIG. 57 is a series of schematic cross-sectional views of a process of fabricating the bottle of FIG. 56 according to the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention
[125] The present invention generally relates to bottles containing fluids and agents while separating the agents from the fluids before use. More particularly, the present invention relates to bottles having fluids and various media with such agents, where the media are stored separately from the fluids and then mixed with the fluids upon actual use. Therefore, the present invention relates to various media which contain therein such agents, define shape and size to be stored in such bottles, and optionally promote dissolution (or dispersion) in the fluids upon mixed therewith, to various storages which are disposed in various portions of the bottles and which have various shapes and sizes for storing such media therein, to various chambers which are defined inside the storages and store the media therein, and to various pathways which are also defined around the storages and fluidly connect the chamber of the storage to various portions of the bottles. The present invention relates to various seals which fluidly separate the media inside the storages from the fluids in the bottles before consumption and are removed upon use for mixing the media with the fluids in various portions of the bottles. The present invention relates to various actuators which receive user inputs and then mix the media with the fluids in response thereto by directly removing the seals, by moving the media for removing such seals, and the like. The present invention then relates to various bottles capable of promoting the mixing between the media and fluids as well as capable of visualizing extents of such mixing by various means.
[126] The present invention also relates to various methods of including such media and fluids in the bottles while separating the media from the fluids before use, and then mixing the media with the fluids upon use. Therefore, the present invention relates to various methods of including such agents in the media, those of making the media in appropriate shapes and sizes, and those of fabricating the media for promoting the mixing with such fluids. In addition, the present invention relates to various methods of forming the storages in various portions of the bottles, those of extending the storages in the same or to different portions of the bottles, those of storing the media in such storages, and those of moving the media between different portions of such storages. The present invention then relates to various methods of fluidly sealing the media from the fluids, those of removing the sealing for mixing the media with the fluids upon use, those of breaking the sealing for the mixing, and thoseof moving the sealing for the mixing. The present invention also relates to various methods of receiving such user inputs by various portions of the bottles, those of receiving the inputs by the storages or their chambers and/or pathways, those of directly removing the sealing by the user inputs, and those of indirectly removing such sealing by the media which are actuated by the user inputs. The present invention also relates to various methods of promoting the mixing between the media and fluids and those of visualizing the extents of such mixing by various means.
[127] The present invention further relates to various processes for providing the bottles capable of separating such media from the fluids before use and then mixing the media with the fluids onlyupon actual use. Therefore, the present invention relates to various processes for fabricating such media containing the agents and/or fillers therein in proper shapes and/or sizes, those for providing various bodies of such bottles defining various portions and storing such media in such portions. The present invention also relates to various processes for incorporating the storages in various portions of such bottles, those for defining the chambers and/or pathways in such storages, those for defining and/or extending such chambers and/or pathways in various portions of the bottles, and those for providing the seals in various portions of the chambers and/or pathways of the storages or in various portions of the bodies of such bottles. The present invention also relates to various processes for fabricating such seals removable by various means, those for providing the actuators capable of breaking such seals in response to the user inputs, those for providing the actuators capable of moving such seals in response thereto, those for fabricating the actuators receiving the user inputs and removing such seals in direct response thereto, and those for fabricating the actuators receiving the user inputs and then actuating the media which remove such seals in response thereto. The present invention further relates to various processes for fabricating such bottles capable of promoting the mixing between the media and fluids and those for providing the bottles capable of visualizing the extents of the mixing by various means.
[128] Various aspects and embodiments of such bottles, methods thereof, and processes therefor of the present invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings and text, where such aspects and/or embodiments thereof only represent different forms. Such bottles, methods, and/or processes of this invention, however, may be embodied in many other different forms and, accordingly, should not be limited to such aspects and/or embodiments which are set forth herein. Rather, various exemplary aspects and embodiments described herein are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the scope of this invention to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art.
[129] Unless otherwise specified, it is to be understood that various members, units, elements, and parts of various bottles of the present invention are not typically drawn to scales and/or proportions for ease of illustration. It is also to be understood that such members, units, elements, and/or parts of various bottles of the present invention designated by the same numerals may typically represent the same, similar, and functionally equivalent members, units, elements, and parts thereof, respectively.
[130] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary container of the prior art, where a container 5 is generally divided along its longitudinal axis 1OA into a top portion (or simply a "top") 1OT, a middle portion (or a "middle") 1OM, and a bottom portion (or a "bottom") 1OB. Such a container 5 also includes a body 20, an applicator 30, and a lid 40. Such a body 20 is divided into the top portion 1OT, middle portion 1OM, and bottom portion 1OB, where the top portion 1OT of the body 20 forms a narrow opening 22 in its mouth 2OM which then extends downward while forming a neck 2ON along a preset length, where the middle portion 1OM of the body 20 includes a taper 2OT which starts from the neck 2ON and gradually widens into an upper belly 2OL, and where the bottom portion lOTof the body 20 includes a lower belly 20L connected to the upper base 2OU and terminates at a base 2OB which then encloses the body 20. Accordingly, such a body 20 is generally hollow and defines an interior of the container 5 which is separated from an exterior thereof and open to the exterior through the opening 22. The lid 40, which belongs to the top portion 1OT of the container 5, is then arranged to releasably couple with the neck 2ON of the body 20 and to close the opening 22. The applicator 30, which also belongs to the top portion 1OT of the container 5, includes a fluid path 34 and an outlet 22, where the fluid path 34 is formed along a longitudinal direction from a bottom to a middle thereof and where the outlet 32 is rotatably disposed on thetop of thereof. In addition, the applicator 30 is also arranged to be inserted through the opening 22 so as to seal the interior of the body 20 (or container 5) from the exterior when the outlet 32 is misaligned with the path 34 and then to open the interior to the exterior when the outlet 32 is pivoted and aligned with the path 34.
[131] The container 5 is generally used to contain water or other fluids. For example, the water (or fluid) is filled into the body 20 of the container 5 till the water (or fluid)fills the bottom and then middle portions 1OB, 1OM thereof. The applicator 30 is then inserted through the opening 22 while misaligning its outlet 32 with its path 34 so as to maintain the fluid sealing between the exterior and the water (or fluid) inside the body 20. The lid 40 is then placed on top of the applicator 40, and a bottled water (or fluid) is distributed for consumption.
[132] As described above, such a conventional bottled water is not provided with any provision for protecting various agents from sunlight or its ultraviolet rays (or simply as "UV rays" hereinafter), from a prolonged period of dissolution (or dispersion) of such agents in the water (or fluid), from forming a precipitate, and the like.
[133] Accordingly and in one aspect of the presentinvention, a novel bottle is provided to include at least one medium and at least one fluid while not only fluidly separating the medium including various agents from the fluid but also protecting the agents of the medium from the UV rays. FIGs. 2 to 4 are schematic cross-sectional views of an exemplary bottle which includes a pair of media in a middle portion thereof while protecting such media from a fluid upon actual use and according to the present invention. As shown in FIGs. 2 to 4, an exemplary bottle 10 is similar to the conventional container of FIG. 1 in that the bottle 10 defines the top, middle, and bottoms portion along its longitudinal axis, that the bottle 10 includes the body 20, applicator 30, and lid 40, that the body 20 is similarlydivided into the top, middle, and bottom portions, that the top portion includes the lid 40, applicator 30, and neck of the body 20, that the middle portion includes the taper and upper belly, and that the bottom portion includes the lower belly and base.However, the bottle 10 also includes an actuator 50 which includes therein a pair of media 60 stacked one over the other and is also filled with a fluid 70 which is generally water or other drinkable fluids.
[134] More particularly, the actuator 50 includes astorage 54 which is extends from a bottom of the applicator 30 down to the bottom portion of the bottle 10. A top of such a storage 54 is coupled to the bottom of the applicator 30 in a manner to fluidly separate the storage 54 from the interior of the body 20 (or bottle 10) such that the fluid 70 does not get into the storage 54 when the bottle 10 is slanted or disposed upside down. A bottom of the storage 54 is similarly fluidly separated from the interior of the body 20 (or bottle 10) and also from the fluid 70 through covering a bottom end of the storage 54 by a removable seal 53. In general, the storage 54 may define various cross-sectional shapes which may or may not coincide with that of the applicator 30, where such a storage 54 of this embodiment forms a circular cross-section. Inside the storage 54 is disposed a pair of media 54 disposed above the seal 53 and stacked one over the other. In particular, the lower medium 60 forms a pointed tip in its bottom end, while the upper and lower media 60contact each other by flat surfaces. Inside the storage 54 is a coupler 52 which abuts the top medium 70 in its bottom end and extends through the applicator 30 in its top end. A foldable handle 51 is also disposed on a top end of the applicator 30 and mechanically couples with the top end of the coupler 52.
[135] As described above, each medium 60 contains various biomedically or pharmaceutically active agents, a typical example of which is an antioxidant defined hereinabove. When such an antioxidant tends to degrade when exposed to the UV rays, the media 60 are preferably coated by various fillers capable of blocking the UV rays from penetrating into the media 60. Alternatively and/or in conjunction with the opaque coating, a lower portion of the storage 54 is made of and/or includes materials which also block the UV rays from penetrating therethrough, thereby protecting the media 70 from the rays.
[136] In operation and as shown in FIG. 2, an user obtains the bottle 10 which is filled with the fluid 70 to the middle portion thereof and which also includes the media 60. In this stage, the media 60 are disposed inside the storage 54 and, accordingly, fluidly separated from the interior of the bottle 10 (or body 20) as well as from the fluid 70 by various parts of the storage 54. Upon use and as exemplified in FIG. 3, the user removes the lid 40 from the rest of the bottle 10 by rotating the lid 40 in a counterclockwise direction. After removing the lid 40 from the body 20, the user reaches the handle 51 of the actuator 50 disposed on top of the applicator 30 and lifts the handle 51 by pivoting such by about 90°. In this stage, the media 60 are still fluidly separated from the interior of the bottle 10 and from the fluid 70. As exemplified in FIG. 4, the user applies user input by pressing down the handle 51 through the applicator 30 in a vertical direction. In response to such user input, the handle 51 begins to descend, while pressing the coupler 52 of the actuator 50 as well as the media 60 abutted by thecoupler 52 in the same direction. Therefore, the pointed end of the lower medium 60 gradually presses the seal 53 and tears a center portion of the seal 53 when a magnitude of a force associated with the user input exceeds a mechanical modulus of the seal 53. As the user further presses the handle 51, the coupler 52 travels by a length of the handle 51 inserted into the applicator 30 and displaces both of the media 60 into the fluid 70.
[137] Depending upon their densities, the media 60 sink into the base of the bottle 20 or float on the fluid 70, although heavier media 60 may be preferred to ensure their immersion into the fluid 70 while maximizing contact between the media 60 and fluid 70. When the media 60 include protective layers for securing their agents from the UV rays, such coat layers first contact the fluid 70 and dissolves or disperses into the fluid 70. Thereafter, various agents including such antioxidants in the media 60 mix with the fluid 70, i.e., dissolve or disperse thereinto. Depending upon various characteristics of such agents and/or fillers of the media 60, the mixing between the media 60 and fluid 70 may be promoted. In this embodiment, the media 60 include gassing fillers or gassifiers so that the media 60 produce gas bubbles upon contacting with the fluid 70. Such gas bubbles may not only induce forced convection of the agents inside the fluid 70 but also remove formation of concentration boundary layers around or inside the media 60, thereby maximizing the mixing between the media 60 and fluid 70. In addition, the gassifiers may be used for carbonating the fluid 70, thereby converting the fluid 70 into a carbonated beverage.
[138] As disclosed heretofore and will be described hereinafter, various medium- containing bottles of the presentinvention invariably include a few essential elements. The first essential element is a storage which serves to form a space in which a medium is stored before use. The second essential element is a seal which is disposed on one side of the storage and fluidly separates the medium from the interior of the bottle and/or fluid filling such before use. The third essential elements is an actuator which receives an user input and removes the seal in response thereto for fluidly communicating the medium with the interior of the bottle and/or for mixing the medium with the fluid. Following figures are provided to illustrate selected exemplary embodiments of the above essential elements of such bottles of this invention. For example, FIGs. 15 to 24 exemplify the storages defining various configurations, FIGs. 25 to 34 exemplify the seals actively or passively defined on or along such storages, FIGs. 35 to 45 exemplify such seals which break in response to the user inputs, FIGs. 46 to 50 exemplify other seals which move in response to the user inputs, and FIGs. 51 to 56 exemplify various bottles which incorporate some of such storages. [139] It is to be understood, however, that various apparatus, method, and process aspects and/or embodiments of such following bottles and their parts of this invention may be embodied in many other different forms and, therefore, should not be limited to such aspects and/or embodiments which are to be set forth herein. Rather, various exemplary aspects and their embodiments described hereinafter are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the scope of the present invention to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art.
