GB2632121A

GB2632121A - Improved drinks bottle

Info

Publication number: GB2632121A
Application number: GB2311332.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sinclair Barrie Jack; Steven Davidson Andrew
Original assignee: Vsl Ltd
Current assignee: Vsl Ltd
Priority date: 2023-07-24
Filing date: 2023-07-24
Publication date: 2025-01-29
Also published as: GB202311332D0; WO2025021819A1

Abstract

A drinks bottle 10 having a main body 2 for containing a liquid, the main body having at least one side wall 4, an inner surface that has at least one anti-rotation element 4A,B,C, a mixing frame 20 that is moveable within the body, having a side wall with an outer surface that has at least one anti-rotation element 22A,B,C that cooperates with the at least one anti-rotation element of the main body to prevent rotation between them. The anti-rotation elements may be one or more flat surfaces. The mixing frame may be axially moveable within the main body. The mixing frame may be mounted on a rod 18 and is axially moveable along the rod within the main body. The drinks bottle may have a releasable locating mechanism (19 fig 4A) for releasably locating the mixing frame in at least one predetermined location along the axial height of the main body. The rod may have a first part (19-1 fig 4A) of the locating mechanism and the mixing frame having the second part (19-2 Fig 4A). The locating mechanism may be configured to be engaged and/or disengaged by rotation of the rod with respect to the mixing frame.

Description

Improved Drinks Bottle

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a bottle for mixing liquids, and/or for mixing solids and liquids, for, for example, drinks, a method of manufacturing such a bottle, a method of mixing using 5 such a bottle, and a kit for mixing using such a bottle.

Background

Reusable bottles are well known for drinks with one or two similar ingredients such as water and diluting juice, and also for multiple ingredients of different kinds, e.g. solids and liquids, such as ice and fruit juice, or nutritional powder(s) and water. Drinks bottles for sports drinks, nutritional drinks, slimming drinks, cocktail drinks and the like in particular are well known. Some, drinks use multiple different ingredients that are brought together, e.g. powders such as protein powder, milk powder, other nutritious or flavourful powders etc. together with liquids such as water and/or other ingredients such as fruit juice, fruit pulp and even ice. These can be especially problematic to mix, especially when the mixing vessel is a bottle which also to be used as a drinking vessel. Nevertheless, bottles which combine the ability to mix drinks within, and also be used as drinking vessels, are popular.

There can be problems in evenly mixing ingredients within such a drinks bottle to provide a smoothly mixed drink. There can be problems in doing so in a hygienic way, and in washing the drinks bottle afterwards, especially hygienically. Lumps of powder, or other ingredients, can remain unmixed and unevenly dispersed in the liquid, rendering the drink unappetising at best, and even undrinkable. Indeed, it may be desirable to add air to drinks during mixing or stirring, and/or to generate foam, to render the drink more appealing. This can be difficult to achieve and can be lost in the transfer from a mixing vessel to a drinking vessel. Unmixed powder can be stuck within component parts and difficult to access during washing.

Ice or fruit may be initially crushed or pulped before being added to the bottle to aid dispersion within a liquid component. But ice or fruit pulp may require a larger volume than a commensurate amount of liquid, and if a drinks bottle is designed to accommodate this larger volume, then this restricts the remaining volume available for mixing apparatus and/or for other types of drinks. This may restrict or prevent the use of that drinks bottle for mixing other types of drinks, which is undesirable.

Using one bottle for different purposes e.g. for mixing and carrying nutritious powders and liquid such as water, and also for mixing and carrying similar ingredients, such as water-based ingredients like fruit juice, cocktails and ice, can therefore be problematic. The first requires a specific mixer apparatus to be used within the main volume of the drinks bottle (to mix the dry powder and liquid), whereas the latter may require a more open volume to accommodate the ingredients, and/or a specific mixing apparatus in the bottle for the water-based ingredients.

Examples of removable mixing apparatus within drinks bottles are known such as the Blender Bottle available from https://wmAtblenderbottle.comf Here, a removable spiral of wire shaped into a discrete spherical ball is added to the bottle. The spherical wire ball moves within the internal volume of the bottle when the bottle is agitated. These removable wire balls are easily lost, and what remains is just a normal drinks bottle with no way of mixing ingredients within it. This is undesirable.

For efficient mixing, especially of nutritious powders and liquid, it is better if the mixing apparatus moves throughout the majority, or most, of the liquid occupied space. Or, conversely, if the mixing apparatus is fixedly positioned within the main volume of the drinks bottle (the main liquid occupying space), it is better if a large portion of all the ingredients being mixed can pass through the mixing apparatus easily. In practice this is difficult to achieve because it is not straightforward to locate a mixing apparatus within a central location of a drinks bottle. For example, holes in the walls of the drinks bottle to attach a mixing apparatus to the correct location may be unhygienic and prone to leaking.

An example of a mixing component within a drinks bottle is known from GB2591165 BARRIE. Mixing elements which can be fixed in place during use, and yet removed for cleaning, such as that described by BARRIE, are useful. Nevertheless, this relies on having a screw thread or an inner wall of the base of the bottle, which can be complex and expensive to manufacture.

It is desirable to have an alternative solution which enables a mixing component to be fixed in place at a desired location within a bottle and which does not require the provision of a screw thread on the inwardly facing wall of the bottle. And yet it may also be desirable to provide a drinks bottle that has a mixing component which moves within the bottle such as the Blender Bottle. Currently, these potentially desirable aspects are incompatible.

GB2521895 -BARRATT describes a drinking vessel with a removable strainer.

US2006255035 -LIN describes a protein supplement beverage shaker with a strainer.

US5911504 -SCHINDLEGGER describes a stirring device for a beverage container US4818114 -GHAVI describes a shaker top for baby bottles, having a removable mixer 5 disc located at the top of the bottle.

US2015283037 -TREJO describes a bottle with an internal mixer.

US2003179647 -SIMBA describes a drinking vessel with a tilting finger operated vessel stirrer.

GB2546902 and W02016027052 both to CARRINGTON describe a shaker bottle with 10 separate sections for milk and powder and a mixer mesh ball.

CA1065846 -SWARTZ describes a 3D mesh in a bottle.

DE102004054427 -LEMAN describes a horizontal mesh across a bottle container. US2013279287 -CERASANI shows a 3-dimensional mixing element extending into a bottle from a lid to facilitate mixing.

US2010065566 -BACON describes a collapsible stirrer.

US20150034748 -ORTIZ describes a blending container with a strut and lateral blades spun by pulley mechanism and a handle.

CA2742236 -ENGHARD describes various lateral structures such as a downwardly depending extendable element (a flat elastic spiral) within a beverage container, to aid 20 mixing.

US1060419 -BENJAMIN describes a mixing device comprising an upwardly depending coil spring.

US20080277424 -LARIMER describes a flip top shaker with a strainer within the lid that may be pivoted between first and second positions.

