Method for making a two component beverage and associated two compartment container

Abstract

A method is provided for forming a two component beverage using a container having two compartments, an upper compartment and a lower compartment, each containing a beverage ingredient, The upper compartment contains a first beverage ingredient, such as powdered milk, and the lower compartment 8 contains a second beverage ingredient, such as instant coffee. The upper compartment can be stacked above the lower compartment such that access to the lower compartment is through the upper compartment.

1 . A method of forming a two component beverage in a cup using a two compartment container, the method comprising:
 accessing an upper compartment of the two compartment container containing a first beverage ingredient;   blocking access to a lower compartment of the two compartment container using the first beverage ingredient;   emptying the first beverage ingredient from the two compartment container into the cup prior to accessing the lower compartment of the two compartment container containing a second beverage ingredient;   combining a liquid with the first beverage ingredient in the cup to form a first beverage component;   combining a liquid with the second beverage ingredient in the two compartment container to form a second beverage component; and   pouring the second beverage component into the cup to combine with the first beverage component to form the two component beverage.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of accessing an upper compartment of the two compartment container containing a first beverage ingredient further includes the step of removing an upper compartment lid from the container. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of accessing the lower compartment of the two compartment container containing a second beverage ingredient further includes the step of first removing a lower compartment lid from the container. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the step of combining a liquid with the second beverage ingredient in the two compartment container to form a second beverage component includes measuring the liquid using the container. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of combining a liquid with the second beverage ingredient in the two compartment container to form a second beverage component includes filling the lower compartment and at least part of container above the lower compartment with the liquid. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid combined with the first beverage ingredient in the cup to form the first beverage component is hot water and the liquid combined with the second beverage component in the container is hot water. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of using the container to measure the liquid prior to the step of combining the liquid with the first beverage ingredient in the cup to form the first beverage component. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of holding the container using means for handling the container prior to the step of pouring the second beverage component into the cup to combine with the first beverage component to form the two component beverage. 
     
     
         9 . A container for use in the method of claim the container comprising: a bottom wall and an upstanding sidewall, the sidewall having a lower segment and an upper segment separated by a step, the lower segment having a circumference less than the circumference of the upper segment; an upper lid attached to the upstanding sidewall; a lower lid adjacent to the step; a lower compartment bounded by the bottom wall, the lower segment of the sidewall, and the lower lid, the lower compartment containing the second beverage ingredient; and an upper compartment bounded by the lower lid, the upper segment of the sidewall, and the upper lid, the upper compartment containing the first beverage ingredient. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the upper segment of the sidewall has a peripheral flange and the upper lid is attached to the peripheral flange. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the upper lid has a tab that is folded to overlay the remainder of the upper lid, the tab being movable toward an unfolded position for gripping to facilitate removal of the upper lid. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the lower lid has a tab is positioned to abut the inner side of the upper segment of the sidewall, the tab being movable away from the sidewall for gripping to facilitate removal of the lower lid. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein means for handling the container are provided. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the lower segment of the sidewall includes a plurality of outwardly extending ribs separated by recesses. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the ribs extend only partially around the perimeter of the lower segment of the sidewall. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein an outer part is attached to the container to surround the bottom wail and the lower segment of the sidewall, the outer part having an outer part sidewall spaced from the lower segment of the sidewall. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the flange includes a downturned segment spaced from the sidewall of the container. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the container includes a handle extending outwardly from the sidewall. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the sidewall of the container includes a logo or other indicia defined by a plurality of ribs with adjacent ribs spaced by recesses. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second beverage ingredients are different.