[140] In another aspect of the present invention, the medium-containing bottles of this invention may include various storages for storing therein one or multiple media therein while fluidly separating such media from the interior of the bottle and/or while preventing such media from mixing with the fluid also contained in such bottles. FIGs. 15 to 24 are schematic cross-sectional views of exemplary storages of various bottles of the present invention. It is appreciated that following figures only include relevant portions of the bottles therein and, therefore, that the rest of such bottles are omitted therefrom. The following figures are also oriented such that their left sides correspond to the exterior of such bottles, and their right sides correspond to the interior of such bottles. In addition, each storage of the figures includesa particular type of a seal which moves between their closed and open positions for sealing and then exposing the media to the interior of the bottles or fluids contained therein, although each of such storages may incorporate other types of seals as willbe disclosed below. Each storage of the figures may also be formed in any portions of the bottles including their lids and applicators, although the storages of the figures are restricted to those formed on the bodies of the bottles. In addition, the figures do not include any actuators and, therefore, the medium of each storage is presumed to stay therein after the seal is removed, although such actuators may be operatively coupled to the storages and move the media into the interior of the bottles whendesirable. Each storage of such figures may also be oriented in any direction so that a storage which may extend horizontally may be implemented in a different direction into a bottle to form a vertical or slanted storage.
[141] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exemplified in
FIGs. 5 to 7, each storage 54 is formed on an inner wall of the body 20 by protruding a chamber of the storage 54 into the interior of the bottle. In one example of FIG. 5, such a storage 54 forms an opening which faces a longitudinal axis of the bottle and is sealed by a pair of vertical sliding seals 53. Therefore, as the seals 53 slide upwardly and downwardly, a medium 60 tends to stay inside the storage 54 unless actuated by an actuator. In another example of FIG. 6, a storage 54 defines another opening which faces downward and is sealed by a single sliding seal 53. Therefore, when the seal 53 slides open, the medium 60 tends to drop downwardly and to move out of the storage 54 vertically as long as the medium 60 is heavier than the fluid and as long as the seal
53 opens and forms a gap wider than the medium 60. In another example of FIG. 7, a storage 54 forms an opening which faces upward and is sealed by a single sliding seal 53. When the seal 53 slides open, the medium 60 tends to stay inside the storage 54 unless actuated by the actuator.
[142] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the present invention and as exemplified in FIG. 8, a storage 54 is defined on an outer wall of the body 20 by protruding its chamber toward the exterior of the bottle. For example, a storage 54 forms an opening which faces the longitudinal axis of the bottle and is sealed by a pair of pivoting seals 53. Thus, when the seals 53 pivot inwardly into the interior of the bottle, the medium 60 stays inside the storage 54 unless actuated by the actuator.
[143] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exemplified in FIGs. 9 to 14, each storage 54 may be defined between the inner and outer walls of the body 20 of the bottle or, in the alternative, between the inner or outer wall of the body 20 and an auxiliary wall which may be a part of the storage or a part of the actuator. In one example of FIG. 9, a storage 54 is formed as a space which is then defined between the walls and sealed by a pair of pivoting seals 53 which are similar to those of FIG. 8. The storage 54 forms an opening open toward the longitudinal axis of the bottle and, thus, the medium 60 tends to stay in the storage 54 as the seals 53 open, unless actuated by the actuator. In another example of FIG. 9, a storage 54 is similarly formed between the walls but one of the walls is shorter than the other. The storage 54 defines an opening which is open upward and sealed by another pair of pivoting seals 53. Thus, when the seals pivot and open, the medium 60 tends to stay inside the storage 54 unless actuated by the actuator. In another example of FIG. 11, a storage 54 is defined between the walls one of which is also shorter than the other. Such a storage
54 forms an opening which is open downward and sealed by a pair of pivoting seals
53. Thus, when the seals pivot and open, the medium 60 tends to drop downward and to move out of the storage 54 when the seals 53 form agap wider than the medium 60. In another example of FIG. 12, a storage 54 is similar to that of FIG. 9, except that a chamber of the storage 54 is defined not only by the above opposing walls of FIG. 9 but also by two partitions extending across such walls. In another example of FIG. 13, a storage 54 is also similar to that of FIG. 11, except that it is defined by a pair of walls both of extending not only along and but also beyond an entire height of the storage
54. Such a storage 54 forms an openingwhich is open downward and also sealed by a pair of pivoting seals 53 so that the medium 60 drops into a gap defined between the walls when the seals 53 open. Accordingly, the gap between the walls is preferably arranged to fluidly communicate with the interior of the bottle and the fluid contained therein. In another example of FIG. 14, a storage is similar to that of FIG. 13, except that the storage 54 forms an opening which is open upward. Thus, the medium 60 tends to stay inside the storage 54 when the seals 54 pivot and open.
[144] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exemplified in FIGs. 15 to 18, each storage 54 is formed on an inner wall of the body 20 by vertically protruding a chamber of the storage 54 into the interior of the bottle. In one example of FIG. 15, a storage 54 forms an opening which is open downward and sealed by a pair of sliding seals 53. Accordingly, as the seals 53 slide and open, the medium 60 tends to drop vertically and to move out of the storage 54 as long as the gap formed between the seals 53 are wider than the medium 60. In another example of FIG. 16, a storage 54 is similar to that of FIG. 15, except that the storage 54 forms an opening which is open upward. In another example of FIG. 17, a storage 54 extends downward and defines an opening which is open to the longitudinal axis of the bottle and sealed by a single sliding seal 53. Accordingly, the medium 60 tends to stay in the storage 54 as the seal slides and opens. In another example of FIG. 18, a storage 54 is similar to that of FIG. 17, except that the storage 54 extends upward.
[145] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exemplified in FIGs. 19 and 20, each storage 54 is formed on an outer wall of the body 20 by vertically protruding its camber into the interior of the bottle. In one example of FIG. 19, a storage 54 extends downward and forms an opening which is open downward and sealed by a pair of sliding seals 53. Therefore, the medium 60 tends to drop vertically and moves out of the storage 54 when a gap formed between the seals 53 is wider than the medium 60. In another example of FIG. 20, a storage 54 is similar to that of FIG. 19, except that such a storage 54 extends upward.
[146] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exemplified in FIGs. 21 and 22, each storage 54 is formed between a pair of partitions which extend between two walls and couple such walls which do not extend in the same elevation, where such walls correspond to upper and lower horizontal walls in the embodiment. In one example of FIG. 21, such a storage 54 is formed between such walls and defines an opening which faces downward and is sealed by a single sliding seal 53. Accordingly, when the seal 53 opens, the medium 60 tends to drop vertically and downward as long as a gap formed by the seal 53 is wider than the medium 60. In another example of FIG. 22, a storage 54 is similar to that of FIG. 21, except that the storage 54 defines an opening facing upward. In these aspects, the upper wall of the storage 54 of FIG. 21 corresponds to that of a wider portion of the bottle, while the upper wall of the storage 54 of FIG. 22 corresponds to that of a narrow portion of the bottle.
[147] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exemplified in FIGs. 23 and 24, each storage 54 is defined between the inner and outer walls of the body 20 of the bottle or, in the alternative, between the inner or outer wall of the body 20 and an auxiliary wall which may be a part of the storage or a part of the actuator. In one example of FIG. 23, a storage 54 is similar to that of FIG. 9, except that an opening of the storage 54 faces downward and is also covered by a single sliding seal 53. In another example of FIG. 24, a storage 54 is similar to that of FIG. 12, except that an opening of the storage 54 faces upward.
[148] Various storages of the medium-containing bottles of the present invention exemplified in FIGs. 5 to 24 also include following configurational and operational variations and/or modifications thereof, details of which are to be set forth below.
[149] As described above, the storage may consist of at least one chamber, at least one seal, and at least one optional pathway, where the chamber servesas a space for storing one or more media, where the seal serves to seal the storage against the interior of the bottle and fluid contained therein, and where the pathway serves to guide the actuator, medium, and/or fluid therealong. In general, the storage may be formed in any of such top, middle, and/or bottom portions of the bottle and/or its body. The storage may be defined in only one of such portions of the bottle (or body) or, in the alternative, may be extended across two or more portions of the bottle (or body). The storage may be disposed between the interior and exterior of the bottle, across the interior and/or exterior of the bottle, may be preferentially disposed in the exterior of the bottle but still fluidly connected into the interior by at least a portion thereof such as, e.g., its chamber and/or pathway. In the alternative, an entire portion of the pathway may be disposed inside the interior of the bottle. In short, the storage may be incorporated in almost any location on and in the bottle (or body) as long as such a storage may readily be actuated by the user input.
[150] In particular, the chamber may be defined by bulging into the interior of the bottle (or body), by bulging into the exterior of the bottle, between the inner and outer walls of the bottle and, accordingly, flush with the bottle, and the like. The chamber may be incorporated into the interior and/or exterior of the bottle (or body) vertically, horizontally, at a preset angle, and so on. As to each of the horizontal, vertical, and angled dispositions, the chamber may define the opening which may be open downward, upward or sideways, where detailed orientation of the opening may be determined by various factors such as, e.g., the space available for the opening, detailed mechanisms of the seals for the chamber, and the like. The chamber may define multiple openings which may be sealed and opened by a single seal or individual seals.
[151] As exemplified hereinabove, the chamber may be incorporated into the lid and/or applicator of the bottle. Such a chamber may be fixedly attached thereonto or, in the alternative, may be releasably attached thereto such that the chamber may be removed after the seal is removed and the medium is mixed with the fluid. [152] Such a storage may also be shaped and/or sized based upon various design considerations. For example, the storage may be shaped and/or sized for containing therein a desired number of such media in a desirable arrangement such as, e.g., a vertical disposition, a side-by-side disposition, and the like. The shape and/or size of the storage may further be affected by a space available in various portions of the bottle. In addition, detailed mechanisms of the seals may also determine at least in part the actual shape and size of the storage. In short, the storage may be formed in any desirable shape and size as long as the storage may fit into the available space of the bottle, may include the desired number of the media, and may allow the seal to properly close and open such.
[153] The storage typically defines a single chamber for storing one or multiple media therein. In the alternative, such a storage may have multiple chambers each of which includes therein one or multiple media, at least one of which includes one medium or multiple media, and at least one of which may not include therein any medium. In addition, at least one of such chambers may instead be used as a line of defense against accidental or unexpected rupture of another chamber. In this embodiment, the seal may be arranged to seal and then be removed from multiple chambers in its open and closed positions, respectively. Such chambers of the storage may be formed in only one of the top, middle, and bottom portions of the bottle (or body) or may be formed in at least two ofsuch portions. In the alternative, at least one chamber may be provided in each of such top, middle, and bottom portions. At least one of the chambers may extend across at least two of such portions. The chambers may also be disposed vertically, horizontally or at a preset angle, may instead be disposed symmetrically or asymmetrically, may be disposed side by side or concentrically. In addition, such chambers may be arranged in such a manner that they may fluidly communicate with the interior of the body and/or may mix with the fluid simultaneously (i.e., a parallel arrangement) or sequentially (i.e., a series arrangement). In addition, such chambers may define the same or similar shapes and/or sizes or at least two of such chambers may define different shapes and/or sizes.
[154] The storage may define at least one optional pathway shaped and sized to allow the medium to move therealong, to receive portion of the the coupler or other parts of the actuator therein, to allow the fluid to flow therein, and the like. It is appreciated that the chamber generally refers to a portion of the storage preferentially utilized for storing the medium therein but that the pathway generally refers to another portion of the storage preferentially used to allow such movementof the medium and fluid and/or to allow the passage of the actuator. It is, however, appreciated that the chamber may also be used as the pathway while allowing the medium and/or fluid to move and that the pathway may also be used as the chamber by permanently or temporarily store the medium before use.