US20040047231 -COLL describes a mixing device with a grill fixed deep within a container via arms 90 and identifies the problem of locating the mixing device too close to the top of the container.

US2181612 -SMITH describes a cocktail shaker with a reciprocating strainer. US4872764 -MCCLEAN describes a cocktail shaker with motor driven blades on a shaft. 30 W09707724 -OSTERLUND describes a shaker for the preparation of gruel with a mixing part on a shank at a given distance from the neck.

US2013010568 BODUM describes a beverage maker having a lockable actuation rod. US2008259723 RHODES describes a pitcher having mixing device.

US2014269152 VENOT describes a hand mixer.

W02015135664 ROAKS describes a device for improving mixing of a liquid and a powdered substance and a baby bottle comprising the device.

Thus, examples of the art include removable mixer balls which can be lost, fixed meshes within the bottles may be hard to clean or expensive to manufacture, and motor driven mixing elements which are expensive, heavy and hard to clean.

The present invention seeks to alleviate one or more of the problems of the art, some of which are described above.

Statements of the Invention

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a drinks bottle comprising: a main body for containing liquid, the main body comprising at least one side wall, an inner (e.g. innermost and/or inwardly facing) surface of the side wall comprising at least one first anti-rotation element; a mixing frame movable within the main body, the mixing frame having a side wall (e.g. an outer, e. g. outermost, side wall), an outer (e.g. outermost and/or outwardly facing) surface of the side wall comprising at least one second anti-rotation element for co-operating (e.g. configured to cooperate, e.g. configured to engage, for example sixed and/or shaped to cooperate/engage) with the at least one first anti-rotation element to prevent rotation therebetween.

When the first and second anti-rotation features cooperate together, e.g. are engaged 20 together, relative rotation between the main body and the mixing frame is substantially prevented.

In a further aspect the invention may comprise a method of manufacturing a drinks bottle comprising: providing a drinks bottle as described herein.

In a further aspect the invention may comprise a method of mixing ingredients, e.g. one or more liquids, and optionally one or more solids e.g. ice and/or powder, using a drinks bottle as described herein comprising: adding ingredients, e.g. one or more liquid, and optionally one or more solids, to 30 the main body; agitating the drinks bottle thereby mixing the ingredients using the mixing element.

In a further aspect the invention may comprise a kit comprising: a drinks bottle as described herein; 35 and at least one of the following: instructions for use (e.g. as described herein); a spare mixing frame; a spare mixing element.

In one or more embodiments, the mixing frame may be axially movable within the main body, e.g. at least in a first configuration.

In one or more embodiments, the mixing frame may be mounted within the main body, e.g. in a first configuration, in such a way so that it is capable of axial (e.g. reciprocating) 10 motion only within the main body e.g. with respect the main body and a lid.

In one or more embodiments, the mixing frame may be mounted within the main body, e.g. in a second configuration, so that it is prevented from carrying out axial (e.g. reciprocating) motion within the main body e.g. with respect to the main body and a lid.

In one or more embodiments, the mixing frame may be mounted on a (e.g. at least one) rod and is axially movable (e.g. only axially movable) along the rod within the main body, e.g. at least in a first configuration.

In one or more embodiments, the mixing frame may be mounted on one or more rods, in a first configuration, so that it is capable of only axial (e.g. reciprocating) motion, along the one or more rods e.g. with respect to the rod or a lid on which the rod is mounted. In one or more embodiments, the mixing frame may be located (e.g. locked) on one or more rods, in a second configuration, so that it is prevented from carrying out axial (e.g. reciprocating) motion along one or more rods e.g. with respect to the rod or a lid on which the rod is mounted.

In one or more embodiments, the drinks bottle may comprise a releasable locating (e.g. locking) mechanism for releasably locating (e.g. temporarily locking) the mixing frame at at least one predetermined location along an axial height of the main body e.g. at a predetermined location at which the first and second anti-rotation features (e.g. one or more of each of the first and second anti-rotation features) cooperate theretogether to prevent rotation therebetween.

Thus, in one or more embodiments, the mixing frame is configured to be fixedly locatable within the main body in a removable manner. In other words, the locating, or locking, in position may be temporary.

In one or more embodiments, the at least one rod may comprise (e.g. part way along and/or at or near a distal end thereof) a first part of the locating (e.g. locking) mechanism, and, the mixing frame may comprise (e.g. at a central portion thereof), a second part of the locating (e.g. locking) mechanism, whereby the mixing frame may be movably mounted on the rod and releasably locatable (e.g. lockable) at a predetermined position thereon using the locating (e.g. locking) mechanism.

In one or more embodiments, the locating mechanism may be configured to be engaged, and/or disengaged, by rotation of the rod with respect to the mixing frame, e.g. to releasably engage and disengage the rod and the mixing frame together. The mixing frame may be prevented from rotation with respect to the main body during such engagement and/or disengagement by the at least one first anti-rotation element engaging with the at least one second anti-rotation element.

In one or more embodiments, one or more of the at least one first anti-rotation elements and/or one or more of the at least one second anti-rotation elements extend(s) circumferentially around an inner wall of the main body, or an outer wall of the frame, as appropriate.

In one or more embodiments, one or more of the at least one first anti-rotation elements and/or one or more of the at least one second anti-rotation elements extend(s) axially along an inner wall of the main body, or an outer wall of the frame, as appropriate, in a direction extending between an upper edge towards a distal end of the main body.

In one or more embodiments, the locating (e.g. locking) mechanism may comprise, and the first and/or second parts thereof may comprise parts thereof as appropriate, at least one of: a bayonet-style fitting; - a slot; - an inter-engaging slot and protrusion (e.g. a pin or plate or rib); - one or more peripherally (e.g. circumferentially) extending slots on a rod and/or one or more peripherally (e.g. circumferentially) extending protrusions on the mixing frame, or vice versa; - a clip; - a cam lever.

In one or more embodiments, the at least one first anti-rotation element and the at least one second anti-rotation element may comprise co-operating, inter-engaging elements which prevent (e.g. generally or substantially prevent) relative rotation therebetween.

In one or more embodiments, the at least one first anti-rotation element and/or the at least one second anti-rotation element may comprise at least one of: one or more surface features; - one or more flat surface features (such as one or more flat, or flatter, surface portions); one or more raised surface features (such as one or more raised or higher surface portions); one or more protrusions; one or more recesses; - one or more ribs; -one or more slots; one or more corners; one or more clamps; - one or more clips.

In one or more embodiments, at least one first anti-rotation element may comprise a flat e.g. generally or substantially flat (or flatter) portion (e.g. a flatter portion relative to the at least part of the remining circumference) of an inner surface of a side wall, of the main body and/or at least one second anti-rotation element may comprise a flat e.g. generally or substantially flat portion (or flatter) portion (e.g. a flatter portion relative to the at least part of the remining circumference) of an outer surface of a side wall of the frame.

