Container and divider therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a divider device for use with a container having at least one opening, each such opening having an associated cap. The divider device includes a dividing wall for releasable sealing engagement with an interior wall of the container and for dividing the container into two separate compartments, a first compartment above the dividing wall and a second compartment below the dividing wall. The divider further includes an operable portion coupled to the dividing wall for moving the dividing wall between a sealed position, separating the first and second compartments, and an unsealed position, defining a flow passage permitting flow communication between the first and second compartments. The operable portion including means for engaging a closure member, so as to close said operable portion. The divider device is removably couplable to the container when at least partly disposed inside the container.

1 . A divider device for use with a container having at least one opening, each such opening having an associated cap, the divider device comprising:
 a dividing wall for releasable sealing engagement with an interior wall of the container and for dividing the container into two separate compartments, a first compartment above said dividing wall and a second compartment below said dividing wall; and   an operable portion coupled to said dividing wall for moving said dividing wall between a sealed position, separating said first and second compartments, and an unsealed position, defining a flow passage permitting flow communication between said first and second compartments;   said operable portion including means for engaging a closure member, so as to close said operable portion;   said divider device being removably couplable to the container when at least partly disposed inside the container.   
     
     
         2 . A divider device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one opening includes a top and a bottom opening, each with an associated cap. 
     
     
         3 . The divider device according to  claim 1 , wherein said operable portion is externally accessible. 
     
     
         4 . The divider device according to  claim 1 , wherein said closure member is the cap associated with the opening. 
     
     
         5 . The divider device of  claim 1 , wherein said flow passage is defined through said dividing wall. 
     
     
         6 . The divider device according to  claim 1 , wherein said flow passage is defined around said dividing wall. 
     
     
         7 . The divider device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a container having an opening with an associated cap;   wherein said divider device is adapted and configured for replacing said associated cap and closing said opening.   
     
     
         8 . The container according to  claim 7 , wherein said closure member is the cap associated with the opening. 
     
     
         9 . The container according to  claim 7 , further comprising means for preventing inadvertent removal of the divider device from the container. 
     
     
         10 . The container according to  claim 9 , wherein said means for preventing inadvertent removal includes an internal annular rib in the container wall disposed between the container opening and a location of sealing engagement of said dividing wall. 
     
     
         11 . The container according to  claim 7 , wherein said divider member is arranged for reciprocating axial motion within the container, from a sealing position wherein the divider member engages the internal wall of the container, to a position where the divider member disengages from the walls of the container so as to provide flow communication throughout the container through the divider device. 
     
     
         12 . The container according to  claim 7 , wherein said divider member includes two portions arranged for relative pivoting motion within the container, from a sealing position wherein the two portions of said divider member overlap to substantially seal one portion of the container from another portion of the container, to a position where said two portions of the divider member only partially overlap, so as to provide flow communication throughout the container through the divider device. 
     
     
         13 . A container having a top opening with an associated cover, the liquid container comprising:
 a bottom opening;   a bottom closure member for closing said bottom opening; and   a divider device for replacing said bottom closure member and closing said bottom opening, said divider including:
 a dividing member for sealing engagement with an internal wall of the container and for dividing the container into two separable compartments; 
 an externally accessible operable portion coupled to said dividing member, for moving said dividing wall between a sealed position, separating said first and second compartments, and an unsealed position, defining a flow passage permitting flow communication between said first and second compartments, said operable portion including container coupling means for sealingly engaging said bottom opening; and 
   means for sealingly engaging said bottom closure member.   
     
     
         14 . The divider device according to  claim 13 , further comprising means for preventing inadvertent removal of the divider device from the container. 
     
     
         15 . A multifunctional container comprising:
 a container having an opening with an associated cap;   a divider device arranged to be removably disposed inside and coupled to said opening of said container;   said container adapted and configured to alternate between a first mode, wherein said divider device is outside of said container and said cap removably closes said opening, for use as a single compartment container; and   a second mode, wherein said divider device is removably disposed inside said opening of said container and said cap removably closes said divider device, to form a two-compartment container.   
     
     
         16 . The multifunctional container according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 in said first mode, the container is adapted for dispensing one material from inside the container; and   in said second mode, said divider is unsealed and a flow passage is provided between said two compartments for mixing materials in said two compartments before dispensing.   
     
     
         17 . The multifunctional container according to  claim 16 , wherein said divider device includes means for alternating, in said second mode, between permitting flow communication between said two compartments and preventing flow communication between said two compartments. 
     
     
         18 . A method for forming a multifunctional container, the method comprising:
 providing a container having an opening with an associated cap;   said container being adapted and configured for use as a single compartment container;   providing a divider device adapted and configured for at least partial removable insertion into the container, said divider device having a dividing wall for releasable sealing engagement with an interior wall of the container and for dividing the container into two separable compartments, a first compartment above said dividing wall and a second compartment below said dividing wall;   coupling an operable portion to said dividing wall for moving said dividing wall between a sealed position, separating said first and second compartments, and an unsealed position, defining a flow passage permitting flow communication between said first and second compartments; and   providing a closure member for said operable portion.   
     
     
         19 . The multifunctional container according to  claim 15 , wherein said divider device comprises:
 a dividing wall for releasable sealing engagement with an interior wall of the container and for dividing the container into two separate compartments, a first compartment above said dividing wall and a second compartment below said dividing wall; and   an operable portion coupled to said dividing wall for moving said dividing wall between a sealed position, separating said first and second compartments, and an unsealed position, defining a flow passage permitting flow communication between said first and second compartments;   said operable portion including means for engaging a closure member, so as to close said operable portion.