[155] The pathway may extend along a preset curvilinear track, where such a pathway may extend horizontally, vertically or at a preset angle. The pathway may define the same cross-section along its length or may the cross-section therealong. Such a pathway may be arranged to maintain the sealing between the medium and interior of the bottle and/ or fluid contained therein. In this embodiment, such a pathway preferably defines an enclosed structure. When at least a portion of the pathway is to be disposed outside the chamber, however, such a portion does not have to be enclosed, i.e., a portion or an entire portion of the pathway may be open to the interior of the bottle. In addition, the pathway may extend only along the exterior, may extend from the exterior into the interior, or may extend only along the interior. In short, such a pathway may have any shapes and/or sizes and may extend along any desirable path as far as the pathway may move the medium whileguiding such from its storage position to its mixing position, may guide the fluid from the interior of the bottle into the chamber, may house thereinto a desired portion of the actuator, and the like.
[156] As will be described in greater detail below, various seals may also be incorporated along the pathway, where the seals may be disposed on ends of the pathway, along the pathway, and the like. By incorporating such seals, various parts of the pathway may be arranged to seal against or open to different portions of the bottle. As exemplified hereinabove, the pathway may be incorporated into the lid and/or applicator of the bottle, where such a pathway may be fixedly attached thereonto or, in the alternative, may be releasably attached thereto such that the pathway may be removed after the seal is removed and the medium is mixed with the fluid.
[157] The storage generally includes a single pathway or, in the alternative, the storage may include multiple pathways each of which may extend along only one of the top, middle, and bottom portions of the bottle (or body) or may extend through at least two of the portions. In the alternative, at least one pathway may be provided in each of such top, middle, and bottom portions, at least one pathway may extend across all of such portions. The pathways may also be disposed vertically, horizontally or at a preset angle, may instead be disposed symmetrically or asymmetrically, may be disposed side by side or concentrically. Some pathways may be arranged to bifurcate into multiple branches or may instead be merged into a less number thereof. In addition, such pathways may be arranged in such a manner that they may fluidly communicate with the interior of the body or may mix with the fluid simultaneously (i.e., a parallel arrangement) or sequentially (i.e., a series arrangement). Such pathways may define the same or similar shapes and/or sizes, at least two of such pathways may define different shapes and/or sizes, and the like.
[158] In another aspect of the present invention, themedium-containing bottles of this invention may include various seals which are removably incorporated into the storages, fluidly separate the media from the interiors of such bottles or fluids contained therein when intact, and fluidly communicate the media with such interiors or fluids when removed directly or indirectly by the actuators in response to the user inputs. FIGs. 25 to 34 show schematic cross-sectional views of various active and passive seals of various storages according to the present invention. It is appreciated that following figures only include relevant portions of the bottles therein and, accordingly, that the rest of such bottles are omitted therefrom. The following figures are also oriented such that their left sides correspond tothe exterior of the bottles, while their right sides correspond to the interior of the bottles. In addition, each seal of the figures is incorporated to a particular type of a storage which extends from the inner wall of the bottle and forms an opening which is also open to the interior of the bottle, although each of the seals may be incorporated to other types of storages as disclosed above. Each seal of such figures may also be disposed in any positions of the storages in any orientation, although various seals of the figures are restricted to those vertically incorporated along the openings of the storages when intact. In addition, the figures do not include any actuators and, accordingly, the medium of each storage may be presumed to stay therein after the seal is removed, although the actuators may op- eratively couple with the storages and move the media into the interior of the bottles when desirable. Moreover, each seal of the figures is presumed to move between their open and closed positions by the actuators as a response to the user inputs which is to be described in greater detail below, where such actuators may directly actuate the seals or indirectly actuate such seals by, e.g., manipulating the media. Each storage of such figures may also be oriented along any direction so that a storage which may extend horizontally may be disposed in a different direction into a bottle to form a vertical or slanted storage. In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exemplified in FIGs. 25 to 28, each removable seal 53 is arranged to seal the opening of the storage 54 when intact and then to be broken (i.e., cut or burst) in various modes in response to such user inputs, thereby exposing the opening to the interior of the bottle and/or fluid contained therein. In one example of FIG. 25, a single seal 53 is arranged to be broken outward along a periphery of the opening of the storage 54 so that the seal 53 produces a gap extending from one to an opposing end of the opening when broken. In another example of FIG. 26, a single seal 53 is arranged to be broken outward in or near a center of the opening of the storage 54 so that the seal 53 produces a gap extending from the center toward a periphery of such an opening when broken. In another example of FIG. 27, a single seal 53 is broken in a manner similar to that of FIG. 25, except that such a seal 53 is pushed inwardly into the opening when broken. In another example of FIG. 28 a single seal 53 is broken in a manner similar to that of FIG. 26, except that the seal 53 is pushed inside the opening when broken.
[160] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exemplified in FIGs. 29 to 34, each removable seal 53 is arranged to seal the opening of the storage 54 when intact and then to move (e.., translate, rotate, pivot, and the like) in response to the user inputs, thereby exposing the opening to the interior of the bottle and/or fluid contained therein. In one example of FIG. 29, a single seal 53 is arranged to pivot (or rotate) about a center of rotation defined on (or along) a periphery of the opening so that the seal 53 produces a gap a size of which is roughly proportional to a distance of an angular movement of the seal 53. In another example of FIG. 30, a pair of seals 53 are arranged to pivot (or rotate) away from each other about centers of rotation defined on opposing points along (or on) a periphery of the opening such that the seal 53 produces a gap a size of which is proportional to distances of angular movements of such seals 53. In another example of FIG. 31, a single seal 53 is arranged to translate across the opening so that the seal 53 forms a gap a size of which is decided by a length of translation of the seal 53. Alternatively, such a seal 53may be deemed to rotate about a center of rotation defined on a periphery of the opening, where a direction of the rotation is typically normal to the paper, whereas directions of the pivoting movements of the seals of FIGs. 29 and 30 are on the paper. In another example of FIG. 32, a pair of seals 53 are arranged to translate away from each other across the opening so that the seals 53 form a gap a size of which are typically proportion to lengths of translation of such seals. In the alternative, the seals 53 may be deemed to rotate about centers of rotation defined on opposing points on the periphery of the opening. In another example of FIG. 33, a pair of seals 53 are similar to those of FIG. 30, except that the seals 53 are arranged to pivot inwardlyinto the opening of the storage 54. It is therefore similarly appreciated that such seals 53 of FIGs. 29 to 32 may be arrange to move into the opening when broken. In another example of FIG. 34, multiple seals 53 are arranged to be distributed similar to an arrangement of an iris of a camera when intact. Multiple seals 53 then rotate along angular tracks while receding from a center of the opening, while forming a gap in the center of the opening, where a size of the gap depends upon an extent of the angular movements of the seals 53.
[161] Various seals for the storages of the medium-containing bottles of this invention exemplified in FIGs. 25 to 34 further include following configurational and operational variations and/or modifications thereof, details of which are to be set forth below.
[162] First, various seals of the medium-containing bottles of the present invention may be classified into "active" seals and "passive" seals, where the "active" seals represent those which serve only to seal the medium against the interior of such a bottle and fluid contained therein when intact, whereas the "passive" seals mean those which not only function to seal the medium but also serve to form the part of the body, lid, or applicator of the bottle. In this aspect, the passive seals may refer to those of the bottle which may still be able to function as the part of the bottle either they are in their closed or open positions.
[163] Such a seal may be disposed in any of the top, middle, and/or bottom portions of the bottle (or body). When the seal is incorporated in one the middle and bottom portions, the seal may remain in the same portion and removed therein, may move to the other of such portions and removed therein, may move to the top portion and removed therein. When the seal is incorporated into the top portion of the bottle (or body), however, the seal is to move to the middle or bottom portion and to be removed there.
[164] When intact, the seal may be shaped to bulge into the interior, bulge into the exterior, or extend across the interior or exterior. The seal may also be disposed to cover the opening of the storage in a horizontal, vertical or transverse direction. During and/or after being removed, such a seal or at least a portion thereof may then bulge into the interior, bulge into the exterior, or extend across the interior or exterior.
[165] Depending upon the detailed mechanism of removal, the seal may be arranged to have various physical characteristics. When the seal is to be cut by a sharp object, the seal is preferably made of and/or includes a material which is neither sticky nor gooey material in order to not deter such cutting. When the seal is to be burst by a dull object, the seal is preferably made of and/or include a material which may rupture easily by a puncture. When the seal is to move from its closed position to its open position, the seal is made of and/or include a rather rigid and stable material in order to ensure proper sealing before being removed. In general, the breakable seal may be made of and/or include a material which may not be present in the body of the bottle or, alternatively, may be made of and/or include the material which is also present in the body but may have a thickness less than that of the body. Other things being equal, such aseal may be made of and/or include plastics, glasses, metals, papers, and composites thereof. As long as the seal may fluidly separate the opening of the storage and then be removed therefrom by the user input, such a seal may be made of any suitable materials.
[166] The storage may include a single seal or multiple seals each of which may define identical or similar shapes and/or sizes and may seal the opening and be removed therefrom by identical or similar mechanisms. When desirable, at least two of the seals may form different shapes and/or sizes, may operate in different mechanisms, and so on.
[167] Various medium-containing bottles may be constructed by forming one of the above storages in or on the bodies of the bottles, incorporating various seals into the storages, and then removing the seals by various actuators, thereby mixing the medium with the fluid and then dissolving or dispersing various agents contained in the medium into the fluid. In general, various medium-containing bottles of the present invention differ from each other in various respects such as, e.g., a disposition position of the medium, a location in which the user input is applied, a direction of such input, a mode of actuating the seal, a disposition of the medium after actuating the seal, a location in which the medium is mixed into the fluid, a disposition of the medium after mixing, and the like. Table 1 summarizes classification of detailed embodiments of the medium-containing bottles based on the above respects and locations to which such respects correspond.
[168] [169] Table 1 Classification of Detailed Embodiments [170] 1 2 3 4
Disposition Lid Applicator Body Actuator of Medium (A)
Application of Lid Applicator Body Actuator User Input (B)
Direction of Vertical Horizontal Horizontal Vertical User Input (C) Translation Translation Torque Torque
Mode of Break Break Move Actuation (D) (Cut) (Burst)
Medium after Move Stay Actuation (E)
Medium Mixing Lid Applicator Body Actuator Position (F)
Medium after Move Stay Mixing (G)
[171] [172] The above Table 1 represents that a specific medium-containing bottle may be constructed by determining whether the medium is stored in or near the lid (denoted as "Al"), in or near the applicator (represented by "A2"), in or on the body (denoted as "A3"), and in or near the actuator (represented as "A4"), whether the user input is applied to the lid (denoted as "Bl"), to the applicator (denoted as "B2"), to the body (depicted as "B3"), and to the actuator (represented as "B4"), whether the input is applied vertically along a curvilinear path (denoted as "Cl"), horizontally along another curvilinear path (represented as "C2"), as a horizontal torque (referred to as "C3"), and as a vertical torque (depicted as "C4"), whether the actuator cuts the seal by the sharp object (denoted as "Dl"), bursts the seal by the dull object (denoted as "D2"), or moves the seal without breaking (i.e., cutting or bursting) the seal (represented as "D3"), whether the medium moves out of the storage (represented as "El") or stays inside the storage (depicted as "E2") after actuating (i.e., breaking or moving the seal), whether such a medium is mixed into the fluid in or near the lid (depicted as "Fl"), in or near the applicator (depicted as "F2"), in, on or near the body (depicted as "F3"), and in or near the actuator (represented as "F4"), whether the medium moves out of the storage (depicted as "Gl") or stays inside the storage (referred to as "G2") after mixing, and the like. Accordingly, when a medium-containing bottle of this invention is represented as an A3-B4-C2-D2-E2-F3-G1 type, such codes represent that such a bottle includes the medium in the middle portion of the body, that the user input is applied onto the actuator horizontally so as to burst the seal, that the medium remains inside the storage after the seal is removed, that such a medium mixes into the fluid in the body, and that the medium moves out of the storage after the mixing.
[173] It is appreciated that certain categories of the above classification dictate or are determined by other categories. For example, when the category A (or Ai) of a bottle is not equal to the category of B (or Bi) where i is from 1 to 4, such a bottle requires the actuator in order to transmit such user input from the location of the user input to a storage location of the medium. To the contrary, the bottle may or maynot require the actuator when Ai equals Bi. In another example, the category D (or Di) of such a bottle may be determined by the categories B and/or C (or Bi and/or Ci) thereof. Therefore, the input directions of the category C and the actuating mode ofthe category D may be chosen so as to satisfy the desirable actuating mode of the category D. In another example, when the category F (or Fi) of a bottle is not equal to the category A (or Ai), the medium is to be transported from its storage position to its mixing position and, therefore, the category E (or Ei) of such a medium is El, i.e., the medium must move out of the storage after the actuation, e.g., by using the actuator, by manipulating the density of the medium to sink or float the medium in thefluid, and the like. When the category F (or Fi) of such a bottle equals the category A (or Ai) thereof, the medium stays in its storage position. Accordingly, its category E (or Ei) must be E2, i.e., the medium stays inside the storage after the seal is removed. In this embodiment, the fluid may flow into the storage directly through the seal or through the pathway of the storage. In other embodiments, the categories E and G (or Ei and Gi) are independent of each other and generally determined by detailed configurations of the storages, medium, and the like. Such classification will be employed hereinafter in order to represent each medium-containing bottle and/or various parts thereof.