In one or more embodiments, the first anti-rotation element may comprise three substantially flat (or flatter) surface portions (e.g. which may be equi-spaced about the periphery of the inner surface of the side wall of the main body) and/or the second anti-rotation element may comprise three substantially flat (or flatter) surface portions (e.g. which may be equi-spaced about the periphery of the outer surface of the side wall of the mixing frame).

In one or more embodiments, the main body may be generally, or substantially, 35 cylindrical, e.g. about its outer surface and/or in cross-section along at least some of its height. In one or more embodiments, the frame may be generally, or substantially, cylindrical.

In one or more embodiments, the main body and/or the side wall of the main body, and/or the inner surface of the side wall of the main body, may have at least one tapered wall portion with at least a tapered inner surface, e.g. getting narrower in an axial direction 5 e.g. towards its base, much like a draught angle.

In one or more embodiments, at least a portion of the frame, and/or the side wall of the frame, and/or the outer surface of the side wall of the frame, may be tapered, e.g. getting narrower in an axial direction e.g. towards its base, preferably to match the tapering, 10 where provided, of the main body.

In one or more embodiments, one or both of the main body and the mixing frame may be frustoconical in cross-section.

In one or more embodiments, the mixing frame may extend across the width of the main body.

In one or more embodiments, the main body may terminate at a proximal end in an upper edge defining an opening; and the drinks bottle may further comprise: a removable (e.g. 20 partially or entirely removable) lid closing the opening, the removable lid comprising: a base portion removably (e.g. partially or entirely removable) located at the upper edge of the main body; a handle portion rotatable with respect to the base portion; and the at least one rod is mounted on the handle portion and rotatable with the handle portion so that the locating mechanism of the mixing frame on the rod can be engaged and disengaged by rotation of the handle portion with respect to the main body.

In one or more embodiments, in a first unlocked configuration the mixing frame can move within the main body, e.g. axially within the main body, for example, where a rod is provided, it can slide up and down the rod, and in a second locked configuration, the mixing frame is fixedly located in position within the main body. For example, where a rod is provided, it may be fixedly located in a predetermined position part way along the rod, or at a distal end on the rod, e.g. by rotating the rod with respect to the frame to engage/disengage the locating (e.g. locking) mechanism.

In one or more embodiments, with the cooperating first anti-rotation element and second anti-rotation element engaged, rotating the handle portion with respect to the base portion may rotate the at least one rod with respect to the frame, engaging the first and second parts of the locating mechanism to fix these together (preferably temporarily), so preventing the frame from sliding to-and-fro along the rod, preferably temporarily, thus locating the frame fixedly on the rod.

In one or more embodiments, the frame may be disengaged from the rod by unlocking the locating mechanism (e.g. rotating the rod and frame in the opposite direction e.g. rotating the first and second parts of the locating mechanism in the opposite direction with respect to one another, e.g. when the first and second anti-rotation elements are engaged together, so that the frame can slide along the rod to be repositioned and/or removed).

Thus, in one or more preferred embodiments the at least one rod and frame are slidably movable, and releasably locatable e.g. releasably fixable or lockable, with respect to each other. This allows the mixing frame and associated mixing element to travel within main body towards a distal end of main body, or be fixedly held within it. The use of anti-rotation features allows this to happen without a user touching the mixing frame. This assists in preventing contamination of the contents, and/or dirtying fingers with the contents.

Thus, in one or more embodiments, this switch from one mode, in which the mixing frame can move to-and-fro (e.g. axially along the height of the main body e.g. reciprocating along the rod), to a second mode, in which it is fixedly located at a predetermined axial height of the main body (e.g. fixed in position on the rod, where provided), can be effected simply and easily.

In one or more embodiments, this can be provided from operation by a user outside the 30 drinks bottle.

The mixing element preferably extends across the frame to fill the frame.

In a first mixing mode, when the mixing frame has been moved e.g. slid along the rod to a 35 desired position, and the locating mechanism is engaged to hold it in that desired position within the main body, the mixing frame, either wholly or partially, partitions the main body so forcing at least some or all of the contents to pass to-and-fro via the frame and associated mixing element, when the bottle is shaken.

In an alternative second mixing mode, the mixing frame is not fixed and can move within the main body, e.g. axially and/or rotationally, so the mixing frame travels through some or all of the contents e.g. when the bottle is shaken. This can help break up bigger pieces of solid ingredients e.g. of ice and /or powders due to the momentum of the mixing frame in motion. The mixing frame and/or the mesh may be provided with sharp/sharper edges e.g. side wall edges, and/or mesh opening wall edges, which are sharp or sharper to facilitate this.

Thus, in one or more embodiments, two modes of missing drinks are provided by the bottle, one in which the mixing frame (and associated mixing element) is free to move within the bottle, and one in which the mixing frame (and associated mixing element) is fixedly located in a predetermined location within the mixing bottle. Furthermore, in one or more preferred embodiments, a user can switch between modes by using a handle portion outside the bottle.

Preferably the at least one rod is provided fixed to, or fixable to, or forms part of, the 20 handle portion.

Optionally, indeed, the at least one rod is preferably, at, or associated with, a central location of the handle portion (and preferably also the lid).

Optionally, but less preferably, two or more rods may be provided, optionally evenly spaced, about a central longitudinal axis of the drinks bottle.

Preferably, the side wall of the main body and/or the mixing frame has or have a continuous cross-section which may be generally circular, generally oval or otherwise 30 generally curved. However, these may be square or rectangular or hexagonal etc., but this is less preferred.

In one or more embodiments, the base portion and handle portion of the lid may comprise respective inter-engaging rotatable surface features to facilitate relative rotational motion 35 therebetween. In one or more embodiments, the inter-engaging surface features on each of the base portion and handle portion may comprise one or more of: a) corresponding protrusion(s) and recess(es); b) corresponding cylindrical features and recess(es) for receiving same; c) ball bearings; d) one or more low friction surface(s).

In one or more embodiments, the handle portion is located within an external periphery of the base portion in a lateral direction. In one or more embodiments, the handle portion of the lid extends above and/or below the base portion of the lid in an axial direction. In one or more embodiments, the handle portion and/or the base portion comprise a recess, or respective recessed portions, for receiving at least a portion of the mixing element and/or frame, when these are in a retracted position.

The mixing element may be three-dimensional (3D). The mixing element may be one or more of conical, frustoconical, pyramidal, hemispherical, curved, concatenated in 3 dimensions. The mixing element may comprise, or is made of, one or more of: -one or more removable, and/or replaceable, sub-elements; an open structure to allow liquid and powder to pass through it; relatively stiff construction; - rigid construction; mesh comprising multiple openings; -wire; any suitable material (e.g. plastic, plastic coated metal or metal, etc).

