Food and Beverage Container with Integrated Disposable Liner Dispenser

Abstract

A food and beverage container is disclosed that includes a compartment attached to its base that is filled with disposable liners. In various embodiments the container is a storage bin, glass, mug, baby bottle, or bowl. Liners can be configured in a continuous roll with perforations, or folded in an interleaved stack. Liners are pulled into the container through an opening in the container base, and can be held in place by a retaining ring pressed over the container rim. Removing a used liner causes a fresh liner to be pulled into the container from the compartment. A lid can be included, possibly with a drinking or pouring spout through which the end of a disposable liner can be extended, and to which a retaining ring and/or a spout cover can be fitted for transportation, shaking, etc, thereby preventing added ingredients such as powders from adhering to the container.

1 . An apparatus for storing and consuming at least one of a food and a beverage, the apparatus comprising:
 a container with a bottom and a rim, the bottom including an opening; and   a compartment removably attachable to the bottom, the compartment being able to contain disposable liners, the disposable liners being pullable into the container through the opening so as to form a lined container.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the compartment includes a spindle that is able to retain a roll of disposable liners. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a liner retaining ring that is able to fit securely against the rim of the container so as to hold an open end of a disposable liner in place about the rim of the container.   
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a supply of disposable liners.   
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the disposable liners are configured in a roll. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the disposable liners are configured in a folded stack. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the disposable liners are configured in a continuous length. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the continuous length of disposable liners includes perforations that facilitate separation of individual liners from the continuous length. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the disposable liners are interleaved so as to cause a fresh liner to be drawn from the supply when a used liner is removed. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the compartment is removably attachable to the bottom of the container by engagement of complimentary threads of the compartment and the container. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the compartment is removably attachable to the bottom of the container by engagement of a protrusion in one of the compartment and the container with a compatible indentation in the other of the compartment and the container. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lid that is able to attach to the rim of the lined container and make a leak-resistant seal therewith.   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the leak-resistant seal is sufficient to allow the container to be shaken without allowing contents contained within the lined container to leak between the lid and the rim. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the lid includes a drinking spout. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a spout cover that is able to cover the drinking spout and make a leak-resistant seal therewith.   
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a spout retaining ring that is able to fit securely around a rim of the spout so as to hold an open end of a liner that has been pulled through the spout in place about the rim of the spout.   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the lid can sealably receive a baby bottle nipple. 
   
   
       18 . A method for storing a consumable item, the consumable item being at least one of a food and a beverage, the method comprising:
 providing an apparatus that includes a container with a bottom and a rim, the bottom including an opening, and a compartment removably attachable to the bottom of the container, the compartment being able to contain disposable liners, the disposable liners being pullable into the container through the opening so as to form a lined container;   locating a supply of disposable liners in the compartment, the disposable liners being configured so as to cause a fresh liner to be drawn from the supply when a used liner is pulled away from the supply;   pulling a disposable liner from the compartment, through the opening, and into the container;   lining the container with the disposable liner; and   filling the lined container with the consumable item.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the apparatus further includes a lid that is able to make a leak-resistant seal with the rim of the container, the method further comprising:
 using the lid to make a leak-resistant seal with the rim of the container; and   shaking the container so as to mix ingredients included in the consumable item.