[174] In another aspect of the present invention, the medium-containing bottles of this invention may include various actuators which are movably coupled to the storages and directly or indirectly break various seals of such storages. FIGs. 35 to 45 describe schematic cross-sectional views of various actuators for breaking the seals through various mechanisms according to the present invention. It is appreciated that these figures only include relevant portions of the bottles therein and, therefore, that the rest of such bottles are omitted therefrom. The following figuresare also oriented such that their top sides correspond to the exterior of the bottles, while their bottom sides correspond to the interior thereof. In addition, the actuator of each figure is incorporated into a particular type of a storage with a particular type of a single seal which extends across of an opening formed by the storage, although each actuator may also be incorporated into other types of seals and/or storages as disclosed above. Each actuator of the figures may also be disposed in any positions of the storages in any orientation, although various seals of such figures are restricted to those horizontally sealing the openings of the storages when intact. In addition, the actuators of the figures (except FIGs. 39 and 40) are arranged to break the seals without manipulating the media, although different portions of such actuators may be arranged to actuate the media and to move such out of the storages. Each storage of the figures may further be oriented along any direction such that a storage which may extend horizontally in the figures may be embodied to be disposed in a different direction into a bottle so as to form a vertical or slanted storage. In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as shown in FIGs. 35 and 36, each actuator includes a breaker which is disposed inside a storage and then moves out therefrom in response to an user input to break a seal. In one example of FIG. 35, such a breaker 55B is disposed vertical to the seal 53 and between a medium 60 and aside wall of a storage 54 when intact (refer to the left panel of the figure). As the user input is applied to the breaker 55B along a direction vertical to the seal 53 and as exemplified in the left panel of the figure, such a breaker 55B is arranged tolinearly translate (downwardly) and to puncture the seal 53 therethrough. In this embodiment, such a seal 53 breaks outwardly from the storage 54 as exemplified in FIGs. 25 and 26. After the seal 53 breaks, a medium 60 tends to drop vertically and to move out of the storage 54 as a gap defined by the breaker 55B exceeds the size of the medium 60. In general, the storage 54 of this embodiment may be used in the medium-containing bottle of the type A1-A4, B1-B4, Cl, El or E2, F1-F4, and Gl or G2. In another example of FIG. 36, another breaker 55B is disposed similar to that of FIG. 35. In response to the user input shown in the left panel of the figure, such a breaker 55B may be arranged to optionally advance (downwardly) and to rotate along an angular track while maintaining its position between the medium 60 and side wall, until the breaker 55B breaks the seal 53 around a periphery of an opening of such a storage 54. Similar to that of FIG. 35, the seal 53 tend to break outwardly out of the storage 54.As the seal 53 breaks, a medium 60 drops out of the storage 54 when a gap formed by the breaker 55B exceeds the size of the medium 60. The storage 54 of such an embodiment may be used in the bottle of the type A1-A4, B 1-B4, Cl or C3, El or E2, F1-F4, and Gl or G2.
[176] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exemplified in FIGs. 37 and 38, each actuator similarly includes a breaker which is, however, disposed outside a storage and moves thereinto in response to an user input for breaking a seal. In one example of FIG. 37, a breaker 55B is disposed vertical to the seal 53 and outside a storage 54 while facing a periphery of or another point close to an opening formed by the storage 54 when intact (refer to the left panel of the figure). When the user input is applied to the breaker 55B along a direction vertical to the seal 53 as described in the right panel of the figure, the breaker 55B is arranged to linearly translate upwardly and to break the seal 53 therethrough. In this embodiment, the seal 53 tends to break inwardly into the storage 54 as exemplified in FIGs. 27 and 28. After the seal 53 is broken, a medium 60 drops vertically out of the storage 54 as a gap formed by the breaker 55B exceeds the size of the medium 60. The storage 54 of this embodiment may be employed in the medium-containing bottle of the type A1-A4, B1-B4, Cl, El or E2, F1-F4, and Gl or G2. In another example of FIG. 38, another breaker 55B is disposed similar to that of FIG. 37. In response to the user input as exemplified in the right panel of the figure, the breaker 55B is arranged to optionally advance (upwardly) and to rotate along an angular track while keeping its position between the medium 60 and side wall, until the breaker 55B breaks the seal 53 around the periphery of the opening of the storage 54. Similar to that of FIG. 35, the seal 53 breaks outward out of the storage 54. As the seal 53 breaks, a medium 60 drops out of the storage 54 as a gap formed by the breaker 55B exceeds the size of the medium 60. The storage 54 of such an embodiment may be employed in the medium-containing bottle of the type A1-A4, B1-B4, Cl or C3, El or E2, F1-F4, and Gl or G2.
[177] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exemplified in FIG. 39, an actuator includes multiple breakers which are incorporated inside (or outside) a storage and moves out of the storage (or thereinto) in response to an user input so as to break a seal. In the embodiment described in FIG. 39, a pair of breakers 55B are disposed vertical to the seal 53 and outside a storage 54 while facing a pair of opposing points disposed along or near a periphery of an opening formed by the storage 54 when intact (refer to the left panel of the figure). When the user input is applied to the breakers 55B along a direction vertical to the seal 53 as described in the right panel of the figure, such breakers 55B are arranged to linearly translate upwardly for breaking the seal 53 therethrough. In this embodiment, the seal 53 tends to break inwardly into the storage 54 as exemplified in FIGs. 27 and 28. After the seal 53 is broken, a medium 60 drops vertically out of the storage 54 when a gap formed by the breaker 55B exceeds the size of the medium 60. It is appreciated that multiple breakers 55B may be disposed inside such a storage 54, may rotate along angular tracks, and so on. In addition, at least one of the breakers 55B may be disposed inside the storage 54, while at least another of the breakers 55B may be disposed outside the storage 54. Similarly, at least one of such breakers 54 may linearly translate in response to the user input, and at least another thereof may rotate angularly. The storage 54 of this embodiment may be used in the medium-containing bottle of the type A1-A4, B1-B4, Cl, El or E2, F1-F4, and Gl or G2.
[178] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exemplified in FIGs. 40 and 41, each storage includes a medium defining a center hole, and each actuator includes a breaker which isdisposed inside (or outside) a storage and moves out of (or into) the storage through such a hole in response to the user inputs. In one example of FIG. 40, a medium 60 defines an indentation in its bottom center portion, while a breaker 55B is disposed vertical to the seal 53 and outside a storage 54 while opposing the indentation of the medium 60 when intact (refer to the left panel of the figure). When the user input is applied to the breaker 55B along a direction vertical to the seal 53 as described in the right panel of the figure, the breaker 55B is arranged to linearly translate upwardly and to break the seal 53 by advancing (upwardly) into the indentation of the medium 60. The medium 60 then forms the fluid communication with the interior of the bottle and/or mixes with the fluid which is contained in the interior, while being confined inside the storage 54 due to the breaker 55B. In the alternative, such a breaker 55B may optionally retract downwardly and move out of the storage 54 in order to allow the medium 60 to drop vertically and out of the storage 54. In this embodiment, the seal 53 tends to break inwardly into the storage 54 as described in FIGs. 27 and 28. The storage 54 of this embodiment may be used in the medium-containing bottle ofthe type A1-A4, B1-B4, Cl, El or E2, F1-F4, and Gl or G2 In another example of FIG. 41, another medium 60 forms therethrough a center hole, and breaker 55B is disposed vertical to the seal 53 and in a storage 54 through the center hole of the medium 60 (refer to the left panel of the figure). As the user input is applied to the breaker 55B along a direction vertical to the seal 53 as represented in the right panel of the figure, the breaker 55B is arranged to linearly translate downwardly through such a center hole until it break the seal 53. Without having to retract the breaker 55B, such a medium 60 may drop vertically and move out of the storage as long as a gap formed by the breaker 55B on the seal 53 exceeds a size of the medium 60. In this embodiment, such a seal 53 tends to break outwardly out of the storage 54 as shown in FIGs. 25 and 26. The storage 54 of this embodiment may be used in the medium-containing bottle of the type A1-A4, B1-B4, Cl, El or E2, F1-F4, and Gl or G2.
[179] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exemplified in FIG. 42, a breaker may also be disposed and/or operate to break a seal along a non- vertical direction such as, e.g., a vertical direction, a transverse direction, and the like. In the embodiment of FIG. 42, a storage 54 is similar to that of FIG. 37, except being disposed horizontally while exposing an opening thereof horizontally. To break a vertical seal 53 of this storage 54, a breaker 55B is disposed horizontally and outside the storage 54, and arranged to advance laterally until the seal 53 breaks. A medium 60 may then stay in the storage 54 and contact the fluid unless actuated by the breaker 55B or another part of the actuator. Such a lateral or transverse arrangement may apply to other arrangements exemplified in FIGs. 35 to 41. The storage 54 of this embodiment may be used with the medium-containing bottle of the type A1-A4, B1-B4, C2 or CA, E2 or El, F1-F4, and G2 or Gl.
[180] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exemplified in FIGs. 43 and 44, each actuator is arranged to break a seal not by directing actuating such but by manipulating a medium and breaking the seal thereby. In one example of FIG. 43, a medium 60 is shaped and sized to define a pointed or sharp end in its bottom end, similar to that of FIGs. 2 to 4. An actuator may not include any breaker but instead employ a coupler (not included in the figure) which is similar to that of FIGs. 2 to 4 and serves to transmit the user input to the medium 60 therethrough. As the user input is applied vertically to the medium 60 by the coupler, the medium 60 is directly depressed by such user input, and the pointed end of the medium 60 finally breaks the seal 53 in response thereto. In another example of FIG. 44, a medium 60 is similar to that of FIG. 43, except defining a pointed or sharp end not in its center but near its edge. A coupler 52 then transmits the user input to the medium 60 which may then break the seal 53. In each examples, the medium 60 may drop vertically out of the storage 54 as a gap formed by such a medium 60 across the seal 53 may exceed a size of the medium 60. It is to be understood that these media 60 may be used in conjunction with various breakers described above. The storages 54 of these embodiments may be used with the medium-containing bottle of the type A1-A4, B1-B4, Cl, El or E2, F1-F4, and Gl or G2.
[181] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exemplified in FIG. 45, an actuator includesan optional mesh (or screen) which is disposed on an internal end of a storage and serves to prevent a particle which is produced by a medium and defines a dimension beyond a certain threshold value from being dispensed into the interior of the bottle. In the embodiment of FIG. 45, a mesh 65 is coupled along a periphery of a storage 54, where such a mesh 65 is shaped and/or sized as a screen with preset sieving openings. When the actuator breaks the seal 53 either directly or indirectly, a medium 60 moves out of the storage 54 but lands on the mesh 65 which then prevents coarse particles from being mixed into the fluid. It is appreciated that such a mesh 65 may be included in any of the bottles described heretofore and hereinafter. In addition, such a mesh 65 may instead be implemented around the opening in the top portion of the bottle and prevent such coarse particles from being dispensed out of the interior of the bottle. The storage 54 of this embodiment may be used with the medium-containing bottle of the type A1-A4, B1-B4, Cl, El, Fl-F4, and G2.
[182] In another aspect of the present invention, the medium-containing bottles of this invention may include various actuators which are movably coupled to the storages and directly or indirectly move various seals of the storages. FIGs. 46 to 50 show schematic views of various actuators for moving the seals through various mechanisms according to the present invention. It is appreciated that these figures only include relevant portions of the bottles therein and, therefore, that the rest of such bottles are omitted therefrom. The following figures are further oriented so that their front sides correspond to the exterior of the bottles, and their rear sides correspond to the interior thereof, although such an orientation may be flipped. In addition, each actuator of these figures is incorporated into a particular type of a circular or semi-circular opening of a storage, although each actuator may be incorporated into other types of openings of various storages. Each actuator of the figures may also be arranged to move the seal either directly in response to the user input or indirectly through the coupler, where the actuator and its coupler are omitted from such figures for simplicity of illustration. Each storage of the figures may be oriented along any direction such that a storage which may extend horizontally in the figures may be embodied to be disposed in a different direction into a bottle so as to form a vertical or slanted storage.