The mixing element may comprise a rigid mesh with multiple openings defined by rigid side walls e.g. axially extending side walls. At least part of an upper and/or lower edge of at least one side wall of at least one opening may be provided with a sharp edge. The mesh may comprise multiple openings and the multiple openings may vary in lateral dimension.

The upper edge of the main body and the base portion of the lid may comprise 30 cooperating screw threads for fixedly locating the lid to the main body in a removable manner.

In one or more embodiments, the method of mixing ingredients may comprise: activating the locating mechanism to fixedly locate the mixing frame in the main body of the drinks bottle at a predetermined location; agitating the drinks bottle thereby mixing the ingredients using the mixing element.

In one or more embodiments, the method of mixing ingredients may comprise: - deactivating (e.g. unlocking) the locating mechanism to release the mixing frame to move at least axially within the main body of the drinks bottle; agitating the drinks bottle thereby mixing the ingredients using the mixing element.

In one or more embodiments, the method of mixing ingredients may comprise: - using a bottle as described herein; and, affixing the base portion of a or the lid to an or the upper edge of the main body so that the frame is located within the main body so their respective anti-rotation features engage to prevent relative rotation therebetween; rotating the handle portion of the lid with respect to the base portion to cause the first and second parts of the locking mechanism to engage and/or disengage (e.g. depending upon the direction of rotation); agitating the drinks bottle thereby mixing the ingredients using the mixing element.

The lid may further comprise one or more of a mouthpiece, a cover, a carry handle (such as a loop or clip-on structure such as carabiner).

Several embodiments of the invention are described and any one or more features of any 20 one or more embodiments may be used in any one or more aspects of the invention as described above.

Brief Description of the Invention

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following figures. In the figures and following description, the same reference 25 numerals refer to the same, or similar, features.

Figure 1 shows a perspective, partially transparent view of a drinks bottle in an example embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the bottle of Figure 1 in an example embodiment of the invention.

Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C show perspective, partially transparent views of a main body, mixing frame, and rod with the mixing frame in, respectively, i) upper, unlocked, ii) lower locked, and iii) lower, unlocked positions with respect to the rod, in an example embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a close-up, perspective, partially transparent view of a mixing frame, rod, lid, and main body of a drinks bottle in an example embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that any dimensions, and relative orientations, such as lower and higher, inner and outer, above and below, and any directions or locations such as vertical, horizontal, upper, lower, axial, lateral, radial, longitudinal, tangential, central, etc., referred to in this application are used in their normal sense and are within expected structural tolerances and limits for the technical field of this invention, and the apparatus and methods described, and these should be interpreted with this in mind.

By 'flat or 'flatter' portion is meant a part or element or portion of a wall, or of an outer surface of a wall, that is not curved, or is not curved to the same extent and/or in same way as another neighbouring portion of a wall or surface of a wall.

By anti-rotation feature is meant a feature which by itself, or together with another cooperating feature, generally or substantially limits or prevents rotation about one or more axes, usually about one axis of one element with respect to another (e.g. a mixing element with respect to a main body of a bottle, such as with respect to a side wall of a main body, about a longitudinal axis along a height of the bottle).

By 'lock' or 'lockable' is meant prevent opening, and/or movement e.g. sliding and/or rotating, and/or slippage, of one element with respect to another (e.g. of a mixing element with respect to a rod).

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a drinks bottle 10 is shown comprising a main body 2 with an internal volume (not labelled) for receiving and containing drink ingredients and a removable lid 12 for closing main body 2. Lid 12 may be wholly separable from main body 2, or may remain remotely attached to main body 2 e.g. via a strap, string, wire, chain or other flexible attachment means between lid 12 and main body 2. Main body 2 comprises a side wall 4 which terminates at an upper edge 6 defining a wide central opening 8 leading into the internal volume.

Typically, drinks bottles are of generally cylindrical cross section although other shapes are possible. Here, main body 2 and its side wall 4 are of a generally cylindrical cross section. Upper edge 6 is typically of circular cross-section, as is lid 12. Other shapes are possible.

It is preferable that a closure mechanism e.g. in the form of circular screw thread features 7 (see Figure 3) is provided at or near upper edge 6 for cooperating with corresponding screw thread features (not shown) on lid 12, whatever the overall cross-sectional shape of main body 2 or bottle 10. Thus, here just below upper edge 6, an external screw thread 7 is shown to which lid 12 is removably affixed by cooperating internal screw thread (not shown) of lid 12. Other cooperating closure or fixing means such as snap fit closures, clip mechanisms, and/or strong friction fit may be used.

Lid 12 may comprise a mouthpiece feature 30 optionally with a removable (e.g. pivotable) 15 cap. Lid 12 may also comprise an opening (not shown) which may be the mouthpiece or a separate opening with a suitable closure, for receiving liquid and/or solid ingredients (e.g. protein powder, milk powder, fruit pulp, ices, etc).

Typically, however, liquid(s) and optionally solid(s) e.g. powder may be added to volume 20 of main body 2, when lid 12 is separated from main body 2. Lid 12 is then secured to main body 2 at upper edge 16 via cooperating screw threads (or other openable fixing means, e.g. clip or snap fit mechanism, strong friction fit, etc.).

Handle portion 16 is rotatable with respect to base portion 14 also with respect to main 25 body 2 about a central longitudinal axis of drinks bottle 10. Gripping features may be provided about an outer surface of handle portion 16, e.g. on a side wall (see gripping features, which may be ridges or indents or other surface variations.

Lid 12 comprises a base portion 14 removably fixable to main body 2 as described above and, in preferred embodiments, a handle portion 16 movable, e.g. rotatable, with respect to base portion 14. A locking mechanism (not shown) may also be provided to prevent, temporarily, removal of lid 12 and, in particular, base portion 14 from main body 2. Base portion 14 and handle portion 16 may be of any suitable shape.

Preferably both base portion 14 and handle portion 16 are generally cylindrical at least about opposing wall(s) thereof, to facilitate relative rotation with respect to one another. There are many ways this rotational (but not translational) motion can be achieved. For example, base portion 14 may comprise a lateral cylindrical projection which locates and travels in a corresponding cylindrical recess of handle portion 16, or vice versa. In addition, or alternatively, multiple similar projections spaced circumferentially and/or axially apart or other rotating mechanisms could be used as would be understood by someone skilled in the art. For example, handle portion 16 may rest on a laterally extending surface of base portion 14 (see Figure 8). Alternatively, handle portion 16 may be clamped between upper edge 6 of side wall 4, and base portion 14 in a manner e.g. a loose manner, to allow for rotational movement but not translational movement of handle portion 16 with respect to base portion 14.

In use, since base portion 14 is fixedly located (e.g. screw threaded) onto the main body 2, and may be locked (albeit temporarily) with respect to main body 2, this relative rotational arrangement of handle portion 16 on base portion 14 enables handle portion 16 of lid 12 (and anything mounted on it or to it) to rotate with respect to base portion 14 and with respect to main body 2.

Referring to the Figures, an example arrangement of the internal features of a drinks bottle 10 are shown. Main body 2 comprises a side wall 4 with a first anti-rotation feature 4A, 4B, 4C on an inwardly facing surface. First anti-rotation feature 4A, 4B, 4C may extend only part way along the inner surface of side wall 4, or may extend from a position close to proximal opening 8 at a proximal (here upper) end of main body 2 (see Figure 4) towards a distal end (e.g. the base) of main body 2 (e.g. to half way down the bottle). Indeed, it may extend to a location close to the base of the main body 2.

In this preferred example embodiment, one rod 18 is rigidly mounted on lid 12, the rod 18 terminating in a frame 20, also known as a mixing frame, within which a mixing element 22, preferably a three-dimensional (3D) mixing element is provided. The mixing element 22 is shown here as a mesh extending across frame 20, here across a diameter of a generally circular frame 20. The mesh may have relatively wide interstitial spacing and/or relatively strong struts or filaments for breaking up and mixing ingredients. Mesh 22 has openings 39 that preferably extend axially along, as well as laterally across, main body 2. The interstitial spacing of the openings 39 and/or the lateral size and/or the axial extent of the opening themselves within the mesh may vary e.g. from the edges of the mixing element towards the centre. For example, the openings 39 in the mesh 22 may be larger towards the sidewall the main body 2, or vice versa.

Frame 20 may be any suitable shape but is preferably generally cylindrical. Frame 20 has an outwardly facing side wall 22 for engaging with the inner surface of side wall 4 of main body 2. Frame 20, preferably, comprises at least one anti-rotation feature 22A, 22B, 22C, here in this example in the form of flat, or flatter, portions of frame side wall 22. Thus, frame side wall 22 comprises one or more surface features which engage with cooperating surface features of side wall 4 of the main body 2. These co-operating features may be flat or flatter on frame side wall 22 and main body side wall 4, may be one or more co-operating slots and/or ribs (e.g. axial along the wall), one or more co-operating flat or flatter portions etc. Rod 18 and frame 20 are mounted on handle portion 16 and so, in principle, can be rotated with respect to main body 2, when handle portion 16 is rotated with respect to main body 2. Main body 2 is generally circular, e.g. when viewed from above, but has a side wall 4 that is shaped to provide the anti-rotation features 4A, 4B, 4C. The anti-rotation features 4A, 4B, 4C comprise three flatter (e.g. flat) surface portions of main body 2.

In this case, the flatter portions are formed from the entire thickness of the side wall 4, so that the side wall 4 is not completely circular, but rather has, when viewed from above, flat wall portions 4A, 4B, 4C, and circular wall portions in between (unlabelled). Thus, in this example embodiment, side wall 4 has a similar thickness around its periphery, in the flat and the curved sections.

It will be understood from reading this disclosure, that side wall 4 may have anti-rotation features, e.g. in the form of latter surface portions 4A, 4B, 4C, only on the inwardly facing surface of side wall 4. In this latter case, the thickness of side wall 4 may vary about its periphery to provide a variation in the internal surface and so provide the anti-rotation features. For example, side wall 4 may have a circular outer surface and an inner surface with one or more circular portions, and one or more anti-rotation feature e.g. flatter surface portions, formed form a variation in the thickness of wall 4.

Thus, the one or more anti-rotation features may be provided on, or as part of, the inwardly facing surface of wall 4. They are preferably integral with wall 4 when it is manufactured e.g. moulded, or may be affixed to main body 2 later, to form a part of wall 35 4.

As an alternative to flat or flatter surface portions, the one or more anti-rotation features 4A, 4B, 4C may be formed of one or more ribs and/or recesses and/or protrusions and/or slots and/or other surface features etc. as would be understood by someone skilled in the art.

There may be one or more such anti-rotation features 4A, 4B, 4C, preferably at least two, more preferably three. Preferably there is an odd number. Preferably these are equispaced about a longitudinal axis along the height of the main body 2. So where three are provided, these may be at approximately a 120° angle with respect to one another.

Where 5 are provided, the anti-rotation features may be at approximately a 60° angle with respect to one another. Whilst three are preferred, one is sufficient to prevent rotation of mixing frame 20 with respect to wall 4 as will be described later.

In this preferred embodiment, the anti-rotation features 4A, 4B, 4C are provided by three substantially identical flat surface portions see in Figures 1 to 4, of similar, here the same, height axially up and down the side wall 4, and of similar, here the same, lateral (or angular) extent around the periphery of side wall 4. Further these are interspaced, when viewed from above, with three curved, here circular, wall portions of similar, here the same, height axially up and down the side wall 4, and of similar, here the same, lateral (or angular) extent around the periphery of side wall 4. Indeed, the lateral (e.g. angular) extent of the curved and the non-curved wall portions may be the same, although in the embodiment shown in the Figures, the curved portions are of wider lateral extent than the anti-rotation flat surface portions 4A, 4B, 4C (best seen in Figure 1).

The inner surface of side wall 4, or indeed side wall 4, may be sloped or tapered, e.g. at an angle to a vertical, when viewed in cross-section from the side. Indeed, preferably one or more of the curved portions and/or one or more of the flat portions 4A, 4B, 4C, may provide a tapered surface, e.g. an angle to the vertical when viewed in cross-section from the side. This is somewhat similar to a draught angle, and indeed, where provided, may function as a draught angle, to facilitate extraction of main body 2 from a mould when injection moulding.

The tapering where provided is preferably constant. In other words the resultant slope has a constant gradient. The angle of the taper, or slope, may be very small e.g. between 1 to 5°, e.g. 1 to 2°, with respect to the vertical. The tapering can assist with receipt of the mixing frame 20 into the main body 2, and engagement of first anti-rotation features 4A, 4B, 4C in the form of flat surface portions in the inner surface of wall 4, with corresponding second anti-rotation features, 22A, 22B, 22C, in the form of flat surface portions on an outer surface of an outer wall 22 of frame 20.

Thus, where a taper is provided, the flat surfaces may be at an angle to the vertical, 5 forming flat slopes, at an angle to the vertical.

Referring to Figure 1 and especially Figure 2, mixing frame 20 comprises an outer wall 22 which extends across, here across a diameter of, a generally circular frame 2 between the internal surface(s) of side wall 4. The outer wall 22 is preferably sized, and/or shaped, to slide down the internal surface of side wall 4 until it reaches a particular level, part-way down wall 4. At this predetermined location, first-anti-rotation features 4A, 4B, 4C of side wall 4, engage with second anti-rotation features 22A, 22B, 22C of the outer wall 22 of frame 20 to resist, and indeed to substantially prevent, rotation of mixing frame 20 with respect to main body 2.