[183] In one exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the invention and as exemplified in FIG. 46, a storage is provided on a body 20 and forms a circular opening 54P over which are disposed multiple seals 53 having an arrangement of a camera iris which is similar to that shown in FIG. 34. When intact and as exemplified in the left panel of the figure, such seals 53 cover an entire portion of the opening 54P of the storage and, therefore, fluidly seals the storage from the interior of the body 20 and/or fluid contained therein. In response to the user input, an actuator (not included in the figure) rotates such seals 53 and gradually recede the seals 53 from a center thereof as shown in the middle panel, while exposing the opening 54P of such a storage therethrough. Therefore, the seals 53 may provide fluid communication between the storage and interior of the bottle or fluid contained therein in response to the user input as shown in the right panel. The storage 54 of this embodiment may be used with the medium- containing bottle of the type A1-A4, B1-B4, C3 or C4, El or E2, F1-F4, and Gl or G2.
[184] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exemplified in FIG. 47, a storage is provided on a body 20 while defining a semi-circular opening 54P over which is rotatably disposed a seal 53 which in turn defines a semi-circular slit 53S. More particularly and as exemplified in the left panel of the figure, the seal 53 is arranged to rotate about a center of rotation 53C in such a way that the slit 53S and opening 54P are misaligned and that the seal 53 covers and fluidly seals the storage from the interior of the bottle and fluid contained therein. As illustrated in the middle panel, the user input is applied to an actuator (not included in the figure) which then rotates the seal 53 about the center of rotation 53C along a counter-clockwise direction. In response to such rotation, the slit 53S of the seal 53 gradually overlaps the opening 54P and exposes the storage. When the slit 53S rotates about 180o as shown in the right panel, the slit 53S exposes an entire portion of the opening 54P and provides a fluid communication between the storage and the interior of the bottle and fluids contained therein. It is to be understood that the arrangement of this embodiment is similar to those of FIGs. 31 and 32. The storage 54 of this embodiment may be used with the medium-containing bottle of the type A1-A4, B1-B4, C3 or C4, El or E2, F1-F4, and Gl or G2.
[185] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exemplified in FIG. 48, a storage is provided on a body 20 while defining a semi-circular opening 54P over which a seal 53 is slidingly disposed. In its closed position as exemplified in the middle panel of the figure, the seal 53 is arranged to completely cover an opening 54P of a storage 54 and, therefore, to fluidly separate such a storage from the interior of the bottle. As depicted in the right panel, an applicator receives the user input and then slides the seal 53 away from the opening 54P, thereby exposing the opening 54P and providing a fluid communication between the storage and the interior of the bottle and fluid contained therein. Alternatively and as exemplified in the right panel, the seal 53 may be arranged to be folded while moving from its closed to open position, where an auxiliary guide (not included in the figure) may be incorporated to fold the seal 53 along a proper direction and/or in a proper angle. It is appreciated that the arrangement of this embodiment is similar to those of FIGs. 31 and 32. The storage 54 of this embodiment may be employed with the medium-containing bottle of the type A1-A4, B 1-B4, C2 (for the case of the left panel) or C2 or C4 (for the case of the right panel), E2 or El, F1-F4, and G2 or Gl.
[186] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exemplified in FIG. 49, a storage is provided on a body 20 while defining a semi-circular opening 54P over which is slidingly disposed a seal 53 which in turn defines a rectangular slit 53S.More particularly and as exemplified in the middle panel of the figure, the seal 53 is disposed to misalign its slit 53S with the opening 54P of the seal 53 such that the seal 53 covers and fluidly seals the storage from the interior of the bottle and fluid contained therein. As exemplified in the left panel, the user input is applied onto an actuator (not included in the figure) which then slides the seal 53 away from the opening 54P. In response to such translation and as described in the left panel, the slit 53S overlaps the opening 54P and then exposes an entire portion of the storage, thereby providing a fluid communication between the storage and the interior of the bottle and/or fluids contained therein. Alternatively and as exemplified in the right panel, the seal 53 may also be arranged to be folded while moving from its closed to open position, where an auxiliary guide (not included in the figure) may be employed to fold the seal 53 along a proper direction and/or in a proper angle. It is to be understood that the arrangement of such an embodiment is similar to those of FIGs. 31 and 32. Such a storage 54 of this embodiment may further be employed with the medium-containing bottle of the type A1-A4, B1-B4, C2 (for the case of the left panel) or C2 or C4 (for the case of the right panel), E2 or El, F1-F4, and G2 or Gl.
[187] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exemplified in FIG. 50, a storage is also provided on a body 20 while defining a circular opening 54P over which are slidingly disposed a pair of seals 53. As described in the middle panel of the figure, the seals 53 are disposed to abut each other in a center of the opening 54P such that the seals 53 cover and fluidly seal such a storage from the interior of the bottle and fluid contained therein. As exemplified in the left panel, the user input is applied onto an actuator (not included in the figure) which then slide the seals 53 away from each other and away from the opening 54P. In response to such translations and as shown in the left panel, the seals 53 eventually expose an entire portion of the storage, thereby providing a fluid communication between the storage and the interior of the bottle and fluids contained therein. In the alternative and as exemplified in the right panel, the seals 53 may also be arranged to be folded while moving from their closed to open positions, where auxiliary guides (not included in the figure) may be employed to fold such seals 53 along proper directions and/or in proper angles. It is appreciated that the arrangement of such an embodiment is similar to those of FIGs. 31 and 32. The storage 54 of this embodiment may be employed with the medium-containing bottle of the type A1-A4, B1-B4, C2 (for the case of the left panel) or C2 or C4 (for the case of the right panel), E2 or El, F1-F4, and G2 or Gl.
[188] Various actuators of such medium-containing bottles of the present invention actuating various seals and media exemplified in FIGs. 35 to 45 and FIGs. 46 to 50 also include following configurational and operational variations and/or modifications thereof, details of which are to be set forth below.
[189] As described above, main functions of the actuator include receiving the user input, delivering the user input to various seals and/or media directly or indirectly, removing the seals directly by itself or through the media, allowing the user to induce manual mixing between the medium and fluid, and so on. Other functions of the actuator include defining the storage for storing the medium, sealing such a storage by proper seals, and the like. To these ends, the actuator may be incorporated into one of the top, middle, and bottom portions in which the medium or seal is disposed. Alternatively, the actuator or at least a portion thereof may be disposed in the portion which is different from the disposition location of the medium or seal. In this embodiment, the actuator may transmit such input to the medium and/or seal by the above coupler. The actuator may be disposed on the exterior of the bottle or in the interior of the bottle, may extend from the exterior into the interior thereof, and the like.
[190] The actuator may be arranged to receive various user inputs applied along a vertical direction, a horizontal direction or an angled (or transverse) direction, where such user inputs are translational forces, rotational forces (or torques), and/or combinations thereof each of which may be defined in a two- or three-dimensional plane and where the actuator may translate or rotate (or pivot) in response to the user inputs. The actuator may mechanically and directly couple with the seal and/or medium in order to transmit the user input directly thereto, where the user input is transmitted to the seal and/or medium while maintaining its magnitude and direction. In the alternative, the actuator may include the coupler which may modify the magnitude and/or direction of the user input and transmit the modified input to the seal and/or medium.
[191] As described above, the actuator may be arranged to remove the seal in various mechanisms. For example, the actuator may push, pull, pivot, and/or rotate the seal for breaking or moving the seal, where the actuator may use the sharp or dull object to cut or burst open the seal, respectively, may move the seal from its closed position to its open position, and the like. The medium may instead form the sharp or dull edge and the actuator may manipulate the medium for breaking the seal. The actuator may include a string, a gear assembly, and/or other conventional force-transmitting articles to transmit the user input. When desirable, the actuator may also be arranged to stir the mixture of the fluid and medium to promote the mixing therebetween. The actuator may be generally coupled to and supported by any part of the bottle as far as the actuator may not hinder such a part from performing its intended function. When desirable, any movable part of the bottle may be used as a portion of the actuator as well.
[192] In another aspect of the present invention, variousmedium-containing bottles may be provided by incorporating each of the above storages onto or into various bodies, by removably coupling each of the above seals onto or into such storages, by storing each of such media inside the storages, and by operatively coupling each of the above actuators with the seals and/or media. FIGs. 51 through 56 describe schematic cross- sectional views of other exemplary bottles including media in their middle or bottom portions of the bottles according to the present invention.
[193] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as shown in FIG. 51, a bottle 10 is generally similar to that of FIGs. 2 to 4, and includes a body 20, an optional applicator 30, and a lid 40. In addition, the bottle 10 includes an actuator 50 and a pair of media 60 stacked one over the other. However, the actuator 50 of this figure differs from that of FIGs. 2 to 4 in several aspects. First, a storage 54 of FIG. 51 forms a closed bottom end which is similar to those of FIGs. 9 and 23 and which is contrary to the storage of FIGs. 2 to 4 which is rather open to an interior of the bottle through its bottom end as its seal breaks. In contrary to the seal of FIGs. 2 to 4 which may only be removable by the descending media, a seal 53 of FIG. 51 is arranged to be movable while defining a rectangular slit 53S thereon which are similar to those of FIGs. 47 and 49. Therefore, the storage 54 defines a matching rectangular opening 54P which is shaped and/or sized to match the slit 53S of the seal 53. Because the storage 54 does not open through its bottom end, neither of a pair of media 60 forms a pointed end, contrary to those of FIGs. 2 to 4 in which the lower medium forms the pointed end in its bottom portion. The actuator 50 of FIG. 51 includes a handle 51 which, however, functions differently from that of FIGs. 2 to 4. That is, in contrary to the translating handle of FIGs. 2 to 4, such a handle 51 of this embodiment mechanically couple with the seal 53, and rotates such a seal 53 with respect to the storage 54 in response to the user input, similar to those of FIGs. 31 and 32. It is appreciated that the above bottle 10 may be classified as the type of A2 or A4, B2 or B4, C3, D3, E2 or El, F2 or F3, and G2 or Gl, whereas that of FIGs. 2 to 4 may be classified as the type of A2 or A4, B2 or B4, Cl, Dl or D2, El or E2, F3, and Gl or G2. [194] In operation, the user obtains the bottle 10 which is filled with the fluid 70 to the middle portion thereof and which also includes the media 60. In this stage, the media 60 are disposed in the storage 54 and, therefore, fluidly separated from the interior of the bottle 10 (or body 20) as well as from the fluid 70 by various parts of the storage 54. Upon use, the user removes the lid 40 from the rest of the bottle 10 by rotating the lid 40 along a proper direction. After removing the lid 40, the user reaches the handle 51 of the actuator 50 disposed on top of the applicator 30 and lifts up the handle 51 by pivoting such by about 90°. In this stage, the media 60 are still retained in the storage 54 and fluidly separated from the interior of the bottle 10 and from the fluid 70. The user then applies the user input by rotating the handle 51 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. In response to the user input, the handle 51 begins to turn the seal
53, while disposing the slit 53S of the seal 53 toward the opening 54P of the storage
54. As the seal 53 turns about a preset angle, the slit 53S begins to overlap the opening 54P and the fluid 70 begins to flow into the storage 54, thereby contacting the media 70 stored therein. As the user applies further input and the slit 53S of the seal 53 overlaps a greater portion of the opening 54P of the storage 54, more fluid 70 enters the storage54 and contact the media 60. When the media 60 include protective layers for securing their agents from the UV rays, such coat layers first contact the fluid 70 and dissolves and/or disperses into the fluid 70. Thereafter, various agents including the antioxidants in the media 60 mix with the fluid 70, i.e., dissolve or disperse thereinto. Depending upon various characteristics of such agents and/or fillers of the media 60, the mixing between the media 60 and fluid 70 may be promoted. For example, the media 60 may include the gassing fillers or gassifiers so that the media 60 produce gas bubbles upon contacting with the fluid 70. The gas bubbles may not only induce forced convection of the agents in the fluid 70 but also remove formation of concentration boundary layers around or inside the media 60, thereby maximizing such mixing between the media 60 and fluid 70. In addition, such gassifiers may be used for carbonating the fluid 70, thereby converting the fluid 70 into a carbonated beverage.