Looking at Figure 2 in more detail, a lid 12 for main body 10 is shown having a base portion 14 and a rotatable handle portion 12. Depending from lid 12 at a central location, is a rod 18. This may be rigidly attached e.g. resiliently snap fitted into a suitable recess in the underside of lid 12, and in particular into the underside of handle portion 16, e.g. using a resilient attachment member 23, seen in Figure 3A. Here, resilient attachment member 23 comprises snap-fit resilient prongs with enlarged distal ends which snap outwards into a co-operating recess (not shown) in the handle portion 16. Thus, rod 18 and handle portion 16 are clamped together.

Rod 18 may alternatively be integrally formed with handle portion 16 and slotted onto base portion 14 of lid 12. Rod 18 is preferably rigid and is here of one integral piece. It may comprise multiple components, preferably rigidly held together.

Rod 18 is elongate and comprises, in this example, three elongate ribs or wings 18A, 30 18B, 18C. Although three evenly spaced ribs are provided here, one every 120° angle, rod 18 may comprise only one or two, or indeed four or more such elongate features, and/or these may be unevenly spaced about the periphery of rod 18.

These elongate features may each comprise a rib or a recess. These elongate features 35 18A, 18B, 18C function, in essence, as one or more rails along which mixing frame 20 can travel to-and-fro, at least axially along, when not locked in position. Whilst travelling axially along elongate features, here ribs 18A, 18B, 18C, it is preferred that rotational motion about the longitudinal axis of main body 2, here the same central longitudinal axis as centrally located rod 18, is substantially prevented. Restricting such rotation is not essential but is preferred.

A centrally located hole 21 is provided within frame 20. The central hole 21 has a corresponding number of slots, here three, 21A, 21B, 21C (seen in Figures 4A and 4B) for slidably receiving elongate ribs 18A, 18B, 18C respectively and facilitating travel along rod 18 whilst preventing rotation of frame 20 about rod 18.

It will be understood that where elongate features on rod 18 are provided as elongate slots or channels instead of protruding wings or ribs 18A, 18B, 18C, hole 21 may be provided with cooperating pins, or other protrusions, that can travel in such slots or channels. Other mechanisms that facilitate travel of frame 20 up and down rod 18 can be envisaged such as wheels or rollers or ball bearings or sliding surfaces etc. At the lower distal end of rod 18 is an end plate 27 (seen in Figure 3A). The elongate wings 18A, 18B, 18C terminate just short of end plate 27 to provide, in this example embodiment, three slots or cut outs 28A, 28B, 28C, here, angularly spaced equally, at 120°, from one another. The slots 28A, 28B, 28C may be quite short in a lateral direction being of the same width as the ribs 18A, 183,180.

The slots 28A, 28B, 28C act as a first part 19-1 of a locking mechanism 19 to provide a gap through which one or more protruding portions 19-2 of central hole 21 of frame 20 can pass. Thus, the one or more protruding parts 19-2 are formed from suitably shaped portions of the internal periphery of hole 21. The protruding parts of the periphery of central hole 21 act as one or more second locking parts 19-2 of a locking mechanism 19. These locking protrusions 19-2 can each pass into a respective slot 28A, 28B, 28C, when frame 20 is lined up on rod 18 at a suitable predetermined location, here at the end of the rod 18, and then rotated with respect to rod 18. One or more raised stop members 25 may be provided on the periphery of hole 21 of mixing frame 20, to prevent continued rotation of mixing frame 20 on rod 18.

The first and second anti-rotation features 4A, 4B, 4C, and 22A, 22B, 22C are located along a height of main body 2 such that, when mixing frame 20 is positioned on rod 18 so that first locking parts 19-1, here slots 28A, 28B, 28C, are aligned with second locking parts 19-2, here protrusions in the periphery of central hole 21, the first and second anti-rotation features 4A, 4B, 4C, and 22A, 22B, 22C are also aligned. This means that when a user holding main body 2 rotates rod 18, mixing frame 20 is prevented from rotating, and, instead, rod 18 rotates relative to mixing frame 20, and the slots 28A, 28B, 28C forming the first part 19-1 of the locking mechanism 19 engage with the protrusions about the periphery of hole 21 forming the second part 19-2 of locking mechanism 19, at least until ribs 18A, 18B, 18C engage stop members 25, where provided.

Thus, the locking mechanism 19 can be activated, and the mixing frame 20 can no longer slide axially along rod 18. Instead, mixing frame 20 is temporarily fixedly located in position part-way down main body 2 of bottle 10, here at the end of rod 18. It will be understood adaptions could be made to allow this fixing to occur part way down rod 18, either in addition, or as an alternative, to fixing at the distal end of rod 18.

To allow axial motion of frame 20 again, a user holds main body 10 and twist the rods 18 in the reverse direction, the protrusions 19-2 slide out of slots 28A, 28B, 28C until elongate ribs 18A, 18B, 18C once again line up with slots 21A, 21B, 21C in the periphery of central hole 21, to allow axial motion. The mixing frame 20 is now free again to slide up and down rod 18.

Locking mechanism 19 is here formed of two parts, one on rod 18 and one on mixing frame 20. In other embodiments, an alternative locking mechanism may be provided, for example, a clip or cam lever may be provided to fix the mixing frame at a location at which the first and second anti-rotation features engage one another. In this and other embodiments, no rod may be provided. In this case, no handle 16 may be needed.

In one or more embodiments, the mixing frame 20 can slide up and down the internal surface of side wall 4, optionally rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the main body over at least part of the axial height of the main body. In other embodiments, the mixing frame may be configured so that it cannot rotate about a longitudinal axis of the main body over most or all of the height of the main body. In some embodiments this may be provided by the wall of the main body having anti-rotation surface features 4A, 4B, 4C along most or all of the height of the main body, in effect functioning as rails, allowing reciprocating axial motion of mixing frame 20 within main body 2, but functioning also as anti-rotation features for mixing frame 20. In this and other embodiments, a separate locking mechanism to hold the mixing frame 20 at a particular location along the axis of main body 2, e.g. a clip or cam lever, or clamp etc., may then be provided.

In some embodiments, where no rod is present, this may be provided by arranging for the height of the outer wall of the mixing frame, or other dimension of the mixing frame, and/or the height of the anti-rotation features 22A, 22B, 22C on the mixing frame, and/or the height of the anti-rotation features 4A, 4B, 4C of the side wall 4, to be sufficient so that there is not enough room for the mixing frame to rotate either about a longitudinal axis of the main body, or indeed optionally about any other axis, such as a laterally extending axis. This may be achieved by extending the first anti-rotation features 4A, 4B, 4C further axially along the height of side wall, e.g. along most of or all of the height of the side wall of the main body.

Where a rod is provided, this may be achieved by providing ribs 18A, 18B, 18C on the rod. Indeed, in this or other embodiments the mixing frame 20 and main body 2, or mixing frame and rod 18 where provided, may be configured so that mixing frame 20 cannot rotate about any horizontal axis and/or about any vertical axis.

Two or more rods may be provided, with suitable adjustments to the design of the lid e.g. laterally spaced across the lid and/or mixing frame 20.

The co-operating surface features 4A, 4B, 4C and 22A, 22B, 22C may extend from a position close to but axially spaced apart from upper edge 6 (at a proximal or upper end of main body 2), towards a distal end and the base of main body 2. In this and other embodiments these may comprise 'run in' or guide features e.g. in the form of raised inter-engaging slots or ridges, as would be understood by those skilled in the art, to facilitate the first surface features 4A, 4B, 4C on the inwardly facing surface of side wall 4 of main body 2 engaging with the second surface features 22A, 22B, 22C on the outwardly facing surface of side wall 22 of frame 20.

It will be understood that the extent of the first and second surface features 4A, 4B, 4C and 22A, 22B, 22C axially along the inner surface of wall 4 may be determined by the 30 extent of travel of frame 20 axially within main body 2.

The frame 20 is typically completely removable from the main body 2 for cleaning etc. Lid base portion 16 may be provided with an opening or recess 3 for receiving, at least 35 partially, mixing element 22 and/or frame 20 when in a fully retracted position e.g. when frame 20 is located at a top portion of rod 18.

In use, a user adds ingredients, such as liquid, powder, ice, juice, etc. to the internal volume of main body 2 either via opening 8, or via mouthpiece 30, or other opening (not shown). Next, if not already present, lid 12 is screwed onto main body 2 by cooperating screw threads. When the lid unit, now including handle portion 16 and rod 18, is inserted into base portion 14, frame 20 is at liberty to descend along rod 18 into main body 2. The second surface features 22A, 22B, 22C of frame 20 come to rest against and engage with first surface features 4A, 4B, 4C of side wall 4, optionally assisted by guide features described above, if present. The lateral size and/or taper of each may be adjusted to facilitate this and/or a stop may be provided on the inner surface of wall 4.

Typically, in this initial step, the frame 20 is slidably movable to-and-fro along rod 18. The frame 20, therefore, drops down rod 18 and slides along the inner surface of side wall 4 in a particular orientation such that second surface features 22A, 22B, 22C engage and slide along and are guided by first surface features 4A, 4B, 4C.

When the frame 20 has descended into main body 2 to a predetermined position, partway along, or entirely along e.g. at the distal end of rod 18, the first and second cooperating surface features 4A, 4B, 4C, and 22A, 22B, 22C co-operate to prevent relative rotation thereof.

As handle portion 16 is rotated, rod 18 is rotated, however, rotation of frame 20 is prevented by a user holding main body 2. thus, a user's rotation of handle portion 16, causes rod 18 to rotate. As handle portion 16 continues to rotate, rod 18 also rotates relative to frame 20, causing the locking features 19-1, 19-2 to engage so as to prevent axial (e.g. sliding) motion of frame 20 on rod 18. Frame 20 is prevented from rotating with respect to main body 2 by anti-rotation surface features 4A, 4B, 4C, and 22A, 22B, 22C.

Once frame 20 and mixing element 22 are introduced to the main body 2, mixing can take place by agitation of the drinks bottle 10 by a user. In preferred embodiments, this mixing 30 can happen in two modes. One mode in which frame 20 is at least axially movable within main body 2, and one in which frame 20 is rigidly held in position within main body 2.

As drinks bottle 10 is agitated, ingredients within main body 2 pass through pervious mixing element 22 from one side to another and back again.

The position of the mixing element 22 in frame 20 during agitation may be halfway down main body 2 or indeed at any predetermined position selected by a user along rod 18 at which there is a suitable locking mechanism. Thus, two or more locking mechanisms may be provided.

Frame 20 is generally cylindrically shaped, having a generally cylindrical outer wall 22 on 5 which the second surface features 22A, 22B, 22C are formed. Frame 20 may have a generally cylindrical inner central opening 21. Opening 21 may be of a different shape as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Opening 21 may be shaped to accommodate a desired mixing element 22. Mixing element 22 may be two dimensional (2D) for example a flat mesh of metal wire and/or plastic filaments, or may be three 10 dimensional (3D) for example a 3D mesh of metal wire and/or plastic filaments.

Indeed, the mesh itself may be three-dimensional, as shown in the Figures and as described in GB2591165. The mixing element 22 comprises a rigid mesh of multiple interconnected openings 39 delineated by side walls extending axially with respect to main body 2. The side walls 33 may have an axial height 'h' of a few millimetres e.g. about 2 to about 5mm. The size and/or shape of the openings 39 and/or their interstitial separations may vary.

Mixing element(s) 22 may be interchangeable in frame 20 so that various designs of 20 mixing element may be provided and used with the same frame 20. Alternatively, or in addition various interchangeable frames 20 with differing designs of mixing element 22 can be used with the same lid 12.

Variations of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this 25 disclosure. For example, first and/or second anti-rotation features 4A, 4B, 4C, 22A, 22B, 22C may be continuous need not be. These may be formed of discontinuous features arranged to form anti-rotation features.

In one or more embodiments, the invention provides a mixing component which can be fixed in place at a desired location within a main body of a bottle. In one or more embodiments, the invention provides a drinks bottle that has a mixing component which moves within the bottle. Previously, these desirable aspects were incompatible but in one or more embodiments, the invention provides both these desirable aspects in one bottle. Further, in preferred embodiments, these aspects can be operated from outside of the bottle. Further, the invention does not require the provision of a screw thread on the inwardly facing wall of the bottle.

2 main body 4 side wall 4A, 4B, 4C anti-rotation elements e.g. flat or flatter portions of inner surface of side wall 4 6 upper edge 7 screw thread 8 opening 9 lip drinks bottle 12 lid 14 base portion 16 handle portion 18 rod 18A, 18B, 18C elongate ribs (or recesses) of rod 19 locating (e.g. locking) mechanism 19-1 first part of locating (e.g. locking) mechanism 19 e.g. slots or cutouts 28A, 28 B, 28C) 19-2 second part of locating (e.g. locking) mechanism 19 e.g. protrusion (e.g. protruding or proud portion of central hole 21 of mixing frame 20) frame (e.g. mixing frame) 21 central opening in frame 21A, 21B, 21C slot portions of central opening 22 side wall (e.g. outer side wall) of frame 20 22A, 22B, 22C anti-rotation elements e.g. flat or flatter portions of outer surface of outer side wall of frame 23 resilient attachment member (e.g. resilient snap fit member) at top of rod 24 mixing element e.g. mesh stop member 26 lid grip features e.g. ridges and/or recesses and/or surface roughness 27 end plate, together with ribs 18A, 18B, 18C, defining slots 28A, 28B, 28C into which protrusion(s) 19-2 can be temporarily received 28A, 28B, 28C slots (e.g. recess or cut out), forming a first part 19-1 of a locating mechanism mouthpiece and pivotable cap structure 30A mouthpiece (drinking spout), 30B mouthpiece cap, 30C lever 31 pivot 39 mesh opening (a cell)