[195] Becausethe media 60 are disposed on the bottom end of the storage 54, such media 60 tend to stay inside the storage 54 during their dissolution or dispersion into the fluid 70. When the media 60 have the density less than that of the fluid 70, however, the media 60 may float in the fluid 70 in such a storage 54. In addition, the actuator 50 may be arranged to manipulate the media 60 to move out of the storage 54 when desirable, where such an actuator 50 may easily be embodied by including one or more abutting protrusions on the seal 53 and arranging such protrusions to push the media 60 out of the storage 54. In the alternative, the actuator 50 may include the coupler (not shown in the figure) which moves the media 60 from the storage 54. Other configura- tionaland operational characteristics of the bottle 10 and various parts thereof of FIG. 51 are similar or identical to those of FIGs. 2 to 4, FIGs. 5 to 24, FIGs. 25 to 34, FIGs. 35 to 45, and FIGs. 46 to 50.
[196] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as described in FIG. 52, a bottle 10 is also similar to that of FIGs. 2 to 4, and includes a body 20, an optional applicator 30, and a lid 40, where the applicator 30, however, does not include the storage extended therefrom. Rather, the body 20 defines a hole in its bottom portion or in a middle of its base, in which a storage 54 may be formed by coupling a hemispherical seal 53 around the hole of the base of the body 20. Such a bottle 10 also includes an actuator 50 and a medium 60 disposed in the bottom portion of the bottle 10 and in the storage 54. The medium 60 also defines a pointed top and is disposed to contact the seal 53 by its pointed top when the seal 53 is intact. Such an actuator 50 also includes a handle 51 which functions differently from that of FIGs. 2 to 4 and that of FIG. 51. That is, in contrary to the translating handle of FIGs. 2 to 4 and the rotating handle of FIG. 51, the handle 51 of this embodiment is mechanically coupled to and encloses the storage 54 from under. Accordingly, the storage 54 is typically bound by the hemispherical seal 53 on its top end and by the flat handle 51 on its bottom end. Such a handle 51 may be made of and/or include various materials and mechanical characteristics of the handle 51 may be selected to be sturdy enough to transmit the user input onto the medium 60. It is appreciated in the figure that the seal 53 couples with the body only along a periphery of the base of the bottle. The seal 53 may, however, be arranged tobe attached to a larger portion of an outer wall of an annular bottom portion defining the center hole. It is appreciated that such a bottle 10 may be classified as the type A3 or A4, B3 or B4, Cl, Dl or D2, E2 or El, F3 or F4, and G2 or Gl.
[197] In operation, the user obtains the bottle 10 which is filled with the fluid 70 to the middle portion thereof and which includes the medium 60. In this stage, the medium 60 is disposed inside the storage 54 and, therefore, fluidly separated from the interior of the bottle 10 (or body 20) as well as from the fluid 70 by various parts of the storage 54. Upon use, the user removes the lid 40 from the rest of the bottle 10 by rotating the lid 40 along a proper direction (such a lid 40 may instead be removed after the medium 60 mixes with the fluid 70). After removing the lid 40, the user reaches the handle 51 of the actuator 50 disposed on the base of the bottle 10 from below. When the lid 40 has not been removed, the user may alternatively reach such a handle 51 by simply turning the entire bottle 10 upside down. In this stage, the media 60 are still retained in the storage 54 and fluidly separated from the interior of the bottle 10 and from the fluid 70. The user may then apply the user input by pressing the handle 51 inwardly into the interior of the bottle 10. In response to the user input, the handle 51 begins to push the medium 60 toward the seal 53. When the magnitude of the user input reaches a threshold value, the pointed end of the medium 60 cuts or bursts the seal 53, while the tip of the medium 60 begins to contact the fluid 70. Thereat, the user may cease to apply the user input, where the fluid 70 begins to flow into the storage 54 and to mix with the medium 60 therein. In the alternative, the user may apply further input and lifts the medium 60 out of the storage 54 into the interior of the bottle 10 through the base hole of the body 20. The medium 60 then mixes with the fluid 70 in all of its surfaces. When the medium 60 includes the protective lay erf or protecting its agents from the UV rays, such a layer first contacts the fluid 70 and dissolves or disperses into the fluid 70. Thereafter, various agents such as the antioxidants included in the media 60 mix with the fluid 70. Depending upon the characteristics of such agents and/or fillers of the media 60, the mixing between the media 60 and fluid 70 may also be promoted. For example, the media 60 may include the gassing fillers or gassifiers so that the media 60 produce gas bubbles upon contactingwith the fluid 70. The gas bubbles may not only induce forced convection of the agents in the fluid 70 but also remove formation of concentration boundary layers around or inside the media 60, thereby maximizing such mixing between the media 60 and fluid 70. In addition, such gassifiers may be used for carbonating the fluid 70, thereby converting the fluid 70 into a carbonated beverage.
[198] As described above, the user may manipulate the user input to break the seal 53 to its minimum and render the medium 60 remain inside the storage 54. Such an arrangement, however, may not be beneficial in effectively mixing the medium 60 with the fluid 70. When the user pushes the medium 60 through the seal 53 and base hole of the body 20, the medium 60 may move into the fluid 70 and then be disposed in various locations inside the interior of the body 20 based upon the characteristics of the medium 60. When the medium 60 is heavier than the fluid 70, the medium 60 tends to sink into the fluid 70 during its dissolution or dispersion into the fluid 70. When the medium 60 has the density less than that of the fluid 70, however, the medium 60 may float in the fluid 70. The density of the medium 60 may further be manipulated to change during the course of the dissolution or dispersion by various means as have been disclosed in the co-pending Applications. Other configurational and operational characteristics of the bottle 10 and various parts thereof of FIG. 52 are similar or identical to those of FIGs. 2 to 4, FIGs. 5 to 24, FIGs. 25 to 34, FIGs. 35 to 45, FIGs. 46 to 50, and FIG. 51.
[199] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exemplified in FIG. 53, a bottle 10 is generally similar to that of FIG. 52, and includes a body 20, an optional applicator 30, and a lid 40. In addition, the bottle 10 includes an actuator 50 and a medium 60 disposed inside a storage 54 of the actuator 50. The body 20 of this bottle 10 is generally similar to that of FIG. 52 in that such a body 20 forms a hole in itsbottom portion or in a middle of its base. Into the base hole is incorporated the actuator 50 which is functionally similar to that of FIG. 51. For example, the actuator 50 includes a storage 54 which is bound in its top portion by a hemispherical case which in turn defines an opening 53P. The actuator 50 includes another hemispherical seal 53 which is arranged to be movable while defining a slit 53S thereon matching the opening 53P of the storage 54. In addition, such a storage 54 is bound in its bottom portion by a handle 51 encompassing a bottom portion of the base hole and also forming a grip for the user. Such a handle 51 also mechanically couples with the seal 53, and rotates such a seal 53 with respect to the storage 54 in response to the user input, similar to those shown in FIGs. 4G and 4H and also to the rotating handle of FIG. 51. Such a handle 51 may be made of and/or include various materials, where mechanical characteristics of the handle 51 may be sturdy enough to transmit the user inputonto the seal 53. It is to be understood in the figure that the hemispherical seal 53 couples with the body only along a periphery of the base hole of the bottle. The seal 53, however, may be arranged to be attached to a larger portion of an outer wall of an annular bottom portion which defines the base hole. It is appreciated that the bottle 10 of this embodiment may be classified as the type A3 or A4, B3 or B4, C3, D3, E2 or El, F3 or F4, and G2 or Gl. [200] In operation, the user obtains the bottle 10 which is filled with the fluid 70 to its middle portion and which also includes the media 60. In this stage, the media 60 are disposed in the storage 54 and, thus, fluidly separated from the interior of the bottle 10 (or body 20) and the fluid 70 by various parts of the storage 54. Upon use, the user removes the lid 40 from the rest of the bottle 10 by rotating the lid 40 or the lid 40 may be removed after mixing the medium 60 with the fluid 70. After removing the lid 40, the user accesses the handle 51 of the actuator 50 which is disposed on the base of the bottle 10 from below. When the lid 40 is not removed, the user may reach the handle 51 by turning the bottle 10 upside down. In this stage, the medium 60 is still retained in the storage 54 and fluidlyseparated from the interior of the bottle 10 and from the fluid 70. The user applies the user input by rotating the handle 51 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. In response to the user input, the handle 51 begins to turn the seal
53, while disposing the slit 53S of the seal 53 toward the opening 54P of the storage
54. As the seal 53 turns about a preset angle, the slit 53S begins to overlap the opening 54P and the fluid 70 begins to flow into the storage 54, thereby contacting the medium 70 stored therein. When the user applies further input and the slit 53S of the seal 53 overlaps a greater portion of the opening 54P of the storage 54, more fluid 70 enters the storage 54 to contact the medium 60. When the medium 60 includes protective layers for securing its agents from the UV rays, such layers first contact the fluid 70 and dissolve and/or disperse into the fluid 70. Thereafter, various agents such as the antioxidants in the medium 60 mix with the fluid 70. Depending upon various characteristics of such agents and/or fillers, the mixing between the medium 60 and fluid 70 may be promoted. For example, the medium 60 may include the gassifiers to produce gas bubbles upon contacting with the fluid 70. The gas bubbles not only induce forced convection but also remove concentration boundary layers around the medium 60, thereby maximizing such mixing between the media 60 and fluid 70. In addition, the gassifiers may be used for carbonating the fluid 70, thereby converting the fluid 70 into a carbonated beverage.
[201] Because the medium 60 is disposed on the bottom end of the storage 54, it tends to stay inside the storage 54 during the dissolution or dispersion into the fluid 70. When the medium 60 defines the density less than that of the fluid 70, the medium 60 may float in the fluid 70 inside the storage 54. The actuator 50 may be arranged to move the medium 60 out of the storage 54 when desirable, where the actuator 50 may easily be embodied by including one or more abutting protrusions on theseal 53 and arranging such protrusions to push the medium 60 out of the storage 54. Alternatively, the actuator 50 may include the coupler (not shown in the figure) which moves the medium 60 from the storage 54. Other configurational and operational characteristics of the bottle 10 and various parts thereof of FIG. 53 are similar or identical to those of FIGs. 2 to 4, FIGs. 5 to 24, FIGs. 25 to 34, FIGs. 35 to 45, FIGs. 46 to 50, and FIGs. 51 and 52.
[202] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exemplified in FIG. 54, a bottle 10 similarly includes a body 20, a lid 40, and an actuator 50 (but not applicator). The body 20 includes a mesh 65 which is fixedly or releasably inserted into an opening and defines multiple outlets 32 therethrough. As described hereinabove, such a mesh 65 is designed to prevent debris dissolved or dispersed in a fluid 70 from escaping out from the interior of the bottle 10. The body 20 also forms a hole on its side and in its middle portion, and theactuator 50 is coupled to the side hole. In particular, the actuator 50 defines a storage 54 by blocking such a side hole by a hemispherical seal 53 and then encloses the storage 54 by a handle 51 which encompasses an entire diameter of the side hole andis further flush with an outer side wall of the body 20, where the handle 51 is preferably made of and/or includes various materials of which mechanical characteristics are sturdy enough to transmit an user input onto a medium 60. Accordingly, such a storage 54 is generally bound by the hemispherical seal 53 on its interior and by the handle 51 on its exterior. A single medium 60 is then disposed inside the storage 54, where the medium 60 defines a pointed end which is oriented to abut the seal 53. It is to be understood in the figure that the seal 53 couples with the body only along a periphery of the side hole of the bottle 10. The seal 53 may, however, be arranged to be attached to a larger portion of an outer wall of an annular side portion defining the center hole. It is appreciated that this bottle 10 may be classified as the type A3 or A4, B3 or B4, C2, Dl or D2, E2 or El, F3 or F4, and Gl or G2.
[203] In operation, the user obtains the bottle 10 which is filled with the fluid 70 to the middle portionthereof and which includes the medium 60. In this stage, the medium 60 is disposed inside the storage 54 and, therefore, fluidly separated from the interior of the bottle 10 (or body 20) as well as from the fluid 70 by various parts of the storage 54. Upon use, the user reaches the handle 51 of the actuator 50 disposed on the side of the body 20, and applies the user input by pressing the handle 51 inwardly into the interior of the bottle 10. In response thereto, the handle 51 begins to advance the medium 60 toward the seal 53. When the magnitude of the user input reaches a threshold value, the pointed end of the medium 60 cuts or bursts the seal 53, where the tip of the medium 60 begins to contact the fluid 70. When the user ceases to apply the user input, the fluid 70 begins to flow into the storage 54 and to mix with the medium 60 therein. Alternatively, the user may apply more input and push the medium 60 out of the storage 54 into the interior of the bottle 10 through the side hole of the body 20 in order to completely immerse such a medium 60 into the fluid 70. When the medium 60 includes the layer for protecting its agents from the UV rays, the protective layer first contacts the fluid 70 and dissolves or disperses into the fluid 70. Thereafter, various agents such as the antioxidants included in the media 60 mix with the fluid 70. Depending upon the characteristics of the agents and/or fillers of the medium 60, the mixing between the medium 60 and fluid 70 may also be promoted. For example, the medium 60 may include the gassifiers to produce gas bubbles upon contacting the fluid 70. The gas bubbles may not only induce forced convection of the agents in the fluid 70 but also remove any concentration boundary layers formed around or inside the medium 60, thereby maximizing such mixing between the medium 60 and fluid 70. In addition, such gassifiers may be used for carbonating the fluid 70, thereby converting the fluid 70 into a carbonated beverage.
[204] As described above, the user may manipulate the user input to break the seal 53 to its minimum and render the medium 60 remain inside the storage 54. Such an arrangement, however, may not be beneficial in effectively mixing the medium 60 with the fluid 70. When the user pushes the medium 60 throughthe seal 53 and side hole of the body 20, the medium 60 may move into the fluid 70 and then be disposed in various locations inside the interior of the body 20 based upon the characteristics of the medium 60. When the medium 60 is heavier than the fluid 70, the medium 60 tends to sink into the fluid 70 during its dissolution or dispersion into the fluid 70. When the medium 60 has the density less than that of the fluid 70, however, the medium 60 may float in the fluid 70. The density of the medium 60 may further be manipulated to change during the course of the dissolution or dispersion by various means as have been disclosed in the co-pending Applications. Other configurational and operational characteristics of the bottle 10 and various parts thereof of FIG. 54 are similar or identical to those of FIGs. 2 to 4, FIGs. 5 to 24, FIGs. 25 to 34, FIGs. 35 to 45, FIGs. 46 to 50, and FIGs. 51 to 53.
[205] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exemplified in FIG. 55, a bottle 10 similarly includes a body 20, a lid 40, and an actuator 50 (but not applicator). The body 20 includes a mesh 65 which is similar to that of FIG. 54. The body 20 also forms a hole on its base and in its bottom portion into which the actuator 50 is coupled. More particularly, the actuator 50 includes a handle 51, a coupler 52, a seal 53, a storage 54, a cylindrical guide 56, and a holder 57. The guide 56 is shaped and sized to snugly fit around the base hole and also preferably fixedly coupled thereto while ensuring fluid sealing therearound. The seal 53 is disposed on an inner end of the guide 56 and arranged to fluidly seal an inner space of the guide 56 from the interior of the bottle 10 and a fluid 70 contained therein. The holder 57 is shaped and sized to slide through the guide 56 in a manner similar to a piston (i.e., holder 57) and syringe (i.e., guide 56) assembly. Therefore, the storage 54 is formed while being bound by the seal 53 on its top, by inner walls of the guide 56 and holder 57 on itssides, and by the holder 57 in its bottom. The medium 60 is then disposed inside the storage 54 while being supported and retained by the holder 57. The medium 60 also defines a pointed tip which is oriented upright so as to abut the seal 53 therewith. Such a holder 57 is also arranged to fixedly or releasably retain a medium 60 of a preset shape and size therein or thereon, and is fixedly coupled to the coupler 52 to which the handle 51 is rotatably coupled. The fluid 70 is then filled into the mid- dleportion of the bottle 10. It is to be understood in the figure that the holder 57 defines a height which is about a half of that of the guide 56. However, the guide-holder assembly 56, 57 may be arranged to define other shapes and/or sizes as long as the holder 57 may retain a desirable medium 60 therein and the holder 57 may advance (or retract) inside the guide 56 while maintaining a fluid sealing therebetween. It is to be understood that this bottle 10 may be classified as the type A3 or A4, B3 or B4, Cl or C3, D3, E1, F3, and Gl.
[206] In operation, the user obtains the bottle 10 which is filled with the fluid 70 to the middle portion thereof and which includes the medium 60. In this stage, the medium 60 is disposed inside the storage 54 and, therefore, fluidly separated from the interior of the bottle 10 (or body 20) as well as from the fluid 70 by various parts of the storage 54. Upon use, the user reaches the handle 51 of the actuator 50 disposed on the base of the bottle 10 from below or by turning the entire bottle 10 upside down. In this stage, the medium 60 is still retained inside the storage 54 and fluidly separated from the interior of the bottle 10 and fluid 70. The user then lifts the handle 51 upright (or perpendicular to the base of the bottle 10) by rotating it by about 90°and applies the user input by pressing the handle 51 inwardly into the interior of the bottle 10. In response to the user input, the handle 51 begins to push the holder 57 into the interior of the bottle 10 while beingguided by the inner walls of the guide 56. As the holder 57 advances into the interior of the bottle 10, the pointed end of the medium 60 approaches and begins to abut the seal 53. When the magnitude of the user input reaches a threshold value, the pointed end of the medium 60 cuts or bursts the seal 53, while the tip of the medium 60 begins to contact the fluid 70. Thereat, the user may cease to apply the user input, where the fluid 70 begins to flow into the storage 54 and to mix with the medium 60 therein. In the alternative, the user may apply further input and lifts the medium 60 out of the storage 54 into the interior of the bottle 10 through the seal 53. When such a medium 60 includes the coat layer to protect its agents from the UV rays, the layer contacts the fluid 70 and dissolves or disperses into the fluid 70. Thereafter, various agents such as the antioxidants included in the media 60 is mixed with the fluid 70. Depending upon the characteristics of such agents and/or fillers of the media 60, the mixing between the media 60 and fluid 70 may be promoted, e.g., by including the gassifiers so that the media 60 produce gas bubbles upon contacting the fluid 70. Such gas bubbles may not only induce forced convection but also remove concentration boundary layers formed around or inside the media 60, thereby maximizing such mixing between the media 60 and fluid 70. In addition, such gassifiers may be used for carbonating the fluid 70, thereby converting the fluid 70 into a carbonated beverage.
[207] As described above, the user may manipulate the user input to break the seal 53 to its minimum and render the medium 60 remain inside the storage 54. Alternatively, the user may push the medium 60 through the seal 53 and base hole of the body 20, the medium 60 may move into the fluid 70 and be disposed in various locations inside the interior of the body 20 based upon its density, as have been disclosed in the co-pending Applications. Other configurational and operational characteristics of the bottle 10 and various parts thereof of FIG. 55 are similar or identical to those of FIGs. 2 to 4, FIGs. 5 to 24, FIGs. 25 to 34, FIGs. 35 to 45, FIGs. 46 to 50, and FIGs. 51 to 54.
[208] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention and as exem- plifiedin FIG. 56, a bottle 10 similarly includes a body 20, a lid 40, and an actuator 50 (but not applicator). The body 20 includes a mesh 65 which is similar to that of FIG. 54. The body 20 also forms a hole on its base and in its bottom portion into which the actuator 50 is coupled. More particularly, the actuator 50 includes a handle 51, a coupler 52, a seal 53, a storage 54, a cylindrical guide 56, and a holder 57 which are generally similar to those of FIG. 55. However, the holder 57 includes a center shaft which terminates as a circular disk in its top end. Accordingly, the storage 54 is formed while being bound by the disk of the holder 57 on its top, by inner walls of the guide 56 and holder 57 on its sides, and by another disk of the holder 57 in its bottom. It is appreciated that this type of actuator 50 does not include any of the above seals. Rather, the top disk of the holder 57 serves as the movable seal which seals the storage 54 against the interior of the bottle 10 and fluid 70 contained therein when intact, and then is removed and provides a fluid communication between the storage 54 and the interior as the holder 57 advances toward the interior of the bottle 10. In this context, this guide-holder assembly 56, 57 is to be deemed as the seals which have been exemplified in FIGs. 31 and 32. It is also appreciated that the holder 57 includes the center shaft and, therefore, that the medium 60 preferably forms a matching shape such as a doughnut. Because the annular medium 60 is retained between the top and bottom disks of the holder 57, such a medium 60 tends to be retained by the holder 57 during the dissolution or dispersion. Alternatively, the holder 57 may retain multiple media 60 which are disposed around the center shaft, where such media 60 may freely move into the fluid 70 during dissolution or dispersion and sink into or float in the fluid 70 depending upon their densities. It is appreciated that this bottle 10 may be classified as the type A3 or A4, B3 or B4, Cl or C3, D3, El or E2, F3, and Gl or G2. Further con- figurational and operational characteristics of the bottle 10 and various parts thereof of FIG. 56 are similar or identical to those of FIGs. 2 to 4, FIGs. 5 to 24, FIGs. 25 to 34, FIGs. 35 to 45, FIGs. 46 to 50, and FIGs. 51 to 55.
[209] In another aspect of the present invention, various medium-containing bottles of this invention may be provided by various processes. Although any conventional bottle- making processes may be modified to produce such medium-containing bottles, a few process considerations should be given a prioribefore selecting a specific process. For example, the selected process preferably requires as little modifications as possible so that existing plants and facilities may be utilized without excessive cost for such modifications. In this respect, it is preferred to design a body of the medium-containing bottle as close as possible to that of a conventional container as long as the body of the bottle is able to incorporate thereinto various storages (including seals, chambers, and optional pathways thereof), actuators, media, and the like. In another example, the body and various parts of the bottle preferably define configurations which are easy to make at a lower cost. In particular, the body and storage are designed to define as simple shapes as possible in order to lower the cost of production as well as to ensure easy assembly of the bottle. In another example, the actuator of the bottle is designed enough to ensure satisfactory fluid sealing between the media and interior of the body (and/or fluid contained therein) before use. Accordingly, additional protections may be provided to various parts of the bottle of the present invention.
[210] Various medium-containing bottles of the present invention may be constructed and distributed in commerce in various embodiments. In one example, bare bottles may be provided and distributed so that individual bottlers may purchase the empty bottles, incorporate thereinto the actuators and media which are produced by other vendors, properly seal the media inside the bottles, fill such bottles with water or other suitable fluids, and sell such medium-containing bottles to retailers. In another example, bare bottles are incorporated with the actuators and then distributed to individual bottlers. The bottlers load such bottles with the media, properly seal the media from the interior of the bottles, fill the bottles with water or other suitable fluids, and then sell the medium-containing bottles to retailers. In another example, bare bottles are provided and incorporated with the actuators and media while sealing such media from the interior of the bottles. Individual bottlers may the purchase such loaded bottles, fill the bottles with water or other fluids, and then sell the medium-containing bottles to retailers.
[211] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the present invention, a bottom- loading medium-containing bottle may be provided. FIG. 57 is a series of schematic cross-sectional views of a process of fabricating the bottle of FIG. 56 according to the present invention.
[212] As illustrated in panel (a), a bare bottle or its body 20 is formed by blowing a molten plastic (or other suitable materials) inside a mold. It is appreciated that such a body 20 defines a base hole in its bottom and center portion of its base, where this body 20 is preferred to form the medium-containing bottles exemplified in FIGs. 52, 53, 55, and 56. Therefore, the body 20 may preferably be formed by a single blowing process. In the alternative, the body 20 may be blown to have a closed base and then a portion of its base may be removed to define the base hole. In another alternative, each half of such a body 20 may be formed and attached or glued to each other by various conventional means which are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
[213] Once the bare body 20 is formed, a cylindrical guide 56 is provided and inserted into the base hole of the body 20 as illustrated in panel (b). In order to ensure proper sealing therearound,the guide 56 is also attached or glued around a perimeter of the base hole by various conventional means. It is to be understood that such a guide 56 may instead be formed during the blowing process of the panel (a). In the latter embodiment, such a guide 56 is typically made of the same material as the rest of the body 20 and, therefore, it is preferred to arrange the guide 56 to define a thickness greater than that of the rest of the body 20.
[214] After the guide 56 is provided around the base hole and as exemplified in panel (C), a part of an actuator is incorporated into the body 10 in various embodiments. In the embodiment of the panel (c), inserted into the guide 56 is an empty assembly which includes a handle 51, a coupler 52, and a holder 57. Because the assembly has not been loaded with a medium, such an assembly is inserted into the guide 56 by a minimum depth.