Claims

Claims 1. A drinks bottle (10) comprising: - a main body (2) for containing liquid, the main body (2) comprising at least one side wall (4), an inner surface of the side wall (4) comprising at least one first anti-rotation element (4A, 4B, 4C); - a mixing frame (20) movable within the main body (2), the mixing frame having a side wall (22), an outer surface of the side wall comprising at least one second anti-rotation element (22A, 22B, 22C) for co-operating with the at least one first anti-rotation element (4A, 4B, 4C) to prevent rotation therebetween.
2. A drinks bottle (10) according to claim 1 in which the mixing frame (20) is axially movable within the main body.
3. A drinks bottle (10) according to claim 2 in which the mixing frame is mounted on a rod (18) and is axially movable along the rod within the main body.
4. A drinks bottle (10) according to claim 2 or 3 comprising a releasable locating mechanism (19) for releasably locating the mixing frame (20) at at least one predetermined location along an axial height of the main body (2).
5. A drinks bottle (10) according to claim 4, when dependent on claim 3, in which - the at least one rod (18) comprises a first part (19-1) of the locating mechanism (19); and in which the mixing frame (20) comprises, a second part (19-2) of the locating mechanism (19) whereby the mixing frame (20) is movably mounted on the rod (18) and releasably locatable at a predetermined position thereon using the locating mechanism (19).
6. A drinks bottle (10) according to claim 4 or 5, when dependent on claim 3, in which the locating mechanism (19) is configured to be engaged and/or disengaged by rotation of the rod (18) with respect to the mixing frame (20), the mixing frame (20) being prevented from rotation with respect to the main body (2) by the at least one first anti-rotation element (4A, 4B, 4C) engaging with the at least one second anti-rotation element (22A, 22B, 22C).
7. A drinks bottle (10) according to any of claims 4 to 6 in which the locating mechanism comprises at least one of: - a bayonet-style fitting; a slot; an inter-engaging slot and protrusion (e.g. a pin or plate or rib); - one or more peripherally (e.g. circumferentially) extending slots on a rod and/or one or more peripherally (e.g. circumferentially) extending protrusions on the mixing frame, or vice versa; a clip; -a cam lever.
8. A drinks bottle (10) according to any preceding claim in which the at least one first anti-rotation element (4A, 4B, 4C) and the at least one second anti-rotation element (22A, 22B, 22C) comprises co-operating, inter-engaging elements which prevent relative rotation therebetween.
9. A drinks bottle (10) according to any preceding claim in which the at least one first anti-rotation element (4A, 4B, 4C) and/or the at least one second anti-rotation element (22A, 22B, 22C) comprise at least one of: -one or more surface features; one or more flat surface features; - one or more raised surface features; one or more protrusions; -one or more recesses; -one or more ribs; - one or more slots; - one or more corners; one or more clamps; one or more clips. 30
10. A drinks bottle (10) according to any preceding claim in which at least one first anti-rotation element (4A, 4B, 4C) comprises a flat portion of an inner surface of a side wall, of the main body (4), and/or, in which at least one second anti-rotation element (22A, 22B, 22C) comprises a flat portion of an outer surface of a side wall of the frame (20).
11. A drinks bottle (10) according to claim 8 in which the first anti-rotation element comprises three substantially flat surface portions, and/or the second anti-rotation element comprises three substantially flat portions.
12. A drinks bottle (10) according to any preceding claim in which the main body (4) is generally, or substantially, cylindrical.
13. A drinks bottle (10) according to any preceding claim in which the frame (20) is generally, or substantially, cylindrical.
14. A drinks bottle (10) according to any preceding claim in which the main body, and/or the side wall (4) of the main body (2), and/or the inner surface of the side wall (4) of the main body (2), has at least one tapered wall portion with at least a tapered inner surface.
15. A drinks bottle (10) according to any preceding claim in which at least a portion of the frame (20), and/or the side wall (22) of the frame (20) and/or the outer surface of the side wall (22) of the frame (20), is tapered.
16. A drinks bottle (10) according to any preceding claim in which one or both of the main body (2) and the mixing frame (20) are frustoconical in cross-section.
17. A drinks bottle (10) according to any proceeding claim in which the mixing frame (20) extends across the width of the main body (2). 25
18. A drinks bottle (10) according to any preceding claim, when dependent on claim 3, in which: the main body (2) terminates at a proximal end in an upper edge defining an opening (8), (4A, 4B, 4C); and the drinks bottle (10) further comprises: - a removable lid (12) closing the opening (8), the removable lid (12) comprising: - a base portion (14) removably located at the upper edge of the main body (2); a handle portion (16) rotatable with respect to the base portion (14); -and the at least one rod (18) is mounted on the handle portion and rotatable with the handle portion (16) so that the locating mechanism (19) of the mixing frame on the rod can be engaged and disengaged by rotation of the handle portion (16) with respect to the main body (10).
19. A drinks bottle (10) according to claim 17 in which the base portion (14) and handle portion (16) of the lid (12) comprise respective inter-engaging rotatable surface features to facilitate relative rotational motion therebetween.
20. A method of manufacturing a drinks bottle comprising: -providing a drinks bottle according to any of claims 1 to 19.
21. A method of mixing ingredients, using a drinks bottle (10) according to any of claims 1 to 19 comprising: adding ingredients to the main body (2); agitating the drinks bottle (10) thereby mixing the ingredients using the mixing element (22).
22. A method of mixing ingredients according to claim 21 comprising: activating the locating mechanism (19) to fixedly locate the mixing frame (20) in the main body of the drinks bottle at a predetermined location; agitating the drinks bottle 00) thereby mixing the ingredients using the mixing element (22).
23. A method of mixing ingredients according to claim 21 or 22 comprising: deactivating the locating mechanism (19) to release the mixing frame (20) to move at least axially within the main body of the drinks bottle; agitating the drinks bottle 00) thereby mixing the ingredients using the mixing element (22).
24. A method according to any of claims 21 to 23 comprising: -using a bottle according to claim 18; and, affixing the base portion of the lid 02) to the upper edge (6) of the main body (2) so that the frame (20) is located within the main body (4) so their respective anti-rotation features engage to prevent relative rotation therebetween; rotating the handle portion (16) of the lid 02) with respect to the base portion (14) to cause the first (19-1) and second 09-2) parts of the locking mechanism (19) to engage and/or disengage; -agitating the drinks bottle (10) thereby mixing the ingredients using the mixing element (22).
25. A kit comprising: a drinks bottle according to any of claims 1 to 19; and at least one of the following: instructions for use; a spare mixing frame (20); a spare mixing element (22, 122).