[215] In the next process step of panel (d), multiple media 60 are disposed between top and bottom disks of the holder 57. When such media 60 are to stay between the disks of the holder 57 during the dissolution or dispersion, such media 60 may fixedly couple to each other so that a center shaft and top and bottom disks of the holder 57 may retain an annular assembly of multiple media 60 therein.In the alternative, when the media 60 preferably move away from the actuator, such media 60 may then be disposed separate from each other. The holder 57 may also define a movable protrusion which is disposed in its open position when the media 60 are loaded between the disks and which is moved to its closed position thereafter and retains the media 60 close to the holder 57. In contrary, the disks of the holder 57 may define a slope so that the media 60 may slide away from the holder 57 once such media 57 advance into the interior of the body 20. It is appreciated that a single annular medium may also be loaded between the disks of the holder 57 before assembling the holder 57 and, e.g., before the process step exemplified in the panel (c). As far as adesired number of media 60 may be loaded into the actuator, detailed modes of loading are well known in the art and, therefore, not material to the scope of this invention.
[216] As shown in the next panel (e), the loaded actuator assembly is advanced toward the interior of the bottle while its handle 51 is folded in its closed position. It is to be understood in this stage that the media 60 is fluidly separated from the interior of the body 20 by a sealing between the inner wall of the guide 56 and the top disk of the holder 57. In order to ensure the proper sealing therebetween, an O-ring may be incorporated into one of the parts. It is also appreciated that the medium-containing bottle may be distributed and stored in a wide range of temperature and that pressure inside such a bottle may well exceed tha atmospheric pressure. Accordingly, the proper sealing between the inner wall of the guide 56 and the top disk of the holder 57 must be ensured. A variety of additional means may be provided to ensure such sealing. In one example, an extra sealing layer may be covered over the top disk and optionally down to the media 60 before the actuator assembly is inserted through the guide 56, e.g., in the process step of the panel (d). In another example, an extra seal may be inserted through an opening in the top portion of the body 20 and disposed over the base hole in order to cover the top disk of the holder 57 and surrounding periphery of the base hole. In another example, such a seal may be incorporated around (or over) the base hole, e.g., in the process step of the panel (a) to (c), long before the actuator assembly is inserted through the guide 56. Other preventive measures may also be employed as long as such measures may not hinder normal removal operation of various seals upon use.
[217] Thereafter and as illustrated in panel (f), water or other suitable fluid 70 is filled into the interior of the bottle until the fluid fills the middle portion of the bottle. In this example, the fluid 70 is filled up to a middle level of the taper which connects the neck to the upper belly of the bottle. After the bottle is filled, the mesh 65 described in conjunction with FIGs. 54 to 56 is inserted into the opening as shown in panel (f), and a lid 40 is coupled thereover as illustrated in panel (h).
[218] When the user intends to drink water or fluid, he or she first accesses the handle 51 and lifts the handle 51 by about 90° and aligns the handle 51 with the coupler as exemplified in panel (i). When desirable, the handle 51 maybe arranged to lock in to an aligned position. The user then pushes the handle 51 upward and exposes the medium 60 to the fluid 70 which is contained in the interior of the bottle as shown in panel (j) and as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 56. Various agents contained in the medium 60 then dissolve or disperse into the fluid 70, and the bottle is ready for the user.
[219] In another embodiment of this aspect of the present invention, a top-loading medium- containing bottle may be provided. For example, a medium-containing bottle of FIG. 51 may be provided first by forming the body 20 by blowing a molten plastic (or other suitable materials) inside a mold. When the body 20 cools to a preset temperature, water or other fluid 70 may be filled into such a body 20 of the bottle 10. An actuator assembly may also be provided separately from the body 20, e.g., by forming a chamber of the storage 54, by incorporating thereinto the movable seal 53, disposing multiple media 60 inside the chamber, and fluidly coupling the actuator assembly onto a bottom end of an applicator 30. The assembled applicator 30 may then be inserted through the opening of the body 20 and the lid 40 may be disposed thereover. An apparent advantage of this embodiment lies in the very facts that the actuator assembly may be provided separate from the body 20 and that there is no need to modify an existing plant for producing the body 20 of the bottle 10.
[220] In another embodiment of this aspect of this invention, a side-loading medium- containing bottle may be provided. For example, a medium-containing bottle of FIG. 54 may be provided first by forming the body 20 by blowing a molten plastic or other suitable materials inside a mold. It is appreciated that the body 20 is formed similar to that of FIG. 57, except that a hole is formed not through the base in the bottom portion but through the side. Thereafter, the seal 53 is disposed around the periphery of the side hole, the medium 60 is disposed inside the storage 54 defined by the seal 53, and the handle 51 is disposed thereover. Other medium-containing bottles of the present invention may also be fabricated by various processes which are similar to those exemplified in the above embodiments.
[221] Configurational and/or operational variations and/ormodifications of the above embodiments of the exemplary medium-containing bottles and various parts thereof described in FIGs. 2 to 57 also fall within the scope of this invention.
[222] As described above, the medium-containing bottles of the present invention may be provided in various shapes and/or sizes. Similarly, such bottles may also include the bodies with various shapes and/or sizes. Accordingly, the body may form a taper increasing in its size from its top portion toward its bottom portion or may define a substantially similar radius along its longitudinal axis. In addition, the body may define any desirable cross-section which may be uniform along the longitudinal axis of the bottle or may vary therealong. The bottle may also define a grip to facilitate handling thereof.
[223] The bottle and its body may be made of and/or include various materials such as, e.g. , plastics, glasses, metals, paper, and composite materials, where an entire portion of such a bottle and/or body may be made of and/or include the same material or where different portions thereof may be made of and/or include different materials. When desirable, the body may include a portion which may protect the medium from the UV rays, where such a portion may be arranged to be opaque or may have other materials capable of reflecting and/or absorbing the UV rays. Alternatively, a portion of the actuator such as the storage, its chamber, its pathway, and/or seal may be made of and/ or include the similar materials for reflecting and/or absorbing the UV rays. These embodiments obviate the need to lay the protective layer over the medium, thereby rendering the medium dissolve or disperse into the fluid as soon as the medium is mixed with the fluid.
[224] The bottle may include an auxiliary body which is arranged to couple with a desired portion of the body and to transmit various user inputs to various parts of the bottle. For example, the handle of the actuator may be expanded to enclose the periphery of the body along a desirable portion thereof andused for receiving the user input. In another example, the chamber, pathway, an/or seal of such an actuator may be expanded and incorporated to the body. Depending upon the needs, the auxiliary body may be releasably or fixedly coupled to the body.
[225] Thebottle generally defines a single opening in its top portions. In the alternative, such a bottle may define a single opening in its middle or bottom portion, may define multiple openings in one of both of the top or bottom portions, and the like. As described above, the bottle may form auxiliary openings or holes through which at least a portion of the actuator may be fixedly or releasably incorporated. In general, the auxiliary opening may be formed in any of the top, middle, and bottom portions of thebody depending upon the storage location of the medium, disposition of the seal, and the like. Such auxiliary openings may also be used to store the medium, to pass the portion of the actuator, and the like. The base of the bottle is otherwise enclosed in order to maintain the requisite sealing for storing the fluid in the bottle.
[226] The bottle may include various stoppers for various purposes. In one example, a stopper may be disposed near the seal or, more specifically, between the seal and medium. When a heavy medium is disposed over the intact seal, a weight of the medium may be augmented by a shock during storage or handing and may prematurely rupture the seal. In order to prevent this, a stopper such as a ridge or an indentation may be formed between the seal and medium in order to provide a resistance to an unintended movement of the medium. The stopper, however, is designed so that the user may easily overcome the resistance upon use. In another example, a stopper may be disposed near the actuator or, more specifically, adjacent to the handle and/or coupler thereof. The purpose of this stopper may be similar to that of the first example and to prevent accidental application of unintended force to such a handle and/or coupler from consummating in breaking the seal. When plausible, various protective covers may further be disposed over the handle in order to prevent such accidental application of the user input.
[227] The medium-containing bottles of the present invention may include various media which may be mixed based upon various arrangements. For example, the medium may be arranged to stay inside the storage after the seal is removed or, alternatively, may move out of the storage, or may be moved out therefrom. Regardless of its density, the medium may be retained inside the storage after the seal is removed, e.g., by forming the gap which is smaller than the medium, by actively coupling with such a media, and the like. In the alternative, the medium may stay inside the storage regardless of the size of the gap, e.g., by arranging such a medium to be heavier than the fluid, by arranging the slope of the storage to render the medium to roll inwardly to the storage, and the like. In contrary, the medium may move out of the storage, e.g., by pushing the medium into the fluid by the actuator, by arranging such a medium to be lighter than the fluid and to float in the fluid, by arranging the medium to be heavier than the fluid and to roll or drop out of the storage, and the like. The storage may also include the pathway for guiding the medium moving out of the storage along a preset path.
[228] As described in the co-pending Applications, the medium may have the density which changes during the course of dissolution or dispersion. Thus, such a medium may first sink into the fluid during the initial phase of mixing and then float in the fluid thereafter. Conversely, the medium may first float in the fluid during the initial phase of mixing and then sink thereinto thereafter. For example, the agents which are soluble to the fluid and fillers which are at least partially insoluble thereto may be selected in such a manner that the agents are heavier than the fluid but the fillers are lighter than the fluid. This medium first sinks in the fluid during the initial phase of mixing. As the agents dissolve or disperse into the fluid, the apparent density of the medium gradually decreases and the medium may begin to float in the fluid. Conversely, the medium may define multiple voids therein which may be primarily defined by the soluble agents and/or fillers. This medium may be arranged to float in the fluid during the initial phase of mixing. As the agents and/or fillers dissolve or disperse into the fluid, such voids coalesce into the fluid and the apparent density of the medium gradually increases, thereby sinking the medium when a preset portion of the voids disappear into the fluid.
[229] Multiple media may be included in various bottles of this invention, where such media may have similar or identical shapes and/or sizes, may define different shapes and/or sizes, may include similar or identical agents and/or fillers, may include different agents and/or fillers, and so on. In addition, the media may be disposed in the same portion or different portions of the bottle, may be moved within the same portion when the seal is removed, may move or be moved from one to another portion of such a bottle when the seal is removed, and the like.
[230] The medium may further include various fillers and/or retainers for defining preset dimensions during the dissolution or dispersion. Such a medium may also be used as a stirrer when the bottle is shaken by the user. Further details of such media, their agents and/or fillers, and their configurations have been provided in the co-pending Applications.
[231] As described in the co-pending Applications, various agents and/or fillers contained in various media of this invention may be provided in their solid state as well as their liquid states. In general, the liquid agent and/or filler may be encapsulated by a solid cover which may form the medium of a quasi-solid article. Once the solid cover dissolves or disperses in the fluid, the agent and/or filler in its liquid state may dissolve or disperse into the fluid similar to their solid counterparts. It is to be understood in this invention that various storages may store therein the agent and/or filler in their liquid states and that various actuators may then be arranged to mix such liquid agent and/or filler by similarly removing various seals or to pump such liquid agent and/or filler into the interior of the bottle and fluid contained therein. Accordingly, any of the aforementioned actuators (including their storages, chambers, seals, and optional pathways) may be arranged to store the liquid agent and/or filler as long as the actuators can secure the fluid sealing against not only the interior but also the exterior of the bottle. Conversely, any of such actuators may need to maintain the fluid sealing against the interior of the bottle and fluid contained therein but not necessarily against the exterior thereof, particularly when the medium forms a protective coat layer which may protect its agents from the UV layers, from the moisture in the air, and the like.
[232] Unless otherwise specified, various features of one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention may apply interchangeably to other embodiments of the same aspect of this invention and/or embodiments of one or more of different aspects of this invention. Accordingly, all of the storages of FIGs. 5 to 14 may be incorporated by any seals of FIGs. 25 to 34 and FIGs. 46 to 50, any actuators of FIGs. 35 to 45 and FIGs. 46 to 50, and the like. Similarly, any parts of the exemplary bottles shown in FIGs. 2 to 4 and FIGs. 51 to 56 may be replaced by the storages of FIGs. 5 to 14, seals of FIGs. 25 to 34 and FIGs. 46 to 50, actuators of FIGs. 35 to 45 and FIGs. 46 to 50, and the like.
[233] It is to be understood that, while various aspects and embodiments of the present invention havebeen described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other embodiments, aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims. Industrial Applicability
[234] The present invention may apply to bottles containing fluids and agents while separating the agents from the fluids before use. More particularly, the present invention may apply to bottles having fluids and various media with such agents, where the media are stored separately from the fluids and mixed with the fluids only